CAT

• Computer Applications Technology (CAT) is a subject that focuses on learning how to use computers effectively
• It is important first to understand some of the jargon or terminology, and to have a very basic idea of what is happening behind the scenes
• This module will serve as a quick starter pack to teach the very basics of computers
• Computer


  A device that can do many different things, is multi-purpose, and needs electricity to work
• Types of computers

  • Laptops
  • Smartphones
  • Tablets
  • Desktop computers
• Laptops, smartphones, and tablets are made to be portable or mobile, meaning they can be carried around and run on batteries that need to be recharged periodically
• Desktop computers are usually found in offices, businesses, and school computer labs
• All computers can be used as tools to help complete a wide variety of tasks better and faster
• Most desktop computers have several components that need to be connected to each other
• Information processing cycle


  Computers receive input, process it, produce output, and often store the output for later use
• Hardware


  The physical parts of a computer that can be touched and seen
• Software

  Programs or instructions that enable the computer to perform specific tasks
• Examples of hardware

  • Mouse
  • Monitor
  • Keyboard
  • Printer
  • Parts inside the computer box
• Types of programs

  • Game programs
  • Music players
  • Video players
  • Word processors
  • Graphics programs
• All computers work according to the information processing cycle: input, processing, output, and storage
• Apps on smartphones enable users to do more than just make phone calls, making smartphones a type of computer
• Data processing

  1. Produce some form of output- usually on the screen or on a printer

  2. Output often needs to be stored for use later
• Data types

  • Text
  • Numbers
  • Images
  • Audio
  • Video
• Information


  The result of the processing of data and should be useful and meaningful
• Data input

  • A learner's learner number and test and exam marks
• Logging on


  Getting access to the programs and data on a computer, which are protected with a username and password
• Unique username and password

  For security purposes - so that only YOU can access your files
• Operating system


  • Controls all the activities in the computer
  • Windows is probably the most well-known operating system
• Booting up


  The process whereby a computer starts up and loads the operating system
• Graphical User Interface (GUI)


  • Designed to be used with a keyboard and mouse (or a finger or hand in a touch screen environment)
• Mouse actions

  • Clicking
  • Double-clicking
  • Right-clicking
  • Dragging
  • Scrolling
• A smartphone is also a computer
• The desktop is the first basic 'screen' of the operating system
• GUI


  Graphical User Interface designed to be used with a keyboard and mouse (or a finger or hand in a touch screen environment)
• Mouse actions

  • Left-click
  • Right-click
  • Double-click
  • Drag
• Desktop computers have separate parts (components) that need to be connected to each other
• Critical components of a computer

  • Hardware
  • Software
• Hardware


  Refers to the physical parts of a computer that we can touch and see like the mouse, screen, keyboard, printer, etc.
• Software


  Refers to specific instructions or programs needed to give to the computer so that it will do something useful for us
• Information processing cycle

  Computers receive input, process it, produce some form of output, and often store the output for later use. Communication with other computers is also important
• Data


  Unprocessed information including text, numbers, images, audio, and video
• Information


  The result of processing data, should be useful and meaningful
• The taskbar, Start button, shortcuts, icons, Recycle Bin, Notification area, and Quick Launch toolbar are all located on the desktop
• <Esc> key can be used to cancel an option or get back to where you were
• File is a collection of data or information stored on a computer under a single name