LEARNINGS OF THE WEEK - by CALIGDONG

we have discussed about the history of the C language. and also about flowcharting and algorithms.

I have learned that the B language that Ken Thompson developed is a successor of Basic Command Programming Language (BCPL) which was developed by Martin Richards. To augment B's power, Dennis Ritchie invented and first implemented the C Programming Language in Bell Laboratory. It was originally developed under UNIX environment running in DEC PDP-11.

C stands for Combined Programming Language and is also called System Programming Language(SPL) It did not become immediately popular after its creation. It took almost 6 years when many people read and learned the usefulness of the language after Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie published the book "THE C PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE".

By year 1983, the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) created the X3J11 committee to provide the machine definition of the language and was then approved in 1989. ANSI cooperated with the International Standard Organization (ISO) to refer to as ANSI/ISO 9899:1990".

C language is considered as a middle-level language which means that it combines elements of high-level language with the functionalism of assembly language. It allows manipulation of bits, bytes, addresses the basic elements with which the computer functions.

C is sensitive to input commands, output commands and special words. That's why they are referred to as reserved words allow the use of lower case only It has only 32 keywords (27 from Kernighan and Ritchie and 5 from the ANSI Standardization Committee).


It was initially used for system development work, in particular the programs that make up the OS. It produces codes that run as fast as codes written in assembly language.

C is used in the following: Operating System, Language compilers,Assemblers, Text Editors, Print Spoolers, network devices, modern programs, databases, language interpreters and in utilities.

There five features of C language. First, it is a simple core language. Second, it focus on procedural programming paradigm. Third, parameters are always passed by value not by reference. Fourth, it encourages the creation of libraries user-defined functions. And last, it is flexible when it allows unrestricted conversion of data from one type to another.

FLOWCHARTING is the use of symbols and phrases to designate the logic of how a problem is solved. it is the common method for defining the logical steps of flow within a program by using a series of symbols to identify the basic input, process and output function within a program. it is a two-dimensional representation of an algorithm; the predefined graphic symbols of a flowchart are used to indicates the various operations and the flow of control .
A diagram representing the logical sequence in which a combination of steps is to be performed. It is a blueprint of the program.

ALGORITHM is a finite set of instructions that specify a sequence of operations to be carried out in order to solve a specific problem or class of problems.

SYMBOLS USED IN FLOWCHARTING

Terminal - is used to signify the beginning and end of flowchart.

Preparation/Initialization - signifies the preparation of data and used to select initial conditions. it also used to represent instructions or groups of instructions that will alter or modify a program's course of execution.

Input/ Output - shows input and output. Data are to be read into the computer memory from an input device or data are to be passed from the memory to an output device.

Processing -performs any calculations that are to be done.

Decision -signifies any decisions that are to be done

On-page Connector-shows the entry or exit point of the flowchart.A non-processing symbol used to connect one part of a flowchart to another without drawing flow lines. Conserves space by keeping related blocks near one another, reduces the number of flow lines in complex programs, and eliminates cross lines from taking place

Off-page Connector-Designates entry to or exit from one page when a flowchart requires more than one page

Flowlines- Signifies the process that is to be executed next.

CONTROLS

• Sequence
• Selection (if-then-else)
• Repetition (Looping)

Learnings of the Week (aug 25-29)

During this week, we have tackled about the C language, its history, uses, features, and also about flowcharting.

Without the idea of Dennis Ritchie, C language would have not been discovered especially its relevance and importance to us. C was invented and first implemented by Dennis Ritchie to augment B's power, which was the first computer language before C.

C did not become immediately popular after its creation and took almost six years when many people read and learned the usefulness of the language after Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie created a famous book called "The Programming Language."

C was initially used for system development work, in particular the programs that make up the operating system. C is used mainly because it produces codes that run as fast as codes in assembly language.

Some examples of C are the operating system, the language compilers, assemblers, the text editors, the network devices, etc.

The features of C are: it is a simple core language, such as math functions and file handling; it focuses on a procedural programming paradigm which facilitates for programming in a structured style and others.

