Chapter 1

Introduction to Computer

Learning Objectives

Recognize
Recognizethe
theimportance
importanceof
of
computer
computerliteracy
literacy
Identify
Identifythe
thecomponents
componentsof
of
aacomputer
computer
Discuss
Discussthe
theuses
usesof
ofthe
theInternet
Internetand
and
World
WorldWide
WideWeb
Web
Identify
Identifythe
thecategories
categoriesof
ofsoftware
software

Describe
Describethe
thecategories
categoriesof
ofcomputers
computers
Identify
Identifythe
thetypes
typesof
of
computer
computerusers
users
Discuss
Discussvarious
variouscomputer
computer
applications
applicationsin
insociety
society

A World of Computers
Computer literacy

Knowledge and understanding

of computers and their uses
Computers are everywhere

What Is a Computer?
Computer

Electronic device operating under the control of

instructions stored in its own memory

Accepts data
Raw facts, figures, and
symbols

Processes data into

information
Data that is organized,
meaningful, and useful

Produces and stores results

What Is a Computer?
The information processing cycle

Input
Process
Output
Storage
Communication

The Components of a Computer

a) Input device

Hardware used
to enter data
and instructions

The Components of a Computer

b) Output device

Hardware that
conveys
information
to one or more
people

The Components of a Computer

c) The system unit

Case containing
electronic
components of
the computer
that are used to
process data

The Components of a Computer

Two main components on the motherboard
Processor
Also called a Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The electronic component that interprets and carries
out the basic instructions that operate the computer

Memory
Consists of electronic components that store
instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by
those instructions
9

The Components of a Computer

d) Storage

Holds data, instructions, and information

for future use
Storage
Storagemedia
media

Physical
Physicalmaterial
materialon
onwhich
whichdata,
data,instructions,
instructions,
and
andinformation
informationare
arestored
stored

Storage
Storagedevice
device

Records
Recordsand
andretrieves
retrievesitems
itemstotoand
andfrom
from
aastorage
storagemedium
medium

10

The Components of a Computer

Storage media
HardDisks

CDs

USBFlashDrives

MemoryCards

DVDs
11

The Components of a Computer

Storage device
Retrieves
Retrieves
(reads)
Records(writes)
(reads)
Records(writes)
itemstostorage
itemsfrom
itemstostorage
itemsfrom
media
storage
media
storage
media
media
Oftenfunction
Oftenfunction
asasource
asasource
ofinput
ofinput

12

The Components of a Computer

USB flash drive

Portablestoragedevice
Portablestoragedevice

Smallandlightweightenough
Smallandlightweightenough
tobetransportedonakeychain
tobetransportedonakeychain
orinapocket
orinapocket

TheaverageUSBflashdrive
TheaverageUSBflashdrive
canholdabout500million
canholdabout500million
characters
characters

13

The Components of a Computer

hard disk

Provides greater storage

capacity than a
USB flash drive

Most are housed inside

of the system unit

14

The Components of a Computer

compact disc

Flat, round, portable metal disc

CD-ROM
DVD-ROM

15

The Components of a Computer

e) Communications device
Hardwarecomponentthat
Hardwarecomponentthat
enablesacomputerto
enablesacomputerto
sendandreceivedata,instructions,
sendandreceivedata,instructions,
andinformation
andinformation
Occursovercables,telephone
Occursovercables,telephone
lines,cellularradionetworks,
lines,cellularradionetworks,
satellites,andother
satellites,andother
transmissionmedia
transmissionmedia
16

Advantages and Disadvantages of

Using Computers
The advantages of using computers

Speed

Reliability

Storage

Consistency

Communications

17

Advantages and Disadvantages of

Using Computers
The disadvantages of using computers

Violationof
Privacy
Impacton
LaborForce

PublicSafety

HealthRisks

Impacton
Environment

18

Networks and the Internet

Network
Collection of computers and devices connected
together
Used
Usedto
toshare
share
Resources
Resources
Hardware
Hardware
devices
devices Software
Software
programs
programs

Data
Data

To
Tosave
save
time
Information
Information time
and
and
money
money
19

Networks and the Internet

Internet

Worldwide collection of networks that connects

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

20

Networks and the Internet

Why do users access the Internet?
1. Communications
2. Information
3. Shopping
4. Banking and Investing
5. Classes
6. Entertainment
7. Download Music
8. Share Information

21

Networks and the Internet

Web

Billions of documents, called Web pages, available to

anyone connected to the Internet

AAWeb
Website
siteisis
aacollection
collectionof
of
related
relatedWeb
Webpages
pages

Youcanshare
Youcanshare
informationonasocial
informationonasocial
networkingWebsite
networkingWebsite

AAWeb
Webpage
pagecontains
contains
text,
text,graphics,
graphics,audio,
audio,
video,
video,and
andlinks
linkstoto
other
otherWeb
Webpages
pages

AApodcast
podcastisis
recorded
recordedaudio
audio
stored
storedon
onaaWeb
Website
site
that
thatcan
canbe
be
downloaded
downloaded

