Chapter 4

COB 204

What do you need to know about hardware? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxmuhzLzu

bM

What do you need to know about hardware? Consists of electronic components and related

gadgetry that input, process, output, and store data according to instructions in programs or software

The CPU – The BRAIN Selects the instructions, processes them,

performs the duties, and stores the results. Dual processor – has 2 CPUs Quad processor – has 4 CPUs

Works in conjunction with Main Memory, aka RAM

Peripherals connected by USB connectors

Storage Hardware Saves data and programs Most popular – Magnetic disk Others

Optical disk (CD, DVD) Thumbdrives – portable magnetic devices Tape

Computer Data Heirarchy Bit (a binary digit)

Circuit that is either on or off; 0’s and 1’s Byte

Group of 8 bits, represents a single character Kilobyte (K)

1024 bytes Megabyte (MB)

1024K Gigabyte (GB)

1024 MB Terabyte (TB)

1024 GB

Memory tool: Biting and Kicking Makes Gigantic Trouble

Input and Output Input technologies

Accept data and instructions Converts them to a form that the computer can

understand Output technologies

Present data and information in a form people can understand

How does a computer work? Program goes from disk to main memory Instruction goes by bus (aka data channel) to

CPU Operating System controls the system

resources Directs CPU to store different things in different

places to meet your demands Memory swapping

System speed is also important – expressed in hertz 1 G vs. 3 G – which is faster?

What is Happening???Inputs CPU Output

Entered and Retrieves and Processes Stores and Delivers

Stored until

Needed

How is it Happening???Inputs CPU OutputData and Directs the data MonitorInstructions via and instructionsInput Method Computes 0s and 1s Storage

Controls the incoming/outgoing flow

How is it Traveling?

Buses – Electrical Pathways Size of bus determines the speed and flow Larger the bus, faster the flow

vs.

Who cares? Getting the right equipment to do your job

Ability to handle a little or a lot at one time Data entry vs. Database Administrator More memory swapping means slower speed More processors will make it work faster

Done!

What’s the difference between a Client and a Server?

Servers Provide specific functions

Email Web File sharing

Large computer Multiple CPUs Speed No/limited video display

Grid vs. Cloud Grid – network of computers that operates as

an integrated whole (appears to be one computer)

Organizations may lease time on a grid from other organizations

Cloud – lease server resources from a vendor that specializes in server processing

Pay for service as you use it Examples?

What does a professional need to know about software?4 Major Operating Systems?Categories of Application Systems?How Application Software is acquired?

4 Major Operating Systems Windows

85 – 95% of world’s computers Different versions exist – can you name a few?

Mac OS Used primarily by graphic artists and workers in art

community Leader of easy-to-use interfaces

Unix Workhorse of scientific community In general, not for business

Linux Open source version of Unix Most frequently used for web servers

Owning or Licensing – what does it mean?

Licensing Buy a license to use a program Site license

Used by organizations to allow all to use Flat fee

Virtualization Process by which one computer hosts the

appearance of many computers Host operating system

Runs one or more operating systems, called Virtual Machines PC Virtualization Server Virtualization Desktop Virtualization

Why? Quick configuration Balance workload Accessibility

Application Software Performs a service or function Horizontal market application software

Common across all industries and organizations Examples?

Vertical market application software Serves needs of a specific industry Examples? Can be altered or customized

One-of-a-kind application software Developed for a specific need Examples?

How do you acquire A/S? Off the shelf

Know cost immediately You get what you get

Off the shelf with alterations Can get it altered to fit better

Custom-developed Tailor-made

What is firmware? Installed into devices Becomes part of the device’s memory Examples?

Thin vs. Thick Clients Thin

Requires nothing more than a browser

Thick Requires code on the client computer

Thin vs. thick – refers to how much code has to run on the users’ pc