What Is A Computer? PDF

GROUP 1 WHAT IS A COMPUTER? L I V I N G I N T H E I T E R A MEMBERS: OSWALD JOHN ARCHER YU GIAN MATTHEW APOSTOL...

GROUP 1 WHAT IS A COMPUTER? L I V I N G I N T H E I T E R A MEMBERS: OSWALD JOHN ARCHER YU GIAN MATTHEW APOSTOL LEOPORD GEPIALA JR. A computer is an electronic device designed to process, store, and retrieve data. The computer is a device that makes our work easy. It helps us to complete our tasks easily and speedily. Computers don’t have a brain like human beings. We have to give them instructions on what to do when a particular situation arises. Abacus Invented from Ancient Babylon in between 300 to 500BC. also known as the suanpan, is a counting tool that uses beads on rods to represent numbers. It's been used in China for over 2,000 years and is still used today. Difference Engine A mechanical calculator invented by Charles Babbage in 1827. It was an early step in the development of computers and was intended to automatically compute polynomial functions using a method called finite differences. Charles Babbage was known as “Father of Computers” Analytical Engine Also invented by Charles Babbage in 1837. Upgraded version of Difference Engine. It considered the first design for a general- purpose programmable computer. It designed to perform any calculation based on instructions. It laid the foundation for modern computers. Z4 The Z4 was arguably the world's first commercially available digital computer. Designed by German Engineer, Konrad Zuse. It utilizes on electromechanical relays and featuring advancements like improved memory and programming capabilities, making it a significant step forward in computing technology. Mark 1 a large electro-mechanical computer built in 1943. This machine was composed of nearly 1 million parts, had over 500 miles of wiring and weighed nearly 5 tons 1st Generation Vacuum Tubes - These tubes acted as electronic switches and amplifiers, enabling the computers to process data. For example, in early radios, vacuum tubes amplified sound signals so they could drive speakers and produce audible sound. 2nd Generation Transistors - Far more efficient than vacuum tubes, being smaller, faster and more reliable. Invented by John Bardeen, Walter Brattain and William Shockley in 1947, the transistor became commercially viable in the 1950s. The use of transistors reduced the size of computers, making them more practical for businesses and research institutions. 3rd Generation Integrated Circuits - Developed by Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments and Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor in the late 1950s, ICs integrated multiple transistors, resistors, and capacitors onto a single silicon chip. 4th Generation Microprocessors - A microprocessor is a single integrated circuit that contains the CPU, memory, and other components of the computer’s processing unit. The first commercially successful microprocessor was the Intel 4004, introduced in 1971. It paved the way for the development of personal computers (PCs). 5th Generation Artificial Intelligence - Fifth generation computers are characterized by their ability to simulate human intelligence. AI applications include voice recognition, image processing, natural language understanding, autonomous decision-making, and robotics. This function involves capturing data or instructions provided by a user or another source. Input devices convert raw data into a form the computer can process. Processing is the core function of a computer, where the input data is manipulated, calculated, or transformed to produce meaningful information. This is handled by the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and, in some cases, additional processing units like GPUs. Computers store data for immediate or future use. Storage is divided into two main types: primary storage (volatile) and secondary storage (non- volatile). Output involves presenting the processed data or results to the user in a meaningful way. Output devices convert data from machine-readable formats into human-readable formats. The control function coordinates and manages all activities within the computer system. Directs the flow of data between the CPU, memory, and input/output devices. Executes program instructions by fetching, decoding, and executing them. Modern computers communicate with other devices and systems via networking. This enables data sharing, remote access, and collaboration. Computers can process data and perform tasks at incredibly high speeds. They are capable of executing millions or even billions of instructions per second. Computers are highly accurate, performing tasks and calculations without errors, provided the instructions (input) are correct. Once programmed, a computer can work automatically without requiring further human intervention until the task is completed. Computers are highly versatile and can be used for various purposes across industries, including education, business, healthcare, and entertainment. Computers can connect to networks, allowing them to share data and resources with other systems across the globe. This enables functions like online communication, cloud computing, and remote access. Modern computers can perform multiple tasks simultaneously, thanks to their multitasking capabilities. Computers help complete tasks faster, such as writing, calculating, or creating presentations. Using a computer connects users to the vast resources of the internet, including educational content, news, and research databases. Using a computer allows for video conferencing and remote collaboration, essential in modern work and education. Access to platforms for social interaction, networking, and