IST 1020 Introduction to Information Systems PDF

IST 1020 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS What is a Computer? By Stephen Odindo 2 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE 1.1 What is a Computer? A c...

IST 1020 INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS What is a Computer? By Stephen Odindo 2 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE 1.1 What is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device that takes in data and instructions (input), works with the data (processing), and produces information (output) that is useful for decision making. Basic Terms Data refers to the raw facts that are fed to a computer. Information is data that has been processed and can be used for decision making. Processing is the act of converting data into information. A Computer is made up of two parts i.e. By Stephen Odindo 3 Components of a Computer System External Storage Internal Storage Arithmetic & Output Units Input Units Logic Unit Control Unit By Stephen Odindo 4 By Stephen Odindo 5 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE 1.1 Classification of a Computer? Hardware –The physical (Tangible) part of a computer. Software – The non physical part of a computer. It comprises of instructions fed to the computer to manipulate the hardware. A computer system includes computer hardware, software and people. By Stephen Odindo 6 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE Data and Information can take either of the following formats: Text – These are number, characters or special ABC 123 !@$!# symbols. They are used when preparing reports, letters, etc. Graphics – These are images. Used when preparing charts, graphs, pictures Multimedia – These are audio and video recordings that may or may not combine of text and graphics. By Stephen Odindo 7 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE 1.2 History of Computers "Computer" was originally a job title: it was used to describe those human beings (predominantly women) whose job it was to perform the repetitive calculations required to compute such things as navigational tables, tide charts, and planetary positions for astronomical almanacs. By Stephen Odindo 8 The first computational device was the abacus. By Stephen Odindo 9 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE First Generation Computers - 1940-1956: Vacuum Tubes Used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, were enormous, taking up entire rooms. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape. By Stephen Odindo 10 The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing devices. A Photograph of ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator By Stephen Odindo And Computer ) 11 (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) A Photograph of UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer) By Stephen Odindo 12 Vacuum tube Magnetic Drum Punched cards Vacuum tube computation Punched card reader & writer By Stephen Odindo 13 Characteristics of 1st Gen Computers: -Were very large -Used vacuum tubes & magnetic drums -Unreliable & overheated -Very expensive -Required a lot of power By Stephen Odindo 14 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE Second Generation - 1956-1963: Transistors The transistor was invented, enabling the birth of vastly less expensive, more reliable computers. Transistors replaced vacuum tubes. It functions like a vacuum tube i.e. it can be used to relay and switch electronic signals. Allowed computers to become smaller, more energy-efficient. Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output. A Transistor IBM Stretch computer of 1959 By Stephen Odindo 15 Characteristics of 2nd Gen Computers: - Used transistors -Got smaller -Required less power -More reliable -Still generated a lot of heat & large By Stephen Odindo 16 By Stephen Odindo 17 By Stephen Odindo 18 Early systems – bring cards to 1401 – read cards to tape – put tape on 7094 which does computing – put tape on 1401 which prints output By Stephen Odindo 19 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated Circuits The development of integrated circuit chip. Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors Increased the speed and efficiency of computers. Instead of punched cards and printouts, input was done through through keyboards and monitors The use of an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different applications at one time Computers became accessible to a mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors. The DEC PDP-12 By Stephen Odindo 20 Characteristics of 3rd Gen Computers: -Used IC technology -Got smaller & used less power -Used keyboards & monitors -Contained memory management (OS) By Stephen Odindo 21 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE Fourth Generation - 1971- Present: Microprocessors Thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. The result was the microprocessor. A computer could now fit in the palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the components of the computer - from the central processing unit and memory to input/output controls - on a single chip. In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user (the personal computer), and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh. Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors. By Stephen Odindo 22 The original IBM Personal The Original IBM PCComputer (PC) Characteristics of 4th Gen Computers: -Used large, very large, & ultra large scale integration -Were cheaper, smaller, faster, & more efficient -The first viable personal computers are produced By Stephen Odindo 23 What happened after the fourth generation computers??? By Stephen Odindo 24 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE Fifth Generation - Present and Beyond: Artificial Intelligence Based on artificial intelligence Are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization. By Stephen Odindo 25 Technology of Tomorrow 1. Nanoscience 2. Biomedical Chip Implants 3. Artificial Intelligence By Stephen Odindo 26 Nanoscience A field of applied science that involves the study of molecules and structures (called nanostructures). The aim is to build devices on an extremely small scale. Scientists have built microscopic machines that perform tasks 5.4n m Fluid flow inside Nanomachines By Stephen Odindo 27 Biomedical Chip Implants Technological solutions to physical problems. Electronic implants are replacing damaged nerves. Retinal Implants Identity chips - embedded as identification devices to prove a person is who he says he is By Stephen Odindo 28 Artificial Intelligence Robots – Routine tasks Neurons vs Microchips - make decisions based on criteria By Stephen Odindo 29 By Stephen Odindo 30 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE 1.3 Benefits of using a Computer Too many people and organizations purchase and use Computers for the wrong reasons. Computers are practical tools to be used in helping you get results. Computers are needed where: 1. We need accurate knowledge to assist decision making. 