Introduction to Computers: Lecture Notes and Study Materials - Prof. Willis Boughton, Study notes of Computer Science

Download Introduction to Computers: Lecture Notes and Study Materials - Prof. Willis Boughton and more Study notes Computer Science in PDF only on Docsity! This course includes lecture material that is not in the book. See the syllabus. The amount of lecture material not in the book varies from chapter to chapter. You should: Read each chapter before it is presented in lecture, so you know what is in the book and what is not. Take notes. Exams and assignments may include lecture material that is not in the book, as well as material in the book. Introduction to the World of Computers Chapter 1 1-2 What Is a Computer and What Does It Do? Computer: programmable electronic device that accepts data, performs operations, presents the results, and can store the data or results Input - entering data into the computer Processing - performing operations on the data Output - presenting the results Storage - saving data, programs, or output Data is raw, unorganized facts. Text, numbers, graphics, audio, or video Information is data that has been processed into meaningful form The Information Processing Cycle 3-4 Devices Input devices: used to input data into the computer (keyboard, mouse, scanner, electronic pen, etc.) Processing devices: perform calculations. The main one is the central processing unit (CPU). Output devices: present the results to the user (printer, monitor, speakers, etc.) Storage devices: used to save data, programs or output on storage media (floppy disks, CDs, etc.) Communication devices: enables communications over a network (modem and network adapters) Devices, Cont'd 9-10 Software The programs or instructions that tell the computer hardware what to do System software: allows a computer to operate Operating system: the main system software program Boots the computer and displays Graphical User Interface (GUI) desktop from which users can run programs Windows, Mac OS, Linux, etc. Operating System 11-12 Software, Cont'd Application software: performs specific tasks Creating letters, budgets, etc. Managing inventory and customer databases Scheduling appointments Viewing Web pages Sending and receiving e-mail Doing calculations Editing pictures Application Software 13-14 Portable PCs Portable PC: designed to be carried around Notebook computers (laptops) Tablet PCs (either slate or convertible) Handheld computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) Portable PCs, Cont'd 19-20 Portable PCs, Cont d Cradles and docking stations can be used with portable PCs to easily connect other hardware, transfer or synchronize data, etc. Specialized Personal Computers Thin client or network computer: PC that accesses a network for processing and data storage Internet appliance: specialized computer designed for Internet access and/or e-mail exchange 21-22 Midrange Servers Minicomputer or midrange computer: medium-sized computer used to host programs and data for a small network or a website May consist of a collection of individual circuit boards called blade servers Mainframe Computers Standard choice for large organizations, hospitals, universities, large businesses, banks, government offices Larger, more expensive, and more powerful than midrange servers; usually operate 24 hours a day Also called high-end or enterprise servers 23-24 Accessing a Network or the Internet Need a modem or network adapter to physically connect your computer to the network Which needed depends on how connected to network Software (often built into the operating system) allows you to log on to the network and access resources Many networks and Internet connections require a user ID and password to log on to the network Accessing a Network or the Internet, Cont d IP address - numeric address that identifies a single computer (e.g., 207.46.138.20) Must be unique All other addresses ultimately use IP addresses Domain name - text-based name that corresponds to an IP address (e.g., microsoft.com) (pp 32) Uniform resource locator (URL) - identifies a Web page or other resource (e.g., http://www.pbskids.org) Every Internet resource must have a unique URL E-mail address - identifies a person or organization for e-mail exchange (e.g., jsmith@thomson.com) 29-30 Accessing a Network or the Internet, Cont d Used to view web pages, download files, view videos, etc. May have e-mail program built in Can type a URL in the address bar and press Enter to display the corresponding Web page Can click a hyperlink in a Web page to display the Web page of the link Can select a page from Favorites or History list Many versions available: Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Firefox, Opera Web Browser 31-32 Surfing the Web, Cont d URL demo Searching the Web Internet search: use when you know generally what you want but do not know the URL Search sites: help you locate what you are looking for on the Internet; Google is one of the most popular sites Reference sites: use to look up addresses, telephone numbers, ZIP codes, maps, etc. 33-34