Computer Guts and Operating Systems CSCI 101 Week Two

Numbers To computers, everything is a number. Since a computer is really just millions of tiny switches, all a computer understands is off and on, which we represent with 0s and 1s. Binary Numbers = = = = = 255

Storage Amounts Bit = 0 or 1 Byte = 8 bits Kilobyte (KB) = 2 10 bytes = about one thousand bytes Megabyte (MB) = 2 20 bytes = about one million bytes Gigabyte (GB) = 2 30 bytes = about one billion bytes Terabyte (TB) = 2 40 bytes = about one trillion bytes

Does it mean? 1GB ≈ 250 songs 1GB ≈ 250,000 typed pages In 1995, 1GB cost $15,000 size 25 years ago and Today

Key Components CPU - central processing unit  the brains of the system  can only perform simple operations like add two numbers, or compare two numbers Main Memory / RAM  holds all data and instructions for all the programs you are running Input/Output Processors  they talk to the other parts such as the USB ports, the disk drive, etc. Bus  the shared communication channel for all the components Motherboard  holds the CPU and memory

Internal Diagram CPU Internal Memory / RAM (instructions and data) BUSBUS IOP Disk Drive ROM USB Port

Which is the best price for an external hard drive? ◦ $100 for.5 TB ◦ $120 for 512 GB Which laptop should I buy? ◦ Model A and B are the same processor and processor speed, but B has 4GB of RAM while A has 2GB of RAM.  model A for $750  model B for $1000

Misc Hardware Terms Embedded Computer Machine Types:  PC  Workstation  Server  Supercomputer Cache Memory

Operating Systems Purpose = control the hardware  access to the CPU  internal memory management  file storage on disks  etc Discussion: ◦ Microsoft Windows vs Mac and Linux

Mobile Operating Systems Discussion: ◦ Android, Apple, RIM, Microsoft, Symbian operating-systems-and-user-behavior/

Homework ◦ Watch the entire Randy Pausch Time Management video found at ◦ ◦ Write 2-3 pages on up to 3 things that you can start doing today, using technology, to improve your time management skills. ◦ the paper to me at no later than the start of our next class.

Next Class… How the Internet Works How the Internet Works ◦ Who owns it? ◦ How do you create a new domain name?  What is a "domain name"? ◦ How does it work?  What can it do?