Chapter 1 Introduction to
Computers
Objectives
• Recognize the importance of computer literacy
• Define the term computer and identify its
components
• Explain why a computer is a powerful tool
• Recognize the purpose of a network
• Discuss the uses of the Internet and the World Wide
Web
• Recognize the difference between installing and
running a program
• Identify the various types of software
• Describe the categories of computers
• Determine how the elements of an information
system interact
• Identify the various types of computer users
• Discuss computer applications in society
What is computer literacy?
• Who is literate?
• Computer Literate?
– Knowledge and understanding
of computers and their uses
– Computers are everywhere
• Future Literate Standard?
How is a computer defined?
• Electronic device operating under the
control of instructions stored in its own
memory
– Accepts data and instructions
– Raw facts (unprocessed items) contains
text, digit, audio and video
– Processes data into information
– Processed data in a meaningful way - Data
that is organized and useful
– Produces and stores results
What is the information
processing cycle?
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Input
Process
Output
Storage
Communication
Components of Computer
What is an input device?
• Hardware used to enter data and
instructions
– Keyboard
– Mouse
– Microphone
– Scanner
– Webcam
– Digital camera
What is an output device?
• Hardware that conveys information to a
user
– Monitor
– Printer
– Speaker
What is the system unit?
• Box-like case
– Contains electronic components used to
process data
What are two main components
on the motherboard?
–Central Processing Unit (CPU)
also called a processor
• Carries out instructions that tell
computer what to do
–Memory
• Temporary holding place for data and
instructions
What is storage?
–Storage media
• Physical material on which data,
instructions, and information are stored
–Storage device
• Records and retrieves items to and from
a storage medium
What is a floppy disk?
– Thin, circular,
flexible disk
enclosed in rigid
plastic shell
– A Zip® disk looks
similar but has
much greater
storage capability
What is a hard disk?
– Provides much
greater storage
capacity than a
floppy disk or
Zip® disk
– Usually housed
inside the system
unit
– USB HDDs
What is a compact disc?
– Flat, round,
portable metal
disc
• CD-ROM
• CD-RW
• DVD-ROM
• DVD+RW
What is miniature storage
media?
• Portable, thin memory cards used
in:
– Digital cameras
– Handheld computers/Mobiles
– Audio Systems
• Thumb Drive/Flash Drive
What makes a computer
powerful?
• Storage (large storage and fast
access)
• Reliability (low failure rates and
consistent result)
• Speed (billions of operation in
second)
• Accuracy (error free results –
garbage-in garbage out)
• Communications (share data and
information)
What is a network?
– Collection of computers and devices
connected together
• Communications Device
– Enables a connection between computer
e.g. Modem, NIC
• Communications Media
– Cables
– Telephone lines
– Cellular radio
– Satellites
What are the reasons to
network?
• To share Resources
– Hardware devices
– Software programs
– Data
– Information
• To save time and money
What is a server?
• Manages the
resources on a
network
• A client accesses
the resources on
the server
• Has more power,
more space and
more reliable)
What is the Internet?
Worldwide collection of networks
that connects millions of computers
OR
– A network of networks
Why do users access the
Internet?
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Communicate (Email, Chat)
Access Information
Shopping
Banking and Investing
Classes
Entertainment
What is the World Wide Web
(WWW)?
• World Wide Web, is a global library of
documents containing information that is
available to anyone connected to the
Internet.
– A Web site is a collection of related Web
pages
– A Web page contains text, graphics,
sound, video, and links to other Web
pages
– You can share information by creating
Web pages or posting photos on a photo
community
What is software and how do you
install it on computer?
• A software/program is a series of
instructions that tells the computer
what to do
• Step 1. Insert the program disc into the
CD-ROM drive
• Step 2. Instruct the computer to run the
program
• Step 3. The program executes
• Registration or activation
• Some software copy all data on the
HDD
• Some software require disc into
drive while using
What is a graphical user
interface (GUI)?
• Allows you to interact
with the software using
graphics and icons
• Controls how you enter
data and how the
screen displays
information
What is system software?
• Programs that control the
operations of the computer and its
devices
• Provides interfacing between User,
Application Software and Hardware
– Operating System (OS)
– Utility Programs
Operating System (OS)
• is a set of programs that coordinates all
activities among computer hardware
devices and allows users to run
application software
• E.g. DOS, OS2, Windows, VMS, Unix,
Linux, AIX, VMS, Alterix, Coherent, Mac
OS etc.
Utility Programs
• allow the user to perform
maintenance-type tasks usually
related to managing a computer, its
devices or its programs
• e.g. Scan Disk, Print Manager,
Explorer etc. or third party
software.
What is application software?
• Programs that perform specific tasks
for users
• Internet Browser
• SUITE: Popular software applications
bundled together as a single unit e.g.
– Presentation Graphics
– Spreadsheet
– Database
– Word Processing
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Personal Information Manager
Project Management
Accounting
Computer-aided Design
Desktop Publishing
Image Editing
Audio/video Editing
Web Page creation
Personal Finance
Tax preparation
Reference
Entertainment
What is a programmer?
• Someone who develops
application or system
software
• Programmer writes
instructions to
direct computer to
process data into
information
• Use languages like java, C,
Basic, Fortran, Pascal, LISP,
Prolog, Assembly, PL/1 etc.
Javascript program
What are the categories of
computers?
