Computers: Tools for an Information Age Chapter 1

Objectives Describe the three fundamental characteristics of computers Describe at least four areas of society in which computers are used Identify the basic components of a computer system: input, processing, output, and storage List some common input, output, and storage media Distinguish data from information Describe the significance of networking Explain the significance of the Internet Explain the various classifications of computers

Contents Information Age Computer Literacy Where Computers Are Used Computer System Network Classifications of Computers

Evolving more rapidly than Industrial Age Will continue into the current century Information Age

Cornerstones of our Economy Land Labor Capital Information Forging a Computer-Based Society:

Jobs From physical to mental From muscle-power to brain-power Forging a Computer-Based Society:

A Computer in Your Future Where used? –Bank withdrawal –Supermarket –Drive the car Do I need a Personal Computer? –Half of Americans have one at home –Many more use at work Will I use a computer in my future career? –Almost every job will involve use of a computer

Computer Literacy Awareness –Importance –Versatility –Pervasiveness in our society Knowledge –What are computers –How do computers work –Terminology Interaction –Use some simple computer applications

The Nature of Computers Characteristics Speed Reliability Storage capability Results Productivity Decision making Cost reduction

Where Computers Are Used Graphics Graphs and charts Animated graphics Visual walk-through

Where Computers Are Used Education Teaching and testing aid Learning by doing Computer-based instruction

Where Computers Are Used Retailing Bar codes for pricing and inventory Shipping

Where Computers Are Used Energy Locate oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium Monitor the power network Meter reading

Where Computers Are Used Law Enforcement National fingerprint files National files on criminal Computer modeling of DNA

Where Computers Are Used Transportation Cars Run rapid transit systems Load containerships Track railroad cars Monitor air traffic

Where Computers Are Used Money Record keeping Banking by phone Credit cards

Where Computers Are Used Agriculture Billing Crop information Feed combinations Livestock breeding and performance

Where Computers Are Used Government Forecast weather Manage parks Process immigrants Social Security benefits Taxes

Where Computers Are Used The Home Educational tool Record keeping Letter writing Budgeting Drawing and editing pictures Newsletters Connecting with others

Where Computers Are Used Health and Medicine Monitor patients Electronic imaging Diagnose illnesses

Where Computers Are Used Robotics Perform jobs that are dangerous for humans Factory work

Where Computers Are Used The Human Connection Assist the disabled Assist athletes by monitoring their movements

Where Computers Are Used The Sciences Research Simulation Connectivity Communication Telecommuting

Where Computers Are Used Training Airline pilots Railroad engineers Paperwork Junk mail Term paper Record keeping

Computers are all around! Grocery store School Library Bank Mail We interact with computers everyday! We interact with computers everyday!

Computer System People Software Hardware

People Computer programmer – person who writes programs Users or End-users – make use of the computer’s capabilities

Software Programs Set of instructions that directs the hardware to do a required task and produce the desired results

Hardware Basic Components of a Computer

Computer A machine that can be programmed to accept data (input), process it into useful information (output), and store it away (in secondary storage device) for safekeeping or later reuse Process is directed by software but performed by the hardware

Function of Computer System Data handling IInput PProcess OOutput SStorage

Input devices Accept data or commands and convert them to electronic form Getting data into the computer –Typing on a keyboard –Pointing with a mouse –Scanning with a wand reader or bar-code reader –Terminal

Output devices Monitor or screen Text Numbers Symbols Art Photographs Video Printer Black and white Color Convert from electronic form to some other form May display the processed results Usable information

The Processor Central Processing Unit (CPU) Converts data to useful information Interpret and execute instructions Communicate with input, output and storage

Two Types of Storage Secondary storage long-term storage Primary storage or memory temporary storage

Memory / Primary Storage Temporary storage Holds input to be processed Holds results of processing Contains the programs to control the computer and manipulate input into output Volatile

Secondary Storage Long-term storage Non-volatile

Secondary Storage Examples Magnetic disks – read and written by magnetic disk drive –Hard disk –Diskette Optical disks – read and written by optical disk drives –CD-ROM –DVD-ROM Magnetic tape – read and written by magnetic tape drives –Primarily used for back-up

Computer System Computer –CPU –Memory Peripheral equipment –Connected to the computer by a cable –Input, output, storage

Network Definition –A system that uses communications equipment to connect computers and their resources. Types –Local area network (LAN) – connects computers in close proximity –Metropolitan are network (MAN) – connect computers between buildings in the same geographic area –Wide are network (WAN) – connects computers over great distances

Home Connectivity Connect home PC to other computers Use modem to convert signals between electronic (computer) and analog (voice) formats

Internet Collection of networks No ownership No central source for services available No comprehensive index of what information is available Individuals Businesses Organizations Libraries Research labs Government Connects Everyone!

Getting Connected User’s computer must connect to a server Server must communicate using TCP/IP The user can purchase access to a server from an ISP (Internet Service Provider)

Internet – What Can You Do? WWW – World Wide Web FTP – File Transfer Protocol UseNet IRC – Internet Relay Chat Bulletin Boards

World Wide Web Browser – program that allows the user to move around and explore the Internet Use the mouse to point and click on text and graphics Web page Web site Home page

Classifications of Computers Use the computer that fits your needs Based upon –Size –Speed –Cost –Portability –Number of simultaneous users supported –Available software –Typical use

Personal Computers Other names –PC –Microcomputer –Home computer Categories –Low-end functional –Fully powered –Workstations –Net computer or net box (Web TV) Desktop Models

Notebook Computers Portable –Lightweight –Fits in a briefcase –Battery operated Laptop –Larger –Heavier More expensive that desktop models

Handheld Computers Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) –Scheduling –Addresses –Handwritten input –May offer wireless and fax Pocket –More power than PDA –Runs basic productivity software

Other Types of Computers Mainframes –High speed –More expensive –Used to process large amounts of data quickly –Support multiple users –Does server tasks Supercomputers –Fastest speed –Most expensive