Chapter 18

Computer Technology

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 Computer Generations
(1 of 2)
First
Spanned years 1952-1958.
Computers used vacuum tubes.
Punched cards were used for data input.
Second
Spanned years 1958-1963.
Computers used solid-state transistor cards.
Magnetic tape drives were developed during
this time.
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 Computer Generations
(2 of 2)
Third
Spanned years 1964-1969.
Computer used miniature circuitry chips.
Saw unlimited random access storage
capacity.
Fourth
Began in 1970 and continues today.
Computers make extensive use of micro-
programming.
Computers use microscopic integrated
circuitry.
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 Fifth-Generation Computer Equipment

Development is currently underway.

Computers are likely to make extensive use of
artificial intelligence, megachips, and advanced
parallel processing.
Computers will likely be able to learn from their
mistakes.

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 Characteristics of Artificial Intelligence

Expert systems-(enable the computer to help with

problem solving.)
Natural languages-(allow the user, using a natural
human voice, to communicate with a computer.)
Human sensory simulation-(allows a computer to
perform basic human sensory functions, such as
speaking, seeing, and hearing.)
Robotics-(uses a computer to operate devices.)

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 Expert Systems

These are programs designed to capture the

experiences, decision processes, and thought
processes of experts in specific areas.
Systems are created by interviewing experts in a
given field and then translating that knowledge
into a series of rules and strategies.

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 Classifications of Computers
(1 of 2)

Can be classified by category and size.

Category Digital computers
Analog computers

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 Classifications of Computers
(2 of 2)

Size Personal computers

Desktop computers
Servers
Network computers
Notebook and laptop computers
Pocket computers
Personal digital assistants
Midsized computers
Mainframe computers
Supercomputers
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 Digital Are used primarily to count
Computers numbers.
The basic unit of storage is the
binary digit or bit.

Analog Are used as measuring devices.

Computers
Are often used in scientific
research.

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 Personal Computers
(1 of 2)
Are equipped with a central
Desktop Units processing unit, a monitor,
a keyboard, and a mouse.
Tend to have fast operating
Servers speeds as well as large hard-
disk drive capacity.

Network Do not have a disk drive

because they are connected
Computers to a server at a remote site.
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 Personal Computers
(2 of 2)
Can be connected to a
Notebook and
docking station that has a
Laptop Computers monitor and keyboard.

Palmtop Are used to maintain one’s

appointment book,
Computers schedule, and e-mail.

Personal Digital Are generally more functional

Assistants (PDAs) than palmtop computers.
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 Midsized Computers

Have been commonly referred to as minicomputers.

Are generally considered to be mainframe
computers in miniature form.
Can support up to 500 online terminals.

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 Mainframe Computers

These computers use a wide array of input and

output devices.
They also have a variety of internal and external
memory/storage devices.
Many mainframe computers support enterprise-wide
computing services.

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 Supercomputers

These computers have extremely large memories.

They are capable of processing trillions of
instructions per second.

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 Components of Computer Systems

Input

Output Storage

Control Arithmetic-Logic

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Components of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Arithmetic-Logic
Storage
Control

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 Input Categories

Paper

Magnetic
Electronic

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 Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)

Is used extensively by financial institutions in the

processing of checks.
Numbers imprinted at bottom of check are
magnetized.
MICR reader reads and inputs the data.
Is a very fast and accurate input medium.
Uses only 14 numbers and characters.
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 Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Scanner reads the shape of characters and inputs

information into the computer.
Some font restrictions exist, such as shape and size
of character.
Is used widely throughout the business world for a
variety of different applications.

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 Mark-Sense Forms

Preprinted shapes (such as squares, rectangles,

or circles) are darkened with a writing
instrument.
These forms are run through a scanner that reads
the shape and inputs information into the system.

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 Magnetic Tape

Was previously the most widely used type of input

in large-volume computer operations.
Can also be used as an external data storage
medium.

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 Magnetic Strips

Is the type of medium found on the backside of

credit cards and some ID badges.
Data stored in strip communicate with the computer.

