Lecture 01

Introduction to Computers and
Information Technology
Discovering
Computers 2012
Your Interactive Guide to
the Digital World
National University of Modern Languages

Information and Technology
• Information technology (IT) is a general term that describes

any technology that helps to produce, manipulate, store,
communicate, and/or disseminate information
• IT merges computing with high-speed communications links
carrying data, sound, and video.
• Examples
– Telephones
– Televisions
– Appliances
– Various handheld devices
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 2

Information and Technology
Two different parts of information technology

Computer Technology
Programmable, multiuse machine that accepts
data—raw facts and figures—and processes, or
manipulates, it into information we can use
Communication Technology
Also called telecommunications technology ,
consists of electromagnetic devices and systems
for communicating over long distances
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 3
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 machine, operating

under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory
Collects Produces
data Processing informatio
(input) n (output)
Information Processing Cycle
Page 6 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 5

What Is a Computer?
Page 6 6
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
System Unit • Case that contains the electronic components of the computer
that are used to process data
Storage Device • Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from
storage media
• Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions,

Communications Device and information to and from one or more computers or
mobile devices
Pages 6 - 8 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 7

The Components of a Computer
Page 7 8
Figure 1-3
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers
Health
Speed Risks
Violation of
Reliability Privacy
Public
Consistency
Safety
Impact on
Storage Labor Force
Communica Impact on
tions Environment

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

Figure 1-6
• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that

connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals
Page 11 11
Figure 1-7
• People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:

Communicate Research and Access Information Shop
Bank and Invest Online Trading Entertainment
Download Videos Share Information Web Application
Pages 12 - 13 12
Figure 1-8
• A social networking Web site encourages

members to share their interests, ideas, stories,
photos, music, and videos with other registered
users
Page 14 13
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 14
Figures 1-10 - 1-11
Computer Software
• Installing is the process of setting up software to

work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware
Pages 16 - 17 15
Figure 1-12
Computer Software
• A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information

Figure 1-13
Categories of Computers

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
Pages 19 - 20 18
Figures 1-15 - 1-16
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
Personal computer you can carry from place to place Computing device small enough to hold in your hand
Examples include smart phones and PDAs, e-book readers, handheld computers, portable media players, and digital
Examples include notebook computers, laptop computers, netbooks, ultra-thins, and Tablet PCs cameras
Mobile Mobile
Computer Device

Notebook computer
Tablet PC
Smart phones and PDAs
E-book reader
Pages 20 - 22 20
Figures 1-17 – 1-20
Handheld computer
Portable media player
Digital camera
Pages 22 - 23 21
Figures 1-21 – 1-23
Game Consoles
• A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games

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

Figure 1-25
Mainframes
• A mainframe is a large,
expensive, powerful
computer that can
handle hundreds or
thousands of connected
users simultaneously

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
Page 25 25
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
Electronics Devices Automobiles and Robotics and Office Machines
•Remote
•Mobile and
digital
•Thermostats
•Sprinkling
•Antilock
monitoring
•Keyboa
brakes
telephones
•Digital televisions systems •Engine systems
•Power
rds
•Security control
•Cameras
•Video recorders monitoring modules
monitors •Printers
•Machine
•DVD players and
recorders
systems •Airbag
controller
controllers •Faxes
•Answering •Appliances •Medical
machines •Lights •Cruise control
devices •Copiers
Embedded Computers
Page 26 27
Figure 1-28
Elements of an Information System
Hardware Software
Data People
Elements of an Information System
Page 27 29
Figure 1-29
Examples of Computer Usage
Home User Small Office/Home Mobile User

• Personal financial Office User • Connect to other
management • Look up computers on a
• Web access network or the
information
Internet
• Communications • Send and receive • Transfer information
• Entertainment e-mail messages • Play video games
• Make telephone • Listen to music
calls • Watch movies
Pages 28 – 31 30
Figures 1-30 – 1-32
Examples of Computer Usage
Power User Enterprise User

• Work with • Communicate
multimedia among
• Use industry- employees
specific software • Process high
volumes of
transactions
• Blog
Pages 31 – 32 31
Figures 1-33 – 1-34
Computer Applications in Society
Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Pages 34 - 36 32
Figures 1-36 – 1-39
Computer Applications in Society
Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
Pages 36 - 38 33
Figures 1-40 – 1-43

Lecture 01

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture 01

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Introduction to Computers and

National University of Modern Languages

• Information technology (IT) is a general term that describes

Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 2

Two different parts of information technology

• Computers are everywhere

• A computer is an electronic machine, operating

Information Processing Cycle

Page 6 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 5

• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and

Output Device • Hardware component that conveys information to one or

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

Pages 6 - 8 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 7

Pages 9 - 10 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 9

Pages 10 - 11 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 10

• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that

• People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:

Bank and Invest Online Trading Entertainment

Download Videos Share Information Web Application

• A social networking Web site encourages

• Software, also called a program, tells the

• Installing is the process of setting up software to

Page 18 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 16

Page 19 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 17

• A personal computer can perform all of its input,

Pages 20 - 23 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 19

Smart phones and PDAs

Portable media player

Page 24 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 22

• A server controls access

Page 25 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 23

Page 25 Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1 24

• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful

• An embedded computer is a special-purpose

Home User Small Office/Home Mobile User

Power User Enterprise User

You might also like