DEFINITION OF COMPUTER
A Computer is an
electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its
own memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to specified rules, produce
information (output), and store the information for future use.[1]
HARDWARE
and SOFTWARE
Any kind of computers consists of HARDWARE and SOFTWARE
HARDWARE
|
SOFTWARE
|
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.[2]
|
Software is a generic term for
organized collections of computer data and instructions, often broken into
two major categories: system software that provides the basic non task-specific
functions of the computer, and application software which is used by users to
accomplish specific tasks.
|
[1]
Vermaat, Misty E. Microsoft Office 2013 Introductory. Cengage Learning,
p.IT3. 2014
[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardware
All
general-purpose computers require the following hardware components:
Ø Mass storage device: allows a computer to
permanently retain large amounts of data. Common mass storage devices
include solid state drives (SSDs) or disk drives and tape drives.
Ø Input device: usually a keyboard and mouse, the input device is the conduit through which data and
instructions enter a computer.
Ø Output device: a display screen, printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has
accomplished.
Ø Central processing unit (CPU): the heart of the computer, this is the
component that actually executes instructions.
Ø
In addition to these components, many
others make it possible for the basic components to work together efficiently.
For example, every computer requires a bus that transmits data from one part of the
computer to another.
INPUT & OUTPUT DEVICES
Input Devices -" How to tell it what to do“
Ø
Input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware
equipment to provide data and control signals to an information processing
system such as a computer or other information appliance. Input device
Translate data from form that humans understand to one that the computer can
work with. Most common are keyboard and mouse.
Example
of Input Devices :-
1. Keyboard
|
5. Scanner
|
2. Mouse (pointing
device)
|
6. Webcam
|
3. Microphone
|
7.
Touchpads
|
4. Touch screen
|
8. Cameras
|
Output Devices -"How it shows you what it is
doing"
Ø The monitor (the
screen) is how the computer sends information back to you. A printer is also an
output device.
Example
on Output Devices:
1. Monitor
|
4. Computer Output
Microfilm (COM)
|
2. LCD Projection Panels
|
5. Plotters
|
3. Printers
|
6. Speaker
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CHARACTERISTICS OF
COMPUTERS
1.
Computer is fast ( 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.
2.
Computer is accurate ( Accuracy )
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.
3.
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.
4.
Store Capacity
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.
5.
Computer are Versatile( 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.
