Introduction to Computers and Technology

Chapter 1 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition 1

Chapter 1

XPObjectives

1. Explain why it is essential to learn about computers today.

2. Discuss several ways computers are integrated into our business and personal lives.

3. Define a computer and describe its primary operations.

4. List some important milestones in computer evolution.

5. Identify the major components of a personal computer, including input, processing, output, storage, and communications hardware.

XPObjectives (cont’d)

6. Discuss the differences between system software and application software and list examples of each.

7. Describe the purpose of a network and explain what the Internet is.

8. List the five basic types of computers, providing at least one example for each type of computer and stating its primary use.

9. Provide an overview of the societal impact of computers, including some benefits and risks related to their prominence in society.

XPWhy Learn About Computers?

• Computers are so prominent in our society and will become even more so in the future.

• Knowing something about computers can help you buy the right one for your needs, help you get the most efficient use out of it, and give you a higher level of comfort and confidence along the way.

• Basic computer literacy—knowing about and understanding computers and their uses—is an essential skill today for everyone.

XPHow are Computers Used Today?

• At home – home computer use has increased dramatically over the last few years.

• In education – commonly used as a student-based learning tool and instructor presentation tool.

• In the workplace – used by all types of employees in all types of businesses.

• On the go – people use all types of computers in day-to-day life.

XPComputer Use at Home

Reference – many households today have access to the Internet at home to retrieve news and other useful information.

Figure 1-1

Education and entertainment – for children and adults alike, computers and the Internet offer a host of educational and entertainment activities.

Figure 1-1

Communications – many people exchange e-mail and instant messages from home on a regular basis.

Figure 1-1

Smart appliances – regular appliances with computer technology built in are becoming more common.

Figure 1-1

XPComputer Use in Education

Classrooms and computer labs - most students today have access to computers at school.

Figure 1-2

Presentations – students and teachers often use computers and projection equipment for classroom presentations.

Figure 1-2

Distance learning – students today can take classes from home or wherever they happen to be.

Figure 1-2

XPComputer Use in the Workplace

Decision making – many individuals today use a computer at work to help them evaluate alternatives and make on-the-job decisions.

Figure 1-3

Communications – handheld and wearable computers can be used by employees who need to record data or access data while out in the field.

Figure 1-3

Productivity – many individuals today use a computer at work to perform on-the-job tasks.

Figure 1-3

XPComputer Use While On the Go

Portable computers – Many people carry portable computers with them at all times or when they travel to remain in touch with others and Internet resources.

Figure 1-4

GPS applications – Devices with GPS capabilities can be used for navigational purposes.

Figure 1-4

Self-service kiosks – Computerized kiosks are found in a wide variety of locations today, such as hotels, retail stores, airports, and other locations.

Figure 1-4

Hotels, coffeehouses, and Internet cafés – Free or fee-based Internet access is available at many hotels and coffeehouses.

Figure 1-4

XPWhat Is a Computer?

• A programmable electronic device that:▪ Accepts data (input)▪ Performs operations on the data (processing)▪ Presents the results (output)▪ Stores the data and results, as needed (storage)

• Communications is sometimes considered the fifth primary computer operation.

XPThe Information Processing Cycle

Figure 1-5

XPComputers Then and Now

Precomputers and Early Computers

Figure 1-6

• Began before approximately 1945.

• Included the abacus, slide rule, mechanical calculator, and Hollerith’s Punch Card Tabulating Machine and Sorter.

First-Generation Computers

Figure 1-6

• Approximately 1946-1957.

• Computers were powered by vacuum tubes.

• Included ENIAC and UNIVAC.

Second-Generation Computers

Figure 1-6

• Computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes.

• Included mainframe computers.

Third-Generation Computers

Figure 1-6

• Computers used integrated circuits.

• Included mainframe and minicomputers.

Fourth-Generation Computers

Figure 1-6

• Approximately 1971-present.

• Computers used microprocessors.

• Personal computers were introduced.

Fifth-Generation Computers

• From now and into the future.

• Computers may be based on artificial intelligence and use voice recognition as the primary interface.

• Computers may take a different physical form, such as an optical computer.

XPHardware

• Hardware – all of the physical parts of the computer, such as the keyboard, screen, and printer.

• Hardware can be internal or external.

• Input device – any piece of equipment that is used to input data into the computer.

• The main processing device for a computer is the central processing unit (CPU).

XPHardware

• Output device – accepts processed data from the computer and presents it to the user.

• Storage devices – a variety of drives and storage media used to store data.

