Computer Overview

You will learn below concepts at the end of this session.

• Understanding the computer
• Data and Information definitions
• List of benefits and limitations of computer
• Computer types
• Computer Uses

1.  Understanding the computer: 

A computer is defined as electronic device. That can store the data and processing data to generate the required result.  A computer can be used as typewriter for typing letters and calculator, many more.   

It can also perform several complex operations like controlling traffic, forecasting the weather, editing videos, developments using tools, animations etc. This can store the lots of data.   We can tell as computer is used to processing the data as information. 

2.   Data and Information:

    Data is plural of datum, referring to figures / statistics, facts without meaning. Information’s referring to same statistics, figures, have meaning. To taking decisions they are very useful.

For example, we can assume 81, 91 and 71. We consider these are the data, no meaning for these. If we write as way, it can be referred as information.               

Subjects	Marks
English	81
Mathematics	91
History	71

     For easy understanding let’s discuss another simple example.

    

    From the above raw data, we can convert to information performance of 5 students. 

Student	1	2	3
Marks	45	60	86
Grade	C Grade	B Grade	A Grade

3.  Benefits and limitations of Computer:

Let us compare computer with Calculator, typewriter, and human being.

Computer and calculator differences:

• A calculator performs the simple arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). It cannot store the data.
• A computer can do the not only above operations and do the complex mathematical operations (weather forecasting, aircraft design). It Can store a lot of data.

Computer and Typewriter differences:

• A typewriter cannot store the data and will not print the many pages with instructions.
• A computer is different from Typewriter. It can store data, print the many pages by giving simple instructions. Computer is correcting the mistakes easily without more effort.

Computer and Human being differences:

Computer and human being differences are listed below.

Computer	Human
Machine	Living person
Very accurate	Make mistakes
Works very fast	Slow
It cannot get tired	Human can get tired
Independently cannot works. When giving instructions by human, it only works	Human can work independently

  Benefits of a computer:

  We have lot of benefits of using computers.

• Speed
• Accuracy
• Storage
• Automation       

Speed: It works at very high speed. It will perform the multiple tasks and      hundreds of calculations with high speed in few seconds. It is much faster than humans.

Accuracy: It will do the multiple tasks with accurate, while we are proving the data and instructions to it. We will get the result much accurate.  Many peoples are using it to get the expected results (ex: Scientists, educations, developers, research peoples)

Diligence: If same work is doing again and again by human being, they will get tired and bored. Computer cannot get tired if works same work again and again. 

Storage: The system Can stores a lot of data.

Ex:  Complete biodata of students in schools / colleges (Names, address, phone numbers)

Automation: We can give the instructions to work automatically again and again.

If we give the instructions, it will complete the tasks automatically.

Ex: 1. Print of 10,000 copies of letters by giving instruction once, not many times.

               i.      Scheduler running in scheduled time 

Limitations:

The computer is a machine, it cannot think. It cannot perform any task on its own. If you give the clear and correct instructions. If you give wrong instructions system will give the wrong results or incomplete response. 

Computer Types:

Computers are differentiated based on their size, storage capacity, speed, and nature of operations they perform.

• Micro computers
• Mini computers
• Super computers 

Micro Computers:    

These are the most popular form of computer. These are also called as Personal computers (PCs). These are used by individuals and organizations. These are in small size, medium storage capacity. Micro computers are single user systems and used for wide range of functions. With these we cannot use for large storage capacities.

    Personal computers are 3 types:

    1. Desktops – Which can place on a desk

    2. Laptops – which can be placed on a lap

    3. Palmtops – which can be placed on your palm

    *Both laptops and palmtops can be carried around while travelling.

    Mini Computers: 

These are small general purpose. Micro systems most costly and more powerful than PCs. These are operating at very high speed and used to process large volumes of data and perform more complex tasks than the microcomputers. These can support several users at a time and have large storage capacity.

    Main Frames:

These are costlier and most powerful than minicomputers.  Operating

very high speeds and have very large storage capacities and supports hundreds of users but consumes more electricity. These mostly used in large-scale organizations.

    Super Computers: 

These are very huge, those can be fit in a room. These are very expensive and fastest computers. Mostly these are used in research and defense etc.

Note: Few super computers are in the world. India also has super computers.

1. Series of super computers called PARAM – developed by CDAC (Center for development of advanced computing)
2. Anupam – developed by Electric corporation of India

Check your knowledge with below statements:

• A computer can store data and process same very quickly (true / false)
• System can work independently (true / false)
• Addition being fast and systems are very accurate (true / false)
• Systems do not make mistakes, even if we are giving wrong instructions (true / false)
• Systems get tired after 100 very long hours (true / false)

Remembering:

• Systems are an electronic device, those can accept, store, and process the data.
• Data – refers to facts, figures, stats without meaning
• Information – refers to facts, stats and figures with meaning and used in decision making
• These have very high accuracy, speed, diligence, storage, and automation. It is a machine; it cannot work its own.
• These are classified based on size, storage capacity, speed