What is a computer?
COMPUTER
1.
Computer Devices: A computer is an electronic device
that helps people performs different tasks.
v A computer is an electronic device
that helps people performs different tasks.
v A computer is an electronic data
processing device, which accepts and stores data input, processes the data
input, and generates the output in a required format.
2.
Computer Program: The step-by-step instructions that
tells a computer what to do and produces a desired result.
3. Computer Programmer: A person who writes (generates) a
computer program.
4.
Computer Instructions: The set of instructions that tells
the computer, what to do and how to do.
5. Computer Languages: Humans talk to computers with the help of Computer languages.
Data Processing Steps
Steps
involved in processing the data are:
Step
1: Takes data as input.
Step 2: Stores the data/instructions in
its memory and uses them as required.
Step 3: Processes the data and converts
it into useful information.
Step 4: Generates the output.
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
A
computer system consists of two major elements. They are Hardware and Software.
Hardware
Hardware
represents the physical and tangible components of a computer, i.e. the
components that can be seen and touched.
Examples of Hardware include the following:
v Input devices: keyboard, mouse, etc.
v Output devices: printer, monitor,
etc.
v Secondary storage devices: Hard disk,
CD, DVD, etc.
v Internal components: CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc.
Software
Software
is a set of instructions for a computer to perform specific operations.
Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do and how
to do it. You both hardware and software for a computer system to work.
Examples of
Software include the following:
v System software: It helps to run the computer hardware and computer system itself. System
software includes operating systems, device drivers, diagnostic tools and more.
v Application software: It allows the users to accomplish one or more tasks. It includes word processing, web browsing, games etc.
TYPES OF COMPUTERS
Computers can be broadly classified their speed and computing power. The four basic types of computers are as under:
Supercomputer
v The most powerful computers in terms
of performance and data processing are the Supercomputers. These are specialized
and task specific computers used by large organizations.
v NASA uses supercomputers for
launching space shuttles, controlling them and for space exploration purpose.
v Seymour Cray designed the first supercomputer “CDC 6600” in 1964.
Mainframe Computer
v Although Mainframes are not as
powerful as supercomputers, they are quite expensive, and used in many large
firms & government organizations. Banks, educational institutions &
insurance companies use mainframe computers to store data about their customers,
students & insurance policy holders.
v Fujitsu’s ICL VME & Hitachi’s Z800 are popular Mainframe computers.
Minicomputers
v Minicomputers are used by small
businesses & firms. Minicomputers are also called as “Midrange Computers”.
Individual departments of a large company or organizations use Mini-computers
for specific purposes. For example, a sales department can use Mini-computers
for monitoring sales activities.
v K-202, Texas Instrument TI-990, SDS-92 and IBM Midrange computers are Popular Minicomputers.
Microcomputer
v Desktop computers, laptops, personal
digital assistant (PDA), tablets & smartphones are all types of
microcomputers. The micro-computers are the cheapest, widely used & the
fastest growing computers. These computers are specially designed for general
usage like entertainment, education and work purposes. Well known manufacturers
of micro-computer are Dell, Apple, Sony & Toshiba.
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