1 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition 1 Introduction to the World of Computers TODAY AND TOMORROW 11 th Edition CHAPTER

2 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Learning Objectives Explain why it is essential to learn about computers today and discuss several ways computers are integrated into our business and personal lives. Define a computer and describe its primary operations. List some important milestones in computer evolution. Identify the major parts of a personal computer, including input, processing, output, storage, and communications hardware. Define software and understand how it is used to instruct the computer what to do.

3 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Learning Objectives, Cont’d List the five basic types of computers, giving at least one example of each type of computer and stating what that computer might be used for. Explain what a network, the Internet, and the World Wide Web are, as well as how computers, people, and Web pages are identified on the Internet. Describe how to access a Web page. Discuss the societal impact of computers, including some benefits and risks related to their prominence in our society.

4 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Overview This chapter covers: What computers do and how they work Computer terminology Different categories of computers An overview of networks and the Internet Societal impacts of computers

5 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Computers in Your Life Why learn about computers? Basic computer literacy—knowing about and understanding computers and their uses—is an essential skill today for everyone Computers in the home Look up information, exchange , shop, download music and movies, research products, pay bills and manage bank accounts, check news and weather, store and organize digital photos, play games, plan vacations, work at home, and more

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7 Computers in Your Life, Cont’d Computers in education: K-12 schools, from straight drill-and-practice programs to using the computer as an overall student-based learning tool. Colleges and universities, classrooms, computer labs, dorms, libraries

8 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Computers in Your Life, Cont’d Computers in the workplace: Multinational corporation CEOs, check-out clerks, traveling salespeople, police officers, insurance adjusters, doctors and nurses, auto mechanics

9 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Computers in Your Life, Cont’d Computers on the go: portable PCs, Wi-Fi hotspots, Internet cafes, ATM machines, gym ID cards, gas or parking smart cards, portable GPS, kiosks

10 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition What Is a Computer and What Does It Do? Computer: programmable, electronic device that accepts data, performs operations, presents the results, and can store the data or results Input—entering data into the computer Processing—performing operations on the data Output—presenting the results Storage—saving data, programs, or output for future use

11 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition What Is a Computer and What Does It Do? Cont’d

12 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Data vs. Information Data = raw, unorganized facts Can be in the form of text, graphics, audio, or video Information = data that has been processed into a meaningful form

13 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Computers Then and Now The computer as we know it is a fairly recent invention The history of computers is often referred to in terms of generations, from pre-computers and early computers (before 1945) to fifth generation computers (now and the future) Each new generation is characterized by a major technological development

14 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Computers Then and Now

15 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Hardware The physical parts of a computer are collectively referred to as hardware Internal hardware: located inside the main box (system unit) of the computer External hardware: located outside the system unit and plug into connectors called ports located on the exterior of the system unit

16 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Hardware, Cont’d Input devices: used to input data into the computer (keyboard, mouse, scanner, electronic pen, etc.) Processing devices: perform calculations and comparisons needed for processing. The main processing device is the central processing unit (CPU) Output devices: present the results to the user (printer, monitor, speakers, etc.)

17 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Hardware, Cont’d Storage devices: used to save data, programs or output; store data on storage media (floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, hard drives, flash memory cards, USB flash memory disks, etc.) Communication devices: allow the user to communicate with others and access remote information (modem, network adapters, etc.)

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19 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Software The programs or instructions used to tell the computer hardware what to do System software: allows a computer to operate Operating system: the main system software program Boots the computer and launches programs etc. at the user’s direction Windows, Mac OS, Linux, etc.

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21 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Software Application software: performs specific tasks or applications Creating letters, budgets, etc. Managing inventory and customer databases Scheduling appointments Viewing Web pages Sending and receiving Designing homes Playing games And much, much more

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23 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Computer Users and Professionals Computer users (end users): people who use a computer to obtain information Programmers: computer professionals whose job responsibility is to write the programs that computers use

24 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Computers to Fit Every Need Five basic categories Mobile devices Personal computers Midrange servers Mainframe computers Supercomputers

25 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Mobile Devices Very small device with some type of built-in computing or Internet capability Typically based on cellular phones Smart phones can be used to access the Web and , take photos, play games, access calendars, and address books Smart watches can download information from the Internet, store data, play music files, etc.

