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Using Computers: Essential Concepts

Section A. Computers: Mind Tools. CHAPTER 1. Using Computers: Essential Concepts. PARSONS/OJA. Page 2. Section A. Chapter 1. Computers: Mind Tools. Section PREVIEW. Section A. Section A. You will be able to:. Define the term “computer”

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Using Computers: Essential Concepts

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  1. Section A Computers: Mind Tools CHAPTER 1 Using Computers:Essential Concepts PARSONS/OJA Page 2

  2. Section A Chapter 1 Computers: Mind Tools Section PREVIEW Section A Section A You will be able to: • Define the term “computer” • Describe the relationship between computer hardware and software Page 2

  3. Section A Chapter 1 Computers: Mind Tools Section PREVIEW Section A Section A Computers have been called “mind tools” because they enhance our ability to perform tasks that require mental ability. Page 4

  4. Von Neumann’s Definition What is a computer? Chapter 1 Section A • Before 1940, a computer was defined as a person who performs calculations. • The modern definition of the term “computer” emerged in the 1940’s. • developed as a response to World War II military needs Page 4

  5. Von Neumann’s Definition What is a computer? Chapter 1 Section A • Von Neumann, eminentmathematician,wrote a report describing plans for first computer, the EDVAC. • His report has beendescribed as themost influential paperin the history of computer science. Page 4

  6. Von Neumann’s Definitionc What is a computer? Chapter 1 Section A A computer is a device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output. Page 5

  7. A computer accepts input What kinds of input can a computer use? Chapter 1 Section A • Computer input is whatever you put into a computer system. • Input means to feed information into a computer. • words and symbols in a document • numbers for a calculation • pictures Page 5

  8. A computer processes data In what ways can a computer process data? Chapter 1 Section A • Data refers to the symbols that represent facts and ideas. • Processing is the way that a computer manipulates data. • performing calculations • sorting lists and numbers • drawing graphs • A computer processes data in a device called the centralprocessingunit(CPU). Page 5

  9. A Computer Stores Data Why does a computer store data? Chapter 1 Section A • A computer stores data so that it will be available for processing. • Memory is an area of a computer that holds data that is waiting to be processed. • Storage is the area where data can be left on a permanent basis. Page 5

  10. A Computer Produces Output What kinds of output does a computer produce? Chapter 1 Section A • Computer output is the results produced by the computer. • reports • documents • music • graphs • pictures • An output device displays, prints or transmits the results of processing. Page 5

  11. Section B Computer System Basics CHAPTER 1 Using Computers:Essential Concepts PARSONS/OJA Page 7

  12. Section B Chapter 1 Computer System Basics Section PREVIEW Section A You will be able to: • Identify the parts of a typical microcomputer system • List the peripheral devices that are typically found on microcomputer systems Page 7

  13. Section B Chapter 1 Computer System Basics Section A • A computer system includes a computer, peripheral devices, and software. • Hardware refers to the computer itself. • Peripheraldevices are components that expand the computer’s input, output, and storage capabilities. • Software is a set of instructions that tells the computer how to perform a particular task. Page 7

  14. Software Why does a computer need software? Chapter 1 Section B • A computer needs software to tell it how to interact with the user, and specifies how to process the user’s data. • There are many software programs that you can buy including software for producing resumes, teaching Spanish, and helping you plan your diet. Page 7

  15. Categories of Computers How and why are computers categorized? Chapter 1 Section B • Computers are categorized into four categories from least to most powerful: • microcomputers • minicomputers • mainframecomputers • supercomputers • A computer is categorized based on its technology, function, size, performance, and cost. Page 7

  16. Categories of Computers Microcomputers Chapter 1 Section B • Microcomputers • also known as personal computers • typically found in homes and small businesses • cost about $2000 • speed can exceed 500 mm operations per second • may be stand-alone or may be connected to other computers in order to share data and software with other users Page 8

  17. Categories of Computers Microcomputers Chapter 1 s Section B A personal digital assistant (PDA) accepts infoon a touch-sensitivescreen A laptop computer is light, and runs on batteries or electricity Desktopmicrocomputer Page 9

  18. Categories of Computers Minicomputers Chapter 1 Section B • Minicomputers • process tasks from several people working at terminals connected to the minicomputer • A terminal is an input and output device that resembles a microcomputer but cannot process information • costs between $5,000 and $200,000 • good for small and medium-sized businesses Page 9

  19. Categories of Computers Minicomputers Chapter 1 Section B A typical minicomputer handles processing tasks for multiple users. Microcomputer stores data for all users Page 9

  20. Categories of Computers Mainframes Chapter 1 Section B • Mainframes • large, fast, and fairly expensive computers • used by business or government • provide centralized storage, processing, and management for large amounts of data • like minicomputers, process requests from terminals and can support thousands of users • often include several central processing units Page 10

  21. Categories of Computers Mainframes Chapter 1 Section B • Hundreds of requests can be sent to a mainframe simultaneously. • Prices range from several hundred thousand dollars to over $1 million. Mainframe computer Page 10

  22. Categories of Computers Supercomputers Chapter 1 Section B • Supercomputers • fastest and most expensive type of computer. • cost between $500,000 and $35 million • have expanded into business markets to handle large volumes of data • process more than 1 trillion instructions per second • create realistic animations Page 11

  23. Categories of Computers Supercomputers Chapter 1 Section B The Cray T3E supercomputer Page 11

  24. System Components What hardware components will a computer system have? Chapter 1 Section B • Microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframe, and supercomputer systems include devices to input, process, store, and output data. Page 12

  25. System Components What hardware components will a computer system have? Chapter 1 Section B Monitor System Unit Mouse Keyboard Page 12

