Basic Computer skill

For agricultural student

What is computer?

• A computer is an electronic device capable of

manipulating numbers and symbols taking an
input, store it, processing it and giving an output,
all under the control of a set of instruction called
program.
What is hardware?
•Hardware is the term used to describe the
physical components of the computer. Any
accessory or device connected to the
computer also falls in the hardware category.
 Parts of a Computer

• The parts of a computer can be categorized into 3 primary and

one storages.
• 1. Input devices: For feeding the raw material into the computer.
• 2. The Central Processing Unit: For processing the inputs
• 3. Output Devices: That display or produce the output.
Input devices
• These are devices used to enter data into a computer. Let us see
the main input devices used in a computer.
• A) Keyboard: It is an input device used to type in information. It has
keys for the letters of for numbers, alphabet and other keys, which
perform specific instructions. The alphabet as well as key
• B) Mouse: A mouse is a pointing device about the size of palm. When
a user rolls the mouse across a flat surface, the ball rolls and a marker
or mouse pointer which appears on the visual display unit moves in the
direction of the mouse’s movement. Pressing the buttons on the mouse
gives instructions to the computer.
 Right click

Left click

C) Microphone: Microphone is also an input device as it converts our

voice signals into digital signals and feeds them to the computer.
D) Scanner: Scanner is an input device used to feed/input a
photograph or any other existing physical image such as a drawing,
sketch etc. into the computer.
• E) The Scanner Is A Photocopier- like device that
scans an image and sends the image into the computer.
• F) Joystick: This is an input device used to move the
cursor or any other object on to the visual display unit.
It is usually used with video games for moving a car or
plane. A button on top of the joystick sends commands
to the computer.
Output devices
• A) Monitor: The Monitor is a television like output device
used to show the result of any processing done by the
computer.
• B) Printer: The Printer is an output device used to print the
result of any processing done by the computer on paper. It
produces printed copies of text or graphics on paper.
• C) Speakers: The Speaker is an output device through
which we can hear all the audio results produced by the
computer.
 The Central Processing Unit (Process)
This is the computer’s brain. It processes commands, instructions and controls most of the operation of the
computer.
About Storage
• Storage sections function as the memory of a computer. The
computer’s memory is divided into two distinct parts.
• a) Internal or Primary Storage memory.
• b) External or Secondary Storage memory.
A. Primary storage memory is normally a mix of two types of
memory. Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory
(ROM)
RAM: RAM or Random Access memory is a read/write type of
memory that is used by the processor to keep program data and
intermediate results during program executions. It is a volatile type of
memory that loses its content when its power supply is switched off.
• ROM: ROM or Read Only memory, as its name suggests, is
a read-only type of memory. It cannot be written on. The
manufacturer who produces the ROM chip writes data on it.
One major advantage with the ROM is that it is a non-volatile
type of memory i.e. it does not loose its content when its
power supply is switched off. “BIOS chip on the motherboard
is a ROM chip.
 External or Secondary Storage Memory:

• Secondary memory is not a memory in conventional terms. It is actually the

storage device used to store the program or the data. Because of its size,
secondary memory is called mass storage device.

• Floppy disks, Hard disks and Optical disks are examples of mass storage
devices. These are essentially permanent storage devices where data is
stored and can be retrieved and used in future. This memory again, does not
loose its content when its power supply is switched off.
What is Software? “

• Software” is a set of instructions provided to the

computer to carry out the job required by user.
Without software the computer hardware is like a
dead machine, it will be of no use.
 Software classified into two parts
1. System software
Operating system
Utility desks
2. Application software
• Application software is used by
user to perform specific task.
 Microsoft Office 2016
• Microsoft Word is a word processing tool for creating different types of
documents that are used in work and school environments. The appearance of
Microsoft Word 2016 is similar to Word 2010 and Word 2013, but with more
enhanced features. It contains a customized Office Background that appears above
the Ribbon, live access to your OneDrive account, an option to work in Read
Mode, tab text that appears blue when active, a blue background for the status bar,
and many more exciting new features. When you first launch Word, it opens with
the recent screen displayed.
Microsoft Excel 2016
• Microsoft Excel’s Opening Screen
• Microsoft Office Excel 2016 provides powerful tools that
enable users to organize, analyze, manage, and share
information easily.
 Microsoft PowerPoint 2016
• Normal View

Normal View Before you begin working in Microsoft PowerPoint 2016, you
should be familiar with the primary user interface. When you first start
PowerPoint, you will see a Start screen. If you then press Esc or click Blank
Presentation, you see a screen similar to the one shown in Figure 2.2-1, which
is Normal view, where you will do most of your work. However, if your copy
of PowerPoint has been customized, what you see may be slightly different
from what is shown. You can use this figure as a reference throughout this