What Is Computer
What Is Computer
What Is Computer
1
Introduction to Computers
Many people believe that knowing how to use a computer, is
one of the basic skills needed to succeed in the workplace. In
order to use the computer it is necessary to understand how the
computer works
2
What is Computer
The computer is an electronic device that accepts data, performs
operations on that data , presents the results, and stores the data or
results as needed. and give you desired result.
3
Data
• Data is a collection of facts, figures and statistics related to an
object. Data can be processed to create useful information.
Data is a valuable asset for an organization.
Example
Data collected from census is used to generate different type
of information. The government can use it to determine the
literacy rate in the country. Government can use the
information in important decision to improve literacy rate.
5
Characteristics of a Computer
• Now-a-days computer is playing a main role in everyday life it has
become the need of people just like television, telephone or other
electronic devices at home. It solves the human problems very
quickly as well as accurately. The important characteristics of a
computer are described below:
• The characteristics of a computer are:
1. Speed : The computer is a very high speed electronic device. The
operations on the data inside the computer are performed through
electronic circuits according to the given instructions. The data
and instructions flow along these circuits with high speed that is
close to the speed of light. Computer can perform million of
billion of operations on the data in one second.
6
Characteristics of a Computer
2. Spontaneous (Automatic) : The computers are automatic. It may
execute the process without any intervention of user once they are
assigned to a work. Once the data or instruction are fetched
from the secondary devices such as optical disks, hard disks
etc. Immediately they get stored into RAM (primary memory)
and then sequentially they get executed.
7
Characteristics of a Computer
4. No Feelings : Computer is an electronic machine. It has no
feelings. It detects objects on the basis of instructions given to it.
Based on our feelings, taste, knowledge and experience: we can
make certain decisions and judgments in our daily life. On the
other hand, computer can not make such judgments on their own.
Their judgments are totally based on instructions given to them.
8
Characteristics of a Computer
6. Communications: Today computer is mostly used to
exchange messages or data through computer networks all
over the world. For example the information can be received
or send through the internet with the help of computer. It
is most important feature of the modern information
technology.
9
Generations of Computers
• The term generation indicates the type of technology used in the
computer construction. As new technology was emerging, it was
being used in the making of computer. The new technology
improved the speed, accuracy and storage capacity of the
computers. Different technologies have been used for computers
in different times.
Therefore, computers can be divided into five generations
depending upon the technologies used. These are:
Advantages are :
• These computers were the fastest of their time.
• They were programmed using machine language.
12
First Generation Computers (1942 - 1955)
Disadvantages are :
• Unreliable
• Very costly
• Generate lot of heat
• Huge size
• Need of A.C.
• Non portable
• Consumed lot of electricity
• Constant (or frequent) maintenance required
13
14
Second Generation Computers (1955 - 1964)
• This generation using the transistor were cheaper, consumed less
power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster than the
first generation machines made of vaccum tubes.
Advantages are :
• Use of transistors
• Reliable as compared to First generation computers
• Smaller size as compared to First generation computers
• Generate less heat as compared to First generation computers
• Consumed less electricity as compared to First generation
computers
• Faster than first generation computers
• Assembly Language was introduced. 15
Second Generation Computers (1955 - 1964)
Disadvantages are:
• Still very costly
• A.C. needed
• Constant (or frequent) maintenance required
16
17
Third Generation Computers (1964 - 1975)
• The third generation of computer is marked by the use of Integrated
Circuits (IC's) in place of transistors. A single I.C has many
transistors, resistors and capacitors. This development made
computers smaller in size, reliable and efficient.
Advantages are :
• More reliable
• Smaller size
• Generate less heat
• Faster
• Lesser maintenance
• Consumed lesser electricity
18
Third Generation Computers (1964 - 1975)
• Support high level language
• Magnetic disk, used for external storage
• More storage capacity
• Many input/output devices were introduced such as mouse and
keyboard etc.
Disadvantages are:
• Still costly
• A.C needed
19
20
Fourth Generation Computers -1975 onwards
• The fourth generation of computers is marked by the use of Very
Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI circuits having about
5000 transistors and other circuit elements and their associated
circuits on a single chip made it possible to have microcomputers of
fourth generation. Fourth Generation computers became more
powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable. As a result, it gave rise to
personal computer (PC) revolution.
