Business Computer Information Systems I

 Knowing how to use a computer is a basic skill necessary to succeed in business or to function effectively in society.  Use of computer technology is widespread in the world.  Knowing how to use common Application Software is an essential skill for practically everyone.

 An electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory unit, that can  accept data (input)  manipulate the data according to specified rules (process)  produce information (output) from the processing  store the results for future use.  Generally the term is used to describe a collection of devices that function together as a system.

 Monitor (output)  Speaker (output)  Keyboard (input)  Mouse (input)  System Unit (processing, memory and storage)  Modem (communications)  Printer /Scanner(output)  Hard disk drive (storage)  Flash drive (storage)  CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive (storage)

 Computers can perform four general operations.  Input  Processing  Output  Storage  These operations comprise the information processing cycle

 All computer processing requires data input.  Data – The raw facts including numbers, words, images, video, and sounds given to the computer during the input operation.  Computers manipulate data to create information.  Information – data that is organized, has meaning, and is useful.  During the output operation, the information created is put into some form, such as a printed report, an invoice, a web page, or a paycheck.  The operations occur through the use of electronic circuits contained on small silicon chips (microchips) inside the computer within billionths of a second.

 It must be given a detailed set of instructions (computer program or software ) that tells it exactly what to do.  Programs are stored in the computer.  The computer can begin to operate by executing the program’s first instruction.  It executes one program instruction after another until the job is complete.

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU) INPUT DEVICESMEMORY OUTPUT DEVICES STORAGE DEVICES

 Allow you to enter data, programs, commands, and user responses into a computer.  Keyboard – primary  Mouse – primary  Scanners  Reading devices  Digital cameras  Audio and video input devices  Devices for the physically challenged users

 Contains the electronic circuits that cause processing to occur.  Control unit – interprets the instruction  Arithmetic/logic unit – performs the logical and arithmetic processes.  Designed into a chip called a microprocessor.

 Called Random Access Memory – RAM, consists of electronic components that store data including numbers, letters of the alphabet, graphics, and sound.  Measured in Kilobytes (1 thousand memory locations), Megabytes (1 million) Gigabytes (one billion), Terabyte (1 thousand billion) Petabyte (one thousand terabytes), etc.  A Byte is a basic unit of memory measurement.

 Printers (hard copy)  Ink-jet printer – nozzle that sprays drops of ink onto the page  Laser printer – use a process similar to a copying machine.  Photo printer – creates photographic output  Monitors - TV-like display device

 CD-ROMs – used to store large amounts of prerecorded information.  Flash Drives (Pen Drives) - High capacity, removable storage devices  Hard Disks – housed permanently inside the system unit—not portable.  DVD-ROMs – very high capacity compact disc capable of storing from 4.7 GB to 17 GB

 System Software – programs to control the operations of computer equipment.  Operating System – Set of programs instructing the computer on how to perform the functions of loading, storing, and executing an application program. Microsoft Windows XP  Application Software – programs that tell a computer how to produce information. MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook

 Word Processing – used to create, edit, format, and print documents. MS Word 2007  Spreadsheet – allows the user to add, subtract, and perform user-defined calculations on rows and columns of numbers. MS Excel 2007  Database – allows the user to enter, retrieve, and update data in an organized and efficient manner. MS Access 2007  Presentation Graphics – allows the user to create documents called slides to be used in making presentations. MS PowerPoint 2007

 Network – a collection of computers and devices connected together via communication media and devices that share hardware, software, data, and information.  The Internet – largest worldwide collection of networks that links together millions of computers by means of modems, telephone resources, satellites & data.  WWW – popular segment of the Internet  URL – Uniform Resource Locator -unique address of a Web page (protocol, domain name and path)

 Determine what application software products you will use on your computer.  Before buying a computer system, do some research.  Speed of processor  Size and types of memory and storage  Input/output devices  Communications devices  Overall system cost (cheapest isn’t always the best)  Stick with brand names  Do comparison shopping