Computing Essentials 2004

Chapter 1 Information Technology, The Internet, And You

I.Ch 1 Information Technology, The Internet, And You

A.Competencies
1.Explain the five parts of an information system: people,
procedures, software, hardware, and data.

2.Distinguish between system software and application software.

3.Distinguish the four types of computers – microcomputer,

minicomputer, mainframe, and supercomputer – and describe
the hardware devices for input, processing, output, and storage.

4.Describe document, worksheet, database, and presentation files.

5.Explain computer connectivity, the wireless revolution, and the

Internet.

B.Information Systems
 An information system has five parts: people, procedures, software,
hardware, and data.
 People: end users like us and information technology staff
 Procedures: the rules or guidelines people follow when using software,
hardware, and data. Procedures are written in manuals by computer
specialists and these manual are provided by software and hardware
manufacturers with their products.
 Software: programs consisting of step-by-step instructions that tell the
computer how to do its work – they process data to convert it into
information
 Hardware: the equipment that processes the data to create information. It
includes keyboard, mouse, monitor, system unit, and other devices.
Hardware is controlled by software.
 Data: the raw, unprocessed facts including text, numbers, images, and
sounds. Examples are hours worked, pay rate. Data after processed by
computer is known as information.
 An additional part of information systems is connectivity.
 Connectivity allows computers to connect and share information by using
telephone lines, or cables or wireless.
 Information Technology (IT) includes software, hardware, and data.

C.People
 People are the most important part of any information system
 Examples include people in education, business, medicine, entertainment.
Computing Essentials 2004
Chapter 1 Information Technology, The Internet, And You

D.Software
 Software is another name for programs
 Programs tell the computer how to process data
 Two major types of software are systems software and applications software

1.System software
 System software enables the application software to interact with the
computer hardware.
 System software is “background” software that helps the computer
manage it’s own internal resources

a)Operating Systems
 Most important system software program that interacts with the
application software and the computer.
 It handles programs execution (running), storing data and
programs, and processing data.
 Programs that coordinate computer resources, provide an
interface between the user and computer.
 Examples include Windows XP and the Mac OS X

b)Utilities (service programs)

 Perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources,
such as de-fragmenting disks, checking for viruses, etc.

c)Device Drivers
 Specialized programs to allow particular input and output
devices to communicate with the rest of the system, for
example, a printer driver.

2.Application software
 Application software is “end user” software

a) Basic applications or General-purpose programs

 Widely used in almost all career areas and most people use
them
 Examples include:
 Browsers: to connect to websites and display web pages
 Word Processors: to create and edit documents
 Spreadsheets: to analyze and summarize numerical data
 Database Management Systems (DBMS): organize and manage
data and information
 Presentation Graphics: communicate a message
Computing Essentials 2004
Chapter 1 Information Technology, The Internet, And You
b)Special-purpose applications
 Include thousands of applications that are narrowly focused on
a specific profession or occupation.
 Some of the best known are graphics, audio and video,
multimedia, web authoring, and artificial intelligence
programs.

E.Hardware
1.Types of computers

a)Supercomputers
 The most powerful type of computers
 These machines are special high-capacity computers used by
very large organizations.
 Example: NASA uses supercomputers to track and control
space explorations.

b)Mainframe computers
 Not quite as powerful as supercomputers, they still have great
processing speeds and storage capacity.
 Often fill up a specially wired and air-conditioned room.
 Typically used for business applications such as insurance
companies that process thousands of policy holder billing
statements.

c)Minicomputers
 Also known as midrange computers
 Typically the size of a desk
 Used by medium-sized companies or departments of large
companies for specific purposes.
 A production department may use a minicomputer to monitor
manufacturing processes and assembly line operations.

d)Microcomputers
 The least powerful, but most widely used computers.
 There are four main types of microcomputers:
 Desktops: small enough to fit on top or along side your desk,
yet too big to carry around
 Notebooks (or laptops): portable, lightweight, fit in most
briefcases
 Personal Digital Assistants – PDAs (Handheld computers or
palm computers,): the smallest microcomputers, typically
combine pen input, handwriting recognition, personal
organizational tools, and communications capabilities in a very
small package.
Computing Essentials 2004
Chapter 1 Information Technology, The Internet, And You
2.Microcomputer hardware

a)System unit
 Also known as the system cabinet or chassis
 Holds most of the electronic components that make up the
computer, including:
 Microprocessor (or processor, Central Processing Unit – CPU):
controls and manipulates data to produce information
 Memory (or primary storage, Random Access Memory –
RAM): holds data and program instructions for processing the
data and also stores processed information before it is output.
Memory is sometimes referred to as temporary storage as its
contents will be lost if power to computer is switched off.

