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Information Chapter Technology, The Internet, and You
The Computer
Computers are nearly ubiquitous. They already exists in: telephones handhelds cars coffee pots ovens microwaves
cameras id badges traffic lights doors calculators elevators
gas pumps ATMs grocery stores cash registers
Digital Information
Analog refers to data that is continuous or any value within a range (like the sound that comes from a horn) Digital refers to data that is discrete (represented as a collection of zeros and ones). Since computers use electricity, as zero can be represented as a circuit or switch being off and a one can be represented as a circuit or switch being on.
Computers vs. Devices
The electronic circuits of the processing component (processor) of a computer is etched on a wafer of silicon called a chip. Special purpose or embedded computers are small and perform only a few very specific operation. General purpose computers are designed to provide generic and complex processing capabilities.
Why is a computer powerful?
Fast Reliable and Consistent Accurate Large storage capacity Communicate
Data vs. Information
Data a collection of raw, unorganized facts (text, numbers, images, audio, and video) Information - Data that has been processed or organized in a meaningful and useful way to someone
Networks
Network a collection of computers and devices connected together Internet A worldwide collection of networks (networks of networks) World Wide Web one of the more popular services available on the Internet
Software vs. Hardware
Hardware physical parts of the computers Software (a.k.a Instructions or Programs) electronic parts of computers; the steps that tell the computer how to perform a particular task
Types of Hardware
System main Unit unit that contains the processing components
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Motherboard main circuit board Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Processor Main Memory or Random Access Memory (RAM) or Primary Storage
Storage Devices or Secondary Storage component that holds data/information for future use (after the computer has been turned off)
Types of Hardware (continued)
Input Devices components that gather data from an external entity (e.g. user, another computer) and provide it to the computer Output Devices components that take data from the computer and present it to an external entity (e.g. user, another computer) Communication Devices components that allow computers to exchange data with other computers (e.g. NIC or modem)
Types of Software
System Software
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Operating System A set of programs responsible for managing the system Utilities Programs A set of programs that help with the maintenance of the system (e.g. disk formatting/repair, backups, managing printers, virus protection, etc.)
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Application Software Everything else!
Types of Computers
Mobile...