Introduction to Computing Concepts: Understanding Computers and Their Components
Explore the world of computers, from hardware to software, and learn about different types of storage devices and processors. Discover essential computing concepts such as memory, input/output devices, and networking. Stay informed about the latest technology trends and protect yourself in the digital world.
Introduction to Computing Concepts: Understanding Computers and Their Components
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Presentation Transcript
What is a Computer? • An electronic device used to process data. • The most common computer today? • the Personal Computer. CGS1100
How Many Are There? CGS1100
How Many Internet Users Are There? Latest Dataas of 6/30/2012 CGS1100
Parts of a Computer System CGS1100
4 Parts of a Computer System • Hardware • the physical part of the computer • Software • the programs that run the hardware • Data • raw facts that are turned into useful information • People • the individuals that use computers (the user) • the software and hardware designers CGS1100
4 Categories of Hardware • The Central Processing Unit (CPU) • Intel Pentium • Memory • ROM and RAM • Measured in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, etc. • Input and Output devices • Moves data in and moves processed information out • Storage devices • Floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, CDROM, CDR, CDRW, DVD drives CGS1100
The CPU Dual core Quad core • The Central Processing Unit • Turns data into useful information • Is connected to the motherboard • Is the brain of the computer • Not the same thing as “the box” CGS1100
Memory • Read Only Memory (ROM) • Contains the information needed to boot the system • Nonvolatile (data cannot be changed) • Random Access Memory (RAM) • Working memory • Volatile (is lost when machine is turned off) • The more RAM, the faster the computer will run and the more it can do • The more software you can upgrade before having to upgrade hardware CGS1100
Input Devices • Accept data and instructions from the user • Keyboards • Mice and Trackballs • Touch-Screen Monitors • Scanners • Microphones • Digital Cameras • Ipods, MP3s CGS1100
Output Devices Return processed information back to the user. • Printer • Monitor • Hard drive • CD’s/DVD’s • Speakers, IPods • Key Drives (USB port hard drives) CGS1100
“External” Storage • Holds data • Large storage capacity • measured in • Megabytes (Mb) • one million bytes • Gigabytes (Gb) • one billion bytes • Terabytes (Tb) • one trillion bytes • Nonvolatile CGS1100
Common Storage Devices • Hard drives • External Hard drives • USB Drives • Optical drives • Compact Disks • CD-ROM, CD-R & CD-RW • Digital Versatile Disks • DVD, DVD-R & DVD-RW • Blu-Ray? • Cloud Storage? CGS1100
Sizes of Computers Supercomputers The Cray Y-MP8/2128 Mainframes IBM 360, AS400 Minicomputers System 36/38 CGS1100
Sizes of Computers cont. • Microcomputers (PCs) • Workstation • Desktop • Laptop or Portable • iPads • Tablets • Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs) • SmartPhones • Blackberry • Droids • iPhones • eBooks Example of laptop fan Sony Reader iPad Amazon Kindle CGS1100
New Devices on the Horizon? Or SD Cards Hitachi's new Quartz storage device • New Storage Devices • Plasma drives • Holographic imaging drives • Portable hard drives • Memory sticks • Thumb drives • Super Long Storage • New Processors • Nanotubes • New GUI Devices • Microsoft Surface CGS1100
Software • A set of instructions • When executed tells the computer and its peripheral devices • what actions to perform and • in what order to perform them CGS1100
Categories of Software • System Software • Operating systems, such as Windows (Windows 7 & 8, Vista, XP & 2000), DOS, Linux, iMac, AS400 • Application Software & Suites • Word processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Multimedia, Presentation & Graphics, Entertainment, Education, Utilities, Communications CGS1100
How Computers Work CGS1100
How Data is Stored • Binary Numbering System • Uses 2 digits: 0 and 1 • All data is stored within the computer as 0’s and 1’s. • Decimal Numbering System • Uses 10 digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 • Other Numbering Systems CGS1100
Bits & Bytes • A Bit • The smallest possible unit of data. • In binary, either a 0 or a 1. • A Nibble • A combination of 4 bits (now out of use) • A Byte • A combination of 8 bits. • Used to represent up to 256 different values. • Used to represent characters. • Ex. 0100 0001 = A (in ASCII) CGS1100
Text Codes • ASCII • An 8-bit coding system used on personal computers. • Unicode • A 16-bit coding system used to represent characters from almost every language in the world. CGS1100
How to Protect Yourself From your computer! CGS1100
