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    Introduction To Computing

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    ZeroCode
    The document introduces the concept of computing and discusses what qualifies as a computer by examining if various objects like rocks, washing machines, airplanes, calculators, and televisions are computers. It defines a computer as a general purpose, programmable, information processor that can take input and produce output. The document also discusses other computing agents and how the definition of computing has broadened to include more than just traditional computers.

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    Introduction To Computing

    Uploaded by

    ZeroCode
    107 views17 pages
    The document introduces the concept of computing and discusses what qualifies as a computer by examining if various objects like rocks, washing machines, airplanes, calculators, and televisions are computers. It defines a computer as a general purpose, programmable, information processor that can take input and produce output. The document also discusses other computing agents and how the definition of computing has broadened to include more than just traditional computers.

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    The document introduces the concept of computing and discusses what qualifies as a computer by examining if various objects like rocks, washing machines, airplanes, calculators, and televisions are computers. It defines a computer as a general purpose, programmable, information processor that can take input and produce output. The document also discusses other computing agents and how the definition of computing has broadened to include more than just traditional computers.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    107 views17 pages

    Introduction To Computing

    Uploaded by

    ZeroCode
    The document introduces the concept of computing and discusses what qualifies as a computer by examining if various objects like rocks, washing machines, airplanes, calculators, and televisions are computers. It defines a computer as a general purpose, programmable, information processor that can take input and produce output. The document also discusses other computing agents and how the definition of computing has broadened to include more than just traditional computers.

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    You are on page 1of 17

    Introduction to

    Computing
    Which one is the computer?

    Rock Calculator Television

    Modern Airplane Washing Machine Computer Workstation


    Is it a Computer?

     What questions would


    you ask?
     What experiments
    would you run?
    Is a rock a computer?
     Does not act or
    process
     Takes no input and
    produces no output

     Computers must be able to handle input and


    output
    Is a washing machine a computer?
     Input: dirty clothes
     Output: clean clothes
     Does not handle
    information

     Computers input and output information


    Is a television set a computer?
     Input: information from
    cables or radio waves
     Output: information as
    sound and picture
     Does not process
    information

     Computers process information by computing


    new results and answering queries
    Is a modern airplane a computer?
     Input: information from
    radio waves
     Output: manipulations
    to the airplane
     Can only handle
    specific information
    necessary for flight
    control
     Computers are general purpose because
    they can perform many different tasks
    Is an ordinary calculator a computer?
     Input: numbers and
    mathematical operations
     Output: answer
     Handles any numeric task
     Cannot remember which
    buttons are pressed

     Computers are programmable so they can


    remember sequences of operations
    Definition of a Computer

     a general purpose,
     programmable,
     information processor
     with input and output
    Computing Agents

     Definition of computers does not cover all


    that computer scientists study.
     Computing agent – is a device or an
    organism that performs or process
    something like numbers or data.
     Have some or all of the characteristics of a
    computer
    Specialized Computing Devices and
    Information Appliances
     Devices limited by set of operations or
    programmability
     Calculators limited to operations described by
    their buttons
     Global Positioning System (GPS) calculates
    latitude and longitude from satellite signals
     Cell phone allows one to surf the web
     Information appliances – performs a single
    job well
    Embedded computers and robots

     Machines with full-fledged computers inside


     Washing machines, airplanes, ATMs, etc.
     Such machines require highly reliable,
    predictable computer programs
     All physical mechanisms controlled by
    computers are robotic devices
     Restrict definition to machines that are general
    purpose and programmable
     Robotic arm or cart
    Natural computing agents

     Living organisms process information in their


    efforts to eat, survive, and reproduce
     1940s study showed frogs collect less visual
    information than people
     Identify rapidly moving objects as food, slowly moving
    objects as predators
     Study physical events in terms of information they
    contain and process
     Chemical reactions, crystal formations, plant growth, etc.
    What is a computer?

     Definition of a computer is narrow


     Definition of computing agent is broad
     Although many computer scientists focus on
    the computer, some computer scientists deal
    with computing agents
    What can computers do – today?

     Business productivity managers


     Personal information managers
     Spreadsheets
     Database software
     Desktop publishing
     Multimedia encyclopedias
     Simulate the physical world
     Produce a music video
    What might computers do – tomorrow?

     Diagnose diseases
     MYCIN captures medical knowledge in rules that
    allowed a computer to identify an ailment based
    on symptoms
     Control robots that walk, talk, and learn
     CMU created a program that drove a van from
    Pittsburgh to D.C. using cameras for eyes
     Compose music and create art

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