Introduction to computers
- 1. Introducing Computer Systems Shivani Parikh
- 2. The Computer Defined The two principal characteristics of a computer are: It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner. It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions Computers are electronic and digital Converts data into information Modern computers are digital Two digits combine to make data Older computers were analog A range of values made data Data Definition: Data is a collection of raw facts and figures (e.g. cooking) Data needs to be processed before it can be turned into something useful Data comes in many forms – numbers, words, symbols Examples: Car Mileage, Prices of cosmetics
- 3. Case Study on DATA Pizza Hut wants to come up with a new joint in the city of Vapi in state of Gujarat. It has conducted a market research survey and has come up with the following data. Assuming Vapi city to be made up of following 10 people with their preferences listed below: Geeta aged 23 loves eating out and her preference is Indian food Rahul aged 16 loves eating out and his preference is pizzas Sanjay aged 56 doesn’t eat out due to health reasons Rachana aged 35 prefers to eat in luxury hotels Vishal aged 30 can afford to eat only at cheap eateries Aarav aged 2 eats only home cooked food Ashok aged 70 has dentures and hence can only eat soft foods Mansi aged 10 loves eating continental food Ajay aged 40 loves eating out and has no preference towards any cuisine Pallavi aged 23 eats only healthy foods and has no preference towards any cuisine
- 4. Information The data is converted into the following information for Pizza Hut Sr No Names Age Preference 1 Geeta 23 Indian 2 Rahul 16 Pizzas 3 Sanjay 56 doesn’t eat out 4 Rachana 35 eat in luxury hotels 5 Vishal 30 cheap eateries 6 Aarav 2 doesn’t eat out 7 Ashok 70 doesn’t eat out 8 Mansi 10 Continental 9 Ajay 40 Any 10 Pallavi 23 Healthy Food
- 5. The Computer Defined For managers it is important to convert the data into information for decision making In the above scenario Pizza Hut has identified that 40% of the total population shall be its target audience and its intended users. The age group of intended target audience is 10-40 years They would advertise close to schools, colleges, theaters, malls and so on
- 6. Types of Computers Computers for Individual Users Computers for Organizations Individual Users Desktops Notebook / Laptops Workstations Tablet computers Handheld computers Smart phones Computers for Organizations Network servers Mainframes Minicomputers Supercomputers
- 7. The Computer Defined Desktop computers The most common type of computer Sits on the desk or floor Performs a variety of tasks Workstations Specialized computers Optimized for science or graphics More powerful than a desktop Laptops/ Notebooks Small portable computers Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds About 8 ½ by 11 inches Typically as powerful as a desktop
- 8. The Computer Defined Tablet computers Newest development in portable computers Input is through a pen Run specialized versions of office products Handheld computers Very small computers Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) Note taking or contact management Data can synchronize with a desktop Used by Medical reps John Sculley from Apple gave industry the name PDA
- 9. The Computer Defined Smart phones Hybrid of cell phone and PDA Web surfing, e-mail access
- 10. Computers For Organizations Network servers Centralized computer All other computers connect Provides access to network resources Often simply a powerful desktop Print Server, Web Server Supercomputers The most powerful computers made Handle large and complex calculations Process trillions of operations per second Found in research organizations
- 11. Computers For Organizations Mainframes Used in large organizations Handle thousands of users Users access through a terminal Examples: Banks, Insurance, Airlines, RTO RAS, HVAC, high speed, low maintenance Minicomputers Called midrange computers Power between mainframe and desktop Handle hundreds of users Used in smaller organizations Users access through a terminal
- 12. Looking Inside the Computer System Parts of the Computer System Computer systems have four parts Hardware Software Data User
- 13. Parts of the Computer System Hardware Mechanical devices in the computer Anything that can be touched Software Tell the computer what to do Also called a program Thousands of programs exist Data Pieces of information Computer organize and present data Users People operating the computer Most important part Tell the computer what to do
- 14. Information Processing Cycle Steps followed to process data Input Processing Output Storage
- 15. Essential Computer Hardware Hardware categorized into four types Processing devices Memory devices Input and output devices Storage devices Processing devices Brains of the computer Carries out instructions from the program Most computers have several processors Central Processing Unit (CPU) micro processors Processors made of silicon and copper
- 16. Essential Computer Hardware Memory devices Stores data or programs Random Access Memory (RAM) Volatile (men’s memory) Stores current data and programs More RAM results in a faster system Read Only Memory (ROM) Permanent storage of programs (women’s memory) Holds the computer boot directions
- 17. Essential Computer Hardware Input and output devices Allows the user to interact Input devices accept data Keyboard (foldable), mouse (wireless) Output devices deliver data Monitor (touch screen example), printer (thermal, UV), speaker Some devices are input and output Touch screens,
- 18. Essential Computer Hardware Storage devices Hold data and programs permanently Different from RAM One of the most popular device for data storage is USB drives Magnetic storage Floppy (3 ½ inch), hard drive and external hard drive Uses a magnet to access data Optical storage CD and DVD drives Uses a laser to access data Computers are built with inbuilt DVD drives
- 19. Software Runs The Machine Tells the computer what to do Reason people purchase computers Two types System software Application software System software Most important software Operating system Windows XP Network operating system (OS) Windows Server 2003 Utility Symantec AntiVirus
- 20. Software Runs The Machine Application software Accomplishes a specific task Most common type of software MS Word Covers most common uses of computers Other examples are MS PowerPoint, Excel, Games, photos, Educational software
- 21. Computer data Fact with no meaning on its own Stored using the binary number system Data can be organized into files
- 22. Computer Users Role depends on ability Setup the system Install software Mange files Maintain the system “ User less” computers Run with no user input Automated systems
- 23. Thank You
Editor's Notes
- #12: The term Reliability, Availability and Serviceability (RAS) is a defining characteristic of mainframe computers. Historically, mainframes acquired their name, in part because of their substantial size, and because of requirements for specialized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ( HVAC ), and electrical power, essentially posing a "Main Framework" of dedicated infrastructure