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Learnings of the Week (Quennie Rose Colegado)

This weak, we discussed about the Flowcharting and algorithms
Flowcharting is defined as
A common method for defining the logical steps of flow within a program by using a series of symbols to identify the basic input, process and output function within a program.
A two-dimensional representation of an algorithm; the predefined graphic symbols of a flowchart are used to indicates the various operations and the flow of control .

Algorithm is a finite set of instructions that specify a sequence of operations to be carried out in
order to solve a specific problem or class of problems.

Basic Symbols Used in Flowcharting
Terminal

Used to signify the beginning and end of flowchart.

Preparation/Initialization

Signifies the preparation of data.

Used to select initial conditions.

Used to represent instructions or groups of instructions that will alter or modify a program’s course of execution.

Input/Output
Shows input and output. Data are to be read into the computer memory from an input device or data are to be passed from the memory to an output device.

Processing

Performs any calculations that are to be done.

Decision

Signifies any decisions that are to be done

On-page Connector

Shows the entry or exit point of the flowchart.

A non-processing symbol used to connect one part of a flowchart to another without drawing flow lines.

Conserves space by keeping related blocks near one another, reduces the number of flow lines in complex programs, and eliminates cross lines from taking place.

Off-page Connector

Designates entry to or exit from one page when a flowchart requires more than one page.

Flowlines

Signifies the process that is to be executed next.

Basic Control Structures

Sequence

Selection (if-then-else)

Repetition (Looping)

Sequence

A process executed from one to another in a straightforward manner.

Repetition (Looping)

This structure provides for the repetitive execution of an operation or routine while the condition is true. The condition is evaluated before executing any process statement. As long as the condition is true, the process is executed, otherwise, control flows out of the structure.

Example of Repetition (Looping)

Construct a flowchart that will count from 1 to 10 and print each number counted using the do-while-repetition structure .Write its equivalent algorithm.

Commonly Used Operators in Flowcharting

Arithmetic Operators

+ addition

- Subtraction

* Multiplication

/ Division

Relational Operators

= equal

> Greater than

<>

<> Not equal

> Greater than or equal to

< less than or equal to

Logical operators

&& AND

|| OR

! NOT

ASCII
stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange.

Computers can only understand numbers...
so, an ASCII code is the numerical representation of a character such as 'a' or '@' or an action of some sort.

ASCII was developed a long time ago and now the non-printing characters are rarely used for their original purpose.
Below is the ASCII character table and this includes descriptions of the first 32 non-printing characters.
ASCII was actually designed for use with teletypes and so the descriptions are somewhat obscure.
If someone says they want your CV however in ASCII format, all this means is they want 'plain' text with no formatting such as tabs, bold or underscoring - the raw format that any computer can understand.
This is usually so they can easily import the file into their own applications without issues.
Notepad.exe creates ASCII text, or in MS Word you can save a file as 'text only'.


Bits Reading

Binary 0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0110 0111 1000 1001 1010 1011 1100 1101 1110 1111	Decimal 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15	Hexadecimal 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F

Definition:
Bits - the smallest unit of data in a computer. It is an acronym for binary digits.
Bytes - it contains 8 bits.
Hexadecimal format - the numbering system that involves the digits "0 though F".

Converting binary digits into decimal format:
Example:
01000001 to be converted into decimal number.

0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1

128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

if the you total 1 + 64, it is equal to decimal 65.

Converting decimal to Hexadecimal format:
For example: decimal 65 to be converted hexadecimal format:
65 divided by 16
it is equal to the quotient 4 with remainder 1
so the hexadecimal format is equal to 41h.

Learnings of the week

This week, we have discussed about the three fundamentals of the computer system and the four different types of software.

The three fundamentals of the computer system are the system unit, the output devices and the input devices.

The four different types of software are the software, the data, the programs, and the fundamental idea.

Software provides the commands that tell the hardware what task to perform, what to read and write, how to send the end result (output) to a monitor or printer. It is also the programs or data that a computer uses. Also kept on some hardware device such as a hard disk or floppy disk and consists of both programs and data. Programs are list of instructions for the processor. Data can be any information that a program needs like character data, numerical data, image data, audio data, and countless other types. Fundamental Idea, where both programs and data are saved in computer memory in the same way. The electronics of computer memory (both main memory and secondary memory) make no distinction between programs and data.

There are also different kinds of software which are the application software, the operating system and the programming languages.

