Chapter 1

Basic Introduction to Computers

Discovering
Computers 2012
Your Interactive Guide
to the Digital World
Objectives Overview

Define the term,

Explain why computer computer, and describe Describe the five
literacy is vital to the relationship components of a
success in today’s world between data and computer
information

Discuss the advantages

Define the term,
and disadvantages that Discuss the uses of the
network, and identify
users experience when Internet and World
benefits of sharing
working with Wide Web
resources on a network
computers

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Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
for Detailed Objectives
Objectives Overview

Distinguish between system Differentiate among types, Describe the role of each
software and application sizes, and functions of element in an information
software computers in each category system

Explain how home users,

Discuss how society uses
small office/home office
computers in education,
users, mobile users, power
finance, government, health
users, and enterprise users
care, science, publishing,
each interact with
travel, and manufacturing
computers

See Page 3 3
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
for Detailed Objectives
A World of Computers

• Computers are everywhere

Pages 4 - 5 4
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-1
What Is a Computer?

• A computer is an electronic device, operating

under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory that can accept data, process the data
according to specified rules, produce results, and
store the results for future use.

Collects Produces
data Processing information
(input) (output)

Information Processing Cycle

Page 6 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 5

data and information

• Data is a collection of unprocessed items,

• which can include text, numbers, images, audio,
• and video. Information conveys meaning and
• is useful to people.

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 6

What Is a Computer?

Page 6 7
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-2
The Components of a Computer

• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and

mechanical components known as hardware
Input Device • Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer

Output Device • Hardware component that conveys information to one or more people

• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that

System Unit are used to process data

• Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage

Storage Device media

Communications • Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and

Device information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices

Pages 6 - 8 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 8

The Components of a Computer

Page 7 9
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-3
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers

Speed Health Risks

Reliability Violation of Privacy

Consistency Public Safety

Storage Impact on Labor Force

Communications Impact on Environment

Pages 9 - 10 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 10

Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
• Green computing involves reducing the electricity
consumed and environmental waste generated when
using a computer
• Strategies include:
– Recycling
– Regulating manufacturing processes
– Extending the life of computers
– Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers

Page 10 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 11

Networks and the Internet

• A network is a
collection of computers
and devices connected
together, often
wirelessly, via
communications
devices and
transmission media

Pages 10 - 11 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 12

Figure 1-6
Networks and the Internet

• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that

connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals

Page 11 13
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-7
Networks and the Internet

• People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:

Communicate Research and Shop Bank and Invest Online Trading

Access Information

Entertainment Download Videos Share Information Web Application

Pages 12 - 13 14
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-8
Networks and the Internet

• A social networking Web site encourages

members to share their interests, ideas, stories,
photos, music, and videos with other registered
users

Page 14 15
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-9
Computer Software

• Software, also called a program, tells the

computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them
System Software
• Operating system
• Utility program

Application Software

Pages 15 - 16 16
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-10 - 1-11
Computer Software

• System software
– control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices.
– interface between the user, the application software, and the
computer’s hardware.
– Operating system
• coordinates all the activities among computer hardware devices.
– Utility program
• user to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to
managing a computer, its devices, or its programs
• Application software
– consists of programs designed to make users more productive and/ or assist
them with personal task
17
System software Application Software
•General purpose Specific purpose
•Manage computer resources •Solve particular problem
•Execute all the time •Execute when required
•Number of system software is less •Number of application software
than application software more than system software
•Essential for a computer to work •Not essential for a computer to
•Machine dependent work
•Interact with hardware directly •Machine independent
•Example: operating system, •Interact with hardware indirectly
compiler through system calls provided by
system software
•Example: paint and ms word

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 18

Computer Software

• Installing is the process of setting up software to

work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware

Pages 16 - 17 19
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-12
Computer Software

• A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information

Page 18 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 20

Figure 1-13
Categories of Computers
Personal computers

Mobile computers and mobile devices

Game consoles

Servers

Mainframes

Supercomputers

Embedded computers

Page 19 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 21

Personal Computers
• A personal computer can perform all of its input,
processing, output, and storage activities by itself
• Two popular architectures are the PC and the Apple
– Desktop computer
• Two types of personal computers are desktop computers
and notebook computers.

Pages 19 - 20 22
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-15 - 1-16
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Mobile Mobile
Computer Device
Personal computer you Computing device small
can carry from place to enough to hold in your
place hand

Examples include smart

Examples include
phones and PDAs, e-
notebook computers,
book readers, handheld
laptop computers,
computers, portable
netbooks, ultra-thins,
media players, and
and Tablet PCs
digital cameras

Pages 20 - 23 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 23

Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Notebook computer

Tablet PC

Smart phones and PDAs

E-book reader

Pages 20 - 22 24
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-17 – 1-20
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Handheld computer

Portable media player

Digital camera

Pages 22 - 23 25
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-21 – 1-23
Game Consoles

• A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games

Page 24 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 26

Figure 1-24
Servers

• A server controls access

to the hardware,
software, and other
resources on a network
– Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information

Page 25 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 27

Figure 1-25
Mainframes

• A mainframe is a large,
expensive, powerful
computer that can
handle hundreds or
thousands of connected
users simultaneously

Page 25 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 28

Figure 1-26
Supercomputers

• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful

computer
– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions in a single
second

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Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-27
Embedded Computers

• An embedded computer is a special-purpose

computer that functions as a component in a
larger product
Consumer Home Automation Process Controllers Computer Devices
Automobiles
Electronics Devices and Robotics and Office Machines
• Mobile and digital • Thermostats • Antilock brakes • Remote monitoring • Keyboards
telephones • Sprinkling systems • Engine control systems • Printers
• Digital televisions • Security modules • Power monitors • Faxes
• Cameras monitoring systems • Airbag controller • Machine • Copiers
• Video recorders • Appliances • Cruise control controllers
• DVD players and • Lights • Medical devices
recorders
• Answering
machines

Page 26 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 30

Embedded Computers

Page 26 31
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figure 1-28
Computer Applications in Society

Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Pages 34 - 36 32
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-36 – 1-39
Computer Applications in Society

Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
Pages 36 - 38 33
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1
Figures 1-40 – 1-43
Summary

Basic computer Components of a

concepts computer

Many different
categories of
Networks, the Internet,
computers, computer
and computer software
users, and computer
applications in society
Page 39 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 34
 Chapter 1
Basic Introduction to Computers

Discovering
Computers 2012
Your Interactive Guide
to the Digital World
Chapter 1 Complete
Resources

• Video lectures:
1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQCkGfCghyI&t=45
s
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1mapbfESvM

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 36