Introduction to Computers Lecture 1 Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Web Page and Book List Main Course Web Page is at: http://nnrose.weebly.com Recommended Text Shelly Cashman: Discovering Computer 2011 Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Data vs. Information Data: Representation of a fact or idea Information: Organized, meaningful data Data is a representation of a fact or idea. Data can be a number, a word, a picture, or even a recording of sound. For example, the number 6125553297 and the names Derek and Washington are pieces of data. Information is data that has been organized or presented in a meaningful fashion. When your computer provides you with a contact listing that indicates Derek Washington can be reached by phone at (612) 555-3297, the data mentioned earlier suddenly becomes useful— that is, it is information. Prepared by Natalie Rose 3 5
Prepared by Natalie Rose Data, Information Data vs. Information Data (PLURAL) - SINGULAR IS DATUM A “given” or fact: a number, a statement, or a picture The raw facts in the production of information Information Data that have meaning within a context Raw data or data that have been manipulated Prepared by Natalie Rose
Computers Are Data Processing Devices Computer’s four major functions: Gathers data (users input data) Processes data into information Outputs data or information Stores data and information Strictly defined, a computer is a data processing device that performs four major functions: 1. It gathers data (or allows users to input data). 2. It processes that data into information. 3. It outputs data or information. 4. It stores data and information. Prepared by Natalie Rose 5 4
Prepared by Natalie Rose What Computers Do Basic Components of a Computer Input devices Keyboards and pointing devices (mouse) Output devices Display or video monitor Printer Speakers Central Processing Unit (CPU) Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose What Computers Do Basic Components of a Computer Memory and storage devices Primary storage: RAM (Random Access Memory) Secondary storage: Storage devices that serve as long-term repositories for data: Hard disk drives Recordable CD and DVD drives Tape drives Prepared by Natalie Rose
Components of a Computer System Input Output Central Processing Unit (CPU) Memory Control Unit Arithmetic Logic Unit Registers Prepared by Natalie Rose
Bits and Bytes: The Language of Computers Binary digit 0 or 1 Byte Eight bits Each letter, number, and character = a string of eight 0s and 1s In order to process data into information, computers need to work in a language they understand. This language, called binary language, consists of just two digits: 0 and 1. Everything a computer does is broken down into a series of 0s and 1s. Each 0 and 1 is a binary digit, or bit for short. Eight binary digits (or bits) combine to create 1 byte. In computers, each letter of the alphabet, each number, and each special character (such as the @ sign) consists of a unique combination of 8 bits, or a string of eight 0s and 1s. As it turns out, if 8 bits are put together there are 256 possible combinations that they can be in. That number of combinations allows for a code that can include all the uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet, all 10 digits, punctuation marks, and many other much-used symbols. We call these 8 bits working together a byte. Bytes are the basic measurement for storage in a computer. Prepared by Natalie Rose 9 6
Prepared by Natalie Rose A Bit About Bits Bits, Bytes, and Buzzwords Bit-related terminology Byte Kilobyte (KB) Megabytes (MB) Gigabytes (GB) Terabytes (TB) = 8 bits = 1 Thousand Bytes = 1 Million Bytes = 1 Billion Bytes = 1 Trillion Bytes Prepared by Natalie Rose
Chapter 2 Summary Questions What devices do you use to get data into the computer? What devices do you use to get data into the computer? Prepared by Natalie Rose 11 50
Chapter 2 Summary Questions What devices do you use to get information out of the computer? What devices do you use to get information out of the computer? Prepared by Natalie Rose 12 51
Chapter 2 Summary Questions What’s on the front of your system unit? What’s on the front of your system unit? Prepared by Natalie Rose 13 52
Chapter 2 Summary Questions What’s on the back of your system unit? What’s on the back of your system unit? Prepared by Natalie Rose 14 53
History of Computers - Long, Long Ago Abacus - 3000 BC beads on rods to count and calculate still widely used in Asia! Prepared by Natalie Rose
