Introduction to Introduction to Computer TermsComputer Terms

Basic computer termsBasic computer terms

Computer termsComputer terms

Computer - a general purpose machine (a machine that can be used to do many different tasks) that is programmable (can be given instructions that will be stored and then followed at a later time) and that can process (change the information) the information. This processing of information is not the same as performing calculations.

Program (noun) - a sequence of instructions that tells the computer how to perform a task or a series of tasks. In a sequence one task follows another task in a particular order.Computer system - composed of hardware and softwareHardware - the actual physical parts of the computer.

Computer termsComputer terms

Computer termsComputer terms (continued) (continued)

Software - programs stored electronically on media allowing them to be transported from machine to machine.

Input devicesInput devicesInput devices allow the user to give information to the computer,Examples of input devices

keyboarddigital camerafloppy disk drivejoystickcompact disc drivemicrophonemousemodem

Output devicesOutput devicesOutput devices allow information to be given to the user by the computer.Examples of output devices

monitorspeakerprinterfloppy disk drive *modem *

* these devices are both Input and Output devices.

ModemModem

A modem is a device that allows information to be sent from one computer to another computer using telephone lines.

ModemModem (continued) (continued)

It is composed of two parts the MODULATOR ("MO") which changes the information coming from the computer so that it can travel over telephone lines and a DEMODULATOR ("DEM") that converts the information traveling over telephone lines so that the computer can make use of it.

Peripheral devicesPeripheral devices

Peripheral devices are any of those devices attached to the "box" (the main body of the computer or "CPU" as it is commonly called).Input and Output devices (I/O) devices are peripheral devices.

Ways of describing computersWays of describing computers

There are several ways of describing computers. One way is to describe the number and variety of tasks that the device is able to perform.

Describing computers (cont.)Describing computers (cont.)

Dedicated devicesThese are devices, meeting the definition of a computer, that can only perform one task or a few related tasks.examples of dedicated devices

digital alarm clockmicrowave ovenvideo tape recorderautomatic teller machinetelephone answering machines

Ways of describing computers Ways of describing computers (cont.)(cont.)

Non - dedicated computerThese are computers that can perform a large number of a wide variety of tasks.The typical home or office computer is a non-dedicated computer.

Describing computers (cont.)Describing computers (cont.)

Another way of describing computers is their size. Note that a large computer is not necessarily a powerful computer!

Mainframe - These are the largest computers. They take up part of a room or part of a floor of a building. The earliest computers were mainframe computers. Large powerful computers are known as supercomputers.

Describing computers (cont.)Describing computers (cont.)Minicomputer: These machines are the same size as a desk. They can be moved but, it takes several people to do it. These machines were common in industry and education.Microcomputer - These are computers that fit on top of a desk. They are sometimes called desktop computers or PC's (short for "personal computer" - an IBM trade name).Laptop - a microcomputer small enough to fit on a person's lap.

Introduction to Introduction to ComputersComputers

Types of MemoryTypes of Memory

Types of MemoryTypes of Memory

1) Memory where information can be changed.2) Memory where information cannot be changed.

Memory where information can be Memory where information can be changedchanged

a) Secondary (or auxiliary) memoryIn secondary memory information can "read" (gotten from memory) or "written" (put into memory).This memory is used to store whole programs as well as data.When the computer is turned off, the information remains in this memory.

Memory where information can be Memory where information can be changedchanged

b) Primary (or main) memoryIn primary memory information can "read from" (gotten from memory) or "written to" (put into memory).This memory is used to store only those parts of a program (or data) that are "actively" being used.When the computer is turned off, the information does not remain in this memory.

Memory where information Memory where information cannot be changedcannot be changed

Read only Memory (ROM)This memory can only be read from and not written to.It is used to store the basic operating instructions for the computer (Basic Input Output System or BIOS).Information remains in ROM after the computer is turned off.

Basic Input Output SystemBasic Input Output SystemThe BIOS is contained on a ROM chip put into the computer by the manufacturer.When the computer is turned on, the BIOS:

generates an initial screen displayperforms hardware and memory testscopies a part of the operating system (stored in the secondary memory) into the primary memory.

