CSCI 1101 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS 5. Basic Computer Architecture.
-
Upload
vernon-owens -
Category
Documents
-
view
223 -
download
0
Transcript of CSCI 1101 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS 5. Basic Computer Architecture.
CSCI 1101INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
5. Basic Computer Architecture
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
2
What is a computer?
Before 1940, a computer was defined as a person who performs calculations.
The modern definition of the term “computer” emerged in the 1940’s. developed as a response to World War II military
needs
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
3
Von Neumann’s Definition
Von Neumann, eminentmathematician,wrote a report describing plans for first computer, the EDVAC.
His report has beendescribed as themost influential paperin the history of computer science
A computer is a device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output.
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
4
Computer input is whatever you put into a computer system.
Input means to feed information into a computer. words and symbols in a document numbers for a calculation pictures
What kinds of input can a computer use?
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
5
Data refers to the symbols that represent facts and ideas.
Processing is the way that a computer manipulates data. performing calculations sorting lists and numbers drawing graphs
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
6
Why does a computer store data?
A computer stores data so that it will be available for processing.
Memory is an area of a computer that holds data that is waiting to be processed.
Storage is the area where data can be left on a permanent basis.
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
7
What kinds of output does a computer produce?
Computer output is the results produced by the computer. reports documents music graphs pictures
An output device displays, prints or transmits the results of processing.
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
8
Computer System Basics
A computer system includes a computer, peripheral devices, and software.
Hardware refers to the computer itself. Peripheral devices are components that
expand the computer’s input, output, and storage capabilities.
Software is a set of instructions that tells the computer how to perform a particular task.
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
9
Why does a computer need software?
A computer needs software to tell it how to interact with the user, and specifies how to process the user’s data.
There are many software programs that you can buy including software for producing resumes, teaching Spanish, and helping you plan your diet.
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
10
How and why are computers categorized?
Computers are categorized into four categories from least to most powerful: microcomputers minicomputers mainframe computers supercomputers
A computer is categorized based on its technology, function, size, performance, and cost.
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
11
Microcomputers
also known as personal computers typically found in homes and small businesses cost about $2000 speed can exceed 1,500 mm operations per
second may be stand-alone or may be connected to
other computers in order to share data and software with other users
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
12
A laptop computer islight, and runs on batteries or electricity
A personal digital assistant (PDA) accepts infoon a touch-sensitivescreen
Desktopmicrocomputer
Microcomputers
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
13
Mainframes
large, fast, and fairly expensive computers used by business or government provide centralized storage, processing, and
management for large amounts of data like minicomputers, process requests from
terminals and can support thousands of users often include several central processing units
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
14
Supercomputers
fastest and most expensive type of computer. cost between $500,000 and $35 million have expanded into business markets to
handle large volumes of data process more than 1 trillion instructions per
second create realistic animations
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
15
Computer Platforms
Two major computer platforms are PCs and Macs.
PCs originally created by IBM
Macs manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc.
Computers that operate the same way are compatible.
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
16
If someone knows your password and logs on sending offensive messages, it will look as though you did it.
User ID
Password
Password Security
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
17
The Internet is the world’s largest computer network. provides connections for millions of computers all
over the globe provides many information services, the most
popular being the World Wide Web, or Web The Web is a sort of “flea market” for
information includes weather maps, census data, product
information, course syllabi, music, and images
What's the Internet?
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
18
The User Interface
The means by which humans and computers communicate is referred to as the user interface.
A good user interface is easy to learn and use.
User interfaces are still evolving.
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
19
A command is an instruction you input to tell the computer to carry out a task.
Command words are often English words, such as print, begin, save, and erase, but they can also be more cryptic.
Computer Commands
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
20
Syntax specifies the sequence and punctuation for command words and parameters.
A syntax error occurs when you misspell a command word, leave out punctuation, or type the commands out of order.
A command-line interface is an interface that requires the user to type commands.
More about Computer Commands
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
21
A menu displays a list of commands or options. Menus were developed in response to the difficulties
people experienced with command-line user interfaces. Submenus are additional sets of commands that the
computer displays after you make a selection from the main menu.
Dialog boxes display the options associated with a command.
Menus versus command line
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
22
Graphical objects are small pictures on the screen that you can manipulate using a mouse or other input device.
Graphical objects include icons, buttons, and windows.
IconSelected icon
ACS 160 - Computer Concepts - Chapter 1
23
Why are GUIs so popular?
Graphical objects are a key element of the graphical user interfaces, or GUIs, found on most of today’s microcomputers. display menus and prompts in addition to graphical
objects based on metaphors that represent real-world
objects Recycle bin