comp

Computers are programmable machines that convert raw data into information through the information processing cycle (input, processing, storage, output).
Information processing cycle steps:
- Input: raw data is collected.
- Processing: data is manipulated.
- Storage: data/information is stored.
- Output: information is returned to the user.
This objective also includes the role of the Industrial Revolution and key individuals in computer development.

Overview of four computer generations and Moore’s Law.
Early development (1930s-1940s) machines were first generation.
First generation (vacuum tubes): Resembled light bulbs, produced heat, unreliable.
- Notable: Z1 (Konrad Zuse), ABC (Atanasoff–Berry Computer, 1942), Colossus (WWII), Mark I (Howard Aiken, 1944), ENIAC (John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert, 1946), UNIVAC (1951).
- Grace Hopper: credited with “bug” term (Mark I).
Second generation (transistors): Introduced 1947, replaced vacuum tubes, more powerful and reliable, rapidly reprogrammable.
Third generation (integrated circuits): Led to miniaturization and capability leaps, foundational for fourth generation.
Fourth generation (microprocessors): First developed 1971 as a single chip, housing the CPU (“brain”). Modern cell phone chips exceed early microprocessor power.
Moore’s Law: In 1965, Gordon Moore predicted transistor count on a chip would double every $2 ext{ years}$ . Current trend is doubling every $18 ext{ months}$ . Impacts processing speeds and storage capacity; fosters decrease in size/cost and increase in speed/power/reliability.

Data is represented digitally as binary code (base-2), using $0$ and $1$ .
A single state ( $0$ or $1$ ) is a bit.
Eight bits equal one byte, representing a single keyboard character.
Binary vs. quantum: Classical bits to quantum bits (qubits) in quantum computers. Qubits use superposition and entanglement for multiple states.
- Potential quantum computing applications: Simulating chemical reactions/financial markets, improving weather forecasting/AI, breaking encryption, developing new drugs.
Data measurement and prefixes:
- Decimal prefixes (powers of 10) for data transfer rates/storage: $ext{kilo} = 10^3, ext{mega} = 10^6, ext{giga} = 10^9, ext{tera} = 10^{12}, ext{peta} = 10^{15}.$
- Binary prefixes (powers of 2) for RAM: Kibibyte, Mebibyte, Gibibyte.
- Note: $ext{MB}$ (megabyte) is $10^6$ bytes. $ext{MiB}$ (Mebibyte) is $2^{20} = 1{,}048{,}576$ bytes.

PC definition: Small microprocessor-based computer used by one person; includes notebooks, mobile devices, desktops.
Common PC form factors:
- Desktop computer: Fits workspace.
- Notebook (laptop): Portable.
- Mobile device: Smartphones, handhelds.
- All-in-one computer: Integrated monitor and system unit.
- Workstation: High-end desktop or networked business computer.
Computer platforms and operating systems: Determined by microprocessor and OS. Major contenders: PCs, Macs, Chromebooks.
- Market observations: PCs have over 85 ext{ %} US market share, largest software library. Macs favored in creative industries, growing in home market. Chromebooks (Chrome OS) popular in K–12 schools.
Ergonomics: Study of user and workspace relationship, aiming to maximize productivity and minimize fatigue/discomfort. Key considerations: posture, monitor location.

Mobile devices: Fastest growing PC segment.
- Smartphones: Internet, email, cameras, GPS, apps, games.
GPS (Global Positioning System): Satellite-based navigation (24 satellites). Signals triangulate location/speed.
Geocaching: Electronic scavenger hunt using GPS coordinates.
Visualization and mixed reality concepts:
- VR (Virtual Reality): Artificial world, immersive with headset.
- AR (Augmented Reality): Overlay of virtual content on physical world.
- MR (Mixed Reality): Interactive holograms/3D images in real world.

Multi-user computers: Servers, mainframes, supercomputers.
Servers: File/print sharing, email clients, complex calculations, data storage for organizations.
Mainframes (enterprise computers): Large servers processing millions of daily transactions (e.g., banks).
High Performance Computing (HPC) and supercomputers: Use parallel processing for complex calculations. Can involve distributed clusters of multiprocessor computers.
Distributed and volunteer computing: Multiple computers contribute resources to a shared problem.

The objective notes that ubiquitous computing and convergence will be explained.