CSCC-101-Introduction-to-Computing-Lesson-2.pdf

Module 1 1 Introduction to Computing CSCC 101 Lesson 1: Fields in CS/ IT/IS College of Computer Science DMMMSU - SLUC ...

Module 1 1 Introduction to Computing CSCC 101 Lesson 1: Fields in CS/ IT/IS College of Computer Science DMMMSU - SLUC  Module 1 2 Lesson 2 Information Technology, the Internet, and You Objectives: On completion of this module, you will learn to … - Explain the parts of an information system: people, procedure, software, hardware, data, and the internet. - Distinguish between system software and application software. - Differentiate between the three kinds of system software - Define and compare general-purpose, specialized, and mobile applications. - Identify the four types of computers and the five types of personal computers. - Describe the different types of computer hardware, including the system unit, input and, output, storage, and communication devices. - Define data and describe document, worksheet, database and presentation files. - Explain computer connectivity, the wireless revolution, the internet, cloud computing and Internet of Things. Lesson 2: Information Technology, the College of Computer Science Internet, and You DMMMSU - SLUC  Module 1 3 Information System We deal with information systems in our daily life. Think of all things you can do online like registering for classes, paying bills, searching for jobs, or making travel reservations. Those examples show that IS are integral to our daily lives. Thanks to IS we may have a simpler life. Before stating the importance of Information Systems, you should get a little picture of the difference between Information Systems (IS) and Information Technology (IT). IS is an umbrella term for the systems, people and processes. The field of information systems bridges business and computer science. Meanwhile IT falls under the IS umbrella but deals with the technology involved in the systems themselves. IT can be defined as the study, design, implementation, support or management of computer- based information systems. Many people assume that Information Technology (IT) and Information Systems (IS) are the same, because people assume they are all computer- based. IS improves our quality of life. IS provides flexibility of time and location. A student can do their homework at home; check assignments from their teachers even no face to face meeting done that day. Indirectly, it affects our quality of life. To understand more about Information system, the diagram below and components are presented in detailed. People Connectivity Procedures Information System Data Software Hardware Components of Information System Lesson 2: Information Technology, the College of Computer Science Internet, and You DMMMSU - SLUC  Module 1 4 The six (6) Components of Information system 1. People - the end users of the computer system. 2. Procedures– the rules or guidelines for people to follow when using software, hardware, and data are procedures. 3. Software – a program consists of the step-by-step instructions that tell the computer how to do its work. Software is another name for a program or programs. The purpose of software is to convert data (unprocessed facts) into information (processed facts). o For example, a payroll program would instruct the computer to take the number of hours you worked in a week (data) and multiply it by your pay rate (data) to determine how much you are paid for the week (information). 4. Hardware - the equipment that processes the data to create information. It includes the keyboard, mouse, monitor, system unit, and other devices. Hardware is controlled by software. 5. Data - the raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, images, and sounds, are called data. Processed data yields information. Using the previous example of a payroll program, the data (number of hours worked and pay rate) is processed (multiplied) to yield information (weekly pay). 6. Connectivity - typically uses the Internet and allows users to greatly expand the capability and usefulness of their information systems. Two major kinds of software ❖ System Software - The user interacts primarily with application software. - enables the application software to interact with the computer hardware. - it is "background" software that helps the computer manage its own internal resources. - it is not a single software rather it is a collection of programs. Types of System Software 1. Operating systems are programs that coordinate computer resources, provide an interface between users and the computer, and run applications. Microsoft's Windows 8 and Apple's Mac OS X are two of the best-known operating systems for today's microcomputer users. 2. Utilities perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources. One of the most essential utility programs that every computer system should have is an antivirus program. These programs protect your computer system from viruses or malicious programs that are all too often deposited onto your computer Lesson 2: Information Technology, the College of Computer Science Internet, and You DMMMSU - SLUC  Module 1 5 from the Internet. These programs can damage software and hardware, as well as compromise the security and privacy of your personal data. If your computer does not have an antivirus program installed on it, you need to get one. To see how you can install a free antivirus program on your computer, see Making IT Work for You: Installing a Free Antivirus Program on page 10. 3. Device drivers are specialized programs designed to allow particular input or output devices to communicate with the rest of the computer system. ❖ Application Software- might be described as end user software. Types of Application Software 1. General-purpose applications are widely used in nearly all career areas. They are the kinds of programs you have to know to be considered computer competent. One of these general- purpose applications is a browser to navigate, explore, and find information on the Internet. The three most widely used browsers are Mozilla's Firefox, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, and Google's Chrome. 