Computer

"Computer technology" and "Computer system" redirect here. For the company, see Computer
Technology Limited. For other uses, see Computer (disambiguation) and Computer system
(disambiguation).
A computer is a general purpose device that can be programmedto carry out a set
of arithmetic or logical operations automatically. Since a sequence of operations can be readily
changed, the computer can solve more than one kind of problem.
Conventionally, a computer consists of at least one processing element, typically a central
processing unit (CPU), and some form ofmemory. The processing element carries out arithmetic
and logic operations, and a sequencing and control unit can change the order of operations in
response to stored information. Peripheral devicesallow information to be retrieved from an
external source, and the result of operations saved and retrieved.
The Difference Between File Data and Application Data
Updated: November 1, 2008
Applies To: System Center Data Protection Manager 2007
Data that exists on a file server and which needs to be protected as a flat file qualifies as file data,
such as Microsoft Office files, text files, batch files, and so forth.
Data that exists on an application server and which requires DPM to be aware of the application
qualifies as application data, such as Exchange storage groups, SQL Server databases, Windows
SharePoint Services farms, and Virtual Server.
Each data source is presented in DPM Administrator Console according to the type of protection
that you can select for that data source. For example, in the Create New Protection Group
Wizard, when you expand a server that contains files and is running Virtual Server and an
instance of SQL Server, the data sources are treated as follows:

If you expand All Shares or All Volumes, DPM displays the shares and volumes on that
server and will protect any data source selected in either of those nodes as file data.

If you expand All SQL Servers, DPM displays the instances of SQL Server on that
server and will protect any data source selected in that node as application data.

If you expand Microsoft Virtual Server, DPM displays the host database and virtual
machines on that server and will protect any data source selected in that node as
application data.

Components of a Computer System

Information is funny stuff. The information for the web page you are looking at is recorded on a
hard disk inside a computer located in New Britain, Connecticut. The information was copied
from that physical device to other physical devices perhaps hundreds of times before it got to
your computer where your web browser is using it to display these words on your monitor.
Clearly information is something different from the devices used to store and transmit it.
A computer system consists of both hardware and information stored on hardware. Information
stored on computer hardware is often called software.
The hardware components of a computer system are the electronic and mechanical parts.
The software components of a computer system are the data and the computer programs.
to see the desktop system these
notes were originally prepared on.
(This was back when anything to
do with computers had to be
beige. Everything in this picture
has since been replaced, except for
the gargoyle.)
The major hardware components
of a computer system are:

Secondary memory

Input devices

Output devices

Processor

Main memory

For typical desktop computers, the processor, main memory, secondary memory, power supply,
and supporting hardware are housed in a metal case. Many of the components are connected to
the main circuit board of the computer, called themotherboard. The power supply supplies power
for most of the components. Various input devices (such as the keyboard) and output devices
(such as the monitor) are attached through connectors at the rear of the case.