BASIC INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

Introduction To Computer

what is computer?

A computer is a programmable machine designed to perform arithmetic and logical operations automatically and sequentially on the input given by the user and gives the desired output after processing.

OR

COMPUTER is an electronic device that accept input through keyboard, store it in its memory by performing mathematical and logical operation and finally executes the program and displays the result. 

OBJECTIVES

After going through this lesson you would be able to:

•  familiarise yourself with characteristics of computers
•  identify the basic components of a computer
•  explain the importance of various units of a computer
•  differentiate between system software and application software
•  explain the importance of operating system
•  get acquainted with open source
•  appreciate the need of computer security

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS:

The characteristics of computers that have made them so

powerful and universally useful are speed, accuracy,

diligence, versatility and storage capacity.

·         SPEED : In general, no human being can compete to solving the complex                   computation, faster than computer.

·         ACCURACY : Since Computer is programmed, so what ever input we give it gives result with accurately.

·         STORAGE : Computer can store mass storage of data with appropriate format.

·         DILIGENCE : Computer can work for hours without any break and creating error.

·         VERSATILITY : We can use computer to perform completely different type of work at the same time.

·         POWER OF REMEMBERING : It can remember data for us.

·         NO IQ : Computer does not work without instruction.

·         NO FEELING : Computer does not have emotions, knowledge, experience, feeling.

COMPUTER AND ITS COMPONENTS:

 Computer itself a combination of different type of separate electronic device. The process of the computer task can be divided into three stages: 

•   Input
•  Process
•  Output

Input-Process-Output

INPUT DEVICE:

An input device can send data to another device, but it cannot receive data from another device.

Examples:

a.      Graphics Tablets

b.     Cameras

c.      Video Capture Hardware

d.     Trackballs

e.      Barcode reader

f.       Digital camera

g.     Game pad

h.     Joystick

i.       Keyboard

j.       Microphone

k.     MIDI keyboard

l.       Mouse (pointing device)

m.  Scanner

n.     Webcam

o.     Touch pads

p.     Pen Input

q.     Microphone

r.       Electronic Whiteboard

s.      OMR

t.       OCR

u.     Punch card reader

v.     MICR (Magnetic Ink character reader)

w.   Magnetic Tape Drive

 OUTPUT DEVICE:

An output device can receive data from another device, but it cannot send data to another device.

Examples:

1.      Monitor (LED, LCD, CRT etc)

2.     Printers (all types)

3.     Plotters

4.     Projector

5.     LCD Projection Panels

6.     Computer Output Microfilm (COM)

7.     Speaker(s)

8.     Head Phone

9.     Visual Display Unit

10. Film Recorder

11. Microfiche

INPUT, OUTPUT AND BOTH

INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICE:

An input/output device can send data to another device and also receive data from another device.

 Examples: 

1.     Modems

2.     Network cards

3.     Touch Screen

4.      Headsets (Headset consists of Speakers and Microphone. Speaker act Output Device and microphone act as Input Device).

5.     Facsimile (FAX)  (It has scanner to scan the document and also have printer to Print the  document)

6. Audio Cards / Sound Card