The Computer Defined

The two principal characteristics of a computer are:

It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner. It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions Computers are electronic and digital Converts data into information Modern computers are digital Two digits combine to make data

Older computers were analog

A range of values made data

Data Definition: Data is a collection of raw facts and figures (e.g. cooking) Data needs to be processed before it can be turned into something useful Data comes in many forms numbers, words, symbols

Examples: Car Mileage, Prices of cosmetics

Case Study on DATA

Pizza Hut wants to come up with a new joint in the city of Vapi in state of Gujarat.
It has conducted a market research survey and has come up with the following data. Assuming Vapi city to be made up of following 10 people with their preferences listed below: Geeta aged 23 loves eating out and her preference is Indian food Rahul aged 16 loves eating out and his preference is pizzas Sanjay aged 56 doesnt eat out due to health reasons

Rachana aged 35 prefers to eat in luxury hotels

Vishal aged 30 can afford to eat only at cheap eateries Aarav aged 2 eats only home cooked food Ashok aged 70 has dentures and hence can only eat soft foods Mansi aged 10 loves eating continental food Ajay aged 40 loves eating out and has no preference towards any cuisine Pallavi aged 23 eats only healthy foods and has no preference towards any

cuisine

Information
The data is converted into the following information for Pizza Hut
Sr No Names Age Preference

1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Geeta
Rahul Sanjay Rachana Vishal Aarav Ashok Mansi Ajay Pallavi

23
16 56 35 30 2 70 10 40 23

Indian
Pizzas doesnt eat out eat in luxury hotels cheap eateries doesnt eat out doesnt eat out Continental Any Healthy Food

The Computer Defined

For managers it is important to convert the data into information for decision making In the above scenario Pizza Hut has identified that 40% of the total population shall be its target audience and its intended users. The age group of intended target audience is 10-40 years They would advertise close to schools, colleges, theaters, malls and so on

Types of Computers
1. 2. Computers for Individual Users Computers for Organizations

Individual Users

Computers for Organizations

Desktops Notebook / Laptops Workstations Tablet computers Handheld computers

Network servers Mainframes Minicomputers Supercomputers

Smart phones

The Computer Defined

Desktop computers
The most common type of computer Sits on the desk or floor Performs a variety of tasks

Workstations Specialized computers

Optimized for science or graphics

More powerful than a desktop

Laptops/ Notebooks Small portable computers Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds About 8 by 11 inches

Typically as powerful as a desktop

The Computer Defined

Tablet computers Newest development in portable computers Input is through a pen Run specialized versions of office products

Handheld computers

Very small computers

Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) Note taking or contact management Data can synchronize with a desktop Used by Medical reps John Sculley from Apple gave industry the name PDA

The Computer Defined

Smart phones Hybrid of cell phone and PDA Web surfing, e-mail access

Computers For Organizations

Network servers Centralized computer All other computers connect Provides access to network resources Often simply a powerful desktop Print Server, Web Server

Supercomputers The most powerful computers made Handle large and complex calculations Process trillions of operations per second Found in research organizations

Computers For Organizations

Mainframes Used in large organizations Handle thousands of users Users access through a terminal Examples: Banks, Insurance, Airlines, RTO RAS, HVAC, high speed, low maintenance

Minicomputers Called midrange computers Power between mainframe and desktop Handle hundreds of users Used in smaller organizations Users access through a terminal

Looking Inside the Computer System

Parts of the Computer System

Computer systems have four parts Hardware Software Data

User

Parts of the Computer System

Hardware Mechanical devices in the computer Anything that can be touched Data Pieces of information Computer organize and present data

Software

Users

Tell the computer what to do

Also called a program Thousands of programs exist

People operating the computer

Most important part Tell the computer what to do

Information Processing Cycle

Steps followed to process data

Input Processing Output Storage

Essential Computer Hardware

Hardware categorized into four types 1. 2. Processing devices Memory devices

3.
4.

Input and output devices

Storage devices

Processing devices Brains of the computer Carries out instructions from the program Most computers have several processors

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

micro processors Processors made of silicon and copper

Essential Computer Hardware

Memory devices

Stores data or programs Random Access Memory (RAM) Volatile (mens memory) Stores current data and programs

More RAM results in a faster system

Read Only Memory (ROM) Permanent storage of programs (womens memory) Holds the computer boot directions

Essential Computer Hardware

Input and output devices

Allows the user to interact Input devices accept data Keyboard (foldable), mouse (wireless)

Output devices deliver data

Monitor (touch screen example), printer (thermal, UV), speaker

Some devices are input and output Touch screens,

Essential Computer Hardware

Storage devices

Hold data and programs permanently Different from RAM One of the most popular device for data storage is USB drives Magnetic storage

Floppy (3 inch), hard drive and external hard drive

Uses a magnet to access data

Optical storage CD and DVD drives Uses a laser to access data Computers are built with inbuilt DVD drives

Software Runs The Machine

Tells the computer what to do Reason people purchase computers Two types

System software
Application software

System software Most important software Operating system Windows XP

Network operating system (OS)

Windows Server 2003

Utility Symantec AntiVirus

Software Runs The Machine

Application software Accomplishes a specific task Most common type of software MS Word

Covers most common uses of computers Other examples are MS PowerPoint, Excel, Games, photos, Educational

software

Computer data
Fact with no meaning on its own Stored using the binary number system Data can be organized into files

Computer Users
Role depends on ability Setup the system Install software Mange files Maintain the system

User less computers

Run with no user input Automated systems

Thank You