Basics of Computing | CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 | 1.1

In this post we’re going to cover the basics of computing, focusing on four key concepts:  input, processing, output, and storage.  These components form the foundation of how computers work and are essential for understanding computing at a fundamental level.  

Input

First up, let’s talk about input.  Input is how data enters the computer system.  In simple terms, input devices allow users to communicate with the computer by sending it data and instructions.

Common input devices include the following:

• Keyboards:  this is one of the most familiar input devices.  Every time you type a command, search a term, or type on a document, you’re using a keyboard to input that data into the computer.
• Mice:  A mouse allows you to move a pointer and select or manipulate objects on a screen.  Every click and movement translates into input.
• Touchscreens:  Think about how smartphones and tablets work – the touchscreen allows for direct interaction by tapping, swiping, or pinching, all of which are forms of input.
• Scanners:  Devices that convert physical documents or images into digital form are also input devices.
• Microphones:  Voice input has become more common with the rise of virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa, where your spoken words are converted into data the system can understand.

So, input can be anything from pressing keys, clicking a mouse, or speaking into a microphone.  Once the data is entered, the next step in the computing process is processing.

Processing

Processing is the heart of computing, where the system takes the input data and performs operations on it to generate meaningful output.  At the center of this processing is the central processing unit or CPU.  The CPU is often called “the brain of the computer” because it handles all the processing tasks.

The CPU performs two critical roles:

• Arithmetic Operations:  These include basic mathematical functions like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Logical Operations:  The CPU makes decisions based on conditions, such as determining whether one value is greater than another.  It executes instructions that are part of the software, breaking them down into basic commands the computer can understand.

Here’s how it works in practice:

• Suppose you’re working on a spreadsheet.  When you enter numbers and ask the software to calculate a sum, the inputted numbers go through the CPU, where the arithmetic operations are processed, and the result is calculated.
• The CPU also handles more complex tasks like running an operating system, multitasking between different programs, and executing code behind web pages or software applications.

A crucial part of this process involves the Memory, specifically RAM (random access memory).  RAM temporarily holds data that the CPU is currently processing.  Think of it as a short-term memory space for the computer, allowing the CPU to access and process data quickly.

After processing is complete, the results are sent to the next stage – output.

Output

Now let’s discuss output.

Output is the result of the data that’s been processed by the computer.  It’s how the computer communicates the results back to the user.  Output devices make this possible by taking the processed data and presenting it in a usable form.

Examples of common output devices include the following:

• Monitors:  Also called display screens, monitors provide visual output.  Everything you see on the screen – from your desktop to a video or spreadsheet – is output generated by the computer’s processing of data.
• Printers:  Printers take digital data and produce physical output, like a printed document or image.
• Speakers:  For audio output, speakers convert data into sound.  Whether it’s music, a podcast, or an alert, the processed data is transformed into something you can hear.
• Projectors:  These devices take the visual output from the computer and project it onto a larger screen, often used for presentations or media viewing.

For example, let’s say you’re editing a photo on your computer.  The monitor displays the changes you make in real-time.  The CPU processes each adjustment (like brightness or contrast), and the output is instantly reflected on the screen.

Just as input can be in different forms – text, images, voice – output can also vary.  The important thing to remember is that output always represents the processed result of the data initially entered into the system.

Storage

Finally, we come to storage.

Storage in computing refers to saving data for future use.  There are two main types of storage you should be aware of:

• Primary Storage (RAM):  As mentioned earlier, RAM (random access memory) is where data is stored temporarily while it’s being used or processed by the CPU.  It’s fast but volatile, meaning all data stored in RAM is lost when the computer is powered off.
• Secondary Storage:  This is long-term storage where data is kept even when the system is turned off.  Some examples include the following:
  • Hard Disk Drives (HDDs):  Traditional storage devices that store data magnetically on spinning disks.
  • Solid-State Drives (SSDs):  A faster & more reliable alternative to HDDs, SSDs store data on flash memory chips.
  • Optical Storage:  CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs are examples of optical storage, where data is read and written using laser technology.
  • Cloud Storage:  Data is stored on remote servers and accessed over the internet.  Examples include Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud.

Storage devices are used to save data, files, and applications that we might need later.  Here’s an example:

• When you save a document on your computer, it’s written to the storage device (such as an SSD or HDD).  The next time you open the document, the system retrieves it from storage so you can continue working.

Modern computers rely on a combination of fast, temporary memory (RAM) and larger, long-term storage (HDD or SSD).  As technology advances, storage devices have become faster, more compact, and more efficient.

Bringing It All Together

Now that we’ve covered input, processing, output, and storage, let’s bring everything together with an example.

Imagine you’re writing a document on your computer.  Here’s how each of these elements work together:

• Input:  You use the keyboard to type, which sends data into the computer.
• Processing:  The CPU processes that data, understanding what you’re typing, formatting it, and preparing it for output.
• Output:  The words you’ve typed appear on the monitor as visual output.
• Storage:  When you click “save”, the document is stored on your computer’s hard drive or SSD, allowing you to retrieve it later.

This cycle of input, processing, output, and storage happens constantly and seamlessly as we interact with computers.  Whether you’re sending an email, editing a photo, or browsing the web, these four basic components are at the heart of everything a computer does.