Introduction to Computers

1. Introduction to Computers Lecture Outline

2. Computer: • An electronic device • Operates under the control of instructions (programs) stored in its memory • Accepts information and instructions from a user (input) • Manipulates the data according to specified rules (process) • Displays information (output) from the processing • Stores the results for future use

3. Types of Computers continued: • Personal Computer (PC)- used by 1 person in a home or office • Desktop- sits compactly on a desk and run on power from an electric wall outlet, not portable • Notebook/Laptop- small, lightweight, and portable • Tablet- portable, but user can write with a stylus (Dr.’s office/hospital)

4. Types of Computers Continued: • Mini Notebook- smaller and lighter than ordinary notebooks • Netbooks- a type of subnotebook, designed to allow users to access Internet and check email • Slate computers- do not have an external keyboard or mouse. Use touch screen or stylus (electronic books)

5. Types of Computers Continued: • Handheld computers- designed to fit in palm of your hand and run on batteries (smart phones) • Smartphone- phone, address book, appointments, calculator, notepad, email, internet, music, photos/video, some word processing. • MP3 players- handheld computer primarily stores/plays music.

6. Types of Computers continued: • Mainframe computers- used by larger business and government agencies to handle large volumes of data • Supercomputers- as physically large as grown person, developed for high-volume computing such as weather prediction

7. 4 General Operations of a computer that comprise the “Information Processing Cycle”: • Input • Process • Output • Storage

8. Data: • The collection of raw facts, figures, symbols (numbers, words, figures, graphics, video, sounds) obtained during the input operation

9. Information: • Data that is organized, useful, meaningful. Obtained thru output operation • 55????? • Test score • Driving speed • Percentage of correct answers on ACT • Free Throw percentage

10. Computer System: • Includes hardware an software • Hardware- physical components (screen, keyboard, mouse) • Software- not visible, made up of programs • Programs- instructions the computer needs to perform specific tasks

11. 5 Primary Components of a Computer: • Input Devices • CPU (Central Processing Unit) • Memory • Output devices • Storage devices

12. Any hardware component that allows you to enter data, programs, commands, and user responses into a computer EXAMPLES: Keyboard Mouse Digital camera Scanner Microphone Touch pad (laptop) Pointing stick (laptop) Touch screen (1) Input Devices:

13. Contains the electronic circuits that cause processing to occur “The Brain” 2 components of the CPU: Control unit (interprets instructions) Arithmetic/logic unit, or ALU (performs processes) (2) CPU/Tower/Hard Drive:

14. Binary Data Representation: • American Standard Code for Information (ASCII) pronounced “As-key”- translates the decimal numbers 0-255 into binary data. • You may type the letter “a” on your keyboard, but the computer translates that as 01100001 • In other words, computer language! 

15. (3) “RAM” or Random Access Memory: • Consists of electronic components that store data including numbers, letters of the alphabet, graphics, and sound. • Short-Term memory that’s not permanently stored • Examples: • Bit- binary digits that create a character • Byte- stores 1 character • Kilobyte- stores 1,000 characters (or 1 double-spaced typed page) • Megabyte- stores 1,000,000 characters (500 pages of text) • Terabyte- stores 1,000,000,000 characters

16. Memory vs. Storage: • Memory- is short term and occurs on circuits within the motherboard • Storage- permanently kept on your computer hard drive

17. Types of RAM: • Synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)- ram synchronized with the processor to allow faster access to its contents • Cache “cash” memory- a high speed memory chip on motherboard, computer can access cashe quicker than regular RAM • Virtual memory- space on storage device that acts as extra RAM when you have used up all your RAM

18. ROM (Read only memory): • A chip on the motherboard prerecorded with instructions the computer uses to check its components to ensure they are working and to activate the software that provides the basic functions of the computer when you turn it on. • Boot process-set of events that happens from the time you turn on computer to the time you can use your computer

19. Processing Hardware: • Motherboard- the main board inside your computer that contains major electronic components. Looks like a city as you look down from an airplane. • microprocessor/ processor/CPU- transistors and electronic circuits on a silicon chip

20. Processors: How Fast? • Megahertz- pulse of the processor, millions of cycles per second • Gigahertz- billions of cycles per second • Single core processor- one processor on a chip • Dual core processor- two processors on a single chip • Quad core processor- 4 processors on a chip

21. (4) Output Devices: • Makes the information resulting from processing available for use

22. Output Device Examples: • Printer • Monitor • LCD(liquid crystal display) manipulates light within a layer of liquid crystal. Difficult to view from an angle. • LED(light emitting diode) more energy efficient than LCD. Uses diode crystals to provide light

