What is Computer ?

What is Computer ?
 
Computer is an electronic device that is designed to work with Information.

The term computer is derived from the Latin term ‘computare’, this means to calculate or programmable machine.

Computer cannot do anything without a Program. It represents the decimal numbers through a string of binary digits.

Charles Babbage is called the "Grand Father" of the computer. The First mechanical computer designed by Charles Babbage was called Analytical Engine. It uses read-only memory in the form of punch cards.

Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user and processes these data under the control of set of instructions (called program) and gives the result (output) and saves output for the future use.

It can process both numerical and non-numerical (arithmetic and logical) calculations.

In simple word, Computer is an Electronic device that automatically performs arithmetic or logic operation on information input, process that input and provides an output according to the performed set of instruction stored with it.



Concept of Computer

Hardware, Software and Firmware together makeup a Computer System.

Hardware: - Hardware describe all the physical components used for the assembly the      
                        Computer System.
Software: - Software constitute the instruction on which the Computer act which thus makes the
                      Computer usable.
Firmware: - Firmware are programs that are permanently written and stored in computer
                       memory (ROM).


Types of Computer:

Computer are of four types namely.

1. Super Computer
2.Main Frame Computer
3. Mini Computer
4. Micro Computer.


A) Super Computer

Super Computer are the most powerful type of Computer.

They are used for high speed processing of data.

The only disadvantage of Super Computer is it generates large amount of heat so we
require cooling device for it.

The supercomputers are very expensive and very large in size. It can be accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms; some super computers can span an entire building.
Presently, China’s "Tianhe – 2" is the world’s faster Supercomputer.
The Tianhe – 2 can perform 100 Peta-flops, i.e. quadrillions of floating point operations per second.

Uses of Supercomputers

• Space Exploration.
• Earthquake studies.
• Weather Forecasting.
• Nuclear Weapon testing.
  

Popular Supercomputers

• IBM’s Sequoia, in United States
• Fujitsu’s K Computer in Japan
• IBM’s Mira in United States
• IBM’s SuperMUC in Germany
•  NUDT Tianhe-1A in China

B) Main Frame Computer
Main Frame Computer are not as powerful as Super Computer, but they are capable
of great processing speeds and data storage.

Government organizations uses Mainframes to run their business operations.

The Mainframe computers can be accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms because of its size.
Super-computers are the fastest computers with large data storage capacity, Mainframes can also process & store large amount of data.

Banks educational institutions & insurance companies use mainframe computers to store data about their customers, students & insurance policy holders.

Popular Mainframe computers

• Fujitsu’s ICL VME
• Hitachi’s Z800

C) Mini Computer

Mini Computer is also known as Mid-range Computer, are refrigerator – sized
machines.

These are small machines and can be accommodated on a disk with not as processing and data storage capabilities as super-computers & Mainframes.

These computers are not designed for a single user. Individual departments of a large company or organizations use Mini-computers for specific purposes.

Medium- sized companies or Department of large Companies typically use them for specific purpose.

For e.g.: Production Department use Mini Computer to monitor certain manufacturing process and assembly line operation.

Popular Minicomputers

• K-202
• Texas Instrument TI-990
• SDS-92
• IBM Mid-range computers

D) Micro Computer

Micro Computer are the least powerful and yet the most widely used and fastest
growing type of computer.

The Micro-computers are specially designed for general usage like entertainment, education and work purposes.

Well known manufacturers of Micro-computer are Dell, Apple, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba.

There are 4 types of Micro Computer namely. 1. Desktop 2. Notebook 3. Tablet PC   
4. Handheld Computer.

1. Desktop:
Desktop PC are small enough to fit on top of or alongside a desk yet are too big to
carry around.

2. Notebook:
Notebook PC also known as Laptop PC.

They are Portable, Lightweight and fit into most briefcases.

3. Tablet PC:
Tablet PC is a type of Notebook Computer that accept your handwriting.

This input is digitized and converted to standard text that can be further processed by
program such as word processor.

4. Handheld Computer:
Handheld Computer are the smallest and are designed to fit into the palm of one
hand.

These system contain an entire computer system, including the electronic components,
secondary storage, and input & output device.

PDA & Smart Phones are most widely used handheld PC.