sharing ideas. Computers offer a wide array of entertainment options that cater to diverse tastes, from gaming and streaming to creative expression and social interaction. Extended use of a computer can lead to eye strain, headaches, and discomfort due to prolonged screen time. Additionally, sitting for long hours without proper ergonomics can cause back, neck, and wrist pain, contributing to long-term musculoskeletal problems. Computer addiction can have a profound impact on an individual's physical, mental, and social well-being. While computers offer many benefits, excessive use, especially in the form of gaming, social media, or work, can lead to dependency that disrupts daily life. Using a computer to store personal information, access financial accounts, or communicate can expose users to cyber threats such as hacking, identity theft, phishing attacks, or data breaches. With access to quick information and automatic solutions, users may become less inclined to engage in deep thought or problem-solving, relying instead on search engines or applications to do the thinking for them.  High-performance machines Large, powerful systems used by Smaller than mainframes but still designed for complex and enterprises for bulk data powerful, used in small to resource-intensive tasks like processing, such as transactions, medium-sized organizations for weather forecasting, scientific census data, and enterprise specific tasks like database simulations, and cryptography. resource planning. management.  A workstation computer is designed PCs is also known as a Server Computers are computers for technical or scientific applications. microcomputer. It is basically a that are combined data and It consists of a fast microprocessor, general-purpose computer designed programs. Electronic data and with a large amount of RAM and a for individual use. It consists of a applications are stored and high-speed graphic adapter. microprocessor as a CPU, memory, shared in the server computer. input unit, and output unit. Analog Computers are particularly Digital computers are designed in designed to process analog data. such a way that they can easily Continuous data that changes perform calculations and logical continuously and cannot have operations at high speed. discrete values are called analog data.  The hybrid computer is a Tablets and Smartphones are the combination of both analog and types of computers that are pocket digital computers. Hybrid computers friendly and easy to carry is these are are fast like analog computers and handy. have memory and accuracy like digital computers. A computer environment refers to the setting or conditions in which a computer operates and interacts with both the user and other systems. This environment encompasses the hardware, software, and other external factors that affect the computer's functionality and user experience. Hardware Environment - This includes all the physical devices that make up the computer system. Software Environment -This includes all the software components that run on the computer and enable it to perform specific tasks. User Environment - This aspect focuses on how the user interacts with the computer. Network Environment - A computer environment is often connected to other computers and devices via networks. Security Environment - Security is a critical aspect of the computer environment, ensuring that the system and the data it handles are protected from malicious threats and unauthorized access. -> Input devices are those devices with the help of which the user interacts with the computer. Or, In other words, with the help of input devices, the user enters the data or information into the computer. -> These are the devices that are used to display the output of any task given to the computer in human-readable form. These device produce information after the computer processes it. -> There are some devices that are used for storage purposes and are known as secondary storage devices. The keyboard is the main input device of the computer that is used most often. The keyboard is used to perform all typing tasks on the computer. The mouse is also the main input device. With which the pointer on the computer screen is controlled. That is why it is also called a pointing device. Mouse is used to open, close, drag and drop files,icons on a computer. A scanner is used to scan documents and enter them into the computer in digital form. The scanned document can be saved as an image on the computer. A microphone is an input device developed by Emile Berliner in 1877. It is used to convert sound waves into electrical waves or to input sound into computers This is an input device that is used to read the code hidden in the lines of the barcode. A computer’s principal output device is a monitor, often known as a visual display unit (VDU). It displays the processed data like text, images, videos, audios, etc. It makes images by arranging microscopic dots in a rectangular pattern, known as pixels. Printers are information output devices that allow you to print data on paper. Or in other words, it is an output device that creates a hard copy of the processed data or information. Speakers are connected to computers to allow sound to be output. For the working of speakers, sound cards are required. They take audio input from the computer’s sound card and output sound waves as audio output. A projector is a device that allows users to project their output onto a large area, such as a screen or a wall. It can be used to project the output of a computer and other devices onto a screen. It magnifies texts, photos, and movies using light and lenses. It enables you to hear the sound without causing any inconvenience