COMPUTER

INTRODUCTION
Before knowing computer we must know that what is a machine? A machine is anything
that reduces human efforts. e.g. if you feel hot, you switch on the fan. We can talk to our
friends using mobile anywhere. One can do long calculation in less than a minute using
calculator. Nib of pen to zip of the paints, all are machine. In the same way, a computer is
also a machine. No one can think of modern life without computers. Computers have
penetrated every aspect of our civilization.

DEFINITION
Computer is an electronic machine or device which accepts data (in the form of
digitalized data) and manipulates it on a program or sequence of instructions on how the
data is to be processed and store the results.
In other words computer is an electronic device which converts raw data into
information.

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS
Computers being data processing devices have the following characteristics
SPEED: process millions of instructions in a fraction of a second. The speed of the
computer is measured in Nano seconds.
ACCURACY: perform each and every computation with 100% accuracy.
VERSATILITY: computers can be used in many fields of operation, such as education,
engineering, medicine, defence etc.
DILIGENCE: can perform a task repetitively for N numbers of times, without ant
degradation in processing speed.
STORAGE: can use huge amounts of data within themselves in a limited area.
ADVANTAGES
 Perform repetitive task
 More accurate while dealing with large numbers
 Work at constant efficiency
 We are used in almost every field
 Process millions of instructions in a fraction of a second
 Effective and efficient data storage and retrieval

LIMITATIONS
 Dependent upon human beings
 Have no imagination and intuition of their own
 Task have to be described in detail
 Cannot detect flaw or error in logic

APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS
BUSINESS: inventory control, accounts management, purchase and sales management.
SCIENTIFIC: number crunching, astronomical calculations, monitoring of space vehicle.
ENGINEERING: computer aided design, computer added manufacturing.
MEDICAL: medical diagnosis, patient management.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION: computer aided instructions, computer aided learning.

DATA PROCESSING CYCLE

DATA/INPUT: Data means raw facts and unarranged figures in any form like numbers,
alphabets, symbols and combination of all. Thus data can be any shape and size.
PROCESSING: When a person or machine act on raw facts i.e. data is called proessing.
OUTPUT: The result obtained from the process is called output.
INFORMATION: Meaningful output is information.

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

A system is defined as a set of interacting elements, responding to inputs so as to produce
output. The computer system also consist of a following elements:
HARDWARE
  Central processing unit
 Input devices
 Output devices
 Storage devices
SOFTWARE
 System software
 Application software
 Utility software
HUMANWARE
 Trained computer professionals

HARDWARE

Hardware refers to all the physical parts and components of the computer.
1. CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
The CPU or Microprocessor is the heart of the computer where all the processing
of data is carried out. It performs the arithmetical operations namely addition,
substraction, multiplication, division as well as the logical comparisons.
The components of CPU are as follows:
 Arithmetical and Logical unit
 Control unit
 Memory

2. INPUT DEVICES:
In a computerized system, before any processing takes place, the data and
instructions must be fed. This is achieved through the input devices, which
provide a communication medium between the user and the machine.
The range of input devices available are:
 Keyboards
 Mouse
 Optical mark reader
 Optical image scanner
  Bar code reader
 Magnetic ink character reader
 Light pen
 Joy stick

3. OUTPUT DEVICES:
When processing is complete in the CPU, the information produced is stored in
the memory in a computer understandable format. This information has to be
transcribed into a form that can be read by the user, which is achieved by output
devices.
There are two types of outputs produced by these devices:
SOFT COPY: An output on the VDU or stored on magnetic media ( disk and
tape)
HARD COPY: An output produced on aprinter or a plotter
The most commonly used output devices are:
 VISUAL DISPLAY UNIT: There are two different modes of display Text
and graphics.
 PRINTERS: Is an output device that prints on paper.
 PLOTTER: A plotter is an output device used for producing graphical
output such as blue print. E.g flatbed plotter, drum plotter.
4. STORAGE DEVICES:
As we are aware that whenever data or instruction is fed to the computer, it is
stored within it. Computers store data, instruction and the output of a process in a
storage device.

Storage devices are categorized as:

 Primary storage devices
 Secondary storage devices
PRIMARY STORAGE DEVICES:
Primary storage devices often referred to as the main memory is the work space area
within the computer, where the data and instructions are stored.
Types of primary storage devices are;
 RAM Random Access Memory: it is the area where all data gets stored
while working on the computer. It allows us to read from and write to
locations within RAM.
 ROM Read Only Memory: it is a non- volatile storage medium. The
information is burnt into ROM at manufacturing stage. Information
can only be read from the ROM.

SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES:

The secondary storage device is a storage medium used for storing data, instruction and
output for archival purposes, so that whenever any data or instruction is required in the
future.
Types of secondary storage devices are:
 Flopy disk
 Hard disk
 Optical disc
 Cartridge tape
 Spool tape

SOFTWARE:

The non- tangible components of the computer system are referred to as software. They
generally are in the form of electrical or magnetic impulses. Software are programs ( a set
of instructions) that are categorized as:
 SYSTEM SOFTWARE:
Software which has its orientation more towards the operation of the
hardware components of the computer system i.e. concerned primarily
with co-ordinating and controlling hardware resources. For eg. DOS,
Window, etc.
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE:
Software which has its orientation more towards the performing user
tasks. For eg. Airline reservation system.
 UTILITY SOFTWARE:
Software which has its orientation more towards facilitating the use of
computer and the various application software. For eg. Calender,
calculator, etc.
HUMANWARE:

The personnel involved in using and maintaining the computer system form
humanware. They are the trained computer professionals and can be a:
 Hardware engineer who takes care of the various components of the
computer.
 Software engineer who manages and handles the softwares loaded on to
the computer.
 Programmer who design various types of softwares required to work on
the computer.
 User who is the actual user of the computer.

APPLICATION IN NURSING

 The primary applications are in the support of nursing

documentation, patient care planning, and patient monitoring.
 In computerized environments, the documentation process can be
automated through the use of standard reporting forms and
checklists that allow the nurse to use various computer interface
 modalities to quickly enter the information concerning the
patient. 
 This automated documentation process not only saves time, but it
also increases the accuracy of patient information and makes it
more readily accessible for diagnostic or statistical analysis.
 standard lists of nursing diagnoses and interventions for particular
patient problems have been prepared for almost all areas of
nursing.

REFERENCES

Jain Saloni, Manhas Dr. Rajeev; Computer Education For Nurses; 1st
edition;Saurabh medical publishers:2012: 1-2.

Software technology group; Computer Concepts And Appreciation;2nd
Edition; STG publication:2002;1.3-1.11.

http://www.cybercorp.net/rhiggins/thesis/higlitd.html
 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF
NURSING EDUCATION PGIMER
CHANDIGARH

SUBJECT- NURSING EDUCATION

MICROTEACHING ON- COMPUTER

SUBMITTED TO SUBMITTED BY
Dr. Sukhwinder Kaur kavita devi
(Lecturer,NINE, PGIMER) (MSc.1st yr)