COMPUTER AWARENESS

COMPUTER AWARENESS
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Data, Information, Processing Applications of Computers Characteristics of Computers Types of Computers

CHAPTER - 1

1.1 DATA, INFORMATION, PROCESSING

The electronic computer allows man to increase his productivity and permits him to do tasks he would be unable to complete without the computer. A computer is a machine capable of (1) accepting data; (2) performing described operations on the data, and (3) providing the results of these operations. Thus the computer also permits man to improve his output per unit of time, or productivity. We can say that the computers two most important contributions as a productive tool are to increase (1) the speed of operation, and (2) accuracy and quality of operation in terms of productivity. Of course, when we consider these two factors, we realize that the computer enables us to do tasks that we would probably never even attempt to do manually. For example, if the number of input data is greater than million and the time necessary to accomplish a task is more than fifty years, we would probably never attempt it. Yet it is such task that we can ask the computer to accomplish. Symbols are the basis of any language. The computer accepts and processes symbols in an order to provide information. The symbols that todays computers process are the letters of the alphabet and numbers, as well as several useful algebraic and business symbols. The term electronic implies that the computer is powered by electrical and electronic devices rather than by mechanical ones or those affected by heat or air pressure. Here digital refers to discrete, noncontinuous quantities, as contrasted with continuous quantities. For example, the computer accepts individual numbers, or signs, or other symbols. This set of statements leads to the definition:
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H3 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER AND APPLICATIONS

Electronic Digital Computer is an information-processing device that accepts and processes data represented by discrete symbols. It is constructed primarily of electric or electronic devices. Information processing is a series of planned actions and operations upon input data, taken to obtain a desired result. The actions taken may be illustrated by a common data processing operation which a person usually accomplishes manually, but which is increasingly accomplished automatically by data processing service companies. This processing work required: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Data input Storage and retrieval of data, and instructions for data-processing actions Arithmetic steps Output of result Control of all above steps

Now, if we want to construct an automatic information-processor, we shall find it necessary to carry out the same steps to complete the processing. A computer follows a similar process. It is composed of five basic units, as shown in Figure The five basic units or functions are:

1. 2. 3.

An input unit which accepts the necessary input data and instructions. A storage or memory unit in which computer instructions and the data as well as intermediate results are stored. An arithmetic unit in which numbers can be added, subtracted, compared in size to other numbers, etc.
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COMPUTER AWARENESS

4. 5.

An output unit which provides the desired result in a suitable form, such as a printed report or letter. A control unit which controls the other four units, directs their order of operation and supervises the overall excution of the computer

There are several devices which accomplish the function of input, output, and storage. The arithmetic and control functions are accomplished by the central processing unit located with storage in the system. The basic unit of the computer is the arithmetic unit. It performs the arithmetic operations accurately, reliably, and at high speed. However, the high-speed ability of the arithmetic unit would be wasted if for each operation it had to go back to the input unit for the same information at every step. The storage unit holds the data, the instructions and the intermediate results of the calculations. (The incorporation of instructions in the storage unit for ready and high-speed accessibility is the stored-program concept introduced by John Von Neumann.) Since the instructions are in the memory, just as the intermediate calculation results are, it is possible for the computer to modify the instructions themselves as the calculation progresses. The control unit supervises the flow of information and calculations and requests from memory the instructions and data necessary at each stage in the calculation sequence. The control functions are shown as dotted lines in Figure. The input and output units serve as connections between the user and the machine.

1.2 APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS

Major technical innovations have always had a severe impact on the lives of individuals. Same is true for computers also. Computers have entered every area of the society. Society includes the organisations, where individuals work. The organisations are educational, commercial, industrial, administrative, transport, medical, social, legal and financial. Computers are being used in almost every sphere of activity ranging from home to defence and entertainment to business and commerce. Let us see how computers are used in various spheres of our life today. Defence : Today, without computers, our defence is worthless. We may recall the recent American-Iraq war in which the American Army used computers extensively to launch missiles, track enemy air craft using radars, plan attacks and strategies etc. The entire operation was conducted by commanders sitting in distant places. Homes : Computers are increasingly becoming smaller in size, affordable and easy to operate and use. These are finding their way into homes where they are used for keeping accounts, study, sending mail playing games etc. Science and Engineering : Here computers are used to solve complex mathematical
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H3 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER AND APPLICATIONS

