1. James A. Senn’s Information Technology, 3rd Edition
Chapter 2
Essentials of Computing
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

2. Objectives Identify components of a computer system.
Explain categories of hardware and their functions.
Discuss the relationship between hardware and software.
Differentiate between an operating system and an application program.
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3. Objectives (Continued)
Identify types of software packages.
Explain components of information.
Distinguish between the users of information technology and IT professionals.
Describe types of procedures in computer systems.
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4. Objectives (Continued)
Explain the difference between single- and multi-user systems.
List information-processing activities associated with information-handling functions of IT.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

5. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Definition
Computer: An electronic system that can be instructed to accept, process, store, and present data and information.
Computer System: A computer and all the hardware interconnected with it.
Hardware
Programs
Information
People
Procedures
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6. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Definition (Continued)
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7. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Hardware
Hardware (computer hardware or devices): The computer and its associated equipment.
Input devices
Processors
Output devices
Secondary storage devices
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8. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Hardware (Continued)
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9. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Hardware (Continued)
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10. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Input Devices
Input: The data or information entered into a computer or the process of entering data or information into the computer for processing, storage and retrieval, or transmission.
Keyboards
Point-of-sale terminals
Mouse
Image scanners
Bar code scanners and wands
Microphones
Prerecorded sources
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11. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Input Devices (Continued)
Bar Code: A computer-readable code consisting of bars or lines of varying widths or lengths.
Wand: An input device used to read a bar code and input this information directly into a computer.
Multimedia: A system that contains standard PC features but also has the capability to handle audio, video, animation, and graphics.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

12. Barcode and QR QR: Quick Response Barcode and Wand
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13. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication The Processor
Processor/Central Processing Unit (CPU): A set of electronic circuits that perform the computer’s processing actions.
Microprocessor: The smallest type of processor, with all of the processing capabilities of the control unit and ALU located on a single chip.
Chip: A collection of electronic components in a very small, self-contained package.
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14. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication The Processor (Continued)
System Board (Motherboard): The system unit in a microcomputer, located on a board mounted on the bottom of a computer base.
Primary Storage (Main Memory): Storage within the computer itself. Main memory holds data only temporarily, as the computer executes instructions.
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15. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Output Devices
Output: The results of inputting and processing data and information returned by the computer, either directly to the person using the system or to secondary storage.
Control a printer
Direct a display
Control another device
Generate sounds
Initiate transmission of information
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16. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Secondary Storage Devices
Secondary Storage (Auxiliary Storage): A storage medium that is external to the computer, but that can be read by the computer; a way of storing data and information outside the computer itself.
Diskettes
Zip Disks
Hard Disks
Optical Disks
Magnetic Tape
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17. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Secondary Storage Devices (Continued)
Magnetic Disks: A general term referring to two types of storage disk: the flexible/floppy disk and the hard disk.
Zip Disks: Similar to diskettes, but housed in a hard plastic case. These disks can store 70 to 175 times more and can store and retrieve data more quickly than diskettes.
Read Only: A type of disk that information can be read from but not written onto.
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18. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Secondary Storage Devices (Continued)
CD-ROM disk: Short for “compact disk – read only memory,” an optical storage medium that permits storage of large amounts of information. CD-ROM disks can only be written to and cannot be erased.
Drive: The device containing a secondary storage medium’s read/write unit.
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19. Hardware: Computing, Storing and Communication Peripheral Equipment
Peripheral Equipment: A general term used for any device that is attached to a computer system.
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20. Programs: In Charge of the Hardware Definition
Software: The general term for a set of instructions that controls a computer or a communications network.
Program: A set of instructions that directs a computer to perform certain tasks and produce certain results.
Communication Program: A program that manages the interaction between a computer system and a communications network and the transmission of data, programs, and information over the network.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

21. Programs: In Charge of the Hardware Definition (Continued)
Operating System: A combination of programs that coordinates the actions of a computer, including its peripheral devices and memory. For example, DOS (Disk Operating System), and Windows.
Graphic User Interface (GUI): A link to an operating system that allows users to use icons rather than command words to start processing.
Interface: The means by which a person interacts with a computer.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

22. Programs: In Charge of the Hardware Software Packages
Software Package: An application that focuses on a particular subject, such as word processing, and is sold to businesses and the general public.
Documentation: An instruction manual that accompanies software. Also, a technical, detailed written description of the specific facts of a program.
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23. Programs: In Charge of the Hardware Software Packages (Continued)
Spreadsheet: A table of columns and rows used by people responsible for tracking revenues, expenses, profits, and losses.
Word-processing (WP) Program: A program that allows the user to enter, change (edit), move, store, and print text information.
Desktop Publishing (DTP) Program: A program that combines text and image-handling features with document-design capabilities.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

