Chapter 1A

Introducing Computer
Systems

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The Computer Defined

➢
Electronic device
➢
Converts data into information
➢
Modern computers are digital
– Two digits combine to make data
➢
Older computers were analog
– A range of values made data

2
Computers For Individual
Use
 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

3
Computers For Individual
Use
 Notebook computers
– Small portable computers
– Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds
– About 8 ½ by 11 inches
– Typically as powerful as a desktop
– Can include a docking station

4
 Computers For Individual Use
 Tablet computers
– Newest
development in
portable
computers
– Input is through
a pen
– Run specialized
versions of office
products

5
Computers For Individual Use

 Handheld computers
– Very small computers
– Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)
– Note taking or contact management
– Data can synchronize with a desktop
 Smart phones
– Hybrid of cell phone and PDA
– Web surfing, e-mail access

6
Computers For
Organizations
 Network servers
– Centralized computer
– All other computers connect
– Provides access to network resources
– Multiple servers are called server
farms
– Often simply a powerful desktop

7
Computers For
Organizations
 Mainframes
– Used in large
organizations
– Handle
thousands
of users
– Users access
through a
terminal

8
Computers For
Organizations
 Minicomputers
– Called midrange computers
– Power between mainframe and
desktop
– Handle hundreds of users
– Used in smaller organizations
– Users access through a terminal

9
Computers For
Organizations
 Supercomputers
– The most powerful
computers made
– Handle large and
complex
calculations
– Process trillions of
operations per
second
– Found in research
organizations

10
Computers In Society
 Moreimpact than any other
invention
– Changed work and leisure activities
– Used by all demographic groups
 Computers are important because:
– Provide information to users
– Information is critical to our society
– Managing information is difficult

11
Computers In Society
 Computers at home
– Many homes have multiple computers
– Most homes have Internet
– Computers are used for
• Business
• Entertainment
• Communication
• Education

12
Computers In Society
 Computers in education
– Computer literacy required at all
levels
 Computers in small business
– Makes businesses more profitable
– Allows owners to manage
 Computers in industry
– Computers are used to design
products
– Assembly lines are automated
13
Computers In Society
 Computers in government
– Necessary to track data for population
• Police officers
• Tax calculation and collection
• E-governance
– Governments were the first computer
users

14
Computers In Society
 Computers in health care
– Revolutionized health care
– New treatments possible
– Scheduling of patients has improved
– Delivery of medicine is safer

15
Chapter 1B

Looking Inside the

16
Parts of the Computer
System
 Computer systems have four parts
– Hardware
– Software
– Data
– User

17
Parts of the Computer
System
 Hardware
– Mechanical devices in the computer
– Anything that can be touched
 Software
– Tell the computer what to do
– Also called a program
– Thousands of programs exist

18
Parts of the Computer
System
 Data
– Pieces of information
– Computer organize and present data
 Users
– People operating the computer
– Most important part
– Tell the computer what to do

19
Information Processing
Cycle
 Steps followed to process data
 Input
 Processing
 Output
 Storage

20
Essential Computer Hardware

 Computers use the same basic

21
Essential Computer Hardware

22
Essential Computer Hardware

 Processing devices
– Brains of the computer
– Carries out instructions from the
program
– Manipulate the data
– Most computers have several
processors
– Central Processing Unit (CPU)
– Secondary processors
– Processors made of silicon and copper
23
Essential Computer
Hardware
 Memory devices
– Stores data or programs
– Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Volatile
• Stores current data and programs
• More RAM results in a faster system
– Read Only Memory (ROM)
• Permanent storage of programs
• Holds the computer boot directions

24
Essential Computer
Hardware
 Input and output devices
– Allows the user to interact
– Input devices accept data
• Keyboard, mouse
– Output devices deliver data
• Monitor, printer, speaker
– Some devices are input and output
• Touch screens

25
Essential Computer
Hardware
 Storage devices
– Hold data and programs permanently
– Different from RAM
– Magnetic storage
• Floppy and hard drive
• Uses a magnet to access data
– Optical storage
• CD and DVD drives
• Uses a laser to access data

26
Software Runs The
Machine
 Tellsthe computer what to do
 Reason people purchase
computers
 Two types
– System software
– Application software

27
Software Runs The
Machine
 System software
– Most important software
– Operating system
• Windows XP
– Network operating system (OS)
• Windows Server 2003
– Utility
• Symantec AntiVirus

28
Software Runs The
Machine
 Application software
– Accomplishes a specific task
– Most common type of software
• MS Word
– Covers most common uses of
computers

29
Computer data
 Fact with no meaning on its own
 Stored using the binary number
system
 Data can be organized into files

30
Computer users
 Role depends on ability
– Setup the system
– Install software
– Mange files
– Maintain the system
 “Userless” computers
– Run with no user input
– Automated systems

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