This document provides an overview of key computer concepts including the five components of a computer, advantages and disadvantages of computer use, definitions of terms like data, information, and networks. It describes different categories of computers from personal to supercomputers and embedded systems. Various types of computer users are defined from home to enterprise levels. The document concludes by outlining many societal applications of computers in fields such as education, finance, government, healthcare, science, publishing, travel and manufacturing.

1. By:
MuhammadTalha
Discovering
Computers

2. Objective Overview
Describe the five
components of a
computer
Discuss the advantages
and disadvantages that
users experience when
working with computers
Explain why computer
literacy is vital to
success in today’s
world
Define the term,
computer, and
describe the relationship
between data and
information
Define the term,
network, and identify
benefits of sharing
resources on a
network

3. Objectives Overview
Distinguish between system
software and application
software
Differentiate among types,
sizes, and functions of
computers in each category
Describe the role of each
element in an information
system
Explain how home users,
small office/home office
users, mobile users, power
users, and enterprise users
each interact with
computers
Discuss how society uses
computers in education,
finance, government, health
care, science, publishing,
travel, and manufacturing

4. A World of Computers
Computers are everywhere

5. What Is a Computer?
 A computer is an electronic device, operating under the
control of instructions stored in its own memory
Collects
data
(input)
Processing
Produces
information
(output)
Information Processing Cycle

6. Data And Information
Data is any collection of numbers, characters or
other symbols that has been coded into
a format that can be input into a computer and
processed. Data on its own has no meaning, or
context. It is only after processing by a computer that
data takes on a context and becomes information.

7. Data And Information

8. What is a Computer ?

9. The Components of a Computer
 A computer contains many electric, electronic, and mechanical components known
as hardware
-
• Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computerInput Device
• Hardware component that conveys information to one or more peopleOutput Device
• Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that
are used to process dataSystem Unit
• Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage
mediaStorage Device
• Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and
information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices
Communications
Device

10. Input devices

11. Keyboard
 A computer keyboard contains keys you press to enter data
into the computer . For security purposes ,some keyboards
include a fingertip reader, which allows you to work with the
computer only if your fingertip is recognized.

12. Mouse
 A mouse is a small handheld device. With the mouse, you
control movement of a small symbol on the screen, called the
pointer, and you make selections from the screen.

13. Microphone
 A microphone is an example of a transducer, a device that changes
information from one form to another. Sound information exists as
patterns of air pressure; the microphone changes this information into
patterns of electric current. The recording engineer is interested in the
accuracy of this transformation, a concept he thinks of as fidelity.

14. Scanner
 A scanner is a device that captures images from photographic prints,
posters, magazine pages, and similar sources for computer editing and
display. ... Very high resolution scanners are used for scanning for high-
resolution printing, but lower resolution scanners are adequate for
capturing images for computer display.

15. Web Cam
 The term webcam is a combination of "Web" and "video camera." The
purpose of a webcam is, not surprisingly, to broadcast video on the
Web. Webcams are typically small cameras that either attach to a user's
monitor or sit on a desk. Most webcams connect to the computer via USB,
though some use a Fire-wire connection

16. Output Devices
 An output device is any device used to send data from a
computer to another device or user. Most computer
data output that is meant for humans is in the form of audio
or video. Thus, most output devices used by humans are in
these categories.
 Examples
 Printer
 Monitor
 Speaker

17. Output device

18. Printer
 A printer is a device that accepts text and graphic output
from a computer and transfers the information to paper,
usually to standard size sheets of paper. Printers vary in size,
speed, sophistication, and cost. ... The inkjet sprays ink from
an ink cartridge at very close range to the paper as it rolls by.

19. Monitor
 A monitor is an electronic visual computer display that includes a screen,
circuitry and the case in which that circuitry is enclosed. Older
computer monitors made use of cathode ray tubes (CRT), which made
them large, heavy and inefficient. ... A monitor is also known as a screen
or a visual display unit (VDU).

20. Speaker
Speaker is an output device that allow you to hear
music, voice and other audio.

21. The Components of a Computer

22. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Computers
Advantages Disadvantages of
of Using Computers using computers
Speed
Reliability
Consistency
Storage
Communications
Health Risks
Violation of Privacy
Public Safety
Impact on Labor Force
Impact on Environment

23. ADVANTAGES OF USING COMPUTERS
 Speed:
When data, instructions, and information flow along
electronic circuits in a computer, they travel at incredibly
speeds. Many computers process billions or trillions of
operations in a single second.
 Reliability:
The electronic components in modern computers are
dependable and reliable because they rarely break or
fail.

