Transcript
Introduction to Computers
ObjectivesObjectives
Define the term computer
Identify the components of a computer
Explain why a computer is a powerful tool
Differentiate among the various categories of software
Describe the categories of computers and their uses
Identify the various types of computer users
p. 1.2
The Digital Revolution
Where can you find computers?
Computers are everywherep. 1.2 Fig. 1-1
What Is a Computer?
What is a computer? An electronic machine,
operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory• accepts data• manipulates the data
according to specified rules
• produces results• stores the results for
future use
p. 1.4
SoftwareThe series of
instructions that tells the hardware
how to perform tasks
HardwareThe electric,
electronic, and mechanical equipment
that makes up a computer
What is a Computer?
What are hardware and software?
p. 1.4
InputAny data or
instructions you enter into a computer
OutputData that has
been processed into informationStorage
Area in a computer that can hold data
and information for future use
CommunicationThe capability of communicating
with other computers
What is the information processing cycle?
What is a Computer?
p. 1.5
ProcessManipulate the input (data) to
produce output (information)
The Components of a Computer
What are common computer hardware components?
printer
scanner
speakerPC camera
microphonedigital camera
system unit
keyboard
modem
speaker
monitor
mouse
p. 1.5 Fig. 1-3
p. 1.5 Fig. 1-3
The Components of a Computer
What is an input device? Any hardware component that allows a user to
enter data and instructions into a computer
scanner
microphone
keyboard
mouse
PC camera
digital camera
Click to view Web Linkthen click Input Devices
p. 1.6 Fig. 1-3
The Components of a Computer
What is an output device? Any hardware component that can convey
information to a user
Click to view Web Linkthen click Output Devices
printer
monitor speakers
The Components of a Computer
What is the system unit ? Sometimes called a
chassis A box-like case made
from metal or plastic that protects the internal electronic components of the computer from damage
Circuitry in the system unit usually is part of or is connected to a circuit board called the motherboard
p. 1.6 Fig. 1-3
CD-RW drive
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
hard disk drive
floppy disk drive
Zip® disk drive
External Device
Also called a peripheral
Attaches to the system unit
Internal Component
Resides inside the system unit
The Components of a Computer
What are internal components and external devices?
p. 1.6
p. 1.7
The Components of a Computer
What is storage? Holds data, instructions, and information for future
use
Storage Device
• Records and retrieves items to and from a storage medium
• Devices often function as source of input because they transfer items from storage into memory
Storage Medium
• Physical material on which a computer keeps the data, instructions and information
Click to view Web Linkthen click Storage Devices
The Components of a Computer
What are common storage devices or drives?
CD-RW drive
hard disk drive
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
ZIP® drivefloppy disk drive
p. 1.7 Fig. 1-3
SpeedBillions of
operations can be carried out
in a single second
Reliability
Dependable because components have a low failure rate so
they produce consistent results
p. 1.8
Why Is a Computer So Powerful?
What characteristics make a computer powerful?
Communications
Two connected computers can share
stored data, instructions, and information
Storage
Enormous amounts of data can be stored and
made available for processing anytime it is
needed
Accuracy
If data is entered correctly and program works properly, the results are error-free —
garbage in, garbage out (GIGO) accuracy of output depends on accuracy of
input
Categories of Computers
What are the categories of computers?
p. 1.19 Fig. 1-20
Two major categories
• Desktop
• Notebook
Microprocessor
The single chip that performs all the processing functions on a personal computer
Personal Computers
What is a personal computer? A computer that can perform all of its input,
processing, output, and storage activities by itself
Contains at least
• One Input device
• One output device
• One storage device
• Memory
• A processor p. 1.19
Personal Computers
p. 1.19 Fig. 1-21 & 22 The PC and compatibles use the Windows operating system
The Apple Macintosh uses the Macintosh operating system (Mac OS)
p. 1.19 Fig. 1-21 & 22
What are the two most popular series of personal computers?
Personal Computers
What is a desktop computer?
Designed so the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table
p. 1.20 Fig. 1-23
Click to view Web Linkthen click Personal Computers
Personal Computers
What are some desktop computer variations?
Tower model
• Tall and narrow system unit that can sit on the floor vertically
p. 1.20 Fig. 1-23
Personal Computers
What are some desktop computer variations? All-in-one computer
• Less expensive desktop that combines he monitor and system unit into a single device
p. 1.21 Fig. 1-24
Personal Computers
What are some desktop computer variations?
Workstation• More expensive and powerful
desktop designed for work that requires intense calculations and graphics capabilities
Stand-alone• Can perform the information
processing cycle operations without being connected to a network
p. 1.21
Personal Computers
What are some desktop computer variations?
Server• Powerful desktop that
manages the resources on a network
Clients or workstations• Other computers on
network that access the contents of the storage area on the servers
p. 1.22 Fig. 1-25
Click to view video
Personal Computers
What is a notebook computer? Also called a laptop Portable, personal
computer small enough to fit on your lap
Generally more expensive than a desktop computer with equal capabilities
p. 1.22 Fig. 1-26
Handheld Computers
What is a handheld computer?
Also called a palmtop computer
Small computer that fits in your hand
p. 1.23 Fig. 1-27
Click to view Web Linkthen click Handheld Computers
Handheld Computers
How do you input data with a handheld computer?
