CS 101 – Aug. 26

• Definition of computer & CS

• Making good decisions

• Computer organization

• A little history

• Please read Chapter 1 in book.• Tomorrow’s lab: let’s meet first here in 204.

Computer definition

• An electronic device that can retrieve, store and process data

• You can do these things too!

• What is the difference?

Computer science

• Systematic study of how we …– solve problems – represent & manipulate information

• Computer has large memory and fast “brain” – ideal for testing theories

Good decisions

• Correct (not misleading)

• Relevant

• Significant (don’t play weak cards)

• Complete/thorough– Consider alternatives, suggest future work

• Reasonable– Balance between acceptable & ideal

Computer organization

• Definition gives hint on how a computer is organized…

• Retrieve/store data: computer’s memory

• Process data: the CPU

• Communication is also essential– I/O devices– network

Hardware vs. Software

• CPU

• Memory

• Peripherals

• network

• Helps us interact with the machine

• Gives it soul or behavior

• Translates to/from machine language