Computers in SocietyComputers occupy our attention because they seem to do many things that people do: they manipulate symbols that have meaning; they store information; they answer questions; they participate in the decision-making process; they compute. Computers seem to possess an "intelligence" not found in other machines, and they play an increasingly important role in our society. As responsible citizens, it is important to understand (1) the development of information processing, (2) the basic concepts of computer hardware and software, (3) the social impact of computer usage, and (4) the way in which computers are applied. The purpose of this book is to present information on those topics to those with liberal arts, social science, education, health science, and humanities backgrounds. The book is designed for use in introductory one-semester or one-quarter course. No mathematical or information-processing background is required or assumed; this book can be used without using computers. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
applications arithmetic arithmetic-logic unit BASIC binary bytes central processor chapter characters chips COBOL communications computer systems computer usage control unit cost Creative Computing data processing Datamation decimal decision developed devices discussed disk economic electronic ENIAC equipment example executed floppy disks flowchart functions gas mileage gram hardware human IBM Corp Identify individuals input data INPUT/OUTPUT instructions language line numbers loop machine magnetic tape mainframe micro microcomputer million minicomputer minis models needed numbering system ODOMETER operations organizational organizations output paper tape perform personal computers possible primary storage PRINT printer problem produce program flowchart PROGRAM PREPARATION PROGRAMMING ANALYSIS punched card puter records result secondary storage sentinel value sequence shown in Figure specific speed statement steps storage locations storage unit stored student symbols SYSTEMS STUDIES terminal Thudfoot's timesharing tions trip types variable