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INTRODUCTION
TO
COMPUTERS
What Is a Computer?
What is a computer?
An electronic machine,
operating under the
control of instructions
stored in its own memory
accepts data
manipulates the data
according to specified
rules
produces results
stores the results for
future use
Next
What is a Computer?
Data
Collection of raw
unprocessed
facts, figures,
and symbols
Information
Next
Data that is
organized,
meaningful,
and useful
What is a Computer?
Who is a user?
Next
Someone that
communicates with a
computer
Examples of Computer
Usage
What
is the
digital divide?
Idea that
you can
Next
separate people of
the world into two
distinct groups
Those who have
access to
technology with
the ability to use it
Those who do not
have access to
technology or are
without the ability
to use it
What is a Computer?
What are hardware and software?
Hardware
The electric,
electronic, and
mechanical equipment
that makes up a
computer
Next
Software
The series of
instructions that
tells the hardware
how to perform
tasks
What is a Computer?
What is the
information
processing
cycle?
Process
Input
Any data or
instructions you
enter into a
computer
Manipulate the
input (data) to
produce output
(information)
Output
Communication
The capability of
communicating
with other
computers
Next
Storage
Area in a
computer that
can hold data
and information
for future use
Limitations or Disadvantages:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
PC camera
system unit
printer
speaker
monitor
keyboard
modem
scanner
mouse
Next
microphone
digital camera
Any hardware component that allows a user to enter data and instructions into a
computer
microphone
PC camera
keyboard
scanner
Next
mouse
digital
camera
monitor
printer
Next
speakers
Next
Storage Device
Storage Medium
Physical material
Next
on which a
computer keeps
the data,
instructions and
information
Records and
retrieves items to
and from a storage
medium
Devices often
function as source of
input because they
transfer items from
storage into memory
Reliability
Dependable because
components have a
low failure rate so
they produce
consistent results
Accuracy
Next
Speed
Billions of
operations can
be carried out
in a single
second
Communications
Two connected
computers can share
stored data, instructions,
and information
Categories of Computers
Personal Computers
What is a personal computer?
One Input
device
One output
device
One storage
device
Next
Memory
A processor
Microprocessor
The single chip
that performs
all the
processing
functions on a
personal
computer
Two major
categories
Desktop
Notebook
Personal Computers
What are the two most popular series of
personal computers?
Personal Computers
Next
Designed so the
system unit, input
devices, output
devices, and any
other devices fit
entirely on or
under a desk or
table
Personal Computers
Next
Personal Computers
What are some
desktop computer
All-in-one
variations?
computer
Less expensive
desktop that
combines the
monitor and
system unit
into a single
device
Next
Personal Computers
What are some
desktop computer
Workstation
variations?
More expensive and powerful
Next
Personal Computers
What are some
desktop computer
variations?
Server
Powerful desktop that
manages the
resources on a
network
Clients or workstations
Other computers on
network that access
the contents of the
storage area on the
servers
Next
Personal Computers
Also called a
What is a notebook computer?
laptop
Portable,
personal
computer small
enough to fit on
your lap
Generally more
expensive than a
desktop
computer with
Next equal
capabilities
Handheld Computers
What is a handheld computer?
Also called a
palmtop computer
Small computer that
fits in your hand
Next
Handheld Computers
How do you input data with
a handheld computer?
Next
Handheld
One
of the most Computers
popular
What
is a personal digital assistant
handheld
(PDA)?
computers in use
today
Provides
personal
organizer
functions
Calendar
Appointment
book
Address book
Next
Calculator
Notepad
Internet Appliances
What is an Internet appliance or
information appliance?
Next
Computer
with limited
functionality
whose main
purpose is to
connect to
the Internet
from home
Mainframe
A mainframe is a large, expensive,
powerful computer that can handle
hundreds or thousands of connected
users simultaneously. Mainframes
store tremendous amounts of data,
instructions, and information. Most
major corporations use mainframes for
business activities. With mainframes,
enterprises are able to bill millions of
customers, prepare payroll for
Supercomputers
What is a supercomputer?
Next
Able to
process
more than 12
trillion
instructions
per second
Supercomputer
A supercomputer is the fastest, most
powerful computer and the most
expensive. The fastest supercomputers are
capable of processing more than one
quadrillion instructions in a single second.
With weights that exceed 100 tons, these
computers can store more than 20,000
times the data and information of an
average desktop computer. Applications
requiring complex, sophisticated
mathematical calculations use
supercomputers. Large-scale simulations
Examples of Computer
Usage
Mobile
Large Business
Power
Next
Examples of Computer
Usage
research
Web access
Next
Examples of Computer
Usage
How do computer companies
accommodate children?
Next
Computer Software
Allows you
to input data
and stores it
in memory
Next
Uses data in
memory in
calculations
Directs
computer to
perform
alternative
operations
Displays
information
on monitor
Compares
values stored
in memory
Prints a
report
Stores
information
on disk
Computer Software
What is software installation?
Next
Computer Software
What is system software?
Next
Programs that control the operations of the computer and its devices
Operating System
(OS)
Utility program
Set of programs
containing instructions
that coordinate all the
activities among
computer hardware
devices
Type of system
software that performs
a specific task, usually
related to managing a
computer, its devices,
or its programs
Computer Software
What is the user interface?
Next
Computer Software
What is a graphical user interface
(GUI)?
Allows you to interact with the software using visual images such as icons
An icon is a
small image
that represents
a program, an
instruction, or
some other
object
Next
icons
icons
Computer Software
What is application software?
Suite
Word
processing
software
Collection of popular
individual software
applications bundled
together as a single unit
Spreadsheet
software
Next
Database
software
Presentation
graphics
software