The Computer Defined
The two principal characteristics of a computer are:
It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner. It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions Computers are electronic and digital Converts data into information Modern computers are digital Two digits combine to make data
Older computers were analog
A range of values made data
Data Definition: Data is a collection of raw facts and figures (e.g. cooking) Data needs to be processed before it can be turned into something useful Data comes in many forms numbers, words, symbols
Examples: Car Mileage, Prices of cosmetics
Case Study on DATA
Pizza Hut wants to come up with a new joint in the city of Vapi in state of Gujarat.
It has conducted a market research survey and has come up with the following data. Assuming Vapi city to be made up of following 10 people with their preferences listed below: Geeta aged 23 loves eating out and her preference is Indian food Rahul aged 16 loves eating out and his preference is pizzas Sanjay aged 56 doesnt eat out due to health reasons
Rachana aged 35 prefers to eat in luxury hotels
Vishal aged 30 can afford to eat only at cheap eateries Aarav aged 2 eats only home cooked food Ashok aged 70 has dentures and hence can only eat soft foods Mansi aged 10 loves eating continental food Ajay aged 40 loves eating out and has no preference towards any cuisine Pallavi aged 23 eats only healthy foods and has no preference towards any
cuisine
Information
The data is converted into the following information for Pizza Hut
Sr No Names Age Preference
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Geeta
Rahul Sanjay Rachana Vishal Aarav Ashok Mansi Ajay Pallavi
23
16 56 35 30 2 70 10 40 23
Indian
Pizzas doesnt eat out eat in luxury hotels cheap eateries doesnt eat out doesnt eat out Continental Any Healthy Food
The Computer Defined
For managers it is important to convert the data into information for decision making In the above scenario Pizza Hut has identified that 40% of the total population shall be its target audience and its intended users. The age group of intended target audience is 10-40 years They would advertise close to schools, colleges, theaters, malls and so on
Types of Computers
1. 2. Computers for Individual Users Computers for Organizations
Individual Users
Computers for Organizations
Desktops Notebook / Laptops Workstations Tablet computers Handheld computers
Network servers Mainframes Minicomputers Supercomputers
Smart phones
The Computer Defined
Desktop computers
The most common type of computer Sits on the desk or floor Performs a variety of tasks
Workstations Specialized computers
Optimized for science or graphics
More powerful than a desktop
Laptops/ Notebooks Small portable computers Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds About 8 by 11 inches
Typically as powerful as a desktop
The Computer Defined
Tablet computers Newest development in portable computers Input is through a pen Run specialized versions of office products
Handheld computers
Very small computers
Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) Note taking or contact management Data can synchronize with a desktop Used by Medical reps John Sculley from Apple gave industry the name PDA
The Computer Defined
Smart phones Hybrid of cell phone and PDA Web surfing, e-mail access
Computers For Organizations
Network servers Centralized computer All other computers connect Provides access to network resources Often simply a powerful desktop Print Server, Web Server
Supercomputers The most powerful computers made Handle large and complex calculations Process trillions of operations per second Found in research organizations
Computers For Organizations
Mainframes Used in large organizations Handle thousands of users Users access through a terminal Examples: Banks, Insurance, Airlines, RTO RAS, HVAC, high speed, low maintenance
Minicomputers Called midrange computers Power between mainframe and desktop Handle hundreds of users Used in smaller organizations Users access through a terminal
Looking Inside the Computer System
Parts of the Computer System
Computer systems have four parts Hardware Software Data
User
Parts of the Computer System
Hardware Mechanical devices in the computer Anything that can be touched Data Pieces of information Computer organize and present data
Software
Users
Tell the computer what to do
Also called a program Thousands of programs exist
People operating the computer
Most important part Tell the computer what to do
Information Processing Cycle
Steps followed to process data
Input Processing Output Storage
Essential Computer Hardware
Hardware categorized into four types 1. 2. Processing devices Memory devices
3.
4.
Input and output devices
Storage devices
Processing devices Brains of the computer Carries out instructions from the program Most computers have several processors
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
micro processors Processors made of silicon and copper
Essential Computer Hardware
Memory devices
Stores data or programs Random Access Memory (RAM) Volatile (mens memory) Stores current data and programs
More RAM results in a faster system
Read Only Memory (ROM) Permanent storage of programs (womens memory) Holds the computer boot directions
Essential Computer Hardware
Input and output devices
Allows the user to interact Input devices accept data Keyboard (foldable), mouse (wireless)
Output devices deliver data
Monitor (touch screen example), printer (thermal, UV), speaker
Some devices are input and output Touch screens,
Essential Computer Hardware
Storage devices
Hold data and programs permanently Different from RAM One of the most popular device for data storage is USB drives Magnetic storage
Floppy (3 inch), hard drive and external hard drive
Uses a magnet to access data
Optical storage CD and DVD drives Uses a laser to access data Computers are built with inbuilt DVD drives
Software Runs The Machine
Tells the computer what to do Reason people purchase computers Two types
System software
Application software
System software Most important software Operating system Windows XP
Network operating system (OS)
Windows Server 2003
Utility Symantec AntiVirus
Software Runs The Machine
Application software Accomplishes a specific task Most common type of software MS Word
Covers most common uses of computers Other examples are MS PowerPoint, Excel, Games, photos, Educational
software
Computer data
Fact with no meaning on its own Stored using the binary number system Data can be organized into files
Computer Users
Role depends on ability Setup the system Install software Mange files Maintain the system
User less computers
Run with no user input Automated systems
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