Introduction to the World of Computers

INTRODUCTION TO THE
WORLD OF COMPUTERS
Introduction to Information Technology

COMPUTERS IN YOUR LIFE
Why learn about computers?
Basic computer literacy—knowing about and understanding computers and their uses—is an essential skill today for everyone
 Computers in the home
Look up information, exchange e-mail, shop, download music and movies, research products, pay bills and manage bank accounts, check news and weather, store and organize digital photos, play games, plan vacations, work at home, and more


2

3

COMPUTERS IN YOUR LIFE, CONT…


Computers in education: from straight drill-andpractice programs to using the computer as an overall student-based learning tool. Colleges and universities, classrooms, computer labs, dorms, libraries

4

COMPUTERS IN YOUR LIFE, CONT…
 Computers

in the workplace: Multinational corporation CEOs, check-out clerks, traveling salespeople, police officers, insurance adjusters, doctors and nurses, auto mechanics

5

COMPUTERS IN YOUR LIFE, CONT…
 Computers

on the go: portable PCs, Wi-Fi hotspots, Internet cafes, ATM machines, gym ID cards, gas or parking smart cards, portable GPS, kiosks
6

WHAT IS A COMPUTER AND
WHAT DOES IT DO?
Computer: programmable, electronic device that accepts data, performs operations, presents the results, and can store the data or results
 Input—entering data into the computer
 Processing—performing operations on the data  Output—presenting the results
 Storage—saving data, programs, or output for future use
7

What Is a Computer and
What Does It Do? cont… a

8

DATA VS. INFORMATION


Data = raw, unorganized facts

Can be in the form of text, graphics,

audio, or video


Information = data that has been processed into a meaningful form

9

COMPUTERS THEN AND NOW
 The

computer as we know it is a fairly recent invention  The history of computers is often referred to in terms of generations, from pre-computers and early computers (before 1945) to fifth generation computers (now and