CSCI 1101 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS 1. Essential Computer Concepts

CSCI 1101INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

1. Essential

Computer Concepts

ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1

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What is a computer?

Before 1940, a computer was defined as a person who performs calculations.

The modern definition of the term “computer” emerged in the 1940’s. developed as a response to World War II military

needs


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Von Neumann’s Definition

Von Neumann, eminentmathematician,wrote a report describing plans for first computer, the EDVAC.

His report has beendescribed as themost influential paperin the history of computer science

A computer is a device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output.


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Computer input is whatever you put into a computer system.

Input means to feed information into a computer. words and symbols in a document numbers for a calculation pictures

What kinds of input can a computer use?


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Data refers to the symbols that represent facts and ideas.

Processing is the way that a computer manipulates data. performing calculations sorting lists and numbers drawing graphs


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Why does a computer store data?

A computer stores data so that it will be available for processing.

Memory is an area of a computer that holds data that is waiting to be processed.

Storage is the area where data can be left on a permanent basis.


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What kinds of output does a computer produce?

Computer output is the results produced by the computer. reports documents music graphs pictures

An output device displays, prints or transmits the results of processing.


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Computer System Basics

A computer system includes a computer, peripheral devices, and software.

Hardware refers to the computer itself. Peripheral devices are components that

expand the computer’s input, output, and storage capabilities.

Software is a set of instructions that tells the computer how to perform a particular task.


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Why does a computer need software?

A computer needs software to tell it how to interact with the user, and specifies how to process the user’s data.

There are many software programs that you can buy including software for producing resumes, teaching Spanish, and helping you plan your diet.


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How and why are computers categorized?

Computers are categorized into four categories from least to most powerful: microcomputers minicomputers mainframe computers supercomputers

A computer is categorized based on its technology, function, size, performance, and cost.


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Microcomputers

also known as personal computers typically found in homes and small businesses cost about $2000 speed can exceed 1,500 mm operations per

second may be stand-alone or may be connected to

other computers in order to share data and software with other users


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A laptop computer islight, and runs on batteries or electricity

A personal digital assistant (PDA) accepts infoon a touch-sensitivescreen

Desktopmicrocomputer

Microcomputers


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Mainframes

large, fast, and fairly expensive computers used by business or government provide centralized storage, processing, and

management for large amounts of data like minicomputers, process requests from

terminals and can support thousands of users often include several central processing units


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Supercomputers

fastest and most expensive type of computer. cost between $500,000 and $35 million have expanded into business markets to

handle large volumes of data process more than 1 trillion instructions per

second create realistic animations


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Computer Platforms

Two major computer platforms are PCs and Macs.

PCs originally created by IBM

Macs manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc.

Computers that operate the same way are compatible.


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If someone knows your password and logs on sending offensive messages, it will look as though you did it.

User ID

Password

Password Security


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The Internet is the world’s largest computer network. provides connections for millions of computers all

over the globe provides many information services, the most

popular being the World Wide Web, or Web The Web is a sort of “flea market” for

information includes weather maps, census data, product

information, course syllabi, music, and images

What's the Internet?


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The User Interface

The means by which humans and computers communicate is referred to as the user interface.

A good user interface is easy to learn and use.

User interfaces are still evolving.


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A command is an instruction you input to tell the computer to carry out a task.

Command words are often English words, such as print, begin, save, and erase, but they can also be more cryptic.

Computer Commands


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Syntax specifies the sequence and punctuation for command words and parameters.

A syntax error occurs when you misspell a command word, leave out punctuation, or type the commands out of order.

A command-line interface is an interface that requires the user to type commands.

More about Computer Commands


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A menu displays a list of commands or options. Menus were developed in response to the difficulties

people experienced with command-line user interfaces. Submenus are additional sets of commands that the

computer displays after you make a selection from the main menu.

Dialog boxes display the options associated with a command.

Menus versus command line


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Graphical objects are small pictures on the screen that you can manipulate using a mouse or other input device.

Graphical objects include icons, buttons, and windows.

IconSelected icon


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Why are GUIs so popular?

Graphical objects are a key element of the graphical user interfaces, or GUIs, found on most of today’s microcomputers. display menus and prompts in addition to graphical

objects based on metaphors that represent real-world

objects Recycle bin


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Do I need to be a good typist to use a computer?

You should at least be familiar with the keyboard to use the computer effectively.

The keyboard contains special keys to manipulate the user interface.

You use the typing keys to input commands, respond to prompts, and type text.

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CSCI 1101 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS 1. Essential Computer Concepts