Computer System: Dissecting it to its Parts

Computer System - composed of Software, Hardware and Firmware. It is a complete working computer.

Logical Components:

         a.     Input unit – the part of the computer system receiving data. It obtains information from input devices and places this information at the disposal of the other units for processing.
         b.     Output Unit - the part of the computer system releasing data. It takes information that the computer has processed and places it on various output devices to make the information available for use outside the computer.
         c.      Memory unit - the part of the computer system storing data. It stores computer programs while they are being executed. It retains information that has been entered through the input unit, so that it will be immediately available for processing when needed. The memory unit also retains processed information until it can be placed on output devices by the output unit.
         d.     Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) – the part of the computer system manufacturing data. It is responsible for performing calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
         e.     Central processing unit (CPU) - the part of the computer system controlling it. It coordinates and supervises the other sections’ operations.
         f.      Secondary storage unit - another part of the computer system storing data.

Physical Parts:

         a.     System Unit – contains the main components of the computer, such as the motherboard, CPU, RAM, video card, hard disk, disk drives, and the power supply. It can also contain optional components such as a sound card or a network card.
         b.     Input Devices - used to give data to the computer. The most common input devices are the keyboard and the mouse.
         c.     Output Devices - the components where the computer shows the results. A monitor, printer, plotter, and loud speaker are all output devices.

         d.     Storage Device - are used to store data permanently. A hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and tape cartridge are examples of storage devices.

Computer System: 3 Kinds of Wares

   Software - gives a computer instructions or data and is anything that can be stored electronically. A collection of Software is called Software Bundle or Suite.

   Types of Software:

a.     Application Software – allows users to accomplish one or more specific (non-computer related) tasks. Includes industrial automation, business software, educational software, medical software, databases, and computer games.
b.     System Software – helps run the computer hardware and computer system. Includes operating systems, device drivers, diagnostic tools, servers, windowing systems, utilities and more.
c.      Programming Software – provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer programs, and software using different programming languages in a more convenient way. Includes text editors, compilers, interpreters, linkers, debuggers, and so on.

   Hardware - the physical components that make up a computer system. Gathers data from software to know what to do.

   Some Computer Hardware:

   a.     Motherboard - holds the CPU, main memory and other parts, and has slots for expansion cards
   b.     Power Supply - a case that holds a transformer, voltage control and fan. Main source of electricity of the Computer.
   c.      Random Access Memory – main memory for data storage.
   d.     Central Processing Unit - carries out the instructions of a computer program.
   e.     Video Card - a card which generates feeds of output images to a display. (wiki)
   f.       Hard Disk Drive - a data storage device used for storing and retrieving digital information using rapidly rotating disks called platters coated with magnetic material. (wiki)
   g.     Optical Drive - a disk drive that uses laser light or electromagnetic waves within or near the visible light spectrum as part of the process of reading or writing data to or from optical discs. (wiki)
   h.     Sound Card - an internal computer card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs. (wiki)
   i.        LAN Card - a card used to connect to the internet and is used to provide wireless Internet access to computer users at home or in roaming networks. (ask)

   Firmware – the Boundary between the hardware and software. It is the combination of persistent memory and program code and data stored in it.

Computer System: The Machine Cycle

Machine Cycle - steps performed by the computer processor for each machine language instruction received.

Steps of Machine Cycle:

        1.     Fetch - Retrieve an instruction from the memory.
        2.     Decode - Translate the retrieved instruction into a series of computer commands.
        3.     Execute - Execute the computer commands.
        4.     Store - Write the results back in memory.

Computer System: Basic Numerical Systems

Binary - The binary numeral system, or base-2 numeral system, represents numeric values using two symbols: typically 0 and 1.

Decimal - The decimal numeral system has ten as its base. It is the numerical base most widely used by modern civilizations.

Hexadecimal - In mathematics and computing, hexadecimal is a positional numeral system with a base of 16.

Generations of Computer: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)

Vacuum Tubes:

-placed in magnetic drums
-enormous in size
-expensive to operate
-consumes huge amount of electricity
-generated a lot of heat
-overheating causes malfunctions
-relied on machine language
-could only solve one problem at a time
-input was based on punched cards and paper tape
-output was displayed on printouts

Examples:

a.     UNIVAC - first commercial computer delivered to a business client, the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951

b.     ENIAC -  first electronic general-purpose computer

Generations of Computers: Transistors (1956-1963)

Transistors

            -Smaller
            -From Magnetic Drum to Magnetic Core
            -Faster
            -Cheaper
            -More Energy-efficient
            -More Reliable
            -Still generated great deal of heat
            -Punch Cards for Input

            -Print-outs for Output

            -Used symbolic/assembly languages

            -Overheating still causes damage to computer
            

Examples:

1.     COBOL

2.     FORTRAN

*Stored their instructions in their memory.
*Developed for atomic energy industry.

Generation of Computers: Integrated Circuits (1964-1971)

Integrated Circuits

            -Cheaper
            -Faster
            -Uses Silicon Chips called Semiconductors

            -Increase in Speed and Efficiency

            -Uses Keyboards for Input

            -Uses Monitors for Output

            -Now has an Operating System

            -Can run many different applications at one time

            -Has a central program to control the Memory

            -Became accessible to Mass Audience

Generations of Computers: Microprocessors (1971-Present)

Microprocessor

          

            -Smaller
            -Faster
            -More Efficient
            -Cheaper

Year 1971:

            - The Intel 4004 chip was developed, located all the components of the computer—from the central processing unit and memory to input/output controls—on a single chip.

