Characteristics of Computer

 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 accuratly.

 STORAGE : Computer can store mass storage of data with appropriate formate.

 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 : Computer itself a combination of different type of separate electronic device. i.e.
Computer only will be computer if it has INPUT DEVICE, PROCESS UNIT, and OUTPUT
DEVICE.

 Central Processing Unit (CPU) : It is heart and mind of the computer without this unit
computer unable to process.

 Keyboard : This is an input device which is used to input the data into the computer.

 Mouse : This is also an input device which is used to input the data into the computer.

 Monitor : This is an output device which is used to show the result of the instructions.

There are variety of monitor available in the market such as, CRT Monitor, LCD Monitor,
Touch Screen Monitor, TFT Monitor etc.

 Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) : This is and electronic device which is used to
manage the power supply of computer.

 Hard Disk (HDD) : This is used to store the data in massive amount. There are so
many type of HDD available in the market, i.e. SATA, PATA, External HDD,
Internal HDD.

 Printer : This is an out put device which is used to show the result on the paper. There
are plenty of printer available in the market like inkjet, Laser printer, dot matrix
printer etc.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) : This is used to connect the external device to the computer.

 Ethernet Cable : This is used to connect computer with other computer.

 CD/DVD ROM : This is used to store the data.

 Speaker : This is an output device which is used to listen voice, songs, etc.

 Mike : This is an Input device which is used to record the sound .

 Laptop : This is complete computer which can be carried anywhere any time.

 Netbook : This is called mini laptop which is generally lighter and smaller than
laptop.

 Random Access Memory (RAM) : This is called primary memory. This is also called
main memory of the computer. Whatever data is written in this memory, is lost after
switching off the system.

 Read Only Memory (ROM) : This is called primary memory. Data is written in this
memory by the vendor of the computer permanently.

 Pen Drive : This is very popular device now a days for carrying data on move.

 Blue Ray Disk : This is same as CD/DVD but only different is it can store multi time
of data from CD/DVD and faster than CD/DVD.

 Scanner : This is an input device which is used to scan the document for the soft copy.

 LCD : It is known as Liqued Crystal Display. It is an output device as monitor.

 Motherboard : It is a combination of electronic circuits.

 Sound Card : This is also a combination of electronic circuits which helps to give out
put in the form of sound.

 Graphics Card : This is also a combination of electronic circuits which helps to give
output the data into the monitor.

Number System

 Binary Number System : It has only base 2 i.e 0 and 1

 Octal Number System  : Base of octal is 8 i.e. 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

 Decimal Number System : Base of Decimal is 10 i.e. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

 Hexadecimal Number System : Base of this number system is 16 i.e. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9ABCDEF
The characteristics of computers that have made them so powerful and universally useful are
speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility and storage capacity. Let us discuss them briefly.

 Speed

Computers work at an incredible speed. A powerful computer is capable of performing about

3-4 million simple instructions per second.

 Accuracy

In addition to being fast, computers are also accurate. Errors that may occur can almost
always be attributed to human error (inaccurate data, poorly designed system or faulty
instructions/programs written by the programmer)

 Diligence

Unlike human beings, computers are highly consistent. They do not suffer from human traits
of boredom and tiredness resulting in lack of concentration. Computers, therefore, are better
than human beings in performing voluminous and repetitive jobs.

 Versatility

Computers are versatile machines and are capable of performing any task as long as it can be
broken down into a series of logical steps. The presence of computers can be seen in almost
every sphere – Railway/Air reservation, Banks, Hotels, Weather forecasting and many more.

 Storage Capacity

Today’s computers can store large volumes of data. A piece of information once recorded (or
stored) in the computer, can never be forgotten and can be retrieved almost instantaneously.

