Introduction to computer

The word "computer" comes from "compute", which means,"to calculate".People usually consider a computer  to be a calculating device that can perform arithmetic operations at high speed.an computer is an electronic device, which posses raw data (unprocessed facts) fed to it and gives out the meaningful information through its output device after there input data is processed by its processor and can store data in its memory.a computer consists of following components-input device though which data are fed to it,central processing unip(CPU) where the ata get processed,memory to hold,at least temporarily,data and programs,the output device that lets you see what the computer has accomplished and mass storage device which allows a computer permanently store large amounts of data.

Characteristics of a computer-

a.     Speed

          The time take to perform any task by computer is called speed of computer                                                                 as you know computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds for    calculations that we take hours to complete. The speed of computer is measured in MIPS (Millions Inch per Seconds).

b.     Accuracy 

Computer is the accurate machine. It can perform large number of takes without errors but if we feed wrong data to the computer it returns the same wrong output or wrong information. If the computer hardware parts are able to work and given input is correct the computer can give 100% accurate result. The process to giving correct result and wrong result is called GIGO (Garbage In garbage Out).

c.      Diligence 

The capacity of performing repetitive task without getting tired is called diligence capacity of computer. A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can work for hours without creating any error.

d.     Versatility

The capacity of performing more than one work is called versatility of computer. It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work. You may use your computer to prepare payroll slips, office work, mathematical calculation, word processing etc.

e.      Storage

Computer has mass storage section where we can store large volume of data for future work. Such data are easily accessible when needed. Magnetic disk, magnetic tape and optical disk are used as the mass storage devices. The storage capacity is measured in terms of KB, MB, GB, TB, PB, EB etc...

f.       Automatic

Once we give the appropriate instruction, a computer can perform the operations automatically. Like

computer can do addition, subtraction, division and multiplication etc. Computer can automatically compare values also. It also does copying value from one memory location to other locations.

g.     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.

h.     Word Length

A digital computer operates on binary digits-0 and 1. It manipulate data only in terms of 0 and 1. A binary digit is called a bit. The number of bits that computer can process at a time in parallel is called its word length. Word lengths computer are varies such as 8, 16, 32, 64 bits. It is the measurement of the computing power of computer.

i.       Processing

Computer can process large volume of data in great speed. There are different types of operation during processing such as input / output operation logic operation comparison operation text manipulation operation.