Computers Are

Your Future

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Computers Are Your Future

Chapter 1
Computers, the Web & You

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 2

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

What You Will Learn About

The importance of computers in your world
The four basic operations a computer performs
The two main components of a computer system
Hardware
Software

The differences between system software and

application software

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 3

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

What You Will Learn About

Examples of hardware devices
The information processing cycle
Ethical considerations involved with computer usage
The two major categories of computers
The Internet and its most popular uses

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 4

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Computers, the Web & You

Your future isnt just about performing tasks. Your

future is about having choices and making decisions.
2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 5

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Understanding the Computer: Basic Definitions

Computer A machine
that performs four basic
operations: input,
processing, output, and
storage.
Information
processing cycle The
term used to describe
the four basic
operations.

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 6

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Understanding the Computer: Basic Definitions

Hardware

Software

Computer system A collection of related

components that are designed to work together.
A system includes hardware and software.

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 7

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Understanding the Computer: Basic Definitions

Program A list of instructions that tell the computer

how to perform the four basic operations to
accomplish a task.
2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 8

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Understanding the Computer: Basic Definitions

Software All the programs that give the computer
its instructions.
Two categories of software:
System software

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Application software

Slide 9

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Input: Getting Data into the Computer

Data Unorganized raw materials made up of words,

numbers, images, or sounds
The first operation
Input devices enable the user to enter data into the
computer.
The computer accepts data.
2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 10

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Processing: Transforming Data into Information

DATA IN

INFORMATION OUT

The second operation

Computers transform data into information.

Processing circuitry:
Central processing unit (CPU)
Random access memory (RAM)

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 11

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Output: Displaying Information

The third operation

The computer shows the results of the processing operation
in a way people can understand.
Output devices show the results of processing operations.

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 12

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Storage: Holding Programs and Data

for Future Use

The fourth operation

The computer saves the data or output so that it can be used
again later.
Storage devices hold all programs and data that the
computer uses.
2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 13

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Communications: Moving Data between

Computers
A fifth operation
Moving data within the computer or between computers
Communications devices Enable computers to connect to a
computer network.
Network Two or more computer systems that are
connected.
Modem A device that enables the computer to access other
computers.

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 14

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

The Information Processing Cycle In Action

Input You enter text in a
word processing program.
You run the programs spell
checker program.

Processing The computer

checks and compares all
words entered with a list of
correctly spelled words.
Output The computer
provides a list of apparent
misspellings.

Compoters
A computer is a machine that perfirms four basic
operations: input, processing, output, and
storage. Together, these four operations are
called the information proceesing cycle.

You correct the spelling in

your document.

Storage You save the

revised document to a disk.

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 15

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using

Computers
Advantages

Disadvantages

Speed

Information overload

Memory

Expensive

Storage

Slower than RAM

Reliability and accuracy

Only applies to hardware,

not software

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 16

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Dont Be Intimidated by Hardware

People feel threatened by
computers because they
fear computers are too
complicated.
Computers should be
treated in the same way as
any other electrical device.

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 17

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Take Ethics Seriously

Ethics is the behavior associated with moral beliefs.
Computer ethics deals with computer-related moral
dilemmas and principles for computer professionals.
Responsible computing requires an understanding of
both the benefits of computer use and the potential
harm of computer misuse.

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 18

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Recognize the Risks of Using Flawed Software

All programs contain errors.

All computer use entails a certain level of risk.
Bug An error or defect in software or hardware that
causes a program to malfunction.
2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 19

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Types of Computers

Computers for Individuals

Desktop PC, iMac

Notebook Laptop

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Personal Digital
Assistant

All-in-One

Workstation

Internet Appliance

Slide 25

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Types of Computers
Computers for Organizations
Servers are not
designed for
individuals. They
make programs
available for network
users.
Minicomputers
handle the computing
for small
corporations

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Mainframes
handle gigantic
processing jobs
for large
corporations or
agencies.
Supercomputers
are ultra-fast and
handle huge
amounts of
scientific data.
Slide 26

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

The Internet and World Wide Web

A global information system composed of computers

and networks
All computers connected to it can exchange data with each
other.
2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 27

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

World Wide Web

(WWW)

Electronic commerce
(e-commerce)

Internet Services
Electronic mail
(e-mail)

Instant messaging
World Wide Web (WWW)
Electronic mail (e-mail)
Instant messaging
Electronic commerce (e-commerce)

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 28

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Summary

Computer users must be able to adapt to new

computer technologies with ease.
A computer is a machine that performs the
operations of input, processing, output, and
storage.
A computer system is a collection of related
components.
System software helps the computer function
properly and application programs enable users
to perform tasks.
The information processing cycle consists of
the input, processing, output, and storage
operations.

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 29

Computers Are Your Future Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Summary (continued)

Understanding the advantages and disadvantages
of computer use is necessary for responsible
computing.
Two types of computers:
Computers for individuals
Computers for organizations

The Internet is a global information network.

Internet services include e-mail, the World Wide
Web, instant messaging, and e-commerce.

2005 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Slide 30