BASICS OF COMPUTER

BASICS OF COMPUTER

Computer Fundamentals Tutorial

Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user and processes it under the control of set of instructions , gives the result , and saves it for the future use.

• Father of computer is CHARLES BABBAGE.
• Computer IO is 0.
• Computer can understand only Binary language(0,1).
• First computer is ABACUS also known as manual devices.

Functionalities of a computer

Any digital computer carries out five functions in gross terms:

• Takes data as input.
• Stores the data/instructions in its memory and use them when required.
• Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
• Generates the output
• Controls all the above four steps.

Definition

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.

Advantages

• High Speed
• Accuracy
• Storage Capability
• Diligence
• Versatility
• Reliability

Disadvantages

• No I.Q
• No Feeling

Computer - Applications

• Business
• Banking
• Insurance
• Education
• Marketing
• Military
• Communication
• Government

Computer Generations

Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used. Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies. But nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system.

Following are the main five generations of computers

S.N.	Generation & Description
1	First Generation The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based.
2	Second Generation The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based.
3	Third Generation The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit based.
4	Fourth Generation The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI microprocessor based.
5	Fifth Generation The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards. ULSI microprocessor based

Computer - Types

Computers can be broadly classified by their speed and computing power.

Sr.No.	Type	Specifications
1	PC (Personal Computer)	It is a single user computer system having moderately powerful microprocessor
2	WorkStation	It is also a single user computer system which is similar to personal computer but have more powerful microprocessor.
3	Mini Computer	It is a multi-user computer system which is capable of supporting hundreds of users simultaneously.
4	Main Frame	It is a multi-user computer system which is capable of supporting hundreds of users simultaneously. Software technology is different from minicomputer.
5	Supercomputer	It is an extremely fast computer which can execute hundreds of millions of instructions per second.

Computer - CPU(Central Processing Unit)

CPU consists of the following features:

• CPU is considered as the brain of the computer.
• CPU performs all types of data processing operations.
• It stores data, intermediate results and instructions(program).
• It controls the operation of all parts of computer.

CPU itself has following three components.

• Memory or Storage Unit
• Control Unit
• ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)

Computer - Input Devices

Those devices which are used to enter information into a computer system is known as input devices. 

 Input devices which are used in a computer:

• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Joy Stick
• Light pen
• Track Ball
• Scanner
• Graphic Tablet
• Microphone
• Magnetic Ink Card Reader(MICR)
• Optical Character Reader(OCR)
• Bar Code Reader
• Optical Mark Reader(OMR)

Computer - Output Devices

those devices of computer system that supplies information or results either in the form of hardcopy(printer) or softcopy(moniter) is known as output devices.

Following are few of the important output devices which are used in a computer.

• Monitors
• Graphic Plotter
• Printer