Computer Overview
Computers have become a key part in maintaining the order of various kinds of work in present society in an efficient way. But without knowing some basic concepts, computers are just things which are of no use to us.
–Data & Information–
Basically, data is raw facts and figures whereas information is the processed form of data.
–Functional Components of a computer—
Input Unit deals with the method of sending the data to the computer by user plus converting the input to the machine understandable form i-e since a computer runs on electricity, it understands only 2 states i-e ON and OFF, input unit converts the input to 0 for false and 1 for true which in understandable by computers. Example of input devices are mouse and keyboard.
Input works in the format of a very special term i-e GIGO that stands for Garbage In Garbage Out.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain/control centre of a computer. It’s main function is to direct and govern the performance of a computer.
It contains 2 components which performs the actions :-
- Arithmetic Logic Unit :- This unit performs the arithmetical operations (+, *, /, -) and logical operations (<,>) that’ve answers in the form of true & false.
- Control Unit :- As the name sounds, the function is pretty much same. The control unit directs and manages the flow and interpretation of data plus program execution is also its another key function.
Memory Unit is the basic requirement of a computer system. Since the system performs many important functions, it also requires memory to store data. It’s memory is volatile i-e it cannot store any data after being switched off. The main memory is also known as primary memory.
Output Unit has a function opposite to input unit. While the input unit deals with feeding the data to the computer, the output unit deals with showing the output of the inputted data to the user. Some examples of output devices are :- monitor, speaker and printer.
–Hardware and Software—
Hardware and software are also play a crucial role in making a computer do its work.
Hardware is the physical unit of tools which can be touched. Every tool we’ve studied about till now is hardware. Every input and output device in a hardware.
Software is the a set of programs which governs the way hardware interacts with each other. Examples are all kinds of programs we hear about in the present day.
Basically, software is divided into 3 categories :-
- Operating system (OS) – The connection between user and computer is maintained via a program called operating system. Examples of some popular OSs are Windows and Linux.
- Language processors – These kind of software converts a program to machine language i-e in the form of 0 and 1. A computer can’t understand a program written in high level language or in low level languages.
- Application software – This category of software pertains to only 1 purpose i-e for example — a software which is used to book railway tickets can’t be used for managing bank account details.
–Strengths and weaknesses of a computer—
Besides being too much useful, computer has its weaknesses and strengths ———
Weaknesses —> Lack of decision making power and IQ
Strength —-> Accuracy, Versatility, Speed, High storage capacity and reliability.