24. Continue….
 Consistency:
Given the same input and processes, a computer
will produce the same results — consistently.
Computers generate error-free results, provided
the input is correct and the instructions work.
 Storage:
Computers store enormous amounts of data and make
this data available for processing anytime it is needed.

25. DISADVANTAGES OF USING COMPUTERS
 Some disadvantages of computers relate to the violation of
privacy, public safety, the impact on the labor force, health
risks, and the impact on the environment.
 Violation of Privacy:
In many instances, where personal and
confidential records were not properly protected, individuals
have found their privacy violated and identities stolen.

26. Continue…
 Public Safety:
Adults, teens, and children around the world are using
computers to share publicly their photos, videos, journals, music, and other personal
information. Some of these unsuspecting, innocent computer users have fallen victim
to crimes committed by dangerous strangers.
 Impact on Labor Force:
Although computers have improved productivity and
created an entire industry with hundreds of thousands of new jobs, the skills of
millions of employees have been replaced by computers. Thus, it is crucial that workers
keep their education up-to-date. A separate impact on the labor force is that some
companies are outsourcing jobs to foreign countries instead of keeping their
homeland labor force employed.

27. Continue…
 Health Risks:
Prolonged or improper computer use can lead to health
injuries or disorders. Computer users can protect themselves from health risks
through proper workplace design, good posture while at the computer, and
appropriately spaced work breaks. Another health risk, called computer addiction,
occurs when someone becomes obsessed with using the computer.
 Impact on Environment:
Computer manufacturing processes and computer
waste are depleting natural resources and polluting the environment. Strategies
that can help protect the environment include recycling, regulating
manufacturing processes, extending the life of computers, and immediately
donating replaced computers.

28. Networks and the Internet
 A network is a collection of
computers and devices
connected together, often
wirelessly, via
communications devices and
transmission media

29. Networks and the Internet
 The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions
of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and
individuals

30. Networks and the Internet
People use the Internet for a variety of reasons:
Communicate Research and Shop Bank and Invest Online Trading
Entertainment Download Videos Share Information Web Application

31. Networks and the Internet
 A social networking Web site encourages members to share their interests,
ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users

32. Computer Software
 Software, also called a program, tells the computer what tasks to perform and
how to perform them
System Software
• Operating system
• Utility Program
Application Software

33. Computer Software
• Installing is the process of setting up software to work
with the computer, printer, and other hardware

34. Computer Software
A programmer develops
software or writes the
instructions that direct the
computer to process data
into information

35. Categories of Computers
Embedded computers
Supercomputers
Mainframes
Servers
Game consoles
Mobile computers and mobile devices
Personal computers
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36. Personal Computers
 A personal computer can perform all of its input, processing, output, and
storage activities by itself
 Two popular architectures are the PC and the Apple

37. Desktop Computers
 A desktop computer is designed so
the system unit, input devices,
output devices, and any other
devices fit entirely on or under a
desk or table. In some models, the
monitor sits on top of the system
unit, which is placed on the desk.
The more popular style of system
unit is the tall and narrow tower,
which can sit on the floor vertically

38. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
Personal computer you
can carry from place to
place
Examples include
notebook computers,
laptop computers,
netbooks, ultra-thins,
and Tablet PCs
Mobile
Computer
Computing device small
enough to hold in your
hand
Examples include smart
phones and PDAs, e
book readers, handheld
computers, portable
media players, and
digital cameras
Mobile
Device

39. Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices
Handheld computer
Portable media player
Digital camera
Notebook computer
Tablet PC
Smart phones and PDAs
E-book reader

40. Notebook computer
 A notebook computer, also called a laptop computer, is a portable,
personal computer designed to fit on your lap. Notebook computers are
thin and lightweight, yet can be as powerful as the average desktop
computer. Notebook computers usually are more expensive than desktop
computers with equal capabilities.

41. Game Consoles
A game console is a
mobile computing device
designed for single-
player or multiplayer
video games

42. Servers
 A server controls access to the
hardware, software, and other
resources on a network and
provides a centralized storage
area for programs, data, and
information. Servers support
from two to several thousand
connected computers at the
same time.

43. Mainframes
 A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can
handle hundreds or thousands of connected users
simultaneously. Mainframes store huge amounts of data,
instructions, and information. Most major corporations use
mainframes for business activities. With mainframes, large
businesses are able to bill millions of customers, prepare
payroll for thousands of employees, and manage thousands
of items in inventory. One study reported that mainframes
process more than 83 percent of transactions around the
world.

