COMPUTER SKILLS

UNDERSTANDING OF COMPUTER AND WORD PROCESSING

What is Computer:
Definition of a Computer : A computer is an advanced
electronic device that takes raw data as input from the
user and processes this data under the control of set
of instructions (called program) and gives the result
(output) and saves output for the future reference and
usage
Characteristics of Computer
The major characteristics of computers are the following:
• Speed : A powerful computer is capable of executing about 3 million
calculations per second.
• Accuracy : A computer’s accuracy is consistently high; if there are errors, they
are due to errors in instructions given by the programmer.
• Reliability : The output generated by the computer is very reliable as long as
the data is reliable.
• Memory/Storage Capacity : The computer can store large volumes of data and
makes the retrieval of data an easy task.
• Automation: Once the instructions are fed into computer it works automatically
without any human intervention.
• Convenience : Computers are usually easy to access, and allow people to find
information easily that without a would be very difficult.
• Flexibility : Computers can be used for entertainment, for business, by people
who hold different ideals or who have varied goals. Almost anyone can use a
computer, and computers can be used to assist with almost any goal.
Diligence: A human can not work for several hours without taking a rest whereas a
computer device never gets tired. A computer can perform millions of calculations
constantly with full accuracy without taking a rest.
Basic Applications of Computers
Computers are used in every field of life, such as homes, businesses,
educational institutions, research organizations, the medical field,
government offices, entertainment, etc. Today we can not imagine
growing our technology without computers. The various field where the
computer is very essential are:
Science
Defense System
Medical
Education
Banking
Government sector
entertainment
 THE CONCEPT OF HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Hardware
The term hardware refers to mechanical device that makes up
computer. Computer hardware consists of interconnected
electronic devices that we can use to control computer’s
operation, input and output. Examples of hardware are CPU,
keyboard, mouse, hard disk, etc.

Hardware Components
Computer hardware is a collection of several components
working together. Some parts are essential and others are
added advantages. Computer hardware is made
up of CPU and peripherals as shown in image below.
Operating System
Operating system is a software that controls system’s hardware and interacts with user
and application software.
In short, an operating system is computer’s chief control program.
Functions of Operating System
The operating system performs the following functions −
•It offers a user interface.
•Loads program into computer’s memory.
•Coordinates how program works with hardware and other software.
•Manages how information is stored and retrieved from the disk.
•Saves contents of file on to disk.
•Reads contents of file from disk to memory.
•Sends document to the printer and activates the printer.
•Provides resources that copy or move data from one document to another, or from one
program to another.
•Allocates RAM among the running programs.
•Recognizes keystrokes or mouse clicks and displayes characters or graphics on the
screen.
Basics of Popular Operating SystemsWindows Operating System is developed by
Microsoft Corporation, Linux is a multitasking operating system that supports various
users and numerous tasks. It is open source, i.e., code for Linux is available for free of
cost
User Interface While working with a computer, we use a set of items on screen called
"user interface". In simple terms, it acts as an interface between user and software
application or program
Running an Application The operating system offers an interface between programs and
user, as well as programs and other computer resources such as memory, printer and
other programs.
Operating System Simple Setting We will learn different settings in Operating System
such as changing system date and time, changing display properties, etc.

