Computer Concepts and Application Course Name Computer Concepts and Application

Course Supervisor Kashif Bashir Email: kashif@pafkiet.edu.pk Website: WWW.Taleem.greatnow.com

Course Description This course provides the students a thorough understanding of computers and their various applications in the industry. The introductory course begins by defining what a computer is, and giving a brief history of computers. Networking is discussed, with a basic description of LANs and the internet, how to connect, and how to use the World Wide Web, before outlining various computer applications. Finally, issues and concerns in internet and E-Commerce are covered.

Recommended Books Reference Books Text Book Introduction To Computers (Peter Norton) Reference Books Timothy J. O’Leary Computing Essential McGraw Hill Using Information Technology (Brain K. Williams)

Grading Plan Distribution Marks 1st Mid Term Exam 15 2nd Mid Term Exam 15 Presentation and Report 10 Quizzes 10 Assignment 10 Final Examination 40 Total 100

Introducing Computer Systems Chapter 1A Introducing Computer Systems

The Computer Defined Electronic device Converts data into information Modern computers are digital Two digits combine to make data Older computers were analog A range of values made data

Computers For Individual Use Desktop computers The most common type of computer Sits on the desk or floor Performs a variety of tasks Workstations Specialized computers Optimized for science or graphics More powerful than a desktop Insider information System units are commonly called cases. Many computer enthusiasts customize or ‘mod’ their cases with windows and lights. See www.casemodgod.com for examples of cases and products. Sun Microsystems makes the most popular workstations on the planet. Sun’s systems are used in diverse applications such as medical imaging and CGI (computer generated image) animation.

Computers For Individual Use Notebook computers Small portable computers Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds About 8 ½ by 11 inches Typically as powerful as a desktop Can include a docking station Discussion point Have students contrast desktop and notebook computers. Focus on the pros and cons of each type of computer.

Computers For Individual Use Tablet computers Newest development in portable computers Input is through a pen-called astylus Run specialized versions of office products Teaching tip The tablet PC was designed to simulate a piece of paper. Users interact with the tablet as if it was an unlimited paper notebook. For more information See www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/evaluation/tours/default.mspx for an example of the Tablet PC in action.

Computers For Individual Use Handheld computers Very small computers Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) Note taking or contact management Data can synchronize with a desktop Smart phones Hybrid of cell phone and PDA Web surfing, e-mail access Teaching tip At this point, refer the students to the productivity tip on page 13. This tip helps the student determine what type of PC is best for them.

Computers For Organizations Network servers Centralized computer All other computers connect Provides access to network resources Multiple servers are called server farms Often simply a powerful desktop

Computers For Organizations Mainframes Used in large organizations Handle thousands of users Users access through a terminal

Computers For Organizations Minicomputers Called midrange computers Power between mainframe and desktop Handle hundreds of users Used in smaller organizations Users access through a terminal

Computers For Organizations Supercomputers The most powerful computers made Handle large and complex calculations Process trillions of operations per second Found in research organizations Teaching tip Students have a hard time understanding trillions of calculations. A simple explanation is to add 1 trillion random numbers together in a second. Contrast the speed of a super computer to the fastest desktop computer advertised during the week of class.

Computers In Society More impact than any other invention Changed work and leisure activities Used by all demographic groups Computers are important because: Provide information to users Information is critical to our society Managing information is difficult

Computers In Society Computers at home Many homes have multiple computers Most American homes have Internet Computers are used for Business Entertainment Communication Education Insider information The 2000 Census determined that 51% of American households had computers. Over 42% of these households also had Internet access. This can be contrasted to 36% and 18% in 1997. See www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/p23-207.pdf for more information.

Computers In Society Computers in education Computer literacy required at all levels Computers in small business Makes businesses more profitable Allows owners to manage Computers in industry Computers are used to design products Assembly lines are automated Insider information Specialized mountain bikes are designed on Sun workstations.

Computers In Society Computers in government Necessary to track data for population Police officers Tax calculation and collection Governments were the first computer users Teaching tip Most state departments of motor vehicles rely on a mainframe computer. Officers access the mainframe from a remote intelligent terminal.

