Definition of a Computer

The word computer is derived from the Latin word “Computare” which means “to calculate”. Computer
is electronic equipment designed to automatically accept and store input data, manipulate them and
produce output results under the direction of a detailed step-by-step stored program of instructions. A
set of instructions that performs a particular task is called a program. The instructions in the program
direct the computer to perform input operations, process the data and output the results. A computer
follows the I-P-O cycle.

Stages of the Data Processing Cycle

Input

A computer accepts the input given by the user. Input is any information that a computer collects from
the outside world. It can be in the form of data, programs, commands and user response.

Process

A computer processes data. Processing is a systematic series of actions that a computer uses to convert
input to output.

Storage

A computer stores data. The input is stored in the memory of the computer for initial or additional
processing and it can be retrieved, whenever required.

Output

A computer produces output. Output is any computer-generated information displayed on screen or

printed on paper. It can be in the form of words, numbers, graphics, sounds, videos and animations.

Hardware

Hardware is the term used for the electronic and mechanical equipment that makes up a computer. It
consists of interconnected devices that are capable of computing and processing information. It is
controlled by software. It includes all the input, output and storage devices plus physical media used to
tie computer systems together.

Firmware

Firmware is a set of programs that is pre-installed into the Read Only Memory of a computer during the
time of manufacturing. It is programmed to give permanent instructions to communicate with other
devices and perform functions like basic input/output tasks. Without firmware, a hardware device
would be non-functional.

Strengths of a Computer
Computers are quite different from other kind of machines. Most machines are created for performing a
specific kind of task which is physically difficult for humans to perform. Computers are more mental in
this sense. There are different key reasons why computers have become so indispensable. Let us look at
each of these key reasons briefly:

Speed

Computer works at an amazing speed without any mistakes. The work, which a normal person would
complete in a few hours, can be done within a fraction of a second by a computer. A modern computer
can execute millions of instructions in one second. The computer’s speed at performing a single
operation can be measured in terms of millisecond, microsecond, nanosecond and picosecond. The
computer present in the modern world has the speed of nano and pico second.

Accuracy

A computer is highly accurate and the degree of accuracy of a particular computer depends upon its
designs. There may be errors produced by a computer. Almost all the errors that arise while it is
operational are a result of illogical programming or incorrect provision of data and information. A very
small percentage of its errors are due to component malfunctions, which again may arise due to misuse
and improper handling of the equipment. Computer errors caused due to incorrect input data or
unreliable programs are often referred to as GIGO.

Automatic

A computer is automatic. It executes the process without any intervention of the user once it is assigned
to a work. However, a computer being a machine cannot start itself. It works from a program of coded
instructions, which specify exactly how a particular job is to be done.

Storage

Capability A computer has tremendous data storage capacity. The storage capacity of the computer can
be increased by using secondary storage devices such as magnetic disk, optical disk and flash drive. The
information stored in the main memory and secondary storage devices can be retrieved quickly.

Reliable

A computer has a high degree of reliability because it carries out calculation with high speed and
accuracy. It does the calculation repeatedly without making mistakes.

Diligent

Diligent means being constant and earnest in effort and application. Human beings suffer from physical
and mental fatigue. They cannot perform the same task over and over again with the same speed,
accuracy and enthusiasm as in the first time. This will affect the performance. Unlike human beings, a
computer is free from monotony, tiredness and lack of concentration. It can work continously at the
same level of speed and accuracy even if it has to carry complex operation for a long period of time.
Word Length

All digital computers operate on binary digits-0 and 1 to represent any kind of data. Bit stands for binary
digit. It is the smallest unit of information a computer can hold. The value of a bit is 1 or 0. Byte is the
amount of memory space used to store one character, which is usually 8 bits. The number of bits that a
computer can process at a time in parallel is called word length. Commonly used word lengths are 8, 16,
32 or 64 bits. Word length is the measure of the computing power of a computer. The longer the word
length, the more powerful the computer is.

Mobility

Researchers can take computers anywhere, making it easier to conduct field research and collect data.
New areas of research in remote areas or at a community level are opened up by the mobility of
computers. Social media sites have become a new medium for interaction and information.

