Definition of Computer

A device that computes, especially a programmable electronic machine that performs high-speed mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or otherwise processes information.

Definition of Modern Computer

Inputs, outputs, processes and stores information Physical: Keyboard, monitor, etc. are these necessary components?

History of Computers - Long, Long Ago

beads on rods to count and calculate still widely used in Asia!

History of Computers - Way Back When

Slide Rule 1630 based on Napiers rules for logarithms used until 1970s

History of Computers - 19th Century

first stored program metal cards first computer manufacturing still in use today!

Charles Babbage - 1792-1871

Difference Engine c.1822
huge calculator, never finished

Analytical Engine 1833

could store numbers calculating mill used punched metal cards for instructions powered by steam! accurate to six decimal places

Vacuum Tubes - 1941 - 1956

First Generation Electronic Computers used Vacuum Tubes Vacuum tubes are glass tubes with circuits inside. Vacuum tubes have no air inside of them, which protects the circuitry.

UNIVAC - 1951
first fully electronic digital computer built in the U.S. Created at the University of Pennsylvania ENIAC weighed 30 tons contained 18,000 vacuum tubes Cost a paltry $487,000

Grace Hopper
Programmed UNIVAC Recipient of Computer Sciences first Man of the Year Award

First Computer Bug - 1945

Relay switches part of computers Grace Hopper found a moth stuck in a relay responsible for a malfunction Called it debugging a computer

First Transistor
Uses Silicon developed in 1948 won a Nobel prize on-off switch

Second Generation Computers used Transistors, starting in 1956

Second Generation 1965-1963

1956 Computers began to incorporate Transistors Replaced vacuum tubes with Transistors

Integrated Circuits

Third Generation Computers used Integrated Circuits (chips). Integrated Circuits are transistors, resistors, and capacitors integrated together into a single chip

Operating System
Software Instructions for Computer Operating system is set of instructions loaded each time a computer is started Program is instructions loaded when needed

Third Generation 1964-1971

1964-1971 Integrated Circuit Operating System Getting smaller, cheaper

The First Microprocessor 1971

The 4004 had 2,250 transistors four-bit chunks (four 1s or 0s) 108Khz Called Microchip

What is a Microchip?
Very Large Scale Integrated Circuit (VLSIC)
Transistors, resistors, and capacitors

4004 had 2,250 transistors Pentium IV has 42 MILLION transistors

Each transistor 0.13 microns (10-6 meters)

th 4

Generation 1971-present

MICROCHIPS! Getting smaller and smaller, but we are still using microchip technology

Birth of Personal Computers - 1975

256 byte memory (not Kilobytes or Megabytes) 2 MHz Intel 8080 chips Just a box with flashing lights cost $395 kit, $495 assembled.

Generations of Electronic Computers

First Generation Technology Vacuum Tubes Second Gen. Transistors Third Gen. Integrated Circuits (multiple transistors) Smaller Fourth Gen. Microchips (millions of transistors) Tiny - Palm Pilot is as powerful as old building sized computer

Size

Filled Whole Filled half a Buildings room

Over the past 50 years, the Electronic Computer has evolved rapidly.
Connections: Which evolved from the other, which was an entirely new creation
vacuum tube integrated circuit transistor microchip

Evolution of Electronics
Integrated Circuit

Microchip (VLSIC)

Transistor

Vacuum Tube

Evolution of Electronics
Vacuum Tube a dinosaur without a modern lineage Transistor Integrated Circuit Microchip

IBM PC - 1981
IBM-Intel-Microsoft joint venture First wide-selling personal computer used in business 8088 Microchip - 29,000 transistors
4.77 Mhz processing speed

256 K RAM (Random Access Memory) standard One or two floppy disk drives

Apple Computers
Founded 1977 Apple II released 1977
widely used in schools

Macintosh (left)
released in 1984, Motorola 68000 Microchip processor first commercial computer with graphical user interface (GUI) and pointing device (mouse)

Computers Progress
UNIVAC (1951-1970)
(1968 vers.)

Circuits

Integrated Circuits 512 K 1.3 MHz 100 MB Hard Drive

Mits IBM PC Macintosh Pentium Altair (1981) (1984) IV (1975) 2 Intel Intel 8088 Motorola Intel P-IV 8080 Microchip 68000 Microchip - 7.5 million Microchip - 29,000 Transistors transistors 265 Bytes 256 KB 2 KHz 4.77 MHz Floppy Drives 256 MB 3200 MHz = 3.2 GHz Hard Drive, Floppy, CD-Rom Small Tower $1000 $2000

RAM Memory Speed Storage

8 Floppy Floppy Drive Drive

Size

Whole Room

Briefcase
(no monitor)

Briefcase Two + Monitor shoeboxes

(integrated monitor)

Cost

$1.6 million $750

$1595

~$4000

1990s: Pentiums and Power Macs

Early 1990s began penetration of computers into every niche: every desk, most homes, etc. Faster, less expensive computers paved way for this Windows 95 was first decent GUI for PCs Macs became more PC compatible - easy file transfers Prices have plummeted
$2000 for entry level to $500 $6000 for top of line to $1500

st 21

Century Computing

Great increases in speed, storage, and memory Increased networking, speed in Internet Widespread use of CD-RW PDAs Cell Phone/PDA WIRELESS!!!

