Computer Basics
Computer History
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First Generation
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1940s and 50s
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Used by Military and Government
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Univac and Eniac
They were the size of a room or whole city block
1950s to 1970s
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Got smaller
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Still expensive
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Own by Government and large companies
1970s to 1990
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Were called PCs
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More powerful and less expensive
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Apple Computers
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Apple II
Microsoft
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DOS and Windows
Computer and Computer Systems
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Computer- an electronic device that receives data (input), processes data, (Process), stores data,
and produces a result (output).
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Computer System- includes: hardware, software, data, and people.
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Hardware- is all the peripheral devices such as printers, monitors, and all internal parts.
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If you can touch its hardware
Software- consists of instructions or programs for controlling the computer
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Data – is text, numbers, sounds, images or video
How a computer Works
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Computer receives data (input), processes data, (Process), stores data, and produces a result
(output).
Types of Computers
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Desktop Computer (PC)- is designed so all components fit on top of a desk.
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IBM compatible computer
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Apple computers
Mobile Devices- can fit in the palm of your hand
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Smart phones
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Calculators
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Hand held game devices
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I Pad
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Server- used in small to medium size companies and can support hundred of users
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Main frame- used by large companies and can handle thousands of users
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Super computer- is the fastest type of computer used by large corporations and government.
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Used to handle large amounts of data
Embedded computer- performs specific task and can be found in a range of devices
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MP3 players
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Digital watches
Computer Software
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Two types of software
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Application software- is a set of programs that performs a specific task for users
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Systems software- is a set of programs that controls the operations of the computer
GUI “googey” – environment in which a computer uses windows and icons
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Icon- is a small image that represents a file , command, or another computer function.
Communication and Networks
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Electronic Communication- is the technology that enables computers to communicate with each
other and other devices.
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1969: ARPANET
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Was a large area network
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First time computers comunicated to each other
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Message was sent from UCLA to Standford
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Was the beginning of the Internet
Electronic Communication requires the following
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Sender : the computer sending the message
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Receiver: the computer receiving the message
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Channel: the media that carries the message
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Telephone wire
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Cable
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Radio signal
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Microwave signal
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Fiber Optics cable
Networks
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Network- is a group of two or more computers systems linked together
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Allows computers to share resources and files
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Nodes or Clients- are computers that are networked together
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Servers- are computers that gives resources to other computers
Intranet and Extranet
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Intranet- is a network for the exclusive use of workers within an organization and contains
company information.
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Extranet – are systems that allow outside organizations to access a company’s internal
information system.
Internet
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Internet- the world’s largest network
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Evolved from ARPANET
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1990 ARPANET was disbanded and the Internet was born.