Chapter 2: Computers

What We’ll Cover >>>

• Types of Computers
• Mobile vs. Computer
• Computing Timeline
• Computer Hardware
• Computer Drives
• Computer Software
• Operating Systems
• MS Windows
• Basic Computer Processing
• Software Updates and Patches

In this chapter, we’ll check out a bunch of computing-related tools. Like anything in technology, this isn’t and can’t be exhaustive, and can be replicated/updated by search engine queries. Yet, this should give you a useful overview you can use in your own further research, study, and practical computer-related skills. It will cover some history and mention some systems that have become obsolete as they were before evolving into current technology. Still, it is worth reviewing so you can get a sense of ‘place’ in computing tools.

Types of Computers

Computers these days keep getting smaller, lighter, more powerful, and sometimes ‘hotter’ in temperature due to how much is packed into them. They were not always small, and back in the day (eons ago when your author was a kid) they could take up huge rooms.

Mainframe computers

Mainframe computer: a high-performance computer used for large-scale information processing and transaction processing tasks, in the thousands of transactions per second. They are primarily used in and for:

• Academics
• E-business/E-commerce
• Enterprise resource planning
• Financial institutions
• Government (census, occupations)
• Health care
• Insurance agencies
• Libraries
• Research
• Statistics

Servers

A server is a primary computer that provides information to other computers that are networked to it. They can be on personal computers or in an organization’s server space. They can also be a mid-range computer that is intermediate in size, power, speed, storage capacity, etc. Examples include:

• Email processing and managing on the Internet.
• File servers for information and data storage in the workplace.
• Hosting websites.
• Managing student and education resources at a college.
• Providing patient data and billing in hospitals.
• Space and tools for computer gaming.

Supercomputer: A supercomputer used to be huge, and could process massive amounts of data and do a great amount of computation very quickly. They still exist and have changed form into chains of computers and networking tools. Supercomputers are used for systems, computations, and very large database/information storage related to:

• Aerospace
• Climatology
• Defense
• Education
• Engineering
• Financial sector
• Government
• Petroleum/fuels
• Science and Research

Personal computers

A personal computer (PC) is a small computer designed for use by a single user at a time. A PC simply refers to a personal computer, even if it is considered to be a Windows machine, a Mac, a Linux machine. It used to be called a microcomputer, and now but it can refer to any kind of small computer, like a desktop unit, laptop, smartphone, tablet, and wearable. It uses a chip (microprocessor) for its central processing unit (CPU).

Types of personal computers

• Desktop unit: Designed to stay at one location and fits on or under a desk. It generally uses ‘peripheral’ units for input and output of information, like a keyboard, screen monitor, and a system unit “tower” which houses the computing hardware elements.
• Laptop/notebook: A portable personal computer. It can rest on a user’s lap, a café table, an airplane’s tray, a school desk, or a meeting room conference table. It can be powered when plugged in or by a battery during travel. It includes a screen and a keyboard with a touchpad, plus wireless peripheral capabilities.
• Smartphone: A mobile phone unit that integrates additional computing technology for “light” programs (apps designed for speed and small size) that can appear on a personal computer and various small apps that can aid in communication, productivity, fun, collaborating, etc.
• Tablet: A wireless touchscreen PC that is smaller and weighs less than the average laptop. It can be paperback book size up to the dimensions of a sheet of paper, and can be easily mobile in a backpack or briefcase.
• Wearable: These can include mini computers like music players, fitness units, health and sleep regulators, enhanced watches that track navigation, and virtual eyeglasses that show a computer interface.

Legacy systems

Technically not a “type” of computer, but an ongoing usage challenge. A legacy system is outdated computing hardware – mainframe, supercomputer, personal computer. Also outdated use of computing software, like an older operating system, proprietary database and information retention applications, and processing programs. It sends to still be in use because the system still meets the needs for which it was originally designed. The challenge is that it isn’t scalable or allow for growth or more than cosmetic improvements. A legacy system replacement is the necessary (and usually very costly) solution.

