EXPERIMENT-1

OBJECT: What Is Computer? Describe It’s characteristics, basic components, types with block diagram.

DEFINITION:

A computer is an electronic device that accepts data from the user, processes it, produces results, displays them to the users,
and stores the results for future usage.
Data is a collection of unorganized facts & figures and does not provide any further information regarding patterns, context, etc.
Hence data means "unstructured facts and figures".
Information is a structured data i.e. organized meaningful and processed data. To process the data and convert into
information, a computer is used.

FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTERS:

Receiving Input: Data is fed into computer through various input devices like keyboard, mouse, digital pens, etc. Input can also
be fed through devices like CD-ROM, pen drive, scanner, etc.

Processing the information:

Storing the information: After processing, the information gets stored in the primary or secondary storage area.

Producing output:The processed information and other details are communicated through output devices like monitor, printer,
etc.

CHARACTERISTICS:

Speed:A computer works with much higher speed and accuracy compared to humans while performing mathematical
calculations. Computers can process millions (1,000,000) of instructions per second. The time taken by computers for their
operations is microseconds and nanoseconds.

Accuracy:
Computers perform calculations with 100% accuracy. Errors may occur due to data inconsistency or inaccuracy.

Diligence:
A computer can perform millions of tasks or calculations with the same consistency and accuracy. It doesn’t feel any fatigue or
lack of concentration. Its memory also makes it superior to that of human beings.

Versatility:
Versatility refers to the capability of a computer to perform different kinds of works with same accuracy and efficiency.

Reliability:
A computer is reliable as it gives consistent result for similar set of data i.e., if we give same set of input any number of times, we
will get the same result.

Automation:
Computer performs all the tasks automatically i.e. it performs tasks without manual intervention.

Memory
A computer has built-in memory called primary memory where it stores data. Secondary storage are removable devices such as
CDs, pen drives, etc., which are also used to store data.

BLOCK DIAGRAM:
BASIC COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
Computer systems consist of three components as, Central Processing Unit, Input devices and Output devices. Input devices
provide data input to processor, which processes data and generates useful information that’s displayed to the user through
output devices. This is stored in computer’s memory.

1- INPUT UNIT: Input devices help to get input or data from user. Some of input devices are –Key Board and Mouse.

2- CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT(CPU):

 MEMORY UNIT(MU): Computer memory refers to storage area where data is stored. It is of two types Primary Memory,
Secondary Memory.

 CONTROL UNIT(CU): As name indicates, this part of CPU extracts instructions, performs execution, maintains and
directs operations of entire system. Control unit performs following functions −
 It controls all activities of computer
 Supervises flow of data within CPU
 Directs flow of data within CPU
 Transfers data to Arithmetic and Logic Unit
 Transfers results to memory
 Fetches results from memory to output devices

 ARITHMETICAL AND LOGICAL UNIT(ALU):

Data entered into computer is sent to RAM, from where it is then sent to ALU, where rest of data processing
takes place. All types of processing, such as comparisons, decision-making and processing of non-numeric
information takes place here and once again data is moved to RAM.

3- OUTPUT UNIT: Output devices help to display output to user. Some of output devices are − Monitor and Printer.

TYPES OF COMPUTER:

ANALOG COMPUTER :

Analog computer, any of a class of devices in which continuously variable physical quantities such as electrical
potential, fluid pressure, or mechanical motion are represented in a way analogous to the corresponding quantities in
the problem to be solved.

DIGITAL COMPUTER:
Digital computer, any of a class of devices capable of solving problems by processing information in discrete form. It
operates on data, including magnitudes, letters, and symbols, that are expressed in binary code—i.e., using only the
two digits 0 and 1.

HYBRID COMPUTER:
Hybrid computers are mainly used for specialized applications where both analog and digital data processing is done.
For Example, Body signals are analogue in nature, and the output is generated in both analogue and digital form.
Therefore, ECG machine is an example of hybrid computers.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS:
Computers can be classified many different ways -- by size, by function, or by processing capacity.
Functionality wise 4 types
a) Micro computer
b) Mini Computer
c) Mainframe Computer
d) Super Computer
Microcomputers :
Microcomputers are connected to networks of other computers. The price of a microcomputer varies from
each other depending on the capacity and features of the computer. Microcomputers make up the vast
majority of computers. Single user can interact with this computer at a time. It is a small and general
purpose computer.
Mini Computer :
Mini Computer is a small and general purpose computer. It is more expensive than a micro computer. It has
more storage capacity and speed. It designed to simultaneously handle the needs of multiple users.

Mainframe Computer:
Mainframe Computer Large computers are called Mainframes. Mainframe computers process data at very
high rates of speed, measured in the millions of instructions per second. They are very expensive than micro
computer and mini computer. Mainframes are designed for multiple users and process vast amounts of data
quickly. Examples: - Banks, insurance companies, manufacturers, mail-order companies, and airlines are
typical users.

Super Computers :
Super Computers The largest computers are Super Computers. They are the most powerful, the most
expensive, and the fastest. They are capable of processing trillions of instructions per second. It uses
governmental agencies, such as:-
 Chemical analysis in laboratory.
 Space exploration
 National Defense Agency
 National Weather Service
 Bio-Medical research
 Design of many other machines

APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER:

Computers play a role in every field of life. They are used in