File and Directory Management File is nothing but a collection of information. The
information can be of numbers, characters, graphs, images, etc. Directory is a
place/area/location where a set of file(s) will be stored.
File Management System The file management system is a software which is used to
create, delete, modify and control access and save files.
What is a Visual Display Unit?
A Visual Display Unit (VDU) is a device that displays text and graphics on a screen.
It is commonly used in computers to display the output of the computer's
processing unit, allowing the user to interact with the computer and see the results
of their actions. The VDU consists of a screen, which is usually a flat panel display
such as a LCD or LED, and a circuit board that drives the screen and processes the
input and output signals. The screen is typically connected to the circuit board
through a cable, and the circuit board is usually housed in a separate enclosure or
integrated into the monitor itself. The VDU is an essential component of a computer
system, as it allows the user to see what is happening and to interact with the
computer.
• Computer Storage Devices
• A storage device for a computer enables its user to store
and safely access the data and applications on a computer
device. Knowing and learning about these computer
storage devices is necessary as it works as one of the core
components of the system.
• TYPES OF STORAGE DEVICES
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
• CD, DVD and Blu-Ray Discs.
• ROM.
• USB Flash Memory.
• TYPES OF COMPUTER MEMORY: RAM and ROM
• RAM, which stands for random access memory, and ROM, which stands
for read-only memory, are both present in your computer.
• RAM is volatile memory, which means that the information temporarily
stored in the module is erased when you restart or shut down your
computer. Because the information is stored electrically on transistors,
when there is no electric current, the data disappears. Each time you
request a file or information, it is retrieved either from the computer's
storage disk or the internet.
• ROM is non-volatile memory, which means the information is
permanently stored on the chip. The memory does not depend on an
electric current to save data, instead, data is written to individual cells
using binary code. Non-volatile memory is used for parts of the
computer that do not change, such as the initial boot-up portion of the
software, or the firmware instructions that make your printer run.
Turning off the computer does not have any effect on ROM. Non-volatile
memory cannot be changed by users.
Create a New Folder on a Windows PC
• Spreadsheet
• A spreadsheet is a computer program that can capture, display
and manipulate data arranged in rows and columns. Spreadsheets
are one of the most popular tools available with personal
computers.
• A spreadsheet is generally designed to hold numerical data and
short text strings. In a spreadsheet program, spaces that hold
items of data are called spreadsheet cells. These can be renamed
to better reflect the data they hold and can be cross-referenced
through row numbers and column letters.
• A single spreadsheet can be used as a worksheet to compile data
for a purpose, or multiple sheets can be combined to create an
entire workbook.
• Each column or row cell references a value and is labeled
according to its placement (for example: A1, A2, A3). Data can be
exported as a CSV file and imported into other software or vice
versa.
• Excel definition: a software program
created by Microsoft that uses
spreadsheets to organize numbers and
data with formulas and functions. Excel
analysis is ubiquitous around the world
and used by businesses of all sizes to
perform financial analysis.
• What is Excel used for?
• Excel is typically used to organize data
and perform financial analysis. It is used
across all business functions and at
companies from small to large.
• The main uses of Excel include: organized!
• Data entry
• Data management
• Accounting
• Financial analysis
• Charting and graphing
• Programming
• Time management
• Task management
• Financial modeling
• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Almost anything that needs to be
COMPUTER NETWORKS
Personal Area Network (PAN) :
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
• What is World Wide Web explain?
• World Wide Web (WWW), byname the Web, the
leading information retrieval service of the Internet (the
worldwide computer network). The Web gives users access to a
vast array of documents that are connected to each other by
means of hypertext or hypermedia links—i.e., hyperlinks,
electronic connections that link related pieces of information in
order to allow a user easy access to them.
• Hypermedia documents feature links to images, sounds,
animations, and movies. The Web operates within the
Internet’s basic client-server format;
• A hypertext document with its corresponding text and
hyperlinks is written in HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
and is assigned an online address called a Uniform Resource
Locator (URL).
• HTTP:
• Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (https) is a
combination of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol
(HTTP) with the Secure Socket Layer
(SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol. TLS
is an authentication and security protocol widely
implemented in browsers and Web servers. SSL
works by using a public key to encrypt data
transferred over the SSL connection. Most Web
browsers support SSL. It allows you to
communicate securely with the web server.
• URL
• Stands for "Uniform Resource Locator." A URL is the
address of a specific webpage or file on the Internet.
For example, the URL of the TechTerms website is
"http://techterms.com." The address of this page is
"http://techterms.com/definition/url" and includes the
following elements:
• http:// – the URL prefix, which specifies
the protocol used to access the location
• IP address definition
• An IP address is a unique address that identifies a device on the
internet or a local network. IP stands for "Internet Protocol," which is
the set of rules governing the format of data sent via the internet or
local network.
• In essence, IP addresses are the identifier that allows information to be
sent between devices on a network: they contain location information
and make devices accessible for communication. The internet needs a
way to differentiate between different computers, routers, and
websites. IP addresses provide a way of doing so and form an essential
part of how the internet works.
• An IP address is a string of numbers separated by periods. IP addresses
are expressed as a set of four numbers — an example address might be
192.158.1.38. Each number in the set can range from 0 to 255. So, the
full IP addressing range goes from 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255.
Web browsers