Mobile vs. Computer

Currently, you can find information through a search engine about how mobile/smartphones are a leading technology for people to access information, stay connected, check email, fill out job applications, organize time and commitments, have quick online meetings, and generally fun and entertaining use. You can shop for groceries, order tickets, take pictures at your own car accident, plan alternative routes on a trip, check for open hours at an attraction, update friends on social media, etc. You can also touch up homework and submit files online, get quick information before a meeting, look at a quick cooking video, confirm instructions, and the list goes on.

For many people, particularly those with lower income and/or low access to home computers, the smartphone has become an affordable and easier-to-get tool for so many online-related and necessary daily functions. Many students – particularly in low-Wi-Fi connected rural areas, lower income regions, mobile life circumstances, and areas with limited library/community center access – only have reliable access to information and services on their smartphone. A lot of college learners come from high school with limited computer experience but a lot of smartphone skills and use.

For the purposes of this book, however, we will not focus on or do direct support of smartphones. Why?

Mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, may use different operating systems than computers. Computer and mobile operating systems are different because they are developed for different uses and attention needs. Computer systems will have to store lots of complex data, have a different user interface, and be prepared for printing, removable disks, a mouse, keyboard, and an expectation of some quality time and attention for the workload. They feature a desktop screen space and a Control Panel for users to manage all of their information. Computer operating systems have been around longer, and therefore are more familiar.

Mobile devices don’t feature a desktop in the same way as a full PC computer for school and office use. Their user interface is much more about simple moves, things you can do with your fingers or voice, a small viewing space, and limited time/space for attention span (think ‘on the move’). While you can make a mobile phone do almost anything – for deeper learning of programs, output writing and preparation of complex assignments, and using multiple integrated tools in finding solutions – the question is “should we”? As time and technology continue to speed up and as apps are created for everything under the sun, many would say yes. In workplaces where complex work needs human interaction, comprehension, and massive amounts of data space, the answer is still – more often than not – likely to be no. Cell phones may a support, not a main work processing tool for many workplaces, and they are often still perceived as attention-grabbing distractions and potential wi-fi security threats.

In addition, just as an addendum, the use of phones keeps us ‘always on’. Since there are apps for everything, and since the whole experience of the smartphone is about stimulation and quick response, we may be having more trouble keeping needed attention span, attention to detail, and slowing down needed for complex and multi-part work activities. One only need search the web for plenty of references to overworked, overstressed, and under detail-oriented employees. Distracted employees. Employees who use personal phones for personal use at any time of the day, game while on the job, who grab information quickly without actually attributing or reflecting on it, and so on. The mobile phone is a compact workstation, camera, gaming console, a camera, e-book reader, a notebook, music collection, movie viewer, a map and compass, and authenticator. It is connection to healthcare, events, kids’ daycare, school assignments, rides to locations, etc.

If you’ve got work activities that need complete focus and minimal interruptions, then is your smartphone really the best way to do it? Is it the most professional way for all meetings, when the signal is so often intermittent/interrupted, and your conferencing goes down? Is it the healthiest way – for your eyes, for your attention span, for your stress levels, for your posture while keyboarding and document creation and distribution? Can you reliably do graphic design campaign work, a Master’s thesis project, construction CAD drawing, give in-person tours, complete sorts and filters of massive amounts of information, and so on? And, will all workplaces allow the use of your personal smartphone – or limit it so that you can focus on your work and the employment environment instead of your personal life? Or, will workplaces provide you with smartphones, and an expectation that you will somehow be available and working in some way 24/7, with no real privacy and protections?

Lots of good questions. Only time will tell, especially if future technology visualization and input tools for smartphones – and processing power/Cloud interface – all mesh up. Wouldn’t it be great if we could actually project a touch keyboard and stable large viewscreen from a wristwatch so we could always be mobile and have access to really great viewability and processes? Humans are inventive and resourceful. However, for the purposes of this textbook, we will not focus much more on the smartphone – other than as an as-needed reference or example. This course will focus on primary PC desktop / laptop / and some general tablet tools, and the things that support them in our education and work places.

