CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

Overview
 Explain the importance of computer literacy
 Define the term computer
 Identify the components of a computer
 Explain why a computer is a powerful tool
 Differentiate among the various types of software
 Explain the purpose of a network
 Discuss the uses of the Internet and the World Wide Web
 Describe the categories of computers and their uses
 Identify the various types of computer users
 Understand how a user can be a Web publisher

This chapter presents a broad survey of concepts and terminology related to computers. The idea
of computer literacy is introduced. You discover what a computer is and what it does. You learn
about the components of a computer, the power of computers, computer software, and
networks and the Internet. Categories of computers are identified, including personal computers,
minicomputers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers.

You discover how people employ computers, from home users to large business users. Finally,
you learn how people use computers to provide information. Reading and understanding the
material in this chapter should help you better understand these topics as they are presented in
more detail in the following chapters.

Explain the importance of computer literacy

Computers have touched every part of our lives: the way we work, the way we learn, the way we
live, even the way we play. It almost is impossible to go through a single day without
encountering a computer, a device dependent on a computer, information produced by a
computer, or a word that was introduced or whose meaning has changed with the advent of
computers. Because of the significance of computers in today’s world, it is important to be
computer literate. Being computer literate means you have knowledge and understanding of
computers and their uses.

Define the term computer

A computer is an electronic machine, operating under the control of instructions stored in its
own memory that can accept data, manipulate the data according to specified rules, produce
results, and store the results for future use.
Computers process data to create information.

Data is a collection of raw unprocessed facts, figures, and symbols.

Information is data that is organized, meaningful, and useful.

To process data into information, a computer uses hardware and software.

Hardware is the electric, electronic, and mechanical equipment that makes up a computer.

Software is the series of instructions that tells the hardware how to perform tasks.

Identify the components of a computer

Computer hardware components include input devices, output devices, a system unit, storage
devices, and communications devices.

An input device is any hardware component that allows a user to enter data and instructions into
a computer. Six commonly used input devices are the keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner,
digital camera, and PC camera.

An output device is any hardware component that can convey information to a user. Three
commonly used output devices are a printer, a monitor, and speakers.

The system unit is a box-like case made from metal or plastic that protects the internal electronic
components of the computer from damage. The system unit contains the central processing unit
and memory. The central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic device that interprets and carries
out the basic instructions that operate the computer. Memory is a temporary holding place for
data and instructions.

A storage device records and retrieves data to and from a storage medium. Six common storage
devices are a floppy disk drive, a Zip® drive, a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a CD-RW drive, a
DVD-ROM drive, and a DVD+RW drive.

A communications device enables computer users to communicate and exchange items such as
data, instructions, and information with another computer. A modem is a communications device
that enables computers to communicate usually via telephone lines or cable.

Explain why a computer is a powerful tool

A computer is a powerful tool because it is able to perform the information processing cycle
operations (input, process, output, and storage) with amazing speed, reliability, and accuracy;
store huge amounts of data and information; and communicate with other computers.
Computers allow users to generate correct information quickly, hold the information so it is
available at any time, and share the information with other computer users.
Differentiate among the various types of software

There are two categories of computer software: system software and application software.

System software consists of the programs that control the operations of a computer and its
devices. Two types of system software are the operating system and utility programs.

An operating system (OS) coordinates all activities among hardware devices and contains
instructions that allow you to run application software.

A utility program performs specific tasks, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or
its programs. You interact with software through its user interface.

Application software consists of programs that perform specific tasks for users. Popular
application software includes word processing software, spreadsheet software, database
software, and presentation graphics software. Application software can be

• Packaged software (copyrighted software that meets the needs of a variety of users),
• In-house/Custom software (tailor-made software developed at a user’s request),
• Freeware (copyrighted software provided at no cost),
• Public-domain software (software donated for public use with no copyright restrictions),
or
• Shareware (copyrighted software distributed free for a trial period).

Explain the purpose of a network

A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications

devices, such as a modem, and communications media, such as cables, telephone lines, cellular
radio, and satellites. Networks allow users to share resources, such as hardware devices,
software devices, data, and information. Most business computers are networked, either by a
local area network (LAN) in a limited geographic area or by a wide area network (WAN) in a large
geographical area.

Discuss the uses of the Internet and the World Wide Web

The world’s largest network is the Internet, which is a worldwide collection of networks that links
together millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals.
Users connect to the Internet to send messages, access information, shop for goods and services,
meet or converse with other users, and access sources of entertainment and leisure. Most users
connect to the Internet through an Internet service provider (ISP) or an online service provider
(OSP). The World Wide Web is a popular segment of the Internet that contains billions of
documents called Web pages. These documents can contain text, graphics, sound, video, and
built-in connections, or links, to other Web pages stored on computers throughout the world.

Describe the categories of computers and their uses

The six major categories of computers are personal computers, handheld computers, Internet
appliances, mid-range servers, mainframes, and supercomputers. These categories are based on
differences in size, speed, processing capabilities, and price.

A personal computer can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by
itself. Personal computers include desktop computers and notebook computers.

A desktop computer is designed so the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other
devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table. Variations of desktop computers include

• Tower models (computers with tall and narrow system units that can sit vertically on the
floor),
• All-in-one computers (less expensive computers that combine the monitor and system
unit into a single device), and
• Workstations (more expensive and powerful computers designed for work that requires
intense calculation and graphics capabilities).

A notebook computer is a portable personal computer small enough fit on your lap. Notebook
and desktop computers are used at home or in the office to perform application software-related
tasks or to access the Internet.

A handheld computer is a small computer that fits in your hand. Handheld computers can
perform specific, industry-related functions, or can be general-purpose. A PDA (personal digital
assistant) is a handheld computer that provides personal organizer functions, such as a calendar,
appointment book, and notepad.

An Internet appliance is a computer with limited functionality whose main purpose is to connect
to the Internet from home.

A mid-range server is more powerful and larger than a workstation computer. Users typically
access a mid-range server through a personal computer or a terminal, which is a device with a
monitor and a keyboard that usually has no stand-alone processing power.

A mainframe is a large, expensive, very powerful computer that can handle hundreds or
thousands of connected users simultaneously.

A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive category of computer.
Identify the various types of computer users
Computer users can be divided into five categories: home user, small office/home office users,
mobile users, large business users, and power users.

A home user spends time on the computer for personal and business communications, budgeting
and personal financial management, entertainment, and Web access.

A small office/home office (SOHO) user includes any company with fewer than 50 employees,
as well as self-employed people that work out of their home.

A mobile user travels to and from a main office or school to conduct business, communicate, or
do homework.

A large business user works for a company that has a large number of employees and computers
usually connected to a network.

The power user – such as an engineer, architect, or desktop publisher – typically works with
multimedia, which combines several media elements into one application, and requires the
capabilities of a workstation or other powerful computer.