Introduction to Computers Charles Babbage Father of the

Introduction to Computers

Charles Babbage • “Father of the Computer” • Created the first concept of a programmable computer in 1822 • His machines were designed to contain tens of thousands of precision-made gears • He never actually built any of his designs

The Difference Engine • In 1991, Babbage’s difference engine was built • If it had been completed, the difference engine would have had 25, 000 parts and weighed 15 tons

Herman Hollerith • Designed a punch card system to calculate the 1880 census • Reduced a ten year job to three months • Saved the government $5 million • Founded the company that became IBM

George Stibitz • “Father of the Modern Digital Computer” • Discovered the use of relays for automated computing in 1937

Alan Turing • “Father of Computer Science” • Invented the Turing machine in 1936 • Turing machine can be considered a model of a general purpose computer

Grace Hopper • Programmed the Mark I Computer during WWII • Led the team that created the first computer language compiler • Popularized the term “computer bug” when a moth was found inside the Mark II computer

History Continued • Vacuum Tubes • An electron tube containing a near-vacuum that allows the free passage of electric current • Transistors • A semiconductor device used to switch electronic signals • Integrated Circuit • An electronic circuit formed on a small piece of semiconducting material

Modern Computers

Hardware and Software • Hardware • • Electric, electronic, and mechanical components The machines, wiring, and other physical components of a computer • Software • • The programs and other operating information used by a computer Software tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them

The Components of a Computer • Input – Allows users to enter data or instructions into a computer • Output – Hardware that conveys information • System Unit – Case that contains the electronic components • Storage Device – Device that holds data, information, and instructions • Communication Device – Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices

Input • An input device is a piece of computer hardware equipment used to provide data and control signals to the processing system of the computer • Examples of input devices include keyboards, mouses, scanners, digital cameras, and joysticks

Output • An output device is any device that receives data from a computer, usually for display, projection, or physical reproduction • Examples of output devices are monitors and printers

Storage Device • In this class, we will define a storage device as anything that connects to a computer for the purpose of storing data • Examples of storage devices are USB drives, CD/DVD drives, hard disk drives, and card reader/writers

System Unit • A system unit is what holds the components of a computer • This is also commonly known as a tower, or simply referred to as a desktop computer

The Components of a Computer Image borrowed from http: //biobio. loc. edu/chu/web/Courses/COSI 118/lecture/hardware. htm

Ports on a Computer • A port is a physical docking point to which an external device can be connected • • • External devices are connected to a computer using cables and ports Ports are slots on the motherboard where a cable can be plugged in Examples of external devices attached via ports are mouses, keyboards, monitors, microphones, speakers, etc.

Inside a Computer • Motherboard – the computer’s main circuit board, a thin plate that holds the CPU, memory, connectors for the hard drive and expansion cards, and connections to the computer’s ports • CPU/processor – the central processing unit, sometimes called the brain of the computer • RAM (random access memory) – short term memory, which temporarily stores data until needed • Hard drive – long term storage, where data is saved even when the computer is turned off • Power supply unit – converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power needed by the computer

Types of Computers • Personal Computers • Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices • Game Consoles • Servers • Mainframes • Supercomputers • Embedded Computers

Personal Computer • A computer designed for use by one person at a time

Mobile Computers and Mobile Devices • A portable computing device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop

Game Consoles • A specialized desktop computer used to play video games

Servers • A computer or computer program that manages access to a centralized resource or service in a network

Mainframe • A large, high-speed computer, especially one supporting numerous workstations or peripherals

Supercomputer • A computer with a high-level computational capacity compared to a general -purpose computer

Embedded Computer • A special purpose computer that functions as a component of a larger product • • • Calculators ATMs Thermostats Cameras Printers

Operating Systems • The operating system is software that supports a computer’s basic functions, such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, and controlling input/output • The operating system manages the application that are installed on the computer • Examples of operating systems are Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux

Applications • An application is a computer program designed to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks or activities for the benefit of the user • Examples of applications include Google Chrome, Microsoft Word, and Adobe Photoshop (these are just a few – there are many more)

Links for Further Study • http: //www. gcflearnfree. org/computerbasics/