Ergonomics CGS1100
Tips for PC Purchase • Review online reviews of hardware & software • Don’t skimp on memory • Purchase as much disk space as possible • Don’t forget the bundled software • Don’t forget your surroundings - Ergonomics • Insist on a price guarantee; i.e., if the price goes down within 30 days, you are entitled to the rebate • Insist on a 30-day unconditional return policy for full refund CGS1100
Networks CGS1100
Modems • Connect computers • Uses telephone lines from one location to another. • Measured in transfer rates of bits per second to megabytes per second CGS1100
Analog Vs. Digital Sound No Sound Example of an Analog Signal Example of a Digital Signal CGS1100
Modem Tin can Modem Modem Analog Signal CGS1100
Networks • Connect computers together so that they can communicate, exchange information, and pool resources. • Are connected by nodes • Categories • Local Area Network (LAN) • Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) • Wide Area Network (WAN) • Internet CGS1100
Shares both files and programs with the nodes. Processing is shared between the server and the nodes. It’s what you’re on in when in the classroom! Client/Server Network CGS1100
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network All nodes share resources equally. All nodes can act as file servers and can access common peripherals. 32 CGS1100
The Internet CGS1100
National Science Foundation (NSF) net • The complement to ARPANET. • Became higher-capacity network • The backbone of the Internet • Could handle the increased user load • Developed into a much larger network sharing information among • government, • business and • commercial enterprises. CGS1100
Router TCP/IP Internet A Sample Internet Connection • Individual PCs are connected to a local area network. • Then connected via a router to the Internet using a TCP/IP connection • Then connected to other LANs. 35 CGS1100
How the Internet Works • TCP/IP • Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol • The universal language of the Internet • Includes the specifications that identify individual computers and the exchange of data between computers. CGS1100
IP & DNS Addresses • IP (Internet Protocol) the 4-part numeric address that identifies each computer. • 10.2.2.166 • We’ve now gone to a 6-part alphanumeric address • DNS (Domain Name System) the name counterpart to the IP address. • mcmanusm@nwfsc.edu • Easier to use than remembering number CGS1100
Internet Domains Examples: nwfsc.edu uwf.edu irs.gov yahoo.com 38 CGS1100
Email • An exchange of electronic information • Can also attach data files and program files to email messages • No expectation of privacy • Every e-mail address is unique • You can obtain an account • through your school, • pay for an account through an ISP, or • get free email accounts at sites like www.hotmail.com or www.yahoo.com orwww.gmail.com CGS1100 39
An Email Address mcmanusm@nwfsc.edu Highest-level domain Host computer Username A good Internet E-mail Address must contain the @ symbol • Consists of two parts • A username and a host computer CGS1100
Other Internet Features • Advantages for the Buyer • Open 24/7 • Never leave home • Easy to view and explore product line • Comparison shop • Web site knows you • Advantages for the Seller • Open 24/7 • Shoppers from anywhere • Virtual inventory is cheaper and extensive • Lower transaction costs • Target your customers • E-commerce is the exchange of goods and services via the Internet. • It requires a buyer and seller, and a ‘place to meet’ CGS1100
Other Internet Features cont. • Don’t give out your name or anything personal! • Internet Relay Chat (IRC) • Chat rooms • a means of communicating with others in real time • Play Safe! • Lurkers CGS1100
World Wide Web CGS1100
Created in the late 1980’s at CERN the European Particle Physics Laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland known for their Large Hadron Collider A method for incorporating footnotes, figures, and cross-references into online hypertext documents Uses HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) World Wide Web CGS1100
Other Internet Features cont. • HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) • a set of rules that provide the internal structure to the WWW • HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). • A page-description language that translates document formatting to formatting for the Web • HTTPS • Secure protocol for confidential transactions • URL (Uniform Resource Locator) • Internet address in a special format that can be read by HTTP. Ex. http://www.yahoo.com CGS1100
Most Popular Search Engines Updated 2/1/2013 CGS1100
Other Internet Features cont.Search Engines - General CGS1100
Other Internet Features cont.Search Engines – Meta-Search CGS1100