Discovering

Computers 2012
Your Interactive Guide
to the Digital World
A World of Computers

• Computers are everywhere

What Is a Computer?

• A computer is an electronic device, operating

under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory

Collects Produces
data Processing information
(input) (output)

Information Processing Cycle

What Is a Computer?
DATA
• DATA
Data is the collection of raw facts and figures. It is without any proper meaning.
Data may be collection of words, numbers, graphics or sounds.
Examples of Data
1) Student Data on Admission Forms
When students get admission in a college. They fill admission form. This form contains
raw facts (data of student) like name, father’s name, address of student etc.
2) Data of Citizens
During census, data of all citizens is collected.
3) Survey Data
Different companies collect data by survey to know the opinion of people about their
product.
4) Students Examination data
In examination data about obtained marks of different subjects for all students is collected
INFORMATION
• INFORMATION

• Processed data is called information. When raw facts and figures are processed
and arranged in some order then they become information. Information has
proper meanings. Information is useful in decision-making. Actually we process
data to convert it into information.
Examples of Information:
1) Student Address Labels
Stored data of students can be used to print address labels of students.
2) Census Report (Total population, Literacy Rate, Male / Female ratio etc.)
Census data is used to get report/information about total population of a country and literacy
rate etc.
3) Survey Reports and Results
Survey data is summarized into reports/information to present to management of the
company.
• 4) Result Cards of Individual Students, Result sheets of a
particular Class
In examination system collected data (obtained marks in each
subject) is processed to get total obtained marks of a student.
Total obtained marks are Information. It is also used to prepare
result card of a student.
5) Merit List
After collecting admission forms from candidates, merit is
calculated on the basis of obtained marks of each candidate.
Normally, percentage of marks obtained is calculated for each
candidate. Now all the candidates names are arranged in
descending order by percentage. This makes a merit list. Merit list
is used to decide whether a candidate will get admission in the
college or not
DATA INFORMATION
Data is collection of raw facts and figures. Information is processed data.

Data is unarranged and unorganized.. Information is arranged and organized..

Data is un-meaningful. Information is meaningful.

Data is input. Information is output.
Data represents facts before processing Information represents results (obtained after processing).

Data is not helpful in decision-making. Information is helpful in decision-making

Data is raw material for information Information is the final product of data.

Data is in large amounts Information is in small amounts

Data are unprocessed records Information contains processed records
The Components of a Computer

• A computer contains many electric, electronic, and

mechanical components known as hardware
Input Device • Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer

• Hardware component that conveys information to one or more

Output Device people

• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that

System Unit are used to process data

• Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage

Storage Device media

Communications • Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and

Device information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices
The Components of a Computer
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
Advantages of Disadvantages of
Using Computers Using Computers
Speed Health Risks

Reliability Violation of Privacy

Consistency Public Safety

Storage Impact on Labor Force

Communications Impact on Environment

Advantages and Disadvantages
of Using Computers
• Green computing involves reducing the electricity
consumed and environmental waste generated when
using a computer
• Strategies include:
– Recycling
– Regulating manufacturing processes
– Extending the life of computers
– Immediately donating or properly disposing of replaced computers
Networks and the Internet

• A network is a
collection of computers
and devices connected
together, often
wirelessly, via
communications
devices and
transmission media
Networks and the Internet

• The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that

connects millions of businesses, government agencies,
educational institutions, and individuals
Networks and the Internet

• People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:

•Communicate

•Research and Access Information

•Shop
•Bank and Invest
•Online Trading
•Entertainment
•Download Videos
•Share Information

•Web Application
Networks and the Internet

• A social networking Web site encourages

members to share their interests, ideas, stories,
photos, music, and videos with other registered
users
Computer Software

• Software, also called a program, tells the

computer what tasks to perform and how to
perform them

•System Software
•Operating system
•Utility program
•Application Software
Computer Software

• Installing is the process of setting up software to

work with the computer, printer, and other
hardware
Computer Software

• A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct
the computer to
process data into
information
Categories of Computers
Personal Computers

• A personal computer can perform all of its input,

processing, output, and storage activities by itself
• Two popular architectures are the PC and the
Apple
– Desktop computer
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

•Mobile Computer
•Personal computer you can carry from place to place
•Examples include notebook computers, laptop computers, netbooks, ultra-thins, and
Tablet PCs

•Mobile Device
•Computing device small enough to hold in your hand
•Examples include smart phones and PDAs, e-book readers, handheld computers,
portable media players, and digital cameras
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

•Notebook computer

•Tablet PC
•Smart phones and PDAs

•E-book reader
Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices

•Handheld computer

•Portable media player

•Digital camera
Game Consoles

• A game console is a
mobile computing
device designed for
single-player or
multiplayer video
games
Servers

• A server controls access

to the hardware,
software, and other
resources on a network
– Provides a centralized
storage area for
programs, data, and
information
Mainframes

• A mainframe is a large,
expensive, powerful
computer that can
handle hundreds or
thousands of connected
users simultaneously
Supercomputers

• A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful

computer
– Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing
more than one quadrillion instructions (10^15) in a
single second
Embedded Computers
•Consumer Electronics
•Mobile and digital telephones
•Digital televisions
• An embedded computer is a special-purpose
•Cameras
•Video recorders
computer that functions as a component in a
•DVD players and recorders
•Answering machines
larger product•Home Automation Devices
•Thermostats
•Sprinkling systems
•Security monitoring systems
•Appliances
•Lights
•Automobiles
•Antilock brakes
•Engine control modules
•Airbag controller
•Cruise control

•Process Controllers and Robotics

•Remote monitoring systems
•Power monitors
•Machine controllers
Embedded Computers
Elements of an Information System

Hardware Software Data

People Procedures
Elements of an Information System
Examples of Computer Usage

•Home User
•Personal financial management
•Web access
•Communications
•Entertainment
•Small Office/Home Office User
•Look up information
•Send and receive e-mail messages
•Make telephone calls
•Mobile User
•Connect to other computers on a network or the Internet
•Transfer information
•Play video games
•Listen to music
•Watch movies
Examples of Computer Usage

•Power User
•Work with multimedia
•Use industry-specific software
•Enterprise User
•Communicate among employees
•Process high volumes of transactions
•Blog
Computer Applications in Society

•Education

•Finance
•Government
•Health Care
Computer Applications in Society

•Science

•Publishing

•Travel
•Manufacturing

Pages 36 - 38
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