INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTERS
CHAPTER 1

1
Objectives Overview
At the end of the learning experience, you
should be able to: Define the
term,
Explain why
computer, and Describe the
computer
describe the five
literacy is vital
relationship components of
to success in
between data a computer
todays world
and
information
Discuss the
advantages Define the
and term, network, Discuss the
disadvantages and identify uses of the
that users benefits of Internet and
experience sharing World Wide
when working resources on a Web
See Page 3 with
for Detailed Objectives
network 2
Objectives Overview
At the end of the learning
experience, you should be Explain Discuss
how home how
able to: users, society
small uses
Differentia office/hom computers
Distinguis te among Describe e office in
h between types, the role of users, education,
system sizes, and each mobile finance,
software functions element in users, governme
and of an power nt, health
applicatio computers informatio users, and care,
n software in each n system enterprise science,
category users publishing
each , travel,
interact and
with manufactu
See Page 3
for Detailed Objectives computers ring 3
A World of Computers

Computers are everywhere

Pages 4 - 5
Figure 1-1

4
What Is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device,
operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own
memory that can accept data,
process the data according to
specified rules, produce results, and
store the results for future use.

Collects Produces
data Processing informati
(input) on (output)

Information Processing Cycle

Page 6 5
What Is a Computer?

Page 6
Figure 1-2

6
Information Processing Cycle

Computer carry out processes

using instructions.
A collection of related
instructions
organized for a common
purpose is referred to as
software.
Information Processing Cycle

Page 6 7
The Components of a Computer
A computer contains many electric, electronic,
and mechanical components known as
hardware Allows you to enter data and instructions
Input Device Allows you to enter data and instructions
into a computer

Output Hardware component that conveys

Device information to one or more people
Case that contains the electronic
System Unit components of the computer that are used
to process data
Storage Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads)
Device items to and from storage media
Enables a computer to send and receive
Communicati data, instructions, and information to and
ons Device from one or more computers or mobile
Pages 6 - 8
devices 8
The Components of a Computer

Page 7
Figure 1-3

9
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers

Speed Health Risks

Reliability Violation of Privacy

Consistency Public Safety

Impact on Labor
Storage Force
Impact on
Communications Environment

Pages 9 -
10
10
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers

Green computing involves reducing

the electricity consumed and
environmental waste generated when
using a computer
Strategies include:
Recycling
Regulating manufacturing processes
Extending the life of computers
Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced
computers
Page 10 11
Networks and the Internet
A network is a
collection of
computers and
devices connected
together, often
wirelessly, via
communications
devices and
transmission media
Pages 10 - 11
Figure 1-6

12
Networks and the Internet

In many networks,
one or more
computers act as a
server. The server
controls access to
the resources on a
network. The other
computers on the
network, each
called a client or
workstation, 13
Networks and the Internet

The Internet is a worldwide collection

of networks that connects millions of
businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals

Page 11
Figure 1-7

14
Networks and the Internet

People use the Internet for a variety of

reasons:

Communicate Research and Shop Bank and Online Trading

Access Invest
Information

Entertainment
Pages 12 - 13 Download Share Web
Figure 1-8
Videos Information Application

15
Networks and the Internet
The Web, short for World Wide Web,
is one of the more popular services on
the
Internet.
Web pages
Web sites
Links
Page 14
Figure 1-9

16
Networks and the Internet

A social networking Web site

encourages members to share their
interests, ideas, stories, photos,
music, and videos with other
registered users

Page 14
Figure 1-9

17
Networks and the Internet
photo sharing community - a specific type of
social networking Web site that allows users to
create an online photo album and store and
share their digital photos.
video sharing community - a type of social
networking Web site that allows users to store
and share their personal videos

Page 14
Figure 1-9

18
Networks and the Internet
A blog is an informal Web site consisting of
timestamped articles in a diary or journal
format,
usually listed in reverse chronological order.
Video blog - A blog that contains video
clips
Microblog - allows users to publish short
messages, usually between 100 and 200
characters, for others to read
Page 14
Podcasts and video podcasts
Figure 1-9

19
Networks and the Internet
A Web application is a Web site that allows
users to access and interact with software from
any computer or device that is connected to the
Internet .
Examples of software available as Web
applications include those that allow you to
send and receive e-mail messages, prepare your
taxes, organize digital photos, create documents,
and play games.