Computer technology has made several important impacts on our society. Today computer is playing very important
role in every field of life. Many activities in daily life can be performed very easily and qickly. A lot of time is saved and
overall cost is reduced to solve a particular problem. Many fields where computer are widely used

APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTERS

1- Business
    Today, in global markets, it is impossible to run the business without the use of computer technology. Many
business activities are performed very quickly and efficiently by using computers. The administrative paperwork is also
reduced by using computers. Many business use websites to sell their products and contact their customers.
2- Education
    Computers are used in teaching and research. The students can solve different kinds of problems quickly and
efficiently by using computers. They can also collect different information on the Internet.

3- Banks
    Computers are widely used in banks. They are used in banks for record keeping and maintaining accounts of
customers. Most of the banks provide the facility of ATMs. The customers can draw money through ATM card from any
branch of that bank (or another bank) at any time of a day.

4- Entertainment
    Computers are also playing very important role for the entertainment of human beings. Nowadays, computer can
be used to watch television programs on the Internet. People can also watch movies, listen music, and play games on
the computer. Many computer games and other entertainment materials of different kinds are available on the
Internet.

5- Home
    At home, computer is used to maintain personal records and to access much other information on the Internet.
People can also use computer at home for making home budgets etc.

6- Medical
    Nearly every area of the medical field uses computers. For example, computers are used for maintaining patient
history & other records. They are also used for patient monitoring and diagnosis of diseases etc.

Six Limitations

Speed. Computers are getting faster all the time. When you surf to Google Translate and type
in a sentence, the translation comes immediately! And yet ... you lose more time than you
gain when you have to go over every output from the computer and fix its mistakes. Subject
Matter. The undeniable fact is, computers are not aware and do not ‘know’ anything in the
strictest sense of the term. They are unaware of context and incapable to applying it.
Accuracy. Computers are blunt instruments in the legal translation world; you pretty much
get the same performance all the time. I can vary the time and energy I spend on something
depending on the needs of my clients. That flexibility does not exist with machines right now.
Vocabulary. While computers can be built to have immense dictionaries and, of course,
perfect recall, what you’ll find is that the translations produced by them will start to sound the
same, as the same words are used over and over again.

Volume. The only time machine translation becomes a true option is when volume and not
quality is the goal, but the bar for volume is very high. Unless you have immense amounts of
text that must be translated by tomorrow, a human is still going to do a better job. Expense.
While it might seem like all the translation tools are free, those are really just the toys offered
as loss leaders by Google and Microsoft. The professional machine translation tools are quite

1. Computer
“The Computer is an Electronic Device which  accepts the input data processing according
to their Instruction and it gives output result”.

Classification of computers:-

Computers may be classified based on the following: -

i.                    Operating principles (based on their construction and working)

ii.                  Applications

iii.                Size and capability (or classification into micro, mini, mainframe and supercomputers)

iv.                Number of Microprocessors

v.                  Word length and

vi.        Number of users

 Posted 3rd September 2012 by palak tia

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2.
Sep

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON OPERATING PRINCIPLES

i)          Classification based on Operating Principles

Based on the operating principles, computers can be classified into one of the following
types: -

A.                  Digital Computers
B.                  Analog Computers

C.                  Hybrid Computers

A.                  Digital Computers: - Operate essentially by counting. All quantities are expressed as discrete
or numbers. Digital computers are useful for evaluating arithmetic expressions and
manipulations of data (such as preparation of bills, ledgers, solution of simultaneous
equations etc)

B.        Analog Computers:- An analog computer is a form of computer that uses the continuously changeable aspects
of physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, orhydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved. In
contrast, digital computers represent varying quantities symbolically, as their numerical values change.

C.         Hybrid Computers:- are computers that exhibit features of analog computers and digital computers. The digital
component normally serves as the controller and provides logical operations, while the analog component normally
serves as a solver of differential equations.
 Posted 3rd September 2012 by palak tia

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3.
Sep

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON AREA OF APPLICATION

Classification based on area of applications

Modern computers depending upon their applications are classified as: -

a.                   Special Purpose Computers

b.                   General Purpose Computers

a.)                Special Purpose Computers: - A special purpose computer is designed only to meet the
requirements of a particular task or application. The instructions needed to perform a
particular task are permanently stored into the internal memory, so that it can perform the
given task on a single command. It therefore doesn’t posses unnecessary options and is less
expensive.
 b)  General Purpose Computers: - A General Purpose computers are designed to meet the
needs of many different applications. In these computers, the instructions needed to
perform a particular task are wired permanently into the internal memory. When one job is
over, instructions for another job can be loaded into the internal memory for processing.
This, a general purpose machine can be used to prepare pay-bills, manage inventories, print
sales report and so on.

