Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer
Introduction to Computer
• The term "Computer" is derived from the Latin
word "Computare" which means "to compute" or
"to calculate."
• Computers are machines that perform tasks or
calculations according to a set of instructions or
programs.
• It is an electronic device used to store data and
gives the results accurately within a fraction of
second.
FIG 1.1: Computer
• Computers are extensively used everywhere. It mainly consist of four basic unit such as,
Input Unit
Storage Unit
CPU
Output Unit
• Classification of Computer
Analog Computer
Hybrid Computer
Digital Computer
FIG 1.2: Types of Computer
Analog Computer
• An analog computer represents the data as physical quantities and operates on the data by
manipulating the quantities.
• It is designed to process data in which the variable quantities vary continuously.
FIG 1.3: Analog Computer
Hybrid Computer
• A hybrid is a combination of digital and analog computers.
• It combines the best features of both types of computers, i.e. It has the speed of an analog
computer and the memory and accuracy of digital computer.
• It accepts analog signals, converts them into digital and processes them in digital form.
• A hybrid computer may use or produce analog data or digital data.
• It accepts a continuously varying input, which is then converted into a set of discrete values for
digital processing.
FIG 1.4: Hybrid computer
Digital Computer
• A digital computer is designed to process the data in numerical form, its circuits perform mathematical
operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• The numbers operated on by a digital computer are expressed in the binary system.
Digital Computers are generally classified by size and power as follows
Micro Computer
Mini Computer
Mainframe Computer
Super Computer
Micro Computer
Micro Computer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a microprocessor as its CPU.
The invention of the microprocessor (single chip CPU) gave birth to the much cheaper microcomputers.
Micro Computers are commonly divided into four types such as
Desktop
Laptop
Notebook
FIG 1.5: Micro Computer
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
Desktop Computer
A desktop computer is a personal computer (PC) in a form intended for
regular use at a single location.
Early desktop computers are designed to lie flat on the desk, while
modern towers stand upright.
Most modern desktop computers have separate screens and
keyboards.
FIG 1.6: Desktop Computer
Laptop Computer
A laptop is a portable computer that has same capabilities as a
desktop, but is small enough for easy mobility.
FIG 1.7: Laptop computer
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Notebook Computer
A notebook computer has a keyboard with an attached
screen.
A notebook's screen is thinner than the usual desktop
computer monitor because the machine is designed to be
portable, which is why the notebook itself is small, compact,
and lightweight.
FIG 1.8: Notebook Computer
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a device similar to a
computer that fits in the palm of users hand and allows them to collect
information such as contacts, appointments, files, programs, and more.
FIG 1.9: PDA Mini Computer
FIG 1.10: Mini Computers
A small, multi-user computer that can support 10 to hundred users simultaneously.
Mainframe Computers
Mainframe Computers is a powerful multi-user computer that can support thousand users simultaneously.
Mainframe computers can also process data at very high speeds, i.e., hundreds of million instructions per
second and they are also quite expensive.
Normally, they are used in banking, airlines and railways, etc. for their applications.
FIG 1.11: Mainframe Computers
Super Computer
Super Computers are best in terms of processing capacity and also the most expensive one.
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An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions instructions per second.
FIG 1.12: Super Computer
Characteristics of Computer
• Computers have some important features which have made them so popular. A Computer can be categorized
according to
Speed
Accuracy
Versatility
Reliability
Power of remembering
Diligence
Storage
• Speed
Computers work at an incredible speed.
It can carry out instructions at a very high speed.
A powerful computer is capable of performing about 3-4 million simple instructions per second.
It can perform arithmetic and logical operations within a fraction of second.
Accuracy
Computer provides a high degree of accuracy.
Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy.
The degree of accuracy of a computer depends on the instruction and processor type.
• Versatility
Computer is versatile in nature.
It can perform different types of task easily.
At one moment user can use the computer to prepare a letter document and in the next moment they may
play music or print a document.
Power of remembering
A computer can store and recall any information because it has secondary storage.
All information can be retained as long as desired by the user and that can be recalled almost
simultaneously and accurately even after several years.
Diligence
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Computers can perform long and complex calculations with the same speed and accuracy from the start till the end.
Being a machine, a computer does not suffer from the human traits of tiredness and lack of concentration.
Storage
Large volume of data and information can be stored in the computer and also retrieved whenever required.
Computer has two types of storage. They are Primary storage and Secondary storage.
In Primary Storage, a limited amount of data can be stored temporarily like RAM, ROM.
Secondary storage can store a large amount of data permanently like floppy and compact disk.
Components of Computer System
• The computer is an electronic device that accepts (reads) data from the user and processes the data by
performing calculations and operations on it, and generates (writes) the desired output.
• A computer consists of four major components such as
Input Devices (Input Unit)
CPU (Processing Unit)
Memory (Storage Unit)
Output Devices (Output Unit)
CPU (Processing Unit)
• The CPU is the heart of the computer, it is the part of a computer which interprets and executes instruction.
Functional block of CPU
• The two components in CPU are
Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU)
Control Unit (CU)
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FIG 1.14: Functional block of CPU
• Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU)
The ALU performs arithmetic and logical operations.
Arithmetic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Logical operations include comparing numbers, letters and special
characters.
The ALU is a fundamental building block of the Central Processing Unit of a computer.
• Control Unit (CU)
A Control Unit (CU) handles all processor control signals.
It directs all input and output flow, fetches code for instructions from microprograms and directs
other units and models by providing control and timing signals.
Memory Unit
• Computer memory is a device that stores computer's data and programs.
FIG 1.15: Computer Memory (RAM)
• It stores program, data results or any kind of information.
• Memory stores binary information, i.e. 0's and 1's in internal storage areas in the computer.
• Moreover, the term memory is usually used as shorthand for physical memory, which refers to
the actual chips capable of holding data.
• Some computers also use virtual memory, which expands physical memory onto a hard disk.
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Output Unit
• Output devices are peripheral equipment that converts a computer's output to a form that can be
seen, heard or used as an input for another device, process or system.
• The important output devices, which are used in computer systems are
Monitors
Printer
Graphic Plotter
Reference Book
Introduction To Computer and Communication by D.Ravichandrna.
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