Application software are programs that people use to get their work done. It may include data entry, update query and report programs, productivity software for spreadsheets, word processing, databases and custom accounting programs for payroll, billing and inventory. It is designed to help people with specific task such as making a spreadsheet of creating a graphic image. Operating System is software which controls the computer and runs applications, it keep all the hardware and software running together smoothly. It communicates information from the application software to a computer’s program. Programming Languages are used to create all other software whether it is Operating system or Application software.

There are different kinds of languages such as the Machine-LanguageAssembly, LanguageFORTRAN (Formula Translation), ALGOL (ALGOrithmic Language), COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language), BASIC (Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code), Program Languages, PASCAL, LOGO, C languages (C and C++)LISP and PROLOG (PROgramming for LOGic), ADA, Java, and the Fourth and Fifth Generation Languages.
This week is a very tough and tiring one because of series of quizzes in tle but in spite of the difficulty, I have learned a lot about computers more on their different functions.

Learnings of the Week -by Caligdong

Further discussion about the elements of computer were done on the first week of august…

VIDEO CARD enhances the screen display of the computer. It converts digital data into signals that can be sent across the connector of the monitor, which interprets the signal into an image on screen. Video modes are classified into 2: Text Mode where it can only display ASCII or ‘American Standard Code International Interchange’ characters; and Graphic Mode where it displays any bitmapped image.

EXPANSION SLOTS are located at the back of the computer. It provides slots to cards to add more devices on the computer. Examples of these are Audio Cards, Video Cards, External /Internal Modem Card, LAN Card and TV Output cards.

MOTHERBOARD SPEAKER provides simple output sound like indicating hardware errors during start up. It has a component called piezo speaker or a standard “voice-coil” speaker that is attached inside the case and connected to the motherboard through wires.

INTERNAL MODEM resides on an expansion board. It is used so that the computer could connect to the Internet. Computers are digital machines that are using digital codes. Since, standard telephone lines are analogue devices and uses analogue signals. Modem converts (modulate) the digital code into analogue waves and converts the back into digital (demodulate) at the other end.

POWER SUPPLY supplies power to the motherboard, the drives and it contains fan that help in the task of cooling the computer. In order for the device to be the “master”(primary device) it should be placed at the top. And the device at the bottom is the “slave”(secondary device).The slave drive is connected to the IDE cable between the master drive and the motherboard IDE connection. Old IDE cables are made up of 40 individual wires while the new ones consists 80 individual wires. These wires are used to transfer data between the motherboard and the drives.

POWER CABLES supply power from the power supply to the drives. The power cables are red (5 volts), yellow (12 volts) and black (ground wires).

OUTPUT DEVICES are peripheral devices that present, displays, alters or records output after it has left a computer’s system unit.

COMPUTER SPEAKER is an output device that converts output data into sound.

MONITOR is the most popular output device. It gives users a visual presentation of keyboard commands and mouse movements. It displays output data and show user the end results of the processes taking place inside the computer.

PRINTER is an output device that creates images on paper, plastic, cloth and other print media using technologies like ink transfer, heat transfer, chemical transfer, chemical reactions, and physical force. There are three types of printers: Laser Printers, Inkjet or Bubble jet Printers and Dot-matrix printers. Printers are also classified by the following characteristics – Quality of Type, Speed, Impact or non-impact, and graphics. Daisy-wheel printers tend to be the slowest printers, printing about 30 cps. On the other hand, Dot-matrix printers are the fastest printers (up to 3000 lines per minute).

INPUT DEVICES is a peripheral appliance that generates input for the computer and allows user to enter information into the computer to be processed. It also allows user to provide a computer with commands, software, instructions and information. There are seven input devices: keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, digital camera, graphic tablet, and joy stick. Other peripheral devices add new service or an additional resource. It includes both input and output devices. Examples of these are- CD ROM drive, Modem and External Drive Unit.

KEYBOARD is classified into alphanumeric keys, punctuation keys and special keys. The special keys are Control Keys, Alt Key, Arrow Keys, Shift Keys, Function Keys and Caps Lock Keys. There are two keyboard designs, QWERTY keyboard and DVORAK keyboard. There are three types of keyboard connectors. These connectors are USB, PS/2 and AT.

