BASIC OF COMPUTER

CONCEPTS

1. What is a Computer?
2. Components of a Computer
3. How does a Computer work? Characteristics of a Computer
4. Limitations of a Computer
5. Applications of Computers
6. Classification of Computer
7. Communication Technology

1.WHAT IS COMPUTER?
DATA A collection of facts, observations or
readings is called data.

INFORMATION The processed form of data, in other words, the

inference drawn from the
data is called information.
HARDWARE The physical components of a computer system
are termed as hardware.
SOFTWARE The set of instructions which tell the computer
what to do and how to do, is called software.

2.COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER?
INPUT UNIT KEYBOARD,MOUSE
PROCESSING CPU
OUTPUT PRINTER
STROAGE HARD DICK

3.HOW DOES A COMPUTER WORK?

INPUT TAKE TWO NUMBER TO Take two numbers
BE ADDED as input
PROCESSING ADD THE TWO NUMBER Perform addition
on the numbers
OUTPUT TELL THE SUM Display the sum as
output

STORAGE NOTE THE SUM IN NOTE Store

the sum in memory
Function of component of computer
INPUT UNIT This unit receives the input in the
form of data and instructions. Is the
passes it on to the Processing unit.
The most commonly used input
devices are Keyboard, Mouse,
Microphone. Scanner, Camera, etc
PROCCESING UNIT<CPU> ALU (Arithmetic & Logic Unit) - It
performs the arithmetic operations
like addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division,
logical operations like <fless than), >
(greater than), < (less than or equal
to
Control Unit - It controls all the
other units of the computer by
sending control signals to them. A
control signal informs a unit about
the next function to perform.

Memory Unit While processing the

data there are some intermediate
results that need to be stored for a
short while. These results are stored
in computer's main memory (primary
memory) which is
temporary memory
OUTPUT UNIT This unit gives back the final result
or the output to us (user) in the form
of text, pictures or sound. The most
commonly used output devices are
Monitor or VDU (Visual Display Unit),
Printer, Speakers, etc.

STROAGE This unit is the secondary memory in

which data, instructions or output
can be stored permanently.
The most commonly used storage
device is Hard disk which is internal
to the computer unit.
External storage devices are Pen/
Flash drive, CDs/DVDs (Compact
Discs/Digital Versatile Discs),
Memory stick, etc.
4. characteristics of a computer
speed Computers have an enormous processing
speed. The basic unit for measuring the
speed is MIPS (Million Instructions Per
Second). The productivity of a computer is
analysed on the basis of
its speed.
Accuracy Another very important characteristic of
computer is the accuracy It can give the
result of very complicated calculations
accurately up to say 10 decimal places or
more (depending upon the type of
computer) within fraction of a second. of
results.
diligence Unlike humans, a computer never gets
tired or bored doing the same task over
and over again. It gives the result with the
same efficiency and accuracy each time
the processing takes place.
versatility Computers are capable of doing varied
type of jobs. For example, on your
personal computer you can play games,
do mathematical calculations, surf the
internet, send mail, draw pictures, etc
Enormous storage Computers can store a large amount of
information and data in their memory. The
data can also be stored on external
storage devices like CDs and pen drives
which act as additional memory for the
computers.
efficiency A computer produces high quality and
accurate result at a very high speed
without much human intervention.

