Intro to Computer Terms

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Introduction toIntroduction toComputer TermsComputer Terms

Basic computer termsBasic computer terms

Computer termsComputer terms

Computer - a general purpose machine(a machine that can be used to do manydifferent tasks) that is programmable

(can be given instructions that will bestored and then followed at a later time)and that can process (change theinformation) the information. Thisprocessing of information is not thesame as performing calculations.


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Program (noun) - a sequence ofinstructions that tells the computer howto perform a task or a series of tasks. Ina sequence one task follows anothertask in a particular order.

Computer system - composed of

hardware and softwareHardware - the actual physical parts ofthe computer.

Computer termsComputer terms

Computer termsComputer terms (continued)(continued)

Software - programs storedelectronically on media allowing them tobe transported from machine to

machine.


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Input devicesInput devicesInput devices allow the user to give

information to the computer,Examples of input devices

keyboard

digital camera

floppy disk drive

joystick

compact disc drive

microphone

mouse

modem

Output devicesOutput devices

Output devices allow information to begiven to the user by the computer.

Examples of output devicesmonitor

speakerprinter

floppy disk drive *

modem *

* these devices are both Input andOutput devices.


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ModemModem

A modem is a device that allowsinformation to be sent from onecomputer to another computer usingtelephone lines.

ModemModem (continued)(continued)

It is composed of two parts theMODULATOR ("MO") which changesthe information coming from the

computer so that it can travel overtelephone lines and a DEMODULATOR("DEM") that converts the informationtraveling over telephone lines so thatthe computer can make use of it.


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Peripheral devicesPeripheral devices

Peripheral devices are any of thosedevices attached to the "box" (the mainbody of the computer or "CPU" as it iscommonly called).

Input and Output devices (I/O) devicesare peripheral devices.

Ways of describing computersWays of describing computers

There are several ways of describingcomputers. One way is to describe thenumber and variety of tasks that the

device is able to perform.


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Describing computers (cont.)Describing computers (cont.)

Dedicated devicesThese are devices, meeting the definition of acomputer, that can only perform one task or a fewrelated tasks.

examples of dedicated devices

digital alarm clock

microwave oven

video tape recorder

automatic teller machine

telephone answering machines

Ways of describing computersWays of describing computers(cont.)(cont.)

Non - dedicated computerThese are computers that can perform alarge number of a wide variety of tasks.

The typical home or office computer is anon-dedicated computer.


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Describing computers (cont.)Describing computers (cont.)

Another way of describing computers istheir size. Note that a large computer isnot necessarily a powerful computer!

Mainframe - These are the largestcomputers. They take up part of a room orpart of a floor of a building. The earliestcomputers were mainframe computers.Large powerful computers are known assupercomputers.

Describing computers (cont.)Describing computers (cont.)Minicomputer: These machines are thesame size as a desk. They can be movedbut, it takes several people to do it. Thesemachines were common in industry andeducation.

Microcomputer - These are computersthat fit on top of a desk. They aresometimes called desktop computers orPC's (short for "personal computer" - anIBM trade name).

Laptop - a microcomputer small enough tofit on a person's lap.


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Introduction toIntroduction toComputersComputers

Types of MemoryTypes of Memory

Types of MemoryTypes of Memory

1) Memory where information can bechanged.

2) Memory where information cannot

be changed.


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Memory where information can beMemory where information can bechangedchanged

a) Secondary (or auxiliary) memoryIn secondary memory information can"read" (gotten from memory) or "written"(put into memory).

This memory is used to store wholeprograms as well as data.

When the computer is turned off, theinformation remains in this memory.

Memory where information can beMemory where information can bechangedchanged

b) Primary (or main) memoryIn primary memory information can "readfrom" (gotten from memory) or "written to"

(put into memory).This memory is used to store only thoseparts of a program (or data) that are"actively" being used.

When the computer is turned off, theinformation does not remain in thismemory.


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Memory where informationMemory where informationcannot be changedcannot be changed

Read only Memory (ROM)This memory can only be read from andnot written to.

It is used to store the basic operatinginstructions for the computer (Basic InputOutput System or BIOS).

Information remains in ROM after thecomputer is turned off.

Basic Input Output SystemBasic Input Output System

The BIOS is contained on a ROM chipput into the computer by themanufacturer.

When the computer is turned on, the

BIOS:generates an initial screen display

performs hardware and memory tests

copies a part of the operating system(stored in the secondary memory) into theprimary memory.


