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James A. Senn’sInformation Technology, 3rd Edition

Chapter 2

Essentials of Computing

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Objectives

• Identify components of a computer system.

• Explain categories of hardware and their functions.

• Discuss the relationship between hardware and software.

• Differentiate between an operating system and an application program.

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Objectives (Continued)

• Identify types of software packages.

• Explain components of information.

• Distinguish between the users of information technology and IT professionals.

• Describe types of procedures in computer systems.

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Objectives (Continued)

• Explain the difference between single- and multi-user systems.

• List information-processing activities associated with information-handling functions of IT.

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationDefinition

• Computer: An electronic system that can be instructed to accept, process, store, and present data and information.

• Computer System: A computer and all the hardware interconnected with it.– Hardware– Programs– Information– People– Procedures

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationDefinition (Continued)

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationHardware

• Hardware (computer hardware or devices): The computer and its associated equipment.– Input devices– Processors– Output devices– Secondary storage devices

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationHardware (Continued)

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationHardware (Continued)

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationInput Devices

• Input: The data or information entered into a computer or the process of entering data or information into the computer for processing, storage and retrieval, or transmission.– Keyboards– Point-of-sale terminals– Mouse– Image scanners– Bar code scanners and wands– Microphones– Prerecorded sources

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Input Devices (Continued)

• Bar Code: A computer-readable code consisting of bars or lines of varying widths or lengths.

• Wand: An input device used to read a bar code and input this information directly into a computer.

• Multimedia: A system that contains standard PC features but also has the capability to handle audio, video, animation, and graphics.

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Barcode and QR

• QR: Quick Response• Barcode and Wand

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication The Processor

• Processor/Central Processing Unit (CPU): A set of electronic circuits that perform the computer’s processing actions.

• Microprocessor: The smallest type of processor, with all of the processing capabilities of the control unit and ALU located on a single chip.

• Chip: A collection of electronic components in a very small, self-contained package.

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication The Processor (Continued)

• System Board (Motherboard): The system unit in a microcomputer, located on a board mounted on the bottom of a computer base.

• Primary Storage (Main Memory): Storage within the computer itself. Main memory holds data only temporarily, as the computer executes instructions.

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationOutput Devices

• Output: The results of inputting and processing data and information returned by the computer, either directly to the person using the system or to secondary storage.– Control a printer– Direct a display– Control another device– Generate sounds– Initiate transmission of information

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationSecondary Storage Devices

• Secondary Storage (Auxiliary Storage): A storage medium that is external to the computer, but that can be read by the computer; a way of storing data and information outside the computer itself.– Diskettes– Zip Disks– Hard Disks– Optical Disks– Magnetic Tape

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Secondary Storage Devices (Continued)

• Magnetic Disks: A general term referring to two types of storage disk: the flexible/floppy disk and the hard disk.

• Zip Disks: Similar to diskettes, but housed in a hard plastic case. These disks can store 70 to 175 times more and can store and retrieve data more quickly than diskettes.

• Read Only: A type of disk that information can be read from but not written onto.

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Secondary Storage Devices (Continued)

• CD-ROM disk: Short for “compact disk – read only memory,” an optical storage medium that permits storage of large amounts of information. CD-ROM disks can only be written to and cannot be erased.

• Drive: The device containing a secondary storage medium’s read/write unit.

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Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Peripheral Equipment

• Peripheral Equipment: A general term used for any device that is attached to a computer system.

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Programs: In Charge of the Hardware Definition

• Software: The general term for a set of instructions that controls a computer or a communications network.

• Program: A set of instructions that directs a computer to perform certain tasks and produce certain results.

• Communication Program: A program that manages the interaction between a computer system and a communications network and the transmission of data, programs, and information over the network.

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Programs: In Charge of the Hardware Definition (Continued)

• Operating System: A combination of programs that coordinates the actions of a computer, including its peripheral devices and memory. For example, DOS (Disk Operating System), and Windows.

• Graphic User Interface (GUI): A link to an operating system that allows users to use icons rather than command words to start processing.

• Interface: The means by which a person interacts with a computer.

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Programs: In Charge of the HardwareSoftware Packages

• Software Package: An application that focuses on a particular subject, such as word processing, and is sold to businesses and the general public.

• Documentation: An instruction manual that accompanies software. Also, a technical, detailed written description of the specific facts of a program.

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Programs: In Charge of the HardwareSoftware Packages (Continued)

• Spreadsheet: A table of columns and rows used by people responsible for tracking revenues, expenses, profits, and losses.

• Word-processing (WP) Program: A program that allows the user to enter, change (edit), move, store, and print text information.

• Desktop Publishing (DTP) Program: A program that combines text and image-handling features with document-design capabilities.

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Programs: In Charge of the HardwareSoftware Packages

• Graphics Presentation Program: A program that translates data into visual representations using charts, graphs, and map.

