CMPE – 003: Computer Concepts

Exam #1 Review of Chapters 1-3, 8, and the appendix

 

Appendix

The Continuing Story of the Computer Age:  Past, Present, and Future

 

Important Points:

 

1.DESCRIBE THE GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER DESIGN LEADING UP TO THE PRESENT

a.The First Generation

i.1951–1958

i.vacuum tube

i.magnetic core memory

i.storage on punched cards and tape

i.machine language

i.UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer) – first computer built for business rather than military, science, or engineering

a.The Second Generation

i.1959–1964

i.transistor

i.programming languages including assembly language, FORTRAN, COBOL

i.storage using removable disk packs and magnetic tape

i.used primarily by business, universities, government

a.The Third Generation

i.1965–1970

i.integrated circuit

i.upward compatibility

i.unbundled software

i.several programs share computer’s resources

i.interactive processing

a.The Fourth Generation

i.1971–present

i.microprocessor

i.explosive growth

i.found in homes

i.the Internet revolution

1.started as ARPANET – a network of computers that could survive a nuclear attack

1.attractive to the average user

·links

·graphical browser

a.The Fifth Generation (mid-1990s)

i.intelligent computers/computer intelligence

1.artificial intelligence

1.expert systems

1.natural language

1.robotics

1.DESCRIBE THE STORY OF PERSONAL COMPUTER DEVELOPMENT

a.Apple (1975)

i.home use

i.VisiCalc spreadsheet software

a.IBM (1981)

i.became industry standard

i.improved keyboard

i.80-character screen

i.ability to add memory

i.expansion slots

i.encouraged hardware and software development by others

i.nonproprietary parts

i.clones

a.Microsoft/Intel

i.Wintel

1.Microsoft supplies operating system for PC – MS-DOS, Windows

1.Intel supplies microprocessor

1.primary standard

i.continually challenged – others making inroads

1.handheld computers – Palm

1.Linux – graphical user interface operating system

a.The Internet Revolution

i.Attractive to the average user

1.links

1.graphical browser

1.explosive growth of PC market to support Internet use

a.The Fifth Generation (mid-1990s)

1.EXPLAIN THE UNDERLYING CONCEPTS AND TERMS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

a.How computers can be used for tasks that require human characteristics

a.How to make computers do things that people currently do better

a.Make computers learn

i.improve performance based on past errors

i.knowledge base – set of facts and rules

i.inference engine – applies rules to the facts to create new facts

i.evolving science

i.subsets

1.problem solving

1.natural languages

1.expert systems

1.robotics

1.EXPLAIN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF EXPERT SYSTEMS, ROBOTICS, AND VIRTUAL REALITY

a.Expert Systems

i.software used with an extensive set of organized data that presents the computer as an expert on a particular topic

i.user

1.knowledge seeker

1.asks questions in English-like format

i.responds with an answer and explanation

i.need

1.expert system shell – software that contains the basic structure used to find answers to questions

1.knowledge engineer – writes rules

a.Robotics

i.computer-controlled device that can physically manipulate its surroundings

i.primarily found in factories

i.field robots

1.dangerous work

1.“dirty” jobs

a.Virtual reality (VR)

i.engages a user in a computer-created environment

i.user physically interacts with computer-created environment

i.immersion – user becomes absorbed in the VR interaction

i.how it works

1.alters perceptions

1.appeals to several senses at once

1.presents images that respond immediately to users movements

1.GIVE EXAMPLES OF THE IMPACT THESE FIELDS HAVE ON BUSINESS AND EVERYDAY LIFE

a.Identify relationships in data and use the information to optimize profits

a.Computer robots sent to do dangerous work in place of humans

a.Using expert systems to assist with business decisions such as determining the best place to drill for oil or whether to invest in new stocks

a.Use VR to simulate a showroom so customers at a distance can visit or to simulate a patient so doctors can try a new medical procedure

 

Review the Lecture Notes in particular


 

 

 

 

Describe the generations of computer design leading up to the present

The First Generation

1951-1958

Vacuum Tube

Magnetic core memory

Storage on punched cards and tape

Machine language

UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer) – first computer built for business rather than military, science, or engineering

The Second Generation

1959-1964

Transistor

Programming languages including Assembly language, FORTRAN, COBOL

Storage using removable disk packs and magnetic tape

Used primarily by business, university, government

The Third Generation

1965-1970

Integrated Circuit

Upward compatibility

Unbundled software

Several programs share computers resources

Interactive processing

The Fourth Generation

1971-Present

Microprocessor

Explosive growth

Found in homes

The Internet Revolution

Started as ARPANet – a network of computers that could survive a nuclear attack

Attractive to the average user

Links

Graphical browser

The Fifth Generation (mid 1990s)

Intelligent computers/computer intelligence

Artificial intelligence

Expert systems

Natural language

Robotics

Describe the story of personal computer development

Apple (1975)

Home use

VisiCalc spreadsheet software

IBM (1981)

