Copyright © 2003 by Prentice HallCopyright © 2003 by Prentice Hall
Computers:Computers:Tools for an Information AgeTools for an Information Age
Chapter 1Chapter 1Computers: Tools for an Information AgeComputers: Tools for an Information Age
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Fundamental CharacteristicsFundamental Characteristics
SpeedSpeedReliabilityReliabilityStorage CapabilityStorage CapabilityBy-productsBy-products
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Computer System ComponentsComputer System Components
HardwareHardware Equipment associated with the systemEquipment associated with the system
SoftwareSoftware Instructions that tell the hardware what to doInstructions that tell the hardware what to do
PeoplePeople Computer programmer: writes softwareComputer programmer: writes software User: purchases and uses softwareUser: purchases and uses software
Often called end-userOften called end-user
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Hardware: The Basic Components Hardware: The Basic Components of a Computerof a Computer
What is a Computer?What is a Computer?Four primary Four primary components:components: Input devicesInput devices ProcessorProcessor Output devicesOutput devices StorageStorage
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Peripheral DevicesPeripheral Devices
All hardware devices attached to the All hardware devices attached to the computercomputer Includes all input, output, and storage devicesIncludes all input, output, and storage devices
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NetworkingNetworking
Network: a system that uses Network: a system that uses communications equipment to connect communications equipment to connect computers and their resourcescomputers and their resourcesCommon network tools:Common network tools: Local Area Network (LAN)Local Area Network (LAN) ModemModem Electronic mailElectronic mail
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The InternetThe Internet
The largest and most far-flung networkThe largest and most far-flung network Connects users worldwideConnects users worldwide Not actually a network, but a collection of Not actually a network, but a collection of
thousands of networksthousands of networks
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Getting ConnectedGetting Connected
To access the Internet, connect to a To access the Internet, connect to a server computercomputer Server receives, processes, and transmits Server receives, processes, and transmits
informationinformation
Computers use a Computers use a standardstandard to communicate to communicateNeed an Need an Internet Service Provider Internet Service Provider (ISP)(ISP)
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Getting Around the InternetGetting Around the Internet
Began as a means for Department of Began as a means for Department of Defense and its research institutions to Defense and its research institutions to share informationshare information Information was text-onlyInformation was text-only Commands to navigate were obscureCommands to navigate were obscure
Now, much more visually basedNow, much more visually based Use Use browserbrowser to explore the Internet to explore the Internet World Wide WebWorld Wide Web
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Classification of ComputersClassification of Computers
Personal ComputersPersonal ComputersNotebook ComputersNotebook ComputersHandheld ComputersHandheld ComputersSupercomputersSupercomputers
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Personal Computer SystemPersonal Computer System