Transcript Chapter 1: Computers: A First Look

WELCOME
SIGCS I – Hardware and Software Solutions for
Teachers

Your presenter
• Taner Erig, Department of Computer Science
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI. 48197

You may expect to
• Gain a more complete understanding of computers beyond general use of
application programs
• Look at parts and components of a typical computer system
• Learn how information is stored and processed
• Cover basic concepts of operating systems and networking
• Discuss current topics in computing such as:
– Privacy
– Information Security
– Present Issues & Controversies
March 2006
Taner Erig - EMU
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Computers: A First Look

What is a computer?
• A computer is a device that takes data in one form, uses it,
and produces a different form of information which is related
to (but not the same as) the original data.
• ***** It is important to recognize that computers are MORE
than laptops and boxes next to monitors. Many “SINGLE
PURPOSE” machines are considered computers; scale,
calculator, stonehenge
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Taner Erig - EMU
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The Many Kinds of Computers

Computers can be classified by three sets of
characteristics:
Electronic
versus
Mechanical
General-purpose
versus
Special-purpose
Digital
versus
Analog
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The General-Purpose
Electronic Digital Computer

The General-purpose electronic digital computer
• General Purpose: Can be used in many different fields of work.
• Electronic: Requires a source of electricity to function.
• Digital: Made up of binary circuitry. (Each can be set to one of one
two possible conditions.)
• Controlled by humans: Presents results in a way usable by humans.
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Taner Erig - EMU
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The General-Purpose
Electronic Digital Computer

Digital computers are made up of four major
components:
• Input units - Humans interface with the computer through
devices like the mouse and keyboard.
• Memory - Stores programs and other data.
• Central Processing Unit - “Brain” controls all computer
operations, processes information, computes results.
• Output Units - The computer displays results to the human
through devices like the printer and monitor.
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Taner Erig - EMU
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The General-Purpose
Electronic Digital Computer

Computer Hardware
• The electronics and associated mechanical parts of the
computer.

Computer Software
• Consists of instructions that control the hardware and cause
the desired process to happen
• A Floppy Disk is considered hardware. A program ON the
disk is considered software!
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Taner Erig - EMU
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The Many Kinds of Computers

Digital to Analog Example:
The Computer
is Digital
(moves information
around within the
computer in the
form of voltage
pulses)
Modem
(translates from digital
to analog and from
analog to digital)
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Modems
(translate from digital
to analog and from
analog to digital)
“Analog” Phone
lines send the
information as a
series of sound
frequencies
Taner Erig - EMU
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Do you know Hardware?

List a hardware component for each line in categories below>
CPU:
INPUT:
OUTPUT:
OUTPUT:
1.___________
1.__Mouse___
Processor chip
1.__Monitor_
1.___________
2.___________
2._Keyboard__
MAIN
MEMORY:
2.__Printer__
2.___________
3.___________
3.__Camera__
1.chips&SIMMS
4.___Scanner/Fax
4.___________
_
SECONDARY MEMORY:
3._Speakers__
3.___________
4.__Fax/Modem*_
4.___________
1.__________________
1._CD
Rom, DVD, etc._
2.______________
2.__ZIP,
Jazz disk._ 3.___________
3.__Floppy
disk_4._______________
4.__Hard disk__
Taner Erig - EMU
March 2006
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The General-Purpose
Electronic Digital Computer

Why do computers work in binary?
• Given that electricity flows - or doesn’t = on OR off
• Simply, because using the binary system is cheap and reliable.
– Circuits can be made at the molecular level
• Building computers using any other system would be too
expensive and become less reliable.
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