Chapter 1 CSC134: BASIC INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

Salam, today I want to post abaout what I've understand in CSC134 for Chapter 1:  Basic Introduction to Computers.

First of all is the definition of computer.  A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instruction strored in its own memory.  A computer contains many electric. electronic, and mechanical components known as 'Hardware'.  The components of a computer are:

• Input device:  Allow you to enter data and instructions into a computer.  Examples: printer, web cam, scanner, microphone, mouse and keyboard.
• Output device:  Hardware component that conveys information to one or more people.  Examples:  monitor/screen and printer.
• System unit:  Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that are used to process data.
• Storage device:  Records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage media.  Examples:  optical disc device, memory card and USB device.
• Communication device:  Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices.

A computer must have advantages and disadvantages of using it.  The advantages are speed, reliability, consistency, storage and communications.  The disadvantages are health risks, violation of privacy, public safety, impact of labour force and impact of environment.

A computer have seven (7) categories.

1. Personal computers:  A personal computer can perform all of its input, processing, output, & storage activities by itself.
2. Mobile computers & mobile devices:  Mobile computer is personal computer you can carry from place to place.  Examples:  notebook computers, laptop computers, netbooks, and Tablet PCs.  Mobile devices is computing device small enough to hold in your hand.  Examples:  smart phones, PDAs, e-book readers, handheld computer, portable media player an digital cameras.
3. Game consoles:  A geme consoles is a mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer video games.
4. Servers:  A server controls access to the hardware, software & other resources on a network.
5. Mainframes:  A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thaousands of connected users simultaneously.
6. Supercomputers:  A supercomputers is the fastest, most powerful computer.  Fastest supercomputers are capable of processing more than one quadrillion instructions in a single second.
7. Embedded computers:  An embedded computers is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a large product.

Ok, this is the simplest understanding that I could share.  Other or more than this, I must refer back to CSC134 book.  :)