5. MIU
What is a computer?
• In a dictionary before 1940,
– Compute + er
– computer : a person who performs
calculations.
• The modern definition
– emerged in 1940s, when the first electronic
computing devices were developed
6. 1A-6
The Computer Defined
• Electronic device
• Converts data into information
• Modern computers are digital
– Two digits combine to make data
• Older computers were analog
– A range of values made data
7. MIU
The beginning of Computer
• ABC (Atanasoff-Berry Computer)
– 1942, John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry
- 1st Electronic digital computer
• MARK-1
– 1944, Howard Aiken
• ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator)
– 1946, John W. Mauchly and J.Presper Eckert, Jr.
- 1st
Large scale electronic digital computer
• EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator)
– Maurice Wilkes
• UNIVAC-I (UNIVersal Automatic Computer)
– John W. Mauchly and J.Presper Eckert, Jr.
• EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer)
10. MIU
EDVAC
• When : in 1952
• Where : in the United States
• Who : a team of engineers on a secret military project
• Why : as a response to World War II military needs. (to process
complex calculation automatically)
• How :
– 2000 multiplication in one second
– addition or subtraction 100,000 times in the same period
– Its memory : 1,024 numbers of 12 decimal places each
11. MIU
Plans for EDVAC
• Described in a report by the
famous mathematician John
von Neumann.
• “The most influential paper
in the history of computer
science”
12. MIU
What is a computer?
• Von Neumann’s report
– define the components of a computer and
describe their functions
– used the term “automatic computing
system”
• Today, just “computer”, or “computer system.
13. MIU
A computer is…
• Based on the concepts presented in von Neumann’s paper
• Computer : a device that
1) accepts input,
2) processes data,
3) stores data,
4) and produces output.
14. MIU
1) A computer accepts input
• Computer input : whatever is put into a
computer system.
• Examples
– words and symbols in a document
– numbers for a calculation,
– pictures, temperatures, audio signals
• Main input device : keyboard
15. MIU
2) A computer processes data
• Data : symbols that represent facts and ideas.
– processing : data manipulation of computer
• Process : a systematic series of actions that a computer uses to
manipulate data
• Some of the ways :
– performing calculations,
– sorting lists of words or numbers,
– modifying documents and pictures
– drawing graphs.
• A device : central processing unit (CPU)
16. MIU
3) A computer stores data
• A computer stores data for processing
• Places for storing data
– Memory : an area of a computer that holds data that is waiting to be
processed
Ex) RAM, ROM
– Storage : the area where data can be left on a permanent basis
while it is not needed for processing
ex) diskette, CD-ROM,HDD
17. MIU
4) A computer produces output
• Computer output : the results produced by a
computer
ex) reports, documents, music, graphs, and pictures
• Output device : the device that displays, prints, or
transmits the results of processing.
ex) monitor, printer
20. MIU
Fundamental characteristics
• Speed
– Provide the processing speed essential to our fast-paced society for
quick service
• Reliability
– Extremely reliable, compute correctly
– Most computer error : by human errors
• Storage Capability
– Store tremendous amounts data, which can be located and retrieved
efficiently
• By-products characteristics by above three
– Productivity, decision making, cost reduction
22. MIU
Microcomputers
Using the Microprocessor. A small
computer that contains a
microprocessor as its central processor.
• Personal Computers (PC)
• In home and small businesses
– Desktop computer
– Portable Computer
• Palmtop, Notebook(Laptop)
• PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
24. 1A-24
Computers For Organizations
• Minicomputers
– Called midrange computers
– Power between mainframe and desktop
– Handle hundreds of users
– Used in smaller organizations
– Users access through a terminal
25. MIU
Minicomputer
• More powerful than microcomputer. A
computer of medium power, more than a
microcomputer but less than a mainframe.