44. IBM new Mainframe Computer

45. Supercomputers
A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful computer — and
the most expensive. The fastest supercomputers are capable of
processing more than 135 trillion instructions in a single second.
Applications requiring complex, sophisticated mathematical
calculations use supercomputers. Large scale simulations and
applications in medicine, aerospace, automotive design, online
banking, weather forecasting, nuclear energy research, and
petroleum exploration use a supercomputer.

46. New Super Computer

47. Super-Computer in Pakistan
 The high performance supercomputing program started in mid-to-
late 1980s in Pakistan. Supercomputing is a recent area of Computer
sciencein which Pakistan has made progress, driven in part by the growth
of the information technology age in the country. Developing on the
ingenious supercomputer program started in 1980s when the deployment
of the Cray supercomputers was initially denied.
The fastest supercomputer currently in use in Pakistan is
developed and hosted by the National University of Sciences and
Technology at its modeling and simulation research centre. As of November
2012, there are no supercomputers from Pakistan on the Top500 list.

48. Super-Computer in Pakistan

49. Embedded Computers
 An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that
functions as a component in a larger product
Consumer
Electronics
Home Automation
Devices
Automobiles
Process Controllers
and Robotics
Computer Devices
and Office Machines

50.  Because embedded computers are components in larger products, they
usually are small and have limited hardware. Embedded computers
perform various functions, depending on the requirements of the product
in which they reside. Embedded computers in printers, for example,
monitor the amount of paper in the tray, check the ink or toner level,
signal if a paper jam has occurred, and so on. shows some of the many
embedded computers in cars.

51. Elements of an Information System
Hardware Software Data
People Procedures

52. Elements of an Information System

53. Examples of Computer Usage
Home User
•Personal financial
management
•Web access
•Communications
•Entertainment
Small Office/Home
Office User
•Look up information
•Send and receive e-mail
messages
•Make telephone calls
Mobile User
•Connect to other computers
on a network or the Internet
•Transfer information
•Play video games
•Listen to music
•Watch movies

54. Examples of Computer Usage
Power User
• Work with multimedia
• Use industry-specific
software
Enterprise User
• Communicate among
employees
• Process high volumes
of transactions
• Blog

55. Power User
 Another category of user, called a power user, requires the capabilities of a
powerful desktop computer, called a workstation. Examples of power users include
engineers, scientists, architects, desktop publishers, and graphic artists. Power users
typically work with multimedia, combining text, graphics, audio, and video into one
application. These users need computers with extremely fast processors because of
the nature of their work.

56. Large Business User
 A large business has hundreds or thousands of employees or customers that work
in or do business with offices across a region, the country, or the world. Each
employee or customer who uses a computer in the large business is a large
business user. Many large companies use the words, enterprise computing, to refer
to the huge network of computers that meets their diverse computing needs. The
network facilitates communications among employees at all locations. Users access
the network through desktop computers, mobile computers, PDAs, and smart
phones.

57. COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN SOCIETY
 The computer has changed society today as much as the
industrial revolution changed society in the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries. People interact directly with computers
in fields such as education, finance, government, health care,
science, publishing, travel, and manufacturing. In addition,
they can reap the benefits from breakthroughs and advances
in these fields. The following pages describe how computers
have made a difference in people’s interactions with these
disciplines.

58. Computer Applications in Society
Education
Finance
Government
Health Care

59. Computer Applications in Society
Science
Publishing
Travel
Manufacturing

60. Education
 Education is the process of acquiring knowledge. In the
traditional model, people learn from other people such as
parents, teachers, and employers. Many forms of printed
material such as books and manuals are used as learning
tools. Today, educators also are turning to computers to assist
with education. Many schools and companies equip labs and
classrooms with computers. Some schools require students to
have a notebook computer or PDA to access the school’s
network or Internet wirelessly.

61. Education

62. Finance
 Many people and companies use computers to help manage
their finances. Some use finance software to balance
checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses,
manage investments, and evaluate financial plans. This
software usually includes a variety of online services. For
example, computer users can track investments and do online
banking. With online banking, users access account balances,
pay bills, and copy monthly transactions from the bank’s
computer right into their computers

63. Finance

64. Government
Government A government provides society with direction by
making and administering policies. To provide citizens with up-
to-date information, most government offices have Web sites.
People access government Web sites to file taxes, apply for
permits and licenses, pay parking tickets, buy stamps, report
crimes, apply for financial aid, and renew vehicle registrations
and driver’s licenses.

65. Summary
Basic computer
concepts
Components of a
computer
Networks, the Internet,
and computer software
Many different
categories of
computers, computer
users, and computer
applications in society
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