Introduction to Computers Introduction to Computers Systems Peter Norton, Fifth Edition (2003), Glencoe Capítulo 1A MC José Antonio García Dávila Facultad de Sistemas Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila 27/01/ Introduction to Computers, Capítulo 1

Definition of a Computer A computer is an electronic device used to process data, converting the data into information that is useful to people. Una computadora es un sistema digital con tecnología microelectrónica capaz de procesar información a partir de un grupo de instrucciones denominado programa. La denominación recomendada en español es la computadora, del latin “computare” aunque parezca un anglicismo procedente de computer. En España está generalizado el localismo ordenador. 27/01/ Introduction to Computers, Capítulo 1

Computer System A complete computer system consist of four parts: hardware, software, one or more users and data.  Hardware:  The physical devices that make up the computer are called hardware.  Hardware is any part of the computer you can touch.  Software:  Software is a set of instructions that makes the computer perform tasks.  Software tells the computer what to do.  Users:  People are the computers operators, also known as users.  Data:  Data consists of individual facts or bits of information.  Computerized data is digital, organized in files. A file often called a document. 27/01/ Introduction to Computers, Capítulo 1

Looking inside the Machine  The computer itself – the hardware – has many parts, but the critical components fall into one of four categories: Processor Memory Input and Output devices Storage 27/01/ Introduction to Computers, Capítulo 1

The Processor  The computer’s brain, which organizes and carries out instructions from either the user or the software.  En una computadora el procesador está compuesto de uno o más microprocesadores o chips.  Refers to Central Processing Unit  Central Processing Unit / (CPU) Processing  The procedure that transforms raw data into useful information is called processing.  The processor and memory perform this transformation. 27/01/ Introduction to Computers, Capítulo 1

Motherboard  Rigid rectangular card containing the circuitry that connects the processor to the other hardware.  The Motherboard is an example of a circuit board.  Attached to the motherboard are many smaller circuit boards that house many internal devices. Memory  When you launch a program, it is loaded into and run from memory  Random Access Memory  (RAM)  Determines a computer’s speed and power 27/01/ Introduction to Computers, Capítulo 1

Memory measurements  Bit - Unidad más pequeña que una computadora puede reconocer o usar (sólo puede contener los valores de 0 ó 1)  Byte - 8 bits (normalmente un carácter)  Kilobyte - Kb - (1024 bytes)  Megabyte - Mb - (1,048,576 bytes)  Gigabyte - Gb - (1,073,741,824 bytes)  Terabyte - Tb - (1,099,511,627,776 bytes) Software  A set of electronic instructions consisting of complex codes, or programs, that make the computer perform tasks.  Examples of software: - System software - Application software 27/01/ Introduction to computers, Capítulo 1

Input Devices  Accept data and instructions from the user or from another computer system  Most Common Input Devices: - Keyboard - Mouse Output Devices  Return processed data to the user or to another computer system  Most Common Output Devices: - Monitor - Printer I-O Devices  Presentan ambas características: - Touch screen – Communications devices – Storage devices - (Magnetic disk, Disk Drive, Hard Disk, Diskettes, CD, DVD, USB) 26/01/ Informática, Presente y Futuro, Capítulo 1

Five Computers Categories  Supercomputers  Mainframe Computers  Minicomputers  Workstations  Microcomputers, or Personal Computers  Other computers:  Laptop’s  Notebook’s  Handheld  Tablet’s 26/01/ Informática, Presente y Futuro, Capítulo 1