• Photo Editing Program: A program used to touch up, remove, or add features to a digital version of photographs.

• Illustration Program: A program in which the computer screen becomes a drawing board on which artists translate their ideas into visual form.

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Programs: In Charge of the HardwareSoftware Packages (Continued)

• Database Management Program: A program that makes it possible for users to manage the data in ways that increase accessibility and productivity.

• Database: A collection of data and information describing items of interest to an organization.

• Browser: Client computer program designed to locate and display information on the World Wide Web.

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Programs: In Charge of the HardwareSoftware Packages (Continued)

• Information System or Management Information System (MIS): A business information system designed to produce the information needed for successful management of a structured problem, process, department, or business.

• Transaction Processing: A shared business information system that uses a combination of information technology and manual procedures to process data and information and to manage transactions.

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Programs: In Charge of the HardwareSoftware Packages (Continued)

• Computer Programming Language: A series of commands or codes that a computer can translate into the electronic pulses that underlie all computing activities.

• Utility Program (Utilities): Special programs used to perform tasks that occur repeatedly using processing.

• Custom Software: Software written specially for a particular business.

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Programs: In Charge of the HardwareSoftware Trends

• Software Trends

– Greater use of prewritten software packages.

– Greater user of prewritten components.

• Object-oriented Programming: Software development combining data and procedures into a single object.

• Object: A component that contains data about itself and how it is to be processed.

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Information: The Reason for Using Information TechnologyDefinition

• Information: An organized, meaningful, and useful interpretation of data.

– Data

– Text

– Sound

– Images

• Data: Raw facts, figures, and details.

• Spoken Information: Information that is conveyed by sound.

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Information: The Reason for Using Information TechnologyDefinition (Continued)

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People: Users and Creators of IT ApplicationsUsers

• User (End User): The people who uses IT in their jobs or personal lives.– Hands-on users– Indirect end users– User managers– Senior managers

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People: Users and Creators of IT ApplicationsInformation Technology Professionals

• Information Technology Professional: A person who is responsible for acquiring, developing, maintaining, or operating the hardware associated with computers and communications networks.– Programmers– Systems Analysts– System Designers– Web Designers– Project Managers– Network Specialists– Trainers– Computer Operators

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People: Users and Creators of IT ApplicationsInformation Technology Professionals (Continued)

• Programmer/Analyst: A person who has joint responsibility for determining system requirements and developing and implementing the systems.

• Data Center (Computer Center): A facility at which large and midrange computer systems are located. These systems are shared by many users who are interconnected with the system through communications links.

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People: Users and Creators of IT ApplicationsInformation Technology Professionals (Continued)

• Computer Engineer: An IT professional who designs, develops, and oversees the manufacturing of computer equipment.

• Systems Engineer: An IT professional who installs and maintains hardware.

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Procedures: Processes to Use and Maintain ITProcedures

• Procedure: A step-by-step process or a set of instructions for accomplishing specific results.– Operations– Backup and Recovery– Security– Development

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Procedures: Processes to Use and Maintain ITProcedures (Continued)

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Procedures: Processes to Use and Maintain ITProcedures (Continued)

• Operations Procedure: A procedure that describes how a computer system or application is used, how often it can be used, who is authorized to use it, and where the results of processing should go.

• Backup Procedure: A procedure that describes how and when to make extra copies of information or software to protect against losses.

• Recovery Procedure: An action taken when information or software must be restored.

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Procedures: Processes to Use and Maintain ITProcedures (Continued)

• Security Procedure: A procedure designed to safeguard data centers, communications networks, computers, and other IT components from accidental intrusion or intentional damage.

• Security Software: Software that is designed to protect systems and data.

• Development Procedure: A procedure that explains how IT professionals should describe user needs and develop applications to meet those needs.

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An Introduction to SystemsDefinition

• System: A set of components that interact to accomplish a purpose.

• Single-User System (Personal Computer): An IT system used by only one person. A system that stands alone and is not interconnected with other companies or shared by other people.

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An Introduction to SystemsDefinition (Continued)

• Multi-user System: A communication system in which more than one user share hardware, programs, information, people, and procedures.– To share a computer– To share hardware– To share software– To share information– To share communications

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Information ProcessingInformation Processing Activities Associated with Information-handling Functions

• Capture– Input– Upload/Download

• Uploading: The process by which information is sent from a PC to a mainframe.

• Downloading: The transfer of information from a central system to a desktop computer.

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Information ProcessingInformation Processing Activities Associated with Information-handling Functions (Continued)

• Processing– Compute– Update

• Batch Processing: The grouping and processing of all transactions at one time.

• Real-time Processing: The processing of each transaction as it occurs.

– Classify– Sort– Summarize

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Information ProcessingInformation Processing Activities Associated with Information-handling Functions (Continued)

• Generate– Output– Issue

• Storage and Retrieval– Inquire– Store– Retrieve

• Transmit