October 16, 2012

Level: BScCSIT (1ST Semester) ID No: 012BSCIT007

1.1 INTRODUCTION
A computer is a programmable electronic machine. It takes raw facts as input, process these and Gives the final Output which is the result of processing. It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner. It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a program). Computers are machines that perform tasks or calculations according to a set, or programs. The first fully electronic computers, introduced in the 1940s, were huge machines that required teams of people to operate. Compared to those early machines, today's computers are amazing. Not only are they thousands of times faster, they can fit on your desk, in your lap, or even in your pocket. Computers work through an interaction of hardware and software. Hardware refers to the parts of a computer that you can see and touch, including the case and everything inside it. The most important piece of hardware is a tiny rectangular chip inside your computer called the central

processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor. It's the "brain" of your computerthe part that translates
instructions and performs calculations. Hardware items such as your monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, and other items are often called hardware devices, or devices.

Some Common Computer Hardwares

Keyboard

Mouse Hard disk Monitor

RAM Processor Motherboard Printer DVD ROM

Software is a collection of set of programs, which are used to execute all kinds of specific instruction. It consists of a number of machine instructions, array in a specific order to perform a particular task. Software is used to describe all the programs and its associated documents which run on a computer. So, a computer needs both software and hardware for its proper functioning. Software means computer instructions or data. Anything that can be stored electronically is software. All software falls into two general types or categories: System Software and Application Software. System software consists of low-level programs that interact with the computer at very basic level. This includes operating systems, compilers, and utilities for managing resources. On the other hand, application software includes database programs, word processors, and spreadsheets.
Operating Systems: Operating systems are the most important programs that run on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping tracks of files and directories on the disk and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. Examples: Microsoft Windows, DOS, Mac OS, OS/2, UNIX,

System Softwares

Compiler and Interpreter: compiler is a program that translates source code into object code. The compiler takes the entire piece of source code and collects and recognizes the instructions. In contrast, the interpreter analyzes and executes each line of source code in succession, without looking at the entire program. The advantage of interpreters is that they can execute a program immediately but compilers require some time before an executable program emerges.

Device Drivers: Device drivers are the software to run the particular peripheral devices like printers, wireless mouse, modems, and Ethernet cards etc. Most of the peripheral devices attached with the CPU needs device drivers to carry out the functions. Mostly we get device drivers at the time of buying these devices. For example we get the printer driver when buy the printer.

Word Processors

Multimedia applications
Some Examples

Application Softwares

Spreadsheets

Utility Software

1.2 TYPES OF COMPUTER

On The basis of Size and capacity

Super Computer

Mainframe Computer

Mini Computer

Micro Computer

On The basis of Operating System

Digital Computer

Analog Computer

Hybrid Computer

On the Basis Of Size and capacity

Supercomputers are the most powerful computers. They are used for problems requiring complex calculations. Because of their size and expense, supercomputers are relatively rare. Supercomputers are used by universities, government agencies, and large businesses Mainframe computers can support hundreds or thousands of users, handling massive amounts of input, output, and storage. Mainframe computers are used in large organizations where many users need access to shared data and programs. Mainframes are also used as e-commerce servers, handling transactions over the Internet. Mini Computers: Minicomputers are smaller than mainframes but larger than microcomputers. Minicomputers usually have multiple terminals. Minicomputers may be used as network servers and Internet servers. Microcomputers: Microcomputers are more commonly known as personal computers. The term "PC" is applied to IBM-PCs or compatible computers. Full-size desktop computers are the most common type of PC. Notebook (laptop) computers are used by people who need the power of a desktop system, but also portability. Handheld PCs (such as PDAs) lack the power of a desktop or notebook PC, but offer features for users who need limited functions and small size.

On the Basis Of Operating System Digital Computer is an electronic device that process discrete data and calculations using digits represented
by number forms in high speed. In this sense, Binary system is used to represent the values of variables and

quantities. This kind is the commonest and the most accurate since it can be programmed and used in a rarity of fields. Analogue computers are electronic devices work on waves principle. They are used in specific to measure continuous flow of data which can expressed in tangible quantities such as atmospheric pressure, temperature, and voltage. They are used in scientific and engineering fields to give round results. Hybrid Computers are devices that incorporate the qualities of the previous two types (digital and analogue). They are used in scientific fields processing necessary data from both kinds. They are characterized by their digital processing the ability to store data, high accuracy, and the ability to create arithmetic functions (correlations). Their disadvantages high cost, inevitable errors, and overlapped

1.3 Characteristics of computer

programming. Speed:As you know computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds for calculations that we take hours to complete. You will be surprised to know that computer can perform millions (1,000,000) of instructions and even more per second. Therefore, we determine the speed of computer in terms of microsecond (10-6 part of a second) or nanosecond (10 to the power -9 part of a second). From this you can imagine how fast your computer performs work. Diligence: A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can work for hours without creating any error. If millions of calculations are to be performed, a computer will perform every calculation with the same accuracy. Due to this capability it overpowers human being in routine type of work. Versatility: It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work. You may use your computer to prepare payroll slips. Next moment you may use it for inventory management or to prepare electric bills. Power of Remembering: - Computer has the power of storing any amount of information or data. Any information can be stored and recalled as long as you require it, for any numbers of years. It depends entirely upon you how much data you want to store in a computer and when to lose or retrieve these data. No Feeling: - It does not have feelings or emotion, taste, knowledge and experience. Thus it does not get tired even after long hours of work. It does not distinguish between users. Storage: - The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount of data. You can also store data in secondary storage devices such as floppies, which can be kept outside your computer and can be carried to other computers. Accuracy: - The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every calculation is performed with the same accuracy. No IQ: - Computer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work without instruction from the user. It performs the instructions at tremendous speed and with accuracy. It is you to decide what you want to do and in what sequence. So a computer cannot take its own decision as you can.

1.4 what computers can do and what cant do