Introduction to Computers Essential Understanding of Computers and Computer Operations
Introduction to Computers Essential Understanding of Computers and Computer Operations.
Dec 22, 2015
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Introduction to Computers
Essential Understanding of Computers and Computer
Operations
Topics
The term “computer” Four basic computer operations Data and information Principal components of computer Data storage devices and usage Software The Internet & WWW
What is a Computer?
A programmable machine that inputs, processes, and outputs information
An electronic device for storing and processing data
Composed of hardware and software Can exist in a variety of sizes and
configurations
Examples
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Does each device perform input, process, store, and output operations? Yes, they all do. Therefore, they are computers.
What Do Computers Do?
Input, Process, Output, & Store data
Input Process Output
Store Data
Input, Processing, Storage, and Output Devices
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CPU
What is Data?
The raw material of information Contain facts w/o interpretations The information entered into, and stored
within a computer or file Used by applications to accomplish tasks Unprocessed information E.g. text, numbers, images, audio, & video
What is Information?
Contains meaning, knowledge, instruction, communication, & representation of data
Result of processing, manipulating and organizing data in a way that adds to the knowledge of the person receiving it
The output of information systems
Flow of Computing
Data Processing Information Example
Pat Brown1001 Jump StreetShoreline, WA 98123$25 per hour40 hours
Retrieve data
Calculate weekly wage:$25 X 40 hours = $1000
Send information to output device
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It is the usual way data are stored in a database - just a bundle of individual pieces of basic facts.
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Processing data to produce information.
Principal Components of Computer Input devices System units Storage (memory) devices
Importance of Saving Output devices
Input Devices
Keyboard, mouse, scanner, & etc
System Units
CPU (Central Processing Unit) Random Access Memory (RAM) Secondary Storage Devices
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Such as the hard and floppy disk drives.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Main processor of a computer that makes everything work
Interprets & carries out the basic instructions Performs all the instruction, logic, &
mathematical processing
Storage (memory) Devices
Two types: Primary & Secondary
Primary: Temporary memory for dynamic access by the
processor (CPU) RAM (Random Access Memory)
Secondary: For large data storage, e.g. hard disk drive
RAM is much faster than disk drives for dynamically interacting with the processor
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Disks are secondary memory device with the RAM being the primary memory to the processor.The secondary memory supports the primary memory to interact with the processor.
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RAM is the primary memory since it directly interact with the processor.
Random Access Memory (RAM) – the Primary Memory
Temporarily stores instructions and data waiting to be processed by the processor
Memory units are measured in kilobytes, megabytes, or gigabytes
1 kilobytes = 1,000 bytes = 1,000 memory locations ≈ 1,000 characters
1 megabyte (MB) = 1 million memory locations 1 gigabyte (GB) = 1 billion memory locations E.g. 512 MB = 512 million characters
1 MB can hold approx. 500 pages of text
Secondary Memory (Semi-permanent)
Magnetic Disks Hard disks, floppy disks, zip disks
Optical Disks CD-ROM, CD-R (Recordable), CD-RW, DVD
Flash Memory Cards USB flash drive: Small, lightweight, & large
storage capacity
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CD-ROM: Store music and dataCD-R (Recordable): Can record one time onlyCD-RW (Rewritable) : Can record multiple timesDVD: Store extra large data
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Used in USB drives, digital cameras, and Apple iPods.
Importance of Saving and Saving Often
When using an application, data is stored in RAM temporarily
When the file, application, or computer closes, the data in the RAM is erased
Where do I save the files? At the Lab: Removable disks such as floppy, zip,
or USB. At home: Hard drive (C:\) or any removable disk.
Never remove a disk while the light flashes Saving on an existing file replaces the old
data with new (Save vs. Save As)
Importance of Data Backup
All secondary storage devices such as floppy and hard drive disks eventually fail, and you lose the data
Make backup files weekly, if not daily If you have a computer, use the hard drive or
a removable disk as your backup Otherwise, use the second removable disk
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Preferably one with a larger capacity such as a USB drive.
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For example, save your works on the hard drive of your computer, and copy them into a removable drive disk. Alternatively, consider your removable drive disk as your main storage, and copy the works onto the hard drive when you get home.
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Demonstrate dismantling a floppy disk, and point out how valuable the disk is for dust. Emphasize the use of disk case.
Output Devices
Printers Monitors and more
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Mention about radiation from the tube type monitors. Keep the safe distance from the back of the monitor to reduce radiation affect.
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Mention 5-in-1 printers (printer, scanner, fax, copier, & photo card reader)
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Plotter
Personal Computers
PC, Mac, and other microcomputers Desktop, Laptop, PDA Windows, Mac OS, Linux, etc. Increasingly more capable, portable,
affordable, and mobile
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Have you heard of the One-Hundred-Dollar laptop? MIT researchers are forging ahead with plans to put $100 laptops into the hands of the world's children.
System Software
Manages computer operations Instructs computer how to perform functions of
loading, storing, and executing an application software and how to transfer data
Examples: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, & etc.
Application Software
Programs that tell a computer how to perform tasks and produce information
Categories: Word processing Spreadsheet Database Presentation graphics Web and Internet access Desktop publishing / image editing / multimedia
editing
The Internet and WWW
The Internet is the world’s largest network Uses:
Send messages (e-mail) Access a wealth of information Electronic commerce Online meeting Access entertainment and multimedia
WWW (World Wide Web) The more popular component of the Internet Web page: A document containing text, hyperlinks, images,
& other multimedia contents Web site: A collection of Web pages
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The internet is consisted of many components such as WWW, SMTP (e-mail), Telnet, FTP, and so on.
Communications Devices
Modem Network card Router Wireless modem, network card, & router
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Short for modulator-demodulator.A modem is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over, for example, telephone or cable lines.
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Device that enables the computer to communicate with other computers via a network connection.
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A device or setup that finds the best route between any two networks.It determines the next network point to which a data packet should be forwarded enroute toward its destination. The router is connected to at least two networks and determines which way to send each data packet based on its current understanding of the state of the networks it is connected to.In a way of speaking, it is like a phone switch board.
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Devices for data communication through wireless network.
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