FALL 2012Dr. Ghada Drahem

Faculty of EngineeringComputer Engineering Department

Instructor: Dr. Ghada Drahem

Office Hours: Wednesday: 10.30 to 11.30

Email address:ghdrahem@yahoo.com

COURSE MATERIALSRecommended Textbooks

Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow Deborah Morley, and Charles S. Parker.

CreditThese lectures are based on the slides provided by Prentice

Hall, the publisher of the textbook.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENTYear Work : 10%Assignments and Projects : 30%.Exams: 20%Final Exam: 40%

COURSE OUTLINEIntroduction to the World of Computer.Numbering Systems and Digital Data Representation.Computer System Architecture.Software systems: Operating Systems and Utility

Programs.Application Software.

Word processing Spreadsheet Database Presentation graphics

An overview of networks and the Internet

COURSE OBJECTIVESExplain why it is essential to learn about

computers today and discuss several ways computers are integrated into our business and personal lives.

Define a computer and describe its primary operations.

Identify the major parts of a personal computer, Define software and understand how it is used to instruct the computer what to do.

Explain the binary numbering system and how the digital data is represented.

COURSE OBJECTIVESDiscuss some of software application.

Detail some concepts and commands that many software programs have in common.

Discuss word processing and explain what kinds of documents are created using this type of program.

Explain the purpose of spreadsheet software and the kinds of documents created using this type of program.

Identify some of the vocabulary used with database software and discuss the benefits of using this type of program.

Describe what presentation graphics and electronic slide shows are and when they might be used.

Give an overview about computer networks and internet: data communication, transmission modes, transmission media, computer networks, internet protocol, and internet services.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMESThis lecture covers:

Why learn about computers?

What computers do and how they are used

Computer system (hardware-software)

The basic types of computers in use todayAn overview of networks and the Internet

WHY LEARN ABOUT COMPUTERS?

Computer is an essential skill today for everyoneAt home

In education

At work

On the go

COMPUTERS IN THE HOMEComputers used for

a variety of tasks: Looking up information

and news Exchange e-mail Shopping and paying bills Downloading music and

movies Organizing digital

photographs Playing games

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COMPUTERS IN EDUCATIONColleges and universities are even

more integrated

Classrooms, computer labs, libraries

Internet assignments

Teachers

Prepare handouts, exams, and class presentations

Maintain course Web pages

Distance learning

Students participate from locations other than the traditional classroom setting using computers and Internet access

COMPUTERS IN THE WORKPLACE

COMPUTERS ON THE GO

Computers are encountered in nearly every aspect of daily lifePortable PCs and handheld

computers

Internet cafes

ATM machines and retail stores

Self-checkout systems

M-commerce systems

GPS systems

WHAT IS A COMPUTER AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

Computer: A programmable, electronic device that accepts data, performs operations on that data, and stores the data or results as neededComputers follow instructions, called programs, which determine the

tasks the computer will performBasic operations

Input: Entering data into the computerProcessing: Performing operations on the dataOutput: Presenting the resultsStorage: Saving data, programs, or output for future useCommunications: Sending or receiving data

WHAT IS A COMPUTER AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

DATA VS. INFORMATIONData

Raw, unorganized factsCan be in the form of text, graphics, audio, or

video

InformationData that has been processed into a meaningful

form

Information processingConverting data into information

A COMPUTER SYSTEMMainly consists of two parts:

HardwareSoftware

HARDWARE

Hardware: The physical parts of a computerInternal hardware

Located inside the main box (system unit) of the computer

External hardware Located outside the system unit and plug into ports located on the

exterior of the system unit

HARDWARE

HARDWAREInput devices

Used to input data into the computerKeyboards, mice, scanners, cameras, microphones, joysticks,

etc.Processing devices

Perform calculations and control computer’s operationCentral processing unit (CPU) and memory

Output devicesPresent results to the userMonitors, printers, speakers, projectors, etc.

HARDWARE

Storage devicesUsed to store data on or access data from storage mediaHard drives, DVD disks and drives, USB flash drives, etc.

Communications devicesAllow users to communicate with others and to electronically

access information

Modems, network adapters, etc.

HARDWARE

SOFTWARE

Software: The programs or instructions used to tell the computer hardware what to doSystem software: Operating system allows a computer to

operate Boots the computer and launches programs at the user’s direction Most use a GUI to interact with the user via windows, icons, menus,

buttons, etc. Windows, Mac OS, Linux, etc.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Application software: Performs specific tasks or applications Creating letters, budgets, etc. Managing inventory and customer databases Editing photographs Scheduling appointments Viewing Web pages Sending and receiving e-mail Recording / playing CDs Designing homes Playing games

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

COMPUTERS TO FIT EVERY NEED

Categories of computersMobile device : a very small device with some type

of built-in computing or Internet capabilityPersonal computer : a computer system is designed to be

used by one person at a timeMidrange server: a medium-sized computer is used to host

programs and data for a small networkMainframe computer: powerful computer is used by several

large organizations to manage large amounts of centralized data

Supercomputer: fastest, most expensive, most powerful type of computer

COMPUTER NETWORKS AND THE INTERNET

Computer network: A collection of hardware and other devices that are connected together.Users can share hardware, software, and dataUsers can communicate with each other

Network servers: Manage resources on a networkClients: Access resources through the network serverComputer networks exist in many sizes and types

Home networksSchool and small business networksLarge corporatePublic wireless networksThe Internet

COMPUTER NETWORKS AND THE INTERNET

WHAT ARE THE INTERNET AND THE WORLD WIDE WEB?

Internet: The largest and most well-known computer network in the world

World Wide Web: One resource (a vast collection of Web pages) available through the InternetWeb sites contain Web pages stored on Web serversWeb pages viewed using a Web browser (Internet Explorer,

Safari, Firefox, Opera, etc).A wide variety of information is available through the Web