Computer Engineering 1-5 

Computers are items that have software (programs), and hardware (computer parts). Computers can do three things: read (input), write (output) things, do arithmetic, and make comparisons. Input devices are things that read and understand the information, an example is a keyboard. Output devices are things that write information out, an example is a printer. Many computers together working in parallel to do one task is called a supercomputer. A network is many computers working on a shared server. Servers are a box that provides services (internet) to computers. The system unit is the part that houses CPU 1, CPU 2, the motherboard, main memory, fan, hard drive, graphics card and the RAM. In modern computers, the system unit is inside of a PC but in older times, the system unit was previously not connected to the computer. The motherboard is a hardware part of the computer which sends signals to the computer. The CPU is the “brains” of the computer. The CPU does the reading, writing, and arithmetic of the computer. The CPU processing speed is in GHz. There are two types of computer storage: primary, and secondary storage. The primary storage consists of the RAM, flash memory, and sometimes virtual RAM (memory). Primary storage is temporary storage and erases once your computer dies, it’s more expensive. Computers can only work with information when it’s in the primary storage. The secondary storage consists of the HDD and SSD. Secondary storage is permanent and does not erase unless manually erased. Flash memory Is much faster than hard drive and smaller in capacity. HDD are the classic hard drive and they are bigger but hold less capacity than an SSD, they last longer than SSDs but are more expensive. SSDs are smaller devices that are less fragile and hold more storage but are more expensive. An essay while open would be in the primary storage while an essay closed would be in the secondary storage. Every digital item is made up of bytes. Bytes are the basic unit of storage. Each byte is made up of eight bits. Bit is an acronym for binary digit. Binary digits are only 1s or 0s. Each bit represent the state of something. 1s represent if something is on and 0s are if something isn’t on. The capacity of both primary and secondary storage is measured in bytes (kilobytes, gigabytes etc). Modems are devices for converting data. Modems modulate data so they can be transferred through communication lines to be interpreted and are demodulated so the computer can interpret the data. Dial Up is the first type of modem and isn’t used anymore. It was a very slow modem. DSL is a type of modem. DSL is on the cheaper side but individuals cannot use it when they are in far distance from it. DSL isn’t impacted by the amount of individuals using it at a time. Cable is another type of modem. Cable lines are not impacted by how far the distance, it’s also fast, however it’s impacted by the amount of individuals using it at a time. Fibre Optic lines are the newest time of line. They are more expensive than other lines but are very fast and it doesn’t matter the distance or how many people are using it at a time.