24. Programs: In Charge of the Hardware Software Packages
Graphics Presentation Program: A program that translates data into visual representations using charts, graphs, and map.
Photo Editing Program: A program used to touch up, remove, or add features to a digital version of photographs.
Illustration Program: A program in which the computer screen becomes a drawing board on which artists translate their ideas into visual form.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

25. Programs: In Charge of the Hardware Software Packages (Continued)
Database Management Program: A program that makes it possible for users to manage the data in ways that increase accessibility and productivity.
Database: A collection of data and information describing items of interest to an organization.
Browser: Client computer program designed to locate and display information on the World Wide Web.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

26. Programs: In Charge of the Hardware Software Packages (Continued)
Information System or Management Information System (MIS): A business information system designed to produce the information needed for successful management of a structured problem, process, department, or business.
Transaction Processing: A shared business information system that uses a combination of information technology and manual procedures to process data and information and to manage transactions.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

27. Programs: In Charge of the Hardware Software Packages (Continued)
Computer Programming Language: A series of commands or codes that a computer can translate into the electronic pulses that underlie all computing activities.
Utility Program (Utilities): Special programs used to perform tasks that occur repeatedly using processing.
Custom Software: Software written specially for a particular business.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

28. Programs: In Charge of the Hardware Software Trends
Greater use of prewritten software packages.
Greater user of prewritten components.
Object-oriented Programming: Software development combining data and procedures into a single object.
Object: A component that contains data about itself and how it is to be processed.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

29. Information: The Reason for Using Information Technology Definition
Information: An organized, meaningful, and useful interpretation of data.
Data
Text
Sound
Images
Data: Raw facts, figures, and details.
Spoken Information: Information that is conveyed by sound.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

30. Information: The Reason for Using Information Technology Definition (Continued)
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31. People: Users and Creators of IT Applications Users
User (End User): The people who uses IT in their jobs or personal lives.
Hands-on users
Indirect end users
User managers
Senior managers
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32. People: Users and Creators of IT Applications Information Technology Professionals
Information Technology Professional: A person who is responsible for acquiring, developing, maintaining, or operating the hardware associated with computers and communications networks.
Programmers
Systems Analysts
System Designers
Web Designers
Project Managers
Network Specialists
Trainers
Computer Operators
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33. People: Users and Creators of IT Applications Information Technology Professionals (Continued)
Programmer/Analyst: A person who has joint responsibility for determining system requirements and developing and implementing the systems.
Data Center (Computer Center): A facility at which large and midrange computer systems are located. These systems are shared by many users who are interconnected with the system through communications links.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

34. People: Users and Creators of IT Applications Information Technology Professionals (Continued)
Computer Engineer: An IT professional who designs, develops, and oversees the manufacturing of computer equipment.
Systems Engineer: An IT professional who installs and maintains hardware.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

35. Procedures: Processes to Use and Maintain IT Procedures
Procedure: A step-by-step process or a set of instructions for accomplishing specific results.
Operations
Backup and Recovery
Security
Development
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36. Procedures: Processes to Use and Maintain IT Procedures (Continued)
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

37. Procedures: Processes to Use and Maintain IT Procedures (Continued)
Operations Procedure: A procedure that describes how a computer system or application is used, how often it can be used, who is authorized to use it, and where the results of processing should go.
Backup Procedure: A procedure that describes how and when to make extra copies of information or software to protect against losses.
Recovery Procedure: An action taken when information or software must be restored.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

38. Procedures: Processes to Use and Maintain IT Procedures (Continued)
Security Procedure: A procedure designed to safeguard data centers, communications networks, computers, and other IT components from accidental intrusion or intentional damage.
Security Software: Software that is designed to protect systems and data.
Development Procedure: A procedure that explains how IT professionals should describe user needs and develop applications to meet those needs.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

39. An Introduction to Systems Definition
System: A set of components that interact to accomplish a purpose.
Single-User System (Personal Computer): An IT system used by only one person. A system that stands alone and is not interconnected with other companies or shared by other people.
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall

40. An Introduction to Systems Definition (Continued)
Multi-user System: A communication system in which more than one user share hardware, programs, information, people, and procedures.
To share a computer
To share hardware
To share software
To share information
To share communications
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41. Information Processing Information Processing Activities Associated with Information-handling Functions
Capture
Input
Upload/Download
Uploading: The process by which information is sent from a PC to a mainframe.
Downloading: The transfer of information from a central system to a desktop computer.
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42. Information Processing Information Processing Activities Associated with Information-handling Functions (Continued)
Processing
Compute
Update
Batch Processing: The grouping and processing of all transactions at one time.
Real-time Processing: The processing of each transaction as it occurs.
Classify
Sort
Summarize
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43. Information Processing Information Processing Activities Associated with Information-handling Functions (Continued)
Generate
Output
Issue
Storage and Retrieval
Inquire
Store
Retrieve
Transmit
Adapted from Pearson Prentice Hall