and scientific calculations which would otherwise require years of effort. Before computers, the launching of spacecraft and landing on the moon would have been distant dreams. In addition to assisting in technical matters, computers aid the administrators to keep records, accounts, maintain libraries of periodicals, journals, published papers etc. Entertainment : Increasing use of computers is made in this field. The movies such as Jurassic Park , Independence Day, Terminator, Titanic and Jaws have used computers extensively to give special effects to the images. Today compact- disk (CDs) used in record players are examples of computer technology having invaded this area. Computers enable sound, audio and images to be combined to help film makers, advertisement agencies to quickly produce films or advertisement clips. Animation films, till recently were difficult to make, are now easily produced with the help of graphics or computers. Transportation : Transportation companies and agencies rely on computers. Railway reservations are now done on computers. Apart from enabling quicker reservations, it has enabled persons to plan journeys from any place to any other place with greater ease and less worry. The cargo movement is also being computerised which will not only impart efficiency to the handling but will also enable a consignor to know the exact status of his consignment in a few moments. Air-lines & Railways had computerised their activities much earlier, particularly reservations & now many state roadways have computerised their reservations enabling passengers to book their journeys quickly and conveniently. Business and Finance : No other sphere of activity has been as profoundly affected by computers as banking and finance. The volume of business of banking after introduction of computers has grown more than thousand fold. Right from automatic maintenance of customer ledgers, identification of customers to payment of cash up to back office functions such as balancing of books, MIS, funds transfer and reconciliation are all computerised. Most banks abroad are fully dependent on computers for their functioning and even a half-an hour halt in the computer functions cost them millions of dollars. Even in India, private banks and co-operative banks have started fully computerised banking. Hospitals and Medicine : As the number of patients keep growing, big hospitals have no option but to computerise the records to enable them to track the patients history to help doctors in diagnosing and administering medicine. Inventories of medicine are also computerised so that availability of medicines are always known and stock-outs are avoided by ordering replenishments well in advance. Similarly the administration of the hospitals which is increasingly becoming a specialty is being done with the help of computers. With the improvement of technology, electronics and computers are being used in increased measures for diagnosing patients. Medical or Bioengineering is a fast developing branch of science which uses computers every where. Pharma companies use computers in various ways such as for designing experiments, analysing results of experiments and even formulation of drugs.
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COMPUTER AWARENESS

Other Areas : Other spheres of activity where computers are being used are in schools and education, by Govt., in maintenance of records, administration and decision-making called e-governance by the tele-communication sector for switching, store and forward facility, consumer billing & maintenance etc. the industry for production planning, inventory, sales and purchase etc. Commerce : It is the commercial world - shops, banks, insurance and credit companies - which makes the maximum use of computers in a variety of applications. It will be very difficult for the financial world to exist without the assistance of computers. The introduction of micro-computers enable the offices to function faster and efficiently. A number of software packages are used in business. Besides word processing, other packages used in the offices are spread sheet, data base management system, presentation software etc. Industry : Many industrial organisations such as steel, chemical, oil companies depend upon computers not only for their own internal administration but also for the actual control of the plant processes. The trend has increased with the advent of microcomputers. Many assembling work of the industry are being undertaken by the processes controlled by micro-computers. Administration : Every organisation has its own internal administration, and the administrative tasks are performed by computers. Education : Although there is a very little impact of computers in the class-room of Indian schools. In USA and UK, computer aided methods such as - Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) and Computer Assisted Instructions (CAI) exist. Education is the area, where computers have a major role to play, especially in Universities - more so in the science and technology department.

1.3 CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS

What is so special about a computer? Yes, its characteristics, which separates it from rest of the machines. The vital characteristics of the computer are as follows: I. Speed : Computer works on electrical pulses, which travel at incredible speeds and, because the computer is electronic device, its internal speed is instantaneous. An arithmetic calculation can be performed in a thousandth, millionth, billionth or even in a trillionth of second. It is capable of executing over ten thousand instructions in a second. MILLISEC ms = 1/1000 of second. MICROSEC ms = 1/1,000,000 of second NANOSEC ns = 1/1,000,000,000 of second PICOSEC ps = 1/1,000,000,000,00O of second
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H3 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER AND APPLICATIONS

II.

