Chapter 1

Computers and you

 Course Instructor: Dr. Noha El Kady
 Email: [email protected]
 Course Teaching Assistant: Riham Mahmoud
 Email: [email protected]
 Grading scheme (to be specified):
 Midterm 1 20%
 Midterm 2 20%
 Class work 20%
 Final Exam 40%
 Reference Book:
 Computers are our future, 12th edition, Catherine
LaBerta.
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 Define the word computer and
name the four basic operations that
a computer performs.
 Describe the two main components
of a computer system: hardware
and software.
 Data processing cycle.

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• Computers
 Integral part to our daily lives, It’s difficult to think of our lives without
them.
 Millions use computers daily.
• Computers Applications
 Word processors such as MS Word and WordPad
 Internet: a connected system of computers that allow users to obtain information
quickly.
 Online banking: The ability to use the internet to open a new account, transfer
money or make a payment.
 Online classes : uses applications such as Teams and Google classroom
 GPS systems: devices that provide driving directions from your current location to
the entered destination.
 ATM machines: devices that allow customers to withdraw or deposit money
 Mobile phones: have additional features such as calculator, calendar and internet
connection.
 Weather prediction: the use of super computers and satellite connections to
determine the weather.

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 Computers (con’t.)
 Used at:
 Home

 Work

 School

 Embedded into:
 Cars

 Phones

 Cameras

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Computer— an electronic/digital
device that performs input,
processing, output and storage
which together are known as the
information-processing cycle
Information-processing cycle
 Consists of four basic operations:
 Input
 Processing
 Output
 Storage

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Computer system—group of
associated components that work
together
 Hardware
 Software

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 Hardware
 Physical components of the computer
 Includes such components as the system unit,
monitor, keyboard, and printer
System unit
 Base unit of the computer—made up of the
plastic or metal enclosure, the
motherboard, and the integrated
peripherals

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 Motherboard
 Circuit board that connects the central
processing unit (CPU) to the other system
components
 Integrated Peripherals
 Are the devices embedded within the
system unit case and includes the power
supply, cooling fans, memory, CD drive,
DVD drive and internal hard drive.

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 Peripheral devices
 Components located outside the system unit case
that are connected physically or wirelessly to the
system unit and motherboard.
 Examples: keyboard, mouse, monitor, external
webcam, speakers, external modems and
external storage devices.
 Program
 A set of instructions (code) that tells the
hardware or software how to perform an
operation on the input data.
 Software
 A collection of programs and the associated
documentation the tells the computer to
complete a specific task.
 Software is divided into:
 System software
 Application software
 System Software
 A collection of programs that are used for
hardware control, basic services and letting
other programs function together properly i.e.
software that allows the computer to work.
 Most important example: Operating system (OS)
such as Microsoft windows XP, Linux, Mac OS,
Android …etc.
 Application Software
 Software that is in a layer above that of the
operating system and are designed for end users
to use.
 Example
 Word processing software such as MS Word
 Spreadsheet software such as Excel
 Presentation software such as PowerPoint
 Email software such as Gmail
 Web browser software such as chrome and Firefox
 Communication software such as messenger
Input:getting data into the
computer
 First operation of the information-processing cycle,
enables the computer to accept data
 Data
 Facts that are raw and unorganized such as
numbers, words, images or a combination of
them.
 Entered into the computer for processing
through the use of input devices such as a
keyboard or mouse.

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Processing: Transforming data
into information
 Second operation of the information-processing
cycle, converts data into information
 Information refers to organized and processed data.
 The central processing unit (CPU) processes data
into information.
 Random access memory (RAM) temporarily stores
programs and data needed by the CPU.

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Output: Displaying
information
 Third operation of the information-processing
cycle, requires output devices, such as monitors
and printers to display results for people to see or
hear

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Storage
 Fourth operation of the information-processing
cycle, holds programs, software, and data that the
computer system uses
 Storage devices
 Hard drives, CD and DVD drives, USB drives and

flash memory cards

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Communications
 High-speed movement of data or information
Communication device
 Hardware component that moves data in and out of a
computer such as network interface card and access
points.
Network
 Connects two or more computers to share input/output
devices and other resources through the use of a
network interface card

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Computers can be separated
into two main types:
 Individual—designed for one user at a time
 Organization—designed to be used by many
people at the same time

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• Individual computers
 PCs (personal computers) or
Desktop computers—designed for
home or office.
 Portable computers include
notebooks and tablets
• Notebooks—small enough for easy
computer mobility
• Tablets—input data with a virtual
keyboard and can write on the
monitor with a special pen or stylus
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• Individual computers (con’t.)
 Wireless devices—handheld computers, netbooks,
personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart phones.

• Netbooks—small, inexpensive notebooks designed

primarily for wireless Web browsing and e-mail
• Smartphones—combine the capabilities of
handheld computers, such as PDAs, and mobile
phones

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Organization computers
 Servers—enable users connected to a computer
network to have access to the network’s programs,
hardware, and data
 Clients—include the user computers connected to the
network
 Client/server network—includes the use of client
computers connected to servers through a network.

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Organization computers (con’d.)
 Minicomputers (midrange servers)—designed to
meet the needs of smaller companies or businesses
 Mainframes—very large processing jobs to meet the
needs of large companies or agencies of the
government
 Supercomputers—able to perform extremely high-
speed processing.

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Mainframe

Server Supercomputer

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Web-based applications
 Internet messaging (IM)—free, real-time
connection
 Two or more parties can use a buddy list to

identify and restrict the contacts the person

wishes to communicate with
 Social networks—include Facebook, MySpace,
LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

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When using computer hardware:
 Do not plug too many devices into electrical outlets.
 Place hardware where it can’t fall or be damaged.
 Provide adequate space for air circulation around
hardware.
 Securely fasten computer cables, cords,
and wires.

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Promote safety and comfort
 Position top of your monitor at eye level
 Tilt the monitor back 10 to 20 degrees
 Place it at least 40 cm from your eyes
 Rest your eyes often by focusing on an object 20 or
more feet away
 Stand and stretch periodically

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Software programs
 Contain flaws
 Errors cause programs to run slowly or miscalculate.
 Bugs are almost impossible to eliminate completely.

 Software updates are used to fix existing bugs or add

new features.

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Digital piracy
 Unauthorized reproduction and distribution of
computer-based media
Unethical behavior
 Sending viruses, stealing credit card information,
computer stalking, and installing illegitimate
copies of software on computers

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E-learning
 Learning without requiring students to be at a
specific location at a specific time
Automation
 Replacement of people by machines and
computers

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Bea responsible computer
user:
 Understand how your computer use affects
others.
 Obey laws.

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 Pearson Education Inc. publishing as Prentice
Hall.