Evolution of Dr. Us Computer

1990
Speed Storage Memory Cost 16 MHz 20 MB 1 MB $2250

2004
2 GHz 120 GB 1 GB MB $750

Factor
125x 6000x 1000x .33x

Computers Have Two Main Parts

1. Computer Hardware 2. Computer Software

What is Computer Hardware?

Computer Hardware is the physical part of the computer system, the machinery and equipment. Parts of the computer you can see

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Examples of Computer Hardware

Monitor: T.V. like screen used to show pictures

and words
CPU: Central Processing Unit this is where

most of the computers calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computing system. Keyboard: This device is used to type information into the computer and contains the numbers 0-9.

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More Computer Hardware

Mouse: a small device, which you move across

the top of the desk to move the pointer or cursor on the screen.
Printer: used to make a paper copy of the

information into the computer.

Image Scanner: an electronic device that

generates a digital representation of an image for data input to a computer Go Back to Table of Contents

What is Computer Software?

Computer Software are programs that tell the computer what to do. Examples Microsoft Word-word processing program Microsoft PowerPoint-presentation program Microsoft Excel-work book program used to track, calculate, and analyze numeric data
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Computer Input Devices

Computer Devices that input information in the computer Examples

Key Board Mouse Scanner Digital Camera

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Computer Output Devices

Computer Devices that output information from the computer. Examples
Monitor Printer
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General Understanding of how your computer works!

Overview To understand anything it helps to break it down into it's basic components. Then you need to know how each component works. Finally you look at how all the components work together to achieve the desired end product or result. Motherboard It is the main circuit board inside the CPU case. It holds the microprocessor, memory and other crucial circuits and components that control the operation of the Personal Computer. Every device inside or connected to a Personal Computer finds it's way to this board.

 Memory The mother board takes the input you give it like mouse clicks, and produces output for you like displaying or printing a file. It can't do this without memory. The PC operating system used by the PC is copied from storage to memory at power up. The OS copy in memory then runs the PC. Memory is volatile which means that when your PC is turned off the contents of memory are lost. It is completely blank and must reloaded each time the PC is powered up. Storage Storage is non-volatile which means it retains information even when it is powered off. It stores programs which run the PC as well as data, which is a digital form of everything you use like documents, music, pictures, etc Input Devices The keyboard and mouse are the main input devices you use to control your PC.

 Output Devices When you send inputs into the PC, it processes them and produces useful output for you. The primary output devices are the video display, printer and speakers. Software Some people want to use the power of their computer to create works of art, others want to create music, or play games, surf the web, or play the stock market. Whatever you want to do with your computer, software is the key to doing it. What happens when your PC is powered on? With a simple push of a button, your computer comes to life.

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Basic Computer Quiz

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What is Computer Hardware? What is Computer Software? Can you operate a Computer with out the Computer Software? How can Computer Software help your business? What are Computer Input devices?

6.
7. 8. 9. 10.

What are Computer Output devices?

Where is the Mother Board located? Name a couple of Computer Software. Define Internet How would the Internet help your business?
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Answers to Basic Computer Quiz

1. 2. 3. 4. Computer Hardware is the physical part of the computer system, the machinery and equipment. For example: Monitor, Key Board, Printer and more. Computer Software are programs that tell the computer what to do. For Example: Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and more. No. You need Computer Software to operate a computer, with out the computer software the computer will be nothing more than just computer hardware. There are computer software that can help your business, for example, Accounting software can help you do taxes and pay roll faster than by hand. The computer soft ware will calculate numbers for you. Input Computer Devices are computer devices that input information into the computer for example, the mouse, keyboard and scanner. Output Computer Devices are computer devices that output information from the computer like the printer and the monitor. Mother Board is the main circuit board inside the CPU case. It holds the microprocessor, memory and other crucial circuits and components that control the operation of the Personal Computer.

5. 6. 7.

