Business Computer Information Systems I
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Knowing how to use a computer is a basic
skill necessary to succeed in business or to
function effectively in society.
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Use of computer technology is widespread in
the world.
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Knowing how to use common Application
Software is an essential skill for practically
everyone.
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An electronic device, operating under the
control of instructions stored in its own memory
unit, that can
 accept data (input)
 manipulate the data according to specified rules
(process)
 produce information (output) from the processing
 store the results for future use.
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Generally the term is used to describe a
collection of devices that function together as a
system.
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Monitor (output)
Speaker (output)
Keyboard (input)
Mouse (input)
System Unit (processing,
memory and storage)
Modem (communications)
Printer /Scanner(output)
Hard disk drive (storage)
Flash drive (storage)
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive
(storage)
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Computers can perform
four general operations.
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Input
Processing
Output
Storage
These operations
comprise the information
processing cycle
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All computer processing
requires data input.
Data – The raw facts including
numbers, words, images, video,
and sounds given to the
computer during the input
operation.
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Computers manipulate data to
create information.
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Information – data that is
organized, has meaning, and is
useful.
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During the output operation,
the information created is put
into some form, such as a
printed report, an invoice, a
web page, or a paycheck.
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The operations occur through
the use of electronic circuits
contained on small silicon chips
(microchips) inside the
computer within billionths of a
second.
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It must be given a detailed set of instructions
(computer program or software ) that tells it
exactly what to do.
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Programs are stored in the computer.
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The computer can begin to operate by
executing the program’s first instruction.
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It executes one program instruction after
another until the job is complete.
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
(CPU)
INPUT DEVICES
MEMORY
STORAGE
DEVICES
OUTPUT
DEVICES
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Allow you to enter data, programs, commands, and user
responses into a computer.
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Keyboard – primary
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Mouse – primary
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Scanners
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Reading devices
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Digital cameras
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Audio and video input devices
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Devices for the physically challenged users
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Contains the electronic circuits that cause
processing to occur.
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Control unit – interprets the instruction
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Arithmetic/logic unit – performs the logical
and arithmetic processes.
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Designed into a chip called a microprocessor.
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Called Random Access Memory – RAM, consists of
electronic components that store data including numbers,
letters of the alphabet, graphics, and sound.
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Measured in Kilobytes (1 thousand memory locations),
Megabytes (1 million) Gigabytes (one billion), Terabyte (1
thousand billion) Petabyte (one thousand terabytes), etc.
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A Byte is a basic unit of memory measurement.
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Printers (hard copy)
 Ink-jet printer – nozzle that
sprays drops of ink onto the
page
 Laser printer – use a process
similar to a copying machine.
 Photo printer – creates
photographic output
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Monitors - TV-like display
device
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CD-ROMs – used to store large
amounts of prerecorded
information.
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Hard Disks – housed
permanently inside the system
unit—not portable.
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DVD-ROMs – very high capacity
compact disc capable of storing
from 4.7 GB to 17 GB
Flash Drives (Pen Drives) - High
capacity, removable storage
devices
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System Software – programs to control the
operations of computer equipment.
 Operating System – Set of programs instructing the
computer on how to perform the functions of loading,
storing, and executing an application program.
Microsoft Windows XP
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Application Software – programs that tell a
computer how to produce information.
MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook
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Word Processing – used to
create, edit, format, and
print documents.
MS Word 2007
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Spreadsheet – allows the
user to add, subtract, and
perform user-defined
calculations on rows and
columns of numbers.
MS Excel 2007
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Database – allows the user
to enter, retrieve, and
update data in an
organized and efficient
manner.
MS Access 2007
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Presentation Graphics –
allows the user to create
documents called slides to
be used in making
presentations.
MS PowerPoint 2007
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Network – a collection of computers and devices
connected together via communication media and devices
that share hardware, software, data, and information.
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The Internet – largest worldwide collection of networks
that links together millions of computers by means of
modems, telephone resources, satellites & data.
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WWW – popular segment of the Internet
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URL – Uniform Resource Locator -unique address of a
Web page (protocol, domain name and path)
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Determine what application software products you will use
on your computer.
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Before buying a computer system, do some research.
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Speed of processor
Size and types of memory and storage
Input/output devices
Communications devices
Overall system cost (cheapest isn’t always the best)
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Stick with brand names
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Do comparison shopping