What Is a Computer?

 It is an electronic device that can process inputted data, produce and store results for the future
use.
 It is an electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory
that can accept data process the data according to specified rules produce results and store the
results for future use.

Computer literacy

 also known as digital literacy

Data

 a collection of unprocessed items which can include; text, numbers, images, audio, and video.

Information

 conveys meaning and is useful to people.

Information Processing Cycle

 Computers process data (input) into information (output).

A computer

- is a programmable, multiuse machine that accepts data – raw facts and figures and processes, or
manipulates it into information we can use.

Communications technology

-also called telecommunications technology, consists of electromagnetic devices and systems for
communication over any distance.

Computer Sizes and Power

Personal computer - A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor.

Workstation- A powerful, single-user computer.

Minicomputer - A multi-user computer capable of supporting up to hundreds of users simultaneously.

Mainframe - A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of

Supercomputer - An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per
second.
 Key Components of a Computer Systems, Operating System

What is a computer?

A computer is any machine that can be programmed to carry out a set of algorithms and arithmetic
instructions. 

Of course, the computers we think of today are so much more than that—and I’m talking beyond just
being machines used to play games and watch videos of cats on the internet!

5 parts of a computer

Whether it's a gaming system or a home PC, the five main components that make up a typical, present-
day computer include:

• A motherboard

• A Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), also known as a video card

• Random Access Memory (RAM), also known as volatile memory

• Storage: Solid State Drive (SSD) or Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

1. The motherboard

What it is: All components of a computer communicate through a circuit board called the motherboard,
as was mentioned above.

What it does: Think of the motherboard as the glue that holds everything else together.

The motherboard’s video card and Central Processing Unit are contained in an integrated (built-in)
chipset, shown in the picture below:

This is where input/output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and speakers get plugged in.

2. The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

What it is: The CPU is often called the "brain" of a computer, thanks to its direct plug connection to the
motherboard, and communication with all of the computer’s other components.

What it does: Whenever you write a line of code (in Python, Java, C++, or any other programming
language), it's broken down into assembly language—which is a language that the processor can
understand. It fetches, decodes, and executes these instructions.

And that’s where the CPU comes in—all the processes a computer handles are taken care of by the CPU.

3. The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

What it is: It's not uncommon to hear gamers obsess over the next new graphics card, as these graphic
cards make it possible for computers to generate high-end visuals like those found in the many different
types of video games.
In addition to video games, though, good graphics cards also come in handy for those who rely on
images in order to execute their craft, like 3D modelers using resource-intensive software.

What it does: Graphics cards often communicate directly with the display monitor, meaning a $1,000
graphics card won't be of much use if there isn't a high-end monitor connected to it.

4. Random Access Memory (RAM)

What it is: RAM, also known as volatile memory, stores data regarding frequently accessed programs
and processes. (It's called volatile memory because it gets erased every time the computer restarts.)

What it does: RAM helps programs and games start up and close quickly.

5. Storage

What it is: All computers need somewhere to store their data. Modern computers either use a Hard Disk
Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD).

What it does: HDDs are made of an actual disk onto which data is stored. The disk is read by a
mechanical arm. (HDDs are cheaper than SSDs, but are slowly becoming more and more obsolete.)

SSDs (think SIM cards) have no moving parts and are faster than a hard drive, because no time is spent
waiting for a mechanical arm to find data on a physical location on the disk.

Hardware

refers to the physical elements of a computer. Also referred to as the machinery or the equipment of
the computer.

Software

Computer software, or simply software, is a collection of data or computer instructions that tell the
computer how to work. This is in contrast to physical hardware, from which the system is built and
actually performs the work

Types of Computer Software

1. System Software – is software designed to provide a platform for other software.

2. Application Software – is a program or group of programs designed for end users.

3. Programming Languages - is a formal language comprising a set of instructions that produce

4. Operating System

An operating system is system software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and
provides common services for computer programs.

Word Processor

• Word processor is a type of application software that used to create all kinds of text documents.

• It can also be used to add images, sound, charts in documents.

• A document can be changed without retyping the entire document.

• If there is a typing mistake, it can be corrected easily.

• It is easy to insert word, sentence or paragraph in the middle of a document.

• The text can be duplicated easily without type it again.

• A document can be save for future use.

Microsoft Word

-is a word processor developed by Microsoft. It was first released on October 25, 1983 under the name
Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems.

Parts of Microsoft Word Interface

Mail Merge is a handy feature that incorporates data from both Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel
and allows you to create multiple documents at once, such as letters, saving you the time and effort of
retyping the same letter over and over.

Components of Mail Merge

1. Form Document is a document with spaces in which to write or select, for a series

2. List or Data File is a computer file which stores data to be used by a computer application or

Label Generation

-A label is a piece of paper, plastic film, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or product,
on which is written or printed information or symbols about the product or item.