Introduction to the World of Computers

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Chapter 1

• Introduction to the World of Computers

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Learning Objectives

• Explain why it's essential to learn about
  computers today.
• Discuss several ways computers are integrated
  into our business and personal lives.
• Define a computer and describe its four primary
  operations.
• List some important milestones in computer
  evolution.

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Learning Objectives, Contd.

• Identify the major parts of a computer system,
  including input, processing, output, storage, and
  communications hardware.
• Describe the purpose of a network and what the
  Internet is.
• List the five basic types of computers, giving at
  least one example of each type of computer and
  stating what that computer might be used for.
• Discuss the societal impact of computers,
  including some benefits and risks related to
  their prominence in our society.

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Overview

• This chapter covers
• What computers do and how they work
• Computer terminology
• Different categories of computers
• Societal impacts of computers

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Computers in Your Life

• Computers are prevalent in the home, in the
  school, in the workplace, and on the go.
• Most professional jobs and skilled trades heavily
  depend on the creation, collection, evaluation
  and dissemination of information.
• Uses of computers include word processing, e-mail
  exchange, shopping, research, investments
  management, playing games and many other
  applications.
• Knowledge of computers assists the consumer to
  purchase the right computer, save money on
  repairs and use the computer to maximum benefit.

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What Is a Computer and What Does It Do?

• A computer is a programmable electronic device
  that accepts data and performs operations on that
  data.
• Inputentering data into the computer.
• Processingperforming operations on the data.
• Outputpresenting the results.
• Storagesaving data, programs, or output for
  future use.

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Computers Then and Now

• The computer as we know it is a fairly recent
  invention.
• The history of computers is often referred to as
  generations, from pre-computers and early
  computers (before 1945) to fifth generation
  computers (now and the future).
• Each new generation is characterized by a major
  technological development.

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Hardware

• The physical parts of a computer are collectively
  known as hardware.
• Internal hardware is located within the main box
  (system unit) of the computer.
• External hardware is located outside the system
  unit and plug into connectors called ports
  located on the exterior of the system unit.

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Hardware, Contd.

• An input device is used to input data into the
  computer.
• A processing device performs calculations and
  comparisons necessary for processing. The main
  processing device is the central processing unit
  (CPU).
• An output device presents the results to the
  user.
• Storage devices are used to save data, programs
  or output.
• Communication devices allow the user to
  communicate with others and access remote
  information.

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Software

• The programs or instructions used to tell the
  computer hardware what to do.
• System software allows a computer to operate and
  run application software.
• Application software performs specific tasks or
  applications.

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Data and Information

• Data raw, unorganized facts.
• Can be in the form of text, graphics, audio, or
  video.
• Information data that has been processed into a
  useful form.

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Computer Users and Professionals

• Computer users, or end users, are the people who
  use a computer to obtain information.
• Programmers are computer professionals whose job
  it is to write the programs that computers use.

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Computer Networks and the Internet

• A computer network links computers together so
  that users can share hardware, software, and
  data, as well as electronically communicate with
  each other.
• Network servers manage resources on a network.
• Clients are computers on the network that access
  resources via the network server.
• Computer networks are commonly found in
  businesses, schools, and homes.

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The Internet

• The Internet is the largest and most well-known
  computer network in the world.
• Individuals connect to the Internet using an
  Internet service provider (ISP).
• E-mail and accessing Web pages are two of the
  most common Internet activities.

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Accessing a Network

• Need a modem or network adapter to connect to the
  network.
• Software (often built into the operating system)
  allows you to log on to the network and access
  resources.
• Need an ISP and Web browser to access Internet
  resources.
• Many networks and Internet connections require a
  user ID and password to log on to the network.

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Computers to Fit Every Need

• Five basic categories
• Mobile devices
• Personal computers
• Midrange servers
• Mainframe computers
• Supercomputers

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Mobile Devices

• Very small computing devices.
• Usually based on a wireless phone or pager.
• Many can be used to access e-mail and Web pages.

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Personal Computers

• Microprocessors allow for the creation of
  computers small enough to fit on a desk or lap.
• PC compatiblebased on the original IBM PC
  typically run the Windows operating system.
• Macintosha type of personal computer
  manufactured by Apple.

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Personal Computers, Contd.

• Desktop computerssmall enough to fit on or next
  to a desk. Can use
• Desktop case
• Tower case
• All-in-one case

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Personal Computers, Contd.

• Portable PCsdesigned to be carried around.
• Notebook computers
• Tablet PCs (either slate or convertible)
• Handheld computers (pocket computers)

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Personal Computers, Contd.

• PCs designed for just network use are referred to
  as network computers (NCs) or thin clients.
• Devices designed just for Internet access are
  called Internet appliances.

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Midrange Servers

• Medium-sized computers, also called minicomputers
  or midrange computers.
• Fall between microcomputers and mainframes in
  processing power.

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Mainframe Computers

• Standard choice for most large organizations.
• Specialize in high-volume processing of business
  transactions.
• Also called high-endservers or enterprise-class
  servers.

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Supercomputers

• Used for applications that have extraordinary
  demands for processing power.
• Offer very fast speeds and extreme degrees of
  accuracy.
• Commonly created today by connecting hundreds of
  smaller computers to form a supercomputing
  cluster.

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Computers and Society

• The information age the prominence of
  information technology.
• There are many benefits of a computer-oriented
  society, including making many tasks in our lives
  go much faster.
• Risks include health, security, ethical, and
  privacy concerns.

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Summary Slide

• Computers in your life
• What is a computer and what does it do?
• Computers networks and the Internet
• Computers to fit every need
• Computers and society