Computers Are Your Future © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 2© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Computers & You

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 3© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. What You Will Learn... Define the word computer and name the four basic operations Describe the main components of a computer  Hardware  Software Provide examples of hardware devices Explore the information-processing cycle

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 4© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. What You Will Learn... Major categories of computers and various types of computers Two general types of software Risks of using hardware and software

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 5© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Computers & You Workers with computer and Internet skills tend to make more money and have more satisfying careers than workers without such skills.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 6© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Understanding the Computer: Basic Definitions Computer – A machine that performs the four basic operations of the information-processing cycle:  input  processing  output  storage

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 7© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Understanding the Computer: Basic Definitions Computer system – A collection of related components that are designed to work together  A system includes hardware and software. Hardware Software

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 8© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Understanding the Computer: Basic Definitions Program – A list of instructions that tell the computer how to perform the four basic operations to accomplish a task Computers use algorithms to solve a problem. Algorithms are step-by-step procedures.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 9© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Hardware Hardware is the computer’s physical components. The components include:  Input devices– Enable users to enter data into the computer for processing.  Processing circuitry– Components located in the system’s case that transform data into information.  Output devices– Peripherals that show the results of processing.  Storage devices– Used to store all the programs and data that the computer uses.  Communication Devices– Used to move data between computers.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 10© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Input: Getting Data into the Computer  Data – Unorganized raw materials made up of words, numbers, images, or sounds  The first operation: input Input devices enable the user to enter data into the computer.Input devices The computer accepts data.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 11© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Keyboard Mouse – pointing device Microphone – speech - recognition Digital Cameras Input Devices

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 12© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Processing: Transforming Data into Information The second operation: processing  Computers transform data into information.  Processing circuitry: Processing circuitry  Central processing unit (CPU)  Random access memory (RAM) DATA ININFORMATION OUT

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 13© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Motherboard Central Processing Unit – CPU Random Access Memory– RAM Expansion Card Processing Devices

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 14© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Output: Displaying Information The third operation: output  The computer shows the results of the processing operation in a way people can understand.  Output devices show the results of processing operations. Output devices

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 15© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Monitor Printer Speakers Output Devices

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 16© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Storage: Holding Programs and Data for Future Use The fourth operation: storage  The computer saves the data or output so that it can be used again later.  Storage devices hold all programs and data that the computer uses. Storage devices

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 17© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Hard Drive Floppy Disk Drive Zip Drive CD/DVD Drive Jaz Drive Tape Drive Micro Drive Storage Devices

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 18© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Communications: Moving Data between Computers A fifth operation: communications  Moving data within the computer or between computers  Communications devices – Enable computers to connect to a computer network Communications devices  Network – Two or more computer systems that are connected  Modem – A device that enables the computer to access other computers

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 19© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Modem Network Interface Card – NIC Communications Devices

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 20© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. The Information Processing Cycle In Action  Input – You enter text in a word processing program. You run the program’s spell checker program.  Processing – The computer checks and compares all words entered with a list of correctly spelled words.  Output – The computer provides a list of apparent misspellings. You correct the spelling in your document.  Storage – You save the revised document to a disk. Compoters A computer is a machine that perfirms four basic operations: input, processing, output, and storage. Together, these four operations are called the information proceesing cycle.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 21© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Desktop – PC, iMac Notebook – Laptop Workstation Personal Digital Assistant Types of Computers Computers for Individuals Internet Appliance All-in-One

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 22© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Types of Computers Computers for Organizations  Servers are not designed for individuals. They make programs available for network users.  Minicomputers (mostly obsolete term) handle the computing for small corporations.  Mainframes handle gigantic processing jobs for large corporations or agencies.  Supercomputers are ultra-fast and handle huge amounts of scientific data.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 23© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Understanding the Computer: Basic Definitions Software – All the programs that give the computer its instructions  Two categories of software: System software Application software

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 24© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Introducing Software Software consists of the programs that give the computer’s hardware its step-by-step instructions. Software is created by programmers using a programming language. Programs contain units called files. Transferring a program into the computer’s memory is called loading. Once loaded into memory the program’s instructions are carried out or executed.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 25© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. System software– All programs that help the computer function properly. Application software– All the programs you use to perform a task such as writing a letter or browsing the World Wide Web. System softwareApplication software Types of Software

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 26© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. System software is divided into two categories: The operating system:  Provides support for running application software.  Coordinates the various functions of the computer’s hardware. System utilities:  Are programs for optimizing computer performance. System Software

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 27© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Types of Operating Systems Command-line interface– Users type instructions at the keyboard, one line at a time. Examples: MS-DOS, PC DOS, UNIX Graphical user interface (GUI)– Users choose items from menus by using a pointing device to click on icons which represent resources and commands. Examples: Windows, Mac OS

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 28© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Command-Line Interface

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 29© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 30© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Application Software Application software includes all programs that enable us to use the computer in a useful way. Custom software is developed for specific needs. Packaged software is produced for the mass market.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 31© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Software Suite A collection of full-featured standalone programs that usually share a common command structure and have similar interfaces. MS WORD MS EXCELMS POWERPOINT MS ACCESSMS FRONT PAGE

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 32© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. The Internet A world-spanning computer network.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 33© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Electronic mail– ( ) World Wide Web– (WWW) File Transfer Protocol– (FTP) Instant messaging Electronic commerce– (e-commerce) Internet Services Standards and software that make Internet resources, such as Web pages, files, and electronic mail available to users.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 34© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Maintain a Safe Working Environment  Do not overload electrical outlets.  Do not position hardware where it can fall.  Leave space for proper ventilation.  Check that cords are fastened securely.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 35© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Ergonomics Help to prevent injuries from computer use:  Special keyboards can prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.  Chairs can help improve your posture.  Anti-glare screens can be used on computer monitors.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1 Slide 36© 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Recognize the Risks of Using Flawed Software  All programs contain errors.  All computer use entails a certain level of risk. Bug – An error or defect in software or hardware that causes a program to malfunction