Chapter One

Introduction to
Computers

Discovering
Computers
Your Interactive Guide
to the Digital World

Objectives Overview

Explain why
computer literacy
is vital to success
in todays world

Define the term,

computer, and
describe the
relationship
between data and
information

Describe the five

components of a
computer

Discuss the
advantages and
disadvantages that
users experience
when working with
computers

Define the term,

network, and
identify benefits of
sharing resources
on a network

Discuss the uses of

the Internet and
World Wide Web

See Page 3
for Detailed Objectives

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

Objectives Overview

Distinguish between
system software and
application software

Differentiate among
types, sizes, and
functions of
computers in each
category

Explain how home

users, small
office/home office
users, mobile users,
power users, and
enterprise users each
interact with
computers
See Page 3
for Detailed Objectives

Describe the role of

each element in an
information system

Discuss how society

uses computers in
education, finance,
government, health
care, science,
publishing, travel, and
manufacturing

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

A World of Computers
Computers are everywhere

Pages 4 - 5
Figure 1-1

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

A World of Computers (Cont.)

Computers are used by billions of
people to communicate.
- Customers correspond with business.
Employees with other employees
and customers.
Students with classmates and teachers.
Family members and military personal
with friends.

A World of Computers (Cont.)

People use computers for

entertainments.
Sending simple notes.
Sharing photos and stories.
Drawings.
Documents, Calendars and Journals.
Music and videos.
Reading books and magazines.
Planning.

A World of Computers (Cont.)

People use computers to access to
information from around the globe.
- Local & national news.
- Weather reports.
- Sports scores.
- Airline schedules.
- Telephone directories, map and
direction.
- Form of educational material.
7

Computer Literacy / Digital

Literacy
Computer
Literacy:
Having a
current
knowledge
and
understandin
g of
computers
and their

Outline
Computers are everywhere
Computers are used for
Communication
Entertainment
Access to information

What is computer
Components of computer

Advantages / Disadvantages of using

computer
Networks and Internet
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

What Is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device,
operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own
memory

http://writer.dek-d.com/kikkuga/writer/viewlongc.php?
id=655180&chapter=1
10
10

What Is a Computer?
Information Processing Cycle.
- Computers process data (input)
into information (output).
- Computers carry out processes
using instructions.

Information Processing Cycle

Page 6

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

11

What Is a Computer?

Page 6
Figure 1-2

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

12

The Components of a
Computer
A computer contains many electric, electronic,
and mechanical components known as
hardware

Pages 6 - 8

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

13

The Components of a
Computer

Common computer hardware components include a keyboard,

mouse, microphone, scanner, Web cam, printer, monitor, speakers,
system unit,
hard disk drive, external hard disk, optical disc drive(s), USB flash
drive,
card reader/writer, memory cards, and modem.
Page 7
Figure 1-3

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

14

Outline
What is computer
Information processing cycle
Input processing output

Components of computer
Input devices, output devices, system unit,
storage devices, communication devices

Advantages / Disadvantages of using

computer
Networks and Internet
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

15

Advantages and Disadvantages

of Using Computers
Advantages of
Using Computers

Disadvantages of
Using Computers

Pages 9 - 10
Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

16

Advantages and Disadvantages

of Using Computers
Green computing involves reducing
the electricity consumed and
environmental waste generated when
using a computer.
Strategies include:
Recycling.
Regulating manufacturing processes.
Extending the life of computers.
Immediately donating or properly
disposing of replaced computers.
Page 10

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

17

Networks and the Internet

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

Pages 10 - 11
Figure 1-6

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

18

Networks and the Internet

The Internet is a worldwide collection of
networks that connects millions of businesses,
government agencies, educational
institutions, and individuals

Page 11
Figure 1-7

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

19

Networks and the Internet

People use the Internet for a variety of
reasons:

Pages 12 - 13
Figure 1-8

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

20

Networks and the Internet

A social networking Web site
encourages members to share their
interests, ideas, stories, photos, music,
and videos with other registered users

Page 14
Figure 1-9

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

21

Computer Software
Software, also called a program, tells
the computer what tasks to perform and
how to perform them

Pages 15 - 16
Figures 1-10 - 1-11

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

22

Computer Software
Installing is the process of setting up
software to work with the computer,
printer, and other hardware

Pages 16 - 17
Figure 1-12

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

23

Installing and Running

a Computer Program.
Step 1 : INSTALL
When you insert a program
disc,
such as a photo editing
program,
in the optical disc drive
for the first time, the
computer beings the
procedure of installing the
program on the hard disk.
24

Installing and Running

a Computer Program (Cont.)
Step 2 : RUN
Once installed,
you can instruct
the computer
to run the program.
The computer transfers
instructions from the hard
disk
to memory.

25

Installing and Running

a Computer Program (Cont.)

Step 3 : USE
The program executes
so that you can use it.
This program enables you
to edit photos.

26

Computer Software (Cont.)

Software Development
A programmer develops software
or writes the instructions that direct
the computer to process data
into information.
- C++
- Java
- JavaScript
- Visual C#
- Visual Basic
27

Computer Software (Cont.)

Visual Basic program instruction.

Window appears
when user runs program.
28

Last Session
Network and Internet
Computer Software

Categories of Computers
Elements of Information System
Examples of Computer Usage
Computers Applications in Society
Discovering Computers 2012: Chapter 1

29

Categories of Computers

Page 19

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

30

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
Figures 1-15 - 1-16

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

31

Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices

Pages 20 - 23

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

32

Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices

Pages 20 - 22
Figures 1-17 1-20

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

33

Mobile Computers and Mobile

Devices

Pages 22 - 23
Figures 1-21 1-23

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

34

Game Consoles
A game console is
a mobile
computing device
designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games

Page 24
Figure 1-24

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

35

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
Page 25
Figure 1-25

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

36

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

Page 25
Figure 1-26

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

37

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
Figure 1-27

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

38

Embedded Computers
An embedded computer is a specialpurpose computer that functions as a
component in a larger product

Page 26

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

39

Embedded Computers

Page 26
Figure 1-28

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

40

Elements of an Information
System

Page 27

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

41

Elements of an Information
System

Page 27
Figure 1-29

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

42

Examples of Computer Usage

Pages 28 31
Figures 1-30 1-32

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

43

Examples of Computer Usage

Pages 31 32
Figures 1-33 1-34

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

44

Computer Applications in
Society

Pages 34 - 36
Figures 1-36 1-39

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

45

Computer Applications in
Society

Pages 36 - 38
Figures 1-40 1-43

Discovering Computers : Chapter 1

46