Storage : This is a very vital characteristic of the computer, which separates it from rest of the machines. The smallest unit of storage is bit (acronym of Binary DigiT). The speed with which a computer can perform, i.e. to input data and the instructions for processing, is humanly impossible. The storage space available in the Central Processing Unit, being limited ,large quantity of data and entire instructions of all the required programs can not be stored in it. These are stored outside and read into the memory of CPU at the time of processing. BIT - the smallest unit of storage, NIBBLE = 4 bits, BYTE = 8 bits, KB = 1024 bytes, MB = 1024 KB, GB = 1024 MB

III.

Accuracy : Accuracy of computers is consistently high. Errors in computing are due to machinery failure, imprecise programming logic, inaccurate data, poorly designed systems. Precision is the degree of accuracy to which the computer give the result. The precision of computers is phenomenal. Versatility : Computers seem capable of performing almost any task, provided the task can be reduced to series of logical steps. It performs numeric and non-numeric tasks equally well. An algorithm, a step-by-step procedure which applied to the problem leads to solution. Programming is to convert these step-by-step procedures as a set of instructions in computer language to solve the problem. Automation : Once a program is in the computers memory, CPU follows the instructions until it meets the last instruction. Once the process had begun, it would continue without human intervention until completion. Diligence : Being a machine, a computer does not suffer from the human traits of tiredness and lack of concentration. If three million calculations are to be performed, computer performs all these calculations with the same speed and accuracy.

IV.

V.

VI.

1.4 TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Computers are classified in to microcomputers, minicomputers mainframe Computers, and supercomputers. Microcomputers may be either personal computers (PCs) or workstations. PCs include desktop units, laptops, notebooks, subnotebooks, pocket PCs (electronic organizers, palmtops, personal digital assistants), and pen computers. Workstations are some sophisticated desktop microcomputers used for technical purposes. Minicomputers are intermediate size machines that have become important as servers, for holding databases and programs for many PCs.
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COMPUTER AWARENESS

Mainframes are the large size of computer and are used in large companies to handle millions of transactions. The high-capacity minis called super computers are the fastest calculating devices and are used for large-scale projects. Super computers have two designs: vector processing and massively parallel processing.

Generally law says that , the larger the computer, the greater its processing power. Computers are often classified into four sizes-small, medium, large, and extra-large, which (though the sizes overlap) are given the following names.
n n n n

Microcomputers Minicomputers Mainframe computers Super computers

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H3 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER AND APPLICATIONS

I.

MICROCOMPUTERS OR PERSONAL COMPUTERS : A small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user is called personal computers (PC) or Microcomputers. In price, personal computers range anywhere from a few thousand rupees to over fifty thousand rupees. All are based on the microprocessor technology that enables manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip. Businesses use personal computers for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for running spreadsheet and database management applications. At home, the most popular use for personal computers is for playing games.

Personal computers first appeared in the late 1970s. One of the first and most popular personal computers was the Apple II, introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, new models and competing operating systems seemed to appear daily. Then, in 1981, IBM entered the fray with its first personal computer, known as the IBM PC. The IBM PC quickly became the personal computer of choice, and most other personal computer manufacturers fell by the wayside. One of the few companies to survive IBMs onslaught was Apple Computer, which remains a major player in the personal computer marketplace. Today, the world of personal computers is basically divided between Apple Macintoshes and PCs. The principal characteristics of personal computers are that they are single-user systems and are based on microprocessors. However, although personal computers are designed as single-user systems, it is common to link them together to form a network. In terms of power, there is great variety. At the high end, the distinction between personal computers and workstations has faded. High-end models of the Macintosh and PC offer the same computing power and graphics capability as low-end workstations by Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and DEC. In general Microcomputers are considered to be of two types : personal computer
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COMPUTER AWARENESS

(PC) and workstations. PERSONAL COMPUTERS (PC) : PC is the short name for personal computer or IBM PC. The first personal computer produced by IBM was called the PC, and increasingly the term PC came to mean IBM or IBM-compatible personal computers, to the exclusion of other types of personal computers, such as Macintoshes.

Microcomputers or PC comes in various sizes, as follows : (a) Desktop Models : A computer designed to fit comfortably on top of a desk, typically with the monitor sitting on top of the computer. Desktop model computers are broad and low, whereas tower model computers are narrow and tall. Because of their shape, desktop model computers are generally limited to three internal mass storage devices. Desktop models designed to be very small are sometimes referred to as slim line models. Laptop Computers : A small, portable computer small enough that it can sit on your lap. Nowadays, laptop computers are more frequently called notebook computers.

