Basic of Computer

1. What is a computer?

 A computer is a device that accepts information (in the form of digitalized data) and manipulates it for some result based on a program or sequence of instructions on how the data is to be processed. Complex computers also include the means for storing data (including the program, which is also a form of data) for some necessary duration.

2. Functions of computer:

• Input:  Usually a keyboard and mouse, the input device is the conduit through which data and instructions enter a computer.
• Processing: The central processing unit (CPU) is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, and is the primary element carrying out the computer's functions.
• Output: : A display screen, printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has accomplished.
• Storage: components and recording media that retain digital data used for computing for some interval of time. Computer data storage provides one of the core functions of the modern computer.

3. Characteristics of computers:

• Celerity (High Speed)

  It denotes the speed of a computer.

• Authenticity (Accuracy)

  It denoted the accuracy of the computer.

• Spontaneous (Automatic)

  The computers are automatic. It may execute the process without any intervention of user once they are assigned to a work.

• Pertinacity (Endurance)

  This denotes that the computers never get tried as the humans do.

• Adaptabilty (Versatile)

  In our day to day life computers has been a part, with their extended flexibility they are used, all over the world.

• Storehouse (Memory)

  Secondary storage devices are the key for the data storage.

• Cheaper (Reduction of cost)

  Computers are short term investment in order to achieve a long term gain.

• Needs a User interface

  The only draw back of  computer is it cannot make the decision of its own.

4. Types of cumputers:

• 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.