computer science made simple learn how hardware and software works
Welcome to Computer Science Made Simple, a novice’s guide to one of the most
important fields today. I wrote this book with several kinds of readers in mind. For the
person curious about how computers work and what the computer terms used in
magazine advertisements mean, this book will provide the answers. For those considering
studying computer science, this book will clarify whether the subject is truly interesting
to them. For someone already working in computer science, this book will provide
information about other and newer areas in the field. And for the manager who needs to
communicate with his or her tech people in their own language, this book will ease the
translation.
In short, whether you are a tourist in the world of computers or plan to make a living
there, I know you’ll find Computer Science Made Simple useful.
Because computer science is too large a subject to cover in a single book, I chose to
include topics that are broadly relevant. When choosing between two otherwise equal
topics, I picked the one I thought was the most interesting.
If “technical” subjects sometimes scare you, have no fear: This is computer science made
simple, after all. There’s no required background for reading this book, no mathematics to
solve, and no uncommon terms are used except those the book defines for you. When
possible, I’ve simplified subjects without leaving out essential details. I haven’t shied
away from tricky subjects, but I’ve explained them in a way that I trust anyone can
understand.
Computer Science Made Simple is divided into ten easily digested chapters.
Chapter 1 answers the question, “What is Computer Science?” This chapter distinguishes
computer science from related fields, like information science and computer engineering.
It discusses the fields and careers within the field, and concludes with the highlights in
the history of computers and computer science.
Chapter 2 introduces key concepts, such as the binary system, and describes the
externally visible components of a computer system. The chapter explains not just what
these components do, but how they do it.
Chapter 3 deals with the operation of the hardware inside the computer case. In
particular, you’ll learn the techniques used to make computers faster year after year.
Chapter 4 covers software. While computer science is named for the computer, it’s really
the software that defines our experience with these machines. This chapter lists the
different kinds of software and explains how the most important piece of software—the
operating system—controls the actions of the computer.
Chapter 5 is about programming. This book doesn’t teach you how to program—that
would be a whole book by itself. Instead, you’ll learn how programs work, how they are
designed, and about various programming languages.
Chapter 6 covers networks, where computers communicate with one another across
wires, cables, and optical fiber.
Chapter 7 is about a particular network: the well-known Internet. Its history is discussed,
from humble beginnings to the dramatic explosion of popularity that came about with the
World Wide Web. You’ll learn the technologies behind the operation of the Internet and
see how a web page works.
Chapter 8 covers computer graphics. The ability to visualize whole new worlds is one of
the most exciting developments in the computer revolution.
Chapter 9 covers a few advanced topics that weren’t large enough for their own chapters:
databases, for instance, which store huge amounts of information but must be organized
carefully; and artificial intelligence attempts to get computers to “think.” Today, robots
do jobs that humans once did.
Chapter 10 comments on how computer science affects society. For one, computers have
created challenges to our privacy and to our patent and copyright laws. For another, they
have also changed business, improved education, and created new entertainments.
Finally, at the back of the book you’ll find a glossary of all the terms defined in the text, a
references list, and an index. Often, the sources I used are appropriate for novices, but
some are not, and I’ve tried to steer you to the best places to expand your knowledge.
Computer science has been a part of most of my life. My father sat me down in front of a
teletype computer at his office when I was eleven or twelve, and I’ve been hooked ever
since. I taught myself to program in junior high school, and in time I became a college
professor who, for the last ten years, has taught the subjects covered in Computer Science
Made Simple.
