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Chapter 1

Computers are electronic devices that convert data into information. Modern computers are digital, using two digits (0 and 1) to represent data, while older analog computers used a range of values. There are various types of computers for individual and organizational use, from desktops, notebooks, tablets, and smartphones to servers, mainframes, and supercomputers. Computers have significantly impacted society through uses in business, education, government, healthcare and more. The basic parts of a computer system are hardware, software, data, and users, and information is processed through input, processing, storage, and output stages.

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77 views7 pages

Chapter 1

Computers are electronic devices that convert data into information. Modern computers are digital, using two digits (0 and 1) to represent data, while older analog computers used a range of values. There are various types of computers for individual and organizational use, from desktops, notebooks, tablets, and smartphones to servers, mainframes, and supercomputers. Computers have significantly impacted society through uses in business, education, government, healthcare and more. The basic parts of a computer system are hardware, software, data, and users, and information is processed through input, processing, storage, and output stages.

Uploaded by

SELAHIKHAN
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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

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

Notebook computers

Small portable computers

Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds

About 8 by 11 inches

Typically as powerful as a desktop

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

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

Multiple servers are called server farms

Often simply a powerful desktop

Mainframe

Used in large organizations

Handle thousands
of users

Users access through a terminal

Minicomputer

Called midrange computers

Power between mainframe and desktop

Handle hundreds of users

Used in smaller organizations

Users access through a terminal

Supercomputers

The most powerful computers made

Handle large and complex calculations

Process trillions of operations per second

Found in research organizations

Computers In Society

More impact 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

Computers at home

Many homes have multiple computers

Most American homes have Internet

Computers are used for


Business

Entertainment

Communication

Education

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

Computers in government

Necessary to track data for population

Police officers

Tax calculation and collection

Computers in health care

Revolutionized health care

New treatments possible

Scheduling of patients has improved

Delivery of medicine is safer

Parts of the Computer System

Computer systems have four parts

Hardware

Software

Data

-User

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

Data

Pieces of information

Computer organize and present data

Users

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

Computers use the same basic hardware

Hardware categorized into four types

Processing devices

Brain 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

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

Input and output devices

Allows the user to interact

Input devices accept data

Output devices deliver data

Monitor, printer, speaker

Some devices are input and output

Keyboard, mouse

Touch screens

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

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

Network operating system (OS)

Windows Server 2003

Utility

Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP

Symantec AntiVirus

Application software

Accomplishes a specific task

Most common type of software

MS Word

Covers most common uses of computers

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