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INTRODUCTION: What is computer?

“A Computer is an electronic machine that can solve different problems, process data, store & retrieve data
and perform calculations faster and efficiently than humans”.

Meaning of the word "Computer"

Computer is derived from a Latin word “computare” which means to “to calculate”, “to count”, “to sum
up” or “to think together”. So, more precisely the word computer means a "device that performs
computation".

Definition of Computer
A Computer is programmed device with a set of instructions to perform specific tasks and generate results
at a very high speed.
A computer is a device that accepts information (in the form of digitalized data) and manipulates it for some
result based on a program or sequence of instructions on how the data is to be processed. Complex
computers also include the means for storing data (including the program, which is also a form of data) for
some necessary duration. A program may be invariable and built into the computer (and called logic
circuitry as it is on microprocessors) or different programs may be provided to the computer (loaded into
its storage and then started by an administrator or user). Today's computers have both kinds of
programming.
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HISTORY OF COMPUTER

The computer as we know it today had its beginning with a 19th century English mathematics professor
name Charles Babbage .He designed the Analytical Engine and it was this design that the basic framework
of the computers of today are based on three generation.

First generation:
In 1937 the first electronic digital computer was built by Dr. John V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry. It was
called the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC). In 1943 an electronic computer name the Colossus was built
for the military. Other developments continued until in 1946 the first general– purpose digital computer,
the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was built. It is said that this computer weighed
30 tons, and had 18,000 vacuum tubes which was used for processing. When this computer was turned on
for the first time lights dim in sections of Philadelphia. Computers of this generation could only perform
single task, and they had no operating system.

Second generation:
This generation of computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes which were more reliable. In 1951
the first computer for commercial use was introduced to the public; the Universal Automatic Computer
(UNIVAC 1). In 1953 the International Business Machine (IBM) 650 and 700 series computers made their
mark in the computer world. During this generation of computers over 100 computer programming
languages were developed, computers had memory and operating systems. Storage media such as tape and
disk were in use also were printers for output.

Third generation:
(Present) - The invention of integrated circuit brought us the third generation of computers. With this
invention computers became smaller, more powerful more reliable and they are able to run many different
programs at the same time. In1980 Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-Dos) was born and in 1981 IBM
introduced the personal computer (PC) for home and office use. Three years later Apple gave us the
Macintosh computer with its icon driven interface and the 90s gave us Windows operating system.
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THE COMPONENT OF COMPUTER

Hardware components are often categorised as being either input, output, storage or processing
components. Devices which are not an integral part of the CPU are referred to as being peripherals.
Peripherals are usually used for either input, storage or output (such as a hard disk, keyboard or printer). A
device does not necessarily have to be outside the same physical box as the CPU. The best example of this
is the hard disk, which is a peripheral even though it is not usually housed within the main case.

INPUT DEVICES:
Input devices are hardware devices which take information from the user of the computer system, convert
it into electrical signals and transmit it to the processor. The primary function of input devices is to allow
humans to interact with the computer system. For instance a mouse allows the user to control the movement
of the pointer (a common element in user interface design).

OUTPUT DEVICES:
Output devices take data from the computer system and convert it to a form that can be read by humans.
For instance a monitor creates a visual electronic display to output information created by the processor to
the user.

PROCESSING DEVICES:
Processing devices are the components responsible for the processing of information within the computer
system. This includes devices such as the CPU, memory and motherboard.

STORAGE DEVICES:
Storage devices are components which allow data to be stored within a computer system. This includes
devices such as hard disk.
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CATEGORIES OF COMPUTER

Supercomputers

A supercomputer is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s a term used to describe computers that
have the most capable processing power of its time. Early supercomputers in the 60s and 70s used just a
couple processors, while the 90s saw supercomputers with thousands of processors at a time.

Mainframe Computers
Like supercomputers, mainframe computers are huge, towering machines with lots of processing power.
Mainframe computers are mostly used by corporations, government agencies, and banks – organizations
that need a way to store large quantities of information.

Minicomputers
A minicomputer is a multiprocessing machine that can support up to about 200 users at the same time. It’s
like a less powerful mainframe computer, and is about the size of a refrigerator. A server can be an example
of a minicomputer, but not all servers are minicomputers.

Microcomputers
Microcomputers are the ones people are most familiar with on a daily, non-professional basis, but of course
that doesn’t mean they’re exclusive to the home. Microcomputers are smaller computers that run on
microprocessors in their central processing units.

Mobile Computers
These are exactly what they sound like – computers that are super small and mobile. You could argue that
a desktop computer is mobile if you need it to be, but mobile computers usually describe computers that
are meant to be carried around and taken from place to place.
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ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING COMPUTER

Today, the computer is used in every field and has made our day to day tasks very easy but there are some
advantages and disadvantages of computers.

Advantages of Computer
Computer has made a very vital impact on society. It has changed the way of life. The use of computer
technology has affected every field of life. People are using computers to perform different tasks quickly
and easily. The use of computers makes different task easier. It also saves time and effort and reduces the
overall cost to complete a particular task.
Many organizations are using computers for keeping the records of their customers. Banks are using
computers for maintaining accounts and managing financial transactions. The banks are also providing the
facility of online banking. The customers can check their account balance from using the internet. They can
also make financial transaction online

Disadvantages of computer
The use of computer has also created some problems in society which are as follows.

Unemployment
Different tasks are performed automatically by using computers. It reduces the need of people and increases
unemployment in society.

Wastage of time and energy

Many people use computers without positive purpose. They play games and chat for a long period of
time. It causes wastage of time and energy.

Data Security
The data stored on a computer can be accessed by unauthorized persons through networks. It has created
serious problems for the data security.

Privacy violation
The computers are used to store personal data of the people. The privacy of a person can be violated if the
personal and confidential records are not protected properly.

Health risks
The improper and prolonged use of computer can results in injuries or disorders of hands, wrists, elbows,
eyes, necks and back

Impact on Environment
The computer manufacturing processes and computer waste are polluting the environment. The wasted
parts of computer can release dangerous toxic materials.
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