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Random access memoryRandom access memory

Random access memory - this ismemory where one piece of informationcan be accessed as easily as another,regardless of where in memory they arestored.

Both primary and secondary memory

are examples of "random accessmemory".

Introduction toIntroduction toComputersComputers

Types of softwareTypes of software


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ReviewReview

Programa sequence of instructions that tells acomputer how to perform a task or seriesof tasks.

Softwarea program or a group of programs that are

stored in an electronic form. Usually this ison some type of media (e.g. floppy disk orCD-ROM).

Types of SoftwareTypes of Software

System software

Application software


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System softwareSystem software

A group of programs that instruct thecomputer on how to perform basicoperations such as:

displaying information on the screen,storing data on a disk, sendinginformation to a printer, interpretinginformation from the keyboard, andcommunicating with other devicesattached to the computer (peripherals).

Functions of system softwareFunctions of system software

Controls the input of data to and theoutput of data from the computer.

Allocates system resources by:ensuring that there is enough space

available in memory for programsensuring that tasks are completed asquickly as possible

Manages storage space by keepingtrack of information so that it can beretrieved.


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Functions of system softwareFunctions of system software

Maintains securityIt keeps track of passwords and useridentification.

Detects equipment failure.

Examples of MicrocomputerExamples of Microcomputeroperating systemsoperating systems

DOS (Disk Operating System)MS DOS (by Microsoft)

PC DOS (by IBM)

Windows (by Microsoft)Linux (by various companies)

System X (by Apple for Macintosh)


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Application SoftwareApplication Software

This type of software is designed to help

the user accomplish a specific task ("geta job done").

These tasks include such things as:producing documents, performingcalculations, managing finances,creating graphics, composing music,playing games, maintaining files,browsing the World Wide Web,checking for viruses etc.

Common types of applicationCommon types of applicationsoftwaresoftware

The following are three types ofapplication software that we will discussin this class:

Word-processing software

Spreadsheet software

Database management software

These three types of software areusually known asproductivitysoftware (they help the user get a taskdone efficiently).


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Word-processing softwareWord-processing software

This type of software allows the user tomanipulate text ("words") in order toproduce documents.

History of Word-processingHistory of Word-processing

Originally word-processing programswere not developed to run on personalcomputers.

These programs ran on mainframecomputers and were designed to workthe same way as typewriters. Thelength of a page, the style of the lettersand the length of a line on the pagewere all the same as on a typewriter.


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History of Word-processingHistory of Word-processing(continued)(continued)

Original word-processors werededicated machines that cost as muchas ten times the cost of a modernmicrocomputer.

The first word-processing program forpersonal computers was WordStar,

developed by Seymor Rubinstein in1978.

History of Word-processingHistory of Word-processing(continued)(continued)

For about a decade (after thedevelopment of WordStar)word-processing software produced

documents that were still similar totypewritten ones.


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Word-processingWord-processing

Whenever we create a document wemust be able to do the following:

correct the document

copy the document

store the document

modify the document

Modifying documentsModifying documentsWe can change a document in two ways:

Editing - change the content (or the meaning)

add or remove (delete) words or sentences

correct spelling

Format - change the appearance of the text

underlinejustify text (put a margin along one or both sidesof the page)

bold words

Italicize words

change the amount of space between lines

number pages


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Different ways of creatingDifferent ways of creatingdocumentsdocuments

When we create a document by hand:it is difficult to make corrections to a largeamount of text

it can be difficult to copy the text

documents can take up a lot of space

it is very difficult to change the

appearance of a document after it hasbeen created

it is inexpensive and easy to do


When we create a document by using atypewriter:

it is difficult to make corrections to a

large amount of textit can be difficult to copy the text

documents can take up a lot of space

it is very difficult to change theappearance of a document after it hasbeen created


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(continued)(continued)it is easier to read than handwriting

documents are easier to format

the font (style) of the characters can bechanged

typewriters can be expensive

Different ways of creatingDifferent ways of creatingdocumentsdocuments(continued)(continued)When we use word-processing softwareit is easy to:

make corrections to the text

make copies of the text

modify the format of the text

store documents

However computers and software areexpensive and documents stored on acomputer can be damaged or lost.


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Spreadsheet softwareSpreadsheet software

Spreadsheet software - a program usedfor number related tasks.

These tasks can include: calculating theinterest on a bank account, preparingstatements of the amount owed or,creating a budget.