Year 1981:

            - IBM introduced its first computer for the home user.

Year 1984:

           -Apple introduced the Macintosh.

* Moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors.
*Linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet.
*Made the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.

Generations of Computers: Artificial Intelligence (Present)

Artificial Intelligence

            -Still in development

            -Natural Language for Input

            -Capable of Self-Organization

            -Computers like Watson
            -Used in speech recognition

            -Used in intelligent robots

            -Uses Parallel Processing of superconductors
            -Quantum Computation, molecular and nanotechnology
            

Installing Windows 7

Step-by-Step Installation of Windows 7

            1)    Change the Boot Priority in prior to the device where you have the installer.

            2)    Reboot your Computer

            3)    Language options, by default English will be set along with “time and currency format” and “keyboard or input method”

            4)    Click “Install Now”

            5)    “Which type of installation?” window will appear. Upgrade will be grayed out; the only option you should be able to choose is Custom (advanced).

            6)    “Where do you want to install windows?” Make sure the partition is highlighted.

            7)      Delete the partition by clicking on Drive options (advanced) on the bottom right corner of the field. Make sure the partition is highlighted and click on Delete. If drive advanced options is grayed out, then the partition will not have to be deleted.

            8)    The next screen will show “Installing Windows”. This process should take approximately 10 minutes after which the system will reboot.

            9)    The next screen will show “Installing Windows” again to complete the installation process.

          10)    “Setup is starting Windows” will appear on the screen, then you will be asked to create a user name and a computer name.

          11)     The next step will prompt you to create a password for your account (optional).

          12)      The next screen will come up and ask you to choose one of three options: “Use recommended settings”,

          13)     “Install important updates only” and “Ask me later”.

          14)     This screen will allow you to choose your local time zone and also adjust the date and time.

          15)     Click on the appropriate location of your computer to enable Windows 7 to apply the correct network settings.

          16)     The installation is done!

Microsoft Excel: Expectation and Reality

The first time our teacher told us we are going to discuss Microsoft Excel  on the third quarter, I thought it would be something different, something that wouldn't include hard things. I thought we would start easy, but then my expectations failed me...

                       Expectation:                                                                                            Reality:

                             

Microsoft Excel: Easy Sheet!

Microsoft Excel is a reliable and easy application especially when you are an accountant or a teacher because that thing will really make your work easy. It can be used to compute grades, accounting expenses, and all the like which you can all convert to charts later on. Let us explore the beauty of this software as we know its functions.


          

Microsoft Excel: Pros and Cons

Excel was first developed for the Macintosh computer in 1984. Windows came into the market in 1987 and Excel became a part of the Microsoft package. It is a spreadsheet with database capabilities that has become a mainstay in financial computing.

Advantages:

• Common format, more people would be able to access file 
• Lots of free tutorials available.
• Portable
• Less Computation

Disadvantages:

• Very Expensive
• The Built-in Password Protection is Weak
• May Attach Virus with Macros

Microsoft Excel: Data Types

Microsoft Excel uses many data types but here are 3 main types used.

Text
            The Text Data are common for its use in worksheet headings, names, and for identifying cells of data.

Numbers
            Numbers can be used in calculations. By default, they are right aligned in a cell.

Formulas
          a Formula is a mathematical equation such as adding or subtracting numbers.

Other Data Types:
   1) Currency
   2)  Date
   3) Time
   4) Logical
   5) Accounting
   6) Special
   7) Scientific
   8) Fraction

Microsoft Excel: Data Formatting

In Microsoft Excel, sometimes it’s difficult for you to recognize data, so there is one thing we can do, Data Formatting.

In Data Formatting we can do many things like change font, border style, cell color etc.

Here is how to format cells:

     1) Select the cell you want to format

     2) Right-click on that cell

     3) Select format cell

Now there is a pop-up window. In this window, there are five tabs (Excel 2007) just choose from any of them and you’ll soon get it

Microsoft Excel: Conditional Formatting

Conditional Formatting is data formatting but only made easier.

We only use formulas in formatting cells not formatting them one by one in Cell Formatting.

Here are the steps on how to apply Conditional Formatting:

     1) Input all of your data

     2) Click the cell you want to format

     3) Click Conditional Formatting in the Ribbon

     4) Click New Rule

     5) When adding a rule, make sure you use a formula.

     6) Add your Rule

     7) Click on Format

     8) Select Formatting you want for your cell.

     9) Done : D

Microsoft Excel: Functions and Formulas

The ability to perform calculations is one of the purposes of using a spreadsheet application.

Some examples of the types of calculations that can be done are:

     1) Totals

     2) Subtotals

     3) Average

Entering a Formula requires an equal sign and addresses of the cells whose values will be manipulated with appropriate operands placed in between them.

A Function Instead a Formula is I think harder to use but is also simple to do.

Microsoft Excel: Data Representation

In Microsoft Excel, there are many ways to represent data. One easy way is by Charts or Graphs.

Advantages:

1)    Pleasant To the Eye

2)    Easy Interpretation

3)    Requires Less Effort

Disadvantages:

1)    More Time

2)    Less Space