Computing Timeline

• 1936: first programmable computer, which could carry out a finite set of arithmetic or logical operations.
• 1947/48: The transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify and switch electronic signals and electrical power on and off.
• 1952: IBM programmed the first self learning computer to play checkers. The FORTRAN scientific programming language was developed in 1957.
• 1958: The integrated circuit, a set of electronic circuits on one “chip” of semiconductor material. Sort of like a biological Brain Neuron – a cell and the transmitting dendrites (say in the brain).
• 1960s: Central processing unit (CPU), which is hardware within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program ;by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. Sort of like the Human Brain’s Cerebrum.
• 1964: IBM created the first computer system family for commercial and scientific use.
• 1971: Computer microprocessor, which incorporates the functions of a computer on a single or several integrated circuits/chips.
• 1974/75: First consumer computer (Apple 1in 1976, TRS-80 in 1977).
• 1981: The IBM PC – home computer was introduced, leading later to the Commodore 64 in 1982, Macintosh OS in 1984, and the Windows 1.0 on the IBM compatible computers in 1985).
• 1989: Creation of the World Wide Web.
• 1992: First smartphone was created.
• 2000: First USB Flash Drive.
• 2016: Sophia The Robot Is Created
• 2016: First Reprogrammable Quantum Computer

Computer Hardware

Now we go back to desk/table-related computing, whether in the office, at home, in a café, or on a plane.

Computer hardware includes any physical device or equipment used in or with a computer system (anything you can see, hear, and touch). This includes what is physically inside the computer and what it physically links to for input of information and output of results.

Internal hardware: Devices or components that are located inside the computer. Examples include the case, CPU, hard disk drive, ROM, RAM, Bios, etc.

• Battery: A device consisting of one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy.
• Cables: Allow connecting devices to a computer.
• Cards (video, audio): An expansion card (printed circuit board) that can be inserted into an electrical connector or expansion slot on a computer motherboard to add functionality to a computer system.
• Central Processing Unit (CPU): The hardware within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system.
• Fan(s): Used for active cooling of computer components; draw cooler air into the case from the outside, expel warm air from inside, move air across a heat sink to cool a particular component. etc.
• Graphic Processing Unit (GPU): Motherboard: The main printed circuit board (PCB) found in computers and other expandable systems; it holds many of the electronic components of the system and provides connectors for other peripherals.
• Integrated Circuit: A set of electronic circuits on one small plate (“chip”) of semiconductor material, normally silicon. CPU, RAM, etc.
• Memory controller circuit: A digital circuit which manages the flow of data going to and from the main memory – RAM.
• Modems (internal, radio/Wi-Fi, broadband/DSL): A device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. For networking.
• Motherboard: The main printed circuit board (PCB) found in computers and other expandable systems; it holds many of the electronic components of the system and provides connectors for other peripherals.
• RAM: Allows stored data to be accessed directly in any random order; serves as temporary storage and working space for the operating system and applications.
• ROM: Hard-wired, non-volatile memory; use for data storage and storage of computer programs.

MedAttrib: tutorialsmate.com ©2023. Parts of a desktop computer.

External hardware: Devices (peripherals that are located outside the computer).

• Input device: a piece of hardware device which is used to enter information to a computer for processing. Examples: keyboard, mouse, trackpad (or touchpad), touchscreen, joystick, microphone, light pen, and webcam.
• Output device: a piece of hardware device that receives information from a computer. Examples: monitor, printer, scanner, speaker, display screen (tablet, smartphone …), projector, head phone, etc.

Peripherals include:

• Keyboard: an input device (the set of typewriter-like keys) that allows a user to enter characters (letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) into a computer.
• Mouse: a hand-held pointing device that can control the position of a cursor (pointer) on a display screen.
• Printer: an output device linked to a computer. It transfers the information (text, images, etc.) to paper.
• Screen monitor: a display screen used to display information (text, image, video, etc.) processed by a computer.
• Trackpad (or touchpad): a small flat surface on a laptop or other computer that does the same things as a mouse (a trackpad is a built-in mouse).
• USB drive: a small portable storage device used to store or transfer data for computers. It is often used for storage, data backup, and transfer of computer files. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. Other common names for a USB drive: flash drive, USB stick, pen drive, thumb drive, etc.

