1. Introduction to Computers
Lecture 1
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Web Page and Book List
Main Course Web Page is at:
Recommended Text
Shelly Cashman: Discovering Computer 2011
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Data vs. Information
Data: Representation of a fact or idea
Information: Organized, meaningful data
Data is a representation of a fact or idea. Data can be a number, a word, a picture, or even a recording of sound. For example, the number and the names Derek and Washington are pieces of data.
Information is data that has been organized or presented in a meaningful fashion. When your computer provides you with a contact listing that indicates Derek Washington can be reached by phone at (612) , the data mentioned earlier suddenly becomes useful— that is, it is information.
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Data, Information
Data vs. Information
Data (PLURAL) - SINGULAR IS DATUM
A “given” or fact: a number, a statement, or a picture
The raw facts in the production of information
Information
Data that have meaning within a context
Raw data or data that have been manipulated
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5. Computers Are Data Processing Devices
Computer’s four major functions:
Gathers data (users input data)
Processes data into information
Outputs data or information
Stores data and information
Strictly defined, a computer is a data processing device that performs four major functions:
1. It gathers data (or allows users to input data).
2. It processes that data into information.
3. It outputs data or information.
4. It stores data and information.
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What Computers Do
Basic Components of a Computer
Input devices
Keyboards and pointing devices (mouse)
Output devices
Display or video monitor
Printer
Speakers
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
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What Computers Do
Basic Components of a Computer
Memory and storage devices
Primary storage: RAM (Random Access Memory)
Secondary storage: Storage devices that serve as long-term repositories for data:
Hard disk drives
Recordable CD and DVD drives
Tape drives
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8. Components of a Computer System
Input
Output
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Memory
Control Unit
Arithmetic Logic Unit
Registers
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9. Bits and Bytes: The Language of Computers
Binary digit
0 or 1
Byte
Eight bits
Each letter, number, and character = a string of eight 0s and 1s
In order to process data into information, computers need to work in a language they understand. This language, called binary language, consists of just two digits: 0 and 1.
Everything a computer does is broken down into a series of 0s and 1s. Each 0 and 1 is a binary digit, or bit for short.
Eight binary digits (or bits) combine to create 1 byte.
In computers, each letter of the alphabet, each number, and each special character (such as sign) consists of a unique combination of 8 bits, or a string of eight 0s and 1s.
As it turns out, if 8 bits are put together there are 256 possible combinations that they can be in. That number of combinations allows for a code that can include all the uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet, all 10 digits, punctuation marks, and many other much-used symbols. We call these 8 bits working together a byte. Bytes are the basic measurement for storage in a computer.
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A Bit About Bits
Bits, Bytes, and Buzzwords
Bit-related terminology
Byte
Kilobyte (KB)
Megabytes (MB)
Gigabytes (GB)
Terabytes (TB)
= 8 bits
= 1 Thousand Bytes
= 1 Million Bytes
= 1 Billion Bytes
= 1 Trillion Bytes
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11. Chapter 2 Summary Questions
What devices do you use to get data into the computer?
What devices do you use to get data into the computer?
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12. Chapter 2 Summary Questions
What devices do you use to get information out of the computer?
What devices do you use to get information out of the computer?
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13. Chapter 2 Summary Questions
What’s on the front of your system unit?
What’s on the front of your system unit?
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14. Chapter 2 Summary Questions
What’s on the back of your system unit?
What’s on the back of your system unit?
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15. History of Computers - Long, Long Ago
Abacus BC
beads on rods to count and calculate
still widely used in Asia!
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16. History of Computers - 19th Century
Jacquard Loom
first stored program - metal cards
first computer manufacturing
still in use today!
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Charles Babbage
Analytical Engine
Difference Engine c.1822
huge calculator, never finished
Analytical Engine 1833
could store numbers
calculating “mill” used punched metal cards for instructions
powered by steam!
accurate to six decimal places
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Discussion Question
What was the biggest advance that led to modern computers?
