Introduction To Computing: Computer Fundamentals
Introduction To Computing: Computer Fundamentals
Chapter 1
Computer Fundamentals
What Is A Computer?
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions
(software) stored in its own memory unit, that can accept data (input), manipulate data
(process), and produce information (output) from the processing. Generally, the term is
used to describe a collection of devices that function together as a system.
Business
A computer has high speed of calculation,
diligence, accuracy, reliability, or versatility
which has made it an integrated part in all
business organizations.
Computer is used in business organizations for −
● Payroll calculations
● Budgeting
● Sales analysis
● Financial forecasting
● Managing employee database
● Maintenance of stocks, etc.
Insurance
Insurance companies are keeping all records up-to-date with the help of
computers. Insurance companies, finance houses, and stock broking firms are widely
using computers for their concerns.
Insurance companies are maintaining a database of all clients with information showing
−
Marketing
In marketing, uses of the computer are
following −
● Home Shopping − Home shopping has been made possible through the use of
computerized catalogues that provide access to product information and permit direct
entry of orders to be filled by the customers.
Healthcare
Computers have become an important
part in hospitals, labs, and dispensaries. They
are being used in hospitals to keep the record
of patients and medicines. It is also used in
scanning and diagnosing different diseases.
ECG, EEG, ultrasounds and CT scans, etc.
are also done by computerized machines.
Following are some major fields of health care
in which computers are used.
● Diagnostic System − Computers are used to collect data and identify the cause of
illness.
● Lab-diagnostic System − All tests can be done and the reports are prepared by
computer.
● Patient Monitoring System − These are used to check the patient's signs for
abnormality such as in Cardiac Arrest, ECG, etc.
● Pharma Information System − Computer is used to check drug labels, expiry dates,
harmful side effects, etc.
● Surgery − Nowadays, computers are also used in performing surgery.
Engineering Design
Computers are widely used for
Engineering purpose.
One of the major areas is CAD (Computer Aided
Design) that provides creation and modification of
images. Some of the fields are −
Military
● Missile Control
● Military Communication
● Military Operation and Planning
● Smart Weapons
Communication
Communication is a way to convey a
message, an idea, a picture, or speech that is
received and understood clearly and correctly by
the person for whom it is meant. Some main areas
in this category are −
● E-mail
● Chatting
● Usenet
● FTP
● Telnet
● Video-conferencing
Government
Computers play an important role in
government services. Some major fields in this
category are −
● Budgets
● Sales tax department
● Income tax department
● Computation of male/female ratio
● Computerization of voters lists
● Computerization of PAN card
● Weather forecasting
Types of Computers
Microcomputer
■ Can be classified into:
■ Desktop PCs
■ sits on desks, rarely moved, large and bulky.
■ Memory capacity, graphics capacity and software availability vary
from one computer to another Used both for business and home
applications
■ Portable PCs
■ Can be moved easily from place to place
■ Weight may varies
■ Small PCs are popular known as laptop
■ Widely used by students, scientist, reporters, etc
■ Advantages
■ Small size
■ Low cost
■ Portability
■ Low Computing Power
■ Commonly used for personal applications
■ Disadvantages
■ Low processing speed
Uses of Microcomputer
■ Word Processing
■ Home entertainment
■ Home banking
■ Printing
■ Surfing the internet
■ etc
Minicomputer
■ Medium sized computer
■ Also called the minis
■ e.g. IBM36, HP9000, etc
■ Computing power lies between microcomputer and mainframe computer
■ Characteristics
■ Bigger size than PCs
■ Expensive than PCs
■ Multi-User
■ Difficult to use
■ More computing power than PCs
■ Used by medium sized business organizations, colleges, libraries and
banks.
Uses of Minicomputer
■ Control of Automated Teller Machine (ATMs)
■ Payroll
■ Hospital patients registration
■ Inventory Control for supermarket
■ Insurance claims processing
■ Small bank accounting and customer details tracking
■ Advantage
■ Cater to multiple users
■ Lower costs than mainframes
■ Disadvantage
■ Large
■ Bulky
Mainframe
Supercomputer
■ Fastest and expensive
■ Used by applications for molecular chemistry, nuclear research, weather reports,
and advanced physics
■ Consists of several computers that work in parallel as a single system
■ Advantage
■ Speed
■ Disadvantage
■ Generate a large amount of heat during operation
Input Devices
Data are facts, numbers and characters that are entered into the computer via
keyboard. Other types of input devices are mouse, joystick, light pens, scanners,
camera, etc.
The System Unit – The CPU
Every computer has at least one processor, also called a central processing unit
(CPU). The CPU contains millions of tiny transistors and pathways that take in data and
instructions, process (calculate) the data according to the instructions, and output the
results of the calculations.
Every CPU includes the following components:
1. Control Unit – manages the flow of data through the CPU. It directs to and
from the other components within the CPU.
2. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) components does the actual processing. It
receives data and instructions and delivers a result. For example, if it received
the numbers 3 and 5, and the instruction Sum, it would return 8.
3. Registers are holding areas for both data and instructions. There are many
different registers, each with its own special purpose. For example, there are
registers that hold data, registers that hold instructions, and registers that
store logical states (yes/no), temporary values that serve as increment
counters, and so on.
The Memory
Like the human brain, memory stores and retrieves data. There is both short-
term (temporary) and long-term (permanent) memory storage. Some memory is
dynamic, in that it stores data only until the computer is turned off. Dynamic memory
(also called volatile memory) must be constantly refreshed. Static memory (also called
non-volatile memory) retains whatever you put in it indefinitely; the transistors do not
require constant electrical power to retain their contents.
Types of Memory
1. Random Access Memory (RAM) - Memory on the motherboard that is short
term; where data, information, and program instructions are stored
temporarily on a RAM chip or a set of RAM chips. Known as the main
memory. This memory is considered volatile. The computer can read from and
write to RAM. When the computer is turned off or if there is loss of power, whatever
is stored in RAM disappears. “Temporary Memory” – Short Term
2. Read Only Memory (ROM) - Memory on the motherboard that is long term;
where the specific instructions that are needed for the computer to operate are
stored. This memory is nonvolatile and your computer can only read from a ROM
chip. The instructions remain on the chip regardless if the power is turned on or off.
Most common is the BIOS ROM; where the computer uses instructions contained on
this chip to boot or start the system when you turn on your computer. “Permanent
Memory” – Long Term
Output Devices
After the data has been processed, the results are output in the form of useful
information.
Output units such as monitors and printers make the result accessible for use by
people.
■ Monitor - screen that display information such as text, numbers, and pictures-
softcopy.
■ Printer - gives you information from the computer in printed form – hardcopy.
■ Speakers - allow you to hear voice, music, and other sounds from your computer.
Secondary Storage