About this ebook
The fact that computer can increase productivity, and a good understanding of the software running on it can further make you more productive at doing everything, however, doesn’t make it inherently easy for everyone to use. For many people, technologies and terminologies are a bit terrifying or downright daunting.
Basics of Computer, Third Edition, eradicates any intimidation about the computer. With a minimal investment of time, you’ll soon able to understand basic concepts and perform simple tasks on your computer.
Chapter-wise approach provides navigation through the contents, easy to grasp the language, clear technical definitions, and appropriate illustrations provide an understandable read to students.
This book will serve as a toolkit for naive and experts as well. It fits best for those who want to know about technology and curious about computers. The plain English explanations are extremely useful. With this book, you will truly learn something new each day.
Basics of Computer, Third Edition will equip you
To Learn Computer Concepts in Plain English
To Learn Practical Computer Skills Needed for Everyday Life
To Maintain Hardware and Software by Using Safe Lab Procedures and Tool
To Make You Productive by Using Productivity Software (Word, Excel, Access)
To Use Microsoft Excel for Inter-conversion of Number Systems
To Identity Impacts of Computer and Internet on Society
To Learn and Improve Skills with Top 20 Free and Online Resources
To Deal with Spam E-mails
To Understand the Fundamental concepts of Networking
To Share and Use a Printer on a Local Network
Order Your Copy of Basics of Computer, Third Edition Today.
Muhammad Umar
MUHAMMAD UMAR holds a master’s degree in Computer Science with a major in Database. He is the founder of www.basicscomp.com and www.typing12.com. He has written and published more than 200 articles online. In addition to this, the author has written three books on the subject Computer Education, published by Talent Publishers. He is a Microsoft Office Specialist certified by Microsoft Corporation.He is passionate about helping students and professionals to grasp the basic and advance concepts of computer in an easier and practical way. He has taught computer at primary and secondary levels.MUHAMMAD UMAR can be reached at [email protected].
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Basics of Computer - Muhammad Umar
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
IN THIS CHAPTER
Information Technology
Computer
Computer Definitions
Differences between Computer and Calculator
Opening Calculator on Windows 10
Data
Types of data
Information
Differences between data and information
Creating a New Folder
History of Computing
Dark Ages (3000 B.C - 1890 A.D.)
The Middle Ages (1890 A.D. - 1944 A.D.)
The Modern Age (Since 1944)
Introduction to Computer Hardware
Input Devices
Output Devices
Deleting a File or Folder
Restoring a File or Folder from Recycle Bin
Shutting Down Computer Using Only Keyboard
Information Technology
The use of computers, software, and telecommunication equipment for data handling is called Information Technology (IT), which is also known as Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It deals with the manipulation of information with the help of computers and software. It processes, stores, protects, transfers, and retrieves information. Although the term ICT applies to computers it also covers other information distribution systems such as radio, telephone, and television.
Computer
The term computer can be used for any kind of calculating device that can perform simple or complex computations. In a nutshell, any device capable of performing calculations is referred to as a computer. In general, the term is applied only to an electronic digital computer that comes with a Central Processing Unit (CPU), keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
An open computer sitting on top of a table Description automatically generatedFigure 1: A desktop personal having CPU, LCD, Keyboard, and Mouse.
Computers are now an integral part of our lives, we come across with computers in one way or another in our daily life. For instance, visiting a bank to withdraw or deposit money, reserving a seat, or buying a product online, involve interaction with a computer or computer system explicitly or implicitly. Let me define it formally.
Definition # 1:
A computer is a complex machine which receives data in the form of input, processes it and finally gives result in the form of output.
Definition # 2:
A computer is an electronic device with the capability of accepting data, running predefined processes on data, and providing outputs of these processes.
Definition # 3:
A computer is an automatic device that processes provided input data in a predefined way and supplies the required results.
Definition # 4:
A computer is a computational device that gets data from several input devices. It processes the given data through a set of stored instructions at a very high speed and precision. Once required processes on data are completed, the result is provided on output devices.
Differences between Computer and Calculator
A computer is an electronic machine that allows you to solve problems. This basic definition also fits on a simple calculator (See figure 2). However, there are four major differences between computer and calculator which are listed below.
A close up of a calculator Description automatically generatedFigure 2: A calculator with the capability of solving simple algerbaic operations.
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Figure 3: Windows 10 calculator running in scientific mode.
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As we know that calculator is one of the oldest and most used app. It comes with Windows operating system as built-in utility. In Windows 10, calculator is a touch-friendly version as compared to previous versions.
On the taskbar, type c in the search box.
Choose Calculator
from the displayed menu.
Data
Data means raw facts and figures in an unorganized form which themselves do not make any sense to a person. Data can be words, numbers, or pictures which represent objects, conditions, or ideas. Data is unlimited and exists everywhere in the universe. In the context of computers, data is used as input which is processed by Central Processing Unit and then converted into information.
Types of data
Data is divided into three basic categories.
1. Numeric
Numeric data contain only numbers from 0 to 9. Numeric data can be positive, negative, decimal, fraction, or whole number.
Example: 6543, -5643, 0.093, ¼, 4563
2. Alphabetic
Alphabetic data contain alphabets (letters) from A-Z both upper and lower cases.
Example: Peshawar, ASCII, Umar
3. Alphanumeric
This type of data consists of both numbers, alphabets, and some special characters.
Example: Street # 56, Ward 43
Information
When data is processed and represented in an organized form, it is referred to as information. Information plays a vital role in business, organization, and decision-making.
Differences between data and information
Go to any location e.g. Desktop, My Document, or (D:) drive where you want to create a new folder.
Right-click on an empty area and choose the New
option from the displayed menu.
Type a new name for folder and press enter.
A screenshot of a cell phone Description automatically generatedHistory of Computing
Ancient people used to count in many ways. They used their fingers and toes for counting. Interestingly, they used to perform simple arithmetic calculations mentally. Later, various mechanical calculating devices such as Abacus, Pascaline, and Leibniz were invented. These devices laid down the foundation for modern computers.
For the sake of simplicity, let us classify the computer’s history into three ages based on devices mentioned earlier.
Dark Ages
The Middle Ages
The Modern Age
i. Dark Ages (3000 B.C – 1890 A.D.)
Abacus
The Abacus was a computing device invented by China in about 3000 B.C. Although, many digital devices such as calculators and computers have replaced the