Computer fundamentals

Computer :- Electronic machine that receive data, processes

the data and then generates an output.

the computer is a data processor, because it can receive ,

store, process and retrieve any kind of data.
A computer accepts input and gives output as per the
instruction fed in it

Types of Computer

Digital computer

Analog computer

Hybrid computer

Analog computer

Analog data is of continuous nature and which is not

separate. Such type of data includes temperature,
pressure, speed weight, depth etc. These quantities are
continuous and having an infinite variety of values.
Analog computers do not require any storage capability
because they measure and compare quantities in a single
operation. Output from an analog computer is generally
in the form of readings on a series of dial (Speedometer
of a car) or a graph on strip chart.

Digital computer

A digital computer can be used to process numeric as

well as non-numeric data. It can perform arithmetic
operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division and also logical operations.
The results of digital computers are more accurate than
the results of analog computers. Analog computers are
faster than digital. Analog computers lack memory
whereas digital computers store information. We can
say that digital computers count and analog computers
measures

Hybrid computer

features of both types of computers, i-e. It has the

speed of analog computer and the memory and
accuracy of digital computer. Hybrid computers
are used mainly in specialized applications where
both kinds of data need to be processed.
Therefore, they help the user, to process both
continuous and discrete data. For example a petrol
pump contains a processor that converts fuel flow
measurements into quantity and price values.

Applications of computer

Research
Education
Business
Banking
Office automation
Health Care

Computer Organisation

C.P.U
A.L.U

Input device

C.U

M.U

Output device

Hardware

Input unit
Output unit
Storage unit

Primary storage

RAM & ROM

BIOS (basic input/output system) is the
program a personal computer's
microprocessor uses to get the computer
system started after you turn it on

Secondary storage
Magnetic disk - Hardware & Optical
disk CD ROM , CD RW &
DVD.

Magnetic Disks

Magnetic Disks Hard Disk

Metal or plastic disks covered with an
iron oxide.
Data is recorded on tracks in the form of
magnetized spots to form binary digits.
Electromagnetic read/write heads

Optical Disk Storage

Records data by using a laser to burn

pits in a plastic disk and reads
Compact disk read only memory
(CD-ROM)
Compact disk rewritable (CD RW)
Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)

Software

Collection of logical programs that handle different

components of the computer is termed as software

Software is responsible for Controlling, Integrating

& Managing hardware components

Hardware is body of Computer and software is the

Soul.

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