Amity School of Business

Amity School of Business

BBA, Semester 1 Computer in Management Ms Bhawana Gupta

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Introduction to Computers
Many people believe that knowing how to use a computer, is one of the basic skills needed to succeed in the workplace. In order to use the computer it is necessary to understand how the computer works

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What is Computer
The computer is an electronic device that accepts data, performs operations on that data , presents the results, and stores the data or results as needed. and give you desired result. It perform four primary operations are:

1. INPUT entering data into the computer 2. PROCESSING performing operations on the data 3. OUTPUT presenting the results 4. STORAGE saving data, or output for future use.

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Data
Data is a collection of facts, figures and statistics related to an object. Data can be processed to create useful information. Data is a valuable asset for an organization. Data can be used by the managers to perform effective and successful operations of management. It provides a view of past activities related to the rise and fall of an organization. It also enables the user to make better decision for future. Data is very useful for generating reports, graphs and statistics.

Example Students fill an admission form when they get admission in college. The form consists of raw facts about the students. These raw facts are student's name, father name, address etc. The purpose of collecting this data is to maintain the records of the students during their study period in the college.

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Information
The manipulated and processed form of data is called information. It is more meaningful than data. It is used for making decisions. Data is used as input for processing and information is used as output of this processing. Example Data collected from census is used to generate different type of information. The government can use it to determine the literacy rate in the country. Government can use the information in important decision to improve literacy rate.

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Characteristics of a Computer
Now-a-days computer is playing a main role in everyday life it has become the need of people just like television, telephone or other electronic devices at home. It solves the human problems very quickly as well as accurately. The important characteristics of a computer are described below:

The characteristics of a computer are: 1. Speed 2. Spontaneous (Automatic) 3. Storage 4. No Feelings 5. Consistency 6. Communications 7. Diligence
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Generations of Computers
The term generation indicates the type of technology used in the computer construction. As new technology was emerging, it was being used in the making of computer. The new technology improved the speed, accuracy and storage capacity of the computers. Different technologies have been used for computers in different times. Therefore, computers can be divided into five generations depending upon the technologies used. These are:

First Generation (1942 - 1955) Second Generation (1955 - 1964) Third Generation (1964 - 1975) Fourth Generation (Since 1975) Fifth Generation (Since 1980)

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Advantage of Computer
Research On-line game Information Storage Watch video and listen the music To send mail messages To chat with people

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Disadvantage of Computer
Un-Employment Cyber-crime Computer can perform only what is it programmed to do. Computer need well defined instructions to perform any operation

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Application of Computer
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Education Entertainment Science Publishing Agriculture Government Home

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Computer System
Computer is an electronic machine that is used to solve different kinds of problems according to a set of instructions given to it. Computer consists of different units that perform various functions. All the operations of the computer are controlled by the program instructions. These program instructions are known as software. A system is a group of related components that make up a body to perform a specific function. Therefore computer system is defined as: The computer along with various units and software that performs different activities in data processing are collectively known a computer system. A computer system is divided into two subsystems: 1. Computer Software 2. Computer Hardware
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Computer Software
A set of instructions given to the computer in machine code that tells the computer what to do and how to perform the given task of the user is known as computer software. The software is developed in computer programming languages. You can not feel, touch or see software inside the computer memory. The Computer software is classified into two main categories: 1.Application software. 2.System software.

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Computer Hardware
The physical parts of a computer are known as computer hardware You can touch, see and feel the hardware. The hardware consists of electronic circuits and mechanical equipment etc. used to perform various functions in the computer.
The hardware components are: 1.Input devices 2.Output devices 3.Central Processing Unit (CPU) 4.Memory unit 5.Storage devices
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Input and Input Devices

Input is any data or instructions entered into the computer in the form of signals. The input into the computer can be entered:

Through keyboard (by typing characters). By selecting commands (icons) on the screen and then clicking with mouse. By pressing finger on a touch screen. By speaking into a microphone. By scanning data printed on paper through scanner etc. Therefore, the devices that are used to enter data and instructions or commands into the computer are called input devices or units. The input devices are the eyes and ears of computers. In old computers the punched card readers, paper tape readers were used as input devices.
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Input Devices
Now-a-days, the commonly used input devices are: Keyboard Mouse Scanner Microphone Digital Camera Optical Bar Code Reader Optical mark recognition (OMR) Touch Screen Joystick Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) It must be noted that floppy drives, hard disks and CD drives are used for both input and output devices.
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Output and Output Devices

The processed input data into a useful form is called output when input data is processed, computer generates several types of output, depending upon the hardware and software used and the requirements of the user. The user use output on a screen, prints it on the printer or hear it through speakers or head sets. Therefore, output is normally classifieds as: Softcopy Output : The output received on the display screen or in the audio or video form is called softcopy output. This kind of output is not tangible and can not the touched. The most popular and commonly used softcopy output device is display screen Hardcopy Output : The output printed on the paper is called hardcopy. The printers and plotters devices are used for this purpose. Sound Output : The output received into the form of sound is called sound output. The speakers are most commonly used to receive the 16 sound output.