(b)

(c)

Notebook Computers : An extremely lightweight personal computer. Notebook computers typically weigh less than 6 pounds and are small enough to fit easily in a briefcase. Aside from size, the principal difference between a notebook computer and a personal computer is the display screen. Notebook computers use a variety of techniques, known as flat-panel technologies, to produce a lightweight and nonbulky display screen. In terms of computing power, modern notebook computers are nearly equivalent to personal computers. They have the same CPUs, memory capacity, and disk drives. However, all this power in a small package is expensive. Notebook computers cost
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H3 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER AND APPLICATIONS

about twice as much as equivalent regular-sized computers. (d) Pocket or hand-held computer : A portable computer that is small enough to be held in ones hand. Although extremely convenient to carry, handheld computers have not replaced notebook computers because of their small keyboards and screens. The most popular hand-held computers are those that are specifically designed to provide PIM (personal information manager) functions, such as a calendar and address book. Electronic organisers or Electronic Diary are specialized pocket computers that mainly store appointments, addresses, and to do lists. Recent versions feature wireless links to other computers for data transfer. Some electronic organizers can share stored data with an IBM-compatible PC through a connecting wire. One model transmits data via infrared light, resembling a TV remote control. An example of an electronic organizer is the CASIO type electronic diary. Palmtop : A small computer that literally fits in your palm is called plamtop. Compared to full-size computers, palmtops are severely limited, but they are practical for certain functions such as phone books and calendars. Palmtops that use a pen rather than a keyboard for input are often called hand-held computers or PDAs.

POCKET COMPUTERS MAY BE CLASSIFIED INTO AS THREE TYPES : (i)

(ii)

(iii) PDA : PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant, a handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, and networking features. A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax sender, and personal organizer. Unlike portable computers, most PDAs are pen-based, using a stylus rather than a keyboard for input. This means that they also incorporate handwriting recognition features. Some PDAs can also react to voice input by using voice recognition technologies.

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COMPUTER AWARENESS

(iv)

Pen computer : A computer that utilizes an electronic pen (called a stylus) rather than a keyboard for input is called pen computer. Pen computers generally require special operating systems that support handwriting recognition so that users can write on the screen or on a tablet instead of typing on a keyboard. Most pen computers are hand-held devices, which are too small for a full-size keyboard. MINICOMPUTER : A midsized computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie between microcomputer and mainframes is called minicomputer. A minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of supporting from 4 to about 200 users simultaneously. Traditionally, minicomputers have been used to serve the needs of medium-sized companies or of departments within larger companies, often for accounting or design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM). In terms of the principal concerns of this bookcomputers and communications minicomputers are also becoming more important as servers . A server is a computer on a network that manages network resources. The entire network is called Client-Server Network. For example, a file server is a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files. Any user on the network can store files on the server. A print server is a computer that manages one or more printers, and a network server is a computer that manages network traffic. A database server is a computer system that processes database queries.

II

Servers are often dedicated, meaning that they perform no other tasks besides their server tasks. On multiprocessing operating systems, however, a single computer can execute several programs at once. A server in this case could refer to the program that is managing resources rather than the entire computer.

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H3 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER AND APPLICATIONS

III.

MAINFRAME : Mainframe computers are very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simple microprocessor (in watches, for example) at the bottom and moves to supercomputers at the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some ways, mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute a single program faster than a mainframe. Unisys and IBM are the largest manufacturers of mainframes.

IV.

SUPERCOMPUTERS : The fastest type of computer is called supercomputer. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.

Lets Revise

Computer is an electronic device used to process data (as words or numbers) and provide us useful information.

The five basic units of a computer are : Input unit, Storage/Memory Unit, Arithmetic unit, Control unit and Output unit. Computers are widely used in all spheres of human life. They had efficiently made their way into science, Englineering, Defence, Entertainment, Home, Transportation, Finance, Business, Hospitals, Schools etc.

The most important characteristics of computers are : speed, Stroage, Accuracy, Versatility, Diligence.

Computers are widely categoriesed into four groups on the basis of their size, processing capacity, speed and cost as : Microcomputers, Mini Computers, Mainframe Computers and Super Computers.

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Exercise
1. 2. 3. 4. Describe data, process and information in your own words with an example. Describe the basic units of computer Draw its figure. Mention any five application of computers you had come across. What are the characteristics of a computer that differentiate it from other elecronic device. 5. Explain the classification of computers.
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