INTCOM-COMPUTER.pdf

Computers and Digital Basics  Introduction to Digital Technology Digital technology encompasses all electronic tools, systems, devices, and resources that generate, store, or process data. It includes: - Computers - Mobile Phones - Internet - Cloud Computing - Artificial Intelligence - And...

Computers and Digital Basics  Introduction to Digital Technology Digital technology encompasses all electronic tools, systems, devices, and resources that generate, store, or process data. It includes: - Computers - Mobile Phones - Internet - Cloud Computing - Artificial Intelligence - And more  Digital Data Representation Digital data representation refers to methods used to represent information in a format that can be processed by digital systems. Includes: Binary Representation Number Systems Character Encoding Data Structure.  Binary Representation Binary representation uses two symbols: 0 and 1. Each binary digit (bit) can represent two states. A sequence of bits can represent more complex data. Example: Binary number 1010 represents decimal number 10. Number Systems Digital systems use various number systems: Decimal (Base 10): Commonly used by humans. Binary (Base 2): Used by digital systems. Octal (Base 8): Compact binary representation. Hexadecimal (Base 16): Compact and easily convertible to binary. A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use. Data and Information Computers process data into information. Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Information conveys meaning and is useful to people. A computer processes data into information. In this simplified example, the item ordered, item price, quantity ordered, and amount received all represent data. The computer processes the data to produce the cash register receipt (information)  Information Processing Cycle Computers process data (input) into information (output). Computers carry out processes using instructions, which are the steps that tell the computer how to perform a particular task. A collection of related instructions organized for a common purpose is referred to as software. A computer often holds data, information, and instructions in storage for future use. Some people refer to the series of input, process, output, and storage activities as the information processing cycle. Recently, communications also have become an essential element of the information processing cycle.  The Components of a Computer A computer contains many electric, electronic, and mechanical components known as hardware. These components include input devices, output devices, a system unit, storage devices, and communications devices. A Input Devices An input device is any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer. Five widely used input devices are the keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, and Web cam. Output Devices An output device is any hardware component that conveys information to one or more people.  System Unit The system unit is a case that contains electronic components of the computer that are used to process data. The circuitry of the system unit usually is part of or is connected to a circuit board called the motherboard. Two main components on the motherboard are the processor and memory. The processor, also called the CPU (central processing unit), is the electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer. Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions. Most memory keeps data and instructions temporarily, which means its contents are erased when the computer is shut off. Storage Devices Storage holds data, instructions, and information for future use. For example, computers can store hundreds or millions of customer names and addresses. Storage holds these items permanently. A computer keeps data, instructions, and information on storage media. Examples of storage media are USB flash drives, hard disks, optical discs, and memory cards. A storage device records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage media. Storage devices often function as a source of input because they transfer items from storage to memory.  System Unit USB FLASH DRIVE HARD DISK EXTERNAL HARD DISK OPTICAL DISC MEMORY CARD  Communications Devices A communications device is a hardware component that enables a computer to send (transmit) and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices. A widely used communications device is a modem. Communications occur over cables, telephone lines, cellular radio networks, satellites, and other transmission media. Some transmission media, such as satellites and cellular radio networks, are wireless, which means they have no physical lines or wires. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Computers Society has reaped many benefits from using computers. A user is anyone who communicates with a computer or utilizes the information it generates. Both business and home users can make well informed decisions because they have instant access to information from anywhere in the world. Students, another type of user, have more tools to assist them in the learning process. Advantages of Using Computers The benefits from using computers are possible because computers have the advantages of speed, reliability, consistency, storage, and communications. Speed: When data, instructions, and information flow along electronic circuits in a computer, they travel at incredibly fast speeds. Many computers process billions or trillions of operations in a single second. Reliability: The electronic components in modern computers are dependable and reliable because they rarely break or fail. Consistency: Given the same input and processes, a computer will produce the same results — consistently. Computers generate error-free results, provided the input is correct and the instructions work. Storage: Computers store enormous amounts of data and make this data available for processing anytime it is needed. Communications: Most computers today can communicate with other computers, often wirelessly. Computers allow users to communicate with one another.. Disadvantages of Using Computers Some disadvantages of computers relate to the violation of privacy, public safety, the impact on the labor force, health risks, and the impact on the environment. Violation of Privacy: In many instances, where personal and confidential records stored on computers were not protected properly, individuals have found their privacy violated and identities stolen. Public Safety: Adults, teens, and children around the world are using computers to share publicly their photos, videos, journals, music, and other personal information. Some of these unsuspecting, innocent computer users have fallen victim to crimes committed by dangerous strangers. Impact on Labor Force: Although computers have improved productivity and created an entire industry with hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the skills of millions of employees have been replaced by computers. Thus, it is crucial that workers keep their education up to date. A separate impact on the labor force is that some companies are outsourcing jobs to foreign countries instead of keeping their homeland labor force employed.  Health Risks: Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to health injuries or disorders. Computer users can protect themselves from health risks through proper workplace design, good posture while at the computer, and appropriately spaced work breaks. Two behavioral health risks are computer addiction and technology overload. Computer addiction occurs when someone becomes obsessed with using a computer. Individuals suffering from technology overload feel distressed when deprived of computers and mobile devices. Impact on Environment: Computer manufacturing processes and computer waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment. Green computing involves reducing the electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using a computer. Strategies that support green computing include recycling, regulating manufacturing processes, extending the life of computers, and immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers THANK YOU!