Abdulsalam.memon66@gmail.

com
Sanam420

Definitions of Computer
The term “computer” can logically be applied to any type of calculating
device. In the simplest way we can say that any device which can compute is a
computer. The computer is defined in many different words; a few definitions are
listed below:
• Computer is a machine that accepts input data, processes it and gives
output.
• A computer is a device capable of accepting data, applying described
processes to data and supplying results of these processes.
• Computer is an automatic electronic calculating device which can
process given data in the pre-defined manner and produces desired results.
• An electronic computational device having internal storage, a stored
program of instructions and capability for modification of the set of
instructions at any time, is knows as Computer.
• Computer is an automatic electronic device. It can receive data from
many input devices. Computer processes this inputted data with the help of
a stored program at high speed and accuracy. After the desired processing
of data, results may be received on different output devices.
Advantages of Computer
(a)Speed
(b)Accuracy
(c)Diligence
(d)Run for Long Period
(e)Variety of Tasks
(f)Automatic Operation
(g)Decision Making Capability
Limitations of Computer
(a)Inflexible
(b)Need Details
(c)Expensive Equipment and Maintenance
(d)More Technical Staff
(e)Loss of Data

Hardware
Computer Machinery is referred to as hardware and is made up of electronic
devices and circuits
Refers to objects that you can actually touch, like disks, disk drives, display
screens, keyboards, printer, boards, and chips.

In general hardware is categorized with regard to the four basic operations it

performs.

1- Processing and Motherboard

2- Input Hardware

3- Output Hardware

4- Storage Devices and Memory

Microprocessor
The processor is the chip which is the brains of the computer. It is also know
as the CPU (Central Processing Unit). Processors have their name because they
process data and instructions. The processor is the most important part of a computer.

A processor is the logic circuitry that responds to and processes the basic
instructions that drives a computer.

Motherboard
The main circuit board of a Computer. The motherboard contains the
connectors for attaching additional boards. ...
This is the main circuit board of your computer. Everything plugs into this
board. It contains your PROCESSOR, RAM, and allows EXPANSION CARDS
to...

Input Devices
It accepts data and converts it into a form that is suitable for the computer to
process.e.g. Keyboard, mouse

1. Keyboard

On most computers, a keyboard is the primary text input device. The keyboard also
contains certain standard function keys, such as the Escape key, tab and cursor
movement keys, shift and control keys, and sometimes other manufacturer-
customized keys.

2. Mouse
A mouse is a small device that a computer user pushes across a desk surface in order
to point to a place on a display screen and to select one or more actions to take from
that position. Today, the mouse is an integral part of the graphical user interface
(GUI) of any personal computer. The mouse apparently got its name by being about
the same size and color as a toy mouse.
3. Scanner
A scanner is a device that captures images from photographic prints, posters,
magazine pages, and similar sources for computer editing and display. Scanners come
in and flatbed types and for scanning black-and-white only, or color. Very high
resolution scanners are used for scanning for high-resolution printing, but lower
resolution scanners are adequate for capturing images for computer display.

Output Devices
Provides the user with means to view and use information produces by the computer
system.

1. Monitor

A monitor is the TV-like part of the computer that you look at to see information.
Monitors are sometimes called displays or screens. "Screen" refers to the glass front
only, while "monitor" refers to the screen, the case and everything inside the case.
Information on a monitor is displayed in pixels.

2. Printer
In computers, a printer is a device that accepts text and graphic output from a
computer and transfers the information to paper, usually to standard size sheets of
paper. Printers vary in size, speed, sophistication, and cost. In general, more
expensive printers are used for higher-resolution color printing.

Storage Device
In a computer, storage is the place where data is held in an electromagnetic or
optical form for access by a computer processor. There are two general usages.
In a more formal usage, storage has been divided into: (1) Primary storage, which
holds data in memory (sometimes called random access memory or RAM) and other
"built-in" devices such as the processor's cache, and (2) Secondary storage, which
holds data on hard disks, tapes, and other devices requiring input/output operations.
HARD DISK
The hard disk is a magnetic disk inside your computer and is sometimes
known as a hard drive. The hard disk is used to store large amounts of data on a
computer. Available as a fixed disk (such as the disks used in the system units of
personal computers or in drives that are external to a personal computer) or a
removable cartridge.

