COMPUTER OVERVIEW
1.1 introduction
Computer have made great inroads in our everyday life and thinking.They are put to use for all sorts of applications ranging from complex calculations in the field or front line or teaching, and recreational games.The ease with this computer computer can process the data,store and retrieve.And this is what is we are going to explain in this chapter.
1.2 What is Computer ?
The word "Computer " comes from the word "Compute" which means "to calculate". Hence,people usually consider a computer to be a calculating device that can perform arithmetic operation with high speed.
You all know what computer is.But lets us formally define it first.
Definition:-A Computer is an electronic device that can perform a variety of operations in accordance with a set of instructions called Program .
In general terms, a computer is a group of electronic devices used to process data.Computer can access and process data millions of times faster than humans can. A computer can store data and information in its memory. and produce desire results. Computer can do a lot of different tasks such as playing games , complex calculations, weather forecasting, error detection etc.
A Computer can be thought of a combinations of Hardware and Software , which transforms some data into information.
Lets us learn what these terms mean.
Hardware : It refers to the physical parts of the computer :the ones that you can touch e.g keyboard, monitor, mouse etc.
(e.g mouse &keyboard)
Software : It refers to the instructions (programs) that tell the computer what to do. or makes the hardware to run.
(e.g A computer program)
To understand the difference between hardware and software , consider a CD storing songs or games. The CD which you can touch , is example of Hardware. But you can't touch the games or songs on CD can be thought as a example of Software. Without software, the computer will not work.
Data : Unprocessed row facts and figure are data e.g, a name (Raman) ,Some marks (82.8%), an year (2013) etc. are data.
(e.g of Data)
Information : It refers to the processed data that is meaningful e.g , above data can converted into information as "Raman, who passes in 2013 ,secured 82.8% marks."
1.3 FUNCTIONING OF A COMPUTER :
Before we start discussing the functioning of a computer , let us understand the way we function.To understand this we will take some examples.
(i) Consider a case when your mother asks you to bring a cake and pastries from the market.You go to the market, purchase both the things and give it to your mother.
(ii) You want to talk to one of your friends. His phone number is 7851594. So you dial up the number and speak to your friend.
(iii) Your mom has to make tea. So she takes certain things (ingredients) i.e 3/4 cup of water.1/2 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 cup of milk .She makes the tea by following certain steps like boiling water, adding tea leaves, sugar and milk.finally you get prepared tea.
Above examples illustrate the way we humans being function.Consider all three example. There is something common in them.
All examples undergo these three stages.The first stage (thing to work upon) is called input stage.The second stage (the actual work being performed) is called process stage and the third stage is called (the result) is called output stage.
Every tasks follows this Input-Process-Output (IPO cycle in short).
1.4 FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
A Computer ,mainly, has four functions :
1. Accepted data - Input
2. Processes Data - Processing
3. Produced Result/Output - Output
4. Stores Result - Storage
The basic structure of a computer comprise of a unit to perform each of the above functions. The basic structure of a computer is as shown in fig 1.2
Fig 1.2 Basic structure of computer.
Since computer follows input -process-output cycle, the first stage is performed in computer by input unit, second stage is performed by its central processing unit (CPU) and the third stage is performed by output unit.And all this is done with the help of memory. Memory is the brain of computer which holds the data during processing.Thus the basic structure of computer is shown in fig 1.2.
1.5 BASIC APPLICATION
In 1950, computers were giant,special purpose machine that were used by huge institutions like government and universities.And they were used performing complex numerical tasks such as calculating the precise orbit of Mars or planning the trajectories of missiles etc.
In 1960 s ,business world started using computers for commercial purpose.
In 1970 s, the invention of personal computer revolutionised the world and today computers are beinf used in nearly every field of life.
Some Major Application of computers are being listed below :
- Business
- Medicine and Health
- Communications
- Education and Reference
- Science, Research & Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Government
- Military
- Music
- Computers at Home
- Theatre, Film, and Television .
1. Computers in Business :
- Budgeting
- Accounting
- Billing
- Reporting
2.Medicine and Health :
- Diagnosis
- Monitoring Patients
- Assisting Surgeons
- Virtual patients for Medical Students
3. Communications :
- Video conferencing
- Chatting
- Internet
4. Education and Reference:
- projects
- Computer Based Training (CBT)
- Informative Internet
- Virtual Classroom
5. Science, Research & Engineering :
- Experimentation
- Weather Forecasting
- Computer Aided Designing (CAD)
- Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)
6. Manufacturing:
- Robotics
- Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
- Monitoring Pressure & Temperatures.
7. Government :
- Census work
- Economy
- Reservations
- Income Tax Processing
8. Military:
- Nuclear Test
- Trajectory of Missiles
- Broadcasting
- Data storage
9. Music :
- Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)
- Playing variety of musical format
- Editing songs
- Recording musical notes
10. computer at Home :
- Learning Tool
- Games
- Letters & E- Mails
- Listening music
11. Theatre, Film, and Television .
- Special Effects
- Visual Tricks
- Staging Lighting
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER :
As you have seen that computers are being effectively used for a variety of tasks in nearly every field.Can you think of the qualities which made computers so popular ? Let us explore those reasons that are responsible for computers popularity.
Computers certainly have some strengths, which make them immensely useful and of course popular. Let us see what strength are.
Strengths of Computer :
1. Automatic : It carries out a job normally without any human intervention.
2. Speed : Computers are much faster as compared to humans being. It can perform several billion (10^9), even trillion (10^12), simple arithmetic operations per second.
3. Accuracy : It perform every calculations with the same accuracy.
4. Diligence : It is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of concentrations.
5. Versatility : It can perform a wide variety of tasks.
6. Memory : It can store huge amount of information and can recall any piece of this of this information whenever required.
Weakness or Disadvantages of Computer :
1. No I.Q : It can't take its own decisions, and has to be instructed what to do and in what sequence.
2. No Feelings : It cannot make judgement based on feelings and instincts.
3. No Heuristics : Heuristics means learning from past experience.If a computer commits an error once and similar situation/event occurs again, computer will commit the sane error again .It cannot learn from the past experience.But humans can learn from the past experience very well.
(Computer Science Engineering)
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