“A Computer is a programmed device with a set of instructions to perform specific tasks and generate results at a very high speed”.
• Computer is an electronic device which process the raw data under the program control to get meaningful information. • The term computer is derived from the Latin term ‘compute’, this means to calculate or a programmable machine.. • Computer cannot do anything without a Program • Charles Babbage is called the " Father" of the computer. • The First mechanical computer designed by Charles Babbage was called Analytical Engine. • ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator & Computer) was the first US-built electronic computer • In the 1st generation of computers, Computers were built with vacuum tubes. Full form of computer
C-Commonly
O-Operatable
M-Machine
P-Particularly
U-Used for
T-Training
E-Education
R-Research
Block Diagram of Computer
Computer is an electronic device which performs tasks given by user with extremely fast speed and accuracy.
Like any other device or machine, a computer system has also a number of parts. A computer system can be blocked into mainly three parts:
1. Input Unit 2. Central Processing Unit 3. Output Unit
Input unit – Input unit is a unit that accepts any input device. The input device is used to input data into the computer system.
Function of input unit:
1. It converts inputted data into binary codes.
2. It sends data to main memory of computer .
Central Processing Unit (Cpu) – CPU is called the brain of a computer. An electronic circuitry that carries out the instruction given by a computer program.
CPU can be sub classified into three parts.
i .Control unit (CU)
ii. Arithmetic & Logic unit (ALU)
iii.Memory Unit (MU)
i. Control unit (CU)- The control unit manages the various components of the computer. It reads instructions from memory and interprets it and changes it in a series of signals to activate other parts of the computer. It controls and co-ordinate is input output memory and all other units.
ii. Arithmetic & Logic unit (ALU) – The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs simple arithmetic operation such as +,-, *, / and logical operation such as >, <, =<, <= etc.
iii. Memory Unit (MU)- Memory is used to store data and instructions before and after processing. Memory is also called Primary memory or internal memory. It is used to store data temporary or permanently. (RAM and ROM)
Function of CPU-
1. It controls all the parts and software and data flow of computer. 2. It performs all operations. 3. It accepts data from input device. 4. It sends information to output device. 5. Executing programs stored in memory 6. It stores data either temporarily or permanent basis. 7. It performs arithmetical and logical operations.
3. Output Unit –Output unit is a unit that consists a number of output device. An output device is used to show the result of processing.
Function of Output unit:
1. It accepts data or information sent from main memory of computer
2. It converts binary coded information into HLL or inputted languages.
List of Input Devices
The devices which are used to give data and instructions to the computer are called Input Devices. Various types of input devices can be used with the computer depending upon the type of data you want to enter in the computer, e.g., keyboard, mouse, joystick, light pen, etc.
1) Mouse (pointing device): Mouse is mainly a pointing device and it is used to use the computer smoothly. That means it helps to increase user experience on the graphical user interface. 2) Cameras/WebCam: Cameras which is also known as WebCam on the computer is used for capturing your existence on video chatting.
3) Video Capture Hardware: A video capture hardware is a hardware equipment which helps to read the video, audio to store on your computer.
4) Trackballs: Trackballs is also a pointing device as like the mouse, but you can control it multiple places at a time.
5) Barcode reader: Barcode which is the combination of a light source, a lens, and a light sensor and is used to read the barcodes according to the computer readable.
6) Digital camera: When you want to edit, store or send any images from digital camera, you need to use it as the input devices.
7) Gamepad: Gamepad is the mainly a game controller and it is used to play the video games on the computer.
8) Joystick: The functions of JoyStick is- it helps to control the direction and angle. It is used mostly on many civilian and military aircraft computer.
9) Keyboard: It is the digital type-writer on a computer. It consists mechanical lever or electronic switch with the combination buttons or keys.
10) Microphone: Microphone is the electronic devices which can convert the voice or sound into the electronic signal. It is also known as mic or mike.
11) MIDI keyboard: MIDI Keyboard is the most uses keyboard for composing the songs. Generally, the piano is used with a computer to compose the song with the use of USB or MIDI Cable.
12) Graphics Tablets: Graphics Tablets is now overly used input devices of a computer. It is used to draw with the electronic pen which is saved on the computer.
13) Scanner: Simply, the image scanner is used to scan the images, typing text, handwriting or objects. It is used to converts the objects into digital usable images.
14) Touchpads: Touchpad or Trackpad is used on Laptop to work as like a mouse. It has been used the sensors which can read the behavior of the fingers.
15) Pen Input/Digital Pen: Digital Pen is input device and it can convert the handwriting into digital format instantly.