Spreadsheet softwareSpreadsheet software

In a spreadsheet information isarranged in a meaningful way in rowsand columns.

Descriptive titles are placed along thetop and down the sides of thespreadsheet.

Data that may change is placed underor beside these titles.


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Spreadsheet softwareSpreadsheet software (continued)(continued)

Information that is used in a calculationis called a value.

Calculations are performed by usingvalues in formulas (or formulae).

Pages are divided into a grid byhorizontal and vertical lines.

There are horizontal rows (named byusing numbers) and vertical columns(named by using letters).

Spreadsheet softwareSpreadsheet software (continued)(continued)

Where rows and columns meet it iscalled a cell (named by using the letterof the column and the number of the

cell).


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Spreadsheet pageSpreadsheet page

A B C D E

1 Name ItemNumber

Cost/Item Quantity Total cost

2 Notebook 445-33 $2.99 10 $29.90

3

History of SpreadsheetsHistory of Spreadsheets

The original spreadsheets used byaccountants were large sheets of paper(or pages in large books).


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History of SpreadsheetsHistory of Spreadsheets(continued)(continued)

The first spreadsheet program formicrocomputers was created in 1979 bya Harvard Business School studentcalled Daniel Bricklin. The program wascalled VisiCalc and it was designed foruse on Apple computers (one of the first

microcomputers).

Names of common SpreadsheetNames of common Spreadsheetsoftwaresoftware

Lotus 1-2-3

Quatro Pro

Excel


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Database management softwareDatabase management software

An application program used toorganize information. This informationcan be retrieved and used quickly.

Database management softwareDatabase management software(continued)(continued)

Database

A database is composed of the following:

Field - the smallest unit of information in adatabase.

Record - a collection ofrelated fields.

File - a collection ofrelated records.

Examples based on a collection of video tapes:

Field - Name of the video, length of the video,type of video, year video released

Record - all the information about one video

File - the records for all the videos


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Parts of a database - "Student File"Parts of a database - "Student File"

Student Last Name:_____________

Student Last Name: ________

Student First Name: ________

Student Birth date: __/___/___

Student Number: ________

Student Home Phone Number :

_________________

.....

File - a group ofrelated records Record - a group

of related fields

Field - smallestunit

of information(describes

something)

Student Last Name: _____________Student First Name: _____________

Student Birth date: __/__/__Student Number: _________

Student Home Phone number :______________________

Field name :

identifies thefield

Viewing a database fileViewing a database file

Student Last Name: Hawkins

Student First Name: Joseph

Student Birth date: 17/03/80Student Number: 6546881

Student Home Phone Number :

416- 444- 1213.....

Form or record view:

This is used to see onerecord at a time

Student Last Name Student First Name Student Birth date....

Hawkins Joseph 17/03/80 ...

Karnagh Stanley 23/07/78 ...

Smith Laura 06/05/81 ...

List view: This is used to see all the records in

a database file. Each record is on one line of

the list.

ALL the field names would be shown across the top

of the page.


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Database management - SortingDatabase management - Sorting

Using database management softwareinformation can be sorted (or arranged)in several different ways:

in numerical order

in alphabetical order

Using these ways of ordering

information we can arrange theinformation in ascending or descending("downwards") order.

Database managementDatabase management (continued)(continued)

For example the following list of words:school, house, apartment

Sorted in ascending alphabetical order:apartment, house, school

Sorted in descending alphabetical order:school, house, apartment

The following list of numbers:23, 456, 5

Sorted in ascending numerical order:5, 23, 456

Sorted in descending numerical order:456, 23, 5


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Database management - SelectionDatabase management - Selection

Database management software can also be

used to choose items from the database basedon certain criteria ("rules").

For example given the following sorted list ofwords:

car, cat, balloon, bike, hat, letter, school, spoon

We can use the software to select only thosewords in the list that "begin with the letter s".

From the original list we would get a new list ofselected items:

school, spoon

History of Database managementHistory of Database managementsoftwaresoftware

The first database managementsoftware for microcomputers wasVulcan written in 1979 Wayne Ratliff.

This was marketed in 1980 with the helpof George Tate as dBase II.


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Names of database managementNames of database managementprogramsprograms

dBase

Access

Oracle

Productivity software suitesProductivity software suites

These are groups of programs soldtogether as one software package.Usually they include a the following: aspreadsheet program, a word processorprogram and, a database managementprogram.

Common software suites:Lotus SmartSuite, Microsoft Office,StarOffice

Documents

Intro to Computer Terms