Jordan University of Science & Technology Faculty of Computer & Information Technology Department of Computer Science & Information Systems

2 Introduction to Computers

3 Computers are electronic devices that can follow instructions to accept input, process the input and then produce information. What are computers?

4 Microcomputers Microcomputers Four Kinds of Computers

5 Microcomputers Microcomputers Minicomputers Minicomputers

6 Four Kinds of Computers Microcomputers Microcomputers Minicomputers Minicomputers Mainframe computers Mainframe computers

7 Microcomputers Microcomputers Minicomputers Minicomputers Mainframe computers Mainframe computers Supercomputers Supercomputers Four Kinds of Computers

8 Generally employs a microprocessor, “computer on a chip” and are desktop sized or less Generally employs a microprocessor, “computer on a chip” and are desktop sized or less Two main types Two main types Desktop Desktop Portable Portable Microcomputer Microcomputers (in millions) Increasing Use of Microcomputers Source: Intel Corporation

9 Small enough for a desktop, but not easily portable Small enough for a desktop, but not easily portable Personal computers (PC’s) run general purpose software and are employed by a wide spectrum of users Personal computers (PC’s) run general purpose software and are employed by a wide spectrum of users Desktop Computers

10 Workstations are powerful machines, running more advanced software, for technical, scientific, or data- intensive tasks Workstations are powerful machines, running more advanced software, for technical, scientific, or data- intensive tasks These distinctions, however, are blurring These distinctions, however, are blurring Desktop Computers

11 Easily transported from one place to another Easily transported from one place to another Portable Computers

12 Portable Computers Four categories –Laptops –Notebooks –Sub-notebooks –Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)

13 Desk-sized Desk-sized More processing speed and storage capacity than microcomputers More processing speed and storage capacity than microcomputers General data processing needs at small companies General data processing needs at small companies Larger companies use them for specific purposes Larger companies use them for specific purposes Minicomputers

14 Larger machines with special wiring and environmental controls Larger machines with special wiring and environmental controls Faster processing and greater storage than minicomputers Faster processing and greater storage than minicomputers Typical machine in large organizations Typical machine in large organizations Mainframe Computers

15 The most powerful of the four categories The most powerful of the four categories Used by very large organizations, particularly for very math-intensive types of tasks Used by very large organizations, particularly for very math-intensive types of tasks Supercomputers

Characteristics of computers 1- Store a large amount of data and information for a long period of time. 2- process data and information in high accuracy level. 3-Speed in processing data information. 4-Sharing of information / network.

Understanding the difference between Data, Information and Knowledge: Computer Data Knowledge Information

Data: is the name given to basic facts such as names and numbers. Information: is data that has been converted into a more useful or intelligible form. Knowledge: arrangement of information and classifying information of the same type or the same topic.

19 Data Data are details of various types of transactions and details relating to specific situations, which are input to a data processing system (e.g. computer) for processing in a prescribed way. Examples of data relating to students are student- number, student-name and grades.

e. g. e. g (data) | | sort \ / (information) (data) | | sort \ / (information)

21 Data Document files Worksheet files Database files

22 Information Information: the result of processing data. Information: the result of processing data. n Information: u Must serve a useful purpose u Must be of an acceptable level of accuracy u Must be available at the right time u Must be relevant to the enterprise, person, … etc.

Knowledge Putting a number of information with the same type or same topic would be a knowledge. Putting a number of information with the same type or same topic would be a knowledge.

Processing data produces information, and processing information produces knowledge.