16) Electronic Whiteboard: It is a whiteboard connected to the processor and you can work as a touchscreen.
17) OMR: OMR (Optical mark recognition) is the devices which can read human mark. It is mostly used nowadays on multiple choice examination (MCQ), surveys and tests.
18) OCR: OCR (Optical character recognition) is used to read the real-time optical character.
19) Punch card reader: It is a computer input device which is used to read the data and information from the punch card.
20) MICR (Magnetic Ink character reader): MICR is a technology which is used to recognize the cheques or other sensitive documents to make the clearance. You will see it on the bank.
21) Magnetic Tape Drive: Magnetic Tape Drive is one kind of storage devices which can store the data on the magnetic plate. It is used in the film industry mostly. List of Output Devices
An output device is any peripheral that receives data from a computer, usually for display, projection, or physical reproduction. For example, the image shows an inkjet printer, an output device that can make a hard copy of any information shown on your monitor
1) Monitor (LED, LCD, CRT etc): A display is must need output device on a computer. It is used to display the data or information.
2) Speaker(s): A speaker is used to output the audio from the computer.
3) Plotters: Plotters is one kind of printer which is used to print vectors graphics. It uses a pen, pencil, marker, or another writing tool instead of toner.
4) Projector: A projector is used to display the data or information on another screen rather than a monitor. It helps to perform the presentation perfectly.
5) LCD Projection Panels: It works as like the projector. It is used to display the digital data, information or video into the bigger screen. You can call it the updated technology of the projector.
6) Computer Output Microfilm (COM): Computer Output Microfilm is the invention to store the data. It converts the data from the computer into a microfilm. It is used in the archives.
7) Printers (all types): Printers are the output equipment which helps to make the image, text or graphics into the human-readable form on paper.
8) Head Phone: Head Phone is the hearing devices which converts the digital signal into the human-readable format.
9) Visual Display Unit: It helps to display the digital data, graphics or information. Simply, the monitor is used mostly to give the example of VDU. Though it is all type visual display devices including projector or LCD projection panels.
10) Film Recorder: Film Recorder is the computer output devices which helps to convert the digital images into the photographic film.
11) Microfiche: Microfiche is mainly used to reproduce the documents or data for storing or reading. It is used to make the archive, newspaper industry or library.
Classification of Computer
Today computers come in a wide variety of sizes, capabilities, designs .We have types of computers today ranging from :
Supercomputers.
• Supercomputers are the most powerful and physically the largest by size.. • These are systems designed to process huge amounts of data and the fastest supercomputers can perform over one trillion calculations in a second. • Supercomputers like the Cray T90 system has thousands of processors. • Supercomputers cost very high and are therefore only used by large corporations, government agencies and universities that can afford them. Because of their extraordinary speed, accuracy and processing power, supercomputers are well suited for solving highly complex problems and performing tasks that demand huge amounts of calculations.
Mainframe Computers
• Mainframe computers are very large often filling an entire room and can process thousands of millions of instructions per second. • They are used in large private and government organizations like insurance companies and banks where many people need frequent access to information. • Mainframes are capable of supporting hundreds to thousands of users simultaneously. • Some of the functions performed by a mainframe include: flight scheduling, reservations and ticketing for an airline; government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, Electoral Commission and the Census Bureau use mainframes to track information about large populations, vote computations, individual tax records, payroll, etc.
Minicomputers
• Minicomputers are much smaller than mainframes and are also less expensive • Sometimes referred to as Midrange Server or Midrange Computer • They are typically larger, more powerful and more expensive than desktop computers. • Midrange computers are usually used by small and medium-sized businesses as their servers. • Users connect to the server through a network by using desktop computers, notebooks, thin clients or dumb terminals. They are also used by hospitals as well as in school computer laboratories.
Microcomputers
• Microcomputers are the most frequently used type of computer Also, known as Personal Computer (PC), • A microcomputer is a small computer system designed to be used by one person at a time. • The size of microcomputers range from those that can fit on a desktop, inside a briefcase, or even into a shirt pocket • The various sizes of microcomputers can be grouped into desktop computers and portable computers
Desktop computers
• Desktop computers are the conventional ones which fit on a desk and usually consists of a system unit, monitor, keyboard, and a mouse. • Today the most common type of desktop computer uses a system unit called the Tower which is designed to sit vertically on the floor or the table.
Portable computers
• Portable computers are microcomputers designed to be carried easily around in the hand, bag, briefcase or pocket depending on their sizes. • Portable computers are essential for many workers like salespeople, agents and managers who may be off-sites and in remote locations but need computing and communications resources as they travel.
