COMPUTERA computer is an electronic device that is able to process and retain

information when programmed; it operates under the control of a set of

instructions that is stored in its memory unit. A computer accepts data
from an input device and processes it into useful information which it
displays on its output device. Computer comes from the word
compute which means to calculate. Hence a computer is normally
considered as a calculating device which can perform various
operations, computers was basically defined as a device used to operate
on data. A computer is a programmable machine designed to
sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or
logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed
readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem.
A computer can store, process and retrieve data as and when required,
the fact that it processes data, it is also called as data processor.

comes in various shapes and sizes depending upon the type of

computer applications. It is a collection of raw facts used for data processing to
give out meaningful data (i.e information). The term data refers to qualitative or
quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables are typically the results of
measurements and can be the basis of graphs, images, or observations of a set of
variables. Data are often viewed as the lowest level of abstraction from which
information and then knowledge are derived. Raw data, i.e. unprocessed data,
refers to a collection of numbers, characters, images or other outputs from
devices that collect information to convert physical quantities into symbols.
The step by step working on data is called data processing.
Data processing consists of 3 sub activities:
1) Capturing the input data.
2) Manipulation of data.
3) Managing the output.

Data . Data

INFORMATION It is collection of processed data, meaningful, it can be of

any size, it is quantitative, it is qualitative Moreover, the concept of information
is closely related to notions
of constraint, communication, control, data, form, instruction, knowledge, meani
ng, mental stimulus, pattern, perception, representation.

CHARACTERSTICS OF COMPUTERS

SPEED: Computer is a very fast device. It can perform work in few seconds, for which a
human can do it in years. To put it in different manner, the computer is able to do the work in
a minute what a human being will take entire year. When talking about speed of the computer
we talk in milliseconds, microseconds or picoseconds.

ACCURACY: Computers perform with a very high degree of consistent accuracy and the
degree of consistency depends on its design. However, for a particular computer every
calculation is performed with the same accuracy. Error can occur in a computer; however this
is due to human rather than technological weakness. Errors occur due to incorrect input data
or unreliable programs are often referred to as (GIGO: Garbage In Garbage Out).

DILIGENCE: Unlike human beings a computer is free from monotony, tiredness and lack of
concentration. It can work for long hours without creating any error, hence computer score
over human beings in doing routine jobs which require great accuracy.

VERSATILITY: is one of the most wonderful things about the computer , one moment it is
doing one work , the very other moment it is doing some other work. Briefly, a computer is
capable of performing almost any task.

NO IQ: It is dumb .It has no intelligence of its own. Its IQ is zero. A

computer cannot take its own decisions in this regard.

NO FEELINGS: Computers are devoid of emotions. They have no

feelings and no instincts because they are machines.

AUTOMATIC: A machine is said to be automatic. It works by itself

without human intervention .Computer is automatic machine because
once started on a job, they carry on until the job is finished.

STORAGE: As a human being acquires new knowledge, the brain subconsciously

selects what it feels to be important and worth retaining in its memory. A computer can
store and recall any amount of information because of its storage capacity. Every piece
of data can be retained as long as desired by the user and can be recalled when required.

ORGANIZATION OF COMPUTERS
Five Basic Operations

Inputting: The process of entering data and instruction

into the computer system.
Storing: Storing data and instructions to make them
readily available for initial or additional processing.
Processing: Performing arithmetic operations or logical
operations on data to convert them into useful information.
Outputting: The process of producing useful information
or results for the user .
Controlling: Directing the manner and sequence in which
all the above operations are performed.

INPUT UNIT: Data & instructions must enter the computer

system, before any computation can be performed on the supplied
data. This task is performed by the input unit .
The following functions are performed by an
input Unit.:

It accepts data from the outside or user.

It converts these instructions and data in computer
acceptable form.
It supplies the converted data to computer system
for further process.

OUTPUT UNIT: It gives the information obtained from

the data processing to the user .As computers work with
binary language, the results produced are also in the
binary form .It converts the result to the human
acceptable form. This task is accomplished by units
called output interfaces.
The following functions are performed by an output
unit:
It accepts the results produced by the computer, which
are in coded form and hence, cannot be easily understood
by us.
It converts these coded results to human acceptable form.
It supplies the converted results to the outside world.

STORAGE UNIT: The function of a storage

unit is to hold (store) data & information.
The data & instructions required for
processing.
Intermediate results of processing.
Final results of processing before these
results are released to an output device.
Storage Unit has 2 types of storage:

Primary Storage: is also known as main memory, is

used to hold pieces of program instructions and data,
intermediate results of processing and recently
produced results of processing. The cpu access it
directly at a very fast speed .However , the primary
storage can hold information only while the computer
system is switched off or reset , the information held
in the primary storage disappears .Primary storage has
limited storage capacity .Primary storage is made up of
semiconductor devices.

