Table Of Content
A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S
First and foremost, I want to thank to my wife, Mary Beth, for her support and for
pretending not to notice the various home improvement projects that didn’t get done. I
also extend thanks to everyone whose work improved this book, including my chief
editor, Roger Masse, and all at The Philip Lief Group, Inc. including Jill Korot, Judy
Linden, and Albry Montalbano. Thanks also to Scott Nurkin for translating my ugly stick
figures into the illustrations you see on these pages. Finally, thanks to ACCIS: the
president, Betty Howell; the dean, Ronan O’Beirne; and all the other faculty members,
staff, and students I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years.
CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1: What Is Computer Science?
Introduction to Computing
Professions in Computer Science
Subject Areas in Computer Science
The History of Computing
Summary
Chapter 2: Basic Computer Concepts
Key Terminology and Concepts
System Components
Summary
Chapter 3: Hardware
Computer Architecture
CPU
Hardware Devices
Device Interfaces
Summary
Chapter 4: Software
Types of Software
Operating Systems
Suites and Components
Summary
Chapter 5: Programming
Program Logic
Software Engineering
Languages
Summary
Chapter 6: Networks
Network Overview
Network Components
Current Networking Technologies
Summary
Chapter 7: The Internet
History of the Internet
Connecting to the Internet
Internet Protocols
World Wide Web
E-Mail
Chat and Instant Messaging
Summary
Chapter 8: Computer Graphics
2-D Graphics
3-D Graphics
Graphics Hardware and Software
Summary
Chapter 9: Advanced Computer Concepts
Databases
Artificial Intelligence
Robotics
Summary
Chapter 10: Computers in Society
Governmental Issues
Intellectual Property Issues
Ethical Issues
Computers in Business
Computers in Education
Computers in Entertainment
Summary
Glossary
References
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.”
V. Anton Spraul
Birmingham, Alabama
KEY TERMS
computer science, program, computer, hardware, software, programmer, user, operating
system
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
Computers have become a ubiquitous feature of modern life. It would be difficult to get
through a day without some activity involving a computer, be it composing e-mail on a
computer sitting on a desk, using a computer hidden inside a cell phone, or receiving a
bill generated by a computer at the power company. Computer science allows all these
activities to happen.
But what is computer science? It sounds simple enough—computer science is a branch of
science that studies computers. But not everyone who works with computers is a
computer scientist. The use and development of computers comprises a number of
overlapping disciplines.
Before these disciplines are discussed, you need to understand a few terms.
A program is a series of steps to accomplish a given task. In general usage, a program
might refer to everyday instructions, written in English, such as instructions to change a
tire or register for a college class. In computer science, however, the term “program”
refers to a series of steps given to a computer.
A computer is an electronic device for performing logical and mathematical operations
based on its programs. The term includes not only the obvious electronic devices that
have a screen, keyboard, printer, and so on, but also computers that are embedded into
devices like those at supermarket checkout counters or in DVD players. What makes
computers interesting and powerful is that they can be given arbitrary sets of instructions
to perform.
Hardware refers to all the physical devices that make up a computer system, both those
inside the computer “case” and those outside the case, like monitor, keyboard, and
mouse.