I hope that you’ll enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it, and that you’ll
have moments of joy, as I do when I learn something new about technology, saying under
my breath, “Huh, so that’s how that works.” download from below
V. Anton Spraul
Birmingham, Alabama
<img src="http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af308/SilentHunter316/igh6jqtfsy2hb0tjl2x.gif"/>
http://www.duckload.com/download/4059377/Computer_Science_Made_Simple_Learn_How_Hardware_And_Software_Work.pdf
Welcome to Computer Science Made Simple, a novice’s guide to one of the most
important fields today. I wrote this book with several kinds of readers in mind. For the
person curious about how computers work and what the computer terms used in
magazine advertisements mean, this book will provide the answers. For those considering
studying computer science, this book will clarify whether the subject is truly interesting
to them. For someone already working in computer science, this book will provide
information about other and newer areas in the field. And for the manager who needs to
communicate with his or her tech people in their own language, this book will ease the
translation.
In short, whether you are a tourist in the world of computers or plan to make a living
there, I know you’ll find Computer Science Made Simple useful.
Because computer science is too large a subject to cover in a single book, I chose to
include topics that are broadly relevant. When choosing between two otherwise equal
topics, I picked the one I thought was the most interesting.
If “technical” subjects sometimes scare you, have no fear: This is computer science made
simple, after all. There’s no required background for reading this book, no mathematics to
solve, and no uncommon terms are used except those the book defines for you. When
possible, I’ve simplified subjects without leaving out essential details. I haven’t shied
away from tricky subjects, but I’ve explained them in a way that I trust anyone can
understand.
Computer Science Made Simple is divided into ten easily digested chapters.
Chapter 1 answers the question, “What is Computer Science?” This chapter distinguishes
computer science from related fields, like information science and computer engineering.
It discusses the fields and careers within the field, and concludes with the highlights in
the history of computers and computer science.
Chapter 2 introduces key concepts, such as the binary system, and describes the
externally visible components of a computer system. The chapter explains not just what
these components do, but how they do it.
Chapter 3 deals with the operation of the hardware inside the computer case. In
particular, you’ll learn the techniques used to make computers faster year after year.
Chapter 4 covers software. While computer science is named for the computer, it’s really
the software that defines our experience with these machines. This chapter lists the
different kinds of software and explains how the most important piece of software—the
operating system—controls the actions of the computer.
Chapter 5 is about programming. This book doesn’t teach you how to program—that
would be a whole book by itself. Instead, you’ll learn how programs work, how they are
designed, and about various programming languages.
Chapter 6 covers networks, where computers communicate with one another across
wires, cables, and optical fiber.
Chapter 7 is about a particular network: the well-known Internet. Its history is discussed,
from humble beginnings to the dramatic explosion of popularity that came about with the
World Wide Web. You’ll learn the technologies behind the operation of the Internet and
see how a web page works.
Chapter 8 covers computer graphics. The ability to visualize whole new worlds is one of
the most exciting developments in the computer revolution.
Chapter 9 covers a few advanced topics that weren’t large enough for their own chapters:
databases, for instance, which store huge amounts of information but must be organized
carefully; and artificial intelligence attempts to get computers to “think.” Today, robots
do jobs that humans once did.
Chapter 10 comments on how computer science affects society. For one, computers have
created challenges to our privacy and to our patent and copyright laws. For another, they
have also changed business, improved education, and created new entertainments.
Finally, at the back of the book you’ll find a glossary of all the terms defined in the text, a
references list, and an index. Often, the sources I used are appropriate for novices, but
some are not, and I’ve tried to steer you to the best places to expand your knowledge.
Computer science has been a part of most of my life. My father sat me down in front of a
teletype computer at his office when I was eleven or twelve, and I’ve been hooked ever
since. I taught myself to program in junior high school, and in time I became a college
professor who, for the last ten years, has taught the subjects covered in Computer Science
Made Simple.
I hope that you’ll enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it, and that you’ll
have moments of joy, as I do when I learn something new about technology, saying under
my breath, “Huh, so that’s how that works.” download from below
V. Anton Spraul
Birmingham, Alabama
<img src="http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af308/SilentHunter316/igh6jqtfsy2hb0tjl2x.gif"/>
http://www.duckload.com/download/4059377/Computer_Science_Made_Simple_Learn_How_Hardware_And_Software_Work.pdf
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