Versatile

A computer is a versatile machine. The immense power of this versatile machine has practically
replaced manual working and man power, to a great extent. It has become indispensable in today’s
world. Millions of people use computers all over the world. Computers are used in daily life in many
forms. The use of computer has increased to a large extent. It can perform activities ranging from
complex calculations in scientific research and space research to routine office work. It can be used in
weather forecasting, space explorations, teaching, railways, banking, medicine, etc. All modern
computer can perform different kind of tasks simultaneously.

Weaknesses of a Computer

Computer is one of the most powerful tools ever developed. It has many useful applications however, it
does possess some limitations.

Lack of Decision-Making Power

Computer cannot take its own decision. It needs specific instructions to operate. A computer cannot
decide how it is to be programmed or provide its own input. It cannot interpret the data it generates
and implement any decision that it suggests.

Zero IQ

Computer is a dumb machine. It possesses no intelligence of its own. Its intelligence quotient is zero. It
has to be told what to do and in what sequence. Hence, only the user can determine what task a
computer will perform.

No Heuristics
 Heuristics means learning from past experiences. If a computer commits an error once and a similar
situation occurs again, the computer will commit the same error again. It cannot learn from its past
experiences. Unlike human beings, a computer cannot learn from its past experiences.

Positive Effects of Computers

The computer has been widely considered as one of the greatest inventions of the 21st century, but it
also is blamed for many day-to-day problems and even tragic events. As computer technology advances,
the effects will continue to change the world for better or worse.

a. A computer has positive effects which include the gaining of a wide range of information
within minutes and connecting with people of different backgrounds and cultures all over the world.
Computers also progress the technical skills in a person in doing research as well as in the use of the
computer itself.

b. Computers have definitely changed the way society behaves. Computers have had positive
impacts on society, benefiting the medical and even the automotive world. Another positive effect is the
ability for more information and learning to be done around the world.

c. Computers offer many opportunities to meet new people. There are many social networking
sites that let people connect with others. People can communicate in a variety of ways and reconnect
with old friends and classmates. The Internet can help people find others with common interests, form
bonds with strangers and expand their social network.

d. Scientists use computers to develop theories, collect, analyze and test the data, and
exchange of information electronically with colleagues around the world.

Negative Effects of Computers

Computers have transformed the workplace and society as a whole. Computers serve as a quick and
convenient way to get things done. For these reasons people rely heavily on computers, especially at
places like offices, schools, hospitals and at home. Unfortunately, using computers can also bring many
negative effects on the society.

a. Computer usage produces unemployment, when people have to leave work involuntary or
displacement when technological change eliminates job.

b. Learning new computer skills and programs can put stress on workers, especially older or
less-educated workers.

c. Due to the computerization workload for the employees reduces many times. As a result,
many organization may require to remove some of its employees. It produces the dissatisfaction and
lack of security among the employees. Due to this, employees do not corporate the organization. As a
result, the output can be disastrous.
 d. Computers also give you access to a wide variety of information and entertainment. People
who use computers for this reason, which develop a computer addiction. This may cause a person to
become addicted to online activities like reading articles and researching for fun, playing online games,
visiting chat rooms and gambling.

e. People have fear that growing children may lose their common sense abilities like numerical
ability due to total dependence on computers.

Application areas of computer

Computers at Home

Computers have already changed our lives at home. New gadgets such as automatic washing
machines, dishwashers and microwaves have made our lives easier. Many of the educational software
programs are used by children at homes. These programs enrich students’ knowledge and skills.
Encyclopedia, dictionaries, telephone directories and medical references are now available in optical
disk which contains multimedia capabilities. Internet connections also provide electronic mail,
discussion groups, and other communication options for home users. Apart from learning, computers
also offer a new form of entertainment. They are used for playing computer games.

Computers in Education

Computers are used as teaching aids, research tools and analyzing systems in educational
institutions. Teachers use computers to organize and prepare course materials. Teachers may use
pictures, graphs and graphical presentations to easily illustrate a difficult concepts. Nowadays more and
more educational institutions are using computer-assisted instruction systems. It offers interactive
instruction on a one-to-one basis and can be automatically modified to suit the user’s level of ability.
Educational software has become a major influence at all levels from elementary schools to universities.
Elementary and secondary schools are using computers to play multimedia educational programs and to
teach kids to explore the Web for information. A computer’s voice recognition capabilities and its
connection to the Internet makes it possible for distance learning.

