Text Book:

Chapter 1
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow,
Comprehensive, Deborah Morley, Charles S. Parker,
Cengage Learning, 2017. Introduction to the
World of Computers

Original Credit and copyright Original Credit and copyright

1 2
Deborah Morley Charles S. Parker Copyright 2015 Cengage Learning
Deborah Morley Charles S. Parkerd Copyright 2015 Cengage Learning

1 2

Learning Objectives Learning Objectives

1. Why it is essential to learn about computers 6. Basic types of computers and their applications
2. Several ways computers are integrated into our business 7. What is network, the Internet, and the World Wide Web
and personal lives. 8. How computers, people, and Web pages are identified on
3. Define a computer and describe its primary operations. the Internet.
4. Identify the major parts of a personal computer, including 9. How to access a Web page and navigate through a Web
input, processing, output, storage, and communications site.
hardware. 10. Discuss the societal impact of computers, including some
5. Define software and understand how it is used to instruct the benefits and risks related to their prominence in our society.
computer what to do.

3 4

3 4

1
 Overview Computers in Your Life

• This chapter covers: • Why learn about computers?

– What computers are, how they work, and how they are • Why they have become an integral
used part of our lives
– Computer terminology • Why is it necessary to learn basics of
– An overview of the history of computers computer
– The basic types of computers in use today • Computers then and now!
– How to access resources on the Internet
– Societal impacts of computers

5 6

5 6

Computers in Your Life

• Before 1980
– Computers were large and expensive
– Very few people had access to them
– Computers were mostly used for high-volume
processing tasks
• Microcomputers in the early 1980s
– Inexpensive personal computers
– Computer use increased dramatically

7 8

7 8

2
 Computers in Your Life Computers in Your Life

• Today
– Majority of households include a computer, and most
use computers at work
– Electronic devices are converging into single units with
multiple capabilities
• Check e-mail on living room
television
• View Internet content on mobile
devices
– Computer literacy is an essential skill for everyone

9 10

9 10

Computers in the Home Computers in the Home

• Computers used for a variety of tasks: • Used for reference, productivity, and entertainment
– Looking up information and news • Wireless networking
– Exchanging e-mail – Computers can be used in nearly any location
– Shopping and paying bills • Smart appliances
– Watching TV and videos – Traditional appliances with built-in computer or
communication technology
– Downloading music and movies
• Smart homes
– Organizing digital photographs – Household tasks are monitored and controlled by a main
– Playing games computer in the house or distributed computing
– Making vacation plans

11 12

11 12

3
 Computers in Education Computers in Education

• Youth today: the computing generation

• Computer labs and classrooms
– Most students today have access to computers at school
– Some schools integrate e-books into the curriculum
• Wireless hotspots
– Colleges and universities are even more integrated
– Some have computer requirements for enrollment
• Supplied or Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
• Distance learning
– Students participate from locations other than the traditional
classroom setting using computers and Internet access

13 14

13 14

Computers on the Job Computers on the Job

• Computers have become a universal on-the-job tool for

decision-making, productivity, and communication
– By all types of employees
– For access control and other security measures
– Extensively by the military
– Requires continually refreshing computer skills
– Common uses:
– Decision making, productivity, off-site communications,
and authentication

15 16

15 16

4
 Computers on the Go Consumer Technology

• Computers are encountered in nearly every aspect of daily life Restaurant iPad Ordering Systems
– Consumer kiosks – Used in conjunction with e-menus
– ATM transactions – Customers can place and pay for orders
– POS systems at retail stores – Can provide more resources to customers
– Self-checkout systems
– Consumer authentication systems
– Portable computers or mobile devices
– GPS systems

17 18

17 18

What Is a Computer and What Does It Do? What Is a Computer and What Does It
Do?
• Computer
– A programmable, electronic device that accepts data,
performs operations on that data, and stores the data
– Follows instructions, called programs, which determine the
tasks the computer will perform
• Basic Operations
– Input: Entering data into the computer
– Processing: Performing operations on the data
– Output: Presenting the results
– Storage: Saving data, programs, or output for future use
– Communications: Sending or receiving data
19 20

