What is computer? What are its uses? Advantages of computer? Disadvantages of computer? Types of computer?

Generations of computer?

A computer is a programmable machine. The two principal characteristics of a computer are: it responds to a specific set ofinstructionsin a well-defined manner and it canexecutea prerecorded list of instructions (aprogram).

Modern computers are electronic anddigital. The actual machinery -- wires,transistors, and circuits -- is calledhardware; the instructions anddataare calledsoftware.

All general-purpose computers require the following hardware components:

  • memory:enables a computer tostore, at least temporarily, data and programs.
  • mass storagedevice:allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of data. Common mass storage devices includedisk drivesandtape drives.
  • input device:usually akeyboardandmouse, the input device is the conduit through which data and instructions enter a computer.
  • output device:adisplay screen,printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has accomplished.
  • central processing unit(CPU):the heart of the computer, this is the component that actually executes instructions.

In addition to these components, many others make it possible for the basic components to work together efficiently. For example, every computer requires abusthat transmits data from one part of the computer to another.

Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is considerable overlap:

  • personal computer:a small, single-usercomputer based on amicroprocessor. In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, amonitorfor displaying information, and astorage deviceforsavingdata.
  • workstation:a powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.
  • minicomputer:amulti-usercomputer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously.
  • mainframe:a powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
  • supercomputer:an extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.

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A computer is a programmable machine. The two principal characteristics of a computer are: it responds to a specific set ofinstructionsin a well-defined manner and it canexecutea prerecorded list of instructions (aprogram).

Modern computers are electronic anddigital. The actual machinery -- wires,transistors, and circuits -- is calledhardware; the instructions anddataare calledsoftware.

All general-purpose computers require the following hardware components:

  • memory:enables a computer tostore, at least temporarily, data and programs.
  • mass storagedevice:allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of data. Common mass storage devices includedisk drivesandtape drives.
  • input device:usually akeyboardandmouse, the input device is the conduit through which data and instructions enter a computer.
  • output device:adisplay screen,printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has accomplished.
  • central processing unit(CPU):the heart of the computer, this is the component that actually executes instructions.

In addition to these components, many others make it possible for the basic components to work together efficiently. For example, every computer requires abusthat transmits data from one part of the computer to another.

Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is considerable overlap:

  • personal computer:a small, single-usercomputer based on amicroprocessor. In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, amonitorfor displaying information, and astorage deviceforsavingdata.
  • workstation:a powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.
  • minicomputer:amulti-usercomputer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously.
  • mainframe:a powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
  • supercomputer:an extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.

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