E0001 Computers in Engineering

1. E0001 Computers in Engineering “The Computer” Input and Output Devices

2. Module 4 • Categories of computers • define 5 major categories of computers and how they are classified • Information Processing Cycle • Input devices • Output devices

3. Categories of Computers • five main categories • microcomputer (personal computer; PC) • server • minicomputer • mainframe • supercomputer

4. Microcomputers • most widely used and fastest growing type of computer • two types • desk-top e.g. PC, workstation • portable • laptops • notebooks

5. Minicomputers • midway in cost and capability between microcomputers and mainframes • serve medium-sized companies or specialised departments e.g. CAD/CAM • used as single workstations or a system serving many terminals • Hence server - central computer holding databases & programs for many PC’s

6. Server

7. Mainframes • require specially wired and air conditioned rooms • capable of great processing speeds and data storage • used by large organisations to handle millions of transactions

9. Supercomputers • high capacity machines • used to model complex phenomena • oil exploration, simulations, worldwide weather forecasting • two designs • vector processors - a few (1-16) large specialised processors run calculations at high speeds • massively parallel processors (MPP) - spreads calculations over hundreds or thousands of standard microprocessors

10. Define a Computer • “Computers are:- electronic devices that can follow instructions to accept input, process that input (data) and produce information.” • key words • electronic devices • process • data vs information

11. Computer Components computers composed of: • input devices • system unit • output devices • secondary storage devices

12. Information Processing Cycle - IPOS • I - Input • P - Processing • O - Output • S - Storage INPUT PROCESSING OUTPUT STORAGE

13. Categories of Computers six main categories embedded computer microcomputer (personal computer; PC) server minicomputer mainframe supercomputer Defined by processing speed and number of users

15. Input devices - transmit the data and instructions to the computer in a form which the processor can understand two main types keyboard entry direct entry keyboards pointing devices terminals scanning devices voice input devices sensors Input to the Computer

16. Output devices Output devices put the processed data into a form that can be used by people or stored in “computer useable form” • monitors • printers • plotters • voice output • “control” output

17. Readings • Shelly Cashman.. • 1995:- p 1.7 - 1.13; p 3.1 - 3.2; p 5.1 - 5.25 • 1997-2000:- chapter 4 and 5 • Computers in Your Future by Meyer • 1995:- Unit 1B - p18 - 28; Unit 2A - p50 - 64; Unit 2C - p 86 - 102 • 1997:- 2.42 to 2.76 • Selected Readings 4.1 • Module 4 of Study Book

18. Key points • explain the difference between keyboard and direct entry devices • describe • features of keyboards and the three types of terminals • direct entry devices • monitors and monitor standards • printers and plotters and voice output devices

19. Things to do • list types of monitors, pixel sizes and number of colours • list the 4 major types of printers, their characteristics and typical uses • difference between laptops and notebooks