AAblog
blogconsistsoftime
consistsoftime
stampedarticlesin
stampedarticlesin
ajournalformat
ajournalformat

22

Computer Software
Software

Consistsofaseries
Consistsofaseries
ofinstructionsthat
ofinstructionsthat
tellsthecomputer
tellsthecomputer
whattodoand
whattodoand
howtodoit
howtodoit

Alsocalleda
Alsocalleda
program
program

23

Computer Software
Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Allows you to
interact with the
software using
graphics and visual
images such as
icons
Controls how you
enter data and
instructions and
how the screen
displays
information

24

Computer Software
System software

Programs that control or maintain the operations of

the computer and its devices

Operating
OperatingSystem
System(OS)
(OS)
isisaaset
setof
ofprograms
programs
that
thatcoordinates
coordinatesall
all
activities
activitiesamong
among
computer
computerhardware
hardware
devices
devices

Utility
UtilityPrograms
Programsallow
allowthe
theuser
usertoto
perform
performmaintenance-type
maintenance-typetasks
tasks
usually
usuallyrelated
relatedtotomanaging
managingaa
computer,
computer,its
itsdevices
devicesor
orits
itsprograms
programs

25

Computer Software
Application software

Programs designed to make

users more productive
Word
Processing

Spreadsheet

Database

Presentation
Graphics

26

Computer Software
How do you install and run programs?
Step1:INSTALL
Whenyouinsertagreeting
cardprogramdisc
intheCDdriveforthefirst
time,thecomputer
beginstheprocedureof
installingthegreeting
cardprogramonthehard
disk.
Step3:USE
Thegreetingcardprogram
executes.Usingthisprogram,
youcancreatecustomgreeting
cards.

Step2:RUN
Onceinstalled,youcan
instructthecomputertorun
thegreetingcardprogram.
Thecomputertransfers
instructionsfromthehard
disktomemory.
27

Computer Software
Programmer

Someone who develops

application or system
software

Programmer writes
the instructions to
direct the computer to
process data into
information

28

Categories of Computers
Categories of computers
PersonalComputers
(desktop)
MobileComputersand
MobileDevices
GameConsoles
Servers
Mainframes
Supercomputers
EmbeddedComputers
29

a) Personal Computers
Two most popular series of personal computers

PC and compatibles
use the Windows
operating system

Apple Macintosh
usually uses the
Macintosh operating
system (Mac OS X)

30

Personal Computers
Desktop computer

Designed so all of the components fit on or under

a desk or table

31

b) Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices
Notebook computer

Portable, small enough

to fit on your lap
Also called a laptop
computer
Generally more
expensive than desktop
computers with equal
capabilities

32

Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices
Tablet PC

Resembles a letter-sized slate

Allows you to write on the
screen using a digital pen
Especially useful for taking
notes

33

Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices
Handheld computer
Small
enough to fit
in one
hand

Sometimes referred to
as an ultra-personal
computer (uPC), or an
Ultra-Mobile PC
(UMPC), or a handtop
computer
34

Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

Provides personal organizer functions

Calendar
Appointment book
Address book
Calculator
Notepad

35

Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices
Smart phones

Asmartphoneis
anInternetenabled
telephonethatusually
providesPDAcapabilities

36

c) Game Consoles
Game consoles
Mobilecomputingdevicedesignedfor
singleplayerormultiplayervideogames

37

d) Servers
Types of servers are there
A server controls access to network
resources and provides centralized
storage
Mainframe Very powerful,
expensive computer that supports
thousands of connected users
Supercomputer The fastest, most
powerful, most expensive
computer. Used for applications
requiring complex mathematical
calculations
38

Embedded Computers
Embedded computer

A special-purpose computer that functions as a

component in a larger product

39

Examples of Computer Usage

Software is available for a home user
Personal Finance Management
Web access
Communications
Entertainment

40

Examples of Computer Usage

Software is available for a small office/home
office (SOHO) user

Productivity
software
Specialty
software
Web usage
E-mail

41

Examples of Computer Usage

What is available for
a mobile user?

Hardware

Notebook computers
Tablet PCs
Internet-enabled PDAs
Smart phone

Software

Word processing
Spreadsheet
Presentation graphics
software

42

Examples of Computer Usage

The needs of a power user

Extremely fast processors

Types of power users

Engineers
Scientists
Architects
Desktop publishers
Graphic artists

43

Examples of Computer Usage

The needs of the large business user

Payroll
Inventory
E-commerce
Desktop
publishing

44

Computer Applications in
Society

Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing

45

Summary

The
Thecomputer
computerand
andits
itscomponents
components
What
Whatisisaanetwork?
network?

Categories
Categoriesof
ofcomputers
computers
Types
Typesof
ofcomputer
computerusers
users

The
TheInternet
Internet
Computer
Computerapplications
applicationsin
insociety
society
Types
Typesof
ofsoftware
software

46