Advantages are:
• VLSI technology used
• Very cheap
• Portable and reliable
• Use of PC's
21
Fourth Generation Computers -1975 onwards
• Smaller in size
• Production cost is very low
• Very high processing speed
• Very large internal and external storage capacity
Disadvantages are:
• Highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturer of
microprocessor chips
22
Fifth Generation Computers (In process)
The main drawback of first to fourth generation computers is that the
computers have not their own thinking power. These are totally
depending upon the instructions given by the users.
25
Advantage of Computer
• Easy processing of complex tasks.
• It saves time by quick manipulation of data as compared to
when done manually.
• The errors in data processing are minimized when a computer
is used.
• It has helped in making communication easier by using
internet.
• It stores, retrieves, and processes a large amount of data.
• It helps in multitasking of various jobs.
26
Disadvantage of Computer
• Un-Employment
• Cyber-crime
• Computer can perform only what is it programmed to do.
• Computer need well defined instructions to perform any
operation
27
Application of Computer
Computer is playing very important role in every field of life.
Computers are everywhere such as at home, at school. In daily
life a large number of activities are dependent on computers. The
main fields where computer is playing very important role are:
28
Application of Computer
1. Education : Education is the process of developing knowledge
through instructions. The instructions are received from people
such as parents, teachers etc. and from printed material such as
books, journals etc. Today, the modern technique to get
knowledge is by using computers. All schools use computers in
classrooms and labs to teach students. Many educators prefer to
deliver their lectures by computer-based presentations. In
schools, colleges and universities, students use software
packages to complete their assignments.
The computer-based training (CBT) or presentation is also called
computer aided instruction (CAI). In this method, computer is
used as an aid to teach the students in the classroom. The
instructions of particular subject are received from the
instructions that uses a program presented by a computer as
learning medium.
29
Application of Computer
2. Entertainment : Computer has also played a very important role
for the entertainment of humans. Computer has become need of
humans for entertainment at their home. Form example, to play
video games at home, different game software are available to play
games. Similarly, software are available to see movie films and to
listen music. Today the movie files and famous songs are mostly
available on CDs or on the web at very low cost. You can listen
music while you work on the computer.
1.Application software.
2.System software.
34
Application Software
A set of programs used to solve particular problems of user through
computer is called Application software. It is also known as
application package. The ready packages are also available in
market
on CDs for various purposes. These are used by user who does not
know the computer programming. The users solve their problems by
using ready packages more easily and quickly.
Some of application packages are:
1.Word processing software (e.g Word)
2.Spreadsheet software. (e.g Excel)
3.Database Management System software. (e.g Oracle, Microsoft
Access)
4.Graphics software (eg: PowerPoint )
35
5.Communication software (e.g Internet Explorer )
System Software
• The operating system and utility programs are the two major
categories of system software. Just as the processor is the nucleus of
the computer system, the operating system is the nucleus of all
software activity.
• The operating system is the most important program that runs on a
computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating
system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks,
such as
1. Recognizing input from the keyboard
2. Sending output to the display screen
3. Keeping track of files and directories on the disk
4. Controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
36
System Software
• It is the first program loaded into memory when the computer is
turned on and, in a sense, brings life to the computer hardware.
Without it, you cannot use your word processing software,
spreadsheet software, or any other applications.
• Without an operating system, you cannot communicate with your
computer. When you give the computer a command, the operating
system relays the instructions to the 'brain' of the computer, called the
microprocessor or CPU. You cannot speak directly to the CPU
because it only understands machine language. When you are working
in an application software program, such as Microsoft Word,
commands that you give the application are sent through the operating
system to the CPU. Windows2000, Window95/98, Mac OS, Unix and
DOS are all examples of operating systems. 37
System Software
• Utility programs help manage, maintain and control computer
resources. These programs are available to help you with the day-to-
day chores associated with personal computing and to keep your
system running at peak performance.
Some examples of utility programs include:
• Virus scanning software
• Backup software
• Scandisk
• Disk defragmenter
1.Input devices
2.Output devices
3.Central Processing Unit (CPU)
4.Memory unit
5.Storage devices
40
Input and Output Devices
Input is any data or instructions entered into the computer in the form
of signals. The input into the computer can be entered:
• Touch Screen : The touch screen can detect exactly where on its
surface it has been touched. Touch screen are used in lot of fast
food and restaurants because they are easy to keep clean re-
program if changes need to be made to menu.
