Computing Basics

Computing Basics

     At the most basic level, a computer has three functions: input, processing, and output.
It accepts input, performs some processing, and provides an output, as shown in Figure
This is often shortened to just input/output (I/O).

• Input : User provide information from keyboard , mouse or even touchscreen. Sometimes input is provided by other sources like a disk drive when opening files , or a network interface card (NIC) when receiving data.

• Processing : The computer responds to the input by completing an action . the central power unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer it does the processing and it uses random access memory(RAM) to store data and manipulate it.

• Output :  Output is commonly provided to a screen or printer , however computers also provide output to other destinations like speakers and headphones to play sound or NIC to send data over the internet.

   For example, imagine you wanted  to open a Microsoft word file where you keep your notes , you  would start by double-clicking the document using your mouse as your input , the computer processes your double-clicking:

1. It identifies the extension of the Microsoft Word file (.doc or .docx). It recognizes that
   this extension is associated with Microsoft Word.
2.  It locates and retrieves the Microsoft Word program from the disk drive and begins
   moving the program from the disk drive to memory.
3. When the program is in memory, the computer can actually run it.
4. The computer begins sending results to the graphics card, showing the process of
   Microsoft Word starting.
5. When Microsoft Word is in memory and started, the computer locates the Word Study
   Notes file and moves it from the hard drive to memory.
6. When the file is in memory, the computer begins sending results to the graphics card.   

  

Note :
   Computer troubleshooting can often be reduced to identifying what is not working: input,
processing, or output (IPO). When you identify this, it’s much easier to troubleshoot and
resolve the problem.