20
Networks and the Internet

Web 2.0 refers to Web sites that

provide a means for users to share
personal information (such as social
networking Web sites), allow users to
modify the Web site contents (such as
some blogs), and/or have software built
into the site for users to access (such
as Web applications)
Page 14
Figure 1-9

21
Computer Software

Software, also called a program, tells

the computer what tasks to perform and
how to perform them
System Software
Operating system
Utility program

Pages 15 - 16
Figures 1-10 - 1-
11
Application Software
22
Computer Software
User interface controls how you enter data
and instructions and how information
is displayed on the screen.
Graphical User Interface (GUI pronounced
gooey) -Allows you to interact with the software
using text, graphics, and visual images such as
icons
Command line interface
o Icons - miniature image that represents a
program, an instruction, or some other object.
Pages 15 - 16
Figures 1-10 -
1-11

23
System Software

System software consists of the programs

that control or maintain the operations of the
computer and its devices.
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that
coordinates all the activities among computer
hardware devices.
Utility programs
A utility program allows a user to perform
maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a
computer, its devices, or its programs.

24
Application Software

Application software consists of

programs
designed to make users more
productive and/or assist them with
personal tasks.

Pages 15 - 16
Figures 1-10 -
1-11

25
Computer Software

Installing is the process of setting

up software to work with the
computer, printer, and other
hardware

Pages 16 - 17
Figure 1-12

26
Computer Software

A programmer
develops
software or writes
the instructions
that direct the
computer to
process data into
information
Page 18
Figure 1-13

27
Categories of Computers
Personal computers
Mobile computers and mobile
devices
Game consoles

Servers

Mainframes

Supercomputers

Page 19 Embedded computers 28

Categories of Computers

29
Personal Computers

A personal computer can perform

all of its input, processing, output,
and storage activities by itself
Two popular architectures are the
PC and the Apple
Desktop computer

Pages 19 - 20
Figures 1-15 -
1-16

30
Desktop computer

A desktop computer is designed

so that the
system unit, input devices, output
devices, and any other devices fit
entirely on or under a desk or table

31
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Mobile
Mobile
Compu
Device
ter
Personal Computing
computer you device small
can carry from enough to hold
place to place in your hand
Examples
include smart
Examples
phones and
include
PDAs, e-book
notebook
readers,
computers,
handheld
laptop
computers,
computers,
portable
netbooks, ultra-
media
thins, and
Pages 20 - 23 players, and 32
Tablet PCs
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Notebook computer

Tablet PC
Smart phones and
PDAs
E-book reader
Pages 20 - 22
Figures 1-17 1-20

33
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Handheld
computer
Portable media
player

Digital camera
Pages 22 - 23
Figures 1-21 1-23

34
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

A notebook Tablet PC is Smart

computer, a special type phone is an
also called a of notebook Internet-
laptop computer enabled
computer, is that allows phone PDA
a portable, you to write (personal
personal or draw on digital
computer the screen assistant)
often using a digital provides 35
Game Consoles

A game
console is a
mobile
computing
device
designed for
single-player or
multiplayer
Page 24
Figure 1-24

video games 36
Servers
A server controls
access to the
hardware, software,
and other resources
on a network
Provides a
centralized storage
area for programs,
data, and
information

37
Mainframes

A mainframe
is a large,
expensive,
powerful
computer that
can handle
hundreds or
thousands of
Page 25
Figure 1-26

connected 38
Supercomputers

A supercomputer is the fastest, most

powerful computer
Fastest supercomputers are capable of
processing more than one quadrillion
instructions in a single second

Page 25
Figure 1-27

39
Embedded Computers

An embedded computer is a
special-purpose computer that
functions as a component in a
larger product Home Process Computer
Consumer
Automation Automobiles Controllers and Devices and
Electronics
Devices Robotics Office Machines
Mobile and Thermostats Antilock brakes Remote Keyboards
digital Sprinkling Engine control monitoring Printers
telephones systems modules systems Faxes
Digital Security Airbag Power monitors Copiers
televisions monitoring controller Machine
Cameras systems Cruise control controllers
Video Appliances Medical
recorders Lights devices
DVD players
and recorders
Answering
machines
Page 26 40
Embedded Computers

Page 26
Figure 1-28

41
Elements of an Information
System

Hardwar
e Software Data

Procedur
People
es

Page 27 42
Elements of an Information System

Page 27 43
Figure 1-29
Examples of Computer Usage

Home User Small Mobile

Personal financial Office/Hom User
management
Web access
e Office Connect to other
Communications User computers on a
network or the
Entertainment Look up Internet
information Transfer
Send and receive information
e-mail messages Play video games
Make telephone Listen to music
Pages 28 31
Figures 1-30 1-32
calls Watch movies 44
Examples of Computer Usage

Power User Enterprise User

Work with multimedia Communicate among
Use industry-specific employees
software Process high volumes
of transactions
Blog

Pages 31 32
45
Figures 1-33 1-34
Computer Applications in Society

Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Pages 34 - 36
Figures 1-36 1-39

46
Computer Applications in Society

Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
Pages 36 - 38
Figures 1-40 1-43

47
Summary

Basic computer Components of a

concepts computer

Many different
categories of
Networks, the computers,
Internet, and computer users,
computer software and computer
applications in
society

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