FDITC001 Computing Principles – Week 2: Computer Basics

Learning Outcomes

Explain the concept of computing and information systems
Define what is a computer and what it does
Identify and describe types of digital computers
Discuss the advantages & challenges in using computers in daily life and industries
Relate real-life examples to the use of different computer types and applications

Computer: a physical device that accepts user input, processes it, and shows output
Computing: the broader use and study of computers and their applications
Computer Science: academic discipline focused on understanding and building computers
Information Technology (IT): the application of computing to manage, process, and exchange information
Information Systems (IS): IT system focusing on managing data and information within a business or organization
Relationship summary:
- Physical Device → Computer
- Computing → broader use of computers
- Computer Science → study and development of computing
- IT → application of computing to information management
- IS → information management within organizations

A computer is an electronic device that performs the information-processing cycle (IPOS)
The IPOS cycle has four basic operations: ext{Input}
ightarrow ext{Processing}
ightarrow ext{Output}
ightarrow ext{Storage}
IPOS components mapped to roles:
- Input Devices → Enter data or commands
- Central Processing Unit (CPU) → Performs processing tasks
- Output Devices → Display or present results
- Memory & Backing Storage → Store working data (RAM) and long-term data (disk, SSD, etc.)
Example (IPOS in action):
- Your role: Enter a word-processed document
- Computer's role: Receive the document
- Your role: Start spell-checker program
- Computer's role: Spell-checker program compares words in the document to the built-in dictionary
- Your role: Accept or reject suggested misspellings
- Computer's role: Display list of misspelled words
- Your role: Save corrected document
- Computer's role: Store final document to disk or drive

People: end users are the most important part of an information system
Procedures: rules and guidelines for using software and hardware
Hardware: physical equipment that processes data to create information
Software: programs that provide step-by-step instructions
Data: raw, unprocessed facts
Internet: most information systems today are connected via the Internet
Information (context): data organized for decision-making and business processes

Hardware: physical parts (keyboard, mouse, monitor, circuit boards, etc.)
Software: set of instructions that tells hardware what to do; converts data into information
Peripheral Devices: equipment added to enhance functionality (printer, scanner, etc.)

System Unit: container housing most electronic components of a computer system
Input & Output Devices: translate data/programs for humans to understand and display results
Secondary Storage: holds data and programs after power is off (non-volatile storage)
Communication: enables a computer to communicate with another computer/system (e.g., modem)
Examples:
- System Unit components include memory (RAM), CPU, motherboard
- Input examples: keyboard, mouse
- Output examples: monitor, printer
- Secondary storage examples: hard disk, pendrive/SSD
- Communication example: modem

Software: set of instructions, data, or programs used to operate computers and execute tasks
Two basic categories:
- System Software: background software that manages computer resources (Operating Systems, OS)
- Application Software: end-user software to perform tasks (presentations, drawing, typing, etc.)
Examples:
- System Software: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Application Software: Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp

Computers come in various shapes and sizes; main distinction is usage context
Two broad categories:
- Computers for individuals: designed for single-user use at a time
- Computers for organizations: designed for multi-user access

Desktop computers are designed for use on a desk
PCs and Macs run on different operating systems (OS) and microprocessors
All-in-one computers combine screen and internal components in a single unit
PC (IBM-compatible): design followed by brands like Dell, Sony, HP; typically x86 architecture
Mac (Apple Macintosh): built on Apple's design and system; typically macOS

Professional workstations: intended for technical applications needing powerful processing and output
Midrange servers: meet the needs of smaller companies
Mainframes: handle very large processing jobs for large organizations or government agencies
Supercomputers: extremely high-speed processing to reveal underlying patterns; used in large organizations

Information overload: too much information can hinder decision-making
Expense: cost to buy and upgrade equipment
Inaccurate representation: digital messages may lack emotion and facial cues
Health concerns: long-term computer use can cause strain and exposure to radiation/waves
Dependency: may reduce problem-solving skills
Cybersecurity risks: viruses, data theft, and other threats