Computer is an electronic device which operates under the control of instructions stored in its own memory. A computer can take data from the user through input devices (Input), process the user given data (Processing), produces the result to the user through output devices (Output)and stores data (Information) for future use.
Computer can be defined as follows...
Computer Systems :
It is made up of 2 major components
They are :
1) Hardware
2) Software
Computer Hardware :
These are the physical components of a computer
It consists of 5 Parts
Input Devices
Output Devices
CPU
Primary Storage
Secondary Storage
Block diagram of a Computer :
Input Devices :
These are used to enter data and program into the computer
These are for man to machine communication
Example : Keyboard, mouse, scanner, touch screen, audio input.
Output Devices :
These are used to get the desired output from the computer
These are for machine to man communication
If the output is shown on monitor then it is called “Soft copy”
If the output is printed on a paper using printer then it is called “hard copy”
Example : Printer, Monitor, Speakers
CPU (Central Processing Unit) :
It is responsible for processing the instructions
It consists of 3 parts
ALU – Arithmetic and Logic Unit
ALU performs arithmetic and logical operations like comparisons among data
CU- Control Unit
CU is responsible for movement of data inside the system
Memory
Memory is used for storage of data and programs. It is divided into
1) Primary Memory / Main Memory
Secondary Memory / Auxiliary Memory
1) Primary Memory :
It is also called main memory
Data is stored temporarily i.e. data gets erased when computer is turned off
Example : RAM
2) Secondary Memory :
It is also called as auxiliary memory
Data is stored permanently so that user can reuse the data whenever he wants.
Example : Hard disk, CD, DVD, Floppy etc.
Computer Software :
The software is used to make the hardware of the computer to function
Software is collection of programs (or) instructions
Computer software is divided into 2 categories
System Software
Application Software
They constitute set of programs that manage the hardware resources of a computer
1.System Software :
It is divided into 3 classes
Operating System :
It acts as an interface between the user and the hardware
It makes the system to operate in an efficient manner
Example : MS DOS, Windows, UNIX, LINUX, etc.
System Support :
They provide some utilities and other operating services
Example: Sort utilities, disk formatting utilities, Security monitors
System Development :
It includes
Language translators – Used for converting programs into machine language
Debuggers – for error free programs
CASE tools – Computer Assisted Software Engineering Tools
2.Application Software :
It contains programs for performing tasks
It is divided into 2 classes
General purpose software :
These are purchased from software developers
They can be used for more than one application
Example : Word processors, DBMS etc…
Application Specific Software :
It can be used only for intended purpose i.e. for which they were designed
Example : Accounting system, Hospital management system, Banking system. Etc.
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Q1 : List two major components of a computer System?
Hardware, Software
Q2 : What are the physical components of the computer hardware?
There are 5 components of the computer hardware
1.Input Devices
2.Output Devices
3.Central Processing Unit(CPU)
4.Primary Memory
5.Secondary Memory
Q3 : What are Output Devices?
Output devices are used to get the output from the computer.
Example: Monitor, Printer, Speakers
Q4 : What are Input Devices?
Input Devices are used to enter data into computer.
Example: Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Touch Screen, Audio Input
Q5 : Why we need a CPU?
Central Processing Unit(CPU) isresponsible for processing the instructions
It consists of 3 parts
1. ALU – Arithmetic and Logic Unit – performs arithmetic and logical operations like comparisons among data
2. CU- Control Unit is responsible for movement of data inside the system memory
3. Memory or Storage Unit
Q6 : What is Computer Software?
Computer Software is used to make the hardware to function.
Computer software is collection of programs, that are dedicated to manage the computer itself.
Q7 : What is Application Software?
Application Software is designed for the user to perform certain task.
General purpose software and Application specific software are the 2 types of application software.
Q8 : Define System Software?
System software is designed to control and manage the computer hardware itself. 3 types of System Software are
• Operating Systems
• System Support
• System Development
Q9 : What are the CPU components?
CPU consists of 3 major components
• Arithmetic and Logic Unit – ALU
• Control Unit – CU
• Memory or Storage Unit
Q10 : What is Memory Unit?
Memory Unit is used for storage of data and programs.
Memory is of 2 types
1.Primary Memory: Data is stored temporarily i.e. data gets erased when computer is turned off. RAM is primary memory
2.Secondary Memory: Data is stored permanently so that user can reuse the data whenever he wants. When user is accessing data from secondary storage device, the data will come to RAM. User need to save his data after manipulation.
Example: Hard disk, CD, DVD, Floppy or USB etc.
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