Peter Norton's Introduction to Computers: Lesson 1 Summary

The Four Parts of a Computer System

• Hardware: The physical, electronic devices you can touch, such as a keyboard, monitor, or modem.

• Software: Sets of instructions, also called programs, that control the computer (e.g., Windows, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Data: Raw digital facts processed by the computer into useful information; stored and read as numbers.

• Users: People who operate the computer system.

Hardware Classifications and Processing

• Processor (CPU): The Central Processing Unit manages devices and performs data processing; it consists of chips on the motherboard.

• Memory (RAM): Random Access Memory holds active data and instructions; it is volatile, meaning data is lost when power is off.

• Input and Output (I/O): Input devices (keyboard, mouse) accept data; output devices (monitor, printer) return processed data; communication devices (modems) do both.

• Storage Devices: Hold data not currently in use by the CPU using magnetic (Hard drive) or optical (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM) media.

Measuring Memory and Storage

• Byte: The smallest usable unit of measure, representing one character.

• Kilobyte ($KB$): Actual value of $1,024\,\text{bytes}$.

• Megabyte ($MB$): Actual value of $1,048,576\,\text{bytes}$.

• Gigabyte ($GB$): Actual value of $1,073,741,824\,\text{bytes}$.

• Terabyte ($TB$): Actual value of $1,099,511,627,776\,\text{bytes}$.

System and Application Software

• System Software: Essential for computer function, primarily the Operating System (OS) like Windows, Macintosh OS, OS/2, and UNIX.

• Application Software: Designed for specific user tasks, such as word processing, spreadsheet software, and web design tools.

lesson 1 review

• List the four parts of a computer system.

• Identify four types of computer hardware.

• List five units of measure for computer memory and storage.

• Provide two examples of input and output devices.

• Name and describe three types of storage devices.

• Differentiate the two main categories of computer software.

• List four specific types of application software.