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4.
Sep

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON AREA OF APPLICATION

 Classification based on area of applications

Modern computers depending upon their applications are classified as: -

a.                   Special Purpose Computers

b.                   General Purpose Computers

a.)                Special Purpose Computers: - A special purpose computer is designed only to meet the
requirements of a particular task or application. The instructions needed to perform a
particular task are permanently stored into the internal memory, so that it can perform the
given task on a single command. It therefore doesn’t posses unnecessary options and is less
expensive.

 b)  General Purpose Computers: - A General Purpose computers are designed to meet the
needs of many different applications. In these computers, the instructions needed to
perform a particular task are wired permanently into the internal memory. When one job is
over, instructions for another job can be loaded into the internal memory for processing.
This, a general purpose machine can be used to prepare pay-bills, manage inventories, print
sales report and so on.
 Posted 3rd September 2012 by palak tia

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5.
Sep

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON SIZE AND CAPABILITY

Classification digital Computer based on size and Capability

Based on size and capability, computers are broadly classified into

a.                     Microcomputers(Personal Computer)

 A microcomputer is the smallest general purpose processing system. The older pc started 8
bit processor with speed of 3.7MB and current pc 64 bit processor with speed  of 4.66 GB. 

Examples: -     IBM PCs, APPLE computers

Microcomputer can be classified into 2 types :

1.       Desktops

2.       Portables

The difference is portables can be used while travelling whereas desktops computers cannot
be carried around.

The different portable computers are: -

1)         Laptop

2)         Notebooks
3)         Palmtop (hand held)

4)         Wearable computers

Laptop: - this computer is similar to a desktop computers but the size is smaller. They are
expensive than desktop. The weight of laptop is around 3 to 5 kg.

Notebook: - These computers are as powerful as desktop but size of these computers are
comparatively smaller than laptop and desktop. They weigh 2 to 3 kg. They are more costly
than laptop.

Palmtop (Hand held): - They are also called as personal Digital Assistant (PDA). These
computers are small in size. They can be held in hands. It is capable of doing word
processing, spreadsheets and hand writing recognition, game playing, faxing and paging.
These computers are not as powerful as desktop computers. Ex: - 3com palmV.
Wearable computer: - The size of this computer is very small so that it can be worn on the
body. It has smaller processing power. It is used in the field of medicine. For example pace
maker to correct the heart beats. Insulin meter to find the levels of insulin in the blood.

b).    Workstations:- It is used in large, high-resolution graphics screen built in network

support, Engineering applications(CAD/CAM), software development desktop publishing

Ex: Unix and windows NT.

b)         Minicomputer: -         A minicomputer is a medium-sized computer. That is more

powerful than a microcomputer. These computers are usually designed to serve multiple
users simultaneously (Parallel Processing). They are more expensive than microcomputers.
            Examples:        Digital Alpha, Sun Ultra.

c)         Mainframe computers: - Computers with large storage capacities and very high speed
of processing (compared to mini- or microcomputers) are known as mainframe computers.
They support a large number of terminals for simultaneous use by a number of users like
ATM transactions. They are also used as central host computers in distributed data
processing system.

            Examples: -     IBM 370, S/390.

 d)         Supercomputer: -      Supercomputers have extremely large storage capacity and
computing speeds which are many times faster than other computers. A supercomputer is
measured in terms of tens of millions Instructions per second (mips), an operation is made
up of numerous instructions. The supercomputer is mainly used for large scale numerical
problems in scientific and engineering disciplines such as Weather analysis.

