CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

OBJECTIVES

Define the term computer Identify the components of a computer Explain why a computer is a powerful tool Explain the purpose of a network Discuss the uses of the Internet and the World Wide Web Describe the categories of computers and their uses

WHAT IS A COMPUTER AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

An electronic machine, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory That can accept data (input), manipulate data according to specified rules (process), produce results (output), and store the results for future use.

THE COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER

Input Devices Output Devices System Unit Storage Devices Communications Devices

WHY IS A COMPUTER SO POWERFUL?

Speed Reliability Accuracy Storage Communications

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

System software

A series of instructions that tells the hardware of a computer how to perform tasks
Operating

system Utility program

Application software

Consists of programs designed to perform specific tasks for users

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Packaged software Custom software Shareware Freeware Public-domain software

NETWORKS AND THE INTERNET

Network
Sharing

resources Local area network - LAN Wide area network

NETWORKS AND THE INTERNET

Internet
E-mail Information Shopping Meeting

people Entertainment Web page Web site Web browser

CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS
Personal computers Minicomputers Mainframe computers Supercomputers

PERSONAL COMPUTERS
Can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself Desktop Computers

Tower

model Workstation Stand-alone Server Network computers

PERSONAL COMPUTERS

Portable Computers
Laptop

computers Handheld computers

Pen

computers Office on your arm video

MINICOMPUTERS

Support up to 4,000 users Often connected via a terminal

MAINFRAME COMPUTERS

Large, expensive, very powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users

SUPERCOMPUTERS

Fastest, most powerful computer Able to process more than 64 billion instructions per second

EXAMPLES OF COMPUTER USAGE

Home User
Home

software Software for children Home use of the web Computer family video

EXAMPLES OF COMPUTER USAGE

Small Business User

Desktop

users

EXAMPLES OF COMPUTER USAGE

Small Business User

Desktop

users Productivity software Specialized software Web usage Small business web sites

EXAMPLES OF COMPUTER USAGE

Mobile User
Many

types of mobile

users Presentations Docking station

EXAMPLES OF COMPUTER USAGE

Large Business User

Order

entry PDAs for organization Large business web site Kiosk

EXAMPLES OF COMPUTER USAGE

Power User
Engineers,

architects, desktop publishers, graphic artists Specialized software