Computer Basics & Computer Evolution.

It is a device that accepts structured input, stores it temporarily in the memory, processes it according to prescribed rules, and produces the results as output.

• Computer

• Data Storage

• Electronic

• Program

All computers are powered by electricity.  They must run on electricity in one form or another, which means that they are exclusively a product of the Twentieth Century.

• Computer

• Data Storage

• Electronic

• Program

A computer must be able to store information (like programs and data) to be used at another time.  This computer feature turns the machine into an electronic filing cabinet.

• Computer

• Electronic

• Program

• Storage

A computer must be able to follow a set of instructions (called programs) to operate.

• Process

• Programmable

• Retrieve

• Storage

On top of being able to store information, a computer must be able to retrieve the information that it has stored.  Storing is meaningless without the capability to retrieve.

• Process

• Programmable

• Retrieve

• Storage

Most importantly, a computer must be able to process information.  In other words, a computer must be able to manipulate and transform the information it has stored.

• Process

• Programmable

• Retrieve

• Storage

The procedure of feeding data into a computer.  A typical way of feeding - or entering - data into a computer is by typing on a keyboard.

• Input

• Process

• Output

• Storage

This is the operation of manipulating and transforming data into something useful.  A program , which is a set of written instructions, is what tells the computer how to manipulate and transform the data it was given into information.

• Input

• Process

• Output

• Storage

This is the result of the processing function. Two common computer output types are information displayed on a monitor screen, and information printed on paper.

• Input

• Process

• Output

• Storage

Computers can save data so that it can be used at another time. This is one of the great advantages of computers.

• Input

• Process

• Output

• Storage