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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationDefinition
Computer: An electronic system that can be instructed to accept, process, store, and present data and information.
Computer System: A computer and all the hardware interconnected with it.
– Hardware– Programs– Information– People– Procedures
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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationHardware
Hardware (computer hardware or devices): The computer and its associated equipment.– Input devices– Processors– Output devices– Secondary storage devices
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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationInput Devices
Input: The data or information entered into a computer or the process of entering data or information into the computer for processing,
storage and retrieval, or transmission.– Keyboards– Point-of-sale terminals– Mouse– Image scanners– Bar code scanners and wands– Microphones
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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationThe Processor
Processor/Central Processing Unit (CPU): A set of electronic circuits that perform the computer’s processing actions.
Microprocessor: The smallest type of processor, with all of the processing capabilities of the control unit and ALU located on a single chip.
Chip: A collection of electronic components in a very small, self-contained package.
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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationThe Processor (Continued)
System Board (Mother Board): The system unit in a microcomputer, located on a board mounted on the bottom of a computer base.
Primary Storage (Main Memory): Storage within the computer itself. Primary memory holds data only temporarily, as the computer executes instructions.
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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationOutput Devices
Output: The results of inputting and processing data and information returned by the computer, either directly to the person using the system or to secondary storage.– Printer– Direct a display – Control another device– Generate sounds– Initiate transmission of information
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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationSecondary Storage Devices
Secondary Storage (Auxiliary Storage): A storage medium that is external to the computer, but that can be read by the computer; a way of storing data and information outside the computer itself.
– Diskettes– Zip Disks– Hard Disks– Optical Disks– Magnetic Tape
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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationSecondary Storage Devices (Continued)
Magnetic Disks: A general term referring to two types of storage disk: the flexible/floppy disk and the hard disk.
Zip Disks: Similar to diskettes, but housed in a hard plastic case. These disks can store 70 to 175 times more and can store and retrieve data more quickly than diskettes.
Read Only: A type of disk that information can be read from but not written onto.
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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationSecondary Storage Devices (Continued)
CD-ROM disk: Short for “compact disk – read only memory,” an optical storage medium that permits storage of large amounts of information. CD-ROM disks can only be written to and cannot be erased.
Drive: The device containing a secondary storage medium’s read/write unit.
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Hardware: Computing, Storing and CommunicationPeripheral Equipments
Peripheral Equipment: A general term used for any device that is attached to a computer system.
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Programs: In charge of the HardwareDefinition
Software: The general term for a set of instructions that controls a computer or a communications network.
Program: A set of instructions that directs a computer to perform certain tasks and produce certain results.
Communication Program: A program that manages the interaction between a computer system and a communications network and the transmission of data, programs, and information over the network.
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Programs: In charge of the HardwareDefinition (Continued)
Operating System: A combination of programs that coordinates the actions of a computer, including its peripheral devices and memory. For example, DOS (Disk Operating System), and Windows.
Graphic User Interface (GUI): A link to an operating system that allows users to use icons rather than command words to start processing.
Interface: The means by which a person interacts with a computer.
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Programs: In charge of the HardwareSoftware Package
Software Package: An application that focuses on a particular subject, such as word processing, and is sold to businesses and the general public.
Documentation: An instruction manual that accompanies software. Also, a technical, detailed written description of the specific facts of a program.
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Programs: In charge of the HardwareSoftware Package (Continued)
Spreadsheet: A table of columns and rows used by people responsible for tracking revenues, expenses, profits, and losses.
Word-processing (WP) Program: A program that allows the user to enter, change (edit), move, store, and print text information.
Desktop Publishing (DTP) Program: A program that combines text and image-handling features with document-design capabilities.
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Information: Reason for using IT Definition
Information: An organized, meaningful, and useful interpretation of data.
– Data– Text– Sound– Images
Data: Raw facts, figures, and details.
Spoken Information: Information that is conveyed by sound.
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People: User & Creators of IT Application User
User (End User): The people who uses IT in their jobs or personal lives.– Hands-on users– Indirect end users– User managers– Senior managers
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People: User & Creators of IT Application Information Technology Professionals
Information Technology Professional: A person who is responsible for acquiring, developing, maintaining, or operating the hardware associated with computers and communications networks.
– Programmers– Systems Analysts– System Designers– Web Designers– Project Managers– Network Specialists– Trainers– Computer Operators
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Procedure: Processes to Use & Maintain IT Procedures
Procedure: A step-by-step process or a set of instructions for accomplishing specific results.– Operations– Backup and Recovery– Security– Development
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Procedure: Processes to Use & Maintain IT Procedures (Continued)
Operations Procedure: A procedure that describes how a computer system or application is used, how often it can be used, who is authorized to use it, and where the results of processing should go.
Backup Procedure: A procedure that describes how and when to make extra copies of information or software to protect against losses.
Recovery Procedure: An action taken when information or software must be restored.
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Procedure: Processes to Use & Maintain IT Procedures (Continued)
Security Procedure: A procedure designed to safeguard data centers, communications networks, computers, and other IT components from accidental intrusion or intentional damage.
Security Software: Software that is designed to protect systems and data.
Development Procedure: A procedure that explains how IT professionals should describe user needs and develop applications to meet those needs.
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An Introduction to SystemsDefinition
System: A set of components that interact to accomplish a purpose.
Single-User System (Personal Computer): An IT system used by only one person. A system that stands alone and is not interconnected with other companies or shared by other people.
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An Introduction to SystemsDefinition (Continued)
Multi-user System: A communication system in which more than one user share hardware, programs, information, people, and procedures.– To share a computer– To share hardware– To share software– To share information– To share communications
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Information ProcessingInformation Processing Activities Associated with Information-handling Functions
Capture– Input– Upload/Download
Uploading: The process by which information is sent from a PC to a mainframe.
Downloading: The transfer of information from a central system to a desktop computer.
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Information ProcessingInformation Processing Activities Associated with Information-handling Functions (Continued)
Processing– Compute– Update
Batch Processing: The grouping and processing of all transactions at one time.
Real-time Processing: The processing of each transaction as it occurs.
– Classify– Sort– Summarize
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Information ProcessingInformation Processing Activities Associated with Information-handling Functions
Generate– Output– Issue
Storage and Retrieval– Inquire– Store– Retrieve
Transmit
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