b)Input/Output devices
 Input devices translate data and programs that humans can
understand into a form that computer can process and include
such things as the keyboard and mouse
 Output devices translate processed information from the
computer into a form that humans can understand and include
such things as the monitor (video display screen) and printers

c)Secondary Storage
 Unlike primary memory, secondary storage holds the contents
even when the power is switched off.
 Typical storage media includes:
 Floppy disks: thin flexible plastic disks used to store and
transport smaller files of data.
 Hard disks: hard metallic platters with much greater storage
capacities used to store programs and very large data files and
can also access information much faster than floppy disks.
 Optical disks: use laser technology and have greater capacity
and two basic types are: Compact Discs (CDs) and Digital
Versatile Discs (DVDs) typically used to store and transport
multimedia files

F.Data
 Data is stored in document, worksheet, database, and presentation files.
 Data are the raw, unprocessed facts including text, numbers, images, and
sounds.
 Four common types of files include:
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Chapter 1 Information Technology, The Internet, And You
1.Document files: created by word processors to save documents like
memos, letters.

2.Worksheet files: created by electronic spreadsheets to save analysis of

things like budget.

3.Database files: created by database management programs to contain

highly structured and organized data like an employee database file that contains
all the worker’s names, id numbers, job titles, salary, date of birth.

4.Presentation files: created by presentation graphics programs to save

presentation materials like speaker notes, electronic slides.

G.Connectivity, The Wireless Revolution, And The Internet

 Connectivity is the capability of your computer to share information with
other computers.
 The Internet is the largest computer network in the world
 Single biggest change in the last five years is the use of mobile (or wireless)
communication devices.
 The Wireless Revolution is expected to dramatically affect the way we
communicate and use computer technology
 Networks (or Computer Networks) are central to the idea of connectivity that
connects two or more computers that can be very close to few meters and as
far as halfway around the globe.
 The Web (aka World Wide Web) provides a multimedia interface to resources
on the Internet.

Key Terms
1 application software end user software, either general or special purpose
2 basic application browsers, word processors, spreadsheets, DBMS, presentation graphics
3 chassis aka system unit or system cabinet; houses a computer's components
4 communication device allow computer to share data & information with another computer
5 compact disc CD optical disk capable of storing 650 MB of data
6 computer competency able to understand computing technology and how to apply it to solve problems
a system for connecting two or more computers to share data and computing resources such
7 computer network as printers and storage devices.
term that covers the ability to network computers together to share data, information, and
8 connectivity network resources
the raw, unprocessed facts such as text, numbers, images, and sounds that a computer can
9 data process

10 database file created by DBMS, they allow a user to store and maintain important data as tables and records
11 desktop computer microcomputer small enough to fit on a desk, but too large to easily carry around
specialized program to allow input/output devices to communicate with the rest of the computer
12 device driver system
13 digital versatile disc DVD aka Digital Video Disk, an optical disk capable of storing 17 GB of data
14 digital video disc DVD aka Digital Versatile Disk, an optical disk capable of storing 17 GB of data
15 document file created by word processors, they hold information such as reports, memos, letters, etc.
16 end user a person that uses an information system
17 floppy disk widely used storage medium, typically holding only 1.44 MB of data
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Chapter 1 Information Technology, The Internet, And You
aka basic application, it includes such software as browsers, word processors, spreadsheets,
18 general-purpose application DBMS, and presentation graphics
19 handheld computer aka palm computer, the smallest microcomputers designed to fit in the palm of your hand
20 hard disk widely used storage medium, holds 20-250 GB of data for quick data retrieval
the equipment of a computer system, e.g. input, processing, output, storage, and
21 hardware communication devices
22 information the processed facts produced by an information system
a system made up of five key components: people, procedures, software, hardware, and data
23 information system to produce information
24 information technology IT computer and communication technologies used to process data

