SUMMARY CHAPTER 2 October 12, 2010

Chapter 2: Hardware
2.1 Computer

A computer is an electronic machine, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results and store the results for future use.

The components of a computer: o Input devices o Output devices o Storage devices 2.2 Input Devices

Input is any data and instructions entered into the memory of a program. Input device Any hardware components that allow you to enter data or instruction into a computer

2 main types of input devices: Human data-entry devices (require a certain amount of human effort to input data) Example: Keyboard, Mouse, Trackball, Pointing stick, Touchpad, Joystick, Touch Screen, Stylus, Digital Pen, Web Camera, Voice-recognition
Chapter 2 - Hardware

Source data-automation devices (require minimal human intervention to input data) Example: ATM, Magnetic stripe reader, Barcode scanner, POS terminal, Digital camera, Optical Character recognition sensor, Optical mark reader, Magnetic ink character reader,
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Radio Frequency Identification(FRID)

2.3 Output Devices

Output Data that has been processed into a useful form called information. Output device Any hardware components that convey information to one or more people

Example: Monit or Printer Other Cathode ray tubes (CRT), Liquid crystal display (LCD), Organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) Laser, Inkjet, Plotters and etc Speaker/headset, E-books, Pocket projector

2.4 Storage Devices Storage holds the data, instruction, & information permanently for future use Storage Medium/Media It is the physical material on which a computer keeps data, instructions, and information. Floppy disk, hard disks, CDs, DVDs, Magnetic tape
Chapter 2 - Hardware

Storage device It is the computer hardware that records/retrieves items to and from storage media. Floppy disk drive, CD-ROM drive

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2.5 Enterprise Storage Options To deal with over-expanding volumes of information, companies employ enterprise storage systems Enterprise storage system stored 320 terabytes of information

2.6 Access Methods Sequential Access Records must be retrieved in order in which it is stored. Example: Student ID no 125, read all 001 through 124 Devices used called sequential access storage devices (SASDs). Example: Tape drive

Direct Access Records can be retrieved in any order Devices used are called direct access storage devices (DASDs). Example: CD-ROM drive

2.7 Categories of Computer Special-purpose computers (used for limited applications by military & scientific research groups) General-purpose computers (used for a wide variety of applications) Used by one user at a time Used by multiple concurrent users Handheld Computer Workstations PDA, Smart phone Servers Portable Computers Mainframe computers Laptop, Tablet PC Supercomputers Thin Client Desktop Computers
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SUMMARY CHAPTER 2 October 12, 2010

2.8 Examples: E.g. Food Order system

Many restaurant chains use handheld input devices that let food servers enter orders efficiently & accurately

E.g. Point Of Sales system

Many supermarket use scanner that let the checkout clerk (cashier) to retrieve an item number and item price.

Chapter 2 - Hardware

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