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Computer Basics

Computer Basics. Management Information Systems I Mr. Greg Vogl Uganda Martyrs University 13 February 2003. Overview. Motivation Definitions Systems, Computers, Programs Hardware, Software, Data Types of Computers Computer Functions and Components Input and Output

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Computer Basics

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  1. Computer Basics Management Information Systems I Mr. Greg Vogl Uganda Martyrs University 13 February 2003

  2. Overview • Motivation • Definitions • Systems, Computers, Programs • Hardware, Software, Data • Types of Computers • Computer Functions and Components • Input and Output • Processing and Storage • Communication Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  3. Motivation • Why learn Information Technology? • Use IT tools to achieve organizational goals • Efficient and effective info. management • Access information for decision-making • Communication with customers, partners • Keep up with the competition • Personal satisfaction and enjoyment • What are your reasons? Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  4. Systems • System • A group of interrelated components organized into a working unit to accomplish a goal (e.g. organism) • Information System • A purposefully designed system that brings equipment, procedures, and people together to manage information important to an organization's mission Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  5. Computers and Programs • Computer • Complex electronic machine used as a tool to input, process, store and output information • Program • A list of instructions written by a programmer that a computer follows to perform tasks • Programming language • A set of instructions and rules of syntax that computers and programmers understand Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  6. Hardware, Software, Data • Hardware • Physical components of a computer system; parts or devices you can touch • Software • Programs that control the operation of the computer or perform a useful task • Data • Unorganized, unprocessed information Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  7. Types of Computers • Supercomputer • A very fast computer usually used to process large amounts of scientific data • Mainframe • A powerful large computer used by many people in a large business or organisation • Minicomputer • A powerful medium-sized multi-user computer • Microcomputer or Personal Computer (PC) • A small computer usually used by one person Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  8. Types of Microcomputers • Workstation • A powerful, expensive computer for a professional in architecture, engineering etc. • Desktop computer • Often found in offices and homes • Portable computer • A small light-weight microcomputer that is easily carried (“notebook” or “laptop”) • Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) • A very small hand-held computer used for organising personal information and messages Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  9. Types of Software • System Software • Enables computer to control devices, run programs, communicate with users • Applications Software • Enables people to do useful tasks e.g. writing letters, balancing budgets • Communications Software • Enables people and computers to communicate at a distance Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  10. Types of Computer Users • Computer technicians • People who build or fix computer equipment • Systems analysts • People who plan and evaluate systems • Programmers • People who write programs • Users • People who use computers in their work Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  11. Applications Software • Word Processing (e.g. Microsoft Word) • Write formatted text documents • Spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel) • Do calculations with tables of figures • Databases (e.g. Microsoft Access) • Manipulate tables of interrelated data • Presentations (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint) • Give a slide show to present information • Graphics (e.g. CorelDraw, Paint) • Edit photos, diagrams, drawings and pictures Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  12. Computer Functions • Input • Entering information into the computer • Output • Displaying the results of processing • Processing • “Thinking”: calculations, arithmetic, logic, searching, selecting, sorting, organising, etc. • Storage • Saving information for later use • Communication • Exchanging information with other devices Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  13. Hardware Components • Input • Keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner • Output • Monitor, printer, speakers • Processing • Processor • Storage • Memory, disk, tape • Communication • Modem, network card, cables Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  14. Keyboard • Input device for typing • Most keys have characters (letters, numbers and symbols) • Other keys are used for control and navigation Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  15. Mouse • Input device used for pointing and selecting • Ball inside moves rollers to position pointer on screen • One to three buttons used to select • Right button used to view a menu • Pointing devices on portables: track ball, track point, touch pad Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  16. Scanner • Input device for text and graphics • Works similar to photocopier • Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software is used to input text in editable format • Different types include flatbed, sheet-fed and hand-held Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  17. Monitor • Output device displays text and graphics on a TV-like screen using an array of pixels (coloured points) • Uses Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) or Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) • Resolutions: VGA=640x480, XGA=800x600, SVGA=1024x768 Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  18. Printer • Output device prints text and graphics onto paper Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  19. Audio Input and Output • Microphone • Converts analog sound into digital input • Speakers • Convert digital signals into analog sound output • Sound card • Handles communication between microphone/speakers and processor Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  20. Processor • Central Processing Unit (CPU) • “Brain” of computer that “thinks” • Control Unit • Fetches, decodes and performs instructions • Arithmetic-Logical Unit (ALU) • +, -, *, /, number comparisons • Registers • Small, fast temporary data storage Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  21. Storage: Bits and Bytes • Analog information varies continuously • Digital information varies discretely • Computers store information digitally • The smallest unit of information is a bit, or binary digit (1=on, 0=off) • Each character (letter, number, symbol) is represented with 8 bits = 1 byte • 8 bits can represent 28=256 characters Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  22. Storage: Larger Units • kilo = thousand (103 = 1,000) • mega = million (106 = 1,000,000) • giga = billion (109 = 1,000,000,000) • 210 bytes = 1 kilobyte (KB) • 220 bytes = 1 megabyte (MB) • 230 bytes = 1 gigabyte (GB) • Note that 210 = 1024 ~ 1000 = 103 Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  23. Types of Memory • Random Access Memory (RAM) • Temporary memory while computer is on, for programs and data • Read-Only Memory (ROM) • Permanent memory, for startup • Virtual Memory • Part of the hard disk used as temporary memory when the RAM is full Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  24. Magnetic Disks • Floppy disk (diskette) • Small magnetic circle in 3 ½” square plastic case • Removable; inserted into floppy drive • Hard drive • Stack of magnetic platters (disks) • Fixed inside computer case Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  25. Optical Discs • Compact Disc (CD) • Removable optical disc inserted into CD drive • Used for storing data and digital music • CD-ROMs are read-only, unchangeable • CD-Rs are recordable, once • CD-RWs are rewritable, many times • Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) • Like CD but faster and holds more info. • Used for storing data and digital videos Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  26. Magnetic Tape • Data is stored on a magnetically coated plastic ribbon • Similar to audio or video cassettes • Large capacity but slow • Primarily used for backup copies of information on disks Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  27. Comparing Storage Media Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  28. Modem • Connects computer to phone line to: • send and receive faxes • send and receive electronic mail • connect to the Internet Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

  29. Network Card • Connects a computer to a network • Connected computers can share printers and other peripherals • Connected computers can share information e.g. electronic mail Management Information Systems I: Computer Basics

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