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Introduction to computers An electronic device that accepts data as input, and transforms it under the influence of a set of special instructions called Programs, to produce the desired output (referred to as Information). Explanations; A computer has an internal memory, which stores data & instructions temporarily awaiting processing, and even holds the intermediate result (information) before it is communicated to the recipients through the Output devices. It works on the data using the instructions issued, means that, the computer cannot do any useful job on its own. It can only work as per the set of instructions issued. A computer will accept data
in one form and produce it in another form. The data is normally held within the computer as it is being processed. Program: A set of related instructions which specify how the data is to be processed.
Data: Is a collection of raw facts, figures or instructions that do not have much meaning to the user. Data may be in form of numbers, alphabets/letters or symbols, and can be processed to produce information. TYPES OF DATA. a). Digital (discrete) data: b). Analogue (continuous) data: Processing refers to the way the data is manipulated (or handled) to turn it into information. Information: is the data which has been refined, summarized & manipulated in the way you want it, or into a more meaningful form for decision-making. The information must be accurate, timely, complete and relevant. Characteristics / Features of a Computer. Before 20th century, most information was processed manually or by use of simple machines. Today, millions of people are using computers in offices and at home to produce and store all types of information The following are some of the attributes that make computers widely accepted & used in the day-to-day activities in our society: 1. Speed. The speed of a computer is usually linked to the technology used to build it. a). 1st Generation computers (1940s & early 1950s). • The computers were built using Vacuum tubes, and the speed was measured in Milliseconds. E.g., a computer could perform 5,000 additions & 300 multiplications per second. b). 2nd Generation computers (1950s & early 1960s). c). Mid 1960s. Integrated Circuit (IC), which combined a no. of transistors & diodes together on a silicon chip, was developed. The speed increased to tens of millions of operations per second. d). In 1971, Intel Corporation produced a very small, single chip called a Microprocessor, which could perform all the operations on the computer’s processor. The chip contained about 1,600 transistors. e). Today’s microprocessors are very powerful, cheaper & more reliable due to the use of the Large Scale Integration (LSI) & Very Large scale Integration (VLSI) technologies, which combines hundreds of thousands of components onto a single chip. 2. Accuracy: 3. Reliability. Therefore, if you want to add two numbers, but by mistake, give the computer a “Multiply” instruction, the computer will not know that you intended to “ADD”; it will multiply the numbers supplied. Similarly, if you give it the ADD instruction, but make a mistake and enter an incorrect data; let say, 14 & 83 instead of 14 & 38; then the computer will produce the “wrong” answer 97 instead of 52. However, note that, 97 is ‘correct’ based on the data supplied. Therefore, the output produced by a computer is only as reliable as the instructions used & the data supplied. 4. Consistency: Computers are usually consistent. This means that, given the same data & the same instructions, they will produce the same answer every time that particular process is repeated. 5. Storage: A computer is capable of storing large amounts of data or instructions in a very small space. A computer can store data & instructions for later use, and it can produce/ retrieve this data when required so that the user can make use of it. Data stored in a computer can be protected from unauthorized individuals through the use of passwords. 6. Diligence: Unlike human beings, a computer can work continuously without getting tired or bored. Even if it has to do a million calculations, it will do the last one with the same speed and accuracy as the first one. 7. Automation: A computer is an automatic device. This is because, once given the instructions, it is guided by these instructions and can carry on its job automatically until it is complete. It can also
perform a variety of jobs as long as there is a well-defined procedure. A computer can be used in different places to perform a large number of different jobs depending on the instructions fed to it. 9. Imposition of a formal approach to working methods: CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS ii) Classification according to the purpose ACCORDING TO PHYSICAL SIZE TYPES OF COMPUTER Analog computer Analog computer measures and answer the questions by the method of “HOW MUCH”. The input data is not a number infect a physical quantity like temp, pressure, speed, velocity.
Time is wasted in transmission time ANALOG COMPUTER
DIGITAL COMPUTERS Digital computer counts and answer the questions by the method of “HOW Many”. The input data is represented by a number. These are used for the logical and arithmetic operations.
MICRO COMPUTERS Micro computer are the smallest computer system. There size range from calculator to desktop size. Its CPU is microprocessor. It also known as Grand child Computer.
MINI COMPUTERS These are also small general purpose system. They are generally more powerful and most useful as compared to micro computer. Mini computer are also known as mid range computer or Child computer.
MAINFRAME COMPUTERS Mainframe computers are those computers that offer faster processing and grater storage area. The word “main frame” comes from the metal frames. It is also known as Father computer.
SUPER COMPUTERS
CLASSIFICATION OF DIGITAL COMPUTERS
WORKSTATION TABLET PC HANDHELD PC (PDA) SMART PHONE Peda.net käyttää vain välttämättömiä evästeitä istunnon ylläpitämiseen ja anonyymiin tekniseen tilastointiin. Peda.net ei koskaan käytä evästeitä markkinointiin tai kerää yksilöityjä tilastoja. Lisää tietoa evästeistä Is a computer that can perform all of its input processing output and storage activities by itself and is intended to be used by one person at a time?Unit 1 "Basic Computer Terms" Vocabulary. What is a computer explain input processing and output?A computer is a machine that can be programmed to accept data (input), process it into useful information (output), and store it away (in a secondary storage device) for safekeeping or later reuse. The processing of input to output is directed by the software but performed by the hardware.
Which part of a computer processes the input?The central processing unit is the unseen part of a computer system, and users are only dimly aware of it. But users are very much aware of the input and output associated with the computer. They submit input data to the computer to get processed information, the output.
What is the name of the process in the computer which takes input process it and produces output?The IPO Cycle is termed as Input-Processing-Output cycle. A computer receives data as input, processes it, stores it and then produces output.
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