Computers, and Information Processing
Objectives
• Define a Computer
• Explain the Functions of a Computer
• Describe How Computers Represent Data Using
Binary Codes
• Describe the Evolution of Computer Systems
• Types and Characteristics of Personal Computers
• Examples of Other Personal Computing Devices
• Types and Characteristics of Multiuser Computers
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Computer Defined
• A computer is a multipurpose device that
accepts input, processes input into useful
information which is stored, and/or produce as
output, according to series of stored
instructions.
Computer Basics
• Input is whatever is typed, submitted, or transmitted to a
computer system.
• Output is the result produced by a computer after
processing.
• Data refers to the symbols that represent facts, objects,
and ideas.
• Computers manipulate data in many ways, and this
manipulation is called processing
– Central Processing Unit (CPU)
– Microprocessor
Computer Basics
• Memory is an area of a computer that temporarily holds
data waiting to be processed, stored, or output
• Storage is the area where data can be left on a
permanent basis when it is not immediately needed for
processing
• A file is a named collection of data that exists on a
storage medium
• The series of instructions that tells a computer how to
carry out processing tasks is referred to as a computer
program
– Software
Functions of a Computer
Storage
Input Output
Processing
Information Processing Cycle
Data Representation Basics
• Data representation refers to the form in which data is
stored, processed, and transmitted
• Digital data is text, numbers, graphics, sound, and video
that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s
and 1s
• Analog data is represented using an infinite scale of
values
Representing Numbers, Text,
Images, and Sound
• Numeric data
– Binary number system
• Character data
– ASCII, Extended ASCII, EBCDIC, and
Unicode
Quantifying Bits and Bytes
Evolution of Computer Systems
• Analytical Engine–19th century
• Turing machines–1936
• Turing test–1950
• First generation: ENIAC–1943-1946
• Second generation: Transistors–1950’s
• Third generation: Integrated circuits–1960’s
• Fourth generation: Microprocessor–1970’s
Types and Characteristics of Personal
Computers
• A personal computer is designed to be used
by one person at a time.
• Desktop computer
– Workstation
– All-in-one computer
• Notebook
– Netbook
– Subnotebook
• Laptop
• Tablet computer
Types and Characteristics of Personal
Computers (cont.)
Examples of Other Personal
Computing Devices
• Mobile devices:
– Smartphones
– E-readers
– GPS
• Video game system
– Game console
– Game controller
• Video game simulation
Types and Characteristics of
Multiuser Computers
Multiuser computers:
– Centralized resources and security
– More powerful computers
Types and Characteristics of Multiuser
Computers (cont.)
• Midrange computers
• Mainframes
• Enterprise servers
• Supercomputers
Summary
• Defined Computers
• Information processing cycle – How data is
converted into information
• Data Processing
• Types of Personal Computers
• Types of Multiuser computers – Client/Server
Architecture