Memory

Computers have categories of memory for storing data:

• Non-volatile Memory: This is what a hard disk drive, a USB flash drive and ROM provide. It is memory that remains when a computer is rebooted, turned off for the night, and when a used hard disk is moved from one machine into another.
• Volatile memory: Memory that loses its contents when the computer or hardware device is switched off. This is what RAM is. It exists to assist in processing power, and also to hold temporary information for user action – like the clipboard that holds copied or cut text/images to be pasted elsewhere.

Computer Drives

As noted above, the computer hard disk drive (HDD) is the main data storage device that stores and retrieves information, data, files, programs, etc., from a disk. There can be more than one type of drive on a computer.

Types of Computer Drives

Disk drive (location): A computer device that stores and retrieves information, data, files, programs, etc., from a disk. The drive is often referred to by its letter (your drive letter may differ). There can be more than one drive on a computer.

• Hard disk drive (HDD) is the physical hard / fixed disk. It can be interface with the computer with different connecting parts between the computer and the hard drive that use moving parts and magnetism. This is where the name SATA, PATAm SCSI, or NVMe variants come from. The HDD is usually designated as the “C: drive.” However, it can be ‘partitioned’:
• A partition is a logical coded division of a hard disk that is treated as a separate unit by operating systems (OSes) and file systems. Each partition behaves and stores information as if it were a separate hard drive. Therefore a computer might have a “C” drive and a “D” drive although both are physically the same HDD unit.
• Network drive: Allows users to instantly grant access to shared files from one computer to another. It is usually designated as the “U: or Z: drive.”
• Optical disk drive (ODD): Allows you to use CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs for music, movies, and entertainments. If the drive is writable too, you can create your own music CDs and video DVDs, and create of back-up copy of your important data files. CD/DVD drive is a is usually designated as the “D: or G: drive.”
• Solid State drive (SSD): they don’t consist of moving parts, and they don’t use magnetism for storing data. They tend to transfer data faster than HDD drives and allow faster boot times.
• Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive: A removable drive that can be inserted into a USB port, and provides a certain amount of storage space. It is often designated as the “E:, H:, or K: drive.”

Computer Bit Types

• Bit systems: The bit system of a computer is based on the capacity of external buses, as well as a computer’s chipset and motherboard limitations. The bit-size is based on the bus size even if they have some higher bit internal capabilities.
• 8-bit computer: CPUs that can access 8 bits of data in a single machine instruction, or the number of bits used to represent memory addresses.
• 16-bit computer: CPUs that can access 16 bits of data, like those in early x86 computers in the 80s, and Motorola 68000 Mac models.
• 32-bit computer: CPUs that can access 32 bits of data, like those in later x86, Pentium computers and through Windows XP, and the Motorola 68020 and later Macs.
• 64-bit computer: CPUs that can access 64 bits of data, like those in Vista and later Windows OS computers, and Mac OS X 10.5 and later.
• Higher bit computers are backwards compatible in use. Their operating systems and various programs may not be.

Space

A computer has space available for processing and storing data. Back in the day (Jurassic times) the author experienced the wonders of kilobytes, and eventually the incredible space of 100 MB on a zip disk. Wow!

Space (the available room to be processed and used by actual data) is expressed in bytes (and variants). The number of bits of data are combined in a binary computer language that is then translated into the activity that works computing activities. Computer memory and disk space are measured in these units.

Of course, that was ages ago. Space has increased. A lot. Mindboggling amounts.

Memory units

• Bit – core binary unit
• Byte – 8 bits, expression of
• Kilobyte – Approx 1000 bytes
• Megabyte – Approx 1000 kilobytes
• Gigabyte – Approx 1000 megabytes
• Terabyte – Approx 1000 gigabytes

And so on with Petabyte, Exabyte, Zettabyte, Yottabyte. Really BIG amounts of computing storage and usage space.

