Discovering computers

A gateway to information

Chapter 1
Introduction to Computers

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Chapter 1 Objectives
Recognize the importance of
computer literacy
Identify the various types of software
Define the term computer and identify
its components
Describe the categories of computers
Explain why a computer is a
powerful tool
Determine how the elements of an
information system interact
Recognize the purpose of a network
Identify the various types of
computer users
Discuss the uses of the Internet and the
World Wide Web
Discuss computer applications in society
Recognize the difference between
installing and running a program

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A World of Computers

What is computer literacy?

Knowledge and understanding

of computers and their uses
Computers are everywhere

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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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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?

Memory Video
card Card

Power
Supply

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 Central Processing Unit
The Central Processing Unit ( CPU)
Often referred to as the brain of the
computer.
Responsible for controlling all activities of the
computer system.
The three major components of the CPU are:
1. Arithmetic Unit (Computations performed)
Accumulator (Results of computations kept here)
2. Control Unit (Has two locations where numbers are kept)
Instruction Register (Instruction placed here for analysis)
Program Counter (Which instruction will be performed next?)
3. Instruction Decoding Unit (Decodes the instruction)
Motherboard: The place where most of the
electronics including the CPU are mounted.
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Primary Memory
Primary storage or memory: Is where the data and program that are
currently in operation or being accessed are stored during use.
Consists of electronic circuits: Extremely fast and
expensive.
Two types:
RAM (non-permanent)
Programs and data can be stored here for the computers use.
Volatile: All information will be lost once the computer shuts down.
ROM (permanent)
Contents do not change.

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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
2. Information
3. Shopping
4. Banking and Investing
5. Classes
6. 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

Web-enabled 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
Notebook
What is available for computers
a mobile user?
Hardware

Software
Productivity
Presentation Handheld computers
Personal
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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