Exploring Computing Concepts: A Guide to Computers and Information

1. Grauer and Barber Series Computing Concepts Information

2. What is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that • Accepts data from an input device • Temporarily stores the data in the computer’s temporary memory • Processes the data to create information • Outputs information to an output device  Computing Concepts Information

3. Father of the Computer • Charles Babbage (1792-1871) • Worked on building the Analytical Engine • Analytical Engine beyond technology of time • Ada Lovelace, the first programmer, worked on project also Computing Concepts Information

4. Computer System Components • Computer software (System and application) • Computer processor and memory (RAM) Random Access Memory • Peripheral devices – devices that are connected to the computer system Computing Concepts Information

5. Personal Computer components • CPU Central Processing Unit • ALU Arithmetic Logic Unit and CU Control Unit • Temporary memory or RAM (Random Access Memory • Input devices such as keyboard and mouse • Output devices such as printers and speakers • Auxiliary devices such as floppy disk and hard disk Computing Concepts Information

6. Computer System Components Computing Concepts Information

7. Computer System - IPOS Computing Concepts Information

8. System Software • Software that drives the hardware • Loaded into RAM when computer is turned on • Links various hardware components to one another • Examples of system software include • Bootstrap loader program • Diagnostics program • Operating system such as Windows NT Computing Concepts Information

9. Application Software • User Software to create various information include • Word Processing • Spreadsheet/graphics • Desktop publishing • Database • Communications Computing Concepts Information

10. Microcomputer Systems • Manufacturers include Apple and IBM and IBM-compatible • Types of systems include • Palmtops, Notebook, Laptop, PDA’s, desktop systems, and workstations • Network computers Computing Concepts Information

11. Mainframe Computer Systems • Mainframe (large) computers are large, multi-user systems • IBM manufacturer of Mainframe systems • Used for applications that are input/output bound • Computer is a centralized, host system • Connections for users include terminals and personal computers • Staff of computer professional are needed to run system Computing Concepts Information

12. Supercomputer Systems • Largest and fastest computers in the world • Cray Inc manufacturer of supercomputer systems • Used for applications that are processor-bound • Used in research applications such as weather forecasting, scientific investigations, and advanced graphic usage • Staff of computer professional are needed to run system Computing Concepts Information

13. 0 1 Bits and Bytes • Digital computers store data/information and programs in digital form • Data is represented by a combination of on and off bits or binary digits on bits represented by 1 off bits represented by 0 • A combination of bits represent characters or bytes in memory • Representation is in binary formusing coding scheme like ASCII or EBCIDIC (8-bit codes) or UNICODE (16-bit code) Computing Concepts Information

14. Inside the Personal Computer • IBM Personal computer introduced in 1981 • Microprocessor system is produced by various manufacturers such as Intel and AMD • Microsoft developed software for PC Computing Concepts Information

15. Inside the PC • System includes the motherboard or system board • All components are connected to this electronic board • Components of system board include • Microprocessor chip (CPU), memory chips (RAM and ROM), expansion slots, auxiliary storage devices, cooling fan, power supply, and ports. Computing Concepts Information

16. The Microprocessor Chip • Earlier chips for IBM and IBM-compatible computers included the 286, 386, and 486-based processors • Current chip includes Intel’s Pentium III and Pentium 4 processors • Other chips include chips produced by manufacturers such as AMD and Cyrix Computing Concepts Information

17. The Microprocessor Processing Speed • Processor speed is measured by megahertz or gigahertz clock speed. • 1 megahertz (MHz) refers to one million instructions per second (MIPS) • Advanced systems process via gigahertz (GHz) (billions instructions per second) • iCOMP is a performance measurement of microprocessorsThe faster the processor, the higher the cost of system Computing Concepts Information

18. Computer Memory - RAM • RAM (Random Access Memory) holds data, programs, and information during processing • Volatile memory • Measured in kilobytes (KB) (Older systems), megabytes (PC’s) (MB) and gigabytes (GB) (Larger systems) • Types of RAM include SDRAM, RDRAM • Memory chips available for expansion include • SIMM’s – Single in-line memory modules • DIMM’s, - Dual in-line memory modules • RIMMS – Rambus in-line memory modules (fastest) Computing Concepts Information

