Lecture 1 - Introduction to Computers: Hardware, Software, and Generations - PDF

General Regulations Students should only attend lectures and assessments in their own classes, labs and sections otherwise marks will not be considered and this might cause student failure No Calculators are allowed in exams Learning Objectives Explain why it is essential to learn abo...

General Regulations Students should only attend lectures and assessments in their own classes, labs and sections otherwise marks will not be considered and this might cause student failure No Calculators are allowed in exams Learning Objectives Explain why it is essential to learn about computers today and discuss several ways computers are integrated into our business and personal lives. Define a computer and describe its primary operations. List some important milestones in computer evolution. Identify the major parts of a personal computer, including input, processing, output, storage, and communications hardware. Define software and understand how it is used to instruct the computer what to do. List the five basic types of computers, giving at least one example of each type of computer and stating what that computer might be used for. 2 Computers in Your Life Why learn about computers? Why do you need basic computer literacy? List all the ways we use computers in our lives.. ❑ Looking up information and news ❑ Exchanging e-mail ❑… 3 What is Computer? Computer: A programmable, electronic device that accepts data, performs operations on that data, and stores the data or results as needed Computers follow instructions, called programs, which determine the tasks the computer will perform  Computer Basic operations 5 Basic Computer operations: 1.Input: Entering data into the computer 2.Processing: Performing operations on the data 3.Output: Presenting the results (information) 4.Storage: Saving data, programs, or output for future use 5.Communications: Sending or receiving data Data vs. Information Data ◦ Raw, unorganized facts ◦ Can be in the form of text, graphics, audio, or video Information ◦ Data that has been processed into a meaningful form Information processing ◦ Converting data into information 6 Computer Users and Professionals Computer users (end users) ◦ People who use a computer to obtain information Computer Users and Professionals Computer professionals include: 1. Programmers ◦ Write programs computers use 2. Systems analysts ◦ Design computer systems 3. Computer operations personnel ◦ Manage day-to-day computer operations 4. Security specialists ◦ Secure computers and networks against hackers 8 Computers Then and Now The computer as we know it is a fairly recent invention Precomputers and early computers (before 1946) ◦ Abacus, slide rule, mechanical calculator ◦ Punch Card Tabulating Machine 99 Computers Then and Now The history of computers is often referred to in terms of generations Each new generation is characterized by a major technological development 1010 Computers Then and Now First-generation computers (1946-1957) ◦ Enormous and powered by vacuum tubes ◦ Used a great deal of electricity, and generated a lot of heat 11 Computers Then and Now Second-generation computers (1958-1963) Transistor ◦ Used transistors ◦ Computers were smaller, more powerful, cheaper, more energy-efficient, and more reliable ◦ Punch cards and magnetic tape were used to input and store data 12 Computers Then and Now Third-generation computers (1964-1970) ◦ Used integrated circuits (ICs) ◦ Keyboards and monitors introduced I.C. 13 Computers Then and Now Fourth-generation computers (1971-present) microprocessors ◦ Invention of Microcomputers in the early 80s ◦ Use microprocessors ◦ IBM PC, Apple Macintosh ◦ Use keyboards, mice, monitors, and printers ◦ Use magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical disks for storage ◦ Computer networks, wireless technologies, Internet 14 Computers Then and Now Fifth-generation (now and the future) ◦ Infancy stage ◦ No precise classification ◦ May be based on artificial intelligence (AI) ◦ Voice and gesture ◦ Based on optical computers and utilize nanotechnology 15 Computers Then and Now 17 Computer Hardware Hardware: The physical parts of a computer ◦ Internal hardware ◦ Located inside the main box (system unit) of the computer ◦ External hardware ◦ Located outside the system unit ◦ Connect to the computer via a wired or wireless connection ◦ There is hardware associated with all five computer operations 18  “The Box” CRT Display CD-ROM Drive Floppy Disk Drive Keyboard Mouse Inside “The Box” Motherboard  CPU (Central Processing Unit)  RAM (Single Inline Memory Module)  HDD (Hard Disk Drive) Hardware Input devices ◦ Used to input data into the computer ◦ Keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras, microphones, joysticks, touch pads, touch screens, fingerprint readers, etc. 25 Hardware Output devices ◦ Present results to the user ◦ Monitors, printers, speakers, projectors, etc. 26 Hardware Processing devices ◦ Perform calculations and control computer’s operation ◦ Central processing unit (CPU) and memory 27 Hardware Storage devices ◦ Used to store data on or access data from storage media ◦ Hard drives, CD/DVD discs and drives, USB flash drives, etc. 28 Hardware Communications devices ◦ Allow users to communicate with others and to electronically access remote information ◦ Modems, network adapters, etc. 29 Software The term software refers to the programs