Chapter1

Becoming Fluent with Computers

Lesson 1: Becoming Fluent with

What You Will Learn Computers

■ The importance of computer fluency

■ The four basic operations of a computer
■ The information processing cycle
■ Responsible computer usage
■ Hardware devices that handle input, processing,
output, and storage
■ The difference between system and application
software
■ Internet services
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 Computer Fluency

EDUCATION
NOT FUTURE?
THE
ENGINEERING
COMMERCE
THIS
PERSONAL
ORGANIZING
HOME
PRODUCTIVITY
COMPUTING
TASKS

■ The knowledge and skills possessed by people who

are able to navigate the digital world successfully.
■ Computer-literate people are skilled in using
computers and the Internet.

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 Understanding the Computer

■ A computer is a machine that, under a program’s

direction, performs four basic operations: input,
processing, output, and storage.
■ A program is a list of instructions that tells a
computer how perform the four operations.

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 Input

■ The first operation.

■ The computer performs arithmetic or comparison
operations on data.
■ Electrical impulses representing words, numbers,
images, or sounds.

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 Processing

Arithmetic Logic

4 + 16 = 20 728 > 546

■ The second operation.

■ The computer performs arithmetic or comparison
(logical) operations on the data.
■ Performed at a very high speed.

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 Output

■ The third operation.

■ The computer shows the results of the processing
operation in a way people can understand.
■ Data is processed into information.

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 Storage

■ The fourth operation.

■ The computer saves the data or output so that it can
be used again later.

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 How Computers “Think”

■ Computers use algorithms to solve a problem.

■ Algorithms are step-by-step procedures.

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 The Information Processing Cycle
Input Processing Output Storage

■ The computer performs the four basic operations

(input, processing, output, and storage).
■ Two types of processing cycles:
❖ Batch processing– A lockstep sequence used by older
computers.
❖ Interactive processing– Initiating several information
processing cycles in a single session; used by modern
computers.

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 Using Computers Responsibly

■ Cyber phobia is the fear of using computers. Don’t

be afraid to use computers.
■ Understand the risks and limitations of using a
computer.
■ Recognize that programs may be flawed or contain
bugs.

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 Computer System

Hardware Software

■ A collection of related computer components that

are designed to work together.
■ A system includes hardware and software.

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 Hardware
■ Hardware is the computer’s physical components.
■ The components include:
❖ Input devices– Enable users to enter data into the
computer for processing.
❖ Processing circuitry– Components located in the
system’s case that transform data into
information.
❖ Output devices– Peripherals that show the results
of processing.
❖ Storage devices– Used to store all the programs
and data that the computer uses.
❖ Communication Devices– Used to move data
between computers.
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Input: Transforming Data into Information
Key Terms

■ Command– A type of input that tells the program

what to do.

■ Confirmation– A message that indicates if the

command was or was not carried out.

■ Keyboard– Enables the user to input characters.

■ Pointing device– Enables the user to move an

on–screen pointer.
■ Speech-recognition– A program that enables the
computer to transcribe spoken words into text.

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 Input Devices
Keyboard Mouse– pointing device

Microphone–speec Digital Cameras

h-recognition

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 Processing: Transforming Data into
Information
Key Terms

■ Central processing unit (CPU)– The computer’s processing

circuitry. It is also called a microprocessor.
■ Chip– A wafer of silicon that contains a complex electronic
circuit.
■ Motherboard– The computer’s main circuit board.

■ Memory– Chips that store program instructions. Random

access memory (RAM) is the most important type.

■ Expansion slots– A receptacle designed to accept a plug-in

expansion card.

■ Expansion card– Used to connect peripherals (input/output

devices) to the motherboard.

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 Processing Devices
Motherboard
Expansion Card

Central Processing Unit– CPU

Random Access
Memory– RAM

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 Output: Displaying the Information
Key Terms
■ Monitors– Display processing results on a screen.
❖ Cathode ray tube– Monitor similar to televisions.
❖ Flat-panel displays (LCD)– Monitor that uses liquid
crystal diodes.

■ Speakers– Enable the user to hear the results of sound

processing.