• Communications devices, such as modems and network adapters, allow users to communicate electronically with others.

XPTypical Computer Hardware

Figure 1-7

XPSoftware

• Software – the programs or instructions used to tell the hardware in a computer system what to do.

• System software – the collection off software that allows a computer to operate.▪ The main system software program is the

operating system.▪ Common operating systems are Microsoft

Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

XPThe Microsoft Windows Operating System

Figure 1-9

XPSoftware

• Application software – programs designed to allow people to perform specific tasks using a computer.▪ Can be stand-alone programs or software suites

(collections of related software).▪ Can be purchased on CD or DVD, or downloaded

from the Internet.

XPExamples of Application Software

• Word-processing programs

• Spreadsheet programs

• Multimedia programs

Figure 1-10

XPExamples of Application Software

• Games

• Web browsers

• E-mail programsFigure 1-10

XPSoftware

• Programming language – a set of rules used to write computer programs.

• Markup languages – indicate where text, images, hyperlinks, and other elements on a Web page should be displayed and how they should look.

• Scripting languages – enable Web developers to include small sets of instructions, or scripts, within the page’s HTML code.

XPExample of a Programming Language

Figure 1-12

XPExample of a Markup Language

Figure 1-12

XPComputer Networks and the Internet

• A computer network ties a group of computers together so that users can share hardware, software, and data, as well as electronically communicate with each other.

Figure 1-13

• The Internet is the largest and most well-known computer network in the world.

• Networks access each other on the Internet via the main backbone infrastructure.

• People connect to the Internet via Internet service providers (ISPs), which are continually connected to the Internet.

• Common Internet activities include:▪ Exchanging e-mail▪ Viewing Web pages

• Web pages are part of the World Wide Web and are viewed with a Web browser.

XPCommon Internet Activities

Figure 1-14

XPBasic Types of Computers

• Mobile devices

• Personal computers (PCs)

• Midrange servers

• Mainframe computers

• Supercomputers

XPMobile Devices

• Mobile devices – small devices with some type of built-in computing or Internet capability.

▪ Typically based on cellular phones (smart phones).

▪ Can be used to access Web page data and exchange e-mail.

Figure 1-15

XPPersonal Computers (PCs)

• Personal computers (PCs) – designed to be used by one person at a time.

▪ Widely used in homes, schools, and businesses; can be connected to networks.

▪ Can be desktop PCs, portable PCs, or thin clients.

Desktop PCs:

• The complete system unit fits on or next to a desk.

• Can use:▪ Desktop case▪ Tower case▪ All-in-one case

Figure 1-16

Portable PCs:

• Are smaller than typical desktop PCs and are designed to be easily carried around.

• Can be:▪ Notebook computers▪ Tablet PCs▪ Handheld computers

XPExamples of Portable PCs

Figure 1-18

Thin clients:

• Designed to be used in conjunction with a company network.

• Typically use a network server for storage and processing.

• Also called network computers (NCs)

Personal Computers (PCs)

Internet appliances:

• A type of network computer designed for accessing the Internet

• Can be in the form of:▪ Stand-alone device▪ Set-top box▪ Digital media

receiver Figure 1-20

Personal Computers (PCs)

XPMidrange Servers

• Midrange server – a medium-sized computer used to host programs and data for a small network.

• Users connect to theserver using a PC,thin client, or dumbterminal.

Figure 1-21

XPMainframe Computers

• Mainframe computer – the standard choice for organizations.

• Larger, more expensive, and more powerful than midrange servers.

• Usually operate 24 hours a day and accommodate thousands of users.

• Typically runs multiple programs at one time.

Figure 1-22

XPSupercomputers

• Supercomputer – the most powerful and most expensive type of computer available.

• Generally runs one program at a time, as fast as possible.

• Used for scientific research, military applications, weather forecasting, and other high-performanceapplications.

Figure 1-23

XPBenefits of a Computer-Oriented Society

• Ability to design and test buildings before construction and other virtual applications.

• Earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment of diseases.

• Ability to shop, pay bills, research products, take online courses, and locate information 24 hours a day.

• Faster communications and financial transactions.

XPRisks of a Computer-Oriented Society

• Stress and health concerns.

• Personal security and privacy issues.

• Fear of “Big Brother” situations.

• These and more are discussed in Chapters 4 through 8 of the text.

XPSummary

• Computers in Your Life

• What Is a Computer?

• Basic Types of Computers

• Computers, Technology, and Society

Introduction to Computers and Technology

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