Became industry standard

Improved keyboard

80-character screen

Add memory

Expansion slots

Encouraged hardware and software development by others

Nonproprietary parts

Clones

Microsoft/Intel

Wintel

Microsoft supplies operating system for PC – MS-DOS, Windows

Intel supplies microprocessor

Primary standard

Continually challenged – others making inroads

Handheld computers – Palm

Linux – graphical user interface operating system

The Internet Revolution

Attractive to the average user

Links

Graphical browser

Explosive growth of PC market to support Internet use

The Fifth Generation (mid 1990s)

Intelligent computers/computer intelligence

Artificial intelligence

Expert systems

Natural language

Robotics

Explain the underlying concepts and terms of artificial intelligence

How computers can be used for tasks that require human characteristics

How to make computers do things that people currently do better

Make computers learn

Improve performance based on past errors

Knowledge base – set of facts and rules

Inference engine – applies rules to the facts to create new facts

Evolving science

Subsets

Problem solving

Natural languages

Expert systems

Robotics

Explain the fundamentals of expert systems, robotics, and virtual reality

Expert Systems

Software used with an extensive set of organized data that presents the computer as an expert on a particular topic

User

Knowledge seeker

Asks questions in English-like format

Responds with an answer and explanation

Need

Expert system shell – software that contains the basic structure used to find answers to questions

Knowledge engineer – writes rules

Robotics

Computer-controlled device that can physically manipulate its surroundings

Primarily found in factories

Field robots

Dangerous work

“Dirty” jobs

Virtual Reality (VR)

Engages a user in a computer-created environment

User physically interacts with computer-created environment

Immersion – user becomes absorbed in the VR interaction

How it works

Alters perceptions

Appeals to several senses at once

Presents images that respond immediately to users movements

Give examples of the impact these fields have on business and everyday life

Identify relationships in data and use the information to optimize profits

Computer robots sent to do dangerous work in place of humans

Using expert systems to assist with business decisions such as determining the best place to drill for oil or whether to invest in new stocks

Use VR to simulate a showroom so customers at a distance can visit; try a new medical procedure on a simulated patient.

 

 

 

Chapter 1

Computers:  Tools for an Information Age

 

Important Points:

1.                   DESCRIBE THE THREE FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS  OFCOMPUTERS

a.       Characteristics

                                                   i.            speed

                                                 ii.            reliability

                                                iii.            storage capability

b.       Results

                                                   i.            productivity

                                                 ii.            decision making

                                                i.            cost reduction

                                                iii.             

1.DESCRIBE AT LEAST FOUR AREAS OF SOCIETY IN WHICH COMPUTERS ARE USED

a.Education & Training

a.Business

                        i.retailing

                        i.graphics

                        i.energy

                        i.money

                        i.agriculture

                        i.paperwork

a.Transportation

a.Government & Law Enforcement

a.Home

a.Health & Science

                        i.medicine

                        i.human connection

                        i.robotics

a.Connectivity

 

2.                   IDENTIFY THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM: INPUT, PROCESSING, OUTPUT, AND STORAGE

a.       IPOS cycle

                                                   i.            input

1.       data provided to computer

2.       converted to electronic form

                                                 ii.            process

1.       data is manipulated

                                                iii.            output

1.       result of manipulation

2.       data is converted from electronic form to some other form

                                               iv.            storage

1.       data and/or information is saved for future use

                                                 v.            IPOS is directed by software instructions but performed by the hardware

b.                   Computer System

                                                   i.            hardware

1.       input devices

2.       processor / central processing unit (CPU)

3.       output devices

4.       storage / secondary storage

-        long term use

-        nonvolatile

5.       memory / primary storage

-        temporary use

-        volatile

                                                 ii.            software

1.       program

2.       set of instructions that tells the computer what to do

3.       basic types

-        system software or operating system (OS)

-        application software

                                                iii.            people

1.       technical individuals including computer programmers

2.       users

 

3.                   LIST SOME COMMON INPUT, OUTPUT, AND STORAGE MEDIA

a.       Input

                                                   i.            keyboard

                                                 ii.            mouse

                                                iii.            scanner

b.       Output

                                                   i.            monitor

                                                 ii.            printer

c.       Storage Media

                                                   i.            magnetic disk

1.       hard diskuses magnetic disk drive for I/O

2.       disketteexamples

-            hard disk

-            diskette

                                                 ii.            optical disk

1.       CD-ROMuses optical disk drive for I/O

2.       DVD-ROMexamples

-            CD-ROM

-            DVD-ROM

                                                iii.            magnetic tape

1.uses tape drive for I/O

1. 

1.DISTINGUISH DATA FROM INFORMATION

a.Data

                                                      i.raw facts

                                                      i.provided to computer as input

a.Information

                                                      i.organized

                                                      i.useful

                                                      i.provided to the user as output

 

4.                   DESCRIBE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NETWORKING

a.       Enables

                                                   i.            sharing of resources

                                                 ii.            communication

b.       Types

                                                   i.            local area network (LAN)

                                                 i.            wide area network (WAN)

                                                 ii.             

1.EXPLAIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INTERNET

a.World-wide communication

a.Collection of networks

a.Unowned

a.Used for

                                                      i.communication

                                            &nbs