Embedded Computers
• Embedded computers are fixed into products designed to perform specific functions. Such products are mostly household appliances and cars. • Embedded computers are put into household appliances and electronic devices like dishwashers, microwaves, washing machines and coffee makers in order to perform designated tasks. • Electronic devices around the home like watches, answering machines, sewing machines, DVD players, television sets, and watch recorders and so forth, also make use of embedded computers.
Component of computer Hardware
Computer hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer system.
There are many different kinds of hardware that can be installed inside, and connected to the outside, of a computer.
Here are some common individual computer hardware components that you'll often find inside a modern computer.
Motherboard :- The motherboard is the computer's main circuit board.
It's a thin plate that holds the CPU, memory, connectors for the hard drive and optical drives, expansion cards to control the video and audio, and connections to your computer's ports (such as USB ports).
The motherboard connects directly or indirectly to every part of the computer.
CPU/processor : The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor, is located inside the computer case on the motherboard.
It is sometimes called the brain of the computer, and its job is to carry out commands.
Whenever you press a key, click the mouse, or start an application, you're sending instructions to the CPU.
RAM (random access memory) : RAM is your system's short-term memory
Whenever your computer performs calculations, it temporarily stores the data in the RAM until it is needed.
Hard drive : The hard drive is where your software, documents, and other files are stored.
The hard drive is long-term storage, which means the data is still saved even if you turn the computer off or unplug it.
Power supply unit :The power supply unit in a computer converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power needed by the computer.
It sends power through cables to the motherboard and other components.
Expansion cards : Most computers have expansion slots on the motherboard that allow you to add various types of expansion cards.
These are sometimes called PCI (peripheral component interconnect) cards.
You may never need to add any PCI cards because most motherboards have built-in video, sound, network, and other capabilities.
Video card : The video card is responsible for what you see on the monitor.
Most computers have a GPU (graphics processing unit) built into the motherboard instead of having a separate video card.
Sound card: The sound card—also called an audio card—is responsible for what you hear in the speakers or headphones.
Most motherboards have integrated sound, but you can upgrade to a dedicated sound card for higher-quality sound.
Network card : The network card allows your computer to communicate over a network and access the Internet.
It can either connect with an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection (often called Wi-Fi).
Binary Number
A Binary Number is made up of only 0s and 1s.
11010110 Example of a Binary Number A "bit" is a single binary digit. The number above has 8 bits. Byte has 8 bits
When we type some letters or words, the computer translates them in numbers as computers can understand only binary numbers.
A computer can understand the positional number system where there are only a few symbols called digits and these symbols represent different values depending on the position they occupy in the number.
Uses two digits, 0 and 1
Also called as base 2 number system
Role of computer in Education
Computer technology has had a deep impact on the education sector.
Storing documents on computers in the form of soft copies instead of hard ones, helps save paper.
The advantages of computers in education primarily include:
1. Quick data processing
2. Audio-visual aids in teaching 3. Quick communication between students, teachers and parents 4. Computers have given momentum to distance education. 5. Computer software help better presentation of information. 6. Computers enable access to the Internet which has information on literally everything. 7. Computer, hard drives and storage devices are an excellent way to store data. Operating System and its Functions An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user and computer hardware.
An operating system is a software which performs all the basic tasks like file management, memory management, process management, handling input and output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
The key five basic functions of any operating system are as following:
1. Interface between the user and the hardware : An OS provides an interface between user and machine.
This interface can be a graphical user interface (GUI) in which users click onscreen elements to interact with the OS
2. Coordinate hardware components : An OS enables coordination of hardware components.
Each hardware device speaks a different language, but the operating system can talk to them through the specific translational softwares called device drivers.
Every hardware component has different drivers for Operating systems. These drivers make the communication successful between the other softwares and the hardware.
3. Provide environment for software to function: An OS provides an environment for software applications to function.
An application software is a specific software which is used to perform specific task.
In GUI operating systems such as Windows and macOS, applications run within a consistent, graphical desktop environment.
4. Provide structure for data management : An OS displays structure/directories for data management.
We can view file and folder listings and manipulate on those files and folders like (move, copy, rename, delete, and many others).
5. Monitor system health and functionality: OS monitors the health of our system’s hardware, giving us an idea of how well (or not) it’s performing.
We can see how busy our CPU is, or how quickly our hard drives retrieve data, or how much data our network card is sending etc. and it also monitors system activity for malware.
Types of Operating System
Batch OS
Standalone/ Single User-DOS-disk os-command based os
Time Sharing OS/ multitasking os/multiuser-multics, unix,linux
