COMPUTER

• A computer is an electronic device that

manipulates information, or data. It has the
ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You
may already know that you can use
a computer to type documents, send email, play
games, and browse the Web.
 What Is a Computer?

How is a computer defined?

 Electronic device operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory

The computer
first, Accepts data such as raw facts, figures, and symbol

then, Processes data into information

(Data that is organized, meaningful, and useful )
finally, Produces and stores results

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 Data Processing
What is the information processing cycle?
Input

Process

Output Storage

Communication

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 Categories of Computers
What are the categories of computers?

Personal computers (desktop)

Mobile computers and mobile devices
Midrange servers
Mainframe computers
Supercomputers

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 Personal Computers
What are the two most popular series of personal
computers?
 PC and compatibles  Apple Macintosh
use the Windows uses the Macintosh
operating system operating system
(Mac OS)

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 Personal Computers
What is a desktop computer?
 Designed so all of the components fit on or under
a desk or table

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 Personal Computers
What is a notebook computer?
 Portable, small enough to fit on
your lap(2 lbs to 9 lbs )

 Also called a laptop

 Generally more expensive than

a desktop computer

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 Handheld Computers
What is a personal digital assistant (PDA)?

 Provides personal organizer functions

 Calendar
 Appointment book
 Address book
 Calculator
 Notepad

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 Servers
What types of servers are there?
Midrange server Powerful, large
computer that supports up to a few
thousand computers

Mainframe Very powerful,

expensive computer that supports
thousands of computers

Supercomputer The fastest, most

powerful, most expensive
computer. Used for applications
requiring complex mathematical
calculations

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 Examples of Computer Usage
What are categories of computer users?

Home Small Office/

Home Office

Mobile Large Business

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 Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a home user?

• Web access
• Entertainment
• Communications

• Personal finance management

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 Examples of Computer Usage
What software is available for a small
office/home office (SOHO) user?

 Local area network (LAN)

 Productivity software

 Specialty software

 Web usage

 E-mail
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 Examples of Computer Usage
What is available for
a mobile user?
 Hardware Notebook
computers
 Software
 Productivity
 Presentation
 Personal Handheld computers
information
manager

Web-enabled cellular
phones

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 Examples of Computer Usage
What are the needs of the large business user?

 Web access
 Public kiosk
 Telecommunication
 Network
 Accounting
 Marketing

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 Examples of Computer Usage
What are the needs of a power user?
 Speed and large amounts of storage
 Types of power users

 Engineers
 Architects
 Desktop publishers
 Graphic artists

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 Computer Applications in Society
What are some examples
of computer applications
in society?
 Education
 Finance
 Government
 Healthcare
 Science
 Publishing
 Travel
 Industry

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 Hardware and Software
• Computer hardware is any physical device used
in or with your machine, whereas software is a
collection of programming code installed on
your computer's hard drive.
• In other words, hardware is something you can
hold in your hand, whereas software cannot be
held in your hand. You can touch hardware, but
you cannot touch software. Hardware is 
physical, and software is virtual.
 HARDWARE and SOFTWARE

• Hardware: The physical components of the

computer are known as ―Hardware. It refers
to the objects that we can actually touch.
• Ex: input and output devices, processors,
circuits and the cables.
 HARDWARE and SOFTWARE
• Software: Software is a program or set of
instructions that causes the Hardware to
function in a desired way.
There are five categories of software. They are:
1. Operating System
2. Translators
3. Utility programs
4. Application programs
5. General purpose programs