BASIC COMPUTER

OPERATION

How Computers
Work?
1. Input: Information and programs

are entered into the computer

through Input devices such as the
keyboard, disks, or through other
computers via network connections
or modems connected to the
Internet. The input device also
retrieves information off disks.

2.Output: Output Devices displays

information on the
screen (monitor) or the printer
and sends information to other
computers. They also display
messages about what errors may
have occurred and brings up
message or dialog box asking for
more information to be input. The
output device also saves information
on the disk for future use.

3. Processing: The CPU or central

processing unit is sometimes called the
Control Unit and directs the operation of
the input and output devices. The
Coprocessor or the Arithmetic-Logic
Unit does arithmetic and comparisons.
The memory or RAM temporarily stores
information (files and programs) while you
are using or working on them. The BIOS
or basic input/output system controls
the dialogue between the various devices.

4. STORAGE: Computer can hold

data permanently. The contents
and the data that we input are
retained in storage devices when
the computer is turned off.

KEYBOARD

Keyboard was one of the peripherals to be used

with computers and it is still the primary input
device for entering text and number. A standard
keyboard includes about 100 keys; each key
sends a different signal to the CPU.

Alphanumeric Keyboard
The parts of the keyboard that looks
like a typewriter-are arranged the
same way on almost every keyboard.
Sometimes this common arrangement
is called the QWERTY (pronounces
KWER-tee) layout because the first six
keys on the top row of letters are
Q,W,E,R,T, and Y.

The Alphanumeric key group includes four keys that

have specific functions.

1. TAB tab key moves you to predefined tab

stops in many application programs. Moves
the cursor five spaces to the right (number of
spaces are usually adjustable). Tab moves to
the next field in a form or table (Shift-Tab
for previous field).
2. CAPS- caps lock key lets you lock the
alphabet keys so they produce only CAPITAL
letters.

3. BACKSPACE- key erases characters you have

just typed. Deletes the character to the left of

cursor and all highlighted text.
4. ENTER key lets you finalize data entry in
many types of application programs. You also
can use Enter to choose commands and options
in many programs and at various places in an
operating systems interface.

The Modifier Keys

A keyboards modifier keys are so named
because they modify the input of other
keys. In other word, if you hold down a
modifier key while pressing another key,
then you are changing the keys input in
some way. Modifier keys are extremely
useful, because they give all other keys
multiple capabilities.

1. Shift When pressed along with an alphanumeric

key, Shift forces the computer to output a capital
letter or symbol. Shift is also a modifier key in some
programs; for example, you can press Shift along
with cursor movement keys to select text for
editing.
2. Ctrl (Control) key produces different results
depending on the program you are using. In many
Windows-based programs. Ctrl-key combinations
provide shortcuts for menu commands.
3. Alt(Alternate) key operates like the Ctrl key, but
produces a different set of results. In windows
program, Alt-key combinations enable you to
navigates menus and dialog boxes without using
the mouse.

The Numeric Keypad

The numeric keypad is usually located on the right side
of the keyboard. It looks like an adding machine, with
its ten digits and mathematical operators ( +, -, *,
and /). The numeric keypad also features a Num Lock
key, which works like the Caps lock key in the
alphanumeric key group: it forces the numeric keys to
input numbers.
But when Numlock is deactivated, the numeric
keypads keys perform cursor-movement control and
other functions.

The function keys

The fourth part of the keyboard consists of

the function keys. These keys usually

arranged in a row along the top of the
keyboard. They allow you to input
commands without typing long of
characters or navigating menu8s or dialog
boxes. Each function keys purpose depends
on the program you are using

The Cursor- Movement Keys

The fifth part of the keyboard is the set of cursor

movement keys, which let you move around the

screen without using a mouse. In many programs
and operating systems, a mark on the screen
indicates where the characters you type will be
entered: called the cursor or insertion point, appears
on the screen as a blinking vertical line, a small box,
or some other symbol to show your place in a
document or command line.

HOME and END depending on the

program, you may be able to press Home to

move the cursor to the beginning of a line, and
End to move the end of a line.
PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN KEYS let you
flip through a document, screen by screen,
like turning the pages of a book. Press Page Up
to jump to the previous screen; press Page
Down to jump to the next.
ARROW KEYS move the insertion point up or
down a single line, or left or right one
character space.

8 SPECIAL PURPOSE KEYS

Escape (Esc) keys function depends on your

program or operating environment. Typically, the esc

key is used to back up one level in a multilevel
environment.
Print Screen key allows the user to capture whatever
is shown on the screen as an image. This key does
not work with all programs.
Scroll lock in some program, scroll lock cause the
cursor to remain stationary on the screen, and the
documents contents move around it. This key
doesnt function at all in some programs.

PAUSE in some programs, the Pause key can be used

to stop a command in progress.

Insert Key - switches some programs from insert
mode (in which text is inserted into the document at
the cursor) to overtype mode (in which new text is
typed over existing text), and vice versa.
Delete - removes one character at a time at the cursor
right of the cursor.
Start Key or windows logo key opens the windows
start menu on most computers. Pressing this key
performs the same function as clicking the start button
on the windows taskbar.
Shortcut key this key, which features an images of a
menu, opens an on screen shortcut menu in windowsbased application programs.