1. Introduction to Computers

2. Charles Babbage “Father of the Computer”
Created the first concept of a programmable computer in 1822
His machines were designed to contain tens of thousands of precision-made gears
He never actually built any of his designs

3. The Difference Engine In 1991, Babbage’s difference engine was built
If it had been completed, the difference engine would have had 25,000 parts and weighed 15 tons

4. Herman Hollerith
Designed a punch card system to calculate the census
Reduced a ten year job to three months
Saved the government $5 million
Founded the company that became IBM

5. George Stibitz “Father of the Modern Digital Computer”
Discovered the use of relays for automated computing in 1937

6. Alan Turing “Father of Computer Science”
Invented the Turing machine in 1936
Turing machine can be considered a model of a general purpose computer

7. Grace Hopper Programmed the Mark I Computer during WWII
Led the team that created the first computer language compiler
Popularized the term “computer bug” when a moth was found inside the Mark II computer

8. History Continued Vacuum Tubes Transistors Integrated Circuit
An electron tube containing a near-vacuum that allows the free passage of electric current
Transistors
A semiconductor device used to switch electronic signals
Integrated Circuit
An electronic circuit formed on a small piece of semiconducting material

9. Modern Computers

10. Hardware and Software Hardware Software
Electric, electronic, and mechanical components
The machines, wiring, and other physical components of a computer
Software
The programs and other operating information used by a computer
Software tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them

11. The Components of a Computer
Input – Allows users to enter data or instructions into a computer
Output – Hardware that conveys information
System Unit – Case that contains the electronic components
Storage Device – Device that holds data, information, and instructions
Communication Device – Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices

12. Input
An input device is a piece of computer hardware equipment used to provide data and control signals to the processing system of the computer
Examples of input devices include keyboards, mouses, scanners, digital cameras, and joysticks

13. Output
An output device is any device that receives data from a computer, usually for display, projection, or physical reproduction
Examples of output devices are monitors and printers

14. Storage Device
In this class, we will define a storage device as anything that connects to a computer for the purpose of storing data
Examples of storage devices are USB drives, CD/DVD drives, hard disk drives, and card reader/writers

15. System Unit A system unit is what holds the components of a computer
This is also commonly known as a tower, or simply referred to as a desktop computer

16. The Components of a Computer
Image borrowed from

17. Ports on a Computer
A port is a physical docking point to which an external device can be connected
External devices are connected to a computer using cables and ports
Ports are slots on the motherboard where a cable can be plugged in
Examples of external devices attached via ports are mouses, keyboards, monitors, microphones, speakers, etc.

19. Inside a Computer
Motherboard – the computer’s main circuit board, a thin plate that holds the CPU, memory, connectors for the hard drive and expansion cards, and connections to the computer’s ports
CPU/processor – the central processing unit, sometimes called the brain of the computer
RAM (random access memory) – short term memory, which temporarily stores data until needed
Hard drive – long term storage, where data is saved even when the computer is turned off
Power supply unit – converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power needed by the computer

20. Types of Computers Personal Computers
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
Game Consoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
Embedded Computers

21. Personal Computer
A computer designed for use by one person at a time

22. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
A portable computing device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop

23. Game Consoles
A specialized desktop computer used to play video games

24. Servers
A computer or computer program that manages access to a centralized resource or service in a network

25. Mainframe
A large, high-speed computer, especially one supporting numerous workstations or peripherals

26. Supercomputer
A computer with a high-level computational capacity compared to a general-purpose computer

27. Embedded Computer
A special purpose computer that functions as a component of a larger product
Calculators
ATMs
Thermostats
Cameras
Printers

28. Operating Systems
The operating system is software that supports a computer’s basic functions, such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, and controlling input/output
The operating system manages the application that are installed on the computer
Examples of operating systems are Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux

29. Applications
An application is a computer program designed to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks or activities for the benefit of the user
Examples of applications include Google Chrome, Microsoft Word, and Adobe Photoshop (these are just a few – there are many more)

30. Links for Further Study