COMPUTING PROCESS has five elements namely, hardware, software, data, people, and procedure. Hardware is typically divided into three main categories: input, output, and storage. Software is also known as the “program” which instructs the hardware. Data is the raw facts that the computer changes into useful information. People are also called the “end users”. Procedures are the steps or directions that the user needs to follow in order to complete certain task.

SOFTWARE provides commands that instruct the hardware. It is the programs or data that the computer uses. It consists of both programs and data and kept on some hardware device.

PROGRAMS are list of instructions for the processor. DATA are information that a program needs: character data, numerical data, image data, audio data, and countless other types. Both programs and data are saved in computer memory in the same way. The electronics of computer memory (both main and secondary memory) make no distinction between programs and data.

SOFTWARE has three kinds: Application Software, Operating Software and Programming Language.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE is programs that people use to get their work done. It is designed to help people with specific task such as making a spreadsheet of creating a graphic image. Examples of application software are- word processor, spreadsheet software, presentation software, database software, web browser, and PIM or Personal Information Manager.

OPERATING SYSTEM is a software that controls the computer and runs applications. It keeps all hardware and software running together smoothly. Examples of operating systems are- DOS, Windows, Apple Macintosh, Linux, and Unix.

PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE are used to create all other software whether it is operating system or application software. Examples of Language Software are Visual Basic and Delphi.

PROGRAMMING is a sequence of instructions that tells the hardware of a computer what operations to perform the data.

LEARNINGS OF THE WEEK (Laraflyn B. Camay)

There are three fundamental elements of the computer. These are the OUTPUT DEVICES, INPUT DEVICES, and SYSTEM UNIT.

The system unit acts like the center or core, processing the data and information it receives from input devices. Output devices like printers receive the system unit’s processed information.

The system case is a plastic and metal box that houses components such as the motherboard, disk drives and power supply unit.

The two basic types of System case are (1) Desktop case. It is designed to sit horizontally on a surface, so that it is wider than it is long. These are usually used for office or home PCs. The 2 basic sizes of desktop case are standard and slimline. (2) Tower case. It is designed to sit vertically on a surface, so that it is higher than it is wide. The 3 basic sizes of tower case are full, midi and mini.

The Full-tower cases are usually used for PC servers. The Midi-tower cases are used for higher-end user PCs. The Mini-tower cases are usually for office or home PCs.

The parts of the case are (1) Cover. The case has a cover which is removed by either undoing the screws at the back, or pressing together clips that release it. (2)Front Panel. It provides access to the floppy and CD, a power on/off switch, a reset switch, and LEDs (light Emitting Diodes) to indicate drive operation. The parts of front panel cover are CD-R and CD-RW drives, removable hard disk, 3.5 floppy disk,3.5 drive bays, LEDs, Reset switch, Power on/off switch.

The motherboard is the largest board of the computer system.It contains the CPU, BIOS, memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and all the controllers required to control standard peripheral devices, such as the display screen, keyboard, and disk drive. Chipset refers to the chips that reside on the motherboard.

The mother board battery is used to preserve the computer’s clock’s time and your BIOS settings while the computer is turned off.

The CPU or the Central Processing Unit is the device that interprets and executes instructions. Today’s single-chip central processing units, called microprocessors, make personal computers and workstations possible. It has the ability to fetch, decode, and execute instructions and transfer information to and from other resources over the computer’s main data-transfer path, the bus. It functions as the brain of a computer

The system clock synchronizes the operation of all parts of the PC. It consists of a clock generator that sets up a timing signal, and clock multipliers.

There are two fundamental types of memory. The (1) Main Memory, which is very closely connected to the processor. In this memory, the contents are quickly and easily changed. It holds the programs and data that the processor is actively working with. It interacts with the processor millions of times per second. Most computers available today have memory capacities of 64Mb to 256Mb. When programs and data become active, they are copied from secondary memory into main memory where the processor can interact with them. Main memory is sometimes called RAM (Random Access Memory), random means that the memory cells can be accessed in any order.

Random Access Memory (RAM) means the computer can store, retrieve, alter or delete any items held in the RAM’s at random. It is a semiconductor-based memory that can read and written. Main memory is build from small circuit boards called memory modules. Still the current standard in system memory, usually of SDRAM (synchronous RAM) type. DIMM chips are usually distributed in 64MB, 128MB or 256 MB on a single chip. DIMMs (dual inline memory module) have two access pathways, they do not need to be fitted in pairs as they can be written to and read at the same time.