19 20

5
 Data vs. Information Computers Then and Now

• Data • The computer as we know it is a fairly recent invention

– Raw, unorganized facts • The history of computers is often referred to in terms of generations

– Can be in the form of text, graphics, audio, or video • Each new generation is characterized by a major technological development

• Information • Precomputers and early computers (before approx. 1946)

– Abacus, slide rule, mechanical calculator
– Data that has been processed into a meaningful form
– Punch Card Tabulating Machine and Sorter
• Information Processing (Data to information
conversion)
– Converting data into information

21 22

21 22

Office Desk Then and Now Computers Then and Now

• First-generation computers (1946-1957)

– Enormous and powered by vacuum tubes
– Used a great deal of electricity and generated a lot of heat
– UNIVAC and ENIAC (Universal Automatic Computer, Electronic
Numerical Integrator And Computer)

• Second-generation computers (1958-1963)

– Used transistors
– Computers were smaller, more powerful, cheaper, more
energy-efficient, and more reliable
– Punch cards and magnetic tape were used to input and
store data
23 24

23 24

6
 Computers Then and Now Computers Then and Now

• Fifth-generation (now and the future)

– Infancy stage
– May be based on artificial intelligence (AI)
– Will likely use voice and touch input
– May be based on optical computers and utilize
nanotechnology

25 26

25 26

Hardware Hardware

• Hardware: The physical parts of a computer • Input Devices

– Internal hardware – Used to input data into the computer
• Located inside the main box (system unit) of the – Keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras, microphones, touch
computer pads, touch screens, fingerprint readers, etc.
– External hardware • Processing Devices
– Perform calculations and control computer’s operation
• Located outside the system unit
– Central processing unit (CPU) and memory
• Connect to the computer via a wired or wireless
connection • Output Devices
– Hardware devices are associated with all five computer – Present results to the user
operations – Monitors, printers, speakers, projectors, etc.

27 28

27 28

7
 Hardware Hardware

• Storage Devices
– Used to store data on or access data from
storage media
– Hard drives, CD/DVD discs and drives,
floppy, USB flash drives, etc.
• Communications Devices
– Allow users to communicate with others and to
electronically access remote information
– Modems, network adapters, routers, etc.

29 30

29 30

Software Software

• Software • Windows 8 interface

– The programs or instructions used to tell the computer – Start button, Start screen, tiles, charms, etc.
hardware what to do
• System Software
– Operating system starts up the computer and controls its
operation
– Without OS, computer cannot function
– Boots the computer and launches programs at the user’s
direction
– OS use a GUI to interact with the user via icons, buttons,
etc.
– Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, etc.

31 32

31 32

8
 Application Software Application Software

• Application Software • Examples of application software

– Performs specific tasks or applications – Word processing programs
• Creating letters, budgets, etc. – Multimedia programs
• Managing inventory and customer databases – Web browsers
• Editing photographs
– E-mail programs
• Scheduling appointments
• Viewing Web pages
• Exchanging e-mail
• Burning DVDs
• Designing homes
• Playing games

33 34

33 34

Computer Users and Professionals

Chapter HALF

• Computer Users (end users)

– People who use a computer to obtain information
(basic skills required)
• Computer professionals include:
– Programmers
• Write programs computers use
– Systems analysts
• Design computer systems
– Computer operations personnel
• Manage day-to-day computer operations
– Security specialists
• Secure computers and networks against hackers
35 36

35 36

9
 Computers To Fit Every Need Embedded Computers

• Six basic categories of computers: • Embedded Computers

– Embedded computers – Embedded into a product and designed to perform specific
tasks or functions for that product
– Mobile devices
– Cannot be used as general-purpose computers
– Personal computers – Often embedded into:
– Servers • Household appliances
– Mainframe computers • Thermostats
– Supercomputers • Sewing machines
• Treadmills
• Answering machines
• Cars

