ALL THE BASIC INFORMATIONS AND DEFINITIONS ABOUT COMPUTER

ALL THE BASIC INFORMATIONS AND DEFINITIONS ABOUT COMPUTER

1. System: A set of manual and automated activities which are organized in such a way as to accomplish a set of stated purposes 

reproductively.

2. Computer: A computer is an electronic device that can perform variety of tasks according to the set of instructions given by user.

3. Input: Input is the information or data entered into a computer.

4. Output: Output is the result or the processed information given by the computer.

5. Input Unit: An input unit takes the input and converts it into binary form so that the computer can understand it.

6. Output Unit: The output unit is attached to the computer for the purpose of getting results. The output device receives result from the CPU in the form of binary and converts them into user readable form. For example: VDU, Printer, Plotter, etc.

7. CPU: Central processing unit is the heart of the computer system. The processor, more formally known as the Central Processing Unit (CPU), has the electronic circuitry that manipulates input data into the information people want, as well as it communicates with the input, output and storage devices. It coordinates and controls the activities of input, output and storage devices and performs all the arithmetic and logical processes to be applied on data.

8. Control Unit (CU): Control section controls all the hardware operations, i.e., those of input output units, storage and of the processor itself.

9. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): The arithmetic logic units in computers are capable of performing addition, subtraction, division and multiplication as well as some “logical operations”. The control units instruct the arithmetic logic unit to perform the required operation and then see that the necessary numbers are supplied.

10. Memory: The memory of a computer is used to store users’ information/data/instructions for processing or for further references.

11. Primary Memory: This is the storage section of the computer which consists of the devices used to store data or instructions that will be used during the computations. These are RAM and ROM.

12. Secondary Memory: This is permanent memory of a computer. It can store large volumes of information permanently. This is also known as a auxiliary memory. These are: hard disk, CD-ROM, Flash Memory (Pen Drive), etc.

13. Memory Cells: The primary/main memory of a computer can be considered as cells. A memory cell may be defined as a device, which can store a symbol selected from a set of symbols.

 14. Bit: Bit is short form of Binary digits (0 or 1), which represents users’ data or instructions in the computer.

15. RAM: It stands for Random Access Memory. This is the main memory of computer used to retain users’ instructions and data for processing purposes. This is temporary in nature.

16. ROM: It stands for Read Only Memory. ROM applied to semi-conductor memory whose contents cannot be altered once they have been set.

17. Abacus: Abacus is a calculating device. Abacus has a frame with beads strung on wire rods. Arithmetic calculations are done through the manipulation of beads. This device was developed in China during 5000 B.C.

18. Napier’s bones: Napier’s bones were devised by a Scottish mathematician, John Napier in 1617. This is a set of eleven bones; each bone has four faces with numbers inscribed on them in such a way that by placing the bones side by side, products and quotients of large numbers can be obtained. Incidentally, Napier invented the logarithms which gave way to the invention of the slide rule.

19. Generation: The term generation is used to generally characterize the major developments in the computer industry.

20. Transistor: A transistor is a component used in electronic devices. They are made up of semiconductor materials which can act as a two position switch.

21. Microprocessor: Microprocessor is an integrated circuit whose all components are maintained on a plastic holder with pins to connect it to the motherboard.

22. Hardware: Hardware is a physical components of the computer system. For example, keyboard, printer, mouse, floppy, etc.

23. Software: Software is a set of instructions or a set of programs used to perform a specific task.

24. Program: Program is a set of computer instructions or commands provided to the computer to perform a disk.

25. MIPS: MIPS stands for Million Instructions Per Second. This is a measurement unit of computer speed.

26. KIPS: KIPS stands for Kilo Instructions Per Second. This is a measurement unit of computer speed.

27. Graphics Software: The application software that manipulates images is known as Graphics Software. For example Photoshop, etc.

28. Multimedia Software: The software that incorporates images, text, sound, computer animations, and video sequences is known as multimedia software. For example, Macromedia, AmiPro, Director, Animator, etc.

29. Text Editor: A text editor is a program that facilitates the creation and correction of texts. This editor is used to type and store only text matter.