            Examples: -     IBM Deep Blue

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6.
Sep

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON NUMBER OF MICROPROCESSORS

Classification based on number of microprocessors

Based on the number of microprocessors, computers can be classified into

a.                   Sequential computers and

b.                   Parallel computers

a)         Sequential computers: -        Any task complete in sequential computers is with one
microcomputer only. Most of the computers (today) we see are sequential computers where
in any task is completed sequentially instruction after instruction from the beginning to the
end.
b)         Parallel computers: - The parallel computer is relatively fast. New types of computers
that use a large number of processors. The processors perform different tasks independently
and simultaneously thus improving the speed of execution of complex programs
dramatically. Parallel computers match the speed of supercomputers at a fraction of the
cost.

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Sep

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON WORD LENGTH AND NUMBER OF USERS

Classification based on word-length

            A binary digit is called “BIT”. A word is a group of bits which is fixed for a computer.
The number of bits in a word (or word length) determines the representation of all
 characters in these many bits. Word length leis in the range from 16-bit to 64-bitsf or most

computers of today.

Classification based on number of users

Based on number of users, computers are classified into: -

a.           Single User: - Only one user can use the resource at any time.

b.           Multi User: - A single computer shared by a number of users at any time.
c.            Network: - A number of interconnected autonomous computers shared by a number of users
at any time.

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Advantages: 

1) Information on almost every subject imaginable. 

2) Powerful search engines 
3) Ability to do research from your home versus research libraries. 
4) Information at various levels of study. Everything from scholarly articles to ones directed at children. 
5) Message boards where people can discuss ideas on any topic. Ability to get wide range of opinions. People can
find others that have a similar interest in whatever they are interested in. 
6) The internet provides the ability of emails. Free mail service to anyone in the country. 
7) Platform for products like SKYPE, which allow for holding a video conference with anyone in the world who also
has access. 
8) Friendships and love connections have been made over the internet by people involved in love/passion over
similar interests. 
9) Things such as Yahoo Answers and other sites where kids can have readily available help for homework. 
10) News, of all kinds is available almost instantaneously. Commentary, on that news, from every conceivable
viewpoint is also available. 

Disadvantages: 

1) There is a lot of wrong information on the internet. Anyone can post anything, and much of it is garbage. 
2) There are predators that hang out on the internet waiting to get unsuspecting people in dangerous situations. 
3) Some people are getting addicted to the internet and thus causing problems with their interactions of friends and
loved ones. 
4) Pornography that can get in the hands of young children too easily. 
5) Easy to waste a lot of time on the internet. You can start surfing, and then realize far more time has passed than
you realized. Internet and television together of added to the more sedentary lifestyles of people which further
exacerbates the obesity problem. 
6) Internet has a lot of "cheater" sites. People can buy essays and pass them off as their own far more easily than
they used to be able to do. 
7) There are a lot of unscrupulous businesses that have sprung up on the internet to take advantage of people. 
8) Hackers can create viruses that can get into your personal computer and ruin valuable data. 
9) Hackers can use the internet for identity theft. 
10) It can be quite depressing to be on the internet and realize just how uneducated so many people have become in
today's society.
 Firmware:-
It is pre-written program in machine language that is stored in ROM (Read Only Memory).
Example:-BIOS
Firmware boots up computerized devices.

In electronic systems and computing, firmware is a type of software that provides control,
monitoring and data manipulation of engineered products and systems. Typical examples of
devices containing firmware are embedded systems (such as traffic lights, consumer
appliances, and digital watches), computers, computer peripherals, mobile phones, and digital
cameras. The firmware contained in these devices provides the low-level control program for
the device. As of 2013, most firmware can be updated.[1]

Firmware is held in non-volatile memory devices such as ROM, EPROM, or flash memory.
Changing the firmware of a device may rarely or never be done during its economic lifetime;
some firmware memory devices are permanently installed and cannot be changed after
manufacture. Common reasons for updating firmware include fixing bugs or adding features
to the device. This may require ROM integrated circuits to be physically replaced, or flash
memory to be reprogrammed through a special procedure.[2] Firmware such as the ROM
BIOS of a personal computer may contain only elementary basic functions of a device and
may only provide services to higher-level software. Firmware such as the program of an
embedded system may be the only program that will run on the system and provide all of its
functions.

