CGS2100 Chapter 2 Understanding Digital Components Notes Understanding Your Computer Computers are Data Processing Devices A computer is a data processing device that performs four functions o Input gathers data or allows users to enter data o Process manipulates calculates or organizes data into information o Output displays data and information in a form suitable for the user o Storage saves information for later use Data vs Information o Data a representation of a fact figure or idea Can be a number word picture recording of a sound o Information data that has been organized or presented in a meaningful fashion How do computers interact with data and information o Computers process manipulate calculate or organize data into information Student ID card example going to the Student ID center giving the clerk your personal information data your picture being taken collecting more data printing ID card information Bits and Bytes the Language of Computers Computers work only with numbers values 0 and 1 Binary digit bit each 0 or 1 8 binary digits one byte o Binary language the language computers use to process data into information consisting of only the What else can bits and bytes be used for o Ex the letter K 01001011 one byte 8 bits o Used to represent the quantity of data and information that the computer inputs and outputs o Units of measure for bytes Kilobyte KB 1 000 bytes Megabyte MB 1 mil bytes Gigabyte GB 1 bil bytes Terabyte TB 1 tril bites Petabyte PB 1 000 terabytes Google search engine 1 PB per hour How does your computer process bits and bytes o Hardware and software Hardware any part of the computer or computer system that you can physically touch Software the set of computer programs that allows the hardware to work Application software the set of programs on a computer that helps a user carry out tasks such as word processing sending an e mail balancing a budget creating presentations editing a photo taking an online course or playing video games System software the set of programs that enables a computer s hardware devices and application software to work together includes operating system and utility programs o Operating system the system software that controls the way in which a computer system functions including the management of software peripherals and software Most common type of system software Types of Computers What types of computers are popular for personal use o Tablet computer a mobile computer integrated into a flat multitouch sensitive screen uses an onscreen virtual keyboard but separate keyboards can be connected through Bluetooth or wires o Laptop notebook computer a portable computer with a keyboard a monitor and other devices Ex Apple iPad Samsung Galaxy Tab integrated into a single compact case o Netbook a small lightweight 2 lbs portable laptop that is 7 10 inches wide and has a longer batter life than a laptop sacrifices portability for performance o Ultrabook a full featured lightweight laptop that features a low power processor and a solid state drive tries to reduce size and weight to extend battery life w out sacrificing performance o Tablet convertible PC similar to a laptop computer but swivels to fold flat functions as a conventional laptop and a touchscreen computer o Desktop computer a computer that is intended for use in a single location consists of a case that houses the main components of the computer plus peripheral devices System unit the metal or plastic case that holds all the physical parts of the computer together including the computer s processor brain memory and circuit boards that allow the computer to function Peripheral device a device such as a monitor printer or keyboard that connects to the system through a data port o All in one computer a desktop system unit that houses the processor memory and monitor in a single unit Are there other types of computers o Mainframe a large expensive computer that supports hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously and executes many different programs at the same time o Supercomputer a specially designed computer that cam perform complex calculations extremely rapidly used in situations in which complex models requiring intensive mathematical calculations are needed o Embedded computer a specially designed computer chip that resides inside another device such as a car have their own programming and typically neither receive input from users nor interact with other systems o Smartphones a device with the features of a computer including a wide assortment of apps media players high quality cameras and web activity 2 Input Devices Input device a hardware device used to enter or input data texts images and sounds and instructions user responses and commands into a computer o Keyboard an input device that you use to enter typed data and commands o Mouse an input device used to enter user responses and commands o Stylus an input device that looks like a pen which you use to tap commands or draw on a screen Keyboards or stylus Are all keyboards the same What is the most common way to input data and commands o Touch screens display screens that respond to commands initiated by touching the screen with a finger o QWERTY keyboard a keyboard that gets its name from the first 6 letters on the top left row of alphabetic keys on the keyboard Most common type of keyboard Originally designed for typewriters was meant to slow typists down and prevent typewriter keys from jamming o Dvorak keyboard puts the most commonly used letters in the English language on the home keys the keys in the middle row of the keyboard reduces the distance your fingers travel between keystrokes increasing typing speed What alternatives are there to an onscreen touch keyboard o Wired keyboards plug into the data port on the computing device o Wireless keyboards send data to the computer using a form of wireless technology that uses radio frequency RF a radio transmitter in the keyboard sends out signals that are either received by a receiving device plugged into the data port on the device or by a Bluetooth receiving device located within the computing device Bluetooth technology a type of wireless technology that uses radio waves to transmit data over short distances 3 300 ft often used to connect peripherals such as printers and keyboards to computers or headsets to cell phones o Flexible keyboards keyboards that roll up when not in use and connect to computing device w a USB o VK200 KEYFOB Virtual Keyboard
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