MIS

CHAPTER 2

COMPUTERS: THE
MACHINES BEHIND
COMPUTING
Hossein BIDGOLI

MIS, Chapter 2
2013 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning

Exhibit 2.1

MIS, Chapter 2
2013 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning

The Building Blocks of a Computer

Chapter 2 Computers: The Machines Behind Computing

Defining a Computer
Computer
Machine that accepts data as input
Processes data without human intervention using
stored instructions
Outputs information

Program
Step-by-step directions for performing a specific task
Written in a language
the computer can understand

GIGO
Garbage in, garbage out
Computers dont make mistakes . . .
MIS, Chapter 2
2013 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning

Chapter 2 Computers: The Machines Behind Computing

Components of a Computer System

Hardware components
Physical devices, such as keyboards, monitors,
and processing units

Software
Programs written in computer languages

Central processing unit (CPU)

Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
Control unit
Single or multiprocessor

MIS, Chapter 2
2013 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning

Summary Chart Inputs, Outputs and Memory Devices

Input

Output

Secondary Memory

Mouse

Soft copy

Magnetic disk

Touch screen

Hard copy

Magnetic tape

Light pen (connected)

Voice

Optical discs

Trackball

Notes: RAM, ROM,

WORM/Main v.
secondary (volitility)
RAID (redundant array
of independent disks)

Data tablet
Barcode reader (UPC)
Optical character
reader (OCR)
Magnetic ink character
recognition
Optical mark
recognition (MC tests)
MIS, Chapter 2
2013 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning

Exhibit 2.1

MIS, Chapter 2
2013 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning

The Building Blocks of a Computer

Case: CIBS

See handout.

MIS, Chapter 2
2013 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning

Summary Chart Hardware Generations, Power and Classifcations

Hardware

Power

Classes

I Vacuum tubes

Speed

Subnotebooks

II Transistors

Accuracy
4.000000000000
01
4.000000000000
02

Notebooks

Storage &
Retrieval

PCs

III Integrated
circuits
IV
Miniaturization,
PCs, etc.

Minicomputers

V Parallel
processing,
optical
technologies

Mainframes

Fluid!

Categorized by
cost, memory,
speed and
sophistication.

Supercomputers
MIS, Chapter 2
2013 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning

Summary Chart Operating System and Application Software

Operation
System

Application

Job management
Resource
allocation

Word processing
Spreadsheet

Data
management

Database

Communication

Presentation
Graphics
Dekstop
publishing

MIS, Chapter 2
2013 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning

Financial and
accounting

Summary Chart - Computer Languages

Languages
I Machine
II Assembly
III High-level
IV 4GLs
V 5GLS

MIS, Chapter 2
2013 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning

10

Video

Lets watch a video:

Is this a system?

(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8cuuP4Jmio)

Is this an information system?

MIS, Chapter 2
2013 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning

11