Lecture One

Introduction To
Computers
Prepared By
Anokye Acheampong Amponsah

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Objectives
• Differentiate among types, sizes, and
functions of computers in each of these
• Explain why computer literacy is vital to categories: personal computers
success in today's world
(desktop), mobile computers and
• Describe the five components of a mobile devices, game consoles, servers,
computer: input devices, output, mainframes, supercomputers, and
devices, system unit, storage devices, embedded computers
and communications devices
• Explain how home users, small
• Discuss the advantages and office/home office users, mobile users,
disadvantages that users experience power users, and enterprise users each
when working with computers interact with computers
• Discuss the uses of the Internet and • Discuss how society uses computers in
World Wide Web education, finance, government, health
• Distinguish between system software care, science, publishing, travel, and
and application software manufacturing 2
A World of Computers
• Computers are everywhere: at work, at school, and at home because of Cell
phones. Computers are a primary means of local and global communication for
billions of people.
• Employees correspond with clients, students with classmates and teachers, and
family with friends and other family members.
• Through computers, society has instant access to information from around the
globe.
• Local and international news, weather reports, sports scores, airline schedules,
telephone directories, maps and directions, job listings, credit reports, and
countless forms of educational material always are accessible. From the
computer, you can make a telephone call, meet new friends, share photos and
videos, share opinions, shop, book flights, file taxes, take a course, receive alerts,
and automate your home.
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A World of Computers
• In the workplace, employees use computers to create
correspondence such as e-mail messages, memos, and letters;
manage calendars; calculate payroll; track inventory; and generate
invoices.
• At school, teachers use computers to assist with classroom
instruction. Students use computers to complete assignments and
research. Instead of attending class on campus, some students take
entire classes directly from their computer.

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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

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Data and Information
• Computers process data into 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.

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Information Processing Cycle
• Computers process data (input) into information (output) using
properly defined instructions. A computer often holds data,
information, and instructions in storage for future use.
• Some people refer to the series of input, process, output, and storage
activities as the information processing cycle.
• Recently, communications also has
become an essential element of the
information processing cycle.

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The Components of a Computer
• A computer contains many electric,
electronic, and mechanical
components known as hardware.
• These components include input
devices, output devices, a system
unit, storage devices, and
communications devices.

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 The
Components of
a Computer
Cont
Input Devices
• An input device is any hardware component
that allows you to enter data and instructions
into a computer. Five widely used input devices
are the keyboard, mouse, microphone,
scanner, and Web cam.
Output Devices
• An output device is any hardware component
that conveys information to one or more
people. Three commonly used output devices
are a printer, a monitor, and speakers.
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The Components of a Computer
Cont
System Unit
• The system unit is a case that contains electronic components of the
computer that are used to process data into information. The circuitry
of the system unit usually is part of or is connected to a circuit board
called the motherboard.
• Two main components on the motherboard are the processor and
memory.
• The processor, also called the CPU (central processing unit), is the
electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic
instructions that operate the computer.
• Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions
waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions.
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The Components of a Computer
Cont
Storage Devices
• Storage holds data, instructions, and information
for future use. For example, computers can store
hundreds or millions of customer names and
addresses. Storage holds these items
permanently.
• A computer keeps data, instructions, and
information on storage media.
• Examples of storage media are USB flash drives,
hard disks, optical discs, and memory cards.
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The Components of a Computer
Cont
Communications Devices
• A communications device is a hardware
component that enables a computer to
send (transmit) and receive data,
instructions, and information to and from
one or more computers or mobile devices.
• A widely used communications device is a
modem.

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Advantages of Using Computers
• Speed
• Reliability
• Consistency
• Storage
• Communications

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Disadvantages of Using
Computers
• Violation of Privacy
• Identities stolen.
• Public Safety
• Impact on Labor Force
• Health Risks
• Impact on Environment

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Networks and the Internet
• A network is a collection of computers and devices connected
together, often wirelessly, via communications devices and
transmission media.
• When a computer connects to a network, it is online. Networks allow
computers to share resources, such as hardware, software, data, and
information.
• Sharing resources saves time and money.
• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects
millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions,
and individuals
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Reasons for using the Internet
More than one billion people around the world use the Internet daily for a
variety of reasons, including the following:
• To communicate with and meet other people;
• To conduct research and access a wealth of information and news;
• To shop for goods and services;
• To bank and invest;
• To participate in online training;
• To engage in entertaining activities, such as planning vacations, playing online
games, listening to music, watching or editing videos, and books and magazines;
• To share information, photos, and videos;
• To download music and videos; and to access and interact with web applications.

