Introducing How Computers Work
About this video
This short introduction previews the How Computers Work series. It lists the topics ahead: what makes a computer a computer, how information is stored as on/off electrical signals, how circuits do calculations, the parts that input, output and store information, and how code and software control hardware.
You'll be able to
- name the main topics the How Computers Work series will cover.
- say that computers represent information with tiny electrical signals going on and off.
Key words
- Circuit
- A path of tiny electronic parts that a computer uses to do work like simple maths.
- Hardware
- The physical parts of a computer that you can touch.
- Software
- The code, or instructions, that tells the hardware what to do.
Transcript
- Everywhere you look, computers are changing the world. Whether they're on our desktops, in our homes, our pockets or just about anywhere else.
- But while most of us use this revolutionary technology daily, we don't often ask, how do computers work? In this series, you're gonna learn how computers really work. Starting with what makes a computer a computer. Then, you'll look at how information is represented inside the computer using tiny electrical signals going on and off at mind-boggling speeds.
After that, you'll learn how computers choose circuits to do everything from simple math to simulating entire virtual worlds. Next, you'll zoom out and look at the different parts of the computer that actually input, output, and store all that information. Finally, you'll take a look at what code actually is and how software controls hardware.
So, whether you're just curious about the devices you use everyday or you wanna design the innovations of the future, the first step is learning how computers work. (upbeat music)
Video © Khan Academy, used under CC BY-NC-SA. Watch on Khan Academy. Puzzicle is not affiliated with Khan Academy.