Others use a stylus
• A stylus looks like a ballpoint pen, but uses pressure, instead of ink to write
Some have small keyboards
p. 1.23
Some support voice input
Handheld Computers
What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)? One of the most
popular handheld computers in use today
Provides personal organizer functions • Calendar• Appointment book• Address book• Calculator• Notepad
p. 1.23 Fig. 1-28
Handheld Computers
What are Web-enabled handheld computers? Allow you to access the Internet wirelessly
p. 1.24 Fig. 1-29
Web-enabled two-way pager
Web-enabled cellular telephone Web-enabled
handheld computer
Internet Appliances
What is an Internet appliance or information appliance? Computer with
limited functionality whose main purpose is to connect to the Internet from home
p. 1.24 Fig. 1-30
Mid-Range Servers
What is a mid-range server? More powerful and
larger than a workstation computer
Supports up to 4,000 users
Often connected via a personal computer or terminal
Once known as a known as a minicomputerminicomputer
p. 1.25 Fig. 1-32
Sometimes called dumb terminals• No processing
power
• Cannot stand alone
• Must be connected to a server to operate
Mid-Range Servers
What is a terminal?
Device with a monitor and keyboard used to access a server
p. 1.25
Mainframes
What is a mainframe? Large, expensive,
very powerful computer
Can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously
Stores tremendous amounts of data, instructions, and information
p. 1.26 Fig. 1-33
Supercomputers
What is a supercomputer? Fastest, most powerful computer
p. 1.26 Fig. 1-34
Able to process more than 12 trillion instructions per second
Click to view Web Linkthen click Computer Programs
Directs computer to perform alternative operations
Prints a report
Stores information on diskp. 1.10
Computer Software
What is a computer program? A series of instructions that tells the
hardware of a computer what to do
Allows you to input data and stores it in memory
Uses data in memory in calculations
Displays information on monitor
Compares values stored in memory
Computer Software
What is system software? Programs that control the operations of the
computer and its devices
Operating System (OS)
Set of programs containing instructions that coordinate all the
activities among computer hardware
devices
Utility program
Type of system software that performs a specific task, usually related to managing a computer, its devices,
or its programsp. 1.12
Click to view Web Linkthen click Application Software
Computer Software
What is application software? Programs that perform specific tasks for users
p. 1.13
Word processing
software
Spreadsheet software
Database software
Presentation graphics software
Suite
Four popular software applications bundled
together as a single unit
Spreadsheet software
Database software
Presentation graphics software
Word processing
software
1. Hardware
2. Software
1. Hardware
3. Data
1. Hardware
2. Software
4a. People (IT personnel)
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4b. People (users)
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4a. People (IT personnel)
5. Procedures
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Data
4a. People (IT personnel)4b. People (users)
Elements of an Information System
What is an information system?
p. 1.27 Fig. 1-35
Click to view Web Linkthen click Minorities in Technology
Click to view Web Linkthen click Women in Technology
For an information system to provide accurate, timely, and useful information, each element must be present and all of the elements must work together
What is a Computer?
Who is a user? Someone that
communicates with a computer
Someone who uses the information it generates
p. 1.4
Large Business
Examples of Computer Usage
What are five categories of computer users?
p. 1.28 Fig. 1-36
HomeMobile
Small Office/Home Office
Power
p. 1.29 Fig. 1-37
Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a home user?
researchfinance and business management
Web accessentertainment
Examples of Computer Usage
How do computer companies accommodate children? Many
manufacturers design special hardware for children
p. 1.30 Fig. 1-38
p. 1.30
Examples of Computer Usage
What is the digital divide? Idea that you can
separate people of the world into two distinct groups• Those who have
access to technology with the ability to use it
• Those who do not have access to technology or are without the ability to use itClick to view
video
Web access
spreadsheet
What hardware and software is available for a small office/home office (SOHO) user?
Examples of Computer Usage
Desktop usage Local Area
Network (Lan) Productivity
software Specialty
software Web usagep. 1.31
Fig. 1-39
Examples of Computer Usage
What new computer trends concern a small office/home office (SOHO) user? E-mail
• Communicate with others E-commerce
• Conduct financial business on the Web
Web cam
• Allows a SOHO user to show the world a live view of some aspect of their business
p. 1.31
Examples of Computer Usage
What is a mobile user? Travel to and from a
main office to conduct business
Hardware
• Notebook computers
• Handheld computers
• Web-enabled cellular telephones
Software
• Productivity
• Presentationp. 1.32 Fig. 1-40
Examples of Computer Usage
What are the needs of the large business user?
Network• Local area network (LAN)• Wide Area Network (WAN)
Large business Web site Sales management Accounting Desktop publishing Information systems
department Productivity software Scheduling Web access
p. 1.33 Fig. 1-41
p. 1.34 Fig. 1-43
Examples of Computer Usage
What is a kiosk? A freestanding
computer Usually has
multimedia capability and a touch screen
Used by a large business to provide information to the public
Click to view video
Examples of Computer Usage
What is telecommuting? A work
arrangement in which employees work away from a company’s standard workplace
Often communicate with the office using some communications technology
p. 1.34 Fig. 1-44
Examples of Computer Usage
What are the needs of a power user? Requires the capabilities of a workstation or other
powerful computer Types of power users
• Engineers• Architects• Desktop publishers• Graphic artists
Typically work with multimedia• Combines text,
graphics, sound, video, an other media elements into one application
p. 1.35 Fig. 1-45
DataCollection of raw
unprocessed facts, figures, and symbols
InformationData that is organized,
meaningful, and useful
What are data and information?
p. 1.4 Fig. 1-2
Summary of Introduction to Computers
What is a computer? The components of a computer Why is a computer so powerful? Computer software Categories of computers Personal computers
Summary of Introduction to Computers (cont.) Handheld computers
Internet appliances Mid-range servers Mainframes Supercomputers
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