INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTER
WHAT IS COMPUTER?
 The word “computer” is comes from the word “TO COMPUTE”
means to calculate.
 A computer is normally considered to be a calculation device
which can perform the arithmetic operations very speedily.
 A computer may be defined as a device which operates upon the
data.
 Data can be in the form of numbers, letters, symbols, size etc.
And it comes in various shapes & sizes depending upon the type
of computer application.
 A computer can store, process & retrieve data as and when we
desired.
 The fact that computer process data is so fundamental that
many people have started calling as “Data Processor”.
 A computer first it gets the Data, does Process on it and then
produces Information.
DATA PROCESS INFORMATION

DEFINATION OF COMPUTER
 A computer is an electronic device which takes input from the
user, processes it and gives the output as per user’s requirement.
 So the main tasks of performed by the computer are:
 Input
 Process
  Output
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER

Some important characteristics of the computer are as follow:

1. Automatic:
 Computers are automatic machines because it works by itself
without human intervention.
 Once it started on a job they carry on until the job is finished.
 Computer cannot start themselves.
 They can works from the instructions which are stored inside the
system in the form of programs which specify how a particular job
is to be done.
2. Accuracy:
 The accuracy of a computer is very high.
 The degree of accuracy of a particular computer depends upon its
design.
 Errors can occur by the computer. But these are due to human
weakness, due to incorrect data, but not due to the technological
weakness.
3. Speed:
 Computer is a very fact device. It can perform the amount of
work in few seconds for which a human can take an entire year.
 While talking about computer speed we do not talk in terms of
second and milliseconds but in microseconds.
 A powerful computer is capable of performing several billion
(109) simple arithmetic operations per second.
4. Diligence:
 Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony,
tiredness & lack of concentration.
  It can continuously work for hours without creating any error &
without grumbling.
 If you give ten million calculations to performed, it will perform
with exactly the same accuracy & speed as the first one.
5. Versatility:
 It is one of the most wonderful features about the computer.
 One moment it is preparing the results of a particular
examination, the next moment it is busy with preparing
electricity bills and in between it may be helping an office
secretary to trace an important letter in seconds.
6. Power of remembering:
 Computer can store and recall any amount of data because of its
high storage capacity of its storage devices.
 Every piece of information can be retained as long as desired by
the user and can be recalled as and when required.
 Even after several years, if the information recalled, it will be as
accurate as on the day when it was filled to the computers.
EXPLAIN THE DATA PROCESSING CYCLE OF
COMPUTER.
 The computer Data Processing is any process that a computer
program does to enter data & summarize, analyze or convert
data into useable information.
 The process may be automated & run on a computer.
 It involves recording, analyzing, storing, summarizing & storing
data.
 Because data are most useful when it is well presented &
informative.
The Data Processing Cycle:
 Data Processing cycle described all activities which are common to
all data processing systems from manual to electronic systems.
 These activities can be grouped in four functional categories, data
input, data processing, data output and storage, constituting what
is known as a data processing cycle.
 The main aim of data processing cycle is to convert the data into
meaningful information.
 Data processing system are often referred to as Information
System.
 The Information System typically take raw Data as Input to
produce Information as Output.
The data processing cycle contains main four functions:
I. DATA INPUT
 The term input refers to the activities required to record data.
 It’s a process to entered data in to computer system.
 So before we input any data, it is necessary to check or verify the
data context.
II. DATA PROCESSING
 The term processing includes the activities like classifying, storing,
calculating, comparing or summarizing the data.
 The processing means to use techniques to convert the data into
meaningful information.
III. DATA OUTPUT
 It’s a communication function which transmits the information to
the outside world.
 After completed the process the data are converted into the
meaningful in
  Sometimes the output also includes the decoding activity which
converts the electronically generated information into human
readable form.
IV. DATA STORAGE
 It involves the filling of data & information for future use.

EXPLAIN THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE

COMPUTER BY
DATA PROCESSED
The computers are divided mainly three types on the based on data
processed:
1. Analog computers
2. Digital computers
3. Hybrid computers
Analog computers:
 In Analog Computers, data is represented as continuously varying
voltage and operate essentially by measuring rather counting.
 As the data is continuously variable, the results obtained are
estimated and not exactly repeatable.
 It can able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
 Voltage, temperature and pressure are measured using analog
devices.
Digital Computers:
 The digit computer is a machine based on digital technology
which represents information by numerical digit.
  In Digital Computers data is represented as discrete units of
electrical pulses. The data is measured in quantities represented
as either the ‘on’ or ‘off’ state.
 Therefore, the results obtained from a digital computer are
accurate.
 Virtually all of today’s computers are based on digital computers.

Hybrid Computers:
 It combines the good features of both analog & digital
computers.
 It has a speed of analog computer & accuracy of digital computer.
 Hybrid Computers accept data in analog form and present output
also in digitally.
 The data however is processed digitally.
 Therefore, hybrid computers require analog-to-digital and digital-
to-analog converters for output.
Types of Digital COMPUTERS:
The computers are classified in four types on the based on data
processing.
 Micro computer
 Mini computer
 Mainframe computer
 Super computer
Micro Computer:
 Micro computers are the computers with having a microprocessor
chip as it central processing unit.
 Originated in late 1970s.
  First microcomputer was built with 8 bit processor.
 Microcomputer is known as personal computer.
 Designed to use by individual whether in the form of pc’s,
workstation or notebook computers.
 Small in size and affordable for general people.
 Ex: IBM PC, IBM PC/XT, IBM PC/AT

Mainframe Computer:
 A very powerful computer which capable of supporting thousands of user
simultaneously.
 It contains powerful data processing system.
 It is capable to run multiple operating systems.
 It is capable to process 100 million instructions per second.
 Mainframes are very large & expensive computers with having
larger internal storage capacity & high processing speed.
 Mainframes are used in the organization that need to process
large number of transaction online & required a computer system
having massive storage & processing capabilities.
 Mainly used to handle bulk of data & information for processing.
 Mainframe system is housed in a central location with several
user terminal connected to it.
 Much bigger in size & needs a large rooms with closely humidity
& temperature.
 IBM & DEC are major vendors of mainframes.
Super Computer:
 Most powerful & most expensive computer.
 Used for complex scientific application that requires huge
processing power.
 Used multiprocessor technology to perform the calculation very
speedy.
 They are special purpose computers that are designed to perform
some specific task.