chapter 1 intro to computer department of computer engineering khon kaen university

Chapter 1Intro to Computer

Department of Computer Engineering

Khon Kaen University

178110: Computer Programming (II/2546) 2

Major Concepts Computer usage in several

professions Physical parts of a computer

system Four kinds of a computer

hardware Two major categories of software Four common types of available

computer nowadays


What is a Computer? A computer is an electronic device

used to process data Computers have become so

fundamental to modern society What would happen if our society do

not have computers? How can we make the computers do

work for us?


Computers in a Daily Life

Computerized scanners

Computerized card readers


Computers for Health Care

Diagnosing surgery Assisting surgery


Computers for Space Program

Remote controlling robots, rockets, and satellites


Computers for Construction

Using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) tools


Computers for Manufacturing

Manufacturing with computers and robotics(Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM))


Major Concepts Computer usage in our lives Four parts of a computer system Four kinds of a computer

hardware Two major categories of

software Four common types of

computers


A Computer System Have four common parts

Hardware (HW) (computer) Any part pf computer you can touch

Software (SW) (programs) Sets of instructions that tell HW what to

do Data (information)

Raw facts the computer can manipulate People (users)

178110: Computer Programming (II/2546) 11Overview of Computer System





computers


A Computer Hardware The computer hardware has

many parts, but each falls into one of four categories: Processor Memory Input and output devices Storage devices


Hardware Devices


Processor Processor: the brain of a computer

Organizes and carries out instructions Processing: the procedure that

transforms raw data into useful information Uses two components: processor &

memory Processor

Consists of one or more microprocessors: electronic devices


Processor in a Computer


Central Processing Unit (CPU)

CPU refers to a computer processing hardware, whether it consists of a single chip or multiple chips.


Memory The computer’s electronic scratch

pad Programs are loaded into and run

from memory Data used by a program is also

loaded into memory for fast access The most common type of memory

is called RAM (Random Access Memory)


RAM


Memory Measurement The base unit for describing a

computer’s memory is “byte” Kilobytes (KB) = 1024 bytes

~ 1,000 bytes Megabytes (MB) = 1024 x 1024 bytes

~ 1,000,000 bytes Gigabytes (GB) = 1024 x 1024 x 1024

bytes ~ 1,000,000,000

bytes


Input Devices Accept data and instructions from user


Output Devices Return processed data back to the user


Input and Output Devices

Some types of hardware can act as both input and output devices Touch screen is an example

The most common types of devices that can perform both input and output devices are Communication devices: connect one

computer to another – a process known as networking


Storage Devices A device to hold the data files and

the program files Storage vs. memory

More room in storage than in memory Memory speed is faster Storage is much cheaper than memory

Magnetic disks: the most common storage medium Floppy disk, hard disk


Storage Devices (Cont.)


Magnetic Disks Hard Disks Floppy Disks


Hard Disks There are two

read/write heads on each access arm

The read/write head accessing disk





computers


Software When a computer is using a

particular program, it is said to be running or executing that program

Two major categories of software: System software, i.e., operating

system Application software


Operating Systems Tell the computer how to interact

with the user and how to use devices Start running from the computer is

turned on until the computer is turned off

Some of example operating systems Windows Linux Mac OS X


Operating Systems (Cont.)

The computer goes through steps to prepare itself to run user’s application Step 1. Self-test: identify and check

computer devices. Initiated by a system software located in Read-Only Memory (ROM).

Step 2. The computer runs the OS program

Step 3. The user can issue commands to the computer


Application Software A program that helps people

accomplish specific tasks Thousands of application are

available; however, some major categories are: Word processing and spreadsheets Database management software Multimedia, graphic and presentations Entertainment and education Communication


Word Processing

Example: Microsoft Word


Spreadsheets

Example: Microsoft Excel


Data Management Software

Example: Microsoft Access


Graphic

Example: Microsoft Paint


Presentations

Example: Microsoft PowerPoint





computers


Types of Computers These four different types of

computers have different capabilities Supercomputers Mainframes Minicomputers Microcomputers

All these types of computers can be connected together to form networks of computers


Supercomputers The most powerful computers Process huge amounts of data,

model of complex processes, and simulate the processes Nuclear fission Air pollution Weather forecast

Cost upwards of $20 millions


Mainframe Computers For many people in a large organization

who need frequent access to the same information which is organized into one or more huge databases

In the past, mainframe computers occupied the entire rooms

But now, a typical mainframe computer looks like an unimposing file cabinet

Cost is from $35,000 to many millions


Minicomputers The capabilities of a minicomputer lies

somewhere between those of mainframes and those of personal computers

Minicomputers can handle much more input and output than personal computers can

The major minicomputer manufacturers include DEC, Data General, IBM, and HP

Cost is from $18,000 to $500,000


Microcomputers The terms microcomputer and personal

computer are interchangeable Microprocessors, memory chips, and

storage devices keep Making gains in speed and capability Their physical size and price remain stable

or in some cases are reduced The price of PC is affordable by most

people, thus PC is widely used


PCs: Desktop Models


PCs: Notebook Models


PCs: Tablet Models


PDA: Personal Digital Assistant


Phone + Computer

chapter 1 intro to computer department of computer engineering khon kaen university

Documents

computer programming

pf computer

computer systemfour

computer processing

computers memory

data computers

common type of memory

livesfour parts