Introduction to Computers and Technology

1. Chapter 1 Introduction to Computers and Technology Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

2. Objectives • Explain why it is essential to learn about computers today. • Discuss several ways computers are integrated into our business and personal lives. • Define a computer and describe its primary operations. • List some important milestones in computer evolution. • Identify the major components of a personal computer, including input, processing, output, storage, and communications hardware. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

3. Objectives (cont’d) • Discuss the differences between system software and application software and list examples of each. • Describe the purpose of a network and explain what the Internet is. • List the five basic types of computers, providing at least one example for each type of computer and stating its primary use. • Provide an overview of the societal impact of computers, including some benefits and risks related to their prominence in society. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

4. Why Learn About Computers? • Computers are so prominent in our society and will become even more so in the future. • Knowing something about computers can help you buy the right one for your needs, help you get the most efficient use out of it, and give you a higher level of comfort and confidence along the way. • Basic computer literacy—knowing about and understanding computers and their uses—is an essential skill today for everyone. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

5. How are Computers Used Today? • At home – home computer use has increased dramatically over the last few years. • In education – commonly used as a student-based learning tool and instructor presentation tool. • In the workplace – used by all types of employees in all types of businesses. • On the go – people use all types of computers in day-to-day life. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

6. Computer Use at Home Reference–many households today have access to the Internet at home to retrieve news and other useful information. Figure 1-1 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

7. Computer Use at Home Education and entertainment – for children and adults alike, computers and the Internet offer a host of educational and entertainment activities. Figure 1-1 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

8. Computer Use at Home Communications – many people exchange e-mail and instant messages from home on a regular basis. Figure 1-1 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

9. Computer Use at Home Smart appliances – regular appliances with computer technology built in are becoming more common. Figure 1-1 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

10. Computer Use in Education Classrooms and computer labs - most students today have access to computers at school. Figure 1-2 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

11. Computer Use in Education Presentations – students and teachers often use computers and projection equipment for classroom presentations. Figure 1-2 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

12. Computer Use in Education Distance learning – students today can take classes from home or wherever they happen to be. Figure 1-2 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

13. Computer Use in the Workplace Decision making – many individuals today use a computer at work to help them evaluate alternatives and make on-the-job decisions. Figure 1-3 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

14. Computer Use in the Workplace Communications – handheld and wearable computers can be used by employees who need to record data or access data while out in the field. Figure 1-3 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

15. Computer Use in the Workplace Productivity – many individuals today use a computer at work to perform on-the-job tasks. Figure 1-3 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

16. Computer Use While On the Go Portable computers – Many people carry portable computers with them at all times or when they travel to remain in touch with others and Internet resources. Figure 1-4 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

17. Computer Use While On the Go GPS applications – Devices with GPS capabilities can be used for navigational purposes. Figure 1-4 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

18. Computer Use While On the Go Self-service kiosks – Computerized kiosks are found in a wide variety of locations today, such as hotels, retail stores, airports, and other locations. Figure 1-4 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

19. Computer Use While On the Go Hotels, coffeehouses, and Internet cafés – Free or fee-based Internet access is available at many hotels and coffeehouses. Figure 1-4 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

20. What Is a Computer? • A programmable electronic device that: • Accepts data (input) • Performs operations on the data (processing) • Presents the results (output) • Stores the data and results, as needed (storage) • Communications is sometimes considered the fifth primary computer operation. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

21. The Information Processing Cycle Figure 1-5 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

22. Computers Then and Now Precomputers and Early Computers • Began before approximately 1945. • Included the abacus, slide rule, mechanical calculator, and Hollerith’s Punch Card Tabulating Machine and Sorter. Figure 1-6 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

23. Computers Then and Now First-Generation Computers • Approximately 1946-1957. • Computers were powered by vacuum tubes. • Included ENIAC and UNIVAC. Figure 1-6 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

24. Computers Then and Now Second-Generation Computers • Approximately 1958-1963. • Computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes. • Included mainframe computers. Figure 1-6 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