Don’t panic.

Basic computing language

A computer processor contains decisive circuits, each one of which may be either OFF or ON. These two states in terms of memory are represented in a binary code (either/or) called a bit, and represented by a 0 or 1. To count higher than 1 (and communicate data in varying ways), bits are expressed together. A group of eight bits is known as a byte. A byte can have any mix of binary code (0s and 1s) that represent larger numbers and letters.

• If everything Humans need to be translated into computer terms stayed at 0 or 1, nothing would get done.
• The problem is, there is no “binary” number for 2, or 10, or 9999 M&Ms. Argh!!!
• In Decimal counting (0-9), after 9 we add a “1” to the left of the “0” to get 10, and do the same thing as the decimal numbers move up.
• This happens in Binary as well! 0=0, 1=1, 10=2, 11=3, 100=4, 101=5, 110=6, 111=7, etc.

This is my name – LJ Bothell (including the space) – in binary:

• 01001100 01001010 00100000 01000010 01101111 01110100 01101000 01100101 01101100 01101100

Computer Software

Computer software: a set of instructions or programs that tells a computer what to do or how to perform a specific task (computer software operates on hardware).

Main types of software: application software and systems software.

• Application software: A computer program that provides users with tools to accomplish a specific task. Examples of program / application software: word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, database management, Internet browsers, email programs, media players, accounting, translation, desktop publishing.
• System Software: Designed to operate a computer’s hardware and application software, and make the computer system available for use. It serves as the interface between hardware, application software, and the user. It allocates system resources, manages storage space, and provides security.

Main types of systems software: Operating system, device driver, productivity software, utility software. Most other software falls into one of these categories.

Operating system (OS): a software that controls and coordinates the computer hardware devices and processes other software and applications on a computer. It is the main part of system software, and a computer will not function without it.

• Main functions of an operating system: booting the computer, managing system resources (CPU, memory, storage devices, printer, etc.), managing files, handling input and output, executing and providing services for application software, etc. Examples of operating system: Microsoft Windows, Apple iOS, Android OS, macOS, Linux, etc.

Device driver: a software program that is designed to control a particular hardware device that is attached to a computer. It acts as a translator between the hardware device and operating systems or applications that use it and instructs computer on how to communicate with the device. Examples include: printer driver, display driver, USB driver, sound card driver, motherboard driver, ROM driver, etc.

Productivity software: A type of software program that helps users produce work products like documents, databases, spreadsheets, graphs, visual design projects, and presentations.

Utility software: A type of system software that helps set up, analyze, configure, strengthen, maintain a computer and performs a very specific task (e.g. antivirus software, backup software, memory tester, screen saver, etc.). Additional utility software can also be external to the operating system.

Operating Systems

An operating system (OS) is the interface software that manages a computer’s processes and links the computer user to the machine. It manages the computer’s memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows the user to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer’s language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.

The computer’s OS also manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are several different computer programs operating at the same time, and they all need to access your computer’s central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The OS coordinates all of this to make sure each program gets what it needs. For instance, a user might be working on a book about business technology, have a browser open for quick reference searches, have a workplace email account open with unread emails, and have some mellow music playing in the background. The OS manages all that and allocates processing speed and RAM to keeping the applications active and functioning.

Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on a computer. It is also possible to upgrade or even change operating systems, such as moving to a more recent version, a business rather than personal version, or from a Windows to a Linux-based OS.

Most operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI (pronounced goo-ee). A GUI lets you use your mouse to click icons, buttons, and menus. Everything is clearly displayed on the screen using a combination of graphics and text. Back in 1985, the author saw the first version of Microsoft Windows, which was a shock and appealing substitute to keying in basic computing commands in DOS.