Random access memoryRandom access memory

Random access memory - this is memory where one piece of information can be accessed as easily as another, regardless of where in memory they are stored.Both primary and secondary memory are examples of "random access memory".

Introduction to Introduction to ComputersComputers

Types of softwareTypes of software

ReviewReview

Programa sequence of instructions that tells a computer how to perform a task or series of tasks.

Softwarea program or a group of programs that are stored in an electronic form. Usually this is on some type of media (e.g. floppy disk or CD-ROM).

Types of SoftwareTypes of Software

System softwareApplication software

System softwareSystem software

A group of programs that instruct the computer on how to perform basic operations such as:

displaying information on the screen, storing data on a disk, sending information to a printer, interpreting information from the keyboard, and communicating with other devices attached to the computer (peripherals).

Functions of system softwareFunctions of system softwareControls the input of data to and the output of data from the computer.Allocates system resources by:

ensuring that there is enough space available in memory for programsensuring that tasks are completed as quickly as possible

Manages storage space by keeping track of information so that it can be retrieved.

Functions of system softwareFunctions of system software

Maintains securityIt keeps track of passwords and user identification.

Detects equipment failure.

Examples of Microcomputer Examples of Microcomputer operating systemsoperating systems

DOS (Disk Operating System)MS DOS (by Microsoft)PC DOS (by IBM)

Windows (by Microsoft)Linux (by various companies)System X (by Apple for Macintosh)

Application SoftwareApplication SoftwareThis type of software is designed to help the user accomplish a specific task ("get a job done").These tasks include such things as: producing documents, performing calculations, managing finances, creating graphics, composing music, playing games, maintaining files, browsing the World Wide Web, checking for viruses etc.

Common types of application Common types of application softwaresoftware

The following are three types of application software that we will discuss in this class:

Word-processing softwareSpreadsheet softwareDatabase management software

These three types of software are usually known as productivity software (they help the user get a task done efficiently).

Word-processing softwareWord-processing software

This type of software allows the user to manipulate text ("words") in order to produce documents.

History of Word-processingHistory of Word-processing

Originally word-processing programs were not developed to run on personal computers. These programs ran on mainframe computers and were designed to work the same way as typewriters. The length of a page, the style of the letters and the length of a line on the page were all the same as on a typewriter.

History of Word-processingHistory of Word-processing (continued)(continued)

Original word-processors were dedicated machines that cost as much as ten times the cost of a modern microcomputer. The first word-processing program for personal computers was WordStar, developed by Seymor Rubinstein in 1978.

History of Word-processingHistory of Word-processing (continued)(continued)

For about a decade (after the development of WordStar) word-processing software produced documents that were still similar to typewritten ones.

Word-processingWord-processing

Whenever we create a document we must be able to do the following:

correct the documentcopy the documentstore the documentmodify the document

Modifying documentsModifying documentsWe can change a document in two ways:

Editing - change the content (or the meaning) add or remove (delete) words or sentencescorrect spelling

Format - change the appearance of the textunderlinejustify text (put a margin along one or both sides of the page)bold wordsItalicize wordschange the amount of space between linesnumber pages

Different ways of creating Different ways of creating documentsdocuments

When we create a document by hand:it is difficult to make corrections to a large amount of textit can be difficult to copy the textdocuments can take up a lot of spaceit is very difficult to change the appearance of a document after it has been createdit is inexpensive and easy to do

Different ways of creating Different ways of creating documentsdocuments

When we create a document by using a typewriter:it is difficult to make corrections to a large amount of textit can be difficult to copy the textdocuments can take up a lot of spaceit is very difficult to change the appearance of a document after it has been created

Different ways of creating Different ways of creating documentsdocuments (continued) (continued)

it is easier to read than handwritingdocuments are easier to formatthe font (style) of the characters can be changedtypewriters can be expensive

Different ways of creating Different ways of creating documentsdocuments (continued) (continued)

When we use word-processing software it is easy to:

make corrections to the textmake copies of the textmodify the format of the textstore documents

However computers and software are expensive and documents stored on a computer can be damaged or lost.

Spreadsheet softwareSpreadsheet software

Spreadsheet software - a program used for number related tasks. These tasks can include: calculating the interest on a bank account, preparing statements of the amount owed or, creating a budget.

