Chapter 1

Basic Introduction to Computers

Discovering
Computers 2012
Your Interactive Guide
to the Digital World
Objectives Overview

See Page 3 2
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
for Detailed Objectives
Objectives Overview

See Page 3 3
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
for Detailed Objectives
A World of Computers

• Computers are everywhere

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Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-1
What Is a Computer?

• A computer is an electronic device, operating

under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory that can accept data, process the data
according to specified rules, produce results, and
store the results for future use.

Information Processing Cycle

Page 6 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 5

data and information

• Data is a collection of unprocessed items,

• which can include text, numbers, images, audio,
• and video. Information conveys meaning and
• is useful to people.

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 6

What Is a Computer?

Page 6 7
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-2
The Components of a Computer

• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and

mechanical components known as hardware

Pages 6 - 8 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 8

The Components of a Computer

Page 7 9
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-3
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers

Pages 9 - 10 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 10

Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
• Green computing involves reducing the electricity
consumed and environmental waste generated when
using a computer
• Strategies include:
– Recycling
– Regulating manufacturing processes
– Extending the life of computers
– Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers

Page 10 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 11

Networks and the Internet

• A network is a
collection of computers
and devices connected
together, often
wirelessly, via
communications
devices and
transmission media

Pages 10 - 11 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 12

Figure 1-6
Networks and the Internet

• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that

connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals

Page 11 13
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-7
Networks and the Internet

• People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:

Pages 12 - 13 14
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-8
Networks and the Internet

• A social networking Web site encourages

members to share their interests, ideas, stories,
photos, music, and videos with other registered
users

Page 14 15
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-9
Computer Software

• Software, also called a program, tells the

computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them

Pages 15 - 16 16
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-10 - 1-11
Computer Software
• System software
– control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices.
– interface between the user, the application software, and the
computer’s hardware.
– Operating system
• coordinates all the activities among computer hardware devices.
– Utility program
• user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to
managing a computer, its devices, or its programs
• Application software
– consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/ or assist
them with personal task
17
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 18
Computer Software

• Installing is the process of setting up software to

work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware

Pages 16 - 17 19
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-12
Computer Software

• A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information

Page 18 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 20

Figure 1-13
Categories of Computers

Page 19 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 21

Personal Computers
• A personal computer can perform all of its input,
processing, output, and storage activities by itself
• Two popular architectures are the PC and the Apple
– Desktop computer
• Two types of personal computers are desktop computers
and notebook computers.

Pages 19 - 20 22
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-15 - 1-16
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Pages 20 - 23 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 23

Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Pages 20 - 22 24
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-17 – 1-20
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Pages 22 - 23 25
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-21 – 1-23
Game Consoles

• A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games

Page 24 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 26

Figure 1-24
Servers

• A server controls access

to the hardware,
software, and other
resources on a network
– Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information

Page 25 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 27

Figure 1-25
Mainframes

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

Page 25 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 28

Figure 1-26
Supercomputers

• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful

computer
– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second

Page 25 29
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-27
Embedded Computers

• An embedded computer is a special-purpose

computer that functions as a component in a
larger product

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Embedded Computers

Page 26 31
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-28
Computer Applications in Society

Pages 34 - 36 32
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-36 – 1-39
Computer Applications in Society

Pages 36 - 38 33
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-40 – 1-43
Summary

Page 39 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 34

 Chapter 1
Basic Introduction to Computers

Discovering
Computers 2012
Your Interactive Guide
to the Digital World
Chapter 1 Complete
Resources

• Video lectures:
1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQCkGfCghyI&t=45
s
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1mapbfESvM

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 36