Chapter 19: Computer Basics

Computer Hardware

The Importance of Computers

• People depend on computers to handle all kinds of tasks.
    * When a person pays a bill online, buys gasoline, or withdraws money from a bank, computers handle the transactions.
• Laptops and tablet PCs allow people to work outside the office.
• Handheld devices track appointments, telephone numbers, and other data.
• Most businesses consider computers to be essential.
    * A $computer$ is an electronic device that accepts, processes, stores, and outputs data at high speeds, based on programmed instructions.
      * A personal computer, or PC, is a small computer that is intended to be used by one person.
      * A desktop computer is a personal computer that is small enough to fit in an individual workspace.
• In most companies, computers are linked through either a central mainframe computer or a network.
• A mainframe is a fast, powerful computer with a large storage capacity.
• A well-organized computer workstation is important for both business and home use.
• $Ergonomics$ are design factors for the workplace that are intended to maximize productivity by minimizing a worker’s discomfort.
• $E-learning$, or electronic learning, is the process of learning online.
    * With e-learning, workers can be trained in an efficient and cost- effective way.

Parts of a Computer System

• A computer system includes three main parts: hardware, software, and data.
• The physical components of a computer system are the $hardware$.
• Computer systems include at least four hardware elements: a microprocessor; memory; input and output devices; and data storage devices.
    * A microprocessor is a small computer chip. It is the brain of a computer.
      * It is also called the central processing unit (CPU), or microchip.
    * Memory is hardware that stores information for instant retrieval and processing.
      * It can be thought of as a kind of scratch pad.
      * The computer uses its $random access memory (RAM)$ to hold all the data and instructions required during operations.
    * An input device is hardware that is used for entering data into a machine, such as a computer.
      * Input devices include keyboards, computer mice, touchpads, joysticks, and scanners.
    * An output device is hardware that is used for producing results from a machine.
      * Output devices include computer monitors, printers, fax machines, and speakers.
    * There are a variety of devices for storing large amounts of data.
      * $Data storage devices$—which include hard drives, CD-ROM drives, and DVD drives—save information for later use.

Computer Software

Software Programs

• $Software$ is a computer program that contains a set of instructions that tells a computer what to do.
    * Software is also referred to as a program or an application.
• An $operating system$ is software that controls the operation of a computer and directs the processing of programs.
• A suite is a collection of integrated application programs or software applications that works as a single program
• $Word processing$ is the writing, editing, and production of documents, such as letters and reports, through the use of a computer program.
    * Word-processing software, such as Microsoft Word, is used to create, edit, and print documents.
• A $spreadsheet$ program is a computerized worksheet for entering and charting data.
    * Sales figures, quantities, prices, and production costs can be listed and compared with a spreadsheet.
• A $database management$ program is used to store data organized especially for rapid search and retrieval.
• A $presentation program$ includes software for creating slide shows for presentations
• $Desktop publishing$ software is used to produce publications such as reports, newsletters, and magazines.
• Accounting software helps people keep accurate records and prepare reports.
• Communications software allows access to databases, accounts, schedules, and other shared files.
• Speech recognition software allows a user to enter text and give commands to the computer by speaking into a microphone.
• Groupware is project management software.
    * It provides tools for groups of users on a computer network to plan, develop, and complete a project
• There are three categories of groupware: communication tools, conferencing tools, and collaborative management (or coordination) tools.
    * Communication tools send messages, files, data, or documents between people.
    * Conferencing tools also facilitate the sharing of information, but in a more interactive way.
    * Collaborative management tools facilitate and manage group activities.