Class 1 : Basics Of Computer

Computer

A computer is an electronic device that receives data as input, processes it and gives meaningful information as output. It is made up of hardware and software, which work together to perform different tasks. All computers operate on two main components: hardware and software. 

Main Components

• Hardware: Computer hardware is the collection of physical components of a computer system that are tangible and can be seen or touched. These parts perform tasks like processing, storage, input, and output, and are essential for the computer to function

Hardware Examples: CPU, Motherboard, Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor e.t.c

• Software: The set of instructions, or programs, that tell the hardware what to do. This includes the operating systems and applications. 

Software Examples:

• System Software: Windows, macOS, Linux e.t.c
• Application Software: MS Word, Chrome, Photos e.t.c
• Programming Software: Python, Visual Studio e.t.c

Internal Components

• Motherboard: The main circuit board that connects and allows communication between all the computer's components.
• Central Processing Unit (CPU): Often called the "brain," it executes commands and carries out instructions from programs.
• Random Access Memory (RAM): The computer's short-term memory, where data is temporarily stored for quick access while the computer is on.
• Storage (HDD/SSD): Long-term storage where your files and software are saved. A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) uses a spinning disk, while a Solid State Drive (SSD) uses faster flash memory.

Devices:

• Input Devices: devices used to give the computer information, such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner e.t.c.
• Output Devices: devices that display or present processed information, such as a monitor, speakers, or printer. 
• Storage Devices: Storage devices are hardware components that hold and retrieve data from a computer, with common examples including HDDs, SSDs, USB drives.

Functions of Computer

1. Input: The computer accepts raw data and instructions from the user through input devices.
2. Storage: It saves data and instructions in its memory for immediate or future use.
3. Processing: The CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations on the data according to the instructions given.
4. Output: The computer presents the processed data (now information) to the user through an output device.
5. Control: The control unit manages and coordinates all the other functions of the computer. 

Types of Computer

Computers come in many forms, varying in size, power, and function: 

• Supercomputers: The fastest and most powerful computers, used for complex scientific research and simulations.
• Mainframe Computers: Large systems that can handle and process enormous amounts of data for thousands of users simultaneously, used by large organizations.
• Mini Computers: Computers optimized to provide services and manage resources for other computers (clients) on a network.
• Micro Computers (Personal Computers): Broad category for single-user machines like desktops, laptops, and tablets.
• Laptop: A portable computer that can be used and carried anywhere
• Tablet and Smartphone: Small handheld and portable computers that are used for communication, browsing and running apps.

Engineered Machines or Engineered Systems:

Oracle Exadata: Oracle designed its own hardware that includes own computer, storage, CPU, RAM. It’s a Specific type of computer that is used for database specially for oracle database.

IBM Power Machine : IBM made a power machine. It is used for generic works that includes database. We can also use application in this.

HPE Superdome Flex: This belongs to HP. We can it use for database and for different purposes.

Dell EMC VxRail : This belongs to dell. Dell VxRail is a hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) appliance that integrates compute, storage, networking, and virtualization for VMware environments.

Operating systems

An operating system (OS) is the most important software on a computer. It manages the computer's hardware and software resources and provides a user interface. 

• Examples: Popular operating systems include Microsoft Windows, Apple's macOS, Linux, Google's Android, and Apple's iOS.

System Tools (Over View)

System Tools includes all the below tools. We should know how to use all the components while programming.

Task Manager: Task manager display all the tasks performed.

Computer Management: Computer management is like a software that has information about all the hardwares, CPU, devices e.t.c.

Control Panel / Settings: Control panel and settings has all the features to control our computer.

Device Manager : It has details of all the devices connected. It allows users to view and control the hardware attached to the computer. When a piece of hardware is not working, the offending hardware is highlighted for the user to deal with. 

Disk Management: Disk management refers to the process of organizing and managing computer storage devices like hard drives, which is often done using built-in utilities like Windows Disk Management. This utility allows users to perform advanced storage operations such as partitioning, formatting, extending, and shrinking volumes, and changing drive letters. It is used to set up new drives, view drive information, and perform other maintenance tasks to optimize disk usage and health

Event Viewer: Event Viewer stores all the errors of the software

Services: It shows list of all the services running for example page, app e.t.c

Task Scheduler: Used to schedule tasks for example automatically shutting down computer, screen time e.t.c

Command Prompt (CMD) & Power Shell: CMD (Command Prompt) and PowerShell are both command-line interpreters for Windows operating systems, used to interact with the computer using text-based commands. While they share the fundamental purpose of enabling command-line interaction, they differ significantly in their capabilities and underlying technologies.