Chapter 1

Introduction toComputers

• How is a computer defined?– A computer is an electronic device that is operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory.

What Is a Computer?

Produces and stores results

Processes data into informationinformation

Data that is organized, meaningful, and useful

Accepts datadataRaw facts, figures, and symbols

What Is a Computer?

• What is the Information Processing Cycle?– Input– Process– Output– Storage– Communication– Computers process data (input) into information (output).

A computer often holds data, information and instructions in storage for future use. Some people refer to the series of input, process, output and storage activities as Information Processing Cycle.

The Components of a Computer

• What is an input device?– Input device is a hardware that is used to enter data and

instructions.• Keyboard

• Scanners

• Microphone

• Camera

• Mouse

• WebCam

The Components of a Computer

• What is an output device?– Output device is a hardware that provides information

to one or more people.• Printers• Monitors• Speakers

The Components of a Computer• What is the system unit?

– System unit is a case that contains the electronic components of the computer that are used to process data.

The Components of a Computer• What are two main components on the

motherboard?

ProcessorProcessorAlso called a Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer

MemoryMemoryConsists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions

The Components of a Computer• What is storage?

– Storage holds Information, Data and Instructions for future use.

Storage mediaStorage mediaPhysical material on which data, instructions, and information are stored

Storage mediaStorage mediaPhysical material on which data, instructions, and information are stored

Storage deviceStorage deviceRecords and retrieves items to and from storage media

Storage deviceStorage deviceRecords and retrieves items to and from storage media

The Components of a Computer• What is a USB flash drive?

Portable storage device Small and lightweight enough to be transported on a keychain or in a pocketThe average USB flash drive can hold about 500 millioncharacters

Portable storage device Small and lightweight enough to be transported on a keychain or in a pocketThe average USB flash drive can hold about 500 millioncharacters

The Components of a Computer

• What is a hard disk?– Most are housed inside the system unit.– Provides greater storage capacity than a USB flash drive.– It can hold more than 100 billion characters.– They are enclosed in an airtight sealed case.

The Components of a Computer• What is a compact disc?

– Flat, round, portable metal disc with a plastic coating• CD-ROM• DVD-ROM

The Components of a Computer

• What is a communications device?– This device is a hardware component that

enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions and information to and from one or more computers.

– It occurs over cables, telephone lines, cellular radio networks, satellites and other transmission media.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Using Computers

• What are the advantages of using computers?

StorageCommunications

Speed ReliabilityConsistency

Advantages & Disadvantages of Using Computers

• What are the disadvantages of using computers?

Impact onLabor Force

Violation ofPrivacy

Health Risks

Public Safety

Impact onEnvironment

Consists of a seriesof instructions thattells the computer

what to do and how to do it

Consists of a seriesof instructions thattells the computer

what to do and how to do it

Computer Software

• What is software?

Also called aprogram

Also called aprogram

Computer Software

• What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?– Allows you to interact with the software

using text, graphics, and visual images such as icons.

– Controls how you enter

data and instructions and

how the screen displays

information.

Computer Software

• What is system software?Programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer

and its devices.

• What is an Operating System?Operating system is a set of programs that coordinates all activities among computer hardware devices. E.x. Windows XP

• What is an Utility Software?Utility Programs allow the user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices or its programs

Computer Software• What is application software?

Presentation Graphics

Spreadsheet

Database

Word Processing

Programs designed to make users more productive or assist them with personal tasks. E.x. Web Browser

Computer Software

• What is a programmer?– Programmer is a person

who writes the instructions to direct the computer to process data into information.

– It is also someone who develops application or system software.

JavaScript

Web application

Installing and Running Programs

• Step 1:Installing- is a process of setting up software to work with the computer, printer and other hardware components.

• Step 2: Run- once the software is installed, you can use or run it.

• Step 3: Use- once in the memory, the PC can carry out or execute the instructions in the program.

Categories of Computers

Personal Computers(desktop)

Mobile Computers andMobile Devices

Game Consoles

Servers

Mainframes

Supercomputers

Embedded Computers

Personal ComputersWhat are the two most popular styles of personal computers?

PC and compatibles use the Windows operating system

Apple Macintosh usually uses the Macintosh operating system (Mac OS X)

Personal Computers

• What is a desktop computer?– A desktop computer is designed so that all

of the components fit entirely on or under a desk or table.

Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

• What is a notebook computer?– A notebook is portable and small

enough to fit on your lap.– It is also called a laptop computer.– It is more expensive than a desktop

computer with equal capabilities.

Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

• What is a Tablet PC?– Tablet PC resembles to a

letter-sized slate.– It allows you to write on

the screen using a digital pen

– It is especially useful for taking notes.

Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

• What are mobile devices?

Internet-enabledtelephone is a

“smart phone”

Internet-enabledtelephone is a

“smart phone”Small enough tocarry in a pocket

Small enough tocarry in a pocket

Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

• What is a handheld computer?– Handheld computers are small enough to fit in

one hand– It is usually used by mobile employees such as

meter readers and delivery people.

Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

• What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)?

Provides personal organizer functionsCalendarAppointment bookAddress bookCalculatorNotepad

Mobile Computers & Mobile Devices

• What are smart phones?A smart phone is an Internet-enabled telephone that usuallyprovides PDA capabilities

Mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer video games

Game Consoles

ServersWhat types of servers are there?

Mainframe Very powerful, expensive computer that supports thousands of connected users

Supercomputer The fastest, most powerful, most expensive computer. Used for applications requiring complex mathematical calculations

A server controls access to network resources and provides centralized storage

Embedded Computers

• What is an embedded computer?– It is a special purpose computer that functions

as a component in a larger product.

Elements of an Information System

• What are information system elements?– Hardware– Software– Data– People– Procedures

Examples of Computer Usage

• What software is available for a home user?– Personal Finance Management – Excel, Word– Web Access - Website– Communications - Chat– Entertainment - Music

Examples of Computer Usage

•What software is available for a small office/home office (SOHO) user?– Productivity Software– Specialty Software– Web Usage– Email

Examples of Computer Usage

•What is available for a mobile user?– Hardware

• Notebook Computers• Tablet PCs

– Software• Word Processing• Spreadsheet• Presentation Graphics Software

Examples of Computer Usage

• What are the needs of a power user?– Speed and large amounts of storage– Types of power users

• Engineers• Scientists• Architects• Desktop publishers• Graphic artists

Examples of Computer Usage

• What are the needs of the large business user?– Payroll– Inventory– E-commerce– Desktop Publishing

Computer Applications in Society

•What are some examples of computer applications in society?

– Education– Finance– Government– Health Care– Science– Publishing– Travel– Manufacturing