Basics of computer knowledge and how to learn basics of computer which is best for begginers .

 A computer is an electronic machine that receives input and processes the input as per user instructions and provides an output in desired format. Computers have become an integral part of our lives because they can do hard task as easy tasks repeatedly without getting bored or without any errors. In this article we will discuss in detail about the different parts of computer that enable it to carry out different tasks efficiently and correctly. We will also discuss about some basic informations of computers.

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Being a modern-day kid of morden world you must have used, seen, or read about computers. This is because they are became an integral part of our everyday life. School, banks, shops, railway stations, hospital or even in home, computers are present everywhere, making our work easier and faster for us. As they are such integral parts of our lives, we must know what they are and how they function. Let us start with defining the term computer.

The literal meaning of computer is that it is a device that is used in calculation but modern computers can do a lot work more than calculation. Computer is an electronic device that receives input, stores or processes the input as per instructions given by the user and provides output in desired format.

Characteristic s of a computer :

Speed : Computers works at a very high speed. It can execute millions of instruction per second its speed is measured in hertz  (example kilo hertz etc.) modern computer can perform calculation in Nanosecond (1 nanoscecond equal to 10 to the power minus 10 s).

Accuracy: Computers is a perfect machine. It does not make any mistake. It performs calculation without making errors and produces information in accordance to the data entered. 

Reliability: Computer is a reliable machine. It does not fail to produce result. It processes exactly as per the given instruction it can even work at places where human beings cannot 

Versatility: Computer is a versatile in nature. It can work on various kinds of input and can produce multiple kinds of output like sound, graphics, text, animation etc. It is it is a single machine performing numerous type of task.

Storage Capacity : A computer has a very hub memory it can store very large volumes of data in a small place which can beat retrive as and when required the unit of storage of data is byte.

 Diligence : A computer is free from the problems of tiredness boldness or lack of concentration it can work for hours without getting tired it does not vacillate and perform that same task repeatedly on a similar or dissimilar data without doing any mistakes.

 

Logical Ability : Acomputer is capable of comparing all types of numeric or non numeric data.

 Flexibility : During its operation a computer can perform multiple task at a same time it can instantly switch from one application to another at any point of time during operation .

Transfer of Data : Data can be easily transferred from one computer to another through a storage device like pen drive CD DVD blu-ray disc or via network.

 But there is certain limitations of computer  such as : 

Zero IQ : Computer has no IQ it cannot think on its own it has to be guided or instruction by the user .

Apathetic : Computer has no sentiments.

Non heuristic : Computer has only artificial intelligence it cannot learn from the past experience.

It have types of parts :

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1) Hardware :It is a part of your computer that has a physical structure, which can be touch such as the keyboard or mouse. It also includes all of the computer's internal parts.

2) Software : It is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do and how to do it the work as per command of user. Examples of software includes web browsers, games, and word processors etc.

The literal meaning of computer is a device that can calculate but modern computers can do a lot more than calculation. Computer is an electronic device that receives input, stores or processes the input as per user instructions and provides output in desired format.

Input-Process-Output Model :
Computer that take 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 also called data.

Workflow :
The processes that can be applied to data are of two types −

Arthimetic Logic Unit − Examples include calculations like addition, subtraction, differentials, square root, cube root etc.

Logical operation − Examples include comparison operations like greater than, less than, opposite, etc.


The basic parts of a computer are as follows −

Input Unit − Devices like keyboard and mouse that are used to input data and to give instructions to the computer are called input unit.

Output Unit − Devices like printer and visual display unit that are used to provide information to the user in its desired format are called output unit.

Control Unit − As the name suggests, this unit controls 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 of two types – primary memory and secondary memory. Primary memory resides within the CPU whereas secondary memory is external to it.

Advantages of Using Computer

Now , we will talk about the advantages of computer.

1) Computers can do the same task repetitively with same accuracy without getting tired and bored.
2) Computers can take up routine tasks while releasing human resource for more intelligent functions.

Disadvantages of Using Computer

Despite so many advantages, computers have also some disadvantages of their own −

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

Regular electricity supply is necessary to make computers work, which could prove difficulty everywhere especially in developing countries.

Booting

Starting a computer or a computer-embedded device is 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.

As you know, the hardware devices need user instructions to function. A set of instructions that achieve a single outcome are called program or procedure. Many programs functioning together to do a task make a software.

For example, a word-processing software enables the user to create, edit and save documents. A web browser enables the user to view and share web pages and multimedia files. There are two categories of software −

1) System Software
2) Application Software
3) Utility Software

Let us discuss them in detail.


System Software : Software required to run the hardware parts of the computer and other application software are called system software. System software acts as interface between hardware and user applications. An interface is needed because hardware devices or machines and humans speak in different languages.

Machines understand only,binary language i.e. 0 (absence of electric signal) and 1 (presence of electric signal) while humans speak in English French, German, Tamil, Hindi and many other languages. English is the pre-dominant language of interacting with computers. Software is required to convert all human instructions into machine understandable instructions. And this is exactly what system software does.

Based on its function, system software is of four types −

1) Operating System
2) Language Processor
3) Device Drivers
4) Operating System

System software that is responsible for functioning of all hardware parts and their interoperability to carry out tasks successfully is called operating system (OS). OS is the first software to be loaded into computer memory when the computer is switched on and this is called booting. OS manages a computer’s basic functions like storing data in memory, retrieving files from storage devices, scheduling tasks based on priority, etc.

Language Processor
As discussed earlier, an important function of system software is to convert all user instructions into machine understandable language. When we talk of human machine interactions, languages are of three types −

Machine-level language − This language is nothing but a string of 0s and 1s that the machines can understand. It is completely machine dependent.

Assembly-level language − This language introduces a layer of abstraction by defining mnemonics. Mnemonics are English like words or symbols used to denote a long string of 0s and 1s. For example, the word “READ” can be defined to mean that computer has to retrieve data from the memory. The complete instruction will also tell the memory address. Assembly level language is machine dependent.

High level language − This language uses English like statements and is completely independent of machines. Programs written using high level languages are easy to create, read and understand by us.

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