computer concepts chapter 1

AVG

A popular free antivirus program

communication

At one time, it was uncommon for a personal computer system to communicate with other computer systems. Now, using communication devices, a personal computer routinely communicates with other computer systems located as near as the next office or as far away as halfway around the world, using the Internet. A modem is a widely used communication device that modifies audio, video, and other types of data into a form that can be transmitted across the Internet.

input/output

Input devices translate data and programs that humans can understand into a form that the computer can process. The most common input devices are the keyboard and the mouse. Output devices translate the processed information from the computer into a form that humans can understand. The most common output device is the display, also known as a monitor.

internet

It is like a giant highway that connects you to millions of other people and organizations located throughout the world.

hardware

The keyboard, mouse, display, and system unit are:

system unit

The system unit is a container that houses most of the electronic components that make up a computer system. Two important components of the system unit are microprocessors and memory. (See Figure 1-14.) The microprocessor controls and manipulates data to produce information. Memory is a holding area for data, instructions, and information. One type, random-access memory (RAM), holds the program and data that is currently being processed. This type of memory is sometimes referred to as temporary storage because its contents will typically be lost if the electric power to the computer is disrupted.

secondary storage

Unlike memory, secondary storage holds data and programs even after electric power to the computer system has been turned off. The most important kinds of secondary media are hard disks, solid-state storage, and optical discs.

wireless revolution

a revolution that will dramatically affect the way we communicate and use computer technology.

internet

almost all information systems provide a way to connect to other people and computers, typically using the internet. This connectivity greatly expands the capability and usefulness of information systems.

personal computers

also known as PCs are the least powerful yet most widely used and fastest growing type of computer. there are 5 types. desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and wearables. Desktop computers are small enough to fit on top of or alongside a desk yet are too big to carry around. (See Figure 1-9.) Laptop computers, also known as notebook computers, are portable and lightweight and fit into most briefcases. (See Figure 1-10.) Tablets, also known as tablet computers, are smaller, lighter, and generally less powerful than laptops. Like a laptop, tablets have a flat screen but typically do not have a standard keyboard. (See Figure 1-11.) Instead, tablets typically use a virtual keyboard that appears on the screen and is touch-sensitive.

mobile apps

also known as mobile applications, are small programs primarily designed for mobile deivices such as smartphones and for tablet computers. There are over half a million. the most popular mobile apps are for social networking, playing games, and downloading music and videos.

embedded operating system

also known as real- time operating systems. smartphones tablets, and many other mobile devices use this.

midrange computers

also referred to as servers, are computers with processing capabilities less powerful than a mainframe computer yet more powerful than a personal computer. originally used by medium sized companies or departments of large companies to support their processing needs, today midrange computers are most widely used to support or serve end users for such specific needs as retrieving data from a database or supplying access to application software.

Software

another name for a program. consists of step by step instructions that tell the computer how to do its work. purpose is to convert data into information.

Worksheet files

created by electronic spreadsheets to analyze things like budgets and to predict sales.

Presentation files

created by presentation graphics programs to save presentation materials. For example, a file might contain audience handouts, speaker notes, and electronic slides.

document files

created by word processors to save documents such as memos, term papers, and letters.

system software

enables the application software to interact with the computer hardware. is "background" software that helps the computer manage its own internal resources. is not a single program, but a collection of programs

application software

end user software. three types of application software.

Wireless communication

has changed the way we communicate with one another. The rapid development and widespread use of wireless communication devices like tablets, smartphones, and wearable devices has led many experts to predict that wireless applications are just the beginning of the wireless revolution,

Specialized Applications

includes thousands of other programs that tend to be more narrowly focused and used in specific disciplines and occupations. two of the best known are graphics and web authoring programs.

The Internet of Things

is the continuing development of the Internet that allows everyday objects embedded with electronic devices to send and receive data over the Internet. It promises to connect all types of devices from computers to smartphones to watches to any number of everyday devices.

What are personal computers all about?

making people, end users like you, more productive

viruses

malicious programs that are all too often deposited onto your computer from the internet. These can damage software and hardware, as well as compromise the security and privacy of your personal data.

network

network is a communications system connecting two or more computers. The largest network in the world is the Internet.

mainframe computer

occupy special wires, air conditioned rooms. Although not nearly as powerful as supercomputers, tese are capable of great processing speeds and data storage. For example, insurance companies use mainframes to process information about millions of policyholders.

most important part of any information system?

people

information system parts

people, procedures, software, hardware, data, and the internet

utilities

perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources. one of the most essential utility programs that every computer system should have is an antivirus program.

operating systems

programs that coordinate computer resources, provide an interface between users and the computer, and run applications.

web

provides a multimedia interface to the numerous resources available on the Internet.

Data

raw unprocessed facts, including including text, numbers, images, and sounds. processes data yields information.

connectivity

the capability of your personal computer to share information with other computers. Central to the concept of connectivity is the network.

hardware

the equipment that processes the data to create information. includes smartphones tablets, keyboards, mice, displays. system units, and other devices. Hardware is controlled by software.

supercomputers

the most powerful type of computer. These machines are special, high capacity computers and used by very large organizations. these are typically used to process massive amounts of data. such as analyzing and predicting worldwide weather patterns. IBM'S blue gee supercomputer is one of the fastest in the world.

smartphones

the most widely used handheld computers. Smartphones are cell phones with wireless connections to the Internet and processing capabilities. (See Figure 1-12.) Other mobile computers include wearable devices like Apple's watch

procedures

the rules are guidelines for people to follow when using software, hardware, and data. typically documented in manuals written by computer specialist

Database files,

typically created by database management programs to contain highly structured and organized data. For example, an employee database file might contain all the workers' names, Social Security numbers, job titles, and other related pieces of information.

hard disk

typically used to store programs and very large data files. Using rigid metallic platters and read/write heads that move across the platters, data and information are stored using magnetic charges on the disk's surface. In contrast, solid-state storage does not have any moving parts, is more reliable, and requires less power. It saves data and information electronically similar to RAM except that it is not volatile.

optical discs

use laser technology to store data and programs. Three types of optical discs are compact discs (CDs), digital versatile (or video) discs (DVDs), and Blu-ray discs (BD).

standalone operating systems

used by desktop computers like windows 10 or Mac OS.

Cloud computing

uses the Internet and the web to shift many computer activities from a user's computer to computers on the Internet. Rather than relying solely on their computer, users can now use the Internet to connect to the cloud and access more powerful computers, software, and storage.

general purpose applications

widely used in nearly al career areas. they are the kinds of programs you have to know to be considered an efficient and effective end user.