ACADEMIC COMPUTING
FIRST STAGE
KOYA UNIVERSITY
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER
What Is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device that
Accepts information and instructions from a user.
Manipulates the information according to the
instructions.
Displays the information in some way.
Stores the information for retrieval later.
2
What Is a Computer?
3
The computer
first, Accepts data such as raw facts, figures, and
symbol
then, Processes data into information (Data that
is organized, meaningful, and useful )
finally, Produces and stores results
information processing cycle?
4
Input
Process
Output Storage
Communication
The Components of a computer system are:
I- Hardware: Physical components like screen,
cables, keyboard and printers. The hardware
cannot do anything without software.
II- Software: A set of instructions that tells the
computer what to do and how to do that. Such as:
word processing, computer games and graphics
programs.
III- Users: A person who uses the software on
the computer to do some tasks.
The Components of a Computer
6
What is an input device?
Hardware used
to enter data
and instructions
The Components of a Computer
7
What is an output device?
Hardware that
conveys
information
to a user
The Components of a Computer
8
What is the system unit?
Box-like case
containing
electronic
components
used to process
data
What is the magic inside the black box?
Storage
Units
9
Memory Video
card Card
Power
Supply
U
CP
Sound
Card
The Components of a Computer
10
What are two main components on the motherboard?
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Also called a processor
Carries out instructions that tell computer what to do
Memory (or RAM or Main memory)
Temporary holding place for data and instructions
Volatile memory
The Components of a Computer
11
What is storage?
Holds data, instructions, and information
for future use
Storage media
Physical material on which data, instructions,
and information are stored
Storage device
12
What is a floppy disk?
Thin, circular,
flexible disk
enclosed in rigid
plastic shell
The capacity started
from 110 kB in 1976
and grew to 200 MB
in 1999
The Components of a Computer
13
What is a hard disk?
Provides much
greater storage
capacity than a
floppy disk
Housed inside the
system unit
The Components of a Computer
14
What is a compact disc?
Flat, round, portable metal disc
CD-ROM
CD-RW
Capacity: 673~768 MB
DVD-ROM
DVD+RW
Capacity:4.7 ~ 17.1 GB
The Components of a Computer
15
What is miniature storage
media?
Digital
Digital
Portable,
Portable, thin
thin cameras
cameras
memory
memory cards
cards
used
used in:
in:
Handheld
Handheld
computers
computers
Data Representation
Binary digits (bits)
A series of eight bits is called a byte
Kilobyte (KB or K)
Megabyte (MB)
Gigabyte (GB)
Terabyte (TB)
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
16
Data Representation
1 Byte=8 bits
1 KB=1024 Bytes
1 MB=1024 KB
1 GB=1024 MG
Why Is a Computer So Powerful?
18
What makes a computer powerful?
Speed
Reliability
Accuracy
Storage
Communications
Networks and the Internet
19
What is a network?
Collection of computers and devices connected together
Communications
Communications
Device Communications
Communications
Device
Media
Media
Enables Satellites
Enablesaa Cables
connection
connection Telephone Cellular
between
between lines radio
computers
computers
One type is
a modem
Networks and the Internet
20
To
Toshare
share
Why do we need network?
Resources
Resources
Hardware
Hardware
devices
devices Software
Software
programs
programs To
Tosave
save
Data
Data time
time
Information and
Information and
money
money
Networks and the Internet
21
What is the Internet?
Worldwide collection of networks that connects
millions of computers
Networks and the Internet
22
Why do users access the Internet?
1. Communications
2. Information
3. Shopping
4. Banking and Investing
5. Classes
6. Entertainment
Computer Software
23
How do you install and run a software program?
A program is a series of instructions that tells the
computer what to do
Step 2. Install the software
Step 1. program by instruction in
Insert the program disc the disc, then run the
into the CD-ROM program
drive
Step 3.
The program executes
Computer Software
24
What is system software?
Programs that control the operations of the computer
and its devices
Operating
OperatingSystem
System(OS)
(OS)
isisaaset
setof
ofprograms
programs
that
Utility Programsallow
UtilityPrograms allowthe
theuser
usertoto
thatcoordinates
coordinatesallall perform
performmaintenance-type
maintenance-typetasks
tasks
activities
activitiesamong
among usually
computer usuallyrelated
relatedtotomanaging
managingaa
computerhardware
hardware computer,
computer,its
itsdevices
devicesor
orits
itsprograms
programs
devices
devicesandandallows
allows
users
userstotorun
run
application
applicationsoftware
software
Computer Software
25
What is application software?
Programs that perform specific tasks for users
Suite
Popular software applications
bundled together as a single unit
Word
Spreadsheet
Processing
Presentation
Database
Graphics
Categories of Computers
26
What are the categories of computers?
Personal computers (desktop)
Mobile computers and mobile devices
Mainframe computers
Supercomputers
Personal Computers
27
What are the two most popular series of personal
computers?
PC and compatibles Apple Macintosh
use the Windows uses the Macintosh
operating system operating system
(Mac OS)
Personal Computers
28
What is a desktop computer?
Designed so all of the components fit on or under
a desk or table
Personal Computers
29
What is a laptop?
Portable, small enough to fit on
your lap(2 lbs to 9 lbs )
Also called a notebook
Generally more expensive than
a desktop computer
Mobile computers and mobile devices
Handheld computers: Handheld computers, also called
personal digital assistants (PDAs), are battery-powered
computers small enough to carry almost anywhere.
Although not as powerful as desktops or laptops, handhelds
are useful for scheduling appointments, storing addresses and
phone numbers, and playing games.
Handheld computers with Touch screen Handheld computers with Keyboard
Servers
31
What types of servers are there?
Mainframe Very powerful,
expensive computer that supports
thousands of computers
Supercomputer The fastest, most
powerful, most expensive
computer. Used for applications
requiring complex mathematical
calculations
Examples of Computer Usage
32
What are five categories of computer users?
Home
Small Office/ Mobile
Home Office (SOHO)
Large Business Powerful
stations
Examples of Computer Usage
33
What software is available for a home user?
• Web access
• Entertainment
• Communications
• Personal finance management
Examples of Computer Usage
34
What are the needs of a power user?
Speed and large amounts of storage
Types of power users
Engineers
Architects
Desktop publishers
Graphic artists
Computer Applications in Society
35
What are some examples of computer applications
in society?
Education
Finance
Government
Healthcare
Science
Publishing
Travel
Industry