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Computer Software
• Software, also called a program, is a series of related instructions,
organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what task(s)
to perform and how to perform them.
• The two categories of software are System software and Application
software.

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System Software
• System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the
operations of the computer and its devices.
• System software serves as the interface between the user, the
application software, and the computer’s hardware.
• Two types of system software are the operating system and utility
programs.
• Operating System: An operating system is a set of programs that
coordinates all the activities among computer hardware devices. It
provides a means for users to communicate with the computer and
other software. Examples are Microsoft’s Windows, Mac OS, Android,
iOS, Linux.
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System Software Cont
• Utility Program: A utility program allows a
user to perform maintenance-type tasks
usually related to managing a computer,
its devices, or its programs. For example,
you can use a utility program to transfer
(write) digital photos to an optical disc.
• Computer speed, diagnostics etc.
• Most operating systems include several
utility programs for managing disk drives
(partition), printers, and other devices and
media. Others can be bought.
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Application Software
• Application software consists of programs designed to make users
more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks.
• A widely used type of application software related to communications
is a Web browser, which allows users with an Internet connection to
access and view Web pages or access programs.
• Other popular application software includes word processing
software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation
software.

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Application Software Cont
• Personal information management, • Web page authoring,
note taking,
• Personal finance,
• Project management,
• Legal,
• Accounting,
• Tax preparation,
• Document management,
• Computer-aided design, • Home design/landscaping,
• Desktop publishing, • Travel and mapping,
• Paint/image editing, • Education, entertainment (e.g., games
• Audio and video editing, or simulations).
• Multimedia authoring,
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Categories of Computers
• Industry experts typically classify computers in seven categories:
personal computers (desktop), mobile computers and mobile devices,
game consoles, servers, mainframes, supercomputers, and embedded
computers.
• A computer’s size, speed, processing power, and price determine the
category it best fits.

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Categories of Computers Cont
• A Personal Computer is a computer that can perform all of its input,
processing, output, and storage activities by itself. A personal
computer contains a processor, memory, and one or more input,
output, and storage devices. Personal computers also often contain a
communications device.
• Two popular architectures of personal computers are the PC and the
Apple.

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Categories of Computers Cont
• A mobile computer is a personal computer you can carry from place
to place. Similarly, a mobile device is a computing device small
enough to hold in your hand. Examples of mobile computer are the
notebook and the netbook.
• Mobile devices, which are small enough to carry in a pocket, usually
store programs and data permanently on memory inside the system
unit or on small storage media such as memory cards. You often can
connect a mobile device to a personal computer to exchange
information. Examples are Smart Phones, PDAs, E-Book Readers, and

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Categories of Computers Cont
• A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single
player or multiplayer video games. Standard game consoles use a
handheld controller(s) as an input device(s); a television screen as an
output device; and hard disks, optical discs, and/or memory cards for
storage.
• Three popular models are Microsoft’s Xbox 360, Nintendo’s Wii, and
Sony’s PlayStation.

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Categories of Computers Cont
• A server controls access to the hardware,
software, and other resources on a network
and provides a centralized storage area for
programs, data, and information. Servers
support from two to several thousand
connected computers at the same time.
• People use personal computers or
terminals to access data, information, and
programs on a server. A terminal is a device
with a monitor, keyboard, and memory.