The BIOS (basic input output system) is a ROM (read only memory) chips that provides:
---The industry standard program code that operates the fundamental components of the PC (for example, VDU, keyboard, printer port) and ensures that the design of each manufacturer’s motherboard is PC-compatible.

---The routines that allow the setup configuration of a PC (stored in the CMOS RAM) to be viewed and edited.

---The power-on self-test (POST) diagnostic tests for the PC

BIOS chip cannot be swapped between different motherboards. The BIOS is often known as firmware as it consists of both the physical chip (hardware) and the programs coded into it (software). The ROM BIOS is normally a DIP chip that can be identified by a label on the chip.

CMOS RAM stores the configuration of the PC. CMOS stands for Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductors, which describes the manufacturing process used to make RAM chip. The CMOS battery is either a NICard, lithium or alkaline cell.

(2) Secondary Memory, connected to main memory through the bus and a controller. The contents are easily changed, but this is very slow compared to main memory. It is used for long-term storage of programs and data. The processor only occasionally interacts with secondary memory.

Common secondary storage devices are the floppy disk and hard disks and compact disks or CD. It is a thin and flimsy as a sheet of paper but is protected by the sturdy, square jacket that encases it. Since the rust is made of iron, which can be magnetized, the disks stores magnetic signals. The pattern of magnetic signals is a code representing your data.

There are 3 Standard sizes of floppy disks are 8-inch is called a largefloppy, 5.25-inch is called a minifloppy, 3.5-inch is called a microfloppy.

5.25-inch floppies were invented by Shugart Associates. 3.35-inch floppies were invented by Sony. The typical 3.5 floppy drive holds 1.44 MB.

Zip is the most popular super-capacity floppy disks is the Zip disk. It holds 100M, which is 70 times as much as 1.44M floppy.

The hard disk might have a storage capacity of 40 gigabytes. This is about 300 times the amount of storage in main memory (assuming 128 megabytes of main memory). Hard Drives are usually designated as Drive C.

Hard disks are better than floppy disks because (1)hard disks are sturdier than floppies; (2)hard disks are hard and firm; they don’t flop or jiggle. They’re more reliable than floppies; (3)hard drives hold more info. Than floppy drives.

The typical hard drive holds 40 gigabytes. The typical floppy disk rotates between 5 and 10 times per second. The typical floppy disk rotates between 5-10 times/second. The typical hard disk rotates between 90-167 times/second. The hard disk is non-removable.

CD-ROM

---CD that holds music is called a music CD
---A CD that holds computer data instead is called a computer CD
---The standard CD-ROM disks has a diameter of 12 centimeters and holds 650 megabytes.
---The CD can hold 99 tracks, totaling an hour of music or 650 Mb.

CD-rewritable drive is a drive which can write onto a blank CD-RW disk and then edit what you wrote.

The DVD or Digital Versatile Disk
---1997, the electronic industry selling an improved kind of CD, called a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)
---Holds 2-hour movie (including the video and sound)
---Movie Lovers call it a Digital Video Disk

Video Card is a board that pugs into a personal computer to give it display capabilities. Graphics Accelerators are adapters graphics coprocessor for performing graphics calculations. Video Card are also called video adapter, video board , video display board, graphics card and graphics.

The video/graphics card converts digital data into signals that can be sent across a connector to you monitor, which interprets the signal into an image on screen.

learnings of the week>>>by caligdong

another set lessons have been discussed...

a new set of lessons we have learned....

well, here I am again to part the learning that I have ought for the past week. ☺



The lessons we have discussed for the fourth week of July is all bout the elements of the computer.
A computer has three fundamental elements.Namely:

• System Unit;
• Output Devices; and
• Input Devices.

SYSTEM UNIT
>>it acts like the center or core
>>it processes the data and information it receives from input devices
>>its processed information are received by the output devices like printers.


