Classification of Computers

On the basis of data representation On the basis of data size

1. Analog computers Microcomputers
2. Digital computers Minicomputers
3. Hybrid computers Mainframe
Supercomputers
Network computers
Types of Micro computers
1. Personal computers
2. Workststions
• Portable computers
1. Laptops / notebooks
2. Subnotebooks
3. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
 Input / Output devices
Input devices Output devices
• Keyboard Monitor
• Mouse LCD
• Scanner Printer
• Touch Screen Speaker
• Light Pen Plotter
 Input devices
1. Keyboard- a text based input device that is used to type in letters,
numbers and other characters.
• Keyboard keys
1. Enter : to execute a command or a program
2. Backspace : To remove the character directly to the left of cursor.
3. Control key : Called as a helper key because it is always used in
combition with other keys to perform specific actions.
4. Alternate key : Called as a helper key because it is always used in
combition with other keys to perform specific actions.
5. Shift key : used to type capital letterswhen pressed with an alpphabetic
key. Also used to type the symbols located on the upper side of number
keys (0-9)
6. Tab : used to insert indentation into a document. Jumps from box to box
when entering data in a form.
7. Arrow keys : used to move the cursor in top/ bottam/ left/ right directions.
• Caps lock : Used to make the alphabetic characters to the upper case.
• Esc ( Escape Key) : Used to cancel and abort program
• Home/ end : Home key is used to move the cursor to the begning of a
line. End key is ysed to bring the cursor to the end of a line
• Page Up : Used to move the cursor up one screen length. It will not move
the cursor to the second page if you are in the first page.
• Page down : Used to move the cursor down one screen length. It will not
move the cursor to the second page if you are in the first page.
• F Keys : Called function keys, which are located at the top of the
keyboard. Their function depends upon the type of the program being
used.
• Num lock : the numeric keypad located at the extreme right to the
keyboard is activated when the num lock key is turned on.

2. Mouse : it is used to move the cursor on your computer screen to give

instructions to your computer and to run programs and applications. It
can be used to select menu commands, move icons, size windows, start
programs, close windows etc.
 Mouse function cont…

1. Click : used to select an item. Click means press and release the left
mouse button.
2. Right Click : used to display a set of commands. Right click means press
and release the righ tmouse button
3. Double Click : Used to open a document or a program. Double means
quickly press the left mouse button twice. There should not be any time
gap between the two press actions.
4. Drag and drop : place the cursor over an item on the screen and the
press and hold down the left mouse button. Holding down the button,
move the cursor to where you want to place the item and then release the
button.

• Scanner : used to input pictures and images into your computer. It

converts. Images to digital form so that it can be fed into the computer.
• Touch screen : it allows the user to operate a computer by simply
touching the display screen.
• Light pen : it is used as a light sensor device to select objects on a
display screen.
 Output devices
• Monitor : used to display information, program and application in computer
also called display screen.
• LCD : it is smaller and lighter as compared to a moniter. Mostly used for
portable computers.
• Printer used to create hard copy of the files
 Classification of Computers
On the basis of data representation On the basis of size
1. Analog computers Microcomputers
2. Digital computers Minicomputers
3. Hybrid computers Mainframe
Supercomputers
Network computers
Types of Micro computers
1. Personal computers
2. Workststions
• Portable computers
1. Laptops / notebooks
2. Subnotebooks
3. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
 Operating System
• An OS is an integrated set of programs that is used to manage the various resources and
overall operations of a computer system. It is designed to support the activities of a
computers installation .
• Main objective of OS
its prime objective is to improve the performance and efficiency of a computer system and
increase facility, the ease with which a system can be used.
Main Functions of operating system
1. Processor management
2. Memory management
3. Input / Output management.
4. File management
5. Establishment and enforcement of a job priority system.
6. Automatic transistion from job to job as directed by special cntrol statements.
7. Interpretation of commands and instruction.
8. Coordination and assignment of compilers, assemblers, utility program, and other software
to various users of the computer system.
9. Establishment of data security and integrity.
10. Error detection and correction
11. Facilitates easy communication user and machine.
12. Maintenance of internal time clock.
 OS cont..
• Efficiency of OS depends on two factors.
1. Throughput: total volume of work performed by the system over a given
period of time.
2. Turnaround Time : the interval between the time a user sumbits his job to
the system for processing and the time he receives results.

Users

APPLICATION PROGRAMS

OPERATING SYSTEM
HARDWARE

HARDWARE
 Classification of OS
• OS can be classified into different types like Desktop Operating System,
Server Operating System, Mainframe Operating system, etc.
WINDOWS 98: Win 98 makes the computer easier to use with new and
enhanced features:
1. Web integration
2. Multiple display support
3. Power management
4. Universal serial bus.
5. Accessibility wizard
6. Help
7. Window updates
8. System file checker
9. Scan disk
10. Registry checker
11. Backup.