Chapter 1

Introduction to Computers

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What Is a Computer?

How is a computer defined?

 Electronic device operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory

The computer
      first,  Accepts data such as raw facts, figures, and  
symbol              
      then,  Processes data into information (Data that is 
organized, meaningful, and useful )
      finally, Produces and stores results

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What is the information processing cycle?
Input

Process

Output Storage

Communication

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Basic Concepts of Computer
Hardware

Primary Memory

Input CPU Output

Units (Central Processing Unit) Units

This model of the typical digital computer is often

called the von Neumann computer.
Programs and data are stored in the same
memory: primary memory.
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The Components of a Computer
What is an _____
input device?
 Hardware used
to enter data
and instructions

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The Components of a Computer
What is an ______
output device?
 Hardware that
conveys
information
to a user

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The Components of a Computer
What is the system unit?
 Box-like case
containing
electronic
components
used to process
data

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What is the magical inside the black box?
Storage 
Units

Memory  Video 
card Card

Power
Supply
P U
C

Sound 
Card

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The Components of a Computer

What are two main components on the

motherboard?

 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Also called a processor
Carries out instructions
that tell computer what to do

 Memory
Temporary holding place for data
and instructions
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The Components of a Computer
What is storage?
 Holds data, instructions, and information
for future use

Storage media
Physical material on which data, instructions,
and information are stored

Storage device
Records and retrieves items to and from
a storage medium

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Storage device
What is a floppy disk?
 Thin, circular,
flexible disk
enclosed in rigid
plastic shell

 A Zip® disk looks

similar but has
much greater
storage capability
(=170 floppy disk)
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The Components of a Computer
What is a hard disk?
 Provides much
greater storage
capacity than a
floppy disk or
Zip® disk
 Housed inside the
system unit

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The Components of a Computer
What is a compact disc?
 Flat, round, portable metal disc
 CD-ROM
 CD-RW
Capacity: 673~768 MB

 DVD-ROM
 DVD+RW
Capacity:4.7 ~ 17.1 GB

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The Components of a Computer
What is miniature storage
media?

Digital
Portable, thin cameras
memory cards
used in:
Handheld
computers

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Why Is a Computer So Powerful?
What makes a computer powerful?

 Speed
 Reliability
 Accuracy
 Storage
 Communications

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Networks and the Internet
What is a network?
 Collection of computers and devices connected together

Communications
Device Communications
Media
Enables a Satellites
Cables
connection
Telephone Cellular
between
lines radio
computers
One type is
a modem

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Networks and the Internet
Why do we need network?

To share

Resources
Hardware
devices
Software
programs To save
Data
time
Information and
money

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Networks and the Internet
What is a server?
 Manages the
resources on
a network

 A client accesses
the resources
on the server

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Networks and the Internet
What is the Internet?
 Worldwide collection of networks that connects
millions of computers

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Networks and the Internet

Why do users access the Internet?

1. Communications
1. Information
1. Shopping
1. Banking and Investing
1. Classes
1. Entertainment

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Networks and the Internet
What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?
 Billions of documents, called Web pages, available to
anyone connected to the Internet

A Web site is
a collection of
related Web pages
A Web page contains
text, graphics, sound,
video, and links to You can share
other Web pages information by
creating Web pages
or posting photos on
a photo community

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Computer Software

How do you install and run a software program?

 A program is a series of instructions that tells the
computer what to do

Step 2. Install the

Step 1. software program by
Insert the program disc instruction in the disc,
into the CD-ROM then run the program
drive

Step 3.
The program executes

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Computer Software

What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?

 Allows you to interact with the software using

graphics and icons

 Controls how you enter data and how the

screen displays information

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Computer Software

What is system software?

 Programs that control the operations of the computer and
its devices

Operating System (OS)

is a set of programs
that coordinates all
Utility Programs allow the user to
activities among perform maintenance-type tasks
computer hardware usually related to managing a
devices and allows computer, its devices or its programs
users to run
application software

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Computer Software

What is application software?

 Programs that perform specific tasks for users

 Suite
Popular software applications
bundled together as a single unit

Word
Spreadsheet
Processing

Presentation
Database
Graphics

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Computer Software

What is a programmer?
 Someone who develops
application or system software

 Programmer writes instructions to

direct computer to process data
into information

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Categories of Computers

What are the categories of computers?

Personal computers (desktop)
Mobile computers and mobile devices
Midrange servers
Mainframe computers
Supercomputers

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Personal Computers

What are the two most popular series of personal

computers?
 PC and compatibles  Apple Macintosh
use the Windows uses the Macintosh
operating system operating system
(Mac OS)

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Personal Computers
What is a desktop computer?
 Designed so all of the components fit on or under a
desk or table

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Personal Computers
What is a notebook computer?
 Portable, small enough to fit on
your lap(2 lbs to 9 lbs )

 Also called a laptop

 Generally more expensive than a

desktop computer

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 Handheld Computers
What is a tablet PC?
 Resembles a letter-sized slate
 Allows you to write on the screen
using a stylus
 Smaller version is the modular
computer

What are Web-enabled handheld computers?

 Allow you to check e-mail and access the Internet

 Web­enabled telephone is a “smart phone”

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Handheld Computers
What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)?

 Provides personal organizer functions

 Calendar
 Appointment book
 Address book
 Calculator
 Notepad

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Servers
What types of servers are there?
Midrange server Powerful, large
computer that supports up to a few
thousand computers

Mainframe Very powerful,

expensive computer that supports
thousands of computers

Supercomputer The fastest, most

powerful, most expensive
computer. Used for applications
requiring complex mathematical
calculations
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Elements of an Information
System
What are information system elements ?
 People
 Procedures
 Data Step 1. Step 2. 
 Software People develop  People use software to 
 Hardware procedures for  enter data into computer 
processing data (hardware)

Step 3. 
Software processes data 
and directs hardware to 
store and or output 
information
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Examples of Computer Usage
What are five categories of computer users?

Home Small Office/ Mobile

Home Office (SOHO)

Large Business Power

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Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a home user?
• Web access
• Entertainment
• Communications

• Personal finance management

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Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a small
office/home office (SOHO) user?
 Local area network (LAN)

 Productivity software

 Specialty software

 Web usage

 E-mail

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Examples of Computer Usage
Noteboo
What is available for k
a mobile user? compute
rs
 Hardware

 Software
 Productivity
 Presentation Handheld
 Personal computers
information
manager

Web-enabled
cellular phones

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Examples of Computer Usage

What are the needs of the large business user?

 Web access
 Public kiosk
 Telecommuting
 Network
 Productivity software
 Scheduling

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Examples of Computer Usage

What are the needs of a power user?

 Speed and large amounts of storage

 Types of power users

 Engineers
 Architects
 Desktop publishers
 Graphic artists

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Computer Applications in
Society
What are some examples
of computer applications
in society?
 Education
 Finance
 Government
 Healthcare
 Science
 Publishing
 Travel
 Industry

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