Fundamentals of Computer
C - Commonly; O -
Oriented; M - Machine; P - Particularly; U - Used; T - for Trade; E -
Education; R - and Research.
In this age of computers there is no such activity that cannot
be achieved without computers. Computer has become an indispensable and
multipurpose tool. We are breathing in the computer age and gradually computer
has become such a desire necessity of life that it is difficult to imagine life
without it. This book will help you to gain an understanding of the basic as
well as advanced concepts of computers. It will cover a foundational study of
the computer hardware, software, operating systems, peripherals, the hardware
maintenance etc.
Concept of Computer System
A computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw
data as input from the user and processes this data under the control of set of
instructions (called program) and gives the result (output) and saves output
for the future reference and usage.
To know about the working of a computer, first need to
understand various terms such as Data, Processing and Information. First of
all, lets start with three basic terms:-
1. Data : Data is a collection of basic facts and figure
without any sequence. This data is also called as raw data. When the data is
collected as facts and figures, there is no meaning to it, at that time, for
example, name of people, names of employees etc.
2. Processing : Processing is the set of instructions given by
the user to the related data that was collected earlier to output meaningful
information. The computer does the required processing by making the necessary
calculations, comparisons and decisions.
3. Information : Information is the end point or the final
output of any processed work. This meaningful output data is called
information.
Characteristics of Computer
The major characteristics of computers are the following:
• Speed : A powerful computer is capable of executing about 3
million calculations per second.
• Accuracy : A computer’s accuracy is consistently high; if
there are errors, they are due to errors in instructions given by the
programmer.
• Reliability : The output generated by the computer is very
reliable as long as the data is reliable.
• Memory/Storage Capacity : The computer can store large
volumes of data and makes the retrieval of data an easy task.
• Versatility: The computer can accomplish many different
things. It can accept information through various input-output devices, perform
arithmetic and logic operations, generate a variety of outputs in a variety of
forms, etc.
• Automation: Once the instructions are fed into computer it
works automatically without any human intervention.
• Diligence : A computer will never fail to perform its task
due to distraction or laziness.
• Convenience : Computers are usually easy to access, and
allow people to find information easily that without a would be very difficult.
• Flexibility : Computers can be used for entertainment, for
business, by people who hold different ideals or who have varied goals. Almost
anyone can use a computer, and computers can be used to assist with almost any
goal.
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