Basics Computer Introduction

Basics Computer Introduction 

Being a modern-day kid you must have 
Used, seen or read about computers. This is
Because they are an integral part of our 
everyday existence. Be it school, blank, shop, railway station, hospital or your own home, computer are such integral parts of our lives,
 we must know that they are and how they 
function.Let us start with defining the term computer formally.
The literal meaning of computer is a device that can calculate. However, modern computer can do a lot more than calculate. Computer is an electronic device that receive input, stores or processes the input as per user instructions and provides output in desired format.

Input-Process-Output Model

Computer input is called data and the
Output obtained after processing it, based on 
User's instructions is called information.
Raw facts and figures which can be processed
Using arithmetic and logical operations to
 obtain information are called data.




The processes that can be applied to data are 
of two types -

    • Arithmetic operations - Example include 
       Calculation like addition,  subtraction,                         differential, Sqare root, etc.
     • logical operations - Examples include                          comparison operations like greater than, 
        less Than, equal to , opposite etc.

The corresponding figure for an actual computer
Looks something like this -




The  basic parts of a computer are as follows -

     • Input Unit - Device like keyboard and mouse
        That are used to input data and instructions
        To the computer are called input unit.

      • output unit - Device like printer and visual                    display unit that are used to provide info-
           rmation to the user in desired format are                   called output unit.

        • control unit -  As the name suggests, 
           this Unit control all the functions of the                       computer. All devices or parts of computer
            Interact through the control unit.
 
         • Arithmetic Logic Unit - this is the brain
            Of the computer where all arithmetic                          operations and logical operations take                        place.
    
         •Memory - All input data, instructions and
           Data interim to the processes are stored
           In the memory.  Memory is external to it.
 
Control unit, arithmetic logic unit and memory are together called the central processing unit or CPU.
Computer devices like keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. That we can see and touch are 
The hardware components of a computer, the set of instructions or program that  make the computer function using these hardware parts are called software.  We cannot see or touch software. Both hardware and software are necessary for working of a computer.
 
            Characteristics of computer 

To understand why computer are such an important part of our lives, let  us look at some of its characteristics -
  
  • Speed - Typically, a computer can carry out 
     3-4 million instructions per second.

  • Accuracy - computers exhibit a very high
    Degree of accuracy. Errors that may occur 
   Are usually due to inaccurate data, wrong
     Instructions or bug in chip - all human errors.
 
  • Reliability - computers can carry out same 
    Type of work repeatedly without throwing up
   Errors due to tiredness or boredom, which are
   Very common among humans. 

  • Versatility - computer can carry out a wide                range of work from data entry and ticket
   Booking to complex mathematical calculation
   And continuous astronomical observations.
   If you can input the necessary data with correct       instructions, computer will do the processing.

  • Storage capacity - computer can store a very
    Large amount of data. At a fraction of cost of
   Traditional storage of files. Also, data is safe             from normal wear and tear associated with paper.


Advantages of Using Computer

Now that we know the characteristics of computer, we can see the advantages that computer offer-
  
  • computer can do the same task repetitively with     same accuracy.
  • computer do not  get tired or bored, 
  • computer can take up routine tasks while                  releasing human resources for more intelligent        function.
 
 Disadvantage of Using Computer

Despite so many advantages, computer have some disadvantage of their own-

  • Computers have no intelligence; they follow the instructions blindly without considering the outcome.

Regular electric supply is necessary to make computers work, which could prove difficult everywhere especially in developing nations.


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Booting

Starting a computer or a computer- embedded device called booting. Booting takes place in two steps -

Switching on power supply

Loading operating system into computer's main memory

Keeping all applications in a state of readiness in case needed by the user

The first program or set of instructions that run when the computer is switched on is called BIOS or Basic Input Output System. BIOS is a firmware, i.e. a piece of software permanently programmed into the hardware.

If a system is already running but needs to be restarted, it is called rebooting. Rebooting may be required if a software or hardware has been installed or system is unusually slow.

There are two types of booting -


• Cold Booting - When the system is started by switching on the power supply it is called cold booting. The next step in cold booting is loading of BIOS.

• Warm Booting - When the system is - already running and needs to be restarted or rebooted, it is called warm booting. Warm booting is faster than cold booting because BIOS is not reloaded.

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