Our Digital World

Chapter 1

Digital Technologies:

Exploring a Wealth of Possibilities

© Paradigm Publishing, Inc. 1

This chapter will help you be able to:

• Define what a computer is and identify computing

devices.

• Describe the parts of a computer system and their role

in turning data into information.

• Recognize the convergence of computing devices.

• Identify uses of computers and possible careers.

• Define information technology and the information

processing cycle.

© Paradigm Publishing, Inc. 2

Main Topics

• 1.1 Just What Is a Computer?

• 1.2 Computers in All Shapes and Sizes

• 1.3 Who Is Using Computers and How?

• 1.4 What Is Information Technology?

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Why Should You Care?

• Computers are everywhere in various forms.

• Understanding computers gives you an edge in

the job market.

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1.1 Just What Is a Computer?

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The Definition of a Computer

• An electronic,

programmable device.

• Categories– Analog computers.

– Digital computers.

– Computers for

communicating.

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• computer

• analog computer

• digital computer

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Terms to Know

Ask Yourself…

What is not true of a digital computer?

a. It can process words, numbers, images, and

sounds.

b. It can perform mechanical operations.

c. It can represent data in the form of code.

d. It can transmit sounds over the Internet.

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1.2 Computers in All Shapes

and Sizes

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Categories of Computers

• By operating system and manufacturer

– Windows- or Linux-based personal computers.

– Macintosh computers.

• By size

– Large: supercomputer, mainframe, server.

– Mid-sized: Personal, workstation, desktop, laptop.

– Mobile: smartphone, digital audio player, PDA.

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Types of Computers

• Supercomputer

• Desktop

• Laptop

• Tablet PC

• Netbook

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Will Computers Help Us Live Forever?

• What is meant by exponential technological change?

• What could stop the technological singularity from happening?

• What are the implications of computers developing intelligence that exceeds human intelligence?

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Convergence of Computing Devices

• Technological convergence.

• Convergence devices.

• Role of accessing services online.

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• supercomputer

• petaflop

• computer cluster

• render farm

• desktop computer

• laptop

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Terms to Know

• Tablet PC

• netbook

• technological

convergence

• convergence device

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Terms to Know

Ask Yourself…

What factor(s) differentiates a netbook from a

laptop?

a. size

b. weight

c. lack of optical drive

d. All of the above

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1.3 Who Is Using

Computers and How?

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Computers in Various Settings

• Business, home, education,

law enforcement, arts,

medicine, entertainment.

• Unique uses.

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Computing Careers

• Computer engineering (CE)

• Computer science (CS)

• Information systems (IS)

• Information technology (IT)

• Software engineering (SE)

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Preparing for Computing Careers

• Analytical subjects.

• Associates degree with CS or IT focus.

• Professional certifications.

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• ubiquitous computing

• computer engineering

• computer science

• information systems

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Terms to Know

• information technology

• software engineering

• webmaster

• Internet law

• web designer

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Terms to Know

Ask Yourself…

Which computer career involves writing

software programs?

a. information technology

b. software engineering

c. computer science

d. None of the above

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1.4 What Is Information

Technology?

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Information Technology

• Involves

– Computer-based information systems.

– Software applications and computer hardware.

• Relationship to computer users.

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Playing It Safe

Computer-assisted translation

software (CAT)

─ Customized dictionaries.

─ Memory programs store phrases.

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Data and Information

• Computers take data and turn it into

information.

• Computers turn data into information by

processing and organizing it.

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Information Processing Cycle

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Input

• Many ways to input.

• Binary system.

• Bits and bytes.

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Processing

• Role of the CPU.

• Microprocessors contained on chips.

• Processor speed measured in hertz.

• Temporary storage of data in RAM.

• Cache memory holds frequently used data.

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Cache Memory and Processing Time

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Output

• Information resulting

from processing.

• Includes monitor

display, printed copy,

sound through a

speaker, and more.

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Storage

• Permanent storage.

• Storage capacity

measurement.

• Storage devices include

hard disk, DVD, USB

flash, and external

drive.

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Back It Up!

• Back up regularly.

• Some jobs require that backups be

kept.

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Terms to Know

• data

• information

• information

processing cycle

• binary system

• bit

• byte

• input

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Terms to Know

• central processing unit

• processing

• microprocessor

• computer memory

• random access memory (RAM)

• cache memory

• output

• resolution

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• pixel

• storage

• file

• DRAM

• SRAM

• SDRAM

• machine cycle

• instruction register

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Terms to Know

Ask Yourself…

One stage not part of the information processing

cycle is

a. input.

b. output.

c. computing.

d. processing.

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Our Digital World

© Paradigm Publishing, Inc. 39