23. Impact printer: Prints by striking an inked ribbon against paper Example: dot matrix, PIN printers Non-Impact Printer: Forms characters by means other than striking a ribbon against paper Example: ink jet, laser printers 2 Types of Printers:

24. Advantages of Non-Impact Printers: • Higher quality text/graphics • Different fonts • Quieter • Prints in color

25. (5) Storage Devices: • Used to store instructions and data when they are not being used in memory. • 3 types of storage devices in PC’s: • USB Flash Drive/memory card • Hard disks (CPU) • CD/DVD’s

26. Flash Drive A magnetic storage device Storage capacity of 1 to 64 GB of memory Portable Inexpensive storage medium About the size of a pack of gum Storage Devices cont’d:

27. Hard Disk A magnetic storage device Storage capacity measured in gigabytes or terabytes Contains one or more rigid metal platters coated with metal oxide Not repairable, must replace Storage Devices cont’d:

28. Compact Discs Optical storage device Flat, round, portable, metal storage medium Storage Devices cont’d:

29. ROM: • Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (ROM) • Can only read the contents of these discs • Cannot erase or modify their contents

30. CD-R: • Compact Disc-Recordable • Writes on part of the disc at one time and another part at a later time • Can write on each part only one time • Cannot erase the disc’s contents

31. CD-RW: • Compact Disc-ReWriteable • Erasable disc you can write on multiple times • Acts like a floppy disk or hard disk • Allows you to write and rewrite data, instructions, and information onto it multiple times

32. DVD-ROM • Digital Video Disc-Read Only Memory • Storage capacity from 4.7 GB to 17GB

33. 2 CATEGORIES OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE: • System software • Application software

34. (1) Operating/System Software: • Consists of programs to control the operation of computer equipment—”operating system is the most important of the software!” • Example: Windows/Snow Leopard

35. 4 Facts about System Software: • Tells the computer how to perform the functions of loading, storing, and executing an application program and how to transfer data • Must be stored in the computer’s memory • Must be loaded into memory from an auxiliary storage when the computer is turned on • Most operate under a GUI (graphical user interface)- acts as a liaison between the user and all of the computer’s hardware and software

36. (2) Application Software: • Consists of programs that tell a computer how to produce information • Examples: • Word processing Software: used to create, edit, format, and print documents • Spreadsheet Software: allows user to add, subtract, and perform user-defined calculations on rows and columns of numbers • Database Software: allows the user to enter, retrieve, and update data in an organized and efficient manner • Presentation Graphics Software: allows the user to create documents called slides to be used in making presentations

37. Network: • A collection of computers and devices that are connected • Must have network software- Microsoft home edition doesn’t have, Professional does • Standalone- a PC not connected to network • Workstation- a PC connected to network

38. 4 Reasons to Network Computers: • Sharing Resources/Hardware Devices (printers) • Sharing Software • Sharing Data • Sharing Information

39. Networking Advantages: • Saves Time • Saves $$$

40. LAN (local area network: connects computers in a limited geographic area Examples: School computer labs, office, or group of buildings WAN (wide area network): connects computer in a large geographical area Examples: District offices of a national corporation 2 Basic Types of Networks:

41. Other types of Networks: • WLAN- wireless LAN. Uses radio waves • Wi Fi- Wireless Fidelity radio frequency but short distances (building) • PAN- personal area network. Devices located close to each other, usually by cable but can use Wi-fi. • Bluetooth- radio waves to connect to devices or internet. Goes around corner and through wall • WiMax- allows you to connect to a LAN from long distances

42. INTERNET: • Worldwide collection of networks that links together millions of computers by means of (1) modem, (2) telephone lines, (3) cables, and (4) other communications devices and medias.

43. Reasons to use the Internet: • Sending messages to other connected users (e-mail) • Accessing a wealth of information • Shopping for goods and services • Meeting or conversing with people around the world • Accessing sources of entertainment and leisure

44. 2 Ways to Connect to the Internet: • Internet Service Provider (ISP): organization that supplies connections to the Internet for a monthly fee • Online Service: provides access to the Internet and a variety of other specialized content and services

45. WORLD WIDE WEB (www): • Contains billions of documents called web pages

46. Web Page: • A document that contains text, graphics, sound, and/or video • Has built-in connections, or hyperlinks to other web documents • Stored on computers throughout the world

47. Web Site: • A related collection of Web pages

48. Web Browser: • Software program used to access and view web pages • Browser Examples: (1) Microsoft Explorer (2) Firefox, (3) Safari, (4) Google Chrome

49. Uniform Resource Locator (URL): • The unique address of a web page • Must be typed on the address bar

50. Web Server: • A computer that delivers requested web pages