Memory: (Primary Memory or Main Memory) – Working Storage

Memory is the electronic holding place for instructions and data that your
computer's microprocessor can reach quickly. When your computer is in normal
operation, its memory usually contains the main parts of the operating system and
some or all of the application programs and related data that are being used. Memory
is often used as a shorter synonym for random access memory (RAM). This kind of
memory is located on one or more microchips that are physically close to the
microprocessor in your computer. The more RAM you have, the less frequently the
computer has to access instructions and data from the more slowly accessed hard disk
form of storage.

• It is a temporary working Storage.

• It provides the workspace.

• It is volatile

Software
Computer instructions or data. Anything that can be stored electronically is
software. The terms software and hardware are used as both nouns and adjectives. For
example, you can say: "The problem lies in the software," meaning that there is a
problem with the program or data, not with the computer itself. You can also say: "It's
a software problem." Without hardware the software is useless and vice versa.

Operating System Software

Operating system software provides a "user interface" for users to manage files, start
programs, customize computer settings, and other tasks. The operating system also
provides the fundamental core computer functionality for programmers.

Intel based PCs use Microsoft Windows version 3.1 (older) or Windows 95 as the
operating system. Macintoshes use the Macintosh operating system.

Software Applications
Application software uses the operating system software and provides the real
functionality of a computer. Applications include:

• Word Processing (MS Word, WordPerfect, Ami...)

• Spreadsheets (Lotus 123, MS Excel...)

• Database (DBase, Fox Pro, Oracle...)

• Presentation (MS PowerPoint, Persuasion...)

• Internet Browsers (Netscape Navigator, MS Internet Explorer)

• Games

Computer Languages
A computer language is a combination of statements, functions, routines, sub-routines
and loops. A computer language is used to create/generate any software or program
for any specific purpose.
The all programs are been created by using statements, functions, loops, routines and
sub-routines by following the rules of that language. These programs are written in
Human languages (English Language) which is only understandable by a human, but
the machine of computer can’t understand that human language. So, there must be
something to convert human language into machine language and to convert machine
language into human language. This is done by Translator.
Types of Languages
1. High Level Languages
These languages are those languages which are easy to understand by a human and it
directly works on to the variables and constants for processing. i.e GW-Basic, Visual
Basic (VB), Cobol etc.
2. Low Level Languages
These languages are mostly related with the hardware side of computer. These
languages work on directly on to the Registers of the Memory. i.e Assembly
Language.
3. Mid Level Languages
C Language is a computer language which can work as High level language and as
Low level language at same time, because with C language we can work on hardware
as well as on constants and variables. This language is called Mid Level Language.
Types of Translators
1. Compiler
A type of translator for computer languages, which reads the complete program
together before running/executing the program and displays the total errors of that
program after compilation.. It creates .Obj and .Exe files as well as .Bak and the
language file by compilation. C language is a computer language which uses the
Compiler for translation
2. Interpreter
A type of translator, which does not create .Obj and .Exe files after execution.
It also reads the program line by line and if finds any error at any line, then it stops
and asks to remove or ignore that error before going to next line. GW-Basic is a
computer language, which uses the Interpreter for translation.
3. Assembler
A type of translator, which works on hardware/registers directly. Assembly
language is a computer language, which uses Assembler as a translator.

What is Database?
• Field: A collection of Records.

• Database: A collection of interrelated files.

Eg. Files of all departments in an organization.

Types of Database
Shared Database
• They are shared by users of one company or organization.

• Usually found in LANs

• Users are linked through terminals or WS

• Stored on One Computer

Distributed Database
Stored on different computers in different locations.

Eg. Chain stores

Types of Files
 A file is a collection of data or information treated as a unit.
 Common file types are:
1. Program Files
2. Data Files
3. ASCII Files
4. Image Files
5. Audio and Video Files
Program Files:
 They contain software instructions.
 Source Program files contain high-level computer instruction
instructions in their original form, as written by the programmer.
 Eg. Files with .com or .exe
Data Files
 Also called Document files
 Contain data not programs
 Eg. .doc , .ppt , .xls
ASCII Files
 They are text-only (No formatting, No graphics)
 The characters are in ASCII code
 This file is used to transfer documents between incompatible
platforms, such as IBM and Macintosh.
 Eg. .txt
Image Files
 Contain files digitized graphics
 Eg. .gif , .JPG
Audio and Video Files
 Audio files contain digitized sound
 Eg. WAV, .MID
 Video Files contain digitized video
 Eg. .MPG, .AVI