37 38

37 38

Embedded Computers Mobile Devices

Tiny PCs • Mobile Device

– Can look like a USB flash drive or small circuit board – A very small device with some type of built-in computing
– Typically connect your TV to the Internet to display Web or Internet capability
content – Typically has a small screen
– Some are full computers and keyboard
– Examples:
• Smartphones
• Handheld gaming devices
• Portable digital media players
• Media tablets

39 40

39 40

10
 Personal Computers (PCs) Portable Computers

• Personal Computer (PC) • Portable Computers

– Small computer designed to be used by one person at a – Designed to be carried around easily
time – Fully functional computers
– Also called a microcomputer – Notebook (laptop) computers
– Available in different sizes and shapes – Tablet computers
• Desktop Computers • Usually use a digital pen/stylus or touch screen
– On or next to a desk • No physical keyboard; can use on-screen or attached
keyboard
– Tower case, desktop case, – Hybrid notebook-tablet computers
or all-in-one
– Netbooks
– PC or Macintosh
• Smaller and have more limited features than conventional
– Not portable notebooks

41 42

41 42

Portable Computers Servers

• Server
– A medium-sized computer used to host programs
and data for a small network
– Sometimes referred to as a minicomputer
– Users connect via a network with a
computer, thin client, or dumb terminal
– Virtualization
• Creating virtual rather than
actual environments (often
used to share a server
for increased efficiency)

43 44

43 44

11
 Mainframe Computers Mainframe Computers

• Mainframe Computer (Installed in AB1)

– Powerful computer used by many large organizations to
manage large amounts of centralized data
– Standard choice for hospitals, universities, large
businesses, banks, government offices
– Located in climate-controlled data centers and connected
to the rest of the company computers via a network
– Larger, more expensive, and more powerful than servers
– Usually operate 24 hours a day
– Also called high-end servers or enterprise-class servers

45 46

45 46

Supercomputers The Frontier Super Computer

• Supercomputer • It is first Exascale computer, meaning it can process

more than a quintillion calculations per second (1018)
– Fastest, most expensive, most powerful type of computer
• Cost is 600M USD
– Generally run one program at a time, as fast as possible • Made for US department of Energy
– Can cost several million dollars each
– Tend to be very large and contain a large number of CPUs
– Frontier Systems is the fastest computers in the world

47 48

47 48

12
 Supercomputers Quick Quiz

1. A tablet PC is an example of a(n) .

a. Desktop computer
b. Portable PC
c. Internet appliance
2. True or False: The terms mainframe computer and
supercomputer are interchangeable; both refer to the
largest, most powerful computers.
3. A smartphone is an example of a(n) .

Answers:
1) b; 2) False; 3) mobile device

49 50

49 50

Computer Networks and the Internet

Computer Networks and the Internet

• Computer Network • Computer networks exist in many sizes and types

– A collection of hardware and other devices that are – Home networks
connected together – School and small office networks
– Users can share hardware, software, and data – Large corporate
– Users can communicate with each other – Public wireless networks
• Network Servers – Mobile telephone networks
– Manage resources on a network

51 52

51 52

13
 Computer Networks and the Internet What Are the Internet and the
World Wide Web?
• Internet
– The largest/most well-known computer network in the
world
– Individuals connect using an Internet service provider (ISP)
• World Wide Web
– One resource (a vast collection of Web pages) available
through the Internet
– Web sites contain Web pages stored on Web servers
– Viewed using a Web browser (Internet Explorer, Chrome,
Safari, Firefox, Opera, etc.)
– Offers a wide variety of information
53 54

53 54

What Are the Internet and the Accessing a Network or the

World Wide Web? Internet
• Need a modem or network adapter to connect
• Some networks require a username and password
• Internet connections can be:
– Direct (always-on) connections
– Dial-up connections
• Internet addresses are used to access resources on the
Internet
– IP (Internet Protocol) address
• Numeric address that identifies computers
(207.46.197.32)

55 56

55 56

14
 IP Addresses and Domain Names Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)

• IP Addresses • Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)