Standard functions of an OS include:

• Booting: The process of turning on the computer and powering up the system.
• Data security: Keeping data safe inside the computer and computer programs, by setting up security features that keep unwanted cyberattacks away.
• Device controlling: Allowing opened or blocked access to devices like CD/DVDs, data transfer devices, the camera, the microphone, a printer, USB drives, the keyboard, the mouse, etc.
• Disk management: Managing all the drives installed in a computer like hard drives, optical disk drives, and flash drives. Disk management can be used to divide disks, format drives, and more.
• Loading and execution: Loading, or starting-up, a program and then executing the program so that it opens and works.
• Memory management: Controlling and coordinating the computer applications and allocate space for programs to function.
• Print control: Controlling the printers that are connected to the computer, and the settings that are needed to send and accomplish a print job.
• Process management: Allocating resources to different processes on the machine, enabling the processes to share information, protect operations, and synchronize activities.
• User interface: Allowing a user to enter and receive information. This can be done with typed commands, code, and clicking icons/buttons and menu items.

Common Operating Systems:

• Apple MacOS
• ChromeOS for Chromebooks
• Google Android OS for tablets
• Linux open source based on Unix
• Microsoft Windows
• Ubuntu based on Debian

Microsoft® Windows®

Since Microsoft® Windows® currently holds the majority of the business market share and colleges/schools tend to have PCs and Windows/Microsoft® Office®, we will primarily focus on Microsoft going forward in this textbook. Some MacOS shortcuts and variations will be covered when possible. The overall business technology principles and examples should work regardless of OS version, although the user interfaces will have differences.

Windows 11

Microsoft® Windows® (MS Windows / Windows) is an operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation that works with traditional desktop and laptop PCs, and with mobile computing devices.

The major tasks of Windows are to:

• Manage the computer’s hardware: the printers, scanners, disk drives, monitors, and other hardware attached to it.
• Manage the application software installed on the computer—programs like those in Microsoft® Office® (MS Office) and other programs installed to edit photos and videos, play games, play music, design graphic art projects, so taxes, and so on.
• Manage and store the data generated from application software. Data refers to the documents, worksheets, pictures, songs, and so on that one creates and stores during the day-to-day computer use.
• Provide utility applications to evaluate and manage hardware processing of the computer. For instance, the Task Manager can show what tasks or applications are using the most CPU processing or slowing computer performance. Utilities will be covered in more detail in a later chapter.

The Windows OS is additionally optimized for touchscreen tablets and convertible laptop computers. Windows handles input devices like the mouse, keyboard, touchscreen, and pen stylus.

Basic Computer Processing

The process that a computer follows for a user to work with it is fairly simple, though tons of coding, activities, and steps happen in invisible ways.

• Boot-up: The computer, when turned on, has to go through a necessary hardware ‘wake-up’. This includes accessing the ROM firmware that pushes the computer through the basic steps prior to loading the actual operating system, like hardware settings such as date and time.
• Loaded software: Once the OS is fully active, the user can access any of the installed programs and resources for input, output, printing, and all other functionalities.
• Operating system: The OS interface opens so that a user can access menus, icons, files, data, computing workspace, and from utilities and applications in the computer. The OS may require a log-in password or PIN depending on the version of the OS.
• Services: Various OS-initiated background tasks that process activities such as access to web resources and files, event logging, and error reporting. They work across the computer system, but don’t interact with users directly or have a user interface.
• Start-up activities: As the OS opens, the computer will also activate several processes and services which guide the computer to access the Internet for handshakes and permissions to use the software. The fewer required startup programs that are enabled, the more efficient the computer processing can be. Important processes – which may or may not show desktop taskbar notifications – include:
• Antivirus / security program
• Audio/sound
• Battery power
• Display settings
• Wi-Fi connection

MedAttrib: author-generated. Computer boot-up process.

Computer Processing order

• Input (based on input devices like the on button, keyboard) requests information from software.
• CPU/microprocessor responds to the input of hard drive space software instructions.
• CPU starts moving active instructions and data to the Main Memory (the computer’s temporary read-write dynamic RAM area) to organize and speed processing, using the Memory Controller. This is a repeating fetch, decode, execute process.
• CPU gets help from attached static RAM cache space, which speeds up access to the dynamic RAM.
• CPU starts processing instructions and sending signals, through the buses, to appropriate units like the video, audio, and peripheral cards, then discards/stores finished info/actions as it gets more new info to process.
• Secondary memory (ROM – read only memory – hard drive memory chips, external disks) is where the body of information the computer stores goes for later use.