• Personal computers (desktop)
• Mobile computers and mobile
devices
• Midrange servers
• Mainframe computers
• Supercomputers
What are the two most popular
series of personal computers?
• PC and compatibles use
the Windows operating
system
– IBM
– DELL
– Gateway
– Compaq
– Acer
– Toshiba
PC and compatibles use
the Windows operating
system
• Apple Macintosh uses the Macintosh
operating system (Mac OS)
Apple Macintosh uses the Macintosh operating system (Mac OS)
• What is a desktop
computer?
– Designed so all of the
components fit on or under a
desk or table
• What is a notebook
computer?
– Portable, small enough to fit
on your lap also called a
laptop
– Generally more expensive
than a desktop computer
What is a tablet PC?
• Allows you to write on the
screen using a stylus
– Smaller version is the
modular computer
– Resembles a letter-sized
slate
– External Keyboard when
required
– Voice Command Input
provision
– Useful to take notes in
lectures, meetings and
seminars
Mobile Devices
• Usually web enabled
• Do not have HDD instead use
memory or memory cards
• Provides connectivity with the
computers to exchange information
Types of Mobile Devices
• Handheld computers
• PDAs
• Smart Phones
What is a handheld computer?
– Small enough to fit in your hand
– Used by mobile employees such as
meter readers and delivery people
– Small keyboard interface
What is a personal digital
assistant (PDA)?
• Provides personal
organizer functions
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Calendar
Appointment book
Address book
Calculator
Notepad
Word Processing
Spreadsheet
Personal Finance
Games
Smart Phones
• Web-enabled telephone is a
“smart phone”
• Allow you to check e-mail
and access the Internet
• Usually have color screen
What types of servers are there?
– Midrange server Powerful,
large computer that supports
up to a few thousand
computers
• Dumb or smart Terminals
– Mainframe Very powerful,
expensive computer that
supports thousands of
computers
• Large storage
• Big Companies like banks
and Airlines uses
Mainframes
Supercomputer
• The fastest, most
powerful, most expensive
computer. Used for
applications requiring
complex mathematical
calculations
• Execute more than 100
trillion instructions/sec
• Weight exceeds 100 tons
• Used for simulation in
nuclear energy research
and aerospace etc.
What are information system
elements?
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People
Procedures
Data
Software
Hardware
– Step 1. People develop procedures for processing
data
– Step 2. People use software to enter data into
computer (hardware)
– Step 3. Software processes data and directs
hardware to store and or output information
Examples of Computer Usage
• What are five categories of computer
users?
– Home
– Small Office/
Home Office (SOHO)
– Mobile
– Large Business
– Power
Home User- Usage
• What software is available for a home
user?
– Word Processing
– Personal Information manager
– Web access (Surfing, shoping, reservation)
– Entertainment (games, music, video)
– Communications (Email, chatting, video
conferencing)
– personal finance management (accounts)
– Reference (Encyclopedia, Dictionaries etc)
– Educational (CBT, Tutorials, Exams etc.)
Small office/home office
(SOHO) User - Usage?
– Business (Word Processing,
Spreadsheet, database etc.)
– Personal Information Manager
– Company Specific (Accounting, Ledger,
Payroll etc.)
– Network Management
– E-commerce
– Productivity software (Time
management, Project management)
– Web usage
– E-mail
Mobile User-Computer Usage
• Mobile users are sales rep., Insurance Agent,
Estate Agents, consultants, meter reader,
Journalist etc.
• What is the usage for mobile user?
– Productivity software (Time management,
Project management)
– Business (Word Processing, Spreadsheet,
Presentation )
– Personal information manager
– Email
– Web Surfing
Large Business User - Usage?
• Company Specific (Accounting,
Ledger, Payroll etc.)
• E-Commerce (Online B-to-B and Bto-C)
• Desktop Publishing (Brochure,
Advertising Materials)
• Computer-aided Design
• Audio/Video Editing
• Web Browser
• Email
• Public kiosk (information and sale)
• Telecommunication (Auto-attendant,
VMS, Bill processing on phone etc.)
Power User-Usage?
• Speed and large amounts of storage
• Desktop Publishing
• Computer-aided Design
• Photo, audio/Video Editing
• Personal Information Manager
• Web Browser
• Email
• Types of power users
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Engineers
Architects
Desktop publishers
Graphic artists
What are some examples of
computer applications in society?
• Education
– Distance Learning Classes
– Multimedia Presentations
– information material
– CBT
– Tutorials
– Reference (Encyclopedia, Dictionaries)
Finance
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Personal Finance Software
Online Banking
Online Investing
accounts systems etc.
Government
• Information
• Receiving Applications (permits,
licenses etc.
• Daily routine work
• Large Databases like NADRA, MRTP,
Vehicle Information, Criminal Records,
etc.
• Attendance
Healthcare
• Biometric Equipment (ECG, Blood
Reports, Angiography, pacemakers)
• Patients History
• Expert System
• Web for research
• Surgery (Laser eye surgery)
• Medicine record
• Science (Research publication and
information sharing)
• Publishing (composing, designing, web
publishing)
• Industry
– Robots (car manufacturing etc.)
– Sale/Purchase/Accounting/Inventory
– Pay Roll
Travel
• Seat Reservation (Itinerary, Best route,
hotel reservation etc.)
• Internet Access during traveling
• Navigators
– Provide Direction
– Call for help in case of accident
– Track Vehicles in case of stolen
• Traffic Signals