25. Computers Then and Now Third-Generation Computers • Approximately 1964-1970. • Computers used integrated circuits. • Included mainframe and minicomputers. Figure 1-6 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

26. Computers Then and Now Fourth-Generation Computers • Approximately 1971-present. • Computers used microprocessors. • Personal computers were introduced. Figure 1-6 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

27. Computers Then and Now Fifth-Generation Computers • From now and into the future. • Computers may be based on artificial intelligence and use voice recognition as the primary interface. • Computers may take a different physical form, such as an optical computer. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

28. Hardware • Hardware – all of the physical parts of the computer, such as the keyboard, screen, and printer. • Hardware can be internal or external. • Input device – any piece of equipment that is used to input data into the computer. • The main processing device for a computer is the central processing unit (CPU). Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

29. Hardware • Output device – accepts processed data from the computer and presents it to the user. • Storage devices – a variety of drives and storage media used to store data. • Communications devices, such as modems and network adapters, allow users to communicate electronically with others. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

30. Typical Computer Hardware Figure 1-7 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

31. Software • Software – the programs or instructions used to tell the hardware in a computer system what to do. • System software – the collection off software that allows a computer to operate. • The main system software program is the operating system. • Common operating systems are MicrosoftWindows, Mac OS, and Linux. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

32. The Microsoft Windows Operating System Figure 1-9 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

33. Software • Application software – programs designed to allow people to perform specific tasks using a computer. • Can be stand-alone programs or software suites (collections of related software). • Can be purchased on CD or DVD, or downloaded from the Internet. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

34. Examples of Application Software • Word-processing programs • Spreadsheet programs • Multimedia programs Figure 1-10 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

35. Examples of Application Software • Games • Web browsers • E-mail programs Figure 1-10 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

36. Software • Programming language – a set of rules used to write computer programs. • Markup languages – indicate where text, images, hyperlinks, and other elements on a Web page should be displayed and how they should look. • Scripting languages – enable Web developers to include small sets of instructions, or scripts, within the page’s HTML code. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

37. Example of a Programming Language Figure 1-12 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

38. Example of a Markup Language Figure 1-12 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

39. Computer Networks and the Internet • A computer network ties a group of computers together so that users can share hardware, software, and data, as well as electronically communicate with each other. Figure 1-13 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

40. Computer Networks and the Internet • The Internet is the largest and most well-known computer network in the world. • Networks access each other on the Internet via the main backbone infrastructure. • People connect to the Internet via Internet service providers (ISPs), which are continually connected to the Internet. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

41. Computer Networks and the Internet • Common Internet activities include: • Exchanging e-mail • Viewing Web pages • Web pages are part of the World Wide Web and are viewed with a Web browser. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

42. Common Internet Activities Figure 1-14 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

43. Basic Types of Computers • Mobile devices • Personal computers (PCs) • Midrange servers • Mainframe computers • Supercomputers Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

44. Mobile Devices • Mobile devices – small devices with some type of built-in computing or Internet capability. • Typically based on cellular phones (smart phones). • Can be used to access Web page data and exchange e-mail. Figure 1-15 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

45. Personal Computers (PCs) • Personal computers (PCs) – designed to be used by one person at a time. • Widely used in homes, schools, and businesses; can be connected to networks. • Can be desktop PCs, portable PCs, or thin clients. Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

46. Personal Computers (PCs) DesktopPCs: • The complete system unit fits on or next to a desk. • Can use: • Desktop case • Tower case • All-in-one case Figure 1-16 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

47. Personal Computers (PCs) Portable PCs: • Are smaller than typical desktop PCs and are designed to be easily carried around. • Can be: • Notebook computers • Tablet PCs • Handheld computers Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

48. Examples of Portable PCs Figure 1-18 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

49. Personal Computers (PCs) Thin clients: • Designed to be used in conjunction with a company network. • Typically use a network server for storage and processing. • Also called network computers (NCs) Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition

50. Personal Computers (PCs) Internet appliances: • A type of network computer designed for accessing the Internet • Can be in the form of: • Stand-alone device • Set-top box • Digital media receiver Figure 1-20 Computers and Technology in a Changing Society, Second Edition