Computer Basics Lecture 2: Introduction to Computers PDF

1 Computer Basics Lecture 2: Introduction to Computers Dr. Mohamed Medhat Dr. Hesham A. Mohamed m.abdelraheem @aun.edu.eg [email protected] Electrical Engineering Department Faculty of Engineering...

1 Computer Basics Lecture 2: Introduction to Computers Dr. Mohamed Medhat Dr. Hesham A. Mohamed m.abdelraheem @aun.edu.eg [email protected] Electrical Engineering Department Faculty of Engineering Assiut University 2nd Week, 1st Semester 2024 - 2025  2 Contents: 1. What Is a Computer? 2. The Components of a Computer 3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Computers 4. Network and Internet 5. Computer Software 6. Categories of Computers  3 What Is a Computer? 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 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  4 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 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).  5 How Computer Process Data ? Unlike humans, computers work exclusively with numbers (not words). To process data into information, computers need to work in a language they understand. This language, called binary language, consists of just two digits: 0 and 1. Everything a computer does, such as processing data, printing a file, or editing a photo, is broken down into a series of 0s and 1s. Each 0 and 1 is a binary digit, or bit for short. Eight binary digits (or bits) combine to create one byte. In computers, each letter of the alphabet, each number, and each special character consists of a unique combination of eight bits, or a string of eight 0s and 1s. So, for example, in binary language, the letter K is represented as 01001011. This is eight bits or one byte.  6 How does a computer keep track of bits and bytes? Computers understand only two states of existence: on and off. Inside a computer, these two states are defined using the numbers 1 and 0. Electrical switches are the devices inside the computer that are flipped between the two states of 1 and 0, signifying on and off. In fact, a computer system can be viewed as an enormous collection of on/off switches. These on/off switches are combined in different ways to perform addition and subtraction and to move data around the system.. What types of switches does a computer use? Transistors are electrical switches built out of layers of a special type of material called a semiconductor  7 Byte, K byte, and Mega….. 1 Kilo byte (KB)= 1024 Byte 1 Mega byte (MB) = 1024 Kilo Byte 1 Giga Byte (GB) = 1024 Mega Byte 1 Tera Byte (GB) = 1024 Giga Byte  8 The Components of a Computer: 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: 1. Keyboard 2. Mouse 3. Microphone 4. Scanner 5. Webcam  9 The Components of a Computer: Output Devices An output device is any hardware component that conveys information to one or more people Three commonly used output devices: 1. Printer 2. Monitor 3. Speakers  10 The Components of a Computer: System Unit The system unit is a case that contains the electronic components of the computer that are used to process data  11 The Components of a Computer: System Unit (Cont.) The circuitry of the system unit usually connected to a circuit board called the motherboard Two main components on the motherboard: 1. Processor 2. Memory  12 The Components of a Computer: System Unit (Cont.) 1. Processor It is also called CPU (central processing unit) It is the electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer 2. Memory It consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions Two forms of memory: Permanent: it keeps its data all the time Temporary: its contents are erased when the computer is shut off  13 The Components of a Computer: Storage Devices In computers, storage holds data, instructions, and information, permanently, for future use Example: computers can store hundreds or millions of customer names and addresses Storage media: it is the physical material on which data are stored, e.g., DVD Storage device: it records and retrieves items to and from a storage medium, e.g., DVD drive  14 The Components of a Computer: Storage Devices (Cont.) Hard Disk Drive (HDD): It provides much greater storage capacity than USB flash drive, CD, DVD… It contains both storage media and device Some HDDs are external Solid-State Drive (SSD): It is a solid-state device that uses integrated circuit assemblies to store data permanently It is much faster than the HDD  15 The Components of a Computer: Storage Devices (Cont.) An optical disc is a flat, round, portable metal disc with a plastic coating Two common types of optical disks: 1. CDs: CD-ROM CD-RW Capacity: 650 ~ 700 MB 2. DVDs: DVD-ROM DVD-RW Capacity: 4.7 ~ 17.1 GB  16 The Components of a Computer: Storage Devices (Cont.) A miniature mobile storage media are rewritable small storage media Commonly used examples: 1. Memory card 2. Flash USB memory 3. Solid-state memory  17 The Components of a Computer: Communication Devices A communication device is a hardware component that enables a computer to send and receive data to and from one or more computers or mobile devices A widely used communications device is a modem/router Two common ways of communication: 1. Physical: using cables and telephone lines 2. Wireless: using cellular radio networks and satellites  18 Advantages and Disadvantages of Computers Advantages: Disadvantages: 1. Speed 1. Health risks 2. Reliability 2. Violation of privacy 3. Consistency 3. Public safety 4. Storage 4. Impact of labor force 5. Communications 5. Impact of environment  19 Network and Internet: The Network A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly, via communications devices and transmission media When a computer connects to a network, it is online Networks allow computers to share resources, such as hardware, software, data, and information One commonly example: client-server network  20 Network and Internet: The Network (Cont.) Client-Server Network: Server: it controls access to the resources on the network Client: it requests resources from the server The major differences between the server and client computers are that the server ordinarily has 1. More power 2. More storage space 3. Expanded communications capabilities  21 Network and Internet: The Internet The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects Millions of businesses Government agencies Educational institutions Individuals  22 Network and Internet: The Internet (Cont.) Why we use internet 1. Communicate with other people 2. Conduct research and access a wealth of information and news 3. Shop for goods and services 4. Bank and invest 5. Participate in online training 6. Download music and videos 7. Share information, photos, and videos 8. Access and interact with