■ Printers– Generate output on paper.

❖ Impact printers– Print heads strike a ribbon to produce
an image.

❖ Nonimpact printers– Transfer the image to the paper.

• Inkjet printers
• Laser printers

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 Output Devices

Monitor
Printer

Speakers

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 Storage: Holding Programs and Data for
Future Use
Key Terms
■ Storage media– Includes all types of storage media.
❖ Magnetic storage media– Uses magnetically sensitive
material.
❖ Optical storage media– Uses a laser beam to scan pits
etched into a disc.

■ Writing– Recording data to a disk.

■ Reading– Playing back information on a disk.

■ Floppy disk– Removable storage medium.

■ CD ROM– Optical storage medium.

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 CD / DVD
Storage Devices Hard Drive

Drive

Floppy Disk Drive

Zip
Drive Micro Drive

Tape
Drive
Jazz
Drive

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 Communications Devices

Key Terms
■ Computer network– Two or more computers
linked by some type of connection.
■ Modem– Enables access to other computers by
way of a telephone line.
■ Network interface card (NIC)– Enables computers
to connect to each other in a limited geographic
area.
■ Local area network (LAN)– Computers connected
to each other within a building or group of
buildings.

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 Communications Devices
Modem
Network Interface
Card– NIC

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 Types of Computers
Workstation
Desktop– PC, Microcomputer

Notebook– Laptop Personal Digital

Assistant– PDA,
Handheld, Pocket PC

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 Introducing Software

■ Software consists of the programs that give

the computer’s hardware its step-by-step
instructions.
■ Software is created by programmers using a
programming language.
■ Programs contain units called files.
■ Transferring a program into the computer’s
memory is called loading.
■ Once loaded into memory the program’s
instructions are carried out or executed.
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 Types of Software
System software Application software

■ System software– All programs that help the

computer function properly.
■ Application software– All the programs you
use to perform a task such as writing a letter
or browsing the World Wide Web.

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 System Software

■ System software is divided into two categories:

■ The operating system:
❖ Provides support for running application
software.
❖ Coordinates the various functions of the
computer’s hardware.
■ System utilities:
❖ Are programs for optimizing computer
performance.

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 Types of Operating Systems

■ Command-line interface– Users type

instructions at the keyboard, one line at a
time. Examples: MS-DOS, PC DOS, UNIX
■ Graphical user interface (GUI)– Users choose
items from menus by using a pointing device
to click on icons which represent resources
and commands. Examples: Windows, Mac
OS

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Command-Line Interface

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Graphical User Interface (GUI)

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 Application Software

■ Application software includes all programs that

enable us to use the computer in a useful way.
■ Custom software is developed for specific needs.
■ Packaged software is produced for the mass market.

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 Software Suite

MS WORD MS EXCEL MS POWERPOINT

MS ACCESS MS FRONT PAGE

■ A collection of full-featured standalone programs

that usually share a common command structure
and have similar interfaces.

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 The Internet

■ A world-spanning computer network.

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 Internet Services
World Wide Web– (WWW) Electronic commerce– (e-commerce)

Electronic mail– (e-mail)

File Transfer Protocol– (FTP)

Instant messaging

■ Standards and software that make Internet

resources, such as Web pages, files, and electronic
mail available to users.
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 Summary
1. Computer fluency refers to a person’s ease in
navigating the digital world successfully.

2. A computer is a machine that performs the

operations of input, processing, output and
storage.

3. Programs provide instructions which direct and

control the computer.

4. The information processing cycle consists of the

input, processing, output, and storage
operations.

5. The two types of processing cycles are batch and

interactive.

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 Summary cont.
6. A computer system is composed of hardware and
software.

7. Typical input devices are the keyboard and mouse.

8. Processing is done by the CPU and RAM.

9. Monitors and printers are the typical output devices.

10. Long term storage is handled by the hard disk.

11. System software helps the computer to function

properly.

12. The Internet is a global network.

13. Internet services include e-mail, WWW, instant

messaging, e-commerce, data exchange networks,
and FTP.

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 The

of
Lesson 1

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