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 Magnetic Hard Disks

Are used during input, storage, and output.

Disks are used to store the computer’s operating
system, application software, and data.
Provide random accessing of data, resulting in
faster processing speeds.

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 Floppy Disks

Data are put onto floppy disks in a variety of ways.

Provide a very easy-to-use medium.
Common storage size is 1.44MB of data per disk.

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 Electronic Transfer

Is currently the most widely used input medium.

Data/information are captured and stored at the
user site.
Once file is complete, it is transferred
electronically to the mainframe where the data
are processed.

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 Keyboard Terminals

Are connected online to a computer.

Transform the letters, numbers, and symbols
humans are capable of reading into codes the
computer is capable of reading.
Is a slow data input medium.

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 Monitors

When monitors are used as an input medium, they

generally are equipped with a light pen.
Their use is not considered appropriate for inputting
large volumes of data.

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 Point-of Sale Terminals

In many businesses, they are used in place of cash

registers.
They facilitate keeping track of inventory and
reordering of merchandise.

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 Touch-Tone Phone

Keys on a touch-tone phone are used to communicate

with a computer.
Provides a convenient data input device for certain
applications.

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 Audio Communication

Transforms telephones into data terminals.

Is a useful device for traveling salespeople who may
need fast communication with their home office.

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 Optical Laser Disks

Data are input onto the disk, which is then put onto
a CD-ROM for data input.
Provides an extremely compact, fast input medium.

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 Computer Mouse

Depressing the “enter” key on the mouse sends a

command to the computer.

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 Light Pen

Is useful for working with engineering or

architectural drawings.
Modifications are made by touching the line to be
moved and then moving the pen tip on the
screen to the desired location.

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 Touchscreens

Requires the use of a monitor that has a heat-

sensitive element.
Touching the desired command on the monitor
activates the command.

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 Voice Input

Enables one to dictate material into a computer,

using a microphone attached to the computer.
Common word processing programs now come
equipped with voice input capability.

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 Handwriting Input

Requires the use of a handwriting pad that recognizes

handwritten characters.

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 Bar Code Input

Allows the computer input of data stored in a bar

code.
Is commonly used in pricing of grocery items and
in the identification of books in libraries.

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 Scanners

Digitize information on a paper medium so the

information can be stored in a computer.

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 Optical Cards

Are about the size of a credit card and can hold as

much as 100MB of data.

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 Video Capture Cards

Use a Web-based camera in the inputting of

information into a computer.

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 Smart Cards

Internal microprocessor provides the process

capability.
Many of these cards can be recharged with cash
value.

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 Handheld Data-Entry Device

Often used to provide input for reordering and/or

inventory management.
Generally use a scanner.

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 USB Pen Drives

Plug into the computer’s US port.

Can store up to 1GB of data.

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 Storage

Types Primary
Secondary

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 Primary Storage

RAM-Random Access Memory

ROM—Read-Only Memory

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 Random Access Memory

Is a temporary type of primary storage used by

computers in the processing of data/information.
User can alter data or instructions held in RAM.

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 Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Is the permanently encoded data or instructions

stored in a computer.
Contents cannot be altered.

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 Other Types of ROM

EROM (Erasable Read-Only Memory)

Can be erased using ultraviolet light.
PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory)
Can be programmed with a special device
called a ROM programmer.
EPROM (Erasable, Programmable Read-Only
Memory)
Can be erased and programmed with
special devices.
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 Cache Memory

Is used to increase the movement of work through

a computer.
Serves as a high speed holding area for program
instructions and data that are being processed.

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 Secondary Storage

Many of the input media can also be used as

secondary storage.
Among these are hard disk drives, floppy disks,
CD-ROMs, etc.

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 Arithmetic-Logic Unit

Is capable of performing addition, subtraction,

multiplication, and division operations.
Is also capable of comparing the size of data.
During manipulation, data are held in either
accumulator or storage registers.