Web applications  23 Network and Internet: World Wide Web (WWW) or Web Web contains billions of documents called Web pages A Web page can contain text, graphics, animation, audio, video and links to other web pages A Web site is a collection of related Web pages  24 Computer Software Software, also called a program, consists of a series of related instructions, organized for a common purpose, that tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them Graphical User Interface (GUI): It allows you to interact with the software using graphics and icons It controls how you enter data and how the screen displays information The two categories of software are: system software and application software  25 Computer Software: System Software System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware Two types of system software are: 1. Operating system (OS): Windows, Linux, MAC, …, etc. 2. Utility programs: used to control and manage computer, devices, …, etc.  26 Computer Software: Application Software An application software is a program that performs specific task for users Commonly examples of tasks: 1. Web browsing 2. Word processing 3. Spreadsheet 4. Database 5. Presentation 6. Project management 7. Accounting 8. Photo, audio, and video editing  27 Computer Software: Installing and Running a Program  28 Computer Software: Installing and Running a Program (Cont.)  29 Computer Software: The Programmer A programmer is someone who develops application or system software He writes instructions to direct computer to process data into information  30 Categories of Computers  31 Categories of Computers: Personal (Desktop) Computers A personal computer is a computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself Two most popular series of personal computers: PC Windows and Apple MAC  32 Categories of Computers: Mobile Computers and Devices A mobile computer is a personal computer you can carry from place to place The most popular types of mobile computer are: The notebook computer (laptop) Tablet PC  33 Categories of Computers: Mobile Computers and Devices (Cont.) A mobile device is a computing device small enough to hold in your hand The most popular types of mobile devices: Smartphone, Tablets E-book reader  34 Categories of Computers: Game Consoles A game console is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer video games  35 Categories of Computers: Servers A server controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network It provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and information Servers can support from two to several thousand connected computers at the same time. people use personal computers or terminals to access data, information, and programs on a server. A terminal is a device with a monitor, keyboard, and memory.  36 Categories of Computers: Mainframes A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously  37 Categories of Computers: Supercomputers A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful computer and the most expensive The fastest supercomputers are capable of processing more than one quadrillion instructions in a single second Large-scale simulations and applications in medicine, aerospace, automotive design, online banking, weather forecasting, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration use a supercomputer  38 Categories of Computers: Embedded Computers An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product Embedded computers are everywhere at home, in your car, and at work Some commonly examples: 1. Digital televisions 2. Cameras 3. DVD players and recorders 4. Answering machines 5. Security monitoring systems 6. Automobiles  39 Computer Applications in Society Today, educators also are turning to computers to assist with education Many schools and companies equip labs and classrooms with computers. Some schools require students to have a mobile computer or mobile device to access the school’s network or Internet wirelessly.  40 Finance Finance Many people and companies use computers to help manage their finances. Some use finance software to balance checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, manage investments, and evaluate financial plans. Stock market  41 Government A government provides society with direction by making and administering policies. To provide citizens with up-to-date information, most government offices have Web sites. People in the United States access government Web sites to file taxes, apply for permits and licenses, pay parking tickets apply for financial aid, and renew vehicle registrations and driver’s ‫بوابة الحكومة المصرية‬ https://digital.gov.eg/  42 Healthcare Nearly every area of health care today uses computers. Whether you are visiting a family doctor for a regular checkup, having lab work or an outpatient test, or being rushed in for emergency surgery, the medical staff around you will be using computers for various purposes: Hospitals and doctors use computers and mobile devices to maintain an access patient records. Computers monitor patients’ vital signs in hospital rooms and at home. Robots deliver medication to nurse stations in hospitals. item Computers and computerized devices assist doctors, nurses, and technicians with medical test. Doctors use the Web and medical software to assist with researching and diagnosing health conditions  43 Science All branches of science, from biology to astronomy to meteorology, use computers to assist them with collecting, analyzing, and modeling data. Scientists also use the Internet to communicate with colleagues around the world. Breakthroughs in surgery, medicine, and treatments often result from scientists’ use of computers.  44 Publishing Publishing is the process of making works available to the public. These works include books, magazines, newspapers, music, film, and video. Special software assists graphic designers in developing pages that include text, graphics, and photos; artists in com posing and enhancing songs; filmmakers in creating and editing film; and journalists and mobile users in capturing and modifying video clips. Many publishers make their works available online  45 Manufacturing Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) refers to the use of computers to assist with manufacturing processes such as fabrication and assembly. Industries use CAM to reduce product development costs, shorten a product’s time to market, and stay ahead of the competition. Often, robots carry out processes in a CAM environment. CAM is used by a variety of industries, including oil drilling, power generation, food production, and automobile manufacturing. Automobile plants, for example, have an entire line of industrial robots that assemble a car