26 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Personal Computers Small computer system designed to be used by one person at a time; small enough to fit on a desktop, inside a briefcase Also called a microcomputer PC-compatible: evolved from the original IBM PC; typically runs the Windows operating system Macintosh: type of personal computer manufactured by Apple, uses the Mac OS operating system Can be desktop, notebook, tablet, or handheld computers

27 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Desktop PCs Desktop PC: the complete computer system fits on or next to a desk; case styles include: Tower Desktop All-in-one

28 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Portable PCs Portable PC: designed to be carried around Notebook computers (laptops) Tablet PCs (either slate or convertible) Handheld computers (pocket computers):

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30 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Portable PCs, Cont’d Handheld PCs Typically battery powered Sometimes referred to as personal digital assistants or PDAs Have increasing functionality

31 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Portable PCs, Cont’d Cradles and docking stations can be used with portable PCs to easily connect other hardware, transfer or synchronize data, etc.

32 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Personal Computers, Cont’d Thin client or network computer (NC): PC designed to access a network for processing and data storage Internet appliance: specialized network computer designed for Internet access and/or exchange

33 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Midrange Servers Minicomputer or midrange computer: medium-sized computer used to host programs and data for a small network May consist of a collection of individual circuit boards called blades (blade servers)

34 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Mainframe Computers Standard choice for large organizations, hospitals, universities, large businesses, banks, government offices Larger, more expensive, and more powerful than midrange servers; usually operate 24 hours a day Also called high-end servers or enterprise-class servers

35 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Supercomputers Fastest, most expensive, most powerful type of computer Space exploration, missile guidance, satellites, weather forecast, oil exploration, scientific research, complex Web sites, decision support systems, 3D applications Commonly built by connecting hundreds of smaller computers, supercomputing cluster

36 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Supercomputers, Cont’d

37 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Computer Networks and the Internet Computer network: collection of hardware and other devices that are connected together so that users can share hardware, software, and data, as well as communicate with each other Network servers: manage resources on a network Clients: computers on a network that access resources through the network server Computer networks exist in many sizes and types

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39 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition What Are the Internet and the World Wide Web? Internet: largest and most well-known computer network in the world Individuals connect to the Internet using an Internet service provider (ISP) Most common Internet activities: and accessing the World Wide Web (WWW) “Internet” refers to the physical structure of that network, the World Wide Web is one resource (a vast collection of Web pages) available through the Internet

40 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Accessing a Network or the Internet Need a modem or network adapter to physically connect your computer to the network Software (often built into the operating system) allows you to log on to the network and access resources Many networks and Internet connections require a user ID and password to log on to the network

41 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Accessing a Network or the Internet, Cont’d Internet addresses are used to access resources on the Internet IP address—numeric address that identifies computers ( ) Domain name—text-based address that idenfies computers (microsoft.com) Uniform resource locator (URL)—identifies Web pages ( address—identifies people for exchange

42 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Accessing a Network or the Internet, Cont’d

43 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Web browser Used to view Web pages A universal tool for exploring and using the Internet Can view information, download files, view videos, exchange , etc. via Web pages Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Firefox, Opera, etc. Surfing the Web

44 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition To view Web pages Can type a URL in the Address bar and press Enter to display the corresponding Web page Can click a hyperlink to display the page corresponding to that hyperlink (point to a hyperlink to see the corresponding URL on the status bar) Can select a page from the browser Favorites or History list) Surfing the Web, Cont’d

45 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Surfing the Web, Cont’d

46 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Searching the Web Internet search: use when you know generally what you want but do not know the URL Search sites: help you locate what you are looking for on the Internet; Google is one of the most popular sites Reference sites: use to look up addresses, telephone numbers, ZIP codes, maps, etc.

47 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Searching the Web, Cont’d

48 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Electronic messages sent from one user to another over the Internet or other network Can use an program such as Netscape Mail, Microsoft Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook to send and receive Can use Web-based to send and receive e- mail via a Web site; messages stay on the mail server and are viewed using a Web browser

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50 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Computers and Society The vast improvements in technology over the past decade have had a distinct impact on daily life, both at home and at work There are numerous benefits of a computer-oriented society, including making many tasks in our lives go much faster Risks include health, security, ethical, and privacy concerns

51 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Computers and Society, Cont’d Other concerns are: Differences in online communications (don’t be too casual and use good netiquette) The anonymity factor (people can be somewhat anonymous on the Internet) Information integrity (not all information on the Internet is accurate)

52 Chapter 1 Understanding Computers, 11 th Edition Summary Computers in Your Life What Is a Computer and What Does It Do? Computers to Fit Every Need Computer Networks and the Internet Computers and Society