Introduction to Computers

Discovering
Computers
Living in a Digital WorlSd

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Information Technology
• the study or use of systems (especially computers
and telecommunications) for storing, retrieving,
and sending information

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What Is a 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.

Collects Produces
data Processing information
(input) (output)

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Data and Information

• Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which

can include text, numbers, images, audio, and
video.
• Information is processed data which conveys
meaning and is useful to people/users.

Computers process data into information.

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What Is a Computer?

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The Components of a Computer
• Input Devices
A hardware component that allows you to enter data and
instructions into a computer. Common examples include;
Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Scanner and Web Cam
• Output Devices
A Hardware component that conveys information to one or
more people. These include Monitor, Speaker, Printer
• Processing Devices
Components of the computer that are used to process data,
two main components on the motherboard are the
processor and memory
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Processor

• Processor, also called the CPU (central processing unit) - this

is the electronic component that interprets and carries out
the basic instructions that operate the computer.

Memory
• Memory consists of electronic components that store
instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those
instructions.
• Most memory keeps data and instructions temporarily, which
means its contents are erased when the computer is shut off.

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The Components of a Computer Cont’d
• Storage Devices
Holds data, instructions, and information for future use. They hold
information permanently. These devices include USB Flash Drive,
Hard Drives, Memory Cards
• System Unit
The Case that contains the electronic components of the computer
that are used to process data. The circuitry of the system unit usually
is part of or is connected to a circuit board called the motherboard.
• Communications Device
Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and
information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices
e.g. Modem, Network Interface Cards(NIC)

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Information Processing Cycle

Processing
CPU
Input Output
Main Memory

Storage

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The Components of a Computer
Computer Hardware therefore refers to all the
electronic and mechanical, physical, tangible
components of a computer.

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The Components of a Computer

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Computer Applications in Society

Education
Finance
Government
Health Care
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Computer Applications in Society

Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing
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Advantages of Using Computers

Speed
• When data, instructions, and information flow along
electronic circuits in a computer, they travel at
incredibly fast speeds. Many computers process billions
or trillions of operations in single second.
Reliability
• The electronic components in modern computers are
dependable and reliable because they rarely break or
fail.
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Advantages of Using Computers

Consistency
• Given the same input and processes, a computer will produce
the same results — consistently. Computers generate error-free
results, provided the input is correct and the instructions work.

Storage
• Computers store enormous amounts of data and make this data
available for processing anytime it is needed.

Communications
• Most computers today can communicate with other computers,
often wirelessly. Computers allow users to communicate with
one another.
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Disadvantages of Using Computers
Health Risk
• Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to health injuries
or disorders.

Impact on Labor Force

• Although computers have improved productivity and created an
entire industry with hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the skills
of millions of employees have been replaced by computers.

Violation of Privacy
• where personal and confidential records stored on computers
were not protected properly, individuals have found their privacy
violated and identities stolen.
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Disadvantages of Using Computers
Public Safety
• Adults, teens, and children around the world are using
computers to share publicly their photos, videos,
journals, music, and other personal information. Some
of these unsuspecting, innocent computer users have
fallen victim to crimes committed by dangerous
strangers.

Impact on Environment
• Computer manufacturing processes and computer
waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the
environment
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Computer Software
• Software, also called a program, consists of series of instructions
that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform
them.
System Software consists of the programs that
control or maintain the operations of the computer
and its devices.
• Operating system
• Utility program

Application Software consists of programs

designed to make users more productive
and/or assist them with personal or specific
tasks.
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Computer Software
System software serves as the interface between the user,
the application software, and the computer’s hardware.

Operating System (OS)

is a set of programs that coordinates all activities among
computer hardware devices . It provides a means for users to
communicate with the computer and other software. It allows
users to run application software

Utility Programs allow the user to perform maintenance-type

tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices or its
programs

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Computer Software
What is application software?
 Programs that perform specific
tasks for users
Word
Spreadsheet
Processing

Presentation
Database
Graphics

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Categories of Computers
Personal computers

Mobile computers and mobile devices

Game consoles

Servers

Mainframes

Supercomputers

Embedded computers

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Personal Computers

• A personal computer can perform all of its input,

processing, output, and storage activities by itself
• Two popular architectures are the PC and the Apple
– Desktop computer

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Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

Mobile Mobile
Computer Device
Personal computer you Computing device
can carry from place to small enough to hold in
place your hand

Examples include
Examples include smart phones, PDAs,
notebook computers, handheld computers,
laptop computers, and portable media
Tablet PCs players, and digital
cameras

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Game Consoles

• A game console is a mobile computing device

designed for single-player or multiplayer video games

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Servers
• A server controls access
to the hardware,
software, and other
resources on a network
– Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information

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Mainframes
• A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that
can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users
simultaneously. Mainframes store huge amounts of data,
instructions, and information.

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Supercomputers
• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful computer
– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing more than one quadrillion
instructions in a single second

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Embedded Computers

• An embedded computer is a special-purpose

computer that functions as a component in a
larger product

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Embedded Computers

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Summary

Basic computer Components of a

concepts computer

Many different
categories of
computer software computers, computer
users, and computer
applications in society
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