Smart Classroom

Smart Classrooms are technology enhanced classrooms that provides opportunities for teaching
and learning by integrating learning technology, such as computers, specialized software, audience
response technology and audio/visual capabilities. It helps the teachers to access multimedia content
and information, that can be used for teaching students more effectively. It helps the teachers in
expressing their views and ensures teacher that every student is understanding and learning.

Computers in Medicine

Computers have played very important roles in the growth and improvement of health care.
They are used in medicine to keep the records of patients’ case-histories, diagnosis and treatment of
diseases. They are also used to monitor vital data during surgery in the operating theatre. They provide
a complete, accurate, up-to-date and readily available source of information about patients’ health.
Many medical scanners for exploring inside the body only work because of computer power. They are
also used to monitor the availability of bed, staff payroll, hospital accounting, patient billing, drug
inventory and location of doctors and patients in large hospitals. They have reduced the barriers of
distance and time via telemedicine and on-line access to laboratory test results and medical researches.

Computers in Government

Computer is also used by the government to collect, process and store vast amounts of
information. The web sites of the different government departments provide information to the users. It
is used for the filing of income tax return, paying taxes, online submission of water and electricity bills,
for the access of land record details, etc.

Computers in Industry

Modern factories and industries cannot work without computers. They control huge numbers of
machines, especially robot-type devices for creating, assembling and testing products and their
components. Computers also help humans to control complex machines, such as power stations, ships
and space crafts. Rows of levers and switches can be replaced with computers that take care of routine
tasks automatically. This leaves the human operator free for more important decisions. Many industries
now use Computer Aided Design (CAD) to develop products and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
to produce them. Computers are used for inventory control, planning and process control.

Computers in Law and Order

Computers are used by lawyers to research and store volumes of cases and judicial proceedings
in the computer. Law enforcement agencies from local police to international organizations use
computers to store information about criminals and suspected criminals. Minute details of speech
intonation, physical characteristics, criminal habits and finger prints can be matched for accurate
detection through computers. Computer systems are used in conjunction with video cameras to provide
internal surveillance and to ensure the safety of prisoners and officers.

Computers in Entertainment

Computers have now become an important part of the entertainment industry. They are widely
used to create special effects in movies. They are used in editing movies and multimedia presentations.
They help in composing, editing, recording and reproducing music and sound effects. They are used in
sports to analyze the movements of sports persons and to find faults in the movements and optimize
the movements so that maximum efficiency is achieved. They are used by sports professionals to
analyze their techniques to find their strengths and weaknesses. They are used to simulate games and to
try out different game strategies.

Computers in Banks
 The banking business has been revolutionized by computer technology. They are used for
various tasks such as online enquiry of customer’s balance, cheque verification, updating the balance,
calculating interests and printing customer statements. Many leading banks have installed Automated
Teller Machines (ATMs). These enable the customers to draw money from accounts, transfer money,
obtain bank statements, etc. All these can be done using a special plastic card which is inserted into the
input device of a computer. This also eliminates the need for a clerk.

The list of applications of computers is so long that it is not possible to discuss all of them here.
In addition to the applications of the computers discussed above, computers have also proliferated into
areas like investments, stock trading, accounting, ticket reservation, military operations, meteorological
predictions, social networking, business organization, police department, video conferencing and book
publishing.

Green Computing

Green computing is the environmentally responsible and eco-friendly use of computers and
their resources. Green computing can encompass new or modified computing practices, policies, and
procedures. Strategies include the reduction of energy consumption of computers and other devices;
reduction in use of paper, ink, and toner; and reuse, recycling, or proper disposal of electronic waste
(referred to as e-waste or e-trash). Green computing is also known as green information technology
(green IT).

Cloud Computing

Individuals and businesses are increasingly turning to providers of software and computing
services that are accessed entirely on the Internet. This delivery model of software and services is called
cloud computing. With cloud computing, all you need is a computer with a web browser in order to get
your work done since all of the software and the documents you need to access are stored online.