  26. System Components What hardware components will a computer system have? Chapter 1 Section B Floppy disk drive Floppy disk CD ROM drive and a DVD drive CD-ROM and DVD disks Hard disk drive Page 12

  27. Microcomputer Compatibility Can all computers use the same software? Chapter 1 Section B • Computers are based on a small number of microcomputer designs or computerplatforms. • Two major computer platforms are PCs and Macs. • PCs • originally created by IBM • Macs • manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. • Computers that operate the same way are compatible. Page 13

  28. Peripheral Devices Is it possible to expand a basic computer system? Chapter 1 Section B • A peripheraldevice is a piece of equipment added to a computer system to enhance its functionality. • printers • graphics tablets • scanners • modems • Peripheral devices come with installation instructions and specially designed software. Page 13

  29. Computer Networks What’s different about using a network? Chapter 1 Section B • A computernetworkis a collection of computers and other devices that have been connected in order to share data, hardware, and software. • Network users can send messages to other users on the network and can retrieve data from a centralized storage device. • Network users must follow network security procedures. Page 15

  30. Computer Networks What’s different about using a network? Chapter 1 Section B • Most organizations require a unique user ID and password. • A userID is a combination of numbers and letters that serve as your identification. You can let others know your user ID so that they can send you messages. • A password is a special set of symbols known only to you and to the person who supervises the networks. You should never give out your password. Page 15

  31. Computer Networks What’s different about using a network? Chapter 1 Section B • If someone knows your password and logs on sending offensive messages, it will look as though you did it. User ID Password Page 15

  32. The Internet What’s the internet? Chapter 1 Section B • The Internet is the world’s largest computer network. • provides connections for millions of computers all over the globe • provides many information services, the most popular being the World Wide Web, or Web • The Web is a sort of “flea market” for information • includes weather maps, census data, product information, course syllabi, music, and images Page 16

  33. The Internet The World Wide Web Chapter 1 Section B The Internet provides access to the Web Page 16

  34. Section C The User Interface CHAPTER 1 Using Computers:Essential Concepts PARSONS/OJA Page 17

  35. Section C Chapter 1 The User Interface Section PREVIEW Section A You will be able to: • Define the term “user interface” • Describe how you use interface elements such as prompts, commands, menus, and graphical objects • Describe the resources that help you learn how to use computers and software Page 17

  36. Section C Chapter 1 The User Interface Section A • The means by which humans and computers communicate is referred to as the userinterface. • A good user interface is easy to learn and use. • User interfaces are still evolving. Page 17

  37. Interacting with a Computer Is a user interface hardware or software? Chapter 1 Section C • A user interface is a combination of hardware and software. • Software interface elements include prompts, commands, wizards, menus, dialog boxes, graphical objects, etc… • Hardware interface elements include pointing devices, keyboards, and monitors. Page 17

  38. Prompts Why is it sometimes hard to figure out what the computer wants me to do? Chapter 1 Section C • A prompt is a message displayed by the computer that asks for input from the user. • A sequence of prompts is sometimes used to develop a user interface called a prompteddialog. Page 18

  39. Prompts The difficulty of a prompted dialog Chapter 1 Section C An example of difficulty in a dialog due to ambiguity of human language Page 18

  40. Prompts Using a wizard Chapter 1 Section C • A wizard is a sequence of screens that direct you through multistep software tasks such as creating a business card. Business card wizard Page 19

  41. Commands Do I have to memorize lots of commands to use a computer? Chapter 1 Section C • A command is an instruction you input to tell the computer to carry out a task. • Command words are often English words, such as print, begin, save, and erase, but they can also be more cryptic. Page 20

  42. Commands Do I have to memorize lots of commands to use a computer? Chapter 1 Section C • Syntax specifies the sequence and punctuation for command words and parameters. • A syntaxerror occurs when you misspell a command word, leave out punctuation, or type the commands out of order. • A command-lineinterface is an interface that requires the user to type commands. Page 20

  43. Menus and Dialog Boxes Are menus easier to use than commands? Chapter 1 Section C • A menu displays a list of commands or options. • Menus were developed in response to the difficulties people experienced with command-line user interfaces. • Submenus are additional sets of commands that the computer displays after you make a selection from the main menu. • Dialogboxes display the options associated with a command. Page 21

  44. Menus and Dialog Boxes Are menus easier to use than commands? Chapter 1 Section C Menus make it easy to select commands and options Page 21

  45. Menus and Dialog Boxes Using dialog boxes Chapter 1 Section C A dialog box displays controls that help you enter command parameters Page 22

  46. Menus and Dialog Boxes Using dialog boxes Chapter 1 Section C • Dialog boxes display on-screen “controls” that you manipulate to specify settings and command patterns. Drop-down lists Option buttons Check boxes Spin boxes Page 22

  47. Graphical Objects Why are GUIs so popular? Chapter 1 Section C • Graphicalobjects are small pictures on the screen that you can manipulate using a mouse or other input device. • Graphical objects include icons, buttons, and windows. Selected icon Icon Page 23

  48. Graphical Objects Why are GUIs so popular? Chapter 1 Section C Windows Buttons Page 23

  49. Graphical Objects Why are GUIs so popular? Chapter 1 Section C • Graphical objects are a key element of the graphicaluserinterfaces, or GUIs, found on most of today’s microcomputers. • display menus and prompts in addition to graphical objects • based on metaphors that represent real-world objects • Recycle bin Page 24

  50. Pointing Devices Some mice have three buttons, but others only have one or two—why? Chapter 1 Section C • The mouse, the most popular pointing device, was developed by Douglas Engelbart in the early 1970’s. • When you move the mouse on your desk, a pointer–usually shaped like an arrow–moves on the screen in a way that corresponds to the mouse movement. Page 25

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