Chapter

Copyright 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Learning Objectives
Explain the parts of an information system: people, procedures, software,

Computing Essentials 2015

hardware, data, and the Internet.

Distinguish between system software and application software.
Differentiate between the kinds of system software programs.
Define and compare general purpose, specialized, and mobile applications.
Identify the four types of computers and the four types of personal computers.
Describe the different types of computer hardware, including the system unit,
input, output, storage, and communication devices.
Define data and describe document, worksheet, database, and presentation files.
Explain computer connectivity, the wireless revolution, the Internet, and cloud
computing.

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Introduction

Personal computers are common tools in all

areas of life.
New forms of learning have developed.
College course does not have to be a quarter or
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semester any longer.

Computers offer many new ways to

communicate.
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Parts of an Information System

Hardware
Data
The Internet

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People
Procedures
Software

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People

Most important part of any system

Contact is
Direct
Indirect

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Computer uses

Entertainment
Business
Medicine
Education

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Software

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There are two major kinds of software:

System Software
Application Software
The purpose of software is to convert data
into information.

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System Software

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Enables application software to interact with the

computer hardware
Background software helps manage resources
Collection of programs
Operating Systems
Utilities
Device Drivers

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System Software cont.

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Operating System
Coordinates computer resources
Provides the user interface
Runs applications

Return
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System Software cont.

Utilities
Perform specific tasks related to managing computer
resources
Antivirus Program

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Device Drivers
Programs designed to allow input or output devices
to communicate with the computer

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Application Software

End-user software
Three types

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General-Purpose applications
Specialized applications
Mobile apps

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Hardware Types of Computers

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Supercomputers
Mainframe computers
Midrange computers
Personal computers

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Personal Computer Types

Tablet PC
Handheld

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Desktop
Laptop (Notebook)

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Personal Computer Hardware

Four basic categories

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of equipment
System Unit
Input/Output
Secondary Storage
Communications

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System Unit

Two important components

Microprocessor
Memory

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Holds data currently

being processed
Holds the processed information before
it is output
Temporary storage, contents are lost when
power is off
Return
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Input/Output Devices

Input
Keyboard
Mouse

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Output
Printer
Monitor
Return
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Secondary Storage

Holds data and programs even if power

is off
Hard disk
Solid-state storage

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No moving parts
More reliable
Requires less power

Optical disc
Laser technology
Great capacity
CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray

Return
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Communications

Communication devices, such as modems, provide

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personal computers with the ability to communicate

with other computer systems
Modems modify audio, video and other types of data
into a form that can be transmitted across the Internet

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Data

Raw, unprocessed facts

Processed data becomes

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information
Digital data is stored
electronically in files

Document files
Worksheet files
Database files
Presentation files

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Document Files

Created by word
processors

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Term papers
Memos
Letters

Return
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Worksheet Files

Created by electronic spreadsheets to analyze things like

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budgets and to predict sales

Return
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Database Files

Typically created by database management programs to

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contain highly structured and organized data

Return
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Presentation Files

Created by presentation graphics programs to prepare

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presentation materials.

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Connectivity and the Mobile Internet

Connectivity
Sharing of information
Mobile/Wireless devices
Cloud computing and the Wireless Revolution

Computer networks

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Connected communication system of computers

Largest network is the Internet

Cloud Computing
Uses the Internet and the Web to shift many computer
activities from a users computer to computers on the
Internet

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Careers in IT

Computing Essentials 2015

For a complete listing of careers, visit http://www.mhhe.com/ce2015/

Select Student Edition and then Careers
Career

Description

Webmaster

Develops and maintains websites and web resources. See page

52

Software Engineer

Analyzes users needs and creates application software. See

page 81

Computer Support Specialist

Provides technical support to customers and other users. See

page 105

Computer Technician

Repairs and install computer components and systems. See page

132

Technical Writer

Prepares instruction manuals, technical reports, and other

scientific or technical documents. See page 159

Network Administrator

Creates and maintains computer networks. See page 213

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A Look to the Future

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Using and Understanding Information Technology

The Internet and the Web
Powerful Software
Powerful Hardware
Security, Privacy and Ethics
Organizations
Changing Times

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Open-Ended Questions (Page 1 of 2)

Explain the parts of an information system. What part do people play in this system?

What is system software? What kinds of programs are included in system software?

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Define and compare general-purpose applications, specialized, applications and apps.

Describe some different types of general-purpose applications. Describe some types
of specialized applications.

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Open-Ended Questions (Page 2 of 2)

Describe the different types of computers. What is the most common type? What
are the types of personal computers?

What is connectivity? What are wireless devices and the wireless revolution? What is

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a computer network? What are the Internet and the Web? What is cloud computing?

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