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Hardware and Software Basics

Hardware and Software Basics. MBA 512 Summer 2010. Organization of a Computer System. Central Processing Unit. Input Device. Output Device. Main Memory. Secondary Storage. The CPU. Basically, the “brain” for the computer

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Hardware and Software Basics

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  1. Hardware and Software Basics MBA 512 Summer 2010

  2. Organization of a Computer System Central Processing Unit Input Device Output Device Main Memory Secondary Storage

  3. The CPU • Basically, the “brain” for the computer • Carries out the operations commanded by the instructions (programs) • Each instruction produces some outcome • A program is an entire sequence of instructions • Everything is stored as binary numbers • Binary number - 1 or 0

  4. There are four 18 month cycles in 6 years. If you purchase a computer in 2016, how much more powerful it would be compared to 2010? • 2016 is 6 years later • For each 18 months, the computer power doubles • 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 24

  5. Organization of a Computer System Central Processing Unit Input Device Output Device Main Memory Secondary Storage

  6. Memory Size • Before we talk about types of memory, let’s look at the terms used to represent the storage of characters/symbols and storage capacity.

  7. Main Memory • Commonly known as random access memory (RAM) • Holds instructions and data needed for programs that are currently running • RAM is usually a volatile type of memory • Contents of RAM are lost when power is turned off • The computer’s “thinking space”. How much can it remember without writing it down?

  8. Organization of a Computer System Central Processing Unit Input Device Output Device Main Memory Secondary Storage

  9. Secondary Storage • A nonvolatile storage medium • Contents retained while power is off • Hard disk drives are most common • Provides fast access to large amounts of data • Cheap – but slower than RAM • Optical devices - CD/DVD/BlueRay • USB flash memory devices • High capacity device plugs into USB port • Replacing Hard Drives in some systems (SSD) • Tape drives for high volume long term storage.

  10. Organization of a Computer System Central Processing Unit Input Device Output Device Main Memory Secondary Storage

  11. Overview of Software • Computer programs: sequences of instructions • Systems software:coordinates the activities of hardware and programs (aka. The Operating System) • Application software: helps users solve particular problems • Documentation: describes program functions

  12. Supporting Individual, Group, and Organizational Goals • Sphere of influence: the scope of problems and opportunities addressed by a particular piece of software

  13. Personal Computers to Supercomputers • Personal Computers - (desk tops) for use by one individual - (i.e. Dell, HP) • Laptop or Notebook - portable PC's. Includes Tablet PCs. • Handhelds and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's) - small hand held devices (i.e. Smart Phones) • Wearable PC's - truly hands free, permits individuals in work situations that require their hands to enter data via voice commands and 'see' their data on an 'eyescreen' • Thin Client - machines that have no or very little local storage and are used to transfer data to a server.

  14. Personal Computers to Supercomputers • Workstations - more powerful desk tops (i.e. Sun Workstations) • Servers - used to maintain data and software files.  They are generally part of a larger networks and provide data to the client (personal computer) machines • Mainframes - (enterprise wide) used by large corporations for large scale processing of invoices, customer information, inventory levels • Supercomputers - largest and fastest computers for use of high calculations such as weather simulations.

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