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 Categories of Computers Cont
• A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer
that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected
users simultaneously.
• Mainframes store huge amounts of data, instructions,
and information. Most major corporations use
mainframes for business activities. With mainframes,
enterprises are able to bill millions of customers,
prepare payroll for thousands of employees, and
manage thousands of items in inventory.
• Servers and other mainframes can access data and
information from a mainframe. People also can access
programs on the mainframe using terminals or
personal computers.
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 Categories of Computers Cont
• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful
computer — and the most expensive.
• The fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second.
• Applications requiring complex, sophisticated
mathematical calculations use super computers.
• Large-scale simulations and applications in medicine,
aerospace, automotive design, online banking,
weather forecasting, nuclear energy research, and
petroleum exploration use a supercomputer.

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Categories of Computers Cont
• An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that functions
as a component in a larger product. A variety of everyday products
contain embedded computers:
Consumer electronics
Home automation devices
Automobiles
Process controllers and robotics
Computer devices and office machines

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Examples of Computer Usage
Home User
• In the home computers are used to perform enormous tasks
• personal financial management, Web access, communications, and
entertainment.
• With Internet access, home users access a huge amount of information,
conduct research, take college classes, pay bills, manage investments, shop,
listen to the radio, watch movies, read books, file taxes, book airline
reservations, make telephone calls, and play games.
• They also communicate with others around the world through e-mail, blogs,
instant messages, and chat rooms. Home users share ideas, interests,
photos, music, and videos on social networking Web sites.
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Examples of Computer Usage
Small Office/Home Office User
• A small office/home office (SOHO) includes any company with fewer
than 50 employees, as well as the self-employed who work from
home.
• SOHO users typically use a desktop computer. Many also use smart
phones.

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Examples of Computer Usage
Mobile User
• Mobile users are the type of users who use organizational resources
away from the physical location of the organization usually using
mobile devices such as laptops, PDAs., smartphones etc.
• Some examples of mobile users are sales representatives, real estate
agents, insurance agents, meter readers, package delivery people,
journalists, and students.

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Examples of Computer Usage
Power User
• Power user, requires the capabilities of a powerful desktop computer,
called a work station.
• Power users typically work with multi media, combining text,
graphics, audio, and video into one application.
• The computer of a power user contains industry-specific software.

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Examples of Computer Usage
Enterprise User
• An enterprise has hundreds or thousands of employees or customers
that work in or do business with offices across a region, the country,
or the world. Each employee or customer who uses a computer in the
enterprise is an enterprise user.
• Users access the network through desktop computers, mobile
computers, and mobile devices.
• e-commerce Web sites, marketing literature, accounts receivable,
accounts payable, billing, general ledger, and payroll activities.

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Computer Applications in
Society
Education
• Today, educators also are turning to computers to assist with
education.
• Students use software to assist with learning or to complete
assignments.
• Instructors use computers to aid in teaching and presentation of
course materials.
• Email, researches, virtual forums etc are all possible using computers.

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Computer Applications in
Society
Health Care
• Doctors use the Web and medical software to
assist with researching and diagnosing health
conditions.
• Doctors use e-mail to correspond with patients.
• Pharmacists use computers to file insurance
claims.
• Robots deliver medication to nurse stations in
hospitals.
• Hospitals and doctors use computers and mobile
devices to maintain and access patient records.

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Computer Applications in
Society
Science
• All branches of science, from biology to astronomy to meteorology, use
computers to assist them with collecting, analyzing, and modeling data.
Scientists also use the Internet to communicate with colleagues around
the world.

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Computer Applications in
Society
Publishing
• Publishing is the process of making works available to the public.
These works include books, magazines, newspapers, music, film, and
video. Special software assists graphic designers in developing pages
that include text, graphics, and photos; artists in composing and
enhancing songs; film makers in creating and editing film; and
journalists and mobile users in capturing and modifying video clips.

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Computer Applications in
Society
Travel
• Many vehicles manufactured today
include some type of onboard
navigation system. Some mobile users
prefer to carry specialized handheld
navigation devices.
• In preparing for a trip, you may need
to reserve a car, hotel, or flight. Many
Web sites offer these services to the
public.

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Computer Applications in
Society
Manufacturing
• Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
refers to the use of computers to assist
with manufacturing processes such as
fabrication and assembly. Often, robots
carry out processes in a CAM
environment. CAM is used by a variety
of industries, including oil drilling,
power generation, food production,
and automobile manufacturing

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