Detailed Table of Contents

Part 1  The Basics

Chapter 1  Understanding Computers

Lesson 1A  

Outline
Learning Objectives
The Need for Computer Literacy
The Computer Defined
The Computer: Its Uses
The Five Elements of the Computing Process


Hardware
Software


Programming Languages
System and Application Software Packages


Data
People
Procedures


The Computer: Its Advantages
Positive and Negative Effects
Lesson Summary
Lesson Review
Further Discovery
Online Discovery
Related Web Sites


Lesson 1B  

Outline
Learning Objectives
The First Computers
Clockwork Calculators
Representing Data: From Looms to Business Machines


The Jacquard Loom
Charles Babbage and the First Modern Computer Design
Hollerith and the Automated Census Bureau


Toward Modern Computing


Before the First Generation: Early Electronic Computers
The First Generation (1951 to 1959)
The Second Generation (1959 to 1963)
The Third Generation (1963 to 1975)
The Fourth Generation (1975 to Today)
Computer Technology Today
A Fifth Generation?


Lesson Summary
Lesson Review
Further Discovery
Online Discovery
Related Web Sites


Chapter 2  Computer Hardware

Lesson 2A  

Outline
Learning Objectives
Processing


Data Representation
The Central Processing Unit


Compatibility
Data Bus
System Clock
Address Bus
CISC and RISC
Numeric Coprocessor


New Processor Chips


Intel Chips
Motorola Chips
Digital Equipment Corporation Chips


Memory


RAM (Random-Access Memory)
Cache Memory
ROM (Read-Only Memory)


The Motherboard
Lesson Summary
Lesson Review
Further Discovery
Online Discovery
Related Web Sites


Lesson 2B  

Outline
Learning Objectives
Storage Media


Traditional Storage--Magnetic Tape
Today's Preferred Storage--Magnetic Disk


Floppy Disks and Disk Drives
Hard Disks
Hard Disk Interfaces


The Storage Media of the Future--Optical Disk


Storing Data in Files


Types of Files
Naming Files


Organizing Files into Directories
Storage in Data Processing Applications
Types of Files in Data Processing Applications
File Organization in Data Processing Applications


Sequential File Organization
Direct (Random) File Organization
Indexed Sequential File Organization


Lesson Summary
Lesson Review
Further Discovery
Online Discovery
Related Web Sites


Lesson 2C  

Outline
Learning Objectives
Input Devices


Keyed Input
Pointing Devices


The Mouse and the Trackball
Joysticks
Touch-Sensitive Screens
Pen-Based Systems


Data Scanning Devices
Voice Recognition Devices


Output Devices


Monitors
Audio Output
Printers


Impact Printers
Nonimpact Printers


Plotters
Microfilm, Microfiche, and CD-ROM
Robots


Lesson Summary
Lesson Review
Further Discovery
Online Discovery
Related Web Sites


Lesson 2D  

Outline
Learning Objectives
Supercomputers
Mainframes
Minicomputers
Workstations and Microcomputers


Workstations
Microcomputers


Computers on the Move
Embedded Computers
Connectivity
Lesson Summary
Lesson Review
Further Discovery
Online Discovery
Related Web Sites