or instructions used to tell the computer hardware what to do. ◦ Traditionally purchased on a CD or DVD or is downloaded from the Internet ◦ Needs to be installed on a computer before it can be used. 30 System Software The programs that allow a computer to operate are collectively referred to as system software ◦ The main system software is the operating system. ◦ Common desktop operating systems designed for personal computers are Windows, OS X, and Linux; these and other operating systems (such as Android, iOS, and other mobile operating systems used with smartphones and other mobile devices) 31 System Software Application software (apps). Programs that enable users to perform specific tasks on a computer, such as writing letters or playing games. ◦ Also creating letters, preparing budgets, managing inventory and customer databases, playing games, watching videos, listening to music, scheduling appointments, editing digital photographs, designing homes, viewing Web pages, burning DVDs, and exchanging e-mail. 32 Computers to Fit Every Need Six basic categories of computers: Computers are generally classified by the following categories, based on size, capability, and price. 1. Embedded computers 2. Mobile devices 3. Personal computers 4. Midrange servers 5. Mainframe computers 6. Supercomputers 33 Category 1: Embedded Computers Embedded computer: Embedded into a product and designed to perform specific tasks or functions for that product Cannot be used as general-purpose computers Often embedded into: ◦ Household appliances ◦ Thermostats ◦ Sewing machines ◦ Cars 34 Category 2: Mobile Devices Mobile device: A very small device with some type of built-in computing or Internet capability Typically based on mobile phones Typically have small screens and keyboards Examples: ◦ Smartphones ◦ Handheld gaming devices ◦ Portable digital media players 35 Category 3: Personal Computers (PCs) Personal computer: A small computer designed to be used by one person at a time Desktop computers: Fit on or next to a desk ◦ Can use tower case, desktop case, or all-in-one ◦ Can be PC- compatible or Macintosh ◦ Not designed to be portable 36  Category 3: Personal Computers (PCs)….. Portable computer. A small personal computer, such as a notebook or tablet computer, that is designed to be carried around easily. Notebook computer. A fully functioning portable computer that opens to reveal a screen and keyboard; also called a laptop computer. Tablet computer. A portable computer about the size of a notebook computer that is designed to be used with a digital pen or touch input. Hybrid notebook-tablet computer. A portable computer designed to function as both a notebook and a tablet computer. Netbook. A small notebook computer that is designed primarily to access Internet applications and resources. Category 4: Midrange Servers Midrange server: A medium-sized computer used to host programs and data for a small network ◦ Users connect via a network with a computer or dumb terminal 38 Category 5: Mainframe Computers Mainframe computer: Powerful computer used by several large organizations to manage large amounts of centralized data ◦ Standard choice for large organizations, hospitals, universities, large businesses, banks, government offices ◦ Located in climate-controlled data centers and connected to the rest of the company computers via a network ◦ Larger, more expensive, and more powerful than midrange servers ◦ Usually operate 24 hours a day ◦ Also called high-end servers or enterprise-class servers 39 Category 6: Supercomputers Supercomputer: Fastest, most expensive, most powerful type of computer ◦ Generally run one program at a time, as fast as possible ◦ Commonly built by connecting hundreds of smaller computers, supercomputing cluster ◦ Used for space exploration, missile guidance, satellites, weather forecast, oil exploration, scientific research, complex Web sites, decision support systems, 3D applications, etc. 40 Quick Quiz 1. True or False: Microcomputers were invented in the early 80’s? 2. True or False: The computer performs 4 basic operations, input, processing, output, and storage 3. True or False: The terms mainframe computer and supercomputer are interchangeable; both refer to the largest, most powerful computers. 41 Quick Quiz 1. A tablet PC is an example of a(n) _____________. a. Desktop computer b. Portable PC c. Internet appliance 2. Speakers are an example of a(n) _____________ device. 3. True or False: A smartphone is an example of a mobile device 42  Big Data Big data is a term for data sets that are so large or complex that traditional data processing application software is inadequate to deal with them. Key enablers for the growth of “Big Data” are: o Increase of storage capacities o Increase of processing power o Availability of data(different data types) Why Big Data Smarter Healthcare Multi-channel sales Finance Log Analysis Homeland Security Traffic Control Telecom Search Quality Manufacturing Trading Analytics Fraud and Risk Retails  Big Data Main Features Four V's of Big Data o Volume o Variety o Velocity o Veracity:  Internet of Things (IoT) Internet of Things (IoT) comprises things that have unique identities and are connected to the Internet, IoT allows these things to communicate and exchange data (control& information) IoT is a new revolution in the capabilities of the endpoints that are connected to the internet IoT Applications : Intelligent Home Potential of IoT