25 input device device such as a keyboard or mouse to allow a user to get data into a computer for processing
26 Internet the largest computer network in the world
input device allowing you to press character keys which translate the characters into a series of
27 keyboard electronic signals
28 laptop computer aka notebook computer, it's a microcomputer that weighs 4-10 lbs and is portable
second most powerful computer, it occupies a specially air conditioned room and processes
29 mainframe computer thousands of transactions
aka primary storage or random access memory, they are high speed chips that hold data and
30 memory instructions for processing

31 microcomputer the least powerful, but most widely used computer, often used for work and home applications
32 microprocessor a "computer on a chip", it controls and processes data to produce information in a computer
aka minicomputer, basically a small mainframe - typically connects many users for business
33 midrange computer applications
aka midrange computer, basically a small mainframe - typically connects many users for
34 minicomputer business applications

35 modem widely used communication device to transmit computer data over ordinary telephone lines
an output device that converts digital data from the computer into a visible form the user can
36 monitor understand
an input device which allows a user to "point" to locations on a screen and click to perform
37 mouse computing activities
38 network see computer network
39 notebook computer aka laptop computer, it's a microcomputer that weighs 4-10 lbs and is portable

40 operating system programs that coordinate computer resources, provide a user interface, and run applications
41 optical disk widely used storage medium, typically used for storing multimedia data e.g. CD or DVD
generic term for equipment used to translate computer information into something
42 output device understandable by the user e.g. monitor
43 palm computer aka handheld computer, the smallest microcomputers designed to fit in the palm of your hand
44 people humans that produce and utilize an information system
aka handheld computer or palm computer, the smallest microcomputers designed to fit in the
45 personal digital assistant PDA palm of your hand
46 presentation file created by presentation graphics programs, they hold "slides" for communicating a message
aka memory or random access memory, they are high speed chips that hold data and
47 primary storage instructions for processing
48 printer an output device that converts digital data into a permanent, printed output

49 procedures rules or guidelines to follow when using hardware, software, and data in an information system
50 program step by step commands that a computer follows when processing data
aka memory or primary storage, they are high speed chips that hold data and instructions for
51 random access memory RAM processing

52 secondary storage device generic term for various storage equipment such as floppy disks, hard drives, and optical disks
53 service program aka utility, performs specific tasks to improve a computers performance e.g. virus checking
54 software a computer program or programs to instruct the computer how to process data
aka special-purpose application, thousands of applications which help specific occupations
55 specialized application accomplish their work more efficiently
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Chapter 1 Information Technology, The Internet, And You
aka specialized application, thousands of applications which help specific occupations
56 special-purpose application accomplish their work more efficiently
57 supercomputer the largest, most powerful computers used for specialized research projects
58 system cabinet aka system unit or chassis; houses a computer's components
enables application software to interact with computer hardware - "background" software to
59 system software manage the computer
60 system unit aka system cabinet or chassis; houses a computer's components
61 tablet PC a type of notebook microcomputer with a writable surface for input
aka primary storage or random access memory, they are high speed chips that hold data and
62 temporary storage instructions for processing
aka service program, performs specific tasks to improve a computers performance e.g. virus
63 utility checking
aka monitor; an output device that converts digital data from the computer into a visible form
64 video display screen the user can understand
65 Web aka World Wide Web, it provides a multimedia interface to resources found on the Internet
term used to describe the use of computer connectivity to change the way people interact via
66 wireless revolution computer & communication technologies
67 worksheet file created by spreadsheet programs, they store numbers for sorting and analysis
68 World Wide Web WWW aka Web, it provides a multimedia interface to resources found on the Internet

Chapter Review
4 PDA The most widely used handheld computer
6 INTERNET The world's largest computer network
7 HARDWARE The physical equipment of a microcomputer
10 PROCEDURES Rules or guidelines to follow when using software, hardware, data
11 SOFTWARE Provides step-by-step instructions to the computer
12 ENDUSER Uses computers to become more productive
14 OPERATINGSYSTEM Coordinates computer resources
15 DATABASEFILES Created by database management programs
16 PEOPLE The most essential part of an information system
17 CHASSIS Contains the system's electronic circuitry

1 MODEM Modifies signals for processing

2 DATA Unprocessed facts
3 DEVICEDRIVERS Specialized programs that allow input and output devices to communicate
5 WWW Provides multimedia interface to the Internet
8 DOCUMENTFILES Created by word processors
9 INFORMATION Data that has been processed by the computer
13 TABLETPC Type of microcomputer

