Computer_Theory

=COMPUTER THEORY= include component="page" page="menu-computers" editable="1"

What is a Computer?
What exactly qualifies as a "computer"? There are many different ways to answer that question. Try this: (Do this now)
 * Use the web, and try to identify the world's FIRST computer
 * Report your findings to the class

There are many different ways to interpret the question - are we looking at:
 * Mechanical computers
 * Analogue computers
 * Digital Computers
 * Military Computers
 * Personal Computers

Since we're learning to use the computers in our classroom, we will focus on modern digital, personal computer systems.

Computer Systems
A "SYSTEM" a collection of things that somehow work together. A "**Computer System**" is a combination of HARDWARE and SOFTWARE designed to manipulate information.


 * 1. HARDWARE** - Physical "**components**" that have been designed to work together. Hardware components are specificaaly designed to:
 * 1) Input Information
 * 2) Store Information
 * 3) Process Information
 * 4) Output Information


 * 2. SOFTWARE** - Digital information that directs the operation of the hardware. Software can be stored on a "physical medium", but at it's purest, it is just 1's and 0's in meaningful, coded combinations. Three categories of software would include:
 * 1) Applications
 * 2) Documents
 * 3) Data

A [|computer application] is a piece of software that controls the components of a computer, and gives it the ability to perform a specific function. For example:
 * Computer Applications**
 * Word Processing
 * Spreadsheets
 * Graphic Editing
 * Web Browsing
 * Animation
 * Video Editing
 * Games

Are all typical examples of software that can be installed in a computer system to give it a greater range of functions.


 * Applications are typically launched by double clicking a file that has an "EXE" file extension
 * Each different will likely output files in their own "languages", and they may not be compatible with each other.
 * Commercial Applications can cost hundreds of dollars
 * Shareware Applications can be relatively inexpensive, but of limited quality or ability
 * "Open Source" Applications are typically free, and are as good as the people who volunteer to develop them.


 * ~ Exercise ||
 * = Locate the OPENOFFICE applications on the PCAPPS server, and try to figure out what each of the programs is used for. Create and store a document with each of the "APPS" ||

File Formats
Applications that store your work in files each use their own "language". These are referred to as "File Formats". They may be specific to one particular application, or they may be a common standard between many different applications.
 * ~ Extension ||~ File Format (Application) ||
 * .doc || Microsoft Word (word processing) ||
 * .jpg || Jpeg (bitmap image) ||
 * .xls || Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet) ||
 * .htm || Hypertext Markup (webpages) ||

File Extensions
Typically, a file extension is the last three letters of a filename found after a period.

Vocabulary

 * Computer
 * Hardware
 * Software
 * Application
 * Document
 * Component
 * System
 * Chip
 * Motherboard
 * CPU
 * The "Central Processing Unit"
 * Analogy: Like the "Brain" of the computer system; Like the "Engine" of a car - it provides the basic information processing power of the computer system.
 * Brands or Examples: Intel or AMD
 * Architectures: Celeron, Dual Core, Core2 Duo, Core2 Quad, Core i7
 * Features and Metrics: Cache (ie. 8MB L2), Clockspeed (ie. 2.66GHz); Bus (1066FSB)
 * RAM
 * ROM
 * Hard Drive
 * Optical Drive
 * Graphics Card
 * Power Supply


 * COMPUTER VOCAB EXERCISE ||
 * * Create an ODT document called **[LastnameFirstname]_Computer Vocabulary.odt**
 * Put a 32 point title "Computer Vocabulary" at the top of the document Center aligned
 * Create a "Hanging Indent" format, and define each of the terms in the Vocabulary list above. Find a GOOD, but small graphic for each term, and align it to the right side of each definition (Use TEXT WRAP if needed to make it look good)
 * Find the BEST definitions you can from the resources we've identified so far. Don't just "Cut and paste" - try to find MEANINGFUL, efficient definitions. If appropriate, include:
 * Examples
 * Analogies
 * Metrics

||