In Human Terms:

• Alarm clock goes off (the computer on-button).
• Human comes partly awake and aware (Bios, startup of Operating System).
• Human shuts alarm off (Operating System beginning to act and make hardware connections).
• Human smells coffee (new Input).
• Human recognizes smell of coffee (RAM activity) and considers taking action (Processing).
• Human sits up (Output).
• Human heads to coffee (more Output, also partly based on ROM info in brain storage as to where coffee is and what it does).

Computer Interpretation

Computers do not speak human. They do not actually recognize the meaning of data at all. Computers just respond to electrical impulses, which is their Primer.

Computers handle 2 decisions: Do Act or Don’ Act, Yes or No, On or Off, etc.

• Are there M&Ms? Yes or No.

However, computers need instructions to act if we want more than just a simple yes or no. This is considered to be an If-Then query.

• If there are M&Ms, then eat some. If there are not M&Ms, then do not eat some.

But, what if you want more options? Let’s face it, if everything was just yes and no, even basic processing gets boring and not very helpful. Therefore, we have the If-Then-Else query:

• If there are M&Ms, then eat some. If there are not M&Ms (say they have all been eaten), then (do something else) are there Reese’s Pieces?
• If there are Reese’s Pieces, then eat some. If there are not Reese’s Pieces, then don’t eat some.

There are several additional decision structures that computers process by, but this gives you a starting point in basic computer logic.

Computer Translation

• Computers do not comprehend or care what M&Ms are. M&Ms and every other request is just dumb input data for a computer and means nothing. The only thing that means something is Active or Inactive. But how does a computer take what we input and translate it so that it can process and output a response to our requests?
• Computer applications just manipulate the contents of memory stores with the no/yes decisions. Note that this does not mean that the contents of those memory stores have a guarantee of accuracy.

Software Updates and Patches

Software update: A software update can be a combination of new or enhanced OS or software features. These can include additional security protocols, adjustments to a software’s user interface, or an improvement in a software feature. The OS accepts and delivers the updates so that applications can operate efficiently. These can be scheduled or accepted and processed manually by the user.

Software patch: Patches are meant to fix security vulnerabilities, like code or processes in the OS or software could leave a computing device open to remote access, theft of information, malware, etc.

ACTION: Quick Task

With the system properties, examine your own computer – whether it is a laptop, desktop, or tablet. If needed, also search your computer for some of this information. What does it show you about your computer’s setup for:

• Graphics card (GPU)
• Installed RAM
• Operating System
• Processor (CPU)
• Size of your primary disk drive
• System Type

Take a screenshot or two if this is an assignment you need to submit, and feel free to white-out any personally confidential information that might show.

ACTION: Quick Task

What 5 (five) most important tasks do you use your cell phone / smart phone for?

ACTION: Scenario

If you needed to purchase a computer in the next couple of weeks, you would want to research what you really need so that you could get one that will serve you for 2-5 years, meet your needs, have lots of space, and operate the highest-level programs that you personally use.

Actions: Choose a computer spec request below, do some research of computer reviews and sales. Then, choose a mid-priced computer that meets your Processing unit, RAM, Graphic Processing Unit, and Disk size needs. If this is an assignment, take a screenshot or two of what you find and cite the URL of the source information.

• Option 1: Gaming computer, for Ram and Graphics intensive games like ARK Survival Evolved, Final Fantasy XV, No Man’s Sky, or another of your own favorite high-resource consumption online games.
• Option 2: Mobile workplace computer. Should have some emphasis on connection and communication tools, productivity programs and storage space, and security.
• Option 3: Your dream computer. The world is your oyster, and you might consider AI-related processes, VR visualization, mega gaming, heavy use for arts/CAD/design, whatever. These will likely need loads of RAM, graphics processing, space, and resource organization capabilities.