Matching
TERM MATCH NUMBER HINT
procedures N 1 Guidelines people follow when using software
program O 2 Consists of the step-by-step instructions that tell the computer how to do its work
Although not the most powerful, this type of computer is capable of great processing speeds
mainframe computer I 3 and data storage
connectivity C 4 Allows sharing of information worldwide
system software R 5 Software that enables the application software to interact with the computer hardware
application software A 6 End user software
supercomputers Q 7 The most powerful type of computer
information G 8 Data that has been processed through the computer
output device L 9 Translates processed information from the computer into a form that humans can understand
system unit S 10 Container that houses most of the electronic components that make up a computer system
microcomputers J 11 The least powerful and most widely used type of computer
 Computing Essentials 2004
Chapter 1 Information Technology, The Internet, And You
Translates data and programs that humans can understand into a form that the computer can
input device H 12 process
database files D 13 Created by database management programs
secondary storage device P 14 Holds data and programs even after electrical power to the system has been turned off
hard disks F 15 Typically used to store programs and very large data files
optical disks K 16 Uses laser technology
document file E 17 Created by word processors to save documents
primary storage M 18 Holds data and program instructions for processing data
computer network B 19 Communications system connecting two or more computers
the Internet T 20 The largest network in the world

Open-ended

a)Explain the five parts of an information system. What part do

people play in this system?
 People - Individuals who use microcomputers as a tool to fulfill their information
needs.
 Procedures - Written guidelines (documentation) to help end-users use software
and hardware.
 Software - Step-by-step instructions (programs) that tell the computer what to do.
 Hardware - The physical components of a computer system such as monitor,
keyboard, mouse, etc.
 Data - Raw, unprocessed facts such as text, numbers, images, and sounds brought
into the computer as input.
 People are the most important part of an information system.

b)What is system software? What kinds of programs are included

in system software?
 System software enables the application software to interact with the computer
hardware.
 System software includes operating systems, utilities, and device drivers.
 The operating system is the most important system software program.
 System software handles the details of executing programs, storing data and
programs, and processing data.
 The most important system software program is the operating system like
Windows XP.

c)Define and compare basic and special-purpose application

software. Describe some different types of basic applications.
Describe some types of specialized applications.
 Basic applications (or general-purpose applications) are widely used in nearly all
career areas. Examples are word processing, spreadsheet, database, and
presentation software.
 Special-purpose applications (or specialized applications) include thousands of
other programs that are more narrowly focused on specific disciplines and
occupations.
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Chapter 1 Information Technology, The Internet, And You
 Examples include graphics, audio, video, multimedia, web authoring, and
artificial intelligence programs.

d)Describe the different types of computers. What is the most

common type? What are the types of microcomputers?
 Supercomputers are the most powerful type of computer. They are special, high-
capacity computers used by very large organizations.
 Mainframe Computers are large computers, but not nearly as powerful as
supercomputers. They need to be in specially wired, air-conditioned rooms.
They are capable of great processing speeds and data storage.
 Minicomputers are refrigerator-sized machines. They are also known as
midrange computers. They are typically used by medium-sized or large
companies for specific purposes.
 Microcomputers are the least powerful, but most widely used and fastest growing
type of computer. Categories of microcomputers include desktop, notebook, and
personal digital assistant (PDA).
 The most common type is the microcomputer. These are the desktop,
notebook/laptop, tablet PCs and PDAs – Personal Digital Assistants.

e)What is connectivity? How are the wireless revolution and

connectivity related? What is a computer network? What is the
Internet? What is the Web?
 Connectivity is the microcomputer’s ability to communicate with other computers
and information sources. With connectivity, your microcomputer is capable of
sharing information with other computers. It is a significant development because
it expands the uses of the microcomputer.
 Connectivity and the wireless revolution expand the uses of the microcomputer by
reaching past the desk and linking with other computers worldwide to share data,
programs, and information.
 Through this wireless revolution, you as an end-user can connect to millions of
other people and organizations located throughout the world.
 The largest network in the world is the Internet.
 The Web (also known as the World Wide Web or WWW) provides a multimedia
interface to numerous resources on the Internet.