Introduction to Computer

Application
Course Code: IS-125
 Outline
I. What is Computer?
II. Components of a Computer
III. Why is a Computer so Powerful?
IV. Computer Applications and Society
V. Examples of Computer Usage
VI. Networks and Internet Computer Software
VII. Categories of Computers
VIII. Computer Applications and Society
 What is a Computer?
Computer- An electronic device, operating under the
control of instructions stored in its own memory, that
can accept data, manipulate the data according to
specified rules, produce results and store the results for
future use.
 Here’s A Computer!
In 1969

In 2004
 Components of a Computer
Hardware
◦ Input Devices
◦ Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Digital Camera
◦ Output Devices
◦ Monitor, Speaker, Printer
◦ System Unit
◦ The computer casing (inside includes the motherboard with a
processor and memory)
◦ Storage Devices
◦ Hard Drives, CD/DVD-ROM Drives, Floppy Disk Drives, USB Drives
and memory cards
◦ Communication Devices
◦ Modems, Networking Cards
Why is a Computer so Powerful?
Speed
◦ Circuits
◦ Billions of operations in a single second

Reliability and Consistency

◦ Low failure rate
◦ Consistent results

Accuracy
◦ Depends on input
Why is a Computer so Powerful
Cont.
Storage
◦ Transfer data quickly
◦ Store enormous amounts of data
Communications
◦ Computers can share information
◦ Processing cycles
◦ Input
◦ Output
◦ Storage
◦ Process
 Networks and Internet Computer Software
Network
◦ Is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications devices and transmission
media. Networks allow computers to share resources such as:
◦ Hardware, software, data, and information

Internet
◦ Is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals. Uses for the internet include:
◦ Communicating with other people
◦ Access information, news, and research findings
◦ Shop for goods
◦ Banking and Investing
◦ Entertainment (online games, movies, music, etc.)

Systems Software
◦ Consists of programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices.
◦ Operating System-is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer hardware devices.
◦ Microsoft’s Window’s
◦ Apple’s Macintosh
 Networks and Internet Computer Software
Continued
Application Software
◦ Consists of programs that perform specific tasks for users.
◦ Popular types of application software include:
◦ Word Processing Software
◦ Spreadsheet software
◦ Database software
◦ Presentation graphics software

Software Development
◦ A programmer is someone who develops application or system software.
◦ Popular program languages include:
◦ C++, C#, Visual Basic .NET 2003, and JavaScript.
◦ Programs require thousands to millions of instructions.
◦ Use programming language or program development to create computer programs.
 Examples of Computer
Usage

Home
Small Office/Home Office
Mobile
Large Business
Power
Home/Small Office
Home Small Office
◦ Desktop Computer ◦ Desktop Computers
◦ PDA ◦ Network
◦ Uses ◦ Uses
◦ Word Processing ◦ Spreadsheets
◦ Finance ◦ E-Mail
◦ Internet ◦ Internet use
◦ Educational ◦ Manage finances
◦ Entertainment
◦ Communication
 Mobile

Types
◦ PDA (A personal digital assistant, also known as a handheld PC)
◦ Notebook Computer
◦ Cell Phone

Usually wireless
 Large Business/Power
Large Business Power
◦ Massive network ◦ Workstation
◦ IT Department ◦ Industry standards
◦ Types ◦ Used by
◦ Kiosk ◦ Engineers
◦ Desktop ◦ Architects
◦ Mobile ◦ Uses
◦ Uses ◦ Publishing
◦ Accounting ◦ Editing
◦ Business ◦ Internet
◦ Network Mgt.
Categories of Computers
Personal Computers (PC)
◦ Is a computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and activities by itself.
◦ Two types of personal computers are:
◦ PC (personal computer) based on the IBM personal computer design, which Dell, Gateway, and
Toshiba manufacture.
◦ Apple computers

Desktop Computers
◦ Is designed so the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit
entirely on or under a desk or table.
◦ System Unit- Is a tall and narrow tower, that can sit upright or could lye sideways with
the system monitor on top.
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
◦ A mobile computer and a mobile device are both capable of being taking place to place by
just carrying them. A mobile device is small enough to hold in your hand.
◦ Notebook computers (laptop computer) is a portable, personal computer small enough to
fit on your lap.
◦ Tablet PC is a special type of notebook computer that allows you to write or draw on the
screen using a digital pen.
Categories of Computers Continued
Midrange Servers
◦ Are more powerful and larger than a workstation computer.
◦ Store data and programs
◦ Typically support several hundred PC’s at the same time

Mainframes
◦ Are large, expensive, very powerful computers that can handle hundreds or thousands of
connected users simultaneously.
◦ Banks, airlines, and insurance companies use mainframes

Supercomputers
◦ Are the fastest, most powerful computer-and most expensive.
◦ Capable of processing more than 100 trillion instructions in a single second.
◦ Can store more than 16,000 times the average desktop computer.
◦ Supercomputers are used to compute applications in:
◦ Medicine
◦ Aerospace
◦ Weather forecasting
◦ Nuclear energy research
Look inside the computer

SOFTWARE

Computers are made of

HARDWARE

16
 Hardware
The parts of computer itself (tangible
objects ) including :

◦ CPU (or Processor) and Primary

memory (or Main Memory)
◦ Input devices i.e the keyboard and
mouse
◦ Output devices
◦ Storage devices
 Software
The instructions that tell the computer
what to do :

Application Software - helps end-users

perform general purpose tasks

System Software - enables application

software to interact with the computer
 Application Software – Basic Tools
• Word processors– example: Microsoft
word
• Spreadsheets-- example: Microsoft Excel
• Database managers-- example: Microsoft
Access
• Graphics-- example: Photoshop
Spreadsheets: Computer software that allows the user to enter
columns and rows of numbers in a accounting book like format.
System Software
The most important

System Software
is the

Operating System
Examples of operating systems:
Windows XP, DOS, Apple, UNIX
The End