Introduction to Computers and its applications

Introduction
What is computer system?
A computer system is defined as programmable electronic
device that can be programmed to accept some inputs in
terms of data, then process this data as per the program
instructions and provide the output in the desired format that
can be used for some meaningful works.
Computer is a useful tool for all organizations, production
units, space research, medical science, banking system and
also individuals like an artist, a housekeeper, a student etc. It
is an incredibly powerful and flexible tool.

Characteristics of Computer
Speed, accuracy, diligence, storage capability and versatility
are some of the key characteristics of a computer.
A brief overview of these characteristics are -
Speed:
The computer can process data very fast, at the rate of
millions of instructions per second. Some calculations that
would have taken hours and days to complete otherwise, can
be completed in a few seconds using the computer. For
example, calculation and generation of salary slips of
thousands of employees of an organization, weather
forecasting that requires analysis of a large amount of data
related to temperature, pressure and humidity of various
places, etc.

Accuracy:
Computer provides a high degree of accuracy. For example,
the computer can accurately give the result of division of any
two numbers up to 10 decimal places.

Diligence:
When used for a longer period of time, the computer does not
get tired or fatigued. It can perform long and complex
calculations with the same speed and accuracy from the start
till the end.

Storage Capability:
Large volumes of data and information can be stored in the
computer and also retrieved whenever required. A limited
amount of data can be stored, temporarily, in the primary
memory. Secondary storage devices like floppy disk and
compact disk can store a large amount of data permanently.
Versatility:
Computer is versatile in nature. It can perform different types
of tasks with the same ease. At one moment you can use the
computer to prepare a letter document and in the next
moment you may play music or print a document. Computers
have several limitations too. Computer can only perform tasks
that it has been programmed to do. 10 Computer cannot do
any work without instructions from the user. It executes
instructions as specified by the user and does not take its own
decisions.
 Working of computer system.
Any digital computer carries out broadly five functions:
• Takes the data as input
• Stores the data/ instructions in its memory and use them
when required.
• Process the data and convert it into useful information
• Generates the output
• Controls the above four steps.

Any kind of computers consists of HARDWARE and

SOFTWARE.

Hardware:
Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that
constitutes a computer system. Computer hardware refers to
the physical parts or components of a computer such as the
monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive
disk (HDD), system unit (graphic cards, sound cards, memory,
motherboard and chips), etc. all of which are physical objects
that can be touched.
Software:
Software is a program written in computer language for
processing of input data and producing some useful outputs
results. Software is divided into two major categories:
System software - that provides the basic non task-specific
functions of the computer. Ex. - Windows, Linux etc.
Application software - which is used by users to accomplish
specific tasks. Ex. - Excel, Photoshop, Access, Word etc.
Input Devices
Input device is any device/part/assembly (piece of computer
hardware equipment) to provide input data and to an
information processing system such as a computer.
Input device Translate data from form that humans
understand to one that the computer can work with. Most
common are keyboard and mouse
Output devices
An output device is any device/piece/part of computer
hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by an information processing system
(a computer) which converts the electronically generated
information into human readable form.
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A CPU is brain of a computer. It is responsible for all functions
and processes. Regarding computing power, the CPU is the
most important element of a computer system. The CPU is
comprised of three main parts:

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU):

It executes all arithmetic and logical operations. Arithmetic
calculations like as addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division. Logical operation like compare numbers, letters, or
special characters.

Control Unit (CU):

It controls and co-ordinates computer components.
1. Read the code for the next instruction to be executed.
2. Increment the program counter so it points to the next
instruction.
3. Read whatever data the instruction requires from cells in
memory.
4. Provide the necessary data to an ALU or register.
5. If the instruction requires an ALU or specialized hardware to
complete, instruct the hardware to perform the requested
operation.

Registers:
It Stores the data that is to be executed for next operation. It
is a "very fast storage area".
 Computer memory
Broadly computer system has two types of memory
Primary memory
Secondary memory

Primary Memory:
Primary memory is divided into two parts-
RAM
ROM

1. RAM: (Random access memory)

Random Access Memory (RAM) is a memory scheme within
the computer system that is responsible for storing data on a
temporary basis, so that it can be promptly accessed by the
processor as and when needed. It is volatile in nature, which
means that data will be erased once supply to the storage
device is turned off. RAM stores data randomly and the
processor accesses these data randomly from the RAM
storage. RAM is considered "random access" because you can
access any memory cell directly if you know the row and
column that intersect at that cell.
2. ROM (Read Only Memory):
ROM is a permanent form of storage. ROM stays active
regardless of whether power supply to it is turned on or off.
ROM devices do not allow data stored on them to be modified.

Secondary Memory:
Secondary memory stores data and programs permanently: it
retains data after the power is turned off. Some of secondary
memory devices are as follows-

Hard drive (HD):

A hard disk is part of a unit, often called a "disk drive," "hard
drive," or "hard disk drive," that store and provides relatively
quick access to large amounts of data on an
electromagnetically charged surface or set of surfaces.

Optical Disk:
An optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light
as part of the process of reading or writing data to or from
optical discs. Some drives can only read from discs, but recent
drives are commonly both readers and recorders, also called
burners or writers. Compact discs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs are
common types of optical media which can be read and
recorded by such drives. Optical drive is the generic name;
drives are usually described as "CD" "DVD", or "Blu-ray",
followed by "drive", "writer", etc. There are three main types
of optical media: CD, DVD, and Blu-ray disc. CDs can store up
to 700 megabytes (MB) of data and DVDs can store up to 8.4
GB of data. Blu-ray discs, which are the newest type of optical
media, can store up to 50 GB of data. This storage capacity is
a clear advantage over the floppy disk storage media (a
magnetic media), which only has a capacity of 1.44 MB.
 Unit of Measurements (Storage measurements):
The basic unit used in computer data storage is called a bit
(binary digit). Computers use these little bits, which are
composed of ones and zeros, to do things and talk to other
computers. All your files, for instance, are kept in the
computer as binary files and translated into words and
pictures by the software (which is also ones and zeros). This
two number system, is called a “binary number system” since
it has only two numbers in it. The decimal number system in
contrast has ten unique digits, zero through nine.
 Speed measurement:
The speed of Central Processing Unit (CPU) is measured by
Hertz (Hz), which represent a CPU cycle. The speed of CPU is
known as Computer Speed.
 Computers classification
Computers can be generally classified by size and power as
follows-

Personal computer:
A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In
addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a
keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying
information, and a storage device for saving data.
Workstation:
A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a
personal computer, but it has a more powerful
microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.
Minicomputer:
A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to
hundreds of users simultaneously.
Mainframe:
A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many
hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
Supercomputer:
An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of
millions of instructions per second.