Computer Science for Dummies

INTRODUCTION The first computers were people! That is, electronic computers (and the earlier mechanical computers) were given this name because they performed the work that had previously been assigned to people. “Computer” was originally a job title: It was used to describe those humans’ beings (predominantly women) whose job it was to perform the repetitive calculations required to compute such things as navigational tables, tide charts and planetary positions for astronomical almanacs. A long time ago, people charged with the duty of collection and disbursements of tax were encountering problems in calculations. In those days, the problems faced by the early method of data processing involves the use of animal skin, feather, grains e.t.c were very difficult for them to handle. These were later replaced by the use of pens, inks, papers, chalk e.t.c just to supplement human efforts in counting, recording, manipulating, sorting e.t.c of data these ...

A Learner's Guide to the Computer This learner's guide is a long term project inspired by twelve years of teaching computers. The guide is being developed and updated as time permits. Keywords and technical terms are in bold. Please use this guide and give the URL (address) to friends who are starting out. There is a column to provide feedback at the end. There are two basic parts to a computer: Hardware & Software Hardware The hardware are the parts of computer itself including the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and related microchips and micro-circuitry , keyboards , monitors , case and drives (hard, CD, DVD, floppy, optical, tape, etc...). Other extra parts called peripheral components or devices include mouse , printers , modems , scanners , digital cameras and cards ( sound , colour , video ) etc... Together they are often referred to as a personal computer . Central Processing Unit - Though the term relates to a specific chip or ...