to others. To translate electronic signals into sounds without causing inconvenience to others. It stands for Random Access Memory. It is used to store information that is used immediately or we can say that it is a temporary memory. Computers bring the software installed on a hard disk to RAM to process it and to be used by the user. Once, the computer is turned off, the data is deleted. With the help of RAM, computers can perform multiple tasks like loading applications, browsing the web, editing a spreadsheet, experiencing the newest game, etc. It stands for Read-Only Memory. The data written or stored in these devices are non-volatile, i.e, once the data is stored in the memory cannot be modified or deleted. The memory from which will only read but cannot write it. This type of memory is non-volatile. The information is stored permanently during manufacture only once. ROM stores instructions that are used to start a computer. Magnetic storage devices are a type of data storage that uses magnetic fields to store and retrieve information. These devices typically rely on magnetic materials, such as iron oxide, to encode data by altering the magnetization of tiny particles on a medium, like a disk or tape. The information is accessed and written using read/write heads that detect or change the magnetization. Magnetic storage is non-volatile, meaning the data remains intact even when the device is powered off. Floppy Disk - Floppy Disk is also known as a floppy diskette. It is generally used on a personal computer to store data externally. A Floppy disk is made up of a plastic cartridge and secured with a protective case. Hard Disk - Hard Disk is a storage device (HDD) that stores and retrieves data using magnetic storage. It is a non-volatile storage device that can be modified or deleted n number of times without any problem. Magnetic Card - It is a card in which data is stored by modifying or rearranging the magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles present on the band of the card. It is also known as a swipe card. Tape Cassette - It is also known as a music cassette. It is a rectangular flat container in which the data is stored in an analog magnetic tape. It is generally used to store audio recordings. SuperDisk - It is also called LS-240 and LS-120. It is introduced by Imation Corporation and it is popular with OEM computers. It can store data up to 240 MB. Pen Drive - It is also known as a USB flash drive that includes flash memory with an integrated USB interface. We can directly connect these devices to our computers and laptops and read/write data into them in a much faster and more efficient way. SSD - It stands for Solid State Drive, a mass storage device like HDD. It is more durable because it does not contain optical disks inside like hard disks. It needs less power as compared to hard disks, is lightweight, and has 10x faster read and writes speed as compared to hard disks. SD Card - It is known as a Secure Digital Card. It is generally used with electronic devices like phones, digital cameras, etc. to store larger data. It is portable and the size of the SD card is also small so that it can easily fit into electronic devices. Memory Card - t is generally used in digital cameras. printers, game consoles, etc. It is also used to store large amounts of data and is available in different sizes. Multimedia Card - It is also known as MMC. It is an integrated circuit that is generally used in-car radios, digital cameras, etc. It is an external device to store data/information. CD - It is known as Compact Disc. It contains tracks and sectors on its surface to store data. It is made up of polycarbonate plastic and is circular in shape. CD can store data up to 700MB. DVD - It is known as Digital Versatile Disc. DVDs are circular flat optical discs used to store data. It comes in two different sizes one is 4.7GB single-layer discs and another one is 8.5GB double-layer discs. DVDs look like CDs but the storage capacity of DVDs is more than as compared to CDs. Blue-ray Disc - It is just like CD and DVD but the storage capacity of blu ray is up to 25GB. To run a Blu-ray disc you need a separate Blu-ray reader. This Blu-ray technology is used to read a disc from a blue-violet laser due to which the information is stored in greater density with a longer wavelength. Online platforms that store data remotely, accessible via the internet. It allows users to store, manage, and back up their data without the need for on-site hardware infrastructure. Cloud storage services are provided by companies that maintain and manage large data centers with high-capacity servers, offering secure, scalable, and efficient data storage solutions. System software is software that directly operates the computer hardware and provides the basic functionality to the users as well as to the other software to operate smoothly. It basically controls a computer’s internal functioning and also controls hardware devices such as monitors, printers, and storage devices, etc. Application software refers to programs or apps designed to perform specific tasks for users, enabling them to create, manipulate, or consume content and services. It differs from system software, as it directly addresses user needs and tasks rather than managing hardware operations. Peopleware refers to the human aspect of computer systems, encompassing the people who interact with hardware and software to design, develop, operate, and maintain computing systems. It emphasizes the role of human effort and creativity in technology, recognizing that successful systems rely not only on hardware and software but also on the skills, collaboration, and management of the people involved.