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

What You Will Learn . . . Major categories of computers and various types of computers Two general types of software © 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. © 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 © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Understanding the Computer: Basic Definitions Software Hardware Computer system – A collection of related components that are designed to work together A system includes hardware and software. © 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. © 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. © 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. The computer accepts data. © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Input Devices Mouse – pointing device Keyboard Microphone – speech-recognition Digital Cameras © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Processing: Transforming Data into Information INFORMATION OUT The second operation: processing Computers transform data into information. Processing circuitry: Central processing unit (CPU) Random access memory (RAM) © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Processing Devices Motherboard Expansion Card Central Processing Unit – CPU Random Access Memory– RAM © 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. © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Output Devices Monitor Printer Speakers © 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. © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Storage Devices CD/DVD Drive Hard Drive Floppy Disk Drive Zip Drive Micro Drive Tape Drive Jaz Drive © 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 Network – Two or more computer systems that are connected Modem – A device that enables the computer to access other computers © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Communications Devices Modem Network Interface Card – NIC © 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. © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

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

Types of Software System software Application software 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. © 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. © 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 © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Command-Line Interface © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Graphical User Interface (GUI) © 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. © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Software Suite MS EXCEL MS POWERPOINT MS WORD MS ACCESS MS FRONT PAGE A collection of full-featured standalone programs that usually share a common command structure and have similar interfaces. © 2008 Prentice-Hall, Inc.