INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER APPLICATIONINTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS, TYPES OF COMPUTERS, COMPONENT OF COMPUTER

IT-101

Topics to be discussed todayWhat are Computers?Components of computersClassification of ComputersDifferent types of computers

ComputerAn electronic device which takes input in form of instructionsExecutes these instructions(programs)which actually tells the computer, what to doComputers come in different sizes and shapes i-e Personal Computers, laptops, PDAs(Personal Digital Assistant)

Computers in daily lifeNow a days, computers have become so common that they are present in every field of life i-eEducational Organizations (Universities, Schools and colleges)Medical Centers (Hospitals and medical labs)Business Organizations (Banking, marketing stock exchange, departmental stores)Military Organizations (Locate enemies and desired direction, targeting missiles etc)Engineering OrganizationsResearch Organizations (Weather forecasting)Media (Television, Press )Airlines Systems (Seat reservations etc)

Components of ComputersBasic Components areHardwarePhysical parts( Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor)Peripheral devices(printers, scanners, speakers etc)SoftwareThe set of instructions i-e programs(MS Word, MS Access, Computer Games etc)

Parts of HardwareInput DevicesDevice through which input is given to a computer, which is usually a keyboardCPU(Central processing Unit)The component which exactly processes the instruction called the heart of ComputerMemoryWhere processor stores information during processing Output DevicesA display screen which shows the result on monitorMass Storage DeviceAllows the computer to store data permanently i-e Hard Disk drive

SoftwareComputer Instructions or DataAny thing that can be stored electronicallyCategoriesSystem softwareOperating SystemUtilities(Manage Resources)Manage Disk Drives, Printers and other devicesApplication softwareWord ProcessorSpread SheetPaint ProgramsDBMS(Data Base Management System)Note: Software will be discussed in detail in further lectures

Basic Operation of ComputerStorageOutputInputProcessenterdataobtaininfoStore orRetrieve data

Types of ComputersThe types are based on technologyAnalog computersDigital ComputersHybrid Computers

Types of ComputersAnalog ComputersPerform numerous mathematical operations simultaneouslyUtilizes continuous variables for the purpose of mathematical computationUtilizes mechanical or electrical energy Lacks speed of calculationExamples: GEDAAGEDA A-14 was an analog computer developed in 1957 by Goodyear Aircraft Corporation for large and small problem solving.

Types of computersDigital ComputersRepresent physical quantities with the help of symbols or numbers and provide discrete information are called digital computers:Take input in binary form i-e 0 and 1Manipulates symbolic information Digital computers, could not operate more complex operationsExamples: Digital Watch, Petrol Station Machines, Calculators, Home Appliances etc

Hybrid computersHybrid computers are computers that comprise features of analog computers and digital computersA digital computer that accepts analog signals, converts them to digital and processes them in digital form. It is used in process control and robotics.The digital component normally serves as the controller and provides logical operations, while the analog component normally serves as a solver of differential equations.

CLASSIFICATION of Computers

Classification of ComputersThe classification of computers is based on size and powerMicro ComputersMini ComputersMain Frame ComputersSuper Computers

Micro ComputersFurther categorized in two typesPersonal ComputersSingle User ComputerBased on processorKeyboard for entering dataLess Sophisticated output screenCheaper in costExamples are Acer Aspires, Compaq PresarioWorkstationsPowerful Single User ComputerPowerful ProcessorPowerful High Quality MonitorExpensiveExamples are Sun, Apollo, Hewlet Packard, Dell

Micro ComputersPortable ComputersSmaller in size More powerfulEasy to carry aroundCategories of Portable Computers:LaptopsSubnotebooksPersonal Digital Assistant(PDAs) also called handheld and palmtop devices

Portable Computers

LaptopsAC-Powered or Battery PoweredPower of PC with mobilityExample is IBM ThinkPadSubnotebooksFit into briefcaseSmall screen and keyboardLess in weightExample is Toshiba ProtgPDAsAlso called Palmtop, Handheld DevicesSmaller than SubnotebooksPen InputWriting RecognitionCommunication capabilitiesExample is Apples Newton

Mini ComputersGeneral purpose ComputersDistributed Data ProcessingClient Server ModelSize of between Micro Computers and Main FramesMulti -user ComputerCapable of supporting 10-100 of users simultaneouslyCosts from $18000-$500,000Example VAX made by Digital Equipment Cooperation

Main Frame ComputersVery huge in size therefore Called dinosaursSeveral Millions program Instructions per secondPowerful Multi-User ComputerCapable of supporting many hundred of users at a timeCosts from $35,000-Milions of Dollars

Main Frame ComputersUsed by Insurance Companies, Banks, Airlines and Railway Reservation SystemsExample is IBM S/390

Super ComputersFastest Calculating DeviceSpeed is measured in Nanoseconds and picoseconds1000-100,000 times faster than micro computersConsists of 1000 of microprocessors8.6 and more billions calculations per secondCosts $20 millions upwards

Super ComputersConsume the power of 100 homesUsed for Weather Forecasting Oil Exploration Weapons Research Large Scale SimulationExample Y-MP/C90 by Cray Research Inc

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