Secondary Storage: also known as

auxiliary storage .It is used as supplement
to primary storage to primary storage .It is
used as a supplement to primary storage
and it can retain information even if the
computer system is switched off. The
secondary storage is normally used to hold
the data & information on which no
processing is done.

Input Devices: Giving Commands

Keyboard

Mouse

Other Pointing
Devices

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Other Types of Pointing

Devices
Trackball

Touch
Screen

Pointing
Stick

Joystick

Touch Pad

Pen

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Audio Input: Speech

Recognition

Speech recognition is a type of input in

which the computer recognizes words
spoken into a microphone.

Special software and a microphone are

required.

Latest technology uses continuous speech

recognition where the user does not have
to pause between words.

Digital Input: Digital Cameras and

Digital Video
Digital Cameras

Digital Video

Click on the
picture to
play the
video.

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Alternative Input Devices

Scanners
Flatbed

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Barcode reader

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Output Devices: Engaging our Senses

Output devices are peripheral devices that

enable us to view or hear the computers
processed data.
Visual output Text, graphics, and video
Audio output Sounds, music, and synthesized
speech
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Printers

A printer is a
peripheral device that
produces a physical
copy or hard copy of
the computers output.

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Types of Printers
Laser

Inkjet

Inkjet printer, also

called a bubble-jet, makes
characters by inserting
dots of ink onto paper
Letter-quality printouts
Cost of printer is
inexpensive but ink is
costly

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Laser printer works

like a copier
Quality determined by
dots per inch (dpi)
produced
Color printers
available
Expensive initial costs
but cheaper to
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Plotter

A plotter is a printer that uses a pen that

moves over a large revolving sheet of paper.
It is used in engineering, drafting, map
making, and seismology.

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Storage Devices
Storage devices are categorized by:
The type of operations they perform
The method they use to access the
information
The technology they use
Their location in the storage hierarchy
Their capacity and speed

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Sequential vs. Random Access Storage

Tape Drive
sequential storage

Floppy Disk Drive

random-access storage

Hard Disk
random-access storage

Sequential Storage devices that read and

write data in a serial (one after the other)
fashion
Random-Access Storage devices that read
and write data without going through a
sequence of locations
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Sequential vs. Random Access Storage

Tape Drive
sequential storage

Floppy Disk Drive

random-access storage

Hard Disk
random-access storage

Sequential Storage devices that read and

write data in a serial (one after the other)
fashion

Random-Access Storage devices that read

and write data without going through a
sequence of locations
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Storage Technologies: Magnetic

and Optical
Magnetic Storage

Optical Storage
CD/DVD drive

Magnetic Storage devices use disks or tapes

that are coated with magnetically sensitive
material
Optical Storage devices that use laser beams
to read patterns etched into plastic disks

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Storage Capacity and Speed

Floppy Disk

Capacity 720 KB to
1.44 MB
Access Time 100ms

Hard Drive

Capacity Up to 80 GB
Access Time 6 to 12ms

CD ROM / DVD

Capacity CD-ROM 650

MB; DVD 17 GB
Access Time 80 to 800ms

A storage devices performance is measured by:

Capacity The number of bytes of data that a device
can hold
Access Time The amount of time, in milliseconds
(ms), it takes the device to begin reading data
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Hard Disks
Platte
r

Read/Writ
e head

Hard disks are high-speed, high-capacity storage

devices.

They contain metal disks called platters.

They contain two or more stacked platters with

read/write heads for each side.

Hard disks can be divided into partitions to enable

computers to work with more than one operating system.

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Floppy and Zip Disks and Drives

Floppy Drive

Zip Drive

Click on the
picture to see it
work.

A disk or diskette is a portable storage

medium.
High-density floppy disks that are
commonly used today store 1.44 MB of data.
Disks work with a disk drive.
Zip disks store up to 750 MB of data and are
not downwardly compatible with floppy disks.

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Floppy Disk

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CD-ROM Discs and Drives

CD-ROM stands for Compact

Disc-Read Only Memory.

CD-ROM drives can not write

data to discs.

They are capable of storing

650 MB of data.

They are used for storing

operating systems, large
application programs, and
multimedia programs.
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CD-R and CD-RW Discs and Recorders

CD-R
Discs can be read
and written to
Discs can only be
written to once
CD-R drives are
capable of reading
and writing data

CD-RW

Discs can be read

and written to
Discs are erasable
Discs can be written
to many times
CD-RW drives are
capable of reading,
writing, and erasing
data
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DVD-ROM Discs and Drives

DVD stands for Digital Video Disc.

DVD technology is similar to CDROM technology.

DVDs are capable of storing up to

17GB of data.

The data transfer rate of DVD

drives is comparable to that of
hard disk drives.

DVD-R and DVD-RW drives have

the ability to read/write data.

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THANK YOU