COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing

Session OneIntroduction

COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing - Session One: Introduction 2

Course Objectives

• Describe the history of computers

• Describe how businesses use computing to improve productivity

• Describe the mobile computing phenomenon

• Discuss the importance of security and privacy

COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing - Session One: Introduction 3

Objectives (cont.)

• Discuss ethical issues in computing

• Summarize legal aspects of computing

• Describe career opportunities – locally and globally

• Discuss computers in everyday life

COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing - Session One: Introduction 4

Course References

• Book – Discovering Computers 2005: A Gateway to Information, Web Enhanced by Shelly, Cashman and Vermaat

• Book Website – http://www.scsite.com/dc2005/web

• Course Website – http://cavehill.uwi.edu/staff/eportfolios/paulwalcott/msc/

COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing - Session One: Introduction 5

Definition of Computer

• Originally, the term "computer" referred to a person who performed numerical calculations, often with the aid of a mechanical calculating device or analog computer

• A computer is a machine for manipulating data according to a list of instructions known as a program (Wikipedia.com)

• A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructuions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, manipulate the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use. (Discovering Computers, 2005)

COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing - Session One: Introduction 6

Computers

• Computers process input (data) into output (information), and hold data, information and instructions in storage for later use

• Data is a collection of items that are unprocessed such as text, images, audio and video; basically, no logical sense on its own

• Information is data that has been converted to a useful format

COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing - Session One: Introduction 7

Information Processing Cycle

Processing Output

Storage

Input

COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing - Session One: Introduction 8

Computers In Every day Life

• Uses of Computers– Budgeting & finances– Internet access, email & online shopping– Entertainment– Work & educational purposes– Bill payments– Research– Computer-aided design– Photo, audio and video editing– Business applications– Networking– Telecommuting

COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing - Session One: Introduction 9

Computers In Everyday Life

• Where Can We Find Them– Cell phones, Smart phones & PDAs– Cars– Kitchens – toasters, fridges– Airplanes– Doctor’s office– Supermarkets – Clothing– Automated telephone systems– Kiosks– ATMs– Classrooms– And the list goes on

COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing - Session One: Introduction 10

Careers In The Computer Industry

• Help Desk specialist

• Computer operator

• Computer technician

• Network administrator

• Software engineer

• Computer scientist

• Corporate trainer

COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing - Session One: Introduction 11

Careers In The Computer Industry

• Programmer

• Systems analyst

• Web developer

• Database administrator

• Computer consultant

• Desktop publisher

• Illustrator/Graphic designer

COMP6005 An Introduction to Computing - Session One: Introduction 12

References

• Wikipedia – http://www.wikipedia.com

• Discovering Computers 2005: A Gateway to Information, Web Enhanced by Shelly, Cashman and Vermaat (MA, 2004)