– Are numeric and unique – Uniquely identifies a Web page, including
• Domain Names • Protocol or standard being used
– Correspond to IP addresses • Web server hosting the page
– Top-level domains (TLDs) • Names of folders in which the Web page file is stored
– Identifies type of organization • Web page’s filename
or its location

57 58

57 58

Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) E-mail Addresses

• Protocols: • E-mail addresses consist of:

– Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http://) is typically used to – Username
display Web pages (https:// is used for secure Web pages) • An identifying name
– File Transfer Protocol (ftp://) is often used for file exchange – The @ symbol
– Domain name for the computer that will be handling the
person’s e-mail (mail server)
• Pronouncing Internet addresses

59 60

59 60

15
 Surfing the Web Searching the Web

• Web browser • Search site:

– Used to display Web pages – Helps you locate what you are
• Browser starting page or home page looking for
– The first page displayed when the browser is opened – Typically search using keywords
• To navigate to a Web page, you can: • Reference sites
– Type a URL in the Address bar – Look up addresses,
– Click a hyperlink – graphics or text linked to other Web telephone numbers, ZIP codes,
pages maps, etc.
– Select a Favorite/Bookmark or page from the History list

61 62

61 62

E-Mail E-Mail

• Electronic mail (e-mail) • Can contain photos, attached files, etc.

– Electronic messages exchanged between computers on a • Mobile e-mail may require a fee
network • Other types of mobile communications
• One of the most widely used Internet applications – Short Message Service (SMS)
• Can be conventional e-mail program, Web-based, or – Multimedia Message Service (MMS)
mobile-based
Conventional Web-based
Microsoft Outlook Gmail
Mac OS X Mail Outlook.com

63 64

63 64

16
 E-Mail Computers and Society

• The vast improvements in technology over the past decade

have had a distinct impact on daily life, at home and at work
• Many benefits of a computer-oriented society
– Ability to design products before construction leads to
safer products
– Earlier medical diagnoses and more effective treatment
– Devices that allow physically and/or visually challenged
individuals to perform job tasks
– Documents e-mailed or faxed in moments
– Download information, music, programs, movies, and
more on demand

65 66

65 66

Computers and Society Computers and Society

• Computer-oriented society also has risks • Differences in online communications

– Stress and health concerns – Less formal than traditional
– Spam – Netiquette
– Computer viruses and malware • Be polite and considerate of others
– Identity theft and phishing • Refrain from offensive remarks
– Privacy issues – Abbreviations (acronyms) and emoticons
• How data is collected • Acronyms, such as BTW (by the way)
• How secure is the collected data • Illustrations of faces, such as ☺

67 68

67 68

17
 Computers and Society Computers and Society

• The Anonymity Factor

– Gives many individuals a sense of freedom
– Can also be abused
• Information Integrity
– Use common sense when evaluating online content
– Check your source--not all information on the Internet is
accurate

69 70

69 70

Summary Chapter Summary

• Computers in Your Life Computer

Any thing that computes!! Means a device that
• What is a Computer and What Does It Do?
works with data and convert it into information
• Computers to Fit Every Need Use of computer
• Computer Networks and the Internet Looking for info, emails, shopping, entertainment,
• Computers and Society games, simulation, smart appliances, smart
homes, distance learning
Artificial intelligence
the ability of a computer to do tasks that are
usually done by humans because they require
human intelligence
Data vs Information

71 72

71 72

18
 Chapter Summary Chapter Summary

• Five basic operations of computer • Internet

(input, process, output, store, communicate) (largest most well-known computer network)
• Types of hardware • Address
(Input devices, processing devices, output (IP address, IPV4 and IPV6)
devices, storage devices, communication devices) • DNS
• Software (Domain name server)
(system software, application software) • Protocols
• Six basic types of computers (http, https, rstp, ftp, etc)
(embedded, mobile, personal, servers, • Web Browsers
mainframe, supercomputer) (Opera, Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer,
• Network netscape)
(collection of hardware and devices connected • Risks
together) (virus, malware, identity theft, privacy)
73 • Netiquettes 74
(polite, no shouting, no offensive remarks)
73 74

19