DEFINITION OF COMPUTER:

Computer can be defined as an electronic data processing device which is capable of processing
any types of data i.e. alphabetical, numerical and graphical. After processing the data a computer
can produce some meaningful output which can be used for different productive purposes. The
Computer has its own physical devices which helps in its data processing activities, for example
Keyboard, Mouse, Microprocessor, RAM etc. All the devices of the computer system work together
by following instructions from the user (the person using the computer). The computer even has its
own memory power to store the data given by the user and the processed output.

DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM OF COMPUTER:

The data processing system of a computer can be divided into three different steps i.e. Input,
Processing and Output.

In the Input step the computer accepts data and instructions from the user. Keyboard, Mouse,
Scanner, Pen Drive are some of the input devices of computer.

In the Processing step computer process the data according to the users instructions.
Microprocessor is the main processing device of a computer which is supported by other devices
such as Hard Disk, RAM and Motherboard etc.

In the Output step the computer produce the final result of data processing to the user. Monitor is
main output device of a computer which visually displays the result of processing. Some other
output devices are Printer, Speaker and Plotter etc.

Input Processing Output

5+5 5+5=10 10

Keyboard Monitor
Mouse Microprocessor Printer

FEATURES OF A COMPUTER:

1. It is an electronic device.
2. It can process any types of data i.e. numeric, alphabetical and graphical.
3. It is the fastest electronic data processing device.
4. It has its own memory to store data and information.
5. It is always accurate in its operations.
6. It always depends on user’s instruction.
TYPES OF COMPUTER:

On the basis of its working speed and capacity computer can be classified into four (4) categories:

1. Super Computer: Mainly used for weather forecasting, scientific research, satellite signal
controlling etc.
2. Mainframe Computer: Mainly used for scientific research, huge database activity etc.
3. Mini Computer: Mainly used in offices for networking and database activity.
4. Micro Computer: Used for day to day activities like document designing, photo editing, video
designing and other normal uses.

CONCEPT OF SOFTWARE

The term Software is very important in the field of computer. Software is the program which
controls the working of a computer. The activities and behavior of the physical devices of computer
system are controlled by the software which resides inside the computer (In the Memory). Software
is the program which instruct the physical devices of the computer what to do, when to do and how
to do and makes them useful for different uses. Software is designed by collecting data and
information which are organized in a systematic order to perform certain specific task. Without the
software, which must be present in the main memory of a computer, the physical devices of a
computer system can’t do any activities.

Computer Software is divided into two categories:

1. System Software 2. Application Software

System software makes a computer ready to work, in other words it switches on a computer to
work with. It activates all the hardware devices and make them ready to use by the user.
The main system software of a computer is the Operating System which works as an interface to
the different programs and devices of a computer to the user. There are different versions of
Operating System such as MS DOS (First Operating System), Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows
XP, Windows 2000, Windows Vista etc. (These are GUI (Graphical User Interface) based operating
system).

Application Software makes a computer ready to use for different productive purposes. There
are different application software’s which are used for different productive uses such as document
designing, photo editing, video editing, database designing etc. For example MS Word, MS Excel,
Photo Shop, Pinnacle etc.

SOFTWARE

SYSTEM SOFTWARE APPLICATION SOFTWARE

(Operating System - (MS Word, MS Excel,
MS DOS, Windows) PhotoShop etc.)
CONCEPT OF MEMORY:

One of the most important features of a computer system is its memory power. Memory is the
power of a computer to store data and information for future use. Computer memory can store any
types of data i.e. alphabetical, numerical and graphical for a long duration of time. Data present in
computer memory can be modified or erased by a user according to his need. Lots of data can be
stored in the computer memory depending on the size of the memory. Computer memory can be
measured, increased, decreased can be modified.

Following are the terms used for measuring computer memory:

Bit, Byte, Kilo Byte, Mega Byte, Giga Byte, Tera Byte.

8 Bits = 1 Byte (1 Byte is equal to 1 Character)

1024 Bytes = 1 Kilo Byte (KB)
1024 Kilo Bytes = 1 Mega Byte (MB)
1024 Mega Byte = 1 Giga Byte (GB)
1024 Giga Byte = 1 Tera Byte (TB)

Computer Memory can be divided into two categories:

1. Primary Memory: It is also known as temporary memory of a computer which is used

temporarily store the data and information. It is mainly used for controlling the current
execution of different programs and commands. Data can’t be permanently stored in this
memory. RAM (Random Access Memory) is the main temporary memory of a computer.
2. Secondary Memory: It is also known as a permanent memory of a computer which is used
for permanent storage of data and information. Data can be stored permanently in this
memory for a long duration of time. Hard Disk is a device which is used as a permanent
memory of a computer.

MAIN PHYSICAL DEVICES OF A COMPUTER:

1. Microprocessor: It is main processing device of a computer which processes the data

and produces the output. It even controls the working of all the other devices. It is known
as the brain of a computer. For example Pentium I/II/III/IV, Intel Celeron, Intel Dual Core,
Intel Core 2 Duo etc.

2. Motherboard: It is the device which works as a coordinator among all the devices of
a computer. All the physical devices of a computer communicate with each other through
the motherboard.

3. Keyboard : It is the main input device which is used for giving data and instruction to the
computer. Besides different command keys, the Keyboard contains all the alphabets,
numbers other symbols. A normal keyboard has 104 keys.

4. Mouse:It is also a input device which is mainly used for providing instructions to the
computer. The mouse display a mouse pointer on the screen which can be moved from one
location other to provide instructions.

5. CD Drive: It is a drive which can play Compact Disk and can read the data present in
the disk.
6. DVD Drive: This drive can play Compact Disk and DVD (Digital Video Disk) disk and can
read the data present in the disk.

7. Printer: It is an output device which is used for producing hard copy output.
i.e. printing the result of processing in paper.

8. Scanner: It is an input device which can scan a image and create a duplicate image of
the image in the memory. Mainly used for scanning photo, document etc.

9. Monitor: It is the main output device of a computer which visually displays the result
of data processing on the screen. It is also known as V.D.U (Visual Display Unit).

10. Modem: This device is used for connecting computer to the internet network.

11. Pen Drive: It is data storage device where we can store data for future use. It is even
used a data transferring device