Computer Systems Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Introducing Computer Systems

• Computers are electronic devices that convert data into information, playing an integral role in various fields such as education, business, and science. They process input data to produce output information that can be used for analysis, decision-making, and communication.
• Modern computers are digital, utilizing a binary number system that employs two distinct digits, 0 and 1, to represent data. This binary coding underpins the operation of virtually all contemporary digital devices, enabling complex computations and data storage.
• Older computers were analog, which means they used a continuous range of values to represent information. They are characterized by their ability to handle varying degrees of data, making them suitable for specific measurements and calculations.
• Analog examples include differential analyzers, which were used for solving differential equations, and slide rules, which served as manual tools for mathematical calculations before the digital age.
• Computers can be shared by multiple users; however, at any given moment, they can only be effectively used by one person at a time. This limitation often necessitates resource management systems to ensure fair and efficient access to computer resources.
• Personal computers (PCs) are primarily used by individuals for various tasks, including word processing, gaming, and browsing the internet. They can also connect to form networks, enabling multiple computers to communicate and share resources, such as files and printers, enhancing collaboration and productivity.

Computers for Individual Use

• Desktop computers are the most common type, sitting on a desk or floor.
• Desktops perform a variety of tasks, including communication, music creation, photo/video editing, and games.
• Different desktop designs exist, such as traditional tower and upright designs.
• Workstations are specialized computers optimized for science or graphics, and are more powerful than desktops.
• Notebook Computers are small, portable computers weighing between 3 and 8 pounds.
• Notebooks are about 8 1/2 by 11 inches in size and typically as powerful as a desktop. They can include docking stations for added features (like a monitor).
• Tablet computers are the newest portable computer development, using input through a pen.
• They run specialized versions of office products.
• Handheld computers/PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) are very small computers for note-taking or contact management; data can synchronize with a desktop.
• Smart phones are a hybrid of cell phones and PDAs, providing web surfing and email access.

Computers for Organizations

• Network servers are centralized computers used for connecting other computers; they provide access to network resources, and multiple servers are called server farms.
• Servers can be powerful desktops, like those at Google.
• Servers show flexibility across a variety of tasks for users.
• Mainframes are large, powerful systems used in large organizations that handle thousands of users who access them through terminals.
• Minicomputers are mid-range computers that handle hundreds of users in smaller organizations.
• Supercomputers are the most powerful computers; they handle complex computations, processing trillions of operations per second, and are used in research institutions.

Computers in Society

• Computers have a much larger impact than other inventions. They changed industries, personal workspace, work and leisure, and accessibility to information (like travel).
• The benefits of using computers are diverse, changing based on user needs, backgrounds, and professions.
• Computers at home are common now with many homes containing multiple computers that access the Internet and are used for communications (including email), business transactions, entertainment, education, and finances.
• Computers in education are now essential at most levels.
• Computers in small business allow faster, more convenient management of financial aspects of the business.
• Computers in industry are used to design products, and automate assembly lines.
• Computers in government are necessary for tracking data and for tasks like tax calculation and collection.
• Computers in health care have revolutionized the industry, enabling new treatments, scheduling improvements, and safer medicine delivery.