Chapter 5 -- Computers and Information Processing

(This page last modified June 3, 1997. Please send comments to H.E. Dunsmore)

Teaching Objectives

• To identify the basic components of computer hardware.
• To introduce computer hardware concepts and terminology: CPU, primary storage, secondary storage, input and output devices, bits and bytes.
• To provide a basic understanding of how a computer represents and processes information.
• To make students aware of the role played by computer hardware in an information system.
• To expose students to various computer hardware options.
• To provide the requisite knowledge of computer hardware to make information system design decisions.
• To demonstrate the impact of the revolution in computer hardware technology on information systems and businesses.

Key Terms

Bit
Byte
EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded)
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
Parity
Pixel
Millisecond
Microsecond
Nanosecond
Kilobyte
Megabyte
Gigabyte
Central processing unit (CPU)
Primary storage
RAM (random access memory)
Semiconductor
ROM (read-only memory)
PROM (programmable read-only memory)
EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory)
Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU)
Control unit
Machine cycle
Computer generations
Microprocessor
Word length
Megahertz
Data bus width
Reduced instruction set computing (RISC)
Mainframe
Minicomputer
Microcomputer
Workstation
Supercomputer
Distributed processing
Centralized processing
Downsizing
Cooperative processing
Parallel processing
Secondary storage
Register
Cache
Magnetic tape
Magnetic disk
Hard disk
Cylinder
Track
RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks)
Floppy disk
Sector
Direct access storage device (DASD)
Optical disk
CD-ROM (compact disk/read-only memory)
WORM (write once, read many)
Magneto-optical disk
Computer mouse
Touch screen
Source data automation
Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR)
Optical character recognition (OCR)
Bar code
Pen-based input
Digital scanners
Voice input device
Sensors
Batch processing
On-line processing
Transaction file
Master file
Video display terminal (VDT)
Bit mapping
Printer
Plotter
Voice output device
Multimedia
Massively parallel computers

Chapter Outline

5.1 What is a Computer System?

System Configuration

Bits and Bytes: How Computers Represent Data

Time and Size in the Computer World

5.2 The CPU and Primary Storage

Primary Storage

Types of Semiconductor Memory

Arithmeric-Logic Unit

Control Unit

5.3 The Evolution of Computer Hardware

Generations of Computer Hardware

What is a Microprocessor? What is a Chip?

5.4 Mainframes, Minicomputers, Microcomputers, Workstations, and Supercomputers

Mainframes, Minis, and Micros

Downsizing and Cooperative Processing

Microcomputers and Workstations

Supercomputers and Parallel Processing

5.5 Secondary Storage

Magnetic Tape

Magnetic Disk

Optical Disks

5.6 Input and Output Devices

Input Devices

Batch and On-Line Input and Processing

Output Devices

5.7 Information Technology Trends

Multimedia

Superchips

Fifth-Generation Computers

Internet Resources

The Intel Corporation Website is a good source on hardware and shows the generations of Intel processors. Furthermore, the brief history of the company shows how technological innovation occurs.

Websites of other hardware and software vendors:

Dell

Apple (look quickly while they're still in business :-)

Cisco (makes networking equipment)

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