Introduction to Computers

Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers

Overview

Explain the importance of computer literacy Define the term computer Identify the components of a computer Explain why a computer is a powerful tool Differentiate among the various types of software

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 Identify the various types of computer users Understand how a user can be a Web publisher

This chapter presents a broad survey of concepts and terminology related to computers. The idea of computer literacy is introduced. You  discover what a computer is and what it does. You learn about the components of a computer, the power of computers, computer software, and networks and the Internet. Categories of computers are identified, including personal computers, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and supercomputers.

You discover how people employ computers, from home users to large business users. Finally, you learn how people use computers to provide information. Reading and understanding the material in this chapter should help you better understand these topics as they are presented in more detail in the following chapters.

    Explain The Importance Of Computer Literacy

Computers have touched every part of our lives: the way we work, the way we learn, the way we live, even the way we play. It almost is impossible to go through a single day without encountering a computer, a device dependent on a computer, information produced by a computer, or a word that was introduced or whose meaning has changed with the advent of computers. Because of the significance of computers in today’s world, it is important to be computer literate. Beingcomputer literate means you have knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses.

    Define The Term Computer

A computer is an electronic machine, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, manipulate the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use. Computers process data to create information. Data is a collection of raw unprocessed facts, figures, and symbols. Information is data that is organized, meaningful, and useful. To process data into information, a computer uses hardware and software.Hardware is the electric, electronic, and mechanical equipment that makes up a computer. Software is the series of instructions that tells the hardware how to perform tasks.

    Identify The Components Of A Computer

Computer hardware components include input devices, output devices, a system unit, storage devices, and communications devices. An input device is any hardware component that allows a user to enter data and instructions into a computer. Six commonly used input devices are the keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, digital camera, and PC camera. An output device is any hardware component that can convey information to a user. Three commonly used output devices are a printer, a monitor, and speakers.

The system unit is a box-like case made from metal or plastic that protects the internal electronic components of the computer from damage. The system unit contains the central processing unit and memory. The central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic device that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer. Memory is a temporary holding place for data and instructions.

A storage device records and retrieves data to and from a storage medium. Six common storage devices are a floppy disk drive, a Zip^® drive, a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a CD-RW drive, a DVD-ROM drive, and a DVD+RW drive. A communications device enables computer users to communicate and exchange items such as data, instructions, and information with another computer. A modem is a communications device that enables computers to communicate usually via telephone lines or cable.

    Explain Why A Computer Is A Powerful Tool

A computer is a powerful tool because it is able to perform the information processing cycle operations (input, process, output, and storage) with amazing speed, reliability, and accuracy; store huge amounts of data and information; and communicate with other computers. Computers allow users to generate correct information quickly, hold the information so it is available at any time, and share the information with other computer users.

    Differentiate Among The Various Types Of Software

There are two categories of computer software: system software and application software. System software consists of the programs that control the operations of a computer and its devices. Two types of system software are the operating system and utility programs. An operating system (OS) coordinates all activities among hardware devices and contains instructions that allow you to run application software. A utility program performs specific tasks, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. You interact with software through its user interface.

Application software consists of programs that perform specific tasks for users. Popular application software includes word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation graphics software. Application software can be packaged software (copyrighted software that meets the needs of a variety of users), custom software (tailor-made software developed at a user’s request), freeware (copyrighted software provided at no cost), public-domain software (software donated for public use with no copyright restrictions), or shareware (copyrighted software distributed free for a trial period).
    Explain The Purpose Of A Network

A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications devices, such as a modem, and communications media, such as cables, telephone lines, cellular radio, and satellites. Networks allow users to share resources, such as hardware devices, software devices, data, and information. Most business computers are networked, either by a local area network (LAN) in a limited geographic area or by a wide area network (WAN) in a large geographical area.

    Discuss The Uses Of The Internet And The World Wide Web

The world’s largest network is the Internet, which is a worldwide collection of networks that links together millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals. Users connect to the Internet to send messages, access information, shop for goods and services, meet or converse with other users, and access sources of entertainment and leisure. Most users connect to the Internet through an Internet service provider (ISP) or an online service provider (OSP). The World Wide Web is a popular segment of the Internet that contains billions of documents called Web pages. These documents can contain text, graphics, sound, video, and built-in connections, or links, to other Web pages stored on computers throughout the world.

    Describe The Categories Of Computers And Their Uses

The six major categories of computers are personal computers, handheld computers, Internet appliances, mid-range servers, mainframes, and supercomputers. These categories are based on differences in size, speed, processing capabilities, and price. A personal computer can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself. Personal computers include desktop computers and notebook computers. A desktop computer is designed so the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table. Variations of desktop computers include tower models (computers with tall and narrow system units that can sit vertically on the floor), all-in-one computers (less expensive computers that combine the monitor and system unit into a single device), and workstations (more expensive and powerful computers designed for work that requires intense calculation and graphics capabilities).

A notebook computer is a portable personal computer small enough fit on your lap. Notebook and desktop computers are used at home or in the office to perform application software-related tasks or to access the Internet. A handheld computer is a small computer that fits in your hand. Handheld computers can perform specific, industry-related functions, or can be general-purpose.
A PDA (personal digital assistant) is a handheld computer that provides personal organizer functions, such as a calendar, appointment book, and notepad. AnInternet appliance is a computer with limited functionality whose main purpose is to connect to the Internet from home. A mid-range server is more powerful and larger than a workstation computer. Users typically access a mid-range server through a personal computer or a terminal, which is a device with a monitor and a keyboard that usually has no stand-alone processing power.
A mainframe is a large, expensive, very powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously. A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive category of computer.
    Identify The Various Types Of Computer Users

Computer users can be divided into five categories: home user, small office/home office users, mobile users, large business users, and power users. A home userspends time on the computer for personal and business communications, budgeting and personal financial management, entertainment, and Web access. A small office/home office (SOHO) user includes any company with fewer than 50 employees, as well as self-employed people that work out of their home. A mobile user travels to and from a main office or school to conduct business, communicate, or do homework. A large business user works for a company that has a large number of employees and computers usually connected to a network. The power user – such as an engineer, architect, or desktop publisher – typically works withmultimedia, which combines several media elements into one application, and requires the capabilities of a workstation or other powerful computer.

    Understand How A User Can Be A Web Publisher

In addition to being a recipient of information, Internet users have the ability to provide information to other connected users around the world. Users can create a Web page with word processing software or with Web page authoring software. Publishing a Web page is the process of making it available on the Internet.