2. There are time constraints or sheer magnitude of work involved. 3. We need to reduce effort in tackling certain tasks. 4.We need cost efficiency. 5.There is a need to assist in enhancing Customer service. 6.There is a Decisions making process such as forecasting of market trends to ensure business survival. By Stephen Odindo 31 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE 1.4 Computer Applications in Society  Education  Finance  Government  Healthcare  Science  Publishing  Travel  Industry By Stephen Odindo 32 Other Applications Computers in Business Point of Sale Terminals Tracking merchandise Data mining By Stephen Odindo 33 Computers in the Arts Virtual art Virtual dance By Stephen Odindo 34 Computers in the Medical Field Virtual reality in medical applications Patient simulator Da Vinci Surgical System By Stephen Odindo 35 Tele-surgery By Stephen Odindo 36 Telemedicine By Stephen Odindo 37 Computers in Law Enforcement Computer forensics By Stephen Odindo 38 Computers in the Legal Fields Surveillance cameras Forensic animation By Stephen Odindo 39 Computers in Education Computers in the classroom Distance Education Computerized research The Internet By Stephen Odindo 40 Computers and the Sciences Supercomputers Archeology Meteorology By Stephen Odindo 41 Computers in Sports Training Timing and scorekeeping Data storage and statistics By Stephen Odindo 42 Computer Gaming Careers Programming 3D animation By Stephen Odindo 43 Computers at Home Robotics Smart appliances Internet- connected refrigerator Robomower By Stephen Odindo 44 Is there any field today that cannot make use of a computer? By Stephen Odindo 45 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE 1.5 Types of computers A computer may be classified by technology, purpose, and size. 1.5.1 Classification by technology Digital: Digital computers are so called because they process data that is represented in the form of discrete values (e.g. 0,1,2,3 …) by operating on it in steps. By Stephen Odindo 46 Analog: Analog computers are similar to measuring instruments such as thermometers and voltmeters with pointers on circular dials. They process data in the form of electrical voltages, which are variable like the variable positions of a pointer on a dial. Hybrid: Hybrid computers, as their name suggests, are computers that have the combined features of digital and analog computers. NB: We are only going to concentrate on digital computers since they are the most widely used By Stephen Odindo 47 Analog Digital Digital Analog By Stephen Odindo 48 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE 1.5.2 Classification by purpose Special purpose computers: as their name suggests, are designed for a particular job only; to solve problems of a restricted nature. General Purpose Computers: are designed to solve a wide variety of problems. Within the limitations imposed by their design capabilities, they can be adapted to perform particular tasks or solve problems by means of specially written programs. NB: we are mainly concerned with general purpose digital computers. By Stephen Odindo 49 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE 1.5.3 Classification by size Micro-Computer (Desktop) – can be positioned on top of a table where a person is working. By Stephen Odindo 50 Mini-Computers (Laptops, Notepad, PDAs) - combines the CPU, the monitor, the keyboard, and the mouse in one unit. so small that you can carry it on your laps when commuting. Includes laptops, notebooks, PDAs etc. Other parts can be connected to the laptop. Can do anything that a desktop can do. By Stephen Odindo 51 Macro-Computer (Server) - Holds information that other computers, can retrieve. The computers are connected to the server via cable, wireless connection, etc to be able to retrieve this information. Although not particularly recommended, any computer, including a desktop or even a laptop can be used as a server, as long as it can do the job required. A server is more defined by the program (called an operating system) that is installed in it, not how the machine looks. By Stephen Odindo 52 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE Macro-Computer (The Mainframe) - Does jobs for other types of computers that are connected to it. Like a server, the program (operating system) that runs in the mainframe defines its role. Photo of HP supercomputer By Stephen Odindo 53 Macro-Computer (Supercomputers)- are built to minimize distance between circuit boards They operate at very high speed for complex uses such as designing airplanes, solving complex engineering formulas having billions of steps mathematically etc. Supercomputers are the main servers in the Internet System. By Stephen Odindo 54 CH 1: COMPUTERS IN PERSPECTIVE 1.6 Caring for your computer Here are some general tips on the care of your PC: Air circulation By Stephen Odindo 55 Dust free environment. By Stephen Odindo 56 Uninterruptible Power Supply. By Stephen Odindo 57 Surge protector By Stephen Odindo 58 Do not plug in devices (Unless USB) into the computer while it is on, By Stephen Odindo 59 Monitors, CPU and Printers should be turned off by the power button Do not eat or drink around your PC. By Stephen Odindo 60 Use Anti-Virus software. Backing up your data. By Stephen Odindo 61 Use Defrag on storage disks By Stephen Odindo 62 By Stephen Odindo 63 Perform disk cleanup Empty your Recycle Bin on a regular basis. By Stephen Odindo 64 Tips on caring for your computer By Stephen Odindo 65