What You’ll Learn...

 Define computer and name the four basic operations in

the information processing cycle
 Give an example of the information processing cycle in
action
 Explain why responsible computer use involves ethical
considerations
 Give examples of hardware devices for input,
processing, output, and storage
 Distinguish between system software and application
software
 Distinguish between the different types of computers
Basic Computer Components
Living Without Computers

What would we
do without
computers in
our personal
and
professional
lives?
 Definition of computer
• A computer is an electronic device,
operating under the control of
instructions stored in its own memory,
that can accept data, process the data
according to specified rules, produce
results, and store the results for future
use.
 Data Vs. Information
• Is Data and Information the
same thing?
Discuss!!!!!!!!!!
 Data Vs. Information
• Computers process data into
information.
• Data is a collection of unprocessed
items, which can include text,
numbers, images, audio, and video.
• Information conveys meaning and is
useful to people.
Components of an Information
System

people

data
Information-Processing Machine

Input Process Print

documents data materials
 Computer System

• Hardware: The physical components of the

computer.
• Software: The programs that run on the
computer
Function of Computer System
A computer can:
– Accept data (Input)
– Manipulate data (Processing)
– Produce results (output) from the processing
– Store the data and results for future use (storage)
Data handling
I Input
P Process
O Output
S Storage
 The Physical Components
• Input devices

• Processing

• Output devices

• Storage devices

• Communications devices
 Peripheral Devices
These are any device which is attached to the
system unit.
 Software
Hardware alone, without software is no good. This is the
computer program.

– May be created new

– May purchase an existing program
Computer Program

A list of instructions, written in

a programming language, that
tells the computer what to do.
 Software Program Types
System Software: all the programs that help the
computer function.
This software is usually called operating system
(OS) since it controls the hardware and how all other
software works.

Application Software: all the programs you can use

to perform a task
 Productivity software e.g Word processing
and special-purpose programs are all application
software.
 Categories of Computer
• Mainframes
• Supercomputers
• Workstations
• Personal Computers
• Portable Computers
• Embedded Computers
• Special-Purpose
Computers
 Multi-User Computers

• Mainframes
many users can access
computer resources
simultaneously
• Supercomputers…
the fastest, most powerful
computers
Multi-User Computers

•Minicomputers
smaller and less expensive than
mainframes
•Server
very compact
 Single-User Computers

• Workstations
– High-end desktop computer
Servers provide software
and
other resources to
computers
over a network
Single-User Computers

Personal Computers (PC)

– Dedicated to serving one

user

– Computing power for word

processing, accounting and
other common applications
 Portable Computers
Laptop
– lightweight, battery-operated
computers with flat screens,
Hand-held or Palmtop
 computers designed for
communications and computing
 Special-Purpose Computers
• Special-Purpose
– often attached to sensors to measure
and/or control the environment.
– programs etched in silicon so they
can’t be altered. (firmware)

• Embedded
– enhance consumer goods
– control a variety of hardware devices,
including robots.