Computer Lecture 1

1st October1st October 11

OVERVIEW OF COMPUTER OVERVIEW OF COMPUTER SYSTEMSSYSTEMS

Parts Of A Computer System.Parts Of A Computer System. Looking Inside The Machine.Looking Inside The Machine. Software: Bringing Machine To Life.Software: Bringing Machine To Life.



PARTS OF A COMPUTERPARTS OF A COMPUTER

What is a computerWhat is a computer HardwareHardware SoftwareSoftware Data Data UsersUsers



WHAT IS A COMPUTERWHAT IS A COMPUTER

A computer is an electronic device used to process data.A computer is an electronic device used to process data. A computer can convert data into information that is A computer can convert data into information that is

useful to people.useful to people. A complete computer system includes four distinct parts:A complete computer system includes four distinct parts:

HardwareHardware SoftwareSoftware DataData UserUser


HARDWAREHARDWARE

A computer's hardware consists of electronic devices; A computer's hardware consists of electronic devices; the parts you can see and touch.the parts you can see and touch.

The term "device" refers to any piece of hardware used The term "device" refers to any piece of hardware used by the computer, such as a keyboard, monitor, modem, by the computer, such as a keyboard, monitor, modem, mouse, etc.mouse, etc.



SOFTWARESOFTWARE

Software – also called programs – consists of organized Software – also called programs – consists of organized sets of instructions for controlling the computer.sets of instructions for controlling the computer.

Some programs exist for the computer's use, to help it Some programs exist for the computer's use, to help it manage its own tasks and devices. manage its own tasks and devices.

Other programs exist for the user, and enable the Other programs exist for the user, and enable the computer to perform tasks for you, such as creating computer to perform tasks for you, such as creating documents.documents.


DATADATA

Data consists of raw facts, which the computer can Data consists of raw facts, which the computer can manipulate and process into information that is manipulate and process into information that is useful to people. useful to people.

Computerized data is digital, meaning that it has Computerized data is digital, meaning that it has been reduced to digits, or numbers. The computer been reduced to digits, or numbers. The computer stores and reads all data as numbers.stores and reads all data as numbers.

Although computers use data in digital form, they Although computers use data in digital form, they convert data into forms that people can convert data into forms that people can understand, such as text, numerals, sounds, and understand, such as text, numerals, sounds, and images.images.



USERSUSERS

People are the computer's operators, or users. People are the computer's operators, or users.

Some types of computers can operate without much Some types of computers can operate without much intervention from people, but personal computers are intervention from people, but personal computers are designed specifically for use by people.designed specifically for use by people.


TYPES OF COMPUTERSTYPES OF COMPUTERS

Supercomputers Supercomputers Mainframe Computers Mainframe Computers Minicomputers Minicomputers Microcomputers, or Personal Computers Microcomputers, or Personal Computers


SUPERCOMPUTERSSUPERCOMPUTERS

Supercomputers are the most powerful computers. They Supercomputers are the most powerful computers. They are used for problems requiring complex calculations.are used for problems requiring complex calculations.

Because of their size and expense, supercomputers are Because of their size and expense, supercomputers are relatively rare.relatively rare.

Supercomputers are used by universities, government Supercomputers are used by universities, government agencies, and large businesses.agencies, and large businesses.



MAINFRAME COMPUTERSMAINFRAME COMPUTERS

Mainframe computers can support hundreds or Mainframe computers can support hundreds or thousands of users, handling massive amounts of input, thousands of users, handling massive amounts of input, output, and storage.output, and storage.

Mainframe computers are used in large organizations Mainframe computers are used in large organizations where many users need access to shared data and where many users need access to shared data and programs.programs.

Mainframes are also used as e-commerce servers, Mainframes are also used as e-commerce servers,

handling transactions over the Internethandling transactions over the Internet..



MINI COMPUTERSMINI COMPUTERS

Minicomputers are smaller than mainframes but larger Minicomputers are smaller than mainframes but larger than microcomputers. than microcomputers.

Minicomputers usually have multiple terminals.Minicomputers usually have multiple terminals.

Minicomputers may be used as network servers and Minicomputers may be used as network servers and

Internet servers.Internet servers.



MICROCOMPUTERSMICROCOMPUTERS

Microcomputers are more commonly known as personal Microcomputers are more commonly known as personal computers. The term "PC" is applied to IBM-PCs or computers. The term "PC" is applied to IBM-PCs or compatible computers.compatible computers.

Full-size desktop computers are the most common type Full-size desktop computers are the most common type of PC.of PC.

Notebook (laptop) computers are used by people who Notebook (laptop) computers are used by people who need the power of a desktop system, but also portability.need the power of a desktop system, but also portability.

Handheld PCs (such as PDAs) lack the power of a Handheld PCs (such as PDAs) lack the power of a desktop or notebook PC, but offer features for users who desktop or notebook PC, but offer features for users who need limited functions and small size.need limited functions and small size.


Computer Lecture 1

Documents

computers hardware

data data

personal computers

computers operators

compatible computers

powerful computers

mini computers minicomputers

fullsize desktop computers