Could computing get its name because the Internet has always been identified with a cloud in
technology documentation. Cloud computing places the processing and storage operations of the
Information Processing cycle at an online service provider’s server and/ or data center rather than using
the hardware and software on your own PC mobile device. In some cases you can use up to 5 GB of
cloud storage for free (with an option to play a fee for more storage space). The delivery of software
applications using the Internet is referred to as software-as-a service (SaaS)

Generations of Computers

Computer technology has undergone a series of transitions, each of which has made computers
increasingly easy to use. It provides a framework for the growth of the computer industry. Each
generation, in the history of computing is characterized by a major technological development that
fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, powerful,
efficient and reliable devices.

Let us examine each generation a little more closely and see their distinctive features in short:
 First Generation (The Vacuum Tube Age)

The first generation computers were developed between 1946 to 1958. The first-generation
computers began with the development of vacuum tubes. The vacuum-tube diode was first developed
by the English physicist Sir John Ambrose Fleming and the vacuum tube triode was invented in 1906 by
the American engineer Lee De Forest.

Hardware Technology

The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory. The input
to the computer was through punched cards and paper tapes. The output was displayed as printouts.

Software Technology

Machine level language was used to program computers.

Computing Characteristics

The computation time was in milliseconds.

Application

They were used for commercial and scientific applications.

Examples

The examples of first generation computers are Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator
(ENIAC), Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC), Electronic Delay Storage Automatic
Computer (EDSAC) and Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC).

Features of First Generation of Computers

a. They were the fastest calculating devices of their time.

b. They generated a lot of heat.

c. They consumed a lot of electricity.

d. They were very bulky in size.

e. Vacuum tubes use filaments that has limited life. Since every computer used thousands of
vacuum tubes, these computers were frequently down due to hardware failure.

f. These computers needed constant maintenance.

g. These computers has limited commercial use because they were difficult to program.

h. They were very expensive.

Second Generation (The Transistor Age)

The second generation computers were developed between 1959 to 1964. The second
generation of electronic computers began with the development of transistors. The three Bell
Lab scientists’, Walter Houser Brattain, John Bardeen and William Bradford Shockley, working
for Bell Labs invented the transistor in 1947. The transistor had a tremendous impact on
computer design, replacing costly, energy-inefficient and unreliable vacuum tubes.

Hardware Technology

The second generations of computers were based on the transistor technology. These
computers used magnetic core technology for primary memory. They used magnetic tapes and
magnetic disks for secondary storage. The input was still through punched cards and the output
using printouts.

Software Technology

Assembly level language was used to program computers. Assembly language uses mnemonics
like ADD for addition and SUB for subtraction for coding of the instructions.

Computing Characteristics

The computation time was in microseconds.

Application

They were used for scientific and business applications.

Examples

The examples of the second generations are IBM 1620, IBM 1401, IBM 7094, Control Data
Corporation 3600 and UNIVAC 1108.

Features of Second Generations of Computers

a. They consumed less electricity and thus generated less heat as compared to the first
generation computers.

b. They were faster, chapter, smaller, and more reliable than the first generation computers.

c. They could be programmed using assembly language.

d. These computers had faster primary memory and a larger secondary memory.

e. Cooling system was required.

f. Constant maintenance was required.

 g. Commercial production was difficult.

h. Punched cards and magnetic tape were used for input while punched cards and paper
constituted the output.

Third Generation (The Integrated Circuit Age)

The third generation computers were developed Between 1965 to 1974. The second generation
of electronic computers began with the development of Integrated Circuits (IC). Integrated
Circuit (also called microchip) is a small electronic device made out of a semi-conductor
material. The first integrated circuit was developed in the year 1958 by Jack Kilby of Texas
Instruments and Robert Noyce of Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation.

Hardware Technology

The third generations of computers were based on the Integrated Circuits (IC) technology.
Monitors and keyboards were introduced for input and output of data. Magnetic disks were
used for secondary storage.

Software Technology

The keyboard and the monitor were interfaced through the operating system. Operating
system allowed different applications to run at the same time. High-level languages were
extensively used for programming.

Computing Characteristics

The computation time was in nanoseconds.

Application

Computers became accessible for general use. They were produced commercially, and were
smaller and cheaper than the previous generations of computers.

