Chapter 1 Our Digital World

1. Chapter 1 Our Digital World Chapter 1 Our Digital World

2. Presentation Overview • Immersed in Digital Technology • The Computer Advantage • How Computers Work • Computers and Computer Systems • Components of a Computer System • Categories of Computers

3. Immersed in Digital Technology Digital • Refers to an electronic signal that is processed, sent, and stored as bits. • Bits are represented by “on” and “off” states

4. Immersed in Digital Technology How has digital technology infiltrated your daily life? • Computer technology powers HDTVs, microwave ovens, watches, cell phones, and automobiles. • Embedded chips, computers, networks, and the Internet and WWW enable us to communicate globally.

5. Immersed in Digital Technology A computer is an electronic device that • operates under a set of instructions • accepts data that a user supplies • manipulates data according to a program • produces results • stores the results

6. The Computer Advantage Speed • Computers operate with lightning-like speed. • PCs execute billions of program instructions in one second. • Supercomputers execute trillions of instructions per second, the kind of processing required to forecast the weather and monitor space shuttle flights.

7. The Computer Advantage Accuracy • Computers are accurate when accurate programs and data are entered. • If inaccurate programs and/or data are entered (garbage in), the output will also be inaccurate (garbage out) – GIGO.

8. The Computer Advantage Versatility • Families use computers for entertainment, communications, budgeting, online shopping, homework, playing games, and listening to music. • Universities, government agencies, hospitals, and scientific organizations conduct life-enhancing research using computers.

9. The Computer Advantage Versatility • Banks conduct money transfers, account withdrawals, and payment of checks via computer. • Retailers process sales transactions and check availability of products.

10. The Computer Advantage Versatility • Manufacturers manage their entire production, warehousing, and selling processes. • Schools keep records, conduct distance-learning classes, schedule events, and analyze budgets.

11. The Computer Advantage Storage • Computers accept and store programs and data. • Users can access a program again and again to process different data. • Computers store huge amounts of data in tiny physical spaces.

12. The Computer Advantage Communications • Networks using special equipment and programs allow computers to communicate with each other through telephone lines, cable connections, and satellites. • Users can exchange information over wireless networks using personal digital assistants (PDAs), notebook computers, cell phones, and pagers.

13. The Computer Advantage Communications • A local area network (LAN) is a network confined to a small geographic area, such as a building, factory, or college campus.

14. The Computer Advantage Communications • A wide area network (WAN) spans a large geographical area and might connect a company’s manufacturing plants dispersed throughout the United States.

15. The Computer Advantage Communications • The Internet is a worldwide network of large and small networks linked together via communications hardware, software, and media for the purpose of communicating and sharing information.

16. The Computer Advantage Communications • The Internet is used for various purposes, including • Sending and receiving messages • Researching information • Buying and selling products and services • Taking online college courses • Accessing entertainment

17. The Computer Advantage Communications • World Wide Web – a system of linked computer networks that allows users to move from one site to another by way of links on Web pages • Web page – an electronic document stored on a computer running the Web site • Search engine – a software program that locates and retrieves requested information

18. The Computer Advantage What advantages do computers offer? • They provide speed, versatility, storage, and communications. • They can be used in homes, the workplace, and society. • They can be used to communicate, manage finances, analyze data, plan, research, and for hundreds of other purposes.

19. How Computers Work Types of Data • Text data – letters, numbers, and special characters • Graphic data – photographs, charts, and drawings • Audio data – voice and music • Video data – moving pictures and images

20. How Computers Work Combining types of data can improve the presentation quality of a message.

21. How Computers Work During the information processing cycle, data is entered into a computer, processed, sent as output, and stored (if required for future use).

22. Computers and Computer Systems A personal computer system includes • The system unit • Input devices • Output devices • Storage devices • Communications devices

23. Components of a Computer System Parts of a Personal Computer System • The system unit – the electronic components process data into info • Input devices – allow users to enter instructions, data, and commands into computers (keyboard, mouse, microphone) • Output devices – make information available to the user (display screen, printer)

24. Components of a Computer System Parts of a Personal Computer System • Storage devices – provide for permanent storage of programs, data, and information • Communications devices – allow a user to exchange instructions, data, and information with other computer users

25. Components of a Computer System What is the difference between a computer and a computer system? • A computer is the part of the system that processes the data into information. • A computer system includes the computer along with input, output, storage, and communication devices.

26. Categories of Computers Personal Computers • Fit on a desk, in a briefcase, or are worn • Execute 600 million to three billion instructions per second • Are used by a single user or as part of a network • Cost a few hundred to thousands of dollars

27. Categories of Computers Handheld Computers • Fit in a hand or are carried in a pocket • Execute a few hundred instructions per second • Are used by a single user or as part of a network • Cost $99 to a few hundred dollars

28. Categories of Computers Workstations • Are similar in size to desktop PCs • Execute three to five billion instructions per second • Are used by a single user or as part of a network • Cost a few thousand dollars

29. Categories of Computers Midrange Servers • Fit into a large cabinet • Execute billions of instructions per second • Are used by hundreds of users at the same time • Cost $5,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars

30. Categories of Computers Large Servers or Mainframes • Occupy a full or partial room • Execute billions of instructions per second • Are used by hundreds of thousands of users at the same time • Cost several thousands to millions of dollars

31. Categories of Computers Supercomputers • Occupy a full room • Execute trillions of instructions per second • Are used by thousands of users at the same time • Cost several million dollars

32. Categories of Computers What are the basic categories of computers and their distinguishing characteristics? • Personal computer – self-contained, capable of input, processing, output, and storage • Handheld computer – fits comfortably in a user’s hand • Workstation – high-performance single-user computer

33. On the Horizon Based on the information presented in this chapter and your own experience, what do you think is on the horizon?