Electricity
Transistor
Microchip
Data storage
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Vacuum Tubes
First Generation Electronic Computers used Vacuum Tubes
Vacuum tubes are glass tubes with circuits inside.
Vacuum tubes have no air inside of them, which protects the circuitry.
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UNIVAC
first fully electronic digital computer built in the U.S.
Created at the University of Pennsylvania
ENIAC weighed 30 tons
contained 18,000 vacuum tubes
Cost a paltry $487,000
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Grace Hopper
Programmed UNIVAC
Recipient of Computer Science’s first “Man of the Year Award”
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First Computer Bug
Relay switches part of computers
Grace Hopper found a moth stuck in a relay responsible for a malfunction
Called it “debugging” a computer
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First Transistor
Uses Silicon
developed in 1948
won a Nobel prize
on-off switch
Second Generation Computers used Transistors, starting in 1956
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TRANSISTORS
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TRANSISTORS
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Second Generation –
1956 – Computers began to incorporate Transistors
Replaced vacuum tubes with Transistors
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Integrated Circuits
Third Generation Computers used Integrated Circuits (chips).
Integrated Circuits are transistors, resistors, and capacitors integrated together into a single “chip”
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INTEGRATED CIRCUIT
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Operating System
Software – Instructions for Computer
Operating system is set of instructions loaded each time a computer is started
Program is instructions loaded when needed
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Third Generation –
Integrated Circuit
Operating System
Getting smaller, cheaper
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31. The First Microprocessor – 1971
Intel 4004 Microprocessor
The 4004 had 2,250 transistors
four-bit chunks (four 1’s or 0’s)
108Khz
Called “Microchip”
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What is a Microchip?
Very Large Scale Integrated Circuit (VLSIC)
Transistors, resistors, and capacitors
4004 had 2,250 transistors
Pentium IV has 42 MILLION transistors
Each transistor 0.13 microns (10-6 meters)
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33. 4th Generation – 1971-present
MICROCHIPS!
Getting smaller and smaller, but we are still using microchip technology
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34. Birth of Personal Computers - 1975
MITS Altair
256 byte memory (not Kilobytes or Megabytes)
2 MHz Intel 8080 chips
Just a box with flashing lights
cost $395 kit, $495 assembled.
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35. Generations of Electronic Computers
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36. Over the past 50 years, the Electronic Computer has evolved rapidly.
Connections:
Which evolved from the other, which was an entirely new creation
vacuum tube
integrated circuit
transistor
microchip
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37. Evolution of Electronics
Microchip (VLSIC)
Integrated Circuit
Transistor
Vacuum Tube
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38. Evolution of Electronics
Vacuum Tube – a dinosaur without a modern lineage
Transistor  Integrated Circuit  Microchip
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IBM PC
IBM-Intel-Microsoft joint venture
First wide-selling personal computer used in business
8088 Microchip - 29,000 transistors
4.77 Mhz processing speed
256 K RAM (Random Access Memory) standard
One or two floppy disk drives
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Apple Computers
Founded 1977
Apple II released 1977
widely used in schools
Macintosh (left)
released in 1984, Motorola Microchip processor
first commercial computer with graphical user interface (GUI) and pointing device (mouse)
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Computers Progress
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42. 1990s: Pentiums and Power Macs
Early 1990s began penetration of computers into every niche: every desk, most homes, etc.
Faster, less expensive computers paved way for this
Windows 95 was first decent GUI for “PCs”
Macs became more PC compatible - easy file transfers
Prices have plummeted
$2000 for entry level to $500
$6000 for top of line to $1500
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21st Century Computing
Great increases in speed, storage, and memory
Increased networking, speed in Internet
Widespread use of CD-RW
PDAs
Cell Phone/PDA
WIRELESS!!!
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44. What’s next for computers?
Use your imagination to come up with what the next century holds for computers.
What can we expect in two years?
What can we expect in twenty years?
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