Spreadsheet softwareSpreadsheet software

In a spreadsheet information is arranged in a meaningful way in rows and columns.Descriptive titles are placed along the top and down the sides of the spreadsheet.Data that may change is placed under or beside these titles.

Spreadsheet softwareSpreadsheet software (continued) (continued)

Information that is used in a calculation is called a value.Calculations are performed by using values in formulas (or formulae).Pages are divided into a grid by horizontal and vertical lines.There are horizontal rows (named by using numbers) and vertical columns (named by using letters).

Spreadsheet softwareSpreadsheet software (continued) (continued)

Where rows and columns meet it is called a cell (named by using the letter of the column and the number of the cell).

Spreadsheet pageSpreadsheet page

A B C D E

1 Name Item Number

Cost/Item Quantity Total cost

2 Notebook 445-33 $2.99 10 $29.90

3

History of SpreadsheetsHistory of Spreadsheets

The original spreadsheets used by accountants were large sheets of paper (or pages in large books).

History of SpreadsheetsHistory of Spreadsheets (continued)(continued)

The first spreadsheet program for microcomputers was created in 1979 by a Harvard Business School student called Daniel Bricklin. The program was called VisiCalc and it was designed for use on Apple computers (one of the first microcomputers).

Names of common Spreadsheet Names of common Spreadsheet softwaresoftware

Lotus 1-2-3Quatro ProExcel

Database management softwareDatabase management software

An application program used to organize information. This information can be retrieved and used quickly.

Database management softwareDatabase management software (continued)(continued)

DatabaseA database is composed of the following:

Field - the smallest unit of information in a database.Record - a collection of related fields.File - a collection of related records.

Examples based on a collection of video tapes:Field - Name of the video, length of the video, type of video, year video releasedRecord - all the information about one videoFile - the records for all the videos

Parts of a database - "Student File"Parts of a database - "Student File"

Student Last Name:_____________

Student Last Name: ________Student First Name: ________

Student Birth date: __/___/___Student Number: ________

Student Home Phone Number :_________________.....

File - a group of related records Record - a group

of related fields

Field - smallest unit of information (describessomething)

Student Last Name: _____________Student First Name: _____________

Student Birth date: __/__/__Student Number: _________

Student Home Phone number :______________________

Field name : identifies the field

Viewing a database fileViewing a database file

Student Last Name: HawkinsStudent First Name: Joseph

Student Birth date: 17/03/80Student Number: 6546881

Student Home Phone Number :416- 444- 1213.....

Form or record view:This is used to see one record at a time

Student Last Name Student First Name Student Birth date....

Hawkins Joseph 17/03/80 ...Karnagh Stanley 23/07/78 ...Smith Laura 06/05/81 ...

List view: This is used to see all the records in a database file. Each record is on one line ofthe list.ALL the field names would be shown across the topof the page.

Database management - SortingDatabase management - Sorting

Using database management software information can be sorted (or arranged) in several different ways:

in numerical orderin alphabetical order

Using these ways of ordering information we can arrange the information in ascending or descending ("downwards") order.

Database managementDatabase management (continued) (continued)For example the following list of words:

school, house, apartmentSorted in ascending alphabetical order:

apartment, house, schoolSorted in descending alphabetical order:

school, house, apartmentThe following list of numbers:

23, 456, 5Sorted in ascending numerical order:

5, 23, 456Sorted in descending numerical order:

456, 23, 5

Database management - SelectionDatabase management - Selection

Database management software can also be used to choose items from the database based on certain criteria ("rules").For example given the following sorted list of words:

car, cat, balloon, bike, hat, letter, school, spoonWe can use the software to select only those words in the list that "begin with the letter s".

From the original list we would get a new list of selected items:

school, spoon

History of Database management History of Database management softwaresoftware

The first database management software for microcomputers was Vulcan written in 1979 Wayne Ratliff. This was marketed in 1980 with the help of George Tate as dBase II.

Names of database management Names of database management programsprograms

dBaseAccessOracle

Productivity software suitesProductivity software suites

These are groups of programs sold together as one software package. Usually they include a the following: a spreadsheet program, a word processor program and, a database management program.Common software suites:

Lotus SmartSuite, Microsoft Office, StarOffice