SYSTEM CASE
>>it is a plastic or metal box that houses the components of the computer

such as the motherboard,disk drives,and power supply unit

>>there two basic types of system case:desktop and tower
DESKTOP
-designed to be placed horizontally on a surface
-it is wider
-usually used in home and office PCs
-it has 2 basic sizes: standard and slimline
TOWER
-designed to be placed vertically on a surface
-it is higher
-it has 3 basic sizes:
1. mini (usually used for office and home PCs)
2. midi (used for higher-end user PCs)
3. full (usually used for PC servers)
>>the parts of the case:
COVER -locked using screws
FRONT PANEL -provides access to disk drives, switch, and LEDs to indicate drive operation


MOTHERBOARD
>>the largest board of the computer system
>>it contains the CPU, BIOS,memory,mass storage interfaces,serial and controllers
>>CHIPSET-these are chips that reside on the motherboard
>>its battery is used to preserve the computer's clock time and your BIOS settings while the computer is turned off


CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
>>it interprets and executes instructions.
>>it has the ability to fetch, decode, and execute instructions and transfer information to and from other resources
over the computer's main data-transfer path, the bus.
>>it functions as "the brain of a computer"

CLOCK
>>it synchronizes the operation pf all parts of the PC
>>it consists of a clock generator that sets up a timing signal, and clock multipliers.

MEMORY
>>it has 2 fundamental types:main memory and secondary memory

• MAIN MEMORY

-very closely connected to the processor
-the contents are quickly and easily changed
-holds the programs and data that the processor is actively working with
-interacts with the processor millions of times per second
-when programs and data become active; they are copied from secondary memory into
main memory where the processor can interact with them
-it is sometimes called, RAM
which means Random Access Memory,
where the memory cells can be accessed in any order.
it means the computer cans tore, retrieve, alter or delete any items held in the RAM's
at random
it is a semiconductor - based memory that can be read and written
-main memory is build from small circuit boards called MEMORY MODULES
-ROM BIOS (read-only memory; basic input output system) chips provides:
*industry standard program code that operates the fundamental components of the
PC
*ensures that the the design of each manufacturer's motherboard is PC compatible
*routines that allow the set up configurations of the PC
*POST (power-on self-test) diagnostic tests of the PC
=>cannot be swapped between different motherboards
=>often known as firmware
=>normally a DIP chip that can be identified by the label on the chip
-CMOS RAM (complimentary metal-oxide semiconductors random access memory)
stores the configuration of the PC; describes the manufactiring process used to make
RAM chips; and, uses NICard, lithium or alkaline cell battery

• SECONDARY MEMORY

-connected to the main memory through a bus and controller
-contents are easily changed
-slower than the main memory
-used for long - term storage of data
-occasionally interacted by the processor
-common secondary memory are: floppy disks,hard disks, compact disks
FLOPPY DISKS- stores magnetic signals
HARD DISKS- usually designated as drive C; it is non-removable
CD ROMs-CD that holds music is called music CD
-while, CD that holds compuiter data is called computer CD
CD-RW-it contents are can be edited
DVD-digital versatile disk;holds 2hour movies
VIDEO CARD-enhances the performance of graphics and display capabilities

>>> The basic parts of the system unit are:

• System Case
• Motherboard
• Central Processing Unit
• Memory
• Video Card
• Expansion Slots
• Speaker
• Internal Modem
• Power supply
• IDE and Floppy Disk Ribbon Cable
• Power Cables

Learnings of the Week (Quennie Rose Colegado)

This week, we discussed the 3 FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS OF A COMPUTER which are the following:

• System Unit

• Output Devices

• Input Devices

The system unit acts like the center or core, processing the data and information it receives from input devices.

Output devices like printers receive the system unit’s processed information

Parts of the computer

The System case

The system case is a plastic and metal box that houses components such as the motherboard, disk drives and power supply unit.

System Case Types

There are two basic types of system case: desktop and tower. Desktop case: is designed to sit horizontally on a surface, so that it is wider than it is long. These are usually used for office or home PCs. 2 basic sizes: standard and slim line.

Tower case: is designed to sit vertically on a surface, so that it is higher than it is wide. 3 basic sizes: full, midi and mini.

Parts of the Case

Cover: the case has a cover which is removed by either undoing the screws at the back, or pressing together clips that release it.

Front Panel: provides access to the floppy and CD, a power on/off switch, a reset switch, and LEDs (light Emitting Diodes) to indicate drive operation.

