CGS – 1100
Introduction to Computer
Applications
Computer Concepts
Computer System Component
Computer: A programmable electronic
device that can store, retrieve, and
process data.
The word “Computer” emerged during
WWII, people who operated desk
calculators were called: Computers.
History of the Modern
Computer
Human: Could add a two 10 digit number in 10 seconds, with
Calculator, in 4 Seconds.
Mark 1: Also called “Harvard Mark 1” Could add two 10digit numbers in about 0.3 seconds. 30 times faster than
Pencil and paper.
ENIAC: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. The
world's first electronic digital computer was developed by
Army Ordnance to compute World War II ballistic firing
Tables. Could add the same in 0.0002 seconds, 50,000 times
faster than a human, and 1,500 times faster than the Mark 1.
General Vocabulary
and Units
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Bit: "Binary digIT" Computers happen to operate using
the base-2 number system, also known as the binary
number system ( 0, 1)
Byte: 8-bit collections (single, double precision)
Digital: Send – Receive 0’s and 1’s
Analog: AM - FM
Hertz: Unit of Frequency
Kilo-Hertz: 1000 Cycles
Mega-Hertz: 1 million Cycles
Giga-Hertz: 1 Billion Cycles
Components of a
Computer System
Computer
Hardware
Motherboard
Floppy
Hard Drive
Software
Operating System
Office 2003
Internet Explorer
Components of a
Computer System
Storage
Input
Information
Processing
Cycle
Output
Process
Components of a
Computer System
Input
Process
Storage
Output
Types of Computer
Supercomputer
Minicomputer
Computers
Microcomputer
Mainframe
Types of Computer
Microcomputer
Desktop
Laptop /
Notebook
PDA
Personal Digital
Assistant
Hardware Devices
Input Device
Storage
Device
Printer
Output Device
Peripheral
System Unit
Input Device
Monitor
Output Device
Peripheral
Memory
Memory
RAM
ROM
SRAM
PROM
DRAM
EPROM
Memory
Random Access Memory
SRAM: Static RAM
DRAM: Dynamic RAM
Read Only Memory
EPROM: Erasable Programmable ROM
PROM: Programmable ROM
Memory Size in MB
1 MB
2 MB
4 MB
8 MB
16 MB
32 MB
64 MB
128 MB
256 MB
512 MB
1024 MB
Extra Points: What mathematical equation
describes the pattern?
Monitors
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Output device,
Soft-Copy Output
Resolution is given by the amount of
“Pixels”
Two categories: CRT (Cathode Ray
Tubes) and LCD (Liquid Crystal
Display)
Printers
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Output Devices
Hard Copy Output
Resolution is given in “dsi”. Dots per
Inch.
Two Categories: Laser (B&W, Color)
uses Toner. Inkjet (Color) uses ink
cartridges.
Types of Software and Their
Uses
Operating System Software (OS): Tell the
computer how to work and what to do.
Windows, Linux and Macintosh.
Driver: Software that tells a hardware
component how to work.
Application Software: Accomplish a task
Using a computer. Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Networks and Configuration
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Computer Network: Two or more
computer connected in some way in
order to share their resources.
Bus Network,
Star Network,
Ring Network.
Network Vocabulary
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Server/Host:
Client/Workstation:
Topology:
Star Network
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A star network is a local area network (LAN)
in which all nodes (workstations or other
devices) are directly connected to a
common central computer. Every
workstation is indirectly connected to every
other through the central computer. In some
star networks, the central computer can also
operate as a workstation.
Bus Network
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A bus network is an arrangement in a
local area network (LAN) in which
each node (workstation or other
device) is connected to a main cable
or link called the bus.
Ring Network
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A ring network is a local area network (LAN)
in which the nodes (workstations or other
devices) are connected in a closed loop
configuration. Adjacent pairs of nodes are
directly connected. Other pairs of nodes are
indirectly connected, the data passing
through one or more intermediate nodes.
Local Area Network
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A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers
and associated devices that share a common
communications line or wireless link and typically
share the resources of a single processor or server
within a small geographic area (for example, within
an office building). Usually, the server has
applications and data storage that are shared in
common by multiple computer users. A local area
network may serve as few as two or three users
(for example, in a home network) or as many as
thousands of users
Wide Area Network
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A wide area network or WAN is a computer
network covering a wide geographical area,
involving a vast array of computers. WANs are used
to connect local area networks (LANs) together, so
that users and computers in one location can
communicate with users and computers in other
locations.
Test 1