5.Limitation of a computer

No iq: A computer does not possess intelligence of its own. It is just a

machine which only works according to the instructions given by us. It cannot
differentiate between a good and a wrong task.
No decision making capability: Since a computer Can't take decisions on its
own cannot take a decision on its Can't learn from past situations can't think
on its own, so own
No learning capacity: If we want the computer to perform a task five times,
we have to instruct it every time. We can't expect it to learn from its past
activities.
6.APPLICATION FOR COMPUTER
education Computers are playing a vital role in the
field of education. Use of Multimedia has
helped in making lessons and lectures
more interesting and interactive.
Medicine In the field.of.medicine computers are
used for keeping the medical reconds of
patients. Most of the technical machines
like ECG, X-ray, Ventilators, etc. have
embedded computers Computer based
imaging is used to get a 2D or 3D view of
internal body organs in applications like
MRI and ultrasound which helps the
doctors to diagnose a disease or an injury:
Weatherfore casting The data received from the satellites is
analysed by the computers tu forecast
weather conditions for a particular area
defence Computers are used in defence for
different purposes. The fighter pilots are
given training on the ground using special
computers which give a real life flying
experience. The missiles are programmed
to locate and hit the target with profound
precision.
ARPANET, was the first network of
computons which was designed for
scientific and military research programs
Internet is the expanded version of this
network
governance Computers have taken off the manual load
from the authorities to a great extent
Records are kept in the form of electronic
data which makes its updation and
retrieval easy and quick. It also helps the
departments like Income Tax, Police, CBL,
etc. to keep track of the defaulters and
criminals.
entertainment The scope of computers is not only limited
to business and research. The advanced
technology has changed the way the
movies are made, music is recorded and
ames are played. With advanced graphic
and sound cards the quality of graphics
has improved and so the gaming has
become hi-tech
communication The vast contribution of the computers to
the society is in the field of communication
e-commerce One of the most important services of
internet is email by which messages
and mails can be sent to any part of the
world with in seconds. Social networking
vide calling and chatting services have
transformed the world to a closely knitted
community Eco Conducting business and
carrying out business transactions
electronically
Using internet is called ecommerce

7.CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER
ON BASIC OF OPERATION
Anaog computer These computers work on analog signals, . they
take a continious variable physical quantity as
input, eg, motion, pressure, sound, etc Acar
speedometer is an example of an analog
machine where the number of rotations of
wheels per minute act as an input and we get to
know the speed
Digital computer These computer accept data that has been
converted into binary digits 10 and 11. Their
circuits are based on the concept that I
represents ON and represents OFF Most
modern day computers are digital computers
Hybrid computer Digital computers have a very high precision.
(accuracy) and analog computers work with
this speed of light. So hybrid computers are
made exhibit the high speed of analog
computers and high precision of digital
computers

ON BASIC OF SIZE
Super computer These computers are hybrid computers.
These computers are also mast
expensive and largest in size. They are
 generally funded by agencies like
defence government, etc.
Mainframe computer These computers are digital computers
and very large in size and can process
millions of instructions in nanosecond
These are mainly used where large
amount of data has to be stored and
retrieved, eg railway reservation system,
hospital management system, etc
Hundreds of terminals can be attached to
these mainframes
Mini computer These computers are smaller than
mainframes so lesser in capacity and
performance. They are used in smaller
organisations like nursing homes, school
colleges, etc. Around 32-64 terminals
can be attached to them. They also fall
under the category of digital computers
Micro computer These computers are single-user digital
machines. They are small in size, so
portable, not very costly and have all the
basic functions required for daily use

ON BASIC OF USE
General purpose computer These computers are capable of performing
various jobs mputers eg a desktop or a laptop
can be used for data manipulation, gaming,
entertainment. communication,
documentation and many more such tasks
Special purpose computer These computers are also called dedicated
computers as they are specialised to perform
a single specific task. For example, computers
-defence controlling robots, traffic signals,
predicting weather forecasting, etc.

8.COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
email Sending and receiving mail from an
electronic device such as a computer or
a mobile phone within a few seconds is
done using the email (electronic mail)
serve of Internet. Various search engines
provide facility for email, eg, Outlook,
Gmail
Information retrieval A large amount of data is present on the
internet which can be

retrieved using the world wide web

(www), a service of the internet. Search
engines like Google, Yahoo
chat This is an instant messaging service
which provides virtual rooms called chat
rooms for chatting online. One can
choose a chat site and then a topic of
interest and can get connected to a
whole world of people with the same
interest.
Video chatting Video chatting is just like talking on the
phone but one can see the person he is
talking to on the screen. Messenger,
Gtalk
Social networking Social networking is an online platform
that people uses to develop a social
relationship with others with similar
thoughts and personal interest,
backgrounds, real-time connections or
career activities