History of Computers - 19th Century Jacquard Loom - 1801 first stored program - metal cards first computer manufacturing still in use today! Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Charles Babbage - 1792-1871 Analytical Engine Difference Engine c.1822 huge calculator, never finished Analytical Engine 1833 could store numbers calculating “mill” used punched metal cards for instructions powered by steam! accurate to six decimal places Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Discussion Question What was the biggest advance that led to modern computers? Electricity Transistor Microchip Data storage Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Vacuum Tubes - 1940 - 1956 First Generation Electronic Computers used Vacuum Tubes Vacuum tubes are glass tubes with circuits inside. Vacuum tubes have no air inside of them, which protects the circuitry. Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose UNIVAC - 1951 first fully electronic digital computer built in the U.S. Created at the University of Pennsylvania ENIAC weighed 30 tons contained 18,000 vacuum tubes Cost a paltry $487,000 Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Grace Hopper Programmed UNIVAC Recipient of Computer Science’s first “Man of the Year Award” Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose First Computer Bug - 1945 Relay switches part of computers Grace Hopper found a moth stuck in a relay responsible for a malfunction Called it “debugging” a computer Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose First Transistor Uses Silicon developed in 1948 won a Nobel prize on-off switch Second Generation Computers used Transistors, starting in 1956 Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose TRANSISTORS Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose TRANSISTORS Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Second Generation – 1956-1963 1956 – Computers began to incorporate Transistors Replaced vacuum tubes with Transistors Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Integrated Circuits Third Generation Computers used Integrated Circuits (chips). Integrated Circuits are transistors, resistors, and capacitors integrated together into a single “chip” Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose INTEGRATED CIRCUIT Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Operating System Software – Instructions for Computer Operating system is set of instructions loaded each time a computer is started Program is instructions loaded when needed Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Third Generation – 1964-1971 1964-1971 Integrated Circuit Operating System Getting smaller, cheaper Prepared by Natalie Rose
The First Microprocessor – 1971 Intel 4004 Microprocessor The 4004 had 2,250 transistors four-bit chunks (four 1’s or 0’s) 108Khz Called “Microchip” Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose What is a Microchip? Very Large Scale Integrated Circuit (VLSIC) Transistors, resistors, and capacitors 4004 had 2,250 transistors Pentium IV has 42 MILLION transistors Each transistor 0.13 microns (10-6 meters) Prepared by Natalie Rose
4th Generation – 1971-present MICROCHIPS! Getting smaller and smaller, but we are still using microchip technology Prepared by Natalie Rose
Birth of Personal Computers - 1975 MITS Altair 256 byte memory (not Kilobytes or Megabytes) 2 MHz Intel 8080 chips Just a box with flashing lights cost $395 kit, $495 assembled. Prepared by Natalie Rose
Generations of Electronic Computers Prepared by Natalie Rose
Over the past 50 years, the Electronic Computer has evolved rapidly. Connections: Which evolved from the other, which was an entirely new creation vacuum tube integrated circuit transistor microchip Prepared by Natalie Rose
Evolution of Electronics Microchip (VLSIC) Integrated Circuit Transistor Vacuum Tube Prepared by Natalie Rose
Evolution of Electronics Vacuum Tube – a dinosaur without a modern lineage Transistor Integrated Circuit Microchip Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose IBM PC - 1981 IBM-Intel-Microsoft joint venture First wide-selling personal computer used in business 8088 Microchip - 29,000 transistors 4.77 Mhz processing speed 256 K RAM (Random Access Memory) standard One or two floppy disk drives Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Apple Computers Founded 1977 Apple II released 1977 widely used in schools Macintosh (left) released in 1984, Motorola 68000 Microchip processor first commercial computer with graphical user interface (GUI) and pointing device (mouse) Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose Computers Progress Prepared by Natalie Rose
1990s: Pentiums and Power Macs Early 1990s began penetration of computers into every niche: every desk, most homes, etc. Faster, less expensive computers paved way for this Windows 95 was first decent GUI for “PCs” Macs became more PC compatible - easy file transfers Prices have plummeted $2000 for entry level to $500 $6000 for top of line to $1500 Prepared by Natalie Rose
Prepared by Natalie Rose 21st Century Computing Great increases in speed, storage, and memory Increased networking, speed in Internet Widespread use of CD-RW PDAs Cell Phone/PDA WIRELESS!!! Prepared by Natalie Rose
What’s next for computers? Use your imagination to come up with what the next century holds for computers. What can we expect in two years? What can we expect in twenty years? Prepared by Natalie Rose