BASIC COMPUTER
CONCEPTS
what is a computer ?
An electronic device that stores , retrieves , and processes data , and can be programmed with instruction . a computer is composed of hardware and software , and can exist in a variety of sizes and configurations.
hardware and software
the term hardware refers to the physical components of your computer such as the system unit , mouse , keyboard , monitor etc.
the software is the instructions that makes the computer work . software is held either on your computer hard disk , CD -ROM , DVD or on a diskette ( floppy disk ) and is loaded ( i.e. .copied ) from the disk into the computer ROM ( Random access Memory), as and when required .
ACTIVITY -01
compare and control excel and Python.
is a modern technological word, data is a total resource for individuals , businesses , and government . to process and analyse . data efficiently tools like Microsoft excel is a spread sheet application developed by Microsoft . known for its user -friendly graphical interface and quick calculations python . on the other hand . is a powerful high level programming language known for its flexibility and automation capability.
TYPES OF COMPUTER
mini and mainframe computer
Very powerful , used by large organisation such an banks to control the entire business operation. very expensive.
Hardware computer
Input device - how to tell it what to do .
- a keyboard and mouse are the standard way to interact with the computer . other devices include joystick and game used primarily for games .
Output devices - how it shows ypu what it is doing
-the monitor ( the screen ) is how the computer sends information back to you . A printer is also an output device.
ACTIVITY -02
compare and contrast excel and python
Microsoft excel vs python language
Microsoft excel is a Paral of the Microsoft office suite . it is primary used for data entry .calulation, creating graphs and preforming financial and statical operation , excel has built - in formulas like sum, AVERAGA,VLOOKUP,AND IF , which make it easy for users to process data without coding.
Hardware Components
INPUT DEVICES
*the mouse
used to drive Microsoft windows
*the keyboard
the keyboard is still the commonest way of entering information into a computer
*Tracker balls
An alternative to the traditional mouse and often used graphic designers
Memory -how the processor stores and uses immediate
RAM - Random access memory
* the main working memory used by the computer
*when the operating system loads from disk when you first switch on the computer , it is copied into RAM
* as a rough rule , a Microsoft windows based computer will operate faster if you install more RAM . date and programs stored in RAM are volatile (i . e . the information is lost when you switch off the computer)
hardware components
Memory .
rom - read only memory
read only memory ( ROM) as the name suggests is a special type of memory chip that software that can be read but not written to .
a good example is the rom -bios chip , which contains read - only software
often network cards and video cards also contain ROM chips.
Hardware components
how computer memory is measured
Bit
all computer work on a binary numbering system. i.e . they process data in ones or zeros this 1 or 0 level of storage is called a bit .
byte
A byte consists of eight bits .
kilobyte
a megabyte (KB) consists of 10244 bytes.
gigabyte
A gigabyte (GB) consists of 1024 megabytes .
Microprocessors - the brain of the computer
What is the 5n basics of a computer ?
the five basics of a computer are : input , processing , storage , output , and control .A computer takes in data ( input ) , manipulates it (processing ), stores it , provides result ( output ) , and has a unit to oversee all these functions ( control ).
here s a breakdown of each basic operation :
1. input : this is the process of providing data and instructions to the computer system. Device like keyboard and mice are used for input .
2.processing : the computer s central processing unit ( CPU) performs calculation and executes instructions to convert raw date into useful information .
3.storage : computers store data and instructions, both temporarily in memory ( like RAM ) and long - term on storage devices .
4. output : this is the process of producing result from the processed data in a human - readable fomat . output devices include monitors , printers , and speakers.
5.control the control unit supervises and coordinates all operations within the computer system, ensuring everything happens in the correct order .
what is basic in computer ?
in the context of computer , BASIC is the acronym for beginners all - purpose symbolic instruction code , a family of high - level programming languages designed in the mid - 1960 s for ease of use and to make computers accessible to non- technical users and students. known for its English - like syntax , it was one of the first languages to become widely available on personal on personal computers and remains popular for educational purposes.
key aspects of basic
* ease of use : the primary goal was simplicity , with commands that are easy to learn and remember
* English like syntax : its instructions resemble natural English ,making it less intimidating for beginners
* interpreted language :early versions of BASIC were interpreted meaning the code was translated and executed line-by-line
*versatility: despite its simple design BASIC is a versatile language capable of handling both simple and complex tasks
*educational tool : it was specially designed to enable students in non - scientific fields to use computers a stark contrast to the era's complex custom software
origin and evolution
creators : john Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz developed the original Dartmouth BASIC in 1964 at Dartmouth college
impact: BASIC became a popular first programming language used extensively on early personal computers including versions from Microsoft
modern form :while related to older versions modern implementations like visual basic have evolved significantly supporting event driven programming and rapid application development.
what are 7 computer types ?
the most common classification includes supercomputers, mainframes, minicomputers, workstations, personal computers, embedded systems, and servers though some lists may vary slightly by including analog, digital, hybrid, or mobile devices like smartphones. these categories are generally defined by their size , power , and intended use, with supercomputers being the most powerful and personal computers being widely used by individuals.