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 Functions of the Control Unit

1. Instructs input devices to read data into storage.

2. Locates data held in storage and transfers it to
memory.
3. Instructs the arithmetic/logic unit to perform certain
operations on the data.
4. Informs the arithmetic/logic unit of the location of
data stored in memory.
5. Informs the output devices which information is to
be printed or transferred to some other medium
where it will be stored.
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 Output

Many of the input media and devices are also used for
output.
Among these are magnetic tape, disks, keyboard
terminals, monitors, etc.

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 Devices Used Only for Output Include:

Printers
Printer-Plotters
Computer Output Microfilm
Computer Output Laser Disk
Audio Response Output

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 Types of Printers

Impact Dot-matrix printers are of the

impact type.

Ink-jet and laser printers are

Nonimpact of the nonimpact type.

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 Printer-Plotters

Are used primarily to prepare graphic illustrations.

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 Computer Output Microfilm

Instead of getting output printed on paper, output is

created on microfilm.

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 Audio Response

Involves translating computer output into spoken

language.

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 Computer Output Laser Disk

Output is put onto a laser disk.

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 Computer Software

Includes instructions and/or programs that enable the

computer to operate as desired.
Computers use application programs and systems
programs.

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 Types of Programming Languages

Symbolic Languages
Procedure-Oriented Languages
Problem-Oriented Languages
Fourth-Generation Languages
Visual Languages

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 Distributed Data Processing

Is a network comprised of several-to-thousands of

computers.
Each personal computer has the ability to process
data independently at the user site as well as the
ability to communicate with other computers.
Computer power is placed where it is most needed.

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Reasons for Using Distributed Data Processing

1. Processing control is returned to the user.

2. Extensive use of personal computers is economical.
3. User department can design processing operations
that meet its specific needs.
4. Data do not have to be transmitted to another
location.

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Advantages of Using Distributed Data Processing

1. User department has control over the processing of

its data.
2. May result in reduced data processing costs.
3. Systems can be easily expanded or contracted to
meet changing user needs.
4. User departments are not at the “mercy” of a
centralized computer facility.
5. Systems are less vulnerable.
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 Grid Computing

Also known as peer-to-peer computing.

Involves a network of computers that operates
together to solve a variety of business
problems.
The computers comprising the network “lend”
their computer processing power as needed
when a large job is being processed (run.)
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 Types of Computer Power Problems

Sags-short-term decrease in voltage.

Brownouts-longer term significant decrease in
voltage.
Oscillations-superimposing high-frequency noise
on the electrical waveform that can result in
computer damage, loss of data, and software
glitches.
Surges-short-term increase in voltage.
Spikes-short-term significant increase in voltage.
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 Types of Problems That Affect
Computer Operations

Computer Power Problems

Computer Viruses

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 Computer Viruses

Can destroy massive amounts of data/information

in a desktop unit, or disrupt an entire network
operation.
Categories of Viruses

File Infectors
Boot Sector Viruses
Multipartite Viruses
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 Suggestions for Dealing With
Computer Viruses
(1 of 2)

1. Avoid using software from unreliable sources.

2. Avoid exchanging floppy disks between computers.
3. Avoid letting others use your computer,
especially if they want to use their own software.
4. Back up data frequently.
5. Back up new software immediately-and then use
only the backup copy.
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 Suggestions for Dealing With
Computer Viruses
(2 of 2)

6. Stop using the computer immediately if abnormal

operations begin to occur.
7. Use a virus detection/eradication software
program.
8. Be especially careful with software downloaded
from the Internet.
9. Be alert to the fact that computer viruses are
often transmitted by e-mail messages.
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 Is a centralized depository
Data Warehouse for some or all of the data
accumulated in an
organization.
Is a depository of data held
in the warehouse but then
Data Mart subsequently processed and
analyzed to make it useful
to a specific group of end
users.
Involves analyzing data
Data Mining for previously undiscover-
ed relationships.
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 Utility Computing

Involves an organization’s obtaining its

computing equipment from a computer
utility.

Organizations pay the utility for the amount of

time its computer equipment is used.

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