45
Input Devices
• Joysticks: The main function of joysticks is to play computer
games by controlling the way that something moves on the
screen. Joysticks can be used to control movement from side
by side, up and down and diagonally.
46
Output and Output Devices
The processed input data into a useful form is called output when input
data is processed, computer generates several types of output,
depending upon the hardware and software used and the requirements
of the user. The user use output on a screen, prints it on the printer or
hear it through speakers or head sets.
49
Printer
Impact Printers : An Impact printer prints characters and graphics on
the paper with the strikes of hammer on a ribbon. A simple example
of an impact printer is typewriter, which uses small hammers to strike
the ribbon. Each hammer is embossed with the shape of alphanumeric
character that shape is printed on the paper through inked ribbon.
There are many types of impact printers but the most popular and
commonly used is the dot matrix printer.
51
Non-Impact Printers
• Inkjet Printers : are called Non-Impact printers because they print
by spraying ink on the paper. Being of non-impact type, they
cannot be used to produce multiple copies of a document in a single
printing.
• Laser Printer: A Laser printer is the fastest and high quality non-
impact printer. Laser printers are most expensive than Inkjet
printers and their print quality is also higher. The print quality and
printing speed of Laser printers make them ideal for offices and
business. The price of Laser printer depends on the quality and
printing speed. The color printers are most costly than black and
white Laser printers. The higher the resolution and speed the more
expensive the printer. 52
Memory
Memory refers to chip-based storage. When the term “memory”
is used alone , it refers to chip –based storage used by the
computer-usually the amount of the computer’s main memory
(called RAM), which is located inside the system unit. In
contrast, “ storage” refers to the amount of long-term storage
available to a PC- usually in the form of the PC’s hard drive or
removal storage media such as CDs, DVDs, and USB flash
drives.
53
Types of Main Memory
There are two types of main memory, Random Access Memory
(RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM)
57
Read Only Memory (ROM)
The ROM contains the Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) which is a
set of instructions that are automatically activated when the computer
is turned on. It means that computer uses the instructions of ROM at
the time of booting for the following purposes.
• To check different units of computer system.
• To load the operating system into computer memory etc.
Data can be read by the CPU in any order so ROM is also direct
access
58
Types of READ ONLY MEMORY
• Many other devices also contain ROM chips. For example a
printer has a ROM chip that contains data or information for
fonts. You can say that each electronic device has ROM chip
that contains information about that device.
59
Types of READ ONLY MEMORY
• PROM
60
Types of READ ONLY MEMORY
• EPROM
Once ROM or PROM is programmed, its contents cannot be
changed. However there is another type of memory chip called
EPROM that overcomes this problem.
62
Cache memory
• Data and program instructions are moved from RAM to CPU's
registers during data processing. It is most time consuming method
and CPU has to waste a lot of time to access data from memory.
• Cache memory is similar to RAM but it is extremely fast than
RAM. It is normally used between RAM and CPU. Cache speeds
up processing speed of computer because CPU stores frequently
used instructions and data in it. When the program is running and
the CPU needs a specific data or program instructions, the CPU
first checks it in cache memory. If the data is not there, the CPU
reads the data from RAM into its registers, but it also loads a copy
of the same data or instruction in cache memory. The next time the
CPU uses it if required again and saves the time needed to load it
63
from RAM.
Types of Computers
• Computers can also be divided into three categories
depending upon their instruction and form of input data that
they accept and process. These are:
Analog Computers
Digital Computers
Hybrid Computers
64
Analog Computers
• The word "Analog" means continuously varying in quantity. The
analog computers accept input data in continuous form and output
is obtained in the form of graphs.
• It means that these computers accept input and give output in the
form of analog signals. The output is measured on a scale. The
voltage, current, sound, speed, temperature, pressure etc. values are
examples of analog data. These values continuously increase and
decrease.
• The analog computers are used to measure the continuous values.
The thermometer is an example of analog device because it
measures continuously the length of a mercury column.
65
Digital Computers
• The word "Digital" means discrete. It refers to binary system,
which consists of only two digits, i.e. 0 and 1. Digital data consists
of binary data represented by OFF (low) and ON (high) electrical
pulses. These pulses are increased and decreased in discontinuous
form rather than in continuous form.
