Introduction to Computers and Visual Basic
Explore the basics of computers and learn how to create applications using Visual Basic. Understand hardware components, software instructions, memory, and more.
Introduction to Computers and Visual Basic
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Presentation Transcript
Chapter 1 An Introduction to Computers and Visual Basic Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Outline and Objective Introduction to Computers Using Windows Disk and Folders An Introduction to Visual Basic Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Parts of a Computer System: • Hardware: Electronic Devices & Circuits • Software: Instructions or Computer Programs Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Main components of Hardware: • Input : Keyboard & Mouse • System unit: Central Processing Unit (CPU) & Memory • Output: Monitor • Secondary Storage: Disk Drive Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Central Processing Unit (CPU): • Control Unit (CU) • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Control Unit (CU): • Directs the order in which commands are executed. • Communicates with input and output devices. • Transfers data to and from the primary storage unit and various input and output devices. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) • Performs calculations (adds, subtracts, multiplies, divides) • Makes logical comparisons (=, <>, <, >, <=, >=) Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Memory: • Memory is a Temporary Storage Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Types of Memory: • Random Access Memory (RAM) • Read Only Memory (ROM) Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Random Access Memory (RAM) • Stores program instructions and data needed for processing. • Stores intermediate and final results of processing. • It is volatile. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
What is a Bit? • Computers use binary system to process data. • The smallest unit of computer memory is bit. • A bit is basically an on/off switch and is usually described as a 1 or 0. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
What is a Byte? • A byte is a pattern of 8 bits. • A byte is also called a character. • Additional units of memory are defined by powers of 2. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Software: • Instructions for the hardware. • A collection of lines of instruction is called a Program. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Types of Software: • System Software • Application Software Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
System Software (Operating System): • Is the interface between you and hardware. • Is the interface between application software and hardware. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Examples of System Software: • UNIX • MS-DOS • Windows 98 / NT Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Examples of Application Software: • Word Processing • Spreadsheet • Accounting • Programming Languages: Visual Basic, C++, Pascal Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Using Windows • Basic techniques to use the mouse: • Pointing • Clicking • Dragging • Double-Clicking Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Key Terms in using Windows • Title Bar • Active window • Dragging a window Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Using Windows • Reviewing Notepad to learn more about Windows application • Notepad is an item in the Accessories menu Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Disks & Folders: • Disk is a permanent storage. • Disk management is handled by the Operating System. • A disk can store thousands of files. • To organize your files you have to store them in different folders (directories). Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Key Terms in using Folders • Root folder • Path Example: A:\Temp\MyProjects\project1.vbp • File Specification: You should always know where you are saving your files. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
History of Visual Basic: • BASIC stands for Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. • Developed by John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz in mid-1960s. • Visual Basic was developed in mid-1991 by the Microsoft Corporation. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Introduction to Visual Basic: • Language used to create windows application. • Provides a Graphical User Interface or GUI. • The sequence of instructions executed in the program is controlled by events. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Terminology used in Visual Basic: • Forms • Controls • Objects • Properties • Events Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider
Steps to Design a Visual Basic Application • Decide on the Interface for the user. (Forms & Controls) • Determine which events the objects on the window should recognize. • Write the events procedures for those events. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider