1. Intro. to Computer Applications Instructor: Blase B. Cindric Mount Union College Spring Semester, 2002 MWF 12:00 noon - 12:50 pm KHIC 112

2. What is a Computer System? System –a group of related components working together to solve some problem Computer System –a system with a computer acting as a major component

3. Components of all Computer Systems Hardware –actual machines that make up the computer Software –also called programs or applications –instructions for the hardware to follow Data –raw material to be processed by system

4. Components of all Computer Systems Personnel –Users –Support Staff (programmers, help desk, etc.) –Management Documentation –instructions for personnel to follow –users manuals, help screens, etc.

5. Computers are General-Purpose Problem Solving Devices Software determines the specific problem to be solved Different programs cause the machine to act as a different device Data and keystrokes have various meanings in different programs –trend: uniform user-interface structure (menus, hot keys, etc.)

6. Typical Microcomputer Applications Word Processing –computer acts as a text manipulating device (fancy typewriter) Spreadsheet –computer as pencil, paper and calculator Database Management –computer as electronic filing cabinet

7. Typical Microcomputer Applications Data Communications –computer as communications agent –Local-Area Networks –The Internet (e-mail, World-Wide Web, etc.) Presentation Graphics –computer as multi-media slide-show projector Software Development –programming language –how new software is created

8. Essential Aspects of Computing Process Input –data moves from outside world into computer hardware Processing –computer converts raw input data into results Output –results of processing sent back to outside world Storage –data and results stored in computer-readable format

9. Hardware Devices Input Devices –Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Scanner, …. Processing Devices –CPU, Memory chips Output Devices –Screen, Printers, Speaker, Robot Arm, …. Storage Devices –disks, CD-ROM, CD-RW, ….

10. Programming Languages Input Commands Processing Commands –add, multiply, etc. Output Commands Storage Commands –save, open, retrieve, etc.

11. Intro. to Computer Applications Instructor: Blase B. Cindric Mount Union College Spring Semester, 2002 MWF 12:00 noon - 12:50 pm KHIC 112