Chapter 1: Computer Fundamentals PDF

**pervasive computing** -- computers have become integral part of our lives **ubiquitous computing** -- embedding information, processing, and network communication into everyday human environment **basic computer literacy** -- understanding what is and how a computer works **computers before 198...

**pervasive computing** -- computers have become integral part of our lives **ubiquitous computing** -- embedding information, processing, and network communication into everyday human environment **basic computer literacy** -- understanding what is and how a computer works **computers before 1980s** - large, expensive, exclusive, high-volume processing tasks **microcomputers in 1980s** -- inexpensive, personal, increased use **electronic devices** -- are converging into single units with multiple capabilities **computer** -- a programmable, electronic device that accepts data, performs operation on that data, and stores that data **input** -- entering data onto the computer **processing** -- performing operations on data **output** -- presenting the results **storage** -- storing the data for future use **communications** -- sending or receiving data **data** -- raw, unorganized facts, can be in the form of text, graphics, audio or video **information processing** -- converting data onto information **information** -- data that is in a form of meaningful information **first generation of computers (1946 -- 1957)** -- enormous, vacuum tubes, high electricity, generates lots of heat - ENIAC - UNIVAC **second generation of computers (1958 -- 1963)** -- transistors, smaller, powerful, cheaper, efficient, reliable - Uses punch cards magnetic tape to input and store data **fifth generation of computers (now)** - Infancy stage - AI - Voice & Touch input - May utilize nanotechnology - Could be based on optical computers **hardware** -- physical parts of a computer **internal hardware** -- located inside the system unit of the computer **external hardware** -- located outside the system unit, can be wired or wireless **input devices** -- used to input data **processing devices** -- performs calculations and control computer operations - GPU - CPU - RAM **output devices** -- show result to user - Monitor - Speaker - Projector **storage devices** -- used to store data - CD - DVD - Solid State Drives - Hard Disk Drive - Flash Drive - USB - Tape - Pen Drive - Floppy Disk **communication devices** - Modem - Network Interface Card - Wireless Access Point **software** -- programs or instructions used to tell the computer hardware what to do **system software** -- manages and controls computer hardware at low level **operating system** -- starts up the computer and controls its operations **application software** -- performs specific task or applications **computer users (end user)** -- people who use the computer **programmers** -- writes program **system analysts** -- designs computer systems **computer operations personnel** -- manages day to day computer operations **security specialist** -- secures computer networks **embedded computers** -- embedded onto a product and designed to perform specific task and function for that product - Household appliances - Handheld devices - Portable digital media players - Media tablets **mobile devices** -- very small device with built-in computing and internet capabilities **personal computers** -- used by one person **desktop computers** -- on a desk, not portable **portable computers** -- designed to be carried around **thin client** -- designed to utilize a network for much of its processing - Low cost - Increased security - Easy to maintain - Limited - No local storage - Not able to function as a computer if network is down **internet appliance** -- specialized network computer designed for internet access **tech clothing** -- allows you to carry multiple devices safely, can use device while they are being worn **servers** -- a medium sized computer used to host programs and data for a small network **virtualization** -- create virtual environment rather than a real one for increased efficiency **mainframe computers** -- powerful used by large organizations to maintain large amounts of centralized data - Expensive - Larger - Powerful than servers - Operates 24/7 - High-end servers or enterprise-class servers **Supercomputers** - Fastest - Most expensive - Most powerful - Runs one program at a time - Very large and tends to contain many CPUs **computer network** -- a collection of hardware and other devices that are connected to together **network servers** -- manage resources on a network - Home network - Public wireless network - Mobile telephone network - School and small office network - Large corporations **Internet** **-** largest most well-known computer network in the world, connects via Internet Service Provider (ISP) **world wide web** -- vast collection of web pages, offers variety of information **internet address** -- used to access resources on the internet **ip address --** numeric address **domain names** -- alphanumeric address, top-level domains (TLDs) **uniform resource locator** -- unique identifiers for a webpage (https://www.hostinger.com/tutorials/what-is-this-bullshit) - Protocol (https://) - Subdomain (www.) - Domain name (hostinger.com) - Path/Page (/tutorials/what-is-this-bullshit) **https** -- secure **http** -- hypertext transfer protocol, not secure **ftp** -- file transfer protocol **email address** - identifies an email box to which messages are delivered **electronic mail** -- electronic messages exchanged between computers on a network **web browser** -- used to display webpages **home page** -- first page displayed when opening a web browser **search site** -- helps you locate what you are looking for **reference site** -- look up telephone, zip codes, addresses, maps, etc **anonymity factor** -- user privacy, being anonymous, can easily be abused **information integrity** -- possible false / bullshit information