Parts of front panel cover: CD-R and CD-RW drives, removable hard disk, 3.5 floppy disk,3.5 drive bays, LEDs, Reset switch, Power on/off switch.

THE MOTHERBOARD

The motherboard is the largest board of the computer system.

The motherboard contains the CPU, BIOS, memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and all the controllers required to control standard peripheral devices, such as the display screen, keyboard, and disk drive. Chipset: chips that reside on the motherboard.

The mother board battery: is used to preserve the computer’s clock’s time and your BIOS settings while the computer is turned off.

THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT-CPU

Is the device that interprets and executes instructions.

CLOCK

The system clock synchronizes the operation of all parts of the PC.

It consists of a clock generator that sets up a timing signal, and clock multipliers.

MEMORY

2 fundamental types:

-main memory and

-secondary memory

MAIN MEMORY

Very closely connected to the processor. The contents are quickly and easily changed. Holds the programs and data that the processor is actively working with. Interacts with the processor millions of times per second.

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

It means the computer can store, retrieve, alter or delete any items held in the RAM’s at random. It is a semiconductor-based memory that can read and written.

ROM BIOS

The BIOS (basic input output system) is a ROM (read only memory) chips that provides:

The industry standard program code that operates the fundamental components of the PC (for example, VDU, keyboard, printer port) and ensures that the design of each manufacturer’s motherboard is PC-compatible.

The routines that allow the setup configuration of a PC (stored in the CMOS RAM) to be viewed and edited.

The power-on self-test (POST) diagnostic tests for the PC

CMOS RAM

CMOS RAM stores the configuration of the PC.

CMOS stands for Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductors, which describes the manufacturing process used to make RAM chip.

The CMOS battery is either a NICard, lithium or alkaline cell

SECONDARY MEMORY

Connected to main memory through the bus and a controller

The contents are easily changed, but this is very slow compared to main memory

Used for long-term storage of programs and data

The processor only occasionally interacts with secondary memory

3 Standard sizes:

8-inch is called a largefloppy

5.25-inch is called a minifloppy

3.5-inch is called a microfloppy

5.25-inch floppies were invented by Shugart Associates

3.35-inch floppies were invented by Sony.

The typical 3.5 floppy drive holds 1.44 MB.

Drive

Zip, the most popular super-capacity floppy disks is the Zip disk.

It holds 100M, which is 70 times as much as 1.44M floppy

HARD DISK

Might have a storage capacity of 40 gigabytes. This is about 300 times the amount of storage in main memory (assuming 128 megabytes of main memory)

CD-ROMs

CD that holds music is called a music CD

A CD that holds computer data instead is called a computer CD

The standard CD-ROM disks has a diameter of 12 centimeters and holds 650 megabytes.

The CD can hold 99 tracks, totaling an hour of music or 650 Mb.

CD-RW

CD-rewritable drive, which can write onto a blank CD-RW disk and then edit what you wrote.

DVD

1997, the electronic industry selling an improved kind of CD, called a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)

Holds 2-hour movie (including the video and sound)

Movie Lovers call it a Digital Video Disk

VIDEO CARD

A board that pugs into a personal computer to give it display capabilities

Graphics Accelerator: adapters graphics coprocessor for performing graphics calculations

Video Card are also called video adapter, video board , video display board, graphics card and graphics

UNDERSTANDING VIDEO GRAPHICS

The video/graphics card converts digital data into signals that can be sent across a connector to you monitor, which interprets the signal into an image on screen.

Learnings of the Week

During this week, we had a discussion about the different types of computer, its different fundamental elements and the different parts of a certain computer which helps me a lot on determining every function of that particular system.

I have learned that there are many types of computer we are using nowadays and it made me confuse sometimes on how they are being used for they have many uses. The types of computer are microcomputer,minicomputer,supercomputer,mainframe computer,wearable computer,workstation. After we had discussed the types of computer, we have tackled about the three fundamentals of computer which had widen my understanding about the uses of computer and its different functions.

We also tackled the parts of the tower case, the motherboard and others. I also learned that tower case has three types:full,midi,and mini. I have learned many things this week. I hope I could still remember these as we go on on our discussion on computers.