Humanware:-
The personnel which are related to installation, maintenance, operation and testing of
computer
are called humanware.
Example:-Programmer, Hardware/Network Engineers, System Analysts 0

Humanware is hardware and software that emphasizes user capability and empowerment and
the design of the user interface. The process of building humanware generally consists of
these steps:

1. Define users (age, mindset, environmental context, previous product experience and
expectations, and so forth) and what they really want to do
2. Identify tasks they will need to do or capabilities they will want
3. Specify usability objectives (if possible, these should be measurable, such as how
long to do something or how many mouse clicks to get to a specified task point) for
each task or capability
4. Build a prototype of the user interface (it can be a paper or simulated prototype if time
is short)
5. Test and verify or correct the prototype
6. Provide the prototype and usability objectives to the program designers and coders
 7. Test the code against the prototype and objectives and, if necessary, redesign or
recode the software
8. Test the product with users or valid test subjects and revise as necessary
9. Get feedback from users and continually improve the product

block diagram of computer

. Input: This is the process of entering data and programs in to the computer
system. You should know that computer is an electronic machine like any other
machine which takes as inputs raw data and performs some processing giving out
processed data. Therefore, the input unit takes data from us to the computer in an
organized manner for processing.

2. Storage: The process of saving data and instructions permanently is known as

storage. Data has to be fed into the system before the actual processing starts. It is
because the processing speed of Central Processing Unit (CPU) is so fast that the data
has to be provided to CPU with the same speed. Therefore the data is first stored in
the storage unit for faster access and processing. This storage unit or the primary
storage of the computer system is designed to do the above functionality. It provides
space for storing data and instructions.

The storage unit performs the following major functions:

• All data and instructions are stored here before and after processing.

• Intermediate results of processing are also stored here.

3. Processing: The task of performing operations like arithmetic and logical

operations is called processing. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) takes data and
instructions from the storage unit and makes all sorts of calculations based on the
instructions given and the type of data provided. It is then sent back to the storage
unit.
4. Output: This is the process of producing results from the data for getting useful
information. Similarly the output produced by the computer after processing must
also be kept somewhere inside the computer before being given to you in human
readable form. Again the output is also stored inside the computer for further
processing.

5. Control: The manner how instructions are executed and the above operations are
performed. Controlling of all operations like input, processing and output are
performed by control unit. It takes care of step by step processing of all operations
inside the computer.

FUNCTIONAL UNITS

In order to carry out the operations mentioned in the previous section the computer
allocates the task between its various functional units. The computer system is
divided into three separate units for its operation. They are

1) arithmetic logical unit

2) control unit.

3) central processing unit.

Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU)  Logical Unit

Logical Unit :After you enter data through the input device it is stored in the
primary storage unit. The actual processing of the data and instruction are
performed by Arithmetic Logical Unit. The major operations performed by the ALU
are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, logic and comparison. Data is
transferred to ALU from storage unit when required. After processing the output is
returned back to storage unit for further processing or getting stored.

Control Unit (CU)

The next component of computer is the Control Unit, which acts like the supervisor
seeing that things are done in proper fashion. Control Unit is responsible  for  co
ordinating various operations using time signal. The control unit determines the
sequence in which computer programs and instructions are executed. Things like
processing of programs stored in the main memory, interpretation of the instructions
and issuing of signals for other units of the computer to execute them. It also acts as
a switch board operator when several users access the computer simultaneously.
Thereby it coordinates the activities of computer’s peripheral equipment as they
perform the input and output.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The ALU and the CU of a computer system are jointly known as the central
processing unit. You may call CPU as the brain of any computer system. It is just like
brain that takes all major decisions, makes all sorts of calculations and directs
different parts of the computer functions by activating and controlling the
operations.