Computing Fundamentals

Unit 1- Recognizing Computers

Understand the importance of computers Define computers & computer systems Classify different types of computers Identify system components Describe the role of the CPU Define computer memory Describe how data is represented Identify types of storage devices Care for storage media

Objectives

A computer is a person, instrument, or machine that gathers, processes, and stores information.

What is a Computer?

Charles Babbage◦ Designed a steam-

powered calculator called the Difference Engine in 1821.

◦ His next idea was the Analytical Engine (1856), designed to perform any kind of mathematical calculation.

The Father of Computing

In 1943, the British built the first “Colossus” computer.

Used to decipher encrypted teleprinter messages sent by the Germans during World War II.

World War II

The first computer that most individuals could afford was the Altair 8800, built in 1975 by MITS.

No keyboard or screen◦ Information was entered by clicking switches

Altair

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created the first user-friendly personal computer, called the Apple, with a built-in keyboard, display screen, and storage unit.◦ The term personal computer refers to a

computer designed to be used by one person at a time.

First User-Friendly Computer

In 1981, IBM introduced its version of the personal computer—the IBM PC.

IBM made the general design available to competing companies, resulting in many clones or “compatibles.”

Today, the term PC often refers to computers running Microsoft’s Windows operating system.

Attack of the Clones

Hardware Software Data Output of

information

Receives data, processes data, outputs information, stores data

What is a Computer?

The use of the binary number system with two values: 0 and 1.

1= ON (electricity) 0= OFF (no electricity)

What Counting to Ten Looks Like

Decimal: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Binary: 0, 1, 10, 11, 100, 101, 110, 111, 1000, 1001, 1010

Binary

Review

Desktop Laptop Netbook Tablets Workstation Servers Handheld/Smartphone Terminal Mainframe Super Computer

Types of Computers

Personal computer- PC or MAC AKA Microcomputer Individual user

Desktop

AKA Notebook PC or Mac Portability Touchpad

Laptop

NOT laptop replacement

Made for travel

Basic◦ Check email◦ Web◦ Office◦ No Multitasking

Netbook

Lightweight & smaller

Less powerful than laptop

Small Screen Longer battery No CD/DVD Low in RAM (1GB) Windows XP/7 Basic

Netbook

Form of notebook Swivel Screen Handwriting Stylus

Tablet PC

PC in smaller size Many functions of PC

◦ Has memory, storage, CPU◦ Apps, Internet, Email◦ Android, WebOS, iOS

Tablets

Multiple CPUs, lots of RAM, multiple, high-capacity drives

Video Editing, CAD, Animation, Scientific, CSI, X-Ray

Workstation

Performs functions for computers on a network (provides a service)◦ Hold Files◦ Handle Email◦ Web Site

Server

PDA / Smartphone◦ Personal Digital

Assistant◦ AKA Pocket PC◦ Windows, iOS,

WebOS, Android, Palm OS

◦ Touch Screen◦ Can do email, web,

Office, etc.

Handheld/Smartphone

Data entering Keyboard & Monitor “Dumb” Terminal

Only performs functions when connected to larger system

Terminal

Connected to terminals

Bulk data processing Banks, statistics Hundreds of thousands $ Large institutions & govt. Airlines

Mainframe

Large & fast Perform BIG calc’s Volumes of data Millions of $$$ Government Military Research Labs NASA

Supercomputers

Name some…

Other Types of Computers?

Review 1 Managing an airline reservation & ticketing

system would be best performed by which class of computer?◦ Mainframe

Which computer only performs when connected to a larger computer?◦ Terminal

What’s another name for a desktop?◦ Microcomputer

Who is known as the father of computing?◦ Babbage

What’s the biggest advantage of using a notebook?◦ Portability

T/F. A server is dedicated to sharing resources & data.◦ True

Which type of computer provides services to other PCs?◦ Servers

What device would have Palm/WebOS on it?◦ Handheld, PAD, Smartphone

Review 2

Computing Fundamentals

Unit 1- Recognizing Computers