Computers In Society Computers in health care Revolutionized health care New treatments possible Scheduling of patients has improved Delivery of medicine is safer Discussion point Page 19 of the text introduces the first Norton Notebook, the Merging of Media and Meaning. The author draws an analogy between electricity and computers in our lives. Discuss with your students how difficult live would be without either of these devices. Remember that computers exist in nearly all of our modern devices, including cars, phones, kitchen appliances and entertainment devices.

Looking Inside the Computer System Chapter 1B Looking Inside the Computer System

Parts of the Computer System Computer systems have four parts Hardware Software Data User

Parts of the Computer System Hardware Mechanical devices in the computer Anything that can be touched Software Tell the computer what to do Also called a program Thousands of programs exist Teaching tip Suggest to your students that the majority of people who purchase computers do so because of software. They want to email, or type letters. Nearly every reason given to purchase a computer is based on software needs.

Parts of the Computer System Data Pieces of information Computer organize and present data Users People operating the computer Most important part Tell the computer what to do Teaching tip A good exercise to relate the importance of making data meaningful is to list some random numbers on the board. Then ask what they mean. Without a title, the numbers have no meaning. Once a title is presented, the numbers make sense.

Information Processing Cycle Steps followed to process data Input Processing Output Storage Teaching tip It is helpful to walk through a simple program to demonstrate the cycle. I often use a simple arithmetic problem to show this cycle.

Essential Computer Hardware Computers use the same basic hardware Hardware categorized into four types

Essential Computer Hardware Processing devices Brains of the computer Carries out instructions from the program Manipulate the data Most computers have several processors Central Processing Unit (CPU) Secondary processors Processors made of silicon and copper Teaching tip The interaction between a CPU and secondary processors is much like the interaction between a boss and subordinate. The boss tells the subordinate what to do but not necessarily how to accomplish the task. The subordinate only bothers the boss when guidance or more data is needed.

Essential Computer Hardware Memory devices Stores data or programs Random Access Memory (RAM) Volatile Stores current data and programs More RAM results in a faster system Read Only Memory (ROM) Permanent storage of programs Holds the computer boot directions Insider information Intel, the manufacturer of popular CPUs, originally made RAM for mainframe and minicomputers. Today Kingston is a leading RAM manufacturer. Chapter 5 discusses ROM and the BIOS. Refer your students to this chapter if they desire more information.

Essential Computer Hardware Input and output devices Allows the user to interact Input devices accept data Keyboard, mouse Output devices deliver data Monitor, printer, speaker Some devices are input and output Touch screens Teaching tip It is helpful to have examples of input and output devices in class. Stories of obscure input output devices are typically well received by the students.

Essential Computer Hardware Storage devices Hold data and programs permanently Different from RAM Magnetic storage Floppy and hard drive Uses a magnet to access data Optical storage CD and DVD drives Uses a laser to access data Insider information A new CD technology is emerging. A shorter wavelength blue laser beam is being used to burn CD’s. This allows more data to be saved on a disk. The technology is in it’s infancy but should be mature in the near future. Chapter 11 of the text provides more detail regarding storage devices. DVD writers are available for purchase. They have not been standardized yet. Several competing formats are vying for acceptance. Of these, the DVD+RW seems to have the strongest support.

Software Runs The Machine Tells the computer what to do Reason people purchase computers Two types System software Application software

Software Runs The Machine System software Most important software Operating system Windows XP Network operating system (OS) Windows Server 2003 Utility Symantec AntiVirus

Software Runs The Machine Application software Accomplishes a specific task Most common type of software MS Word Covers most common uses of computers

Computer data Fact with no meaning on its own Stored using the binary number system Data can be organized into files Teaching tip Chapter 5 in the text explores data processing in greater detail. Figure 1B.5 shows data in binary format.

Computer users Role depends on ability “Userless” computers Setup the system Install software Mange files Maintain the system “Userless” computers Run with no user input Automated systems Teaching tip Most computer problems are caused by user error. Given this fact, it is fun here to teach the student the acronym PEBKAC the Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair. A little humor can break up the lecture monotony.

Chapter 1B End of Chapter