• Stores data for all users in one centralized
location
• Used in school or small company
• Ex) VAX, MV 4000, MV 8000, SSM 032
28. MIU
Mainframes
• Large, fast and fairly expensive
computers
• Used by business or
government to provide
centralized storage
• EX) IBM 4381, 9300, 3090,
Cyber 180
29. 1A-29
Computers For Organizations
• Supercomputers
– The most powerful
computers made
– Handle large and
complex calculations
– Process trillions of
operations per
second
– Found in research
organizations
30. MIU
Supercomputers
• The fastest and most expensive type of
computer
• Used for code breaking, weather
prediction and molecular modeling
• The first : CRAY-1
• Intel’s ASCI Red, SGI’s ASCI Blue
Mountain, IBM’s ASCI Blue Pacific
31. 1A-31
Computers For Individual Use
• Desktop computers
– The most common type of computer
– Sits on the desk or floor
– Performs a variety of tasks
• Workstations
– Specialized computers
– Optimized for science or graphics
– More powerful than a desktop
32. 1A-32
Computers For Individual Use
• Notebook computers
– Small portable computers
– Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds
– About 8 ½ by 11 inches
– Typically as powerful as a desktop
– Can include a docking station
33. 1A-33
Computers For Individual Use
• Tablet computers
– Newest development
in portable
computers
– Input is through
a pen
– Run specialized
versions of office
products
34. 1A-34
• Handheld computers
– Very small computers
– Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)
– Note taking or contact management
– Data can synchronize with a desktop
• Smart phones
– Hybrid of cell phone and PDA
– Web surfing, e-mail access
Computers For Individual Use
35. 1A-35
Computers For Organizations
• Network servers
– Centralized computer
– All other computers connect
– Provides access to network resources
– Multiple servers are called server farms
– Often simply a powerful desktop
36. 1A-36
Computers In Society
• More impact than any other invention
– Changed work and leisure activities
– Used by all demographic groups
• Computers are important because:
– Provide information to users
– Information is critical to our society
– Managing information is difficult
37. 1A-37
Computers In Society
• Computers at home
– Many homes have multiple computers
– Most American homes have Internet
– Computers are used for
• Business
• Entertainment
• Communication
• Education
38. 1A-38
Computers In Society
• Computers in education
– Computer literacy required at all levels
• Computers in small business
– Makes businesses more profitable
– Allows owners to manage
• Computers in industry
– Computers are used to design products
– Assembly lines are automated
39. 1A-39
Computers In Society
• Computers in government
– Necessary to track data for population
• Police officers
• Tax calculation and collection
– Governments were the first computer users
40. 1A-40
Computers In Society
• Computers in health care
– Revolutionized health care
– New treatments possible
– Scheduling of patients has improved
– Delivery of medicine is safer
Teaching tip
Students have a hard time understanding trillions of calculations. A simple explanation is to add 1 trillion random numbers together in a second. Contrast the speed of a super computer to the fastest desktop computer advertised during the week of class.
Insider information
System units are commonly called cases. Many computer enthusiasts customize or ‘mod’ their cases with windows and lights. See www.casemodgod.com for examples of cases and products.
Sun Microsystems makes the most popular workstations on the planet. Sun’s systems are used in diverse applications such as medical imaging and CGI (computer generated image) animation.
Discussion point
Have students contrast desktop and notebook computers. Focus on the pros and cons of each type of computer.
Teaching tip
The tablet PC was designed to simulate a piece of paper. Users interact with the tablet as if it was an unlimited paper notebook.
For more information
See www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/evaluation/tours/default.mspx for an example of the Tablet PC in action.
Teaching tip
At this point, refer the students to the productivity tip on page 13. This tip helps the student determine what type of PC is best for them.
Insider information
The 2000 Census determined that 51% of American households had computers. Over 42% of these households also had Internet access. This can be contrasted to 36% and 18% in 1997. See www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/p23-207.pdf for more information.
Insider information
Specialized mountain bikes are designed on Sun workstations.
Teaching tip
Most state departments of motor vehicles rely on a mainframe computer. Officers access the mainframe from a remote intelligent terminal.
Discussion point
Page 19 of the text introduces the first Norton Notebook, the Merging of Media and Meaning. The author draws an analogy between electricity and computers in our lives. Discuss with your students how difficult live would be without either of these devices. Remember that computers exist in nearly all of our modern devices, including cars, phones, kitchen appliances and entertainment devices.