19. Computer Memory - ROM • ROM (Read only memory) unalterable memory that holds hardware instructions • Non Volatile memory • Programmed by the computer manufacturer • Holds system software such as • Bootstrap loader program, diagnostics program, BIOS • Other types of ROM include • PROM – Programmable read-only memory Computing Concepts Information

20. Files and Auxiliary Storage • Files created are saved to auxiliary storage • Types of files include • ASCII text files • Data files • Files created with various software products • Graphic, audio, and video Computing Concepts Information

21. Auxiliary or Permanent Storage – Magnetic • Types of storage includes • Floppy disk (1.44 MB) (A or B drive Letter) • Superdisk (120 MB) • Zip drives (100 MB/250 MB)/ JAZ Drives (GB) • Hard drive (measured in MB or GB) (C drive) • Tape backup units (TBU) Computing Concepts Information

22. Care of Floppy Diskettes • Don’t force the disk into drive • Don’t touch the disk surface • Keep away from electrical devices • Keep out of extreme temperatures • Store the disks in a protective container • Never remove from drive when light is on Computing Concepts Information

23. Auxiliary or Permanent Storage – Optical • Types of storage include • CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) 680 MB equivalent to 477 floppy disks • DVD (Digital Videodisk) 17 GB • CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable) • CD-RW (Compact Disk ReWritable) • WORM (Write Once/Read Many) Computing Concepts Information

24. Auxiliary Storage Issues • Compression • Computer Viruses • Backup Computing Concepts Information

25. Input Devices Keyboard Mouse, trackball Joystick Light Pen Touch Screens Scanners MICR Speech recognition Vision Input Digital Cameras Hand held devices Output Devices Monitors Printers Multimedia projector Voice-output systems Input and Output Devices Computing Concepts Information

26. PC Buyer’s Guide • Decide on price range for system • Determine information processing needs and conduct research • Choose PC platform and perform cost feasibility • Decide on software purchase and peripheral devices • Select and purchase your computer system • Identify additional costs such as extended warranty services. Computing Concepts Information

27. Evolution of the Desktop/Operating System • Text-Based Operating System • Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS) • GUI (Graphical User Interface) System • Microsoft Windows 3.1 • Microsoft Windows 95/98 • Microsoft Windows 2000 • Microsoft Window NT Computing Concepts Information

28. Computer Viruses • A program written maliciously to harm hardware/software • Sources of Viruses • The Internet • Infected diskettes • Computer networks • Use an antivirus program to kill a virus Computing Concepts Information

29. Backup • Make duplicate copies of important files • Files should be backup up periodically • Use copy or diskcopy commands for backup purposes • Software such as Microsoft Backup can also be used Computing Concepts Information

30. Application Software • Types of Application software • Propriety • Shareware • Freeware or Public Domain Computing Concepts Information

31. Types include Word processing Spreadsheets Database Management Presentation Browser Desktop publishing Communication Application Software Computing Concepts Information

32. LAN (Local Area Networks) • Collection of hardware, software and communication channels • Allows for sharing data, information, and software among users • Other types of networks include MAN’s and WAN’s Computing Concepts Information

33. The Internet and WWW (World Wide Web) • Global, interconnected network information system • Links global users from all types of organizations • Began with Department of Defense project called ARPANET Computing Concepts Information

34. The Internet and WWW • Graphical browser is used to view information on Internet servers • Microsoft Internet Explorer • Netscape Communicator • TCP/IP is the protocol for Internet Computing Concepts Information

35. Connecting to the Internet • Different ways to connect include • Dialup connection through an Information service provider (ISP) • Direct via network connection using • ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) • ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) • T-1 line • T-3 line Computing Concepts Information

36. Uploading and Downloading Files • Uploading • Files can sent to a computer system • Downloading • Files are received to a computer system • Compressing • Files can be compressed to reduce file size Computing Concepts Information

37. Electronic Mail (e-mail) • E-mail • Sending and receiving messages electronically via the Internet • Use a username/ password to enter system • Free e-mail accounts are available from various companies on Internet Computing Concepts Information