Examples

The examples of third generation computers were IBM system/360, Honeywell 200 series,
National Cash Register Century Series, ICL 1900 series and IBM 370 series.

Features of Third Generation of Computers

a. These computers were smaller in size, faster and more reliable than the previous
generations of computers.

b. These computers had faster and larger primary memory and secondary memory.

c. Extensive use of high-level languages became possible.

 d. These computers were widely used for scientific as well as business applications.

e. Air conditioning was required.

f. Highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of IC chips.

g. The internal storage capacity increased which could accommodate up to half a million
characters.

Fourth Generation (The Microprocessor Age)

The fourth generation computers were developed between 1975 to 1990. The fourth
generation of electronic computers began with the development of tiny microprocessor. The
microprocessor is an integrated circuit that contains the entire central processing unit of a
computer on a single chip. The first microprocessor called Intel 4004 was developed by
American Intel Corporation in 1971.

Hardware Technology

The fourth generations of computers were based on the LSI (Large Scale Integration) and VLSI
(Very Large Scale Integration) technology. A further refinement of input/output devices took
place. Magnetic disk became the common source of external storage.

Software Technology

Graphical user interface (GUI) enabled new users to quickly learn how to use computers.
Developments in fourth generation language and application software for microcomputers
became popular and allowed home and business users to adapt their computers for word
processing, spreadsheet manipulating, file handing, and graphics, among other things.
Computing Characteristics

The computation time was in picoseconds.

Application

They became widely available for commercial purposes. Personal computers became available
to the home user.

Examples

The examples of this generation are IBM PC, Apple/Macintosh, HP3000 and the SUPERBRAIN.

Features of Fourth Generation of Computers

a. These computers were highly reliable and accurate.

b. They had a larger memory capacity and high functional speed.

c. They consumed less electricity and generated less heat.

d. GUI enabled users to learn to work with computers very easily. Hence, the use of computers
both in offices and at homes became widespread.

e. They could be used as general-purpose computers.

f. They were not intelligent systems.

g. The latest technology was required for manufacturing of microprocessors.

h. The internal storage capacity increased to the range of one million positions. i. A further
refinement of input/output devices took place.

Fifth Generation (The Age of Connectivity)

The fifth generation computers are marked by the evolution of computer that use newer and
faster technologies to carry out a variety of tasks. The fifth generation computer project,
conducted jointly by several Japanese computer manufacturers under the sponsorship of the
Japanese government, emphasized artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is the branch of
computer science concerned with designing intelligent computer systems that possess
reasoning, learning and thinking capabilities resembling those of a human being. The most
important fields of research in artificial intelligence are automatic programming, pattern
recognition, game-playing computers, and applied fields such as medical diagnosis.

Features of Fifth Generation of Computers

a. These computers will use super conductor technology. The two future devices are Gallium
Arsenide (GaAs) chips and biochips.

b. These computers will use intelligent programming and knowledge-based problem solving
techniques.

c. These computers can understand spoken words and imitate human reasoning.

d. These computers can respond to its surroundings using different types of sensors.

e. Newer and more powerful applications, including multimedia applications, make the
computer systems more useful in every occupation.

f. Quantum computation and nanotechnology will radically change the face of computers in
years to come.

Artificial Intelligence
 Scientists are now developing computers which can solve unstructured problems and also learn
from their mistakes. Efforts to design computer systems that imitate human skills such as
problem solving, decode and respond to natural language and reasoning are classified under the
heading of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This term was coined in 1956 as the theme for a
conference held in Dartmouth college. Researchers have used concepts of Psychology,
Linguistics and Computer science in an attempt to prepare programs or to construct systems to
do tasks that no machine has ever done automatically before.

Computer Speed and Measurement Unit

Computer Speed A computer is a very fast device. Inside the system unit, operations occur
through electronic circuits. When data, instructions and information flow along these circuits,
they travel at the speed of light. It can perform a task in a minute that may take days if
performed manually. A modern computer can execute millions of instructions in one second.
The speed of a computer at performing a single operation can be measured in terms of :

Millisecond A millisecond is a unit of time that represents 1/1000th of a second.

