Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                

ComputerSCIENCE 1

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 7

Introduction to 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 use1. Any kind of computers consists
of hardware and software.

A computer is described as an electronic device because; it is made up of electronic components


and uses electric energy (such as electricity) to operate.
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.

Program:
A computer Program is a set of related instructions written in the language of the computer & is
used to make the computer perform a specific task (or, to direct the computer on what to do).

A set of related instructions which specify how the data is to be processed.


A set of instructions used to guide a computer through a process.

Data: Is a collection of raw facts, figures or instructions that do not have much meaning to the
user.
TYPES OF DATA.
There are two types/forms of data:

a). Digital (discrete) data:


Digital data is discrete in nature. It must be represented in form of numbers, alphabets or
symbols for it to be processed by a computer. Digital data is obtained by counting. E.g. 1, 2, 3 …

b). Analogue (continuous) data:


Analogue data is continuous in nature. It must be represented in physical nature in order to be
processed by the computer. Analogue data is obtained by measurement. E.g. Pressure,
Temperature, Humidity, Lengths or currents, etc. The output is in form of smooth graphs from
which the data can be read.
Types of Digital data
There are different types of data:
1: Text data/Alphabetic data: It consist of Alphabetic letters A-Z capital or a-z small letters.
For example, Peshawar, KPK, Ahmad, table, chair etc.
2: Numeric data: It consist of numbers or digits from 0 to 9. E.g 123, 1008,563344 etc.
3: Alphanumeric data: It consist of numbers, letters and special characters. Eg. House#83,
13101-5364778-2, $150 etc.
4: Graphic data: It consist of charts, graphs, maps etc.
5: Audio data: It consist of voice or sound data. Eg. Music, recitation, songs, radio news etc.
6:Video data: It consist of Photos, images, moving pictures, videos etc.
7:Mixed data: It consist of more than one type of data. E.g. Audio video and text. Audio and
video, text and images. Etc.

Information: Information refers to the processed data that has some meaning and purpose.
Information comprises processed, organized data presented in a meaningful context.

Characteristics/ Features of 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:
 Speed − Typically, a computer can carry out 3-4 million instructions per second.
 Accuracy − Computers exhibit a very high degree of accuracy. Errors that may occur are
usually due to inaccurate data, wrong instructions or bug in chips – all human errors.
 Reliability − Computers can carry out same type of work repeatedly without throwing up
errors due to tiredness or boredom, which are very common among humans.
 Versatility − Computers can carry out a wide range of work from data entry and ticket
booking to complex mathematical calculations and continuous astronomical observations.
If you can input the necessary data with correct instructions, computer will do the
processing.
Storage Capacity − Computers can store a very large amount of data at a fraction of cost of
traditional storage of files. Also, data is safe from normal wear and tear associated with paper.

Components of Computer System

Computer systems consist of three components as shown in below image: Central Processing
Unit, Input devices and Output devices. Input devices provide data input to processor, which
processes data and generates useful information that’s displayed to the user through output
devices. This is stored in computer’s memory.
2: Input Unit
Input unit is used to transfers data and control signals to the computer system for processing and
computation.
The input unit contains the devices required to input data to the computer system. Since computers
do not react or operate on their own, the input unit is one of the main component of computer. This
unit establishes a link between the user and computer so that the user can direct commands and
data into the computer.
The devices used to input data into the computer are called input devices. These devices take data
from the users and send it to the computer in a systematic way for further processing. Like other
electronic machines, the computer system also accepts raw data (Binary data). The data entered
through input devices is converted to binary form for computers to understand. Data can be entered
in the form of text, alphabets, numbers, symbols, images and audio (voice data).

An input device is a physical piece of hardware that connects to a primary device, such as a
computer, in order to send data to a computer, allowing you to interact with and control it.
The most commonly used or primary input devices on a computer are the keyboard and mouse.
Keyboard
Keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps to input data to the
computer. A keyboard is composed of buttons called keys that are used to create letters, numbers,
and symbols, and perform some additional functions. The layout of the keyboard is like that of
traditional typewriter, with some additional keys provided for performing additional functions.

Keyboards are of two sizes 84 keys or 101/102 keys, but now keyboards with 104 keys or 108
keys are also available for Windows and Internet.
Mouse
Mouse is the most popular pointing device. It is a very famous cursor-control device having a
small palm size box with a round ball at its base, which senses the movement of the mouse and
sends corresponding signals to the CPU when the mouse buttons are pressed.
Generally, it has two buttons called the left and the right button and a wheel is present between the
buttons. A mouse can be used to control the position of the cursor on the screen, but it cannot be
used to enter text into the computer.

1. Central Processing Unit


The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is called "the brain of computer" as it controls operation of all
parts of computer. It consists of two components: Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), and Control Unit.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Data entered into computer is sent to RAM, from where it is then sent to ALU, where rest of data
processing takes place. All types of processing, such as comparisons, decision-making and
processing of non-numeric information takes place here and once again data is moved to RAM.
Control Unit
As name indicates, this part of CPU extracts instructions, performs execution, maintains and
directs operations of entire system.
Functions of Control Unit
Control unit performs following functions −

 It controls all activities of computer


 Supervises flow of data within CPU
 Directs flow of data within CPU
 Transfers data to Arithmetic and Logic Unit
 Transfers results to memory
Fetches results from memory to output devices
Output Unit
The third main component of a computer is the output unit. The Output unit contains the devices
needed to receive and view information from a computer system. The devices used to receive
information or results from the computer are called out devices. This unit is an essential
components of computer because without it we cannot obtain or see information or desired results.
Like the input unit, the output unit also establishes a link between the user and computer.
The results obtained after processing are stored in the primary memory before sending to other
units. The output unit retrieves the processed data from the computer’s primary memory (main
memory/ RAM) which is converted to human understandable form before being displayed by the
corresponding output device. The following are some of the commonly used output devices to
perform the activities of an output unit.
The output devices can be classified into four categories such as, visual, data, printed and sound.
Depending on the type of computer and requirements, different output devices can be attached to
the computer.
Some examples are:
Monitor
Projector
Printer
Speaker

You might also like