Discovering computers

Living in a Digital World

Chapter 1
Introduction
to Computers

1
A World of Computers

What is computer literacy?

 Knowledge and understanding
of computers and their uses
 Computers are everywhere

2
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

3
Data Processing
What is the information processing cycle?
Input

Process

Output Storage

Communication

4
The Components of a Computer
Two main Components:

 Hardware – the tangible part/ the computer itself.

 Software – intangible part/ instructions.

5
The Components of a Computer
Categories of a Computer Hardware

 Input Devices
 Output Devices
 Central Processing Unit
 Memory
 Storage Devices

6
The Components of a Computer
What is an _____
input device?
 Hardware used
to enter data
and instructions

7
The Components of a Computer
What is an ______
output device?
 Hardware that
conveys
information
to a user

8
The Components of a Computer
What is the system unit?

 Box-like case
containing
electronic
components
used to process
data

9
What is the magical inside the black box?
Storage
Units

Memory Video
card Card

Power
Supply
PU
C

Sound
Card

10
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 Components of a Computer
What is storage?
 Holds data, instructions, and information
for future use

Storage
Storagemedia
media
Physical
Physicalmaterial
materialon
onwhich
whichdata,
data,instructions,
instructions,
and
andinformation
informationare
arestored
stored

Storage
Storagedevice
device
Records
Recordsand
andretrieves
retrievesitems
itemstotoand
andfrom
from
aastorage
storagemedium
medium

12
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)

13
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

14
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

15
The Components of a Computer
What is miniature storage
media?

Digital
Digital
Portable,
Portable, thin
thin cameras
cameras
memory
memory cards
cards
used
used in:
in:
Handheld
Handheld
computers
computers
16
Why Is a Computer So Powerful?
What makes a computer powerful?

 Speed
 Reliability
 Accuracy
 Storage
 Communications

17
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

18
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

19
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
UtilityPrograms
Programsallow
allowthe
theuser
usertoto
activities among perform
performmaintenance-type
maintenance-typetasks
tasks
computer hardware usually
usuallyrelated
relatedtotomanaging
managingaa
devices and allows computer,
computer,its
itsdevices
devicesor
orits
itsprograms
programs
users to run
application software

20
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

21
Computer Software

What is a programmer?
 Someone who develops
application or system software

 Programmer writes instructions to

direct computer to process data
into information

22
Categories of Computers

What are the categories of computers?

Personal computers (desktop)

Mobile computers and mobile devices
Midrange servers
Mainframe computers
Supercomputers

23
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)

24
Personal Computers
What is a desktop computer?
 Designed so all of the components fit on or under
a desk or table

25
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

26
 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”

27
Handheld Computers
What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)?

 Provides personal organizer functions

 Calendar
 Appointment book
 Address book
 Calculator
 Notepad

28
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
29
Elements of an Information
System
What are information system elements ?
 People
 Procedures
Step 1. Step 2.
 Data People develop People use software to
 Software procedures for enter data into computer
 Hardware processing data (hardware)

Step 3.
Software processes data
and directs hardware to
store and or output
information
30
Examples of Computer Usage
What are five categories of computer users?

Home Small Office/ Mobile

Home Office (SOHO)

Large Business Power

31
Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a home user?
• Web access
• Entertainment
• Communications

• Personal finance management

32
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
What is available for Noteboo
k
a mobile user? compute
 rs
Hardware

 Software
 Productivity
 Presentation Handheld
 Personal computers
information
manager

Web-enabled
cellular phones

34
Examples of Computer Usage

What are the needs of the large business user?

 Web access
 Telecommuting
 Network
 Productivity software
 Scheduling

35
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

36
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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