Microsecond A microsecond is a unit of time equal to one millionth of a second. It is

also equal to one 1000th of a millisecond.

Nanosecond A nanosecond is a unit of time that equals to one billionth of a second. It

is also equal to 1000th of a microsecond.

Picosecond A picosecond is a unit of time that equals one trillionth of a second or

1,000 nanoseconds.

Femtosecond A femtosecond is a unit of time that equals one quadrillionth of a

second. It also can be expressed as 1,000 picosecond.

Measurement Unit

The memory of a computer is divided into section, or cells, that each holds an equal amount of data.
Each of these cells contain one bit of information, i.e., each cell contains a 0 or a 1. The symbols 0 and 1
are together called binary digits or BITS. It is the smallest unit of information handled by a computer. A
combination of bits is used to store instructions and data in the computer memory. They are called
nibbles, bytes, words depending on the number of bits they have.

The combination of two bits is called a crumb. One bit expresses a 1 or a 0 in a binary numeral, or a true
or false logical condition, and is represented physically by an element such as a high or low voltage at
one point in a circuit or a small spot on a disk magnetized one way or the other.

Nibble Nibble is a group of 4 bits.

Byte Byte is a combination of 8 bits. A byte can represent a single character,

such as a letter, a digit, or a punctuation mark. Because a byte
 represents only a small amount of information, amounts of computer
memory and storage are usually given in kilobytes, megabytes,
gigabytes, terabytes and petabytes, exabytes, zettabytes and
yottabytes.

Computer Word Computer Word is a group of bits representing data or instruction that
forms the basic information unit of the computer. A word may be of 8,
16, 32 or 48 bits or more. The size of the word depends on the
architecture of the computer. A machine with 16-bit words will be
slower than a machine with 32-bit words.
Classification based on Operating Principles
Based on the operating principles, computers can be classified into one of the following types:
 Digital computers
 Analog computers
 Hybrid computers
Analog Computer
Analog computer is a computer in which numerical data are represented by measurable physical
variables, such as mechanical movement or voltage, to represent numbers. It is a single problem
oriented machine. It has limited memory. The accuracy of analog computer is poor. It is widely used in
simulating the operation of aircraft, nuclear power plants and industrial chemical processes. Other
major uses include analysis of hydraulic networks (e.g., flow of liquids through a sewer system) and
electronic networks (e.g., performance of long-distance circuits). The examples of analog computers are
the planimeter, the nomogram and slide rules.
Digital Computer
Digital computer is a computer that works with numbers that are represented by the digits 0 and 1. It is
capable of solving problems by processing information in discrete form. It operates by counting data
represented by coded characters such as numbers, letters and symbols. It is a multipurpose machine. It
has large memory capacity. It is versatile in nature. The accuracy of this machine is very high. It is best
suited for statistical data and numerical problems of business and science. IBM Pc and Apple/Macintosh
are the examples of digital computer.
Hybrid Computer
Hybrid computer is a computer that features the best characteristics of analog computer and digital
computer. 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. A hybrid
computer system setup offers a cost-effective method of performing complex simulations. A hybrid
computer capable of real-time solution has been less expensive than any equivalent digital computer.
Hybrid computers have been necessary for successful system development. An example of a hybrid
computer is the computer used in hospitals to measure the heartbeat of the patient. Hybrid machines
are generally used in scientific applications or in controlling industrial processes.
Size and Performance wise Digital Computers
Size and performance wise digital computers are classified into following types.
 Supercomputer
 Mainframe computer
 Minicomputer
 Microcomputer.
Super computer
Supercomputer is the largest and the most powerful computers. it is capable of processing
huge amounts of data in a relatively short time. Supercomputer is very expensive and is
employed for specialized scientific and engineering applications that must handle very large
databases or do a great amount of computation. It is often housed in protective room with
special cooling systems, power protection, and other security features. The speed of a
supercomputer is generally measured in “FlOPS” (Floating Point operations per second). It is
used for weather forecasting, weapon research and designing aircrafts. Sunway Taihulight
and Tianhe-2 are the examples of supercomputers.
Mainframe computer
Mainframe computer is a large, expensive and ultra-fast computer. It is designed for high-speed
data processing with heavy use of input/output units such as large-capacity disks and printers. It
 can support hundreds or thousands of connected users and execute many programs
simultaneously. They act as the central host computer in distributed data processing systems. it
is placed inside glass offices with special air conditioning to keep it cool and on raised floors to
accommodate the wiring needed to connect the system. It is typically used for solving very large
commercial, scientific, or military problems where a computer must handle massive amounts of
data or the most intensive computational tasks. IBM system Z9 and IBM system Z10 are the
examples of mainframe computer.
Minicomputer
Minicomputer is a medium-scale built to perform complex computations. It is a multiuser
system where many users simultaneously work on the system. It possesses greater storage
capacity and larger memories as compared to microcomputers. it supports a greater variety of
peripheral devices. Minicomputer is extensively used for payroll preparation, accounting and
scientific computations. High-performance workstations with graphics input/output capability
use mini computers. They are commonly used as servers in network environments that handle
the data-sharing needs of other computers on the network. PdP-8, HP 3000 series and ti-990 are
the examples of minicomputer.
Microcomputer
Microcomputer is a small digital computer whose central processing unit consists of a
microprocessor, a single semi-conductor integrated circuit chip. it is equipped with at least one
type of data storage, a high-speed RAM, and various input/output devices used to convey
information to and from a human operator. It is designed for use by one person at a time but
nowadays it has become a powerful tool for many businesses that, when networked together,
can serve more than one user. It is designed for use in homes, schools and office settings. It is
also called a personal computer. IBM Pc and Apple/Macintosh are the examples of
microcomputer.

