1. Chapter 2 Hardware, Software, and the Roles of Support Personnel By Dr / Reda Abd el aal thabet

2. Computer …electronic device that collects, stores, processes, and retrieves data, comprised of hardware, software, data, rules for the use of the total system, and the user

3. Hardware  Physical parts of a computer  Main components Input devices The central processing unit Primary and secondary storage devices Output devices

4. Input Devices  Allow the user to feed data into the computer  Examples –Keyboard, mouse, trackball, or joystick –Touch sensitive screen, stylus –Microphone –Fax modem card –Image scanner, fingerprint scanner –Digital camera and Webcam

5. Central Processing Unit (CPU)  The “brain” of the computer  3 components: Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)—executes numeric instructions Memory Primary Storage (main memory) On board memory (located on the motherboard) –Very fast, but expensive –Read-only memory (ROM)—always present –Random access memory (RAM)—temporary storage Control Unit—manages instructions to other parts of the computer

6. Storage Devices  Secondary storage retains data after the computer is turned off or in a space separate from the computer  Examples –hard disk drives –USB flash drives –digital versatile video discs (DVDs) –high density DVDs/Blu-ray disk

7. Output Devices  Allow the user to view and possibly hear processed data  Examples –Monitor screens –Projectors –Printers –Speakers –Fax modem boards

8. Software  Instructions directing the work of computers  Otherwise known as programs or applications  Types –Operating systems—manage all computer activities, ex. WINDOWS –Application software—designed to accomplish a particular task, ex. WORD, EXCEL –Utility Programs—help to manage the computer and its data

9. Computers  Computers are automatic, electronic machines that –accept data & instructions from a user (INPUT) –store the data & instructions (STORAGE) –manipulate the data according to the instructions (PROCESSING) –store &/or output the results to the user (OUTPUT)  A computer system is composed of hardware and software  Hardware components are the physical, tangible pieces that we can see and touch

10. Central Processing Unit Main Memory Floppy Disk Hard Disk Monitor Keyboard A simplified view of a computer system

11. Hardware  Units of measure –All done relative to a Byte (8 bits - 1 character) –KB = Kilobyte - 1 thousand bytes (1024) –MB = Megabyte - 1 million bytes (1,048,576) –GB = Gigabyte - 1 billion bytes –TB = Terabyte - 1 trillion bytes

12. Hardware Devices  Input Devices (Get information) –Keyboard –Mouse –Scanner  Output Devices (Give information) –Screen/monitor –Printer

13. Hardware Devices  Processing Device (Arithmetic/logic/repetition) –Central Processing Unit (CPU) Has three basic parts Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) –executes all the arithmetic and logic instructions Control Unit –decodes instructions and determines which is next to be executed Buses/Registers –Buses are paths for information entering/exiting the CPU –Registers are memory for processing information

14. The Central Processing Unit  The CPU continuously follows the fetch-decode- execute cycle: fetch Retrieve an instruction from main memory decode Determine what the instruction is execute Carry out the instruction

15. Hardware Devices  Storage –Two types Primary and secondary  Primary Storage (main memory) –On board memory (located on the motherboard) –Very fast, but expensive –Two types RAM – Random Access Memory ROM – Read Only Memory

16. Hardware Devices  RAM - Random Access Memory –Read/write capability –Contents lost when computer is turned off (volatile) –A program must be in RAM for it to execute –128 to 256MB for a typical desktop computer

17. Hardware Devices  ROM - Read Only Memory –Read but not write capability –Permanent (non volatile) –Stores the preliminary instructions to be executed when the computer is turned on.

18. Hardware Devices  Secondary Storage (secondary memory) –External devices (not on the motherboard); either inside or outside the computer –Store programs and data permanently –Slower, but cheaper RAM - nanoseconds, Drive - milliseconds –Different sizes/styles Floppy Disk - 1.4MB (portable) Zip Drive - 100-750MB (portable) CD - 650MB (portable) Jaz Drive – 1-2GB (portable) discontinued Hard Disk Drive >=20GB (not portable) Tape - 50GB (portable, very slow) Flash drives (portable)

19. Software  A computer program is a series of instructions –each instruction is expressed in a format consistent with a predefined set of rules –a computer processes data under the direction of the instructions in a program –there are instructions to input, process, store and output data –the user of a program (as distinct from its creator) has no need to be aware of the details of its construction –the user is only interested in the services that the program is able to provide

20. Software  Program –a sequence of instructions to accomplish a result –a computer processes information under the direction of a program  Data –information to be processed by a program  Example –Data: for each employee, the employee number, hours worked & hourly pay rate –Program: instructions on how to process the data to produce pay cheques, payroll register, etc.

