COMPUTER:
This is an electronic device which has the ability of
accepting data, processing data and giving out information.
When a subject is defined; or when something is being
introduced, it is possible that there would be thesis, grammars or words that
is used during the definition or introduction which may not be clear or
self-explanatory. On this regard, I will take little time to throw more lights
on the following; Electronic Device,
Accepting Data & Processing Data;
1. Electronic device: The computer system is often referred to as electronic device; this is
simply because it makes use of electricity (electric current/power).
2.
Accepting Data: The computer system receives any
command or instruction entered or given to it by the user. It serves as a
servant to its user (Owner) and so it does accept every instruction as long as
it is outlined in the Master and Servant contract agreement (don’t be confused,
what this simply means is; that the system will do every task given to it by it
user (Owner) as long as the system has the ability or is fit to carry out such
task).
3.
Process Data: The computer system; after
accepting the instructions or commands given by the user will then process them
and respond back to the user by displaying information or result about the
given task on the system monitor (screen).
I believe the above explanations will
help you in your journey to understanding the above introduction to computer.
IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER:
1. INFORMATION:
2. STORAGE
3. CALCULATION
4. HIGH SPEED AND ACCURACY
5. COMMUNICATION
(Now, in every class, the teacher
must not be the only one reaching, students should also develop the zee to learning
more outside what they heard from their teacher / lecturer. therefore, you are
all adviced to go and find out how the above importance of computer influences
our daily use of computer. )
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER.
·
GENERATION
·
SIZE
·
DEVICE
·
PURPOSE
CLASSIFICATION BY GENERATION:
1ST:
these set of computers where produced within the year 1946 – 1950 with
the use of vacuum tube as
their memory.
2nd:
these set of computers where produced within the year 1950 – 1960 with the use
of transistors as their
memory.
3rd:
these set of computers where produced within the year 1960 – 1980 with the use
of integrated circuit as
their memory.
4th
: these set of computer where produced within the year 1980 – 2000. The memory
was the same but more features were added so that it was faster in procession
& performance than the first, second and third generation computers.
5th:
was produced within the year 2000 and above. These ones are better than other
generation computer. They have the ability to mimic human voices. It uses these devices as it memories (Hard
disk, RAM, ROM & Floppy Disk)
CLASSIFICATION BY SIZE:
1. MAINFRAME: these set of computer allow 200 to 1000 users
at a time.
2. MINI: these
type of computers allow 1 – 200 users at a time
3. MICRO: these
set of computers can allow only 1 user at a time (desktop, laptop, palmtop,
note book, etc.)
CLASSIFICATION BY DEVICE:
1. ANALOG: these
set of device deals with physical measurement (ruler, tape, rain gauge etc.).
2. DIGITAL: these
set of device deals with digits and buttons and they have storage facilities.
(Calculator, cell phone etc.)
3. HYBRID:
this is the combination of analog device and digital device. (Computer
system).
CLASSIFICATION BY PURPOSE:
1. SINGLE: these
set of devices are produced to perform a particular / specific task.
2. MULTI-PURPOSE:
These types of devices can perform two or more tasks.
SYSTEM INTERNAL STORAGE DEVICES
HARD DISK -
this is the system internal memory where you store all your files and
programmes for future use or reference.
RAM : Random Access
Memory (it boosts the speed of your system)
ROM : Read
Only Memory
Floppy
Disk: this memory is an external or removable memory.
PARTS OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
We have only
two parts namely:
1. Software:
these are those parts of the computer system that you can neither touch nor
carry around.
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
a.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE: these are the type of software that
runs on the desktop. They can be installed and uninstalled at any time. (e.g.)
Microsoft Offices, Corel Draw, Photoshop, Browsers, Games etc.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE: are also called operating system, it
must be installed in your computer to enable the application software function
effectively. (E.g.) Windows XP, 7, 8, DOS, Linux, Unix, Apple etc.
2. Hardware:
these are those physical components of the computer system which can be
touched, felt and carried around.
EXAMPLES OF HARDWARE
AS CLASSIFIED BY INPUT AND OUTPUT FUNCTIONS
S/NO
|
HARDWARE
|
INPUT
/ OUTPUT
|
1
|
KEYBOARD
|
INPUT DEVICE
|
2
|
MONITOR
|
OUTPUT
|
3
|
MOUSE
|
INPUT
|
4
|
C.P.U
|
NONE
|
5
|
PRINTER
|
OUTPUT
|
6
|
SCANNER
|
INPUT
|
7
|
SPEAKER
|
OUTPUT
|
8
|
JOYSTICK
|
INPUT
|
C.P.U: Central processing Unit.