67
Hybrid Computers
• A hybrid computer combines the desirable features of analog and
digital computers. It is mostly used for automatic operations of
complicated physical processes and machines. Now-a-days analog-to-
digital and digital-to-analog converters are used for transforming the
data into suitable form for either type of computation.
• For example, in hospital’s ICU, analog devices might measure the
patients temperature, blood pressure and other vital signs. These
measurements which are in analog might then be converted into
numbers and supplied to digital components in the system. These
components are used to monitor the patient’s vital sign and send
signals if any abnormal readings are detected. Hybrid computers are
mainly used for specialized tasks.
68
Difference between Analog and Digital
ANALOG DIGITAL
Accept input data in continuous form Accept input data in digital form and
and output is measured on a scale output is received in digital form.
It may have some errors in output. Output is accurate.
• Supercomputer
• Mainframe computer
• Mini computer
• Microcomputer 70
Super Computer
Supercomputer is the most powerful and fastest, and also very
expensive. It was developed in 1980s. It is used to process large
amount of data and to solve the complicated scientific problems. It
can perform more than one trillions calculations per second. It has
large number of processors connected parallel. So parallel processing
is done in this computer. In a single supercomputer thousands of users
can be connected at the same time and the supercomputer handles the
work of each user separately. Supercomputer are mainly used for:
• Weather forecasting.
• Nuclear energy research.
• Aircraft design.
• To control industrial units.
71
Mainframe Computers
Mainframe computers are also large-scale computers but
supercomputers are larger than mainframe. These are also very
expensive. The mainframe computer specially requires a very large
clean room with air-conditioner. This makes it very expensive to buy
and operate. It can support a large number of various equipments. It
also has multiple processors. Large mainframe systems can handle the
input and output requirements of several thousand of users. For
example, IBM, S/390 mainframe can support 50,000 users
simultaneously. There are basically two types of terminals used
with mainframe systems. These are:
1. Drum Terminal
2. Intelligent Terminal
72
Mainframe Computers
i) Dumb Terminal
Dumb terminal does not have its own CPU and storage devices.
This type of terminal uses the CPU and storage devices of
mainframe system. Typically, a dumb terminal consists of monitor
and a keyboard (or mouse).
ii) Intelligent Terminal
Intelligent terminal has its own processor and can perform some
processing operations. Usually, this type of terminal does not have
its own storage.
The mainframe computers are specially used as servers on the World
Wide Web. The mainframe computers are used in large organizations
such as Banks, Airlines and Universities etc. where many people
(users) need frequent access to the same data, which is usually
organized into one or more huge databases. IBM is the major
manufacturer of mainframe computers. 73
Minicomputers
These are smaller in size, have lower processing speed and storage
capacity as compared to mainframe. They are also less expensive than
mainframe . Hence, their performance also will be less than that of
mainframes.
The minicomputers are used in business, education and many other
government departments. Although some minicomputers are designed
for a single user but most are designed to handle multiple terminals.
Minicomputers are commonly used as servers in network environment
and hundreds of personal computers can be connected to the network
with a minicomputer acting as server like mainframes, minicomputers
are used as web servers.
74
Microcomputer
• The invention of microprocessor (single chip CPU) gave birth to the
much cheaper micro computers. They are further classified into
Desktop Computers
Laptop Computers
Handheld Computers(PDAs)
75
• Laptop Computers: Laptop computers are portable computers. They
are lightweight computers with a thin screen. They are also called as
notebook computers because of their small size. They can operate on
batteries and hence are very popular with travellers. The screen folds
down onto the keyboard when not in use.
77
DRAM
• The 'D' in DRAM stands for Dynamic, meaning that the
storage medium itself is constantly changing (forgetting).
DRAM is one of the cheapest forms of memory because
it completely forgets what it was told to remember in 5 or
6 hundreds of a second every time.
• We need to visit each and every bit many times each
second, ask it what it was supposed to remember, and
then remind it to remember what it was remembering
before it forgets altogether. This reminding process is
called "refreshing" the memory, and we have variety of
sophisticated refresh circuits which do nothing but travel
through the vast DRAM memory array polling each bit for
its content before it fully forgets, and re-telling the
memory what it's supposed to remember. 78