Page 3 - Computer Programming

SECTION 1.1
Concepts and
Terminology of a
Computer
PREPARE AND ENGAGE
Q Have students read this lesson.
Q For the As You Read activity,
show students how to create a
6-tab window foldable to show
the major hardware components
of a computer. (Use Figure 1.1 in
the student text.) Prompt students
to cut out the foldable and glue it
into their notebook to use later as
a study guide. Encourage them to
use color and drawings for a deeper
understanding.
2 CHAPTER 1 Q Computer Programming and the Workplace
2 Chapter 1 Computer Programming and the Workplace
1.1 Concepts and Terminology of a Computer
Key
Point The central theme of this book is to learn how to solve problems by writing a
program.
programming This book is about programming. So, what is programming? The term programming
program means to create (or develop) software, which is also called a program. In basic
terms, software contains the instructions that tell a computer—or a computerized
device—what to do.
Software is all around you, even in devices that you might not think would
need it. Of course, you expect to find and use software on a personal computer,
but software also plays a role in running airplanes, cars, cell phones, and even
toasters. On a personal computer, you use word processors to write documents,
Web browsers to explore the Internet, and e-mail programs to send and receive
messages. These programs are all examples of software. Software developers cre-
programming languages ate software with the help of powerful tools called programming languages.
This book teaches you how to create programs by using the Java programming
language. There are many programming languages, some of which are decades
old. Each language was invented for a specific purpose—to build on the strengths
of a previous language, for example, or to give the programmer a new and unique
set of tools. Knowing that there are so many programming languages available, it
would be natural for you to wonder which one is best. But, in truth, there is no
“best” language. Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. Experienced pro-
grammers know that one language might work well in some situations, whereas
a different language may be more appropriate in other situations. For this reason,
seasoned programmers try to master as many different programming languages
as they can, giving them access to a vast arsenal of software-development tools.
If you learn to program using one language, you should find it easy to pick up
other languages. The key is to learn how to solve problems using a programming
approach. That is the main theme of this book.
You are about to begin an exciting journey: learning how to program. At the
outset, it is helpful to review computer basics, programs, and operating systems.
Key What Is a Computer?
Point A computer is an electronic device that stores and processes data.
hardware A computer includes both hardware and software. In general, hardware comprises
software the visible, physical elements of the computer, and software provides the invisible
instructions that control the hardware and make it perform specific tasks. Know-
ing computer hardware isn’t essential to learning a programming language, but it
can help you better understand the effects that a program’s instructions have on
the computer and its components. This section introduces computer hardware
components and their functions.
A computer consists of the following major hardware components (Figure 1.1):
Q A central processing unit (CPU)
Q Memory (main memory)
Q Storage devices (such as disks and CDs)