Part 1, Computing Fundamentals Chapter 1, Computer Basics Lesson 1-1, What is a computer

1. Part 1, Computing FundamentalsChapter 1, Computer BasicsLesson 1-1, What is a computer Robert Crawford, MBA West Middle School

2. UNIT O BJECTIVES • Describe the four operations of a computer • Contrast analog and digital computers • Explain why data and instructions for computers are coded as 0’s and 1’s

3. KEY TERMS • Bit • Byte • Computer • Input • Output • Processing • Storage

4. Computer basics • What is a computer? • try to think in general terms: • don’t just form a answer that describes a computer as it exists today • Try too think of an answer that would work both • into the past (think in terms of about 500 years). • The first use of the word “computer” was recorded in 1613 in a book called “The yong mans gleanings” • Into the future

5. Computer basics • What is a computer? • Originally It referred to a person who carried out calculations, or computations, and the word continued with the same meaning until the middle of the 20th century. • From the end of the 19th century the word began to take on its more familiar meaning, a machine that carries out computations.

6. Computer basics • What is a computer? • This takes us to where we are today with this definition. . . A machine that changes information for one form into another.

7. Computer basics • What is a computer? • A machine that changes information for one form into another. • It does this by performing four basic operations.

8. Computer basics • What is a computer? • A machine that changes information for one form into another. • It does this by performing four basic operations. • Input • Processing • Output • Storage

9. Computer basics • Measures data in a scale with many values • Mercury Thermometer • Gas gauge on a car • Works with data that has fixed values • Typically 1 and 0 • The computers you are using right now are digital computers. Analog Digital

10. Computer basics Analog Digital

11. Input • The raw (unaltered) information that is entered into the computer. • Simple • Letters • Numbers • Complex • Photographs • Videos • Music • How do we get information into the computer?

12. Input • The raw (unaltered) information that is entered into the computer. • Simple • Letters • Numbers • Complex • Photographs • Videos • Music • We input information into the computer using a variety of devices.

13. Input • Information is stored, and processed, in the computer in a very basic format. • 1’s and 0’s

14. Input • Information is stored, and processed, in the computer in a very basic format. • 1’s and 0’s • A single unit of information is a Bit • Short for “Binary Digit”

15. Input • Information is stored, and processed, in the computer in a very basic format. • 1’s and 0’s • A single unit of information is a Bit • Short for “Binary Digit” • These Bits are grouped together in “words” called “Bites” • For example (i.e.) • A = 01000001 • 1 = 00110001 • This is the only way the computer sees information.

16. Processing • Processing is the second step in the information processing cycle.

17. Processing • Processing is the second step in the information processing cycle. • Remember, the four operations of computers are: • Input • Processing • Output • Storage

18. Processing • Processing is the second step in the information processing cycle. • In this step the computer manipulates (does something with) the data.

19. Processing • Processing is the second step in the information processing cycle. • In this step the computer manipulates (does something with) the data. • This stage is largely dependent on two things: • Coded Instructions • Speed of processing

20. Processing • Processing is the second step in the information processing cycle. • In this step the computer manipulates (does something with) the data. • This stage is largely dependent on two things: • Coded Instructions • These are the instructions given to the computer, the program. • High Level Code (C++, Pascal, Python) • Low Level Code (machine code, assembly language) • Speed of processing

21. Motorola MC6800 Assembly listing, showing original assembly language and the assembled form

22. Processing • Processing is the second step in the information processing cycle. • In this step the computer manipulates (does something with) the data. • This stage is largely dependent on two things: • Coded Instructions • These are the instructions given to the computer, the program. • While this class is not a programming class, there will be more about these in future units • Speed of processing

23. Processing • Processing is the second step in the information processing cycle. • In this step the computer manipulates (does something with) the data. • This stage is largely dependent on two things: • Coded Instructions • Speed of processing • Speed is measured in units of cycles per second, which is called a Hertz (Hz). Computer boards and CPUs run at rates of millions and billions of Hertz, megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz). • A good speed for a PC microprocessor in 2004 was 4 GHz.

24. Output • The third step of the information processing cycle is output. • After the computer adds two numbers the computer then presents the result; this is output. • Output can take many forms.

25. Output • The third step of the information processing cycle is output. • After the computer adds two numbers the computer then presents the result; this is output. • Output can take many forms. • Image • Monitor • Sound • Speaker • Printed text • Printer • Tactile feedback • PS4 vibrating controller

26. Storage • The four the operation is storage.

27. Storage • The four the operation is storage. • What would happen without computer storage?

28. Storage • The four the operation is storage. • Without computer storage all of the work you do on the computer would be lost. • By storing the data you can access it and use that data at a late date. • We will talk more about storage in the next, and other future, units.

29. Things to remember

30. Things to remember • Work with the person next to you and try to think of things that you should expect to see on an examination.

31. Activity • Use a sequence chart to place the four operations of computers in their correct order