2. Specialized applications include thousands of other programs that are more narrowly focused on specific disciplines and occupations. Two of the best known are graphics and web authoring programs. Mobile apps or mobile applications are small programs designed for mobile devices such as smart phones, tablet computers, and other mobile devices. There are over half a million apps. The most popular mobile apps are for text messaging, Internet browsing, and connecting to social networks. Four Types of Computers Supercomputers are the most powerful type of computer. These machines are special high-capacity computers used by very large organizations. IBM's Blue Gene supercomputer is one of the fastest computers in the world. Mainframe computers occupy specially wired, air-conditioned rooms. Although not nearly as powerful as supercomputers, mainframe computers are capable of great processing speeds and data storage. For example, insurance companies use mainframes to process information about millions of policyholders. Midrange computers, also referred to as servers, are computers with processing capabilities less powerful than a mainframe computer yet more powerful than a microcomputer. Originally used by medium-size companies or departments of large companies to support their processing needs, today midrange computers are most widely used to support or serve end users for Lesson 2: Information Technology, the College of Computer Science Internet, and You DMMMSU - SLUC  Module 1 6 such specific needs as retrieving data from a database or supplying access to application software. Microcomputers are the least powerful, yet the most widely used and fastest- growing type of computer. Four types of microcomputers 1. Desktop computers are small enough to fit on top of or alongside a desk yet are too big to carry around. 2. Notebook computers, also known as laptop computers, are portable and lightweight and fit into most briefcases. 3. Tablets, also known as tablet computers, are the newest type of computer. They are smaller, lighter, and generally less powerful than notebooks. The best-known tablet is Apple's iPad. 4. Handheld computers are the smallest and are designed to fit into the palm of one hand. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smartphones are the most widely used handheld computers. Categories of Microcomputer Hardware 1. System unit. The system unit is a container that houses most of the electronic components that make up a computer system. o Two important components of the system ▪ Microprocessor - controls and manipulates data to produce information. ▪ Memory is a holding area for data, instructions, and information. One type, random-access memory (RAM), holds the program and data that is currently being processed. o This type of memory is sometimes referred to as temporary storage because its contents will typically be lost if the electric power to the computer is disrupted. 2. Input/output. Input devices translate data and programs that humans can understand into a form that the computer can process. The most common input devices are the keyboard and the mouse. o Output devices translate the processed information from the computer into a form that humans can understand. The most common output devices are monitors and printers. 3. Secondary storage. Unlike memory, secondary storage holds data and programs even after electric power to the computer system has been turned off. o Kinds of secondary media ▪ Hard disks are typically used to store programs and very large data files. Using rigid metallic platters and read/write heads that Lesson 2: Information Technology, the College of Computer Science Internet, and You DMMMSU - SLUC  Module 1 7 move across the platters, data and information are stored using magnetic charges on the disk's surface. ▪ Solid-state storage in contrast does not have any moving parts, is more reliable, and requires less power. It saves data and information electronically similar to RAM except that it is not volatile. Three types of solid-state drives (SSDs): o Flash memory cards that are widely used in portable devices; o USB drives that are a widely used compact storage medium for transporting data and information between computers and a variety of specialty devices; and o Optical discs use laser technology to store data and programs. ▪ Three types of optical discs 1. compact discs ( CDs), 2. digital versatile (or video) discs (DVDs), 3. Blu-ray discs. 4. Communication: A modem is a widely used communication device that modifies audio, video, and other types of data communications into a form that can be processed by a computer. Modems also modify computer output into a form that can be transmitted across standard cable and telephone lines. Data Data is raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers, images, and sounds. As we mentioned earlier, processed data becomes information. When stored electronically in files, data can be used directly as input for the system unit. Four common types of files 1. Document files - created by word processors to save documents such as memos, term papers, and letters. 2. Worksheet files - created by electronic spreadsheets to analyze things like budgets and to predict sales. 3. Database Files – typically created by database management programs to contain highly structured and organized data. For example, an employee database file might contain all the workers' names, Social Security numbers, job titles, and other related pieces of information. 4. Presentation files - created by presentation graphics programs to save presentation materials. For example, a file might contain audience handouts, speaker notes, and electronic slides. Lesson 2: Information Technology, the College of Computer Science Internet, and You DMMMSU - SLUC Summative Test Module 1 8 Connectivity Central to the concept of connectivity is the network. A network is a communications system connecting two or more computers. The largest network in the world is the Internet. It is like a giant highway that connects you to millions of other people and organizations located throughout the world. The web provides a multimedia interface to the numerous resources available on the Internet. Cloud computing uses the Internet and the web to shift many computer activities from a user's computer to computers on the Internet. College of Computer Science DMMMSU - SLUC