Mobile Computing

Mobile computing is a technology that allows transmission of data, via a computer, without having to be
connected to a fixed physical link. its main feature is its mobility: user mobility, network mobility, device
mobility, service mobility. Mobile computing encompasses a number of technologies and devices, such
as wireless LANs, notebook computers, cell and smart phones, tablet Pcs and PDAs. Basically, any
electronic device that helps you organizes your life, communicate with coworkers or friends, or do your
job more efficiently is part of mobile computing.

The main concept involves:

Mobile communication

Mobile communication is the use of technology that allows us to communicate with others in
different locations without the use of any physical connection (wires or cables).

Mobile hardware

Mobile hardware are mobile devices that receive or access the service of mobility.

Mobile software
 Mobile software is a program that runs on the mobile hardware. it deals with the characteristics
and requirements of mobile applications.

Advantages of Mobile Computing

Mobile computing has changed the complete landscape of our day-to-day life. Following are the
major advantages of mobile computing:

Location Flexibility: This has enabled users to work from anywhere as long as there is a
connection established. A user can work without being in a fixed
position. their mobility ensures that they are able to carry out numerous
tasks at the same time and perform their stated jobs.

Increase in Productivity: Mobile devices can be used out in the field of various
companies, therefore reducing the time and cost for clients and
themselves.

Entertainment: Mobile devices can be used for entertainment purposes, for

personal and even for presentations to people and clients.

Enhanced Productivity: Users can work efficiently and effectively from whichever
location they find comfortable. this in turn enhances their
productivity level.

Ease of research:
Research has been made easier, since users earlier were
required to go to the field and search for facts and feed them
back into the system. It has also made it easier for field officers
and researchers to collect and feed data from wherever they
are without making unnecessary trips to and from the office to
the field.

Disadvantages of Mobile Computing

Where there are advantages, there are disadvantages as well. here are some of the main
disadvantages of using this technology:

Security one of the major concerns with cloud computing is the security of data. often
mobile users will provide sensitive information through the network, and if not protected, can
lead to major damages in the case of a security breach.

Performance Another major concern with mobile cloud computing is with regard to its
performance. Some users feel performance is not as good as with native applications. So,
checking with your service provider and understanding their track record is advisable.

Connectivity Internet connection is critical to mobile cloud computing. So, you should make
sure that you have a good one before opting for these services.
Mobile Computing Applications

Mobile computing has opened up a new horizon for business and governments of developing
and developed countries. Mobile computing has played a significant role in the fields of
business, improving facilities provided by public sector organizations. Some of the applications
of mobile computing in various fields are as follows.

 Business
 Banks
 Airlines industry
 Defense
 Construction
 Education etc.