Computers

A. History:
○ Developed in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s
○ 1971: Dr. Ted Hoff (microprocessor)
○ 1976: Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak (apple computer)

B. What is a computer?
○ Inputs data
○ Processes data
○ Stores data in memory or storage device
○ Outputs information

C. Computer System
○ Software: applications
○ Hardware: machine (wires and transistors)
○ Information: output
○ People: users of the computer
○ Data: text, numbers, sounds, images, and video

D. Computer Operations:
○ Arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
○ Logical: comparing 2 values & taking action based on the comparison

E. Categories of Computers:
○ Special Purpose: used to control devices
○ General Purpose: based on size, function, cost, and performance
 Desktop: components fit on/under a desk
 Mobile: notebook computers and tablet pc’s
 Mid-range servers: support hundreds of users
 Mainframes: thousands of users, used by large corporations
 Supercomputers: operations requiring mathematical equations

F. Computer Software:
○ Application: performs specific tasks for users (word processing)
○ System: controls the computers OS (Windows, Linux)

G. Electronic Communications:
○ Allows computers to talk to each other and to other devices
○ 4 components:
 Sender: computer sending a message
 Receiver: computer receiving a message
 Channel: media that carries a message
 Protocol: rules that govern the processing of a message between computer

H. Network Systems:
○ Consists of multiple users who share data and resources
○ Server: where data and software programs are stored (connected to the HUB)
○ Local area network: network computers located in the same general area

I. Other types of networks:

○ Intranet: network built for employees that wouldn’t be accessible outside
○ Extranet: intranet that allow certain users to access internal networks
○ Internet: evolved from a government research project to help the military and scientists (world’s largest network)
J. Functions of Computer:
K.
○ Communications capability
○ Accuracy
○ Reliability
○ Speed
○ Storage