Text Book:

Chapter 1
Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow,
Comprehensive, Deborah Morley, Charles S. Parker,
Cengage Learning, 2017. Introduction to the
World of Computers

Original Credit and copyright Original Credit and copyright

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Deborah Morley Charles S. Parker Copyright 2015 Cengage Learning
Deborah Morley Charles S. Parkerd Copyright 2015 Cengage Learning

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Learning Objectives Learning Objectives

1. Why it is essential to learn about computers 6. Basic types of computers and their applications
2. Several ways computers are integrated into our business 7. What is network, the Internet, and the World Wide Web
and personal lives. 8. How computers, people, and Web pages are identified on
3. Define a computer and describe its primary operations. the Internet.
4. Identify the major parts of a personal computer, including 9. How to access a Web page and navigate through a Web
input, processing, output, storage, and communications site.
hardware. 10. Discuss the societal impact of computers, including some
5. Define software and understand how it is used to instruct the benefits and risks related to their prominence in our society.
computer what to do.

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 Overview Computers in Your Life

• This chapter covers: • Why learn about computers?

– What computers are, how they work, and how they are • Why they have become an integral
used part of our lives
– Computer terminology • Why is it necessary to learn basics of
– An overview of the history of computers computer
– The basic types of computers in use today • Computers then and now!
– How to access resources on the Internet
– Societal impacts of computers

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Computers in Your Life

• Before 1980
– Computers were large and expensive
– Very few people had access to them
– Computers were mostly used for high-volume
processing tasks
• Microcomputers in the early 1980s
– Inexpensive personal computers
– Computer use increased dramatically

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 Computers in Your Life Computers in Your Life

• Today
– Majority of households include a computer, and most
use computers at work
– Electronic devices are converging into single units with
multiple capabilities
• Check e-mail on living room
television
• View Internet content on mobile
devices
– Computer literacy is an essential skill for everyone

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Computers in the Home Computers in the Home

• Computers used for a variety of tasks: • Used for reference, productivity, and entertainment
– Looking up information and news • Wireless networking
– Exchanging e-mail – Computers can be used in nearly any location
– Shopping and paying bills • Smart appliances
– Watching TV and videos – Traditional appliances with built-in computer or
communication technology
– Downloading music and movies
• Smart homes
– Organizing digital photographs – Household tasks are monitored and controlled by a main
– Playing games computer in the house or distributed computing
– Making vacation plans

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 Computers in Education Computers in Education

• Youth today: the computing generation

• Computer labs and classrooms
– Most students today have access to computers at school
– Some schools integrate e-books into the curriculum
• Wireless hotspots
– Colleges and universities are even more integrated
– Some have computer requirements for enrollment
• Supplied or Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
• Distance learning
– Students participate from locations other than the traditional
classroom setting using computers and Internet access

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Computers on the Job Computers on the Job

• Computers have become a universal on-the-job tool for

decision-making, productivity, and communication
– By all types of employees
– For access control and other security measures
– Extensively by the military
– Requires continually refreshing computer skills
– Common uses:
– Decision making, productivity, off-site communications,
and authentication

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 Computers on the Go Consumer Technology

• Computers are encountered in nearly every aspect of daily life Restaurant iPad Ordering Systems
– Consumer kiosks – Used in conjunction with e-menus
– ATM transactions – Customers can place and pay for orders
– POS systems at retail stores – Can provide more resources to customers
– Self-checkout systems
– Consumer authentication systems
– Portable computers or mobile devices
– GPS systems

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What Is a Computer and What Does It Do? What Is a Computer and What Does It
Do?
• Computer
– A programmable, electronic device that accepts data,
performs operations on that data, and stores the data
– Follows instructions, called programs, which determine the
tasks the computer will perform
• Basic Operations
– Input: Entering data into the computer
– Processing: Performing operations on the data
– Output: Presenting the results
– Storage: Saving data, programs, or output for future use
– Communications: Sending or receiving data
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 Data vs. Information Computers Then and Now

• Data • The computer as we know it is a fairly recent invention

– Raw, unorganized facts • The history of computers is often referred to in terms of generations

– Can be in the form of text, graphics, audio, or video • Each new generation is characterized by a major technological development

• Information • Precomputers and early computers (before approx. 1946)

– Abacus, slide rule, mechanical calculator
– Data that has been processed into a meaningful form
– Punch Card Tabulating Machine and Sorter
• Information Processing (Data to information
conversion)
– Converting data into information

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Office Desk Then and Now Computers Then and Now

• First-generation computers (1946-1957)

– Enormous and powered by vacuum tubes
– Used a great deal of electricity and generated a lot of heat
– UNIVAC and ENIAC (Universal Automatic Computer, Electronic
Numerical Integrator And Computer)

• Second-generation computers (1958-1963)

– Used transistors
– Computers were smaller, more powerful, cheaper, more
energy-efficient, and more reliable
– Punch cards and magnetic tape were used to input and
store data
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 Computers Then and Now Computers Then and Now

• Fifth-generation (now and the future)

– Infancy stage
– May be based on artificial intelligence (AI)
– Will likely use voice and touch input
– May be based on optical computers and utilize
nanotechnology

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Hardware Hardware

• Hardware: The physical parts of a computer • Input Devices

– Internal hardware – Used to input data into the computer
• Located inside the main box (system unit) of the – Keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras, microphones, touch
computer pads, touch screens, fingerprint readers, etc.
– External hardware • Processing Devices
– Perform calculations and control computer’s operation
• Located outside the system unit
– Central processing unit (CPU) and memory
• Connect to the computer via a wired or wireless
connection • Output Devices
– Hardware devices are associated with all five computer – Present results to the user
operations – Monitors, printers, speakers, projectors, etc.

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 Hardware Hardware

• Storage Devices
– Used to store data on or access data from
storage media
– Hard drives, CD/DVD discs and drives,
floppy, USB flash drives, etc.
• Communications Devices
– Allow users to communicate with others and to
electronically access remote information
– Modems, network adapters, routers, etc.

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Software Software

• Software • Windows 8 interface

– The programs or instructions used to tell the computer – Start button, Start screen, tiles, charms, etc.
hardware what to do
• System Software
– Operating system starts up the computer and controls its
operation
– Without OS, computer cannot function
– Boots the computer and launches programs at the user’s
direction
– OS use a GUI to interact with the user via icons, buttons,
etc.
– Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, etc.

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 Application Software Application Software

• Application Software • Examples of application software

– Performs specific tasks or applications – Word processing programs
• Creating letters, budgets, etc. – Multimedia programs
• Managing inventory and customer databases – Web browsers
• Editing photographs
– E-mail programs
• Scheduling appointments
• Viewing Web pages
• Exchanging e-mail
• Burning DVDs
• Designing homes
• Playing games

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Computer Users and Professionals

Chapter HALF

• Computer Users (end users)

– People who use a computer to obtain information
(basic skills required)
• Computer professionals include:
– Programmers
• Write programs computers use
– Systems analysts
• Design computer systems
– Computer operations personnel
• Manage day-to-day computer operations
– Security specialists
• Secure computers and networks against hackers
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