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Introduction to Computers

The word Computer comes from the word
compute which means is to calculate.
There by, a computer is a electronic device
that can perform arithmetic operations at
high speed.
A computer is also called a data processor
because it can store, process and retrieve
data whenever desired.
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Data : Raw facts and figures
Ex. 1001 Ram 29 87 A 45000

Data Item : set of characters used together to
represent a specific data element
Ex. Name, Age, Marks

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Record : Collection of fields relating to specific
entity
File : A collection of related records
Ex. Consider the STUDENT File
STUDENT : File

Roll_No Name Marks
1002 Sham 75
1003 Mohan 50
1001 Ram 85
Data item
Record
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All computer processing requires data, which is a collection of
raw facts, figures and symbols, such as numbers, words, images,
video and sound, given to the computer during the input phase.

Computers manipulate data to create information. Information
is data that is organized, meaningful, and useful.




Memory
(short term data)
Data Program
Processor
Storage
(Long term data)
Input
Output
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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.

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The term hardware refers to the
physical components of your
computer such as the system unit,
mouse, keyboard, monitor etc.

The software is the instructions
that makes the computer work.
Software is held either on your
computers hard disk, CD-ROM,
DVD or on a diskette (floppy
disk) and is loaded (i.e. copied)
from the disk into the computers
RAM (Random Access Memory),
as and when required.
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Printer
(output)
Monitor
(output)
Speaker
(output)
Scanner
(input)
Mouse
(input)
Keyboard
(input)
System unit
(processor,
memory)
Storage
devices
(CD-RW,
Floppy, Hard
disk, zip,)
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High Speed Computer can perform data processing jobs
very fast, usually measured in microseconds(millionths),
nanoseconds and picoseconds.
Accuracy Accuracy of computer is very high and the
degree of its accuracy is depends upon its designs. Computer
errors are caused due to incorrect input data or unreliable
programs are often referred to as Garbage- In- Garbage-
out(GIGO).
Storage The internal memory of the computer is not
sufficient enough to hold the data & information for
subsequent usage. To overcome this limitation auxiliary
storage devices such as hard disks, CD-Rom etc are used.
Reliability Modern electronic components have long
failure free lives. A microprocessor chip is said to have a life
of 40 years even under adverse conditions.
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Versatility Computer is capable of performing almost any
task, if the task can be reduced to finite series of logical steps.
Automation Given a job, computer can work on it
automatically without human interventions.
Diligence Computer is free from monotony, tiredness and
lack of concentration. It can work continuously for hours
without creating any error.
Power of Remembering Computer can store and recall
any amount of information because of its secondary storage
capability. It forgets and looses certain information only when
it is asked to do so.

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PC at Home
Common uses for the computer within the home
Computer games
Working from Home
Banking from Home
Connecting to the Web
Computers in Education
CBT (Computer Based Training)
Computer Based Training (CBT) offers a low cost
solution to training needs where you need to train a large amount of people on
a single subject.
These programs are normally supplied on CD-ROM and combine text,
graphics and sound.
Packages range from general encyclopedias right through to learning a
foreign language.

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Office Applications

Automated Production Systems
Many car factories are almost completely automated and the
cars are assembled by computer-controlled robots.
This automation is becoming increasingly common
throughout industry
Stock Control
Stock control is ideal for automation and in many companies
it is now completely computerized.
The stock control system keeps track of the number of items
in stock and can automatically order replacement items
when required.
Accounts / Payroll
In most large organizations the accounts are maintained by
a computerized system.
Due to the repetitive nature of accounts a computer system
is ideally suited to this task and accuracy is guaranteed.
.
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Computers in daily life

Accounts
Games
Educational
On-line banking
Smart ID cards
Supermarkets
Working from home (Tele-working)
Internet
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No I.Q : it possesses no intelligence of its own. Its
I.Q. is zero at least till today. It has what to do
and in what sequence.
Dependent on human being.
The application logic must be understood.
It requires a lot of looking after.
The environment for operating the computer
should be suitable to it.
Computers cant make judgment which a
human being make in day to day life.
It is very sensitive to dust particles even a small
dust particle can make great losses to it.

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References:

Computer Fundamentals
P.K.Sinha
Fundamentals of Computers
V.Raja Raman
Computer Networks
Tanenbaum
Data Communication & Computer Network
White,Thompson Learning

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