The document provides an overview of introductory concepts related to computers and digital devices. It defines what a computer is and its basic components like input, output, processing, memory, and storage. It also discusses different types of digital devices like personal computers, servers, mainframes, supercomputers, and handheld devices. Personal computers are designed for individual use while servers provide data to other devices on a network. Handheld devices can either allow apps installation or only basic functions. Microcontrollers are specialized microprocessors built into machines to control specific tasks.
The document provides an overview of introductory concepts related to computers and digital devices. It defines what a computer is and its basic components like input, output, processing, memory, and storage. It also discusses different types of digital devices like personal computers, servers, mainframes, supercomputers, and handheld devices. Personal computers are designed for individual use while servers provide data to other devices on a network. Handheld devices can either allow apps installation or only basic functions. Microcontrollers are specialized microprocessors built into machines to control specific tasks.
The document provides an overview of introductory concepts related to computers and digital devices. It defines what a computer is and its basic components like input, output, processing, memory, and storage. It also discusses different types of digital devices like personal computers, servers, mainframes, supercomputers, and handheld devices. Personal computers are designed for individual use while servers provide data to other devices on a network. Handheld devices can either allow apps installation or only basic functions. Microcontrollers are specialized microprocessors built into machines to control specific tasks.
The document provides an overview of introductory concepts related to computers and digital devices. It defines what a computer is and its basic components like input, output, processing, memory, and storage. It also discusses different types of digital devices like personal computers, servers, mainframes, supercomputers, and handheld devices. Personal computers are designed for individual use while servers provide data to other devices on a network. Handheld devices can either allow apps installation or only basic functions. Microcontrollers are specialized microprocessors built into machines to control specific tasks.
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Comp.
1- Introduction to IT concepts w/ Keyboarding
Chapter 1
Computers and Digital Basics
Chapter Contents
Section A: All Things Digital
Section B: Digital Devices Section C: Digital Data Representation Section D: Digital Processing Section E: Password Security
Digital Devices
Computer Basics Personal Computers, Servers, Mainframes, and Supercomputers Handheld Devices Microcontrollers
Computer Basics
A computer is a multipurpose device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output, all according to a series of stored instructions
Computer input is whatever is typed, submitted, or transmitted to a computer system
Output is the result produced by a computer
Data refers to the symbols that represent facts, objects, and ideas
Computers manipulate data in many ways, and this manipulation is called processing Central Processing Unit (CPU) Microprocessor
Memory is an area of a computer that temporarily holds data waiting to be processed,
stored, or output
Storage is the area where data can be left on a permanent basis when it is not immediately needed for processing A file is a named collection of data that exists on a storage medium
The series of instructions that tells a computer how to carry out processing tasks is referred to as a computer program - Software
A stored program means that a series of instructions for a computing task can be loaded into a computers memory - Allows you to switch between tasks - Distinguishes a computer from other simpler and less versatile digital devices
Application software is a set of computer programs that helps a person carry out a task
The primary purpose of system software is to help the computer system monitor itself in order to function efficiently - Operating system (OS)
Personal Computers, Servers, Mainframes, and Supercomputers
A personal computer is a microprocessor-based computing device designed to meet
the computing needs of an individual
The term workstation has two meanings:
- An ordinary personal computer that is connected to a network - A powerful desktop computer used for high-performance tasks
A videogame console, such as Nintendos Wii, Sonys PlayStation, or Microsofts
Xbox, is not generally referred to as personal computer because of their history as dedicated game devices
The purpose of a server is to serve computers on a network (such as the Internet or
a home network) by supplying them with data.
The Clients (Users, Applications or Computer) that request to as a client.
A mainframe computer (or simply a mainframe) is a large and expensive computer
capable of simultaneously processing data for hundreds or thousands of users A computer falls into the supercomputer category if it is, at the time of construction, one of the fastest computers in the world - A compute-intensive problem is one that requires massive amounts of data to be processed using complex mathematical calculations
Are Handheld devices computer?
Handheld Devices
A PDA (personal digital assistant) is a pocket-sized digital appointment book with a
small keyboard or a touch-sensitive screen, designed to run on batteries and be used while holding it
A smartphone, in addition to voice communication, includes features such as touch
screen, full qwerty keypad, text messaging, e-mail, Web access, removable storage, camera, FM radio, digital music player, GPS navigation, and a wide selection of applications and maps Handheld Devices
iPods and similar devices are classified as portable media players because their main strength is playing music, showing videos, and storing photos
Handheld devices can divided into two categories:
- Allow users to install Applications - Those devices that do not
Microcontrollers A microcontroller is a special-purpose microprocessor that is built into the machine it controls