8. Computer Software comes in many programs. Here are a few that you might be familiar with, Microsoft Word, for word processing documents, Microsoft PowerPoint for creating professional graphic slide presentations and Microsoft Access for creating database. 9. Internet: A world wide network that connects millions of computers to share and exchange data, business, news, opinions, and research results. The Internet is not the same as the World Wide Web (WWW). The World Wide Web is a service that

is provided on the Internet.

10. The internet can advertise your business and network all over the world. This will help your marketing and boost sales and networking for your business. Go Back to Table of Contents

Basic Computer Terms and Definitions

CPU: This computer component has several names: Central Processing Unit, microprocessor or processor. This unit is the brain of the computer processes and executes instructions in a software program. The CPUs primary functions include retrieving instructions from the computers memory, including random access memory, comprehending and executing instructions, and directing the input and output activity of the computer. Desktop: The first screen that you see when any Windows operating system screen is up and running. One of the main purposes of the Desktop is to make it easier to access different application programs, files and documents. File: Unit for storing information that may include a word-processing document, a spreadsheet, a picture, a graphic, musical piece, or even part of an application program. Examples of "files" include text files which could be a letter or report and graphic files which could be a picture. Each file has a name because the data or information created in a software program is saved with a file name. Folder: Method for organizing files that is related by topic, by purpose, by type, by program, or even by a project that you are working on. NOTE: When an application program is loaded onto your computer, it will group similar applications in a folder. As you add or create files, you can organize them however you want.

Hyperlink: Allows you to move from one web page document to another. It can be text which is usually underlined or a graphic. When you move your mouse over a hyperlink, the mouse cursor usually becomes a hand which indicates a hyperlink is present. Once you click on the link, you move to another web page document or to another place on the same web page. Icon: A small picture that represents processing options such as programs, documents, and shortcuts. When you click on the icon, the file or program will open. The most easily recognized icon is the Recycle Bin which is the graphic below. Input: Commonly known as data and refers to numbers, letters, words, images, video, music and even sounds. Other computer input includes commands and user response. A command directs the computer to execute tasks or perform certain activities. One example of a command is a command buttons OK, Cancel and Help seen on the Shut Down Windows dialog box. Internet: A world wide network that connects millions of computers to share and exchange data, news, opinions, and research results. The Internet is not the same as the World Wide Web (WWW). The World Wide Web is a service that is provided on the Internet. Keyboard: The keyboard is an input device that allows you to enter letters, numbers and symbols into your computer. The keyboard keys include the alphanumeric keys (letters and numbers), numeric keypad, special function keys, mouse cursor moving keys, and status lights.

Files and Folders: Think of a computer folder as being similar to a filing cabinet folder, whereas a computer file is similar to the pieces of paper that are placed in the folders. Graphic User Interface (GUI): Combines text and graphics to make software easier to use. Graphical User Interface features include icons, windows, menus, and buttons. Hard Copy: Usually refers to a printout on paper. Hard Drive: The purpose of the hard drive is to store information. This device that allows the computer to permanently retain and store data like the operating system, programs and information data. The hard drive holds more data than a diskette and accesses information faster than on diskettes. Storage refers to the capability of storing things, and as for the computer, it is information. Hardware: Refers to any component of the computer system that you can like the monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, computer unit, scanner, speakers and even the components inside of the computer unit if you opened the box up.

Menu: List of options that may be commands or other options from which you can choose from. The following illustration is the File Menu Bar command menu list.
Mouse: Besides a keyboard, a mouse is the most common input device for a computer. The mouse is a small, palm-sized input device that you move across a flat surface, such as a desktop, to control the movement of the pointer on the screen. Technically, there are many operations that are much easier to perform with a mouse than a keyboard because you can just point and click to select an item on a screen or choose an item from a list of options. Mouse Commands: Before examining the various commands, you must understand how to execute each mouse command. The mouse commands include move, point, click, deselect, double-click, drag, and right-click. My Computer: An icon that opens into a folder of icons for all of the resources on the computer like the hard drive and printer. Operating System: Software that acts as an interface between you, the application software (like word processing or accessing the Internet), and the computer components. This includes interpreting and carrying out basic instructions that operate a computer like recognizing information from the keyboard and mouse, sending information to the monitor, printer, or speakers and scanners, storing information to the hard drive and removable drives. Common operating systems include Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, and MAC OS.

RAM: This is an acronym for Random Access Memory. This memory is a work area or a temporary storage space where the computer places program information so that it can execute the program instructions and information. When the program or file is closed, the data or programs are removed from RAM. The amount of RAM you have on your computer is crucial in determining how many programs can be opened (running) and how much data is available for each program. RAM is available in MB or megabytes. An example is 256MB of RAM. Select: A single left mouse click to select a file or folder icon. Software: Instructions that provide the computer with step-by-step actions that need to be executed to complete a specific task. A computer will not function with software.

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