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Computer Systems. An Overview. Main Categories. Hardware The physical components of the system Software The instructions that the physical components follow People The users and creators of the system. Hardware Categories. Input Devices
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Computer Systems An Overview
Main Categories • Hardware • The physical components of the system • Software • The instructions that the physical components follow • People • The users and creators of the system CSCI104
Hardware Categories • Input Devices • Allow for the entry of “Real World” data into the system • Output Devices • Allow for the retrieval of information in “Real World” form • Processing Devices • Responsible for the manipulation of the data into information • Storage Devices • Responsible for the long-term storage of data and programs • Communication Devices • Allow for computer systems to communicate directly with each other CSCI104
Input Devices • Key based • Requires significant human processing of data • Keyboard, Keypad • Direct input based • Requires less human processing of data • mouse, joystick, trackball, light pen, touch pad scanner, digital camera CSCI104
Output Devices • Hard Copy Devices • Provides output in a form that can be taken away from the system • Soft Copy Devices • Provides output in a form that requires the user to be at the system or to use another device to capture the output. CSCI104
Output Devices – Hard Copy • Printer • Most common of the hard copy devices • Laser • Ink Jet • Dot Matrix • Plotter • Generally used in specialized situations. • Drum • Flat bed CSCI104
Output Devices – Soft Copy • Monitor • Produces an image on a screen similar to a television set • CRT – Cathode Ray Tube • Flat Screen • Speaker • Requires a sound card for quality output • Robotic • The computer system itself or some device controlled by the computer system moves • Anti-lock brakes, etc. CSCI104
Processing Devices • Central Processing Unit (CPU) • Performs mathematical and logical operations • Pentium 4, Athlon current CPUs • Main Memory • Stores data and programs that are currently being used • 1 gigabytes (GB) minimum in new systems CSCI104
Storage Devices • Fixed Storage • Unit is mounted in the system box • Removable Storage • Media is removable from device • Entire device may be connected by cable and removed from system CSCI104
Storage Devices – Fixed • Hard drive • Multi-platter device that stores data magnetically on surface • Platters rotate at high speed to allow for quick retrieval and storage of data and programs • Retains memory after power is removed unlike main memory CSCI104
Storage Devices – Removable • Magnetic Disk • Floppy disk, ZIP disk, etc. • Magnetic Tape • Used mainly for backup • Optical Disk • CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-RAM, etc. • Solid State • Memory StickTM, Compact Flash, SDTM/MMC, SmartMedia CSCI104
Communication Devices • Home • Telephone modem • Cable Modem • DSL router • Office • Network Interface Cards (NICs) • Hubs, Switches, etc. CSCI104
Memory capacity 8 bits = 1 byte 1024 bytes = 1 kilobyte 1024 KB = 1 megabyte 1024 MB = 1 gigabyte 1024 GB = 1 terabyte 1024 TB = 1 petabyte Speed & Time 1 hertz = 1 cycle/second 1000 hz = 1 kilohertz 1000 khz = 1 megahertz 1000 mhz = 1 gigahertz 1 millisecond (ms) = 1/1,000 second 1 nanosecond (ns) = 1/1,000,000,000 second Hardware Measurement Units CSCI104
Software Categories • System software • Controls the hardware of the computer system • Allows applications to run on the system • Application software • Performs a task which provides a result to the user CSCI104
System Software • Operating System • Manages the hardware • Allocates resources to applications • Utility Software • Used to perform maintenance on the system • Allows for expansion of the system CSCI104
Operating Systems • Microsoft • Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista • Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT • Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows ME • Windows 3.1, DOS • Non-Microsoft • Linux • Unix CSCI104
Application Software • Word Processing • Microsoft Word 2010 • Database • Spreadsheet • Microsoft Excel 2010 • Presentation software • Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 • Games • Graphics CSCI104
People • End users • Use a computer system to allow or help them to perform their work • Programmers • Write the programs that are run on a computer system • Systems analysts • Design computer programs • Computer operators • Maintain the computer systems, usually in a large computer environment • Administrators • Determine needs and usage of the computer systems CSCI104
CSCI104 Requirements • Hardware • Access to D2L for submitting the homework assignments • Access to a computer system to work on the homework • Writing utensil for answering the daily bonus questions • Software • An operating system that is compatible with some recent version of Windows • Microsoft Word 2013, Microsoft Excel 2013, Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 • Time CSCI104