COMPUTER Stands for Common Operating Machine Particularly Used for Technological Engineering/Educational  Research.

Invented By Charles Babbage in 1837


What is Computer?

A computer is an electronic machine that takes raw data as input from the user and processes it under the control of a set of instructions (called a program), produces a result (output), and saves it for future use.


CPU (Central Processing Unit)

CPU is considered the brain of the computer. CPU performs all types of data processing operations. It stores data, intermediate results, and instructions (program). It controls the operation of all parts of the computer.


Input & Output Devices

Input Devices:

  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Scanner
  • Joy Stick
Output Devices:

  • Monitor
  • Printer
  • Speaker
  • Projector

Input & Output Devices:

  • Modems
  • Touch Screen

Computer Memory

Cache Memory:


Cache memory is a very high speed semiconductor memory which can speed up the CPU. It is used to hold those parts of data and program which are most frequently used by the CPU.

Primary Memory (Main Memory)(RAM):


Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on which the computer is currently working.

Secondary Memory(HDD)(SSD):


Secondary memory is also known as external memory or non-volatile. This is used for storing data/information permanently.



Motherboard:
The motherboard serves as a single platform to connect all of the parts of a computer together. It connects the CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card, sound card, and other ports and expansion cards directly or via cables. It can be considered as the backbone of a computer.

Memory Units:


Memory unit is the amount of data that can be stored in the storage unit. This storage capacity is expressed in terms of Bytes.

0 or 1 = 1 bit (Binary Digit)
4 Bit = 1 Nibble
8 Bits or 2 Nibbles = 1 Byte
1024 Bytes = 1 Kilo Byte (KB)
1024 Kilo Bytes (KB) = 1 Mega Byte (MB)
1024 Mega Bytes (MB) = 1 Giga Byte (GB)
1024 Giga Bytes (GB) = 1 Tera Byte (TB)
1024 Tera Bytes (TB) = 1 PetaByte (PB)

Computer Hardware:

Hardware represents the physical and tangible components of a computer, i.e. the components that can be seen and touched.

Example: 
  • Input Devices
  • Output Devices

Computer Software:

Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined function. A program is a sequence of instructions written to solve a particular problem.

There are two types of software:

  • System Software
  • Application Software

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