Transcript Understanding Computing Sheet

• Monks use computers to preserve their books.
• The information can be stored on CDs and
uploaded to the Internet so that the whole
world can learn from them.
The Age of Information
• The world depends on
computers for:
• Banking
• Air Traffic Control
• Games
• Email
• Hospitals
• Libraries
• Research…
• What would your life be
like without computers?
Microchips in Cars
• ABS (anti-lock braking
system) uses
microchips to help
prevent skidding
• GPS (global positioning
system) gives drivers
directions and helps to
locate stolen cars
• OBD (on board
diagnostics) car’s
computer tells you
what is wrong with the
engine
Flying by the Wire
• Fighter pilots fly so fast that they need a computer
autopilot to help stabilize the jet
“Breathing” Displays
• The computer gives the pilot so much information
that it seems like it is “alive”
Digital Information
• For a computer to
analyze data it must
translate all
information into
numbers.
Digital Photography
• A computer turns a picture into tiny blocks of light
called pixels.
Binary
• A computer converts everything into zeros and
ones (binary code). This is how a computer would
count from 1 to 10:
•1
01
•6
110
•2
10
•7
111
•3
11
•8
1000
•4
100
•9
1001
•5
101
• 10
1010
Storing Binary Information
• The computer stores
information by turning
on or off electrical
signals
• The smallest unit of
information is a BIT
• Eight BITs makes one
BYTE
• Each number or letter
is one BYTE
Transistors
• Transistors control the
amount of electricity
flowing into a
computer
• Vacuum tubes were
used in computers in
the early days, but
they took up a lot of
space, were hot and
broke down a lot
Computer Chips
• Computer chips
always check for
errors
• A program will not run
if there is an error!
• Computer chips
always make an exact
copy (music, pictures,
text…)
Input vs Output
•
•
•
•
Keyboard
Mouse
Microphone
These peripherals
(hardware attached
to a computer) send
information into a
computer
•
•
•
•
Printer
Monitor
Speakers
These peripherals
send information
from a computer
Computer Memory
• ROM – Read Only Memory is
permanent instructions that the
computer that the computer must follow
to run programs
• ROM is like information “carved” in
stone
• RAM – Random Access Memory is
temporary memory used while
operating programs – if you don’t save,
it will be lost!
• RAM is like information “written” on a
blackboard
RAM
• Programs are loaded
into RAM from the
floppy or hard disk.
CPU
• The central
processing unit is
responsible for
actually doing the
computing in a
computer.
• It is known as the
“brain” of the
computer
ENIAC
• The first generation
computer was built with
18,000 vacuum tubes,
cost $8 million, weighed
30 tons and was called
the ENIAC – electrical,
numerical, integrator and
calculator.
John Von Neumann
• He was the first
person to make
computer programs
• This made
computers faster and
easier to use
• The smallest unit of
information is a BIT
• Eight BITs makes
one BYTE
• Each number or
letter is one BYTE
Douglas Engelbart
• He invented the
computer mouse in
1967
ARPAN
• The Advanced
Research Projects
Agency Network was
developed by the US
military for scientists
to share information
and eventually
became the Internet
Modem
• This computer
hardware allows
computers to
connect to the
Internet.
Server
• This computer
hardware manages
network resources
• All the computers in
this room are
connected to one
printer
• The server in the
library controls all
the printers in our
school
Internet Messages
• Messages are
divided into
packets of
information and
then sent to
Internet
addresses.
Hackers
• To protect ourselves
from hackers trying to
steal computer
information, we have
to use firewalls,
encryption and virus
scanning software.
Networks
• Narrow band
networks can only
send text messages
• Wide band networks
are able to send
videos and graphics
Mind and Microchip Marriage
• Some people predict
that in the future we
will be able to put
computer chips into
our brains to make us
smarter.
• Would you want a
computer chip in your
brain?