21. Software  Translation Software –Interpreters translate each instruction as it is entered –Advantage: easier to find/correct mistakes –Disadvantage: redundant translation –Compilers translate a group of instructions –Advantage: generally faster –Disadvantage: all errors are given at one time

22. Software  A file is a unit for storing information  All information on a computer is stored in files –Data Files created by the user of the computer –My_Thesis.doc, Assign1.xls –Program Files created by a programmer –Word, Excel, Windows98 –Naming Convention [File Name].[Extension] –the extension, (usually 3 letters long), describes the type of program used for that file »doc(Word), xls(Excel), ppt(PowerPoint)

23. Software categories  Operating System –controls all machine activities –provides the user interface to the computer –manages resources such as the CPU and memory  Application program –generic term for any other kind of software –word processors, games,...  Most operating systems and application programs have a graphical user interface (GUI)

24. Software \ Windows c:\windows MSOffice c:\MsOffice Excel c:\MsOffice\Excel WinWord c:\MsOffice\WinWord PowerPoint c:\MsOffice\PowerPoint MoneyMap c:\MoneyMap

25. Starting (Booting) the Computer  Turn on the power –CPU loads the instructions from ROM into RAM, including the bootstrap loader program –CPU executes the bootstrap loader program which Starts drive a: (diskette drive) Reads the boot record (bootstrap program) from the diskette in drive a: and loads it into RAM; if no diskette is in drive a:, reads the boot record from the c: drive (hard drive) and loads it into RAM –CPU executes the bootstrap program which Loads a portion of the operating system into RAM

26. Types of Computers  Supercomputers  Mainframe computers  Minicomputers  Personal computers, laptops, and tablets  PDAs  Hybrid and combination devices

27. Supercomputers  Largest, most expensive type of computer  Perform billions of instructions every second  Found in government and academic settings

28. Mainframe Computers  Large computers  Capable of processing several million instructions per second  Support organizational functions  Found in large hospitals and businesses

29. Minicomputers  Scaled-down mainframe computer  Less expensive than mainframes  Can support the simultaneous needs of multiple users  May be found in healthcare settings

30. Personal Computer  Previously known as a microcomputer  Designed for individual use  May be used by itself or connected to other devices  Now often used to refer to smaller laptop and tablet computers as well

31. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)  Small, handheld computer  Previously used mainly to store appointments and phone numbers  Supports many common software applications and data collection  Can store extensive reference materials  Can send and receive data electronically

32. Hybrid or Combination devices  Combine PDA capability with cell phones, MP3 players or other functions  Examples: –BlackBerry ® –iPhone –iPod

33. Networks  Combination of hardware and software that allows communication and electronic transfer of information between computers  Types –Local area networks (LANs)—limited geographic region –Wide area networks (WANs) –Thin client technology—system processing occurs on the server with minimal hardware requirements at the local level

34. Choosing a Computer  Consider –Types of applications required –Complex jobs require higher processor speed and more memory –Number of workers who need computer access –Storage needs –Backup options –Budget considerations –Maintenance considerations

35. Computer Support Personnel  Call or helpdesk staff  PC specialist  Super user  Clinical liaison  Clinical information analyst (CIA)  Programmer  Interface engineer  Network administrator  Trainer  Security officer  Webmaster  Chief privacy officer  Compliance officer  Continuity planning  Clinical systems analyst

36. Helpdesk Staff and PC Specialists  Typically the first resource  Most frequent contact with users  Handle problems that include hardware and software applications  Triage problems that they cannot fix to other support staff

37.  Both have frequent contact with staff  Super users –Provide patient care or related services –Show interest in “computer stuff” and expertise in the use of computers and information systems –Serve as a resource in the work area  Clinical Liaison –Translates user-needs to computer people and vice- versa Super user and Clinical Liaison

38. Clinical Information Analyst (CIA)  Synthesizes data and interprets its relationship to clinical interventions

39. Behind “the Scenes”  Many computer support staff are instrumental to making information systems work but are rarely seen  These staff include programmers, analysts, engineers, webmasters, and persons responsible for security and compliance with regulations

40. Future Directions  Technology will become easier to use, smaller, and more pervasive  The need for persons to support computers and information systems will continue to grow and evolve