Studied by 2 PeopleTags & Description
An electronic device that takes data, processes it according to a program, and produces information.
Computer
A series of instructions that a computer must follow in order to process data into information.
Program
The basic flow of data in a computer system, where input is received, processed according to a program, and output is produced.
IPO (Input, Process, Output)
Capabilities of Computers
Performing mathematical and logical operations, storing and retrieving information, handling repetitive tasks, communicating with operators and other machines, and controlling errors.
Limitations of computers (3)
Need for human input and instructions, inability to correct inaccurate entries, and susceptibility to breakdowns and malfunctions.
Characteristics of Computers
Machine, electronic, automatic, manipulating data, memory, and logic functions.
Types of Computers (5)
Mainframes, Personal Computers (including Desktop Computers, Laptop Computers, Tablet PCs, Media Centre, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).
Computer Classifications (5)
Age and Component Generations, Size, Operation, Application, Design
The collection of programs that manage and coordinate the activities within a computer, acting as an intermediary between the user and the computer and between application programs and system hardware.
Operating System
The operating system and utility programs that control a computer system and allow users to use their computer.
System Software
Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks on a computer, such as word processing, gaming, web browsing, and music listening.
Application Software
Functions of an Operating System
Interfacing with users, booting the computer, configuring devices, managing network connections, managing and monitoring resources and jobs, file management, and security
The optimization of main memory (RAM) usage
Memory Management
Traditionally used a command-line interface.
Dominant OS in the 1980s and early 1990s
Disk Operating System (DOS)
Created originally for IBM microcomputers
PC-DOS
Operating system developed in the late 1960s for midrange servers
UNIX
Operating system that allows multiple users to access the system simultaneously
Multi-user OS
Open-source operating system developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991.
Linux
Graphical user interface, a visual way to interact with the computer
GUI
Cloud operating system designed to run on Chrome devices
Chrome OS
Latest version of Windows designed for smartphones
Windows Phone
Linux-based operating system for mobile devices (open platform).
Android
Operating system designed for Apple mobile phones and devices and supports multitasking
iOS
Operating system designed for Blackberry devices
Blackberry OS
Other mobile operating systems based on Linux besides Android and iOS (4)
Ubuntu, WebOS, Firefox OS, Tizen
Software that performs specific tasks related to managing or maintaining the computer system (stand-alone or suites)
Utility Programs
Programs that remove software from the hard drive without leaving behind any leftover files
Uninstall Utilities
Programs that delete temporary files to free up storage space
Cleanup Utilities
Programs that reduce the size of files to optimize storage space and transmission time (WinZip, Stuffit)
File Compression Programs
Programs that make it easier to create backups of important files and restore them if needed
Backup and Recovery Utilities
Security programs that protect computers from viruses, spyware, and unauthorized access (3)
Antivirus, Antispyware, Firewalls
Programs that enable users to perform tasks such as copying, moving, and deleting files and folders
File Management Programs
Programs designed to search for documents and files on the computer's hard drive
Search Tools
Programs that evaluate and diagnose system errors and problems related to the hard drive
Disk Management Programs
Collection of raw facts and figures
Data
Data that is made meaningful and useful to someone
Information
Series of activities that transform data into information
Data Processing
A conceptual framework wherein input in the form of data or information is processed which result in the generation of an output basically in the form of information.
Input-Process-Output (I-P-O) Model
The flow of data from the moment it is recorded until the time it becomes a usable piece of information is traced taking into consideration what is actually done on the data in the process of transforming it into information.
Data Processing Cycle
Processing data using manual labor
Manual Data Processing
Processing data using machines or devices that alter, transmit and direct applied forces.
Mechanical Data Processing
Processing data using mechanical devices with electric motors
Electromechanical Data Processing
Processing data using computers and electronic devices
Electronic Data Processing
Phase of data processing cycle involving capturing and recording data
Origination Phase
Phase of data processing cycle involving ensuring accuracy and completeness of data
Input Preparation Phase
Phase of data processing cycle involving conversion of data into meaningful information
Processing Phase
Phase of data processing cycle involving generating and presenting the information
Output Preparation Phase
Group of organized interdependent components that interact to achieve goals
System
Elements that enter the system in the form of energy, materials, or information
Inputs
Actions on the inputs that convert them into outputs
Processes
The finished product or information resulting from the processing of inputs
Outputs
The external elements or factors that influence the system
Environment
Group of activities designed to collect, process, generate, and exchange information for the exclusive support of a major functional area.
Information System
Group of activities designed to support a specific function or task
Application System
Physical components or equipment used in data processing, such as the CPU and input/output devices
Hardware
Non-physical components, such as programs, used to control and direct the hardware in data processing
Software
Collection of programs that facilitate the programming and operation of the computer system
Systems Software
Programs written to solve specific problems or tasks
Applications Software
Refers to the personnel involved in managing and designing the application and writing the program.
Peopleware
1st manual data processing device from China able to perform arithmetic calculations.
Abacus
(William Oughtred) able to perform arithmetic operations by sliding rules.
Oughtred’s Slide Rule
(Blaise Pascal) able to add and subtract numbers up to 8 digits.
Pascal’s Calculator
(Gottfried Leibniz) able to do the same as Pascal’s calculator and also perform multiplication, division and square roots.
Leibniz Calculator
(Charles Babbage) uses two cards: operation and variable
Babbage Analytic Engine
Father of Modern Computers
Charles Babbage
worked with Babbage and is the first female Programmer
Augusta Ada Byron
(Herman Hollerith, a statistician) a census machine used by the US Bureau of Census in 1890
Hollerith’s Punch Card Machine
Boolean Algebra
George Boole
General Purpose Programmable Computer
Alan Turing
Made the first electronic digital purpose computer or “Atanasoff Berry Computer”.
John Atanasoff
Introduced the concept of debugging and finding errors.
Grace Hopper
ENIAC
Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer
EDVAC
Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
EDSAC
Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer
Computer simulation
Stanislaw Ulam
Microprocessor chip
Ted Hoff
The co-founders of the Microsoft Corporation
Paul Allen and William Howard (Bill Gates)
Proposed or invented the World Wide Web (www)
Tim Berners-Lee
According to Age and Component Generations: 1st Generation
slow
expensive
fragile
very large
Vacuum Tubes
According to Age and Component Generations: 2nd Generation (Assembly Language and 1st OS)
much simpler
much smaller
much cheaper
more reliable
no warm up
Transistors
According to Age and Component Generations: 3rd Generation
miniaturization added to all the existing benefits
enabled un-thought of possibilities
Integrated Circuits
According to Age and Component Generations: 4th Generation (High-level Programming Language)
Medium Scale Integration (MSI)
Large Scale Integration (LSI)
Microprocessors
According to Age and Component Generations: 5th
Making computers behave like humans
Games Playing, Expert Systems, Natural Language, Neural Networks, Robotics
Artificial Intelligence
Used to describe large computers. It can process large amounts of data at very high speed, hold up to millions of characters in its storage and support many input, output, and storage devices.
Mainframe