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Output Devices
An output device is a hardware component used to get output from the computer. A number of output devices are available. The commonly used output devices include display device (Monitor), printer, speaker and headset, fax machine etc.

OUTPUT DEVICES Monitors Plotters Speaker Printers

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Memory
Memory refers to chip-based storage. When the term memory is used alone , it refers to chip based storage used by the computer-usually the amount of the computers main memory (called RAM), which is located inside the system unit. In contrast, storage refers to the amount of long-term storage available to a PC- usually in the form of the PCs hard drive or removal storage media such as CDs, DVDs, and USB flash drives.

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Types of Main Memory

There are two types of main memory, Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM)

Random Access Memory (RAM) When the computer is powered on, certain operating system files load into RAM from the storage device such as a hard disk. Then operating system remains in RAM as long as the computer has continuous power. holds its data as long as the computer is switched on All data in RAM is lost when the computer is switched off Described as being volatile It is direct access as it can be both written to or read from in any order
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Random Access Memory (RAM)

The RAM is further divided into: 1. DRAM 2.SRAM DRAM : DRAM stands for Dynamic Random Access Memory. DRAM is the most common type of RAM used to store data & instructions. In order to maintain data in DRAM chip, the chip is refreshed frequently (hundreds of time a second), otherwise data may be lost. During the refreshing process the CPU has to wait to read & write data in DRAM. It is because DRAM decreases the processing speed of the computer. SRAM SRAM stands for Static Random Access Memory. It is faster than DRAM because it does not have to be refreshed frequently and the CPU has not to wait to read & write data. SRAM chips however are more expensive than DRAM chips. Special applications such as cache use SRAM chips. 20

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Read Only Memory (ROM)

ROM stands for Read Only Memory. The ROM contains instructions that are permanently stored by the manufacturers when they manufacture the chips. In fact recording data and instructions permanently into this kind of memory is called "burning in the data". The instructions stored in ROM can only be read but cannot be modified. This is the reason why it is called Read Only Memory. ROM is a semiconductor chip programmed at the time of its manufacture and is not re-programmable by the user. The programs stored in ROM are called firmware. It is a non-volatile memory. The contents of ROM are not lost when the computer is turned off.
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Read Only Memory (ROM)

The ROM contains the Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) which is a set of instructions that are automatically activated when the computer is turned on. It means that computer uses the instructions of ROM at the time of booting for the following purposes. To check different units of computer system. To load the operating system into computer memory etc.

Data can be read by the CPU in any order so ROM is also direct access The contents of ROM are fixed at the time of manufacture
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Types of READ ONLY MEMORY

Many other devices also contain ROM chips. For example a printer has a ROM chip that contains data or information for fonts. You can say that each electronic device has ROM chip that contains information about that device.

The ROM is further divided into: PROM EPROM EEPROM

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Types of READ ONLY MEMORY

PROM PROM stands for Programmable Read Only Memory. PROM is a blank ROM chip on which the user can write his own program instructions and data but only once. However once the program or data is written in PROM chip, it cannot be changed. The programmer uses micro-code instructions to write information in a PROM chip. Once the programmer writes the micro-code on the PROM chip, it functions like a normal ROM chip.

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Types of READ ONLY MEMORY

EPROM

Once ROM or PROM is programmed, its contents cannot be changed. However there is another type of memory chip called EPROM that overcomes this problem.
EPROM stands for Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. It is another important form of read only memory. Like PROM, it is initially blank and the user or manufacture can writes his own program or data by using special devices. Unlike PROM the data written in EPROM chip can be erased by using special purpose devices and ultraviolet rays. So program or data written in EPROM chip can be changed and new data can also be added on this form of 25 ROM. When EPROM is in use, its contents can only be read.

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Types of READ ONLY MEMORY

EEPROM EEPROM stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. This kind of ROM can be re-written by using electrical devices and so data stored on this ROM chip can be easily modified.

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Cache memory
Data and program instructions are moved from RAM to CPU's registers during data processing. It is most time consuming method and CPU has to waste a lot of time to access data from memory. Cache memory is similar to RAM but it is extremely fast than RAM. It is normally used between RAM and CPU. Cache speeds up processing speed of computer because CPU stores frequently used instructions and data in it. When the program is running and the CPU needs a specific data or program instructions, the CPU first checks it in cache memory. If the data is not there, the CPU reads the data from RAM into its registers, but it also loads a copy of the same data or instruction in cache memory. The next time the CPU uses it if required again and saves the time needed to load it 27 from RAM.

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Types of Computers
Computers can also be divided into three categories depending upon their instruction and form of input data that they accept and process. These are: Analog Computers Digital Computers Hybrid Computers

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Analog Computers
The word "Analog" means continuously varying in quantity. The analog computers accept input data in continuous form and output is obtained in the form of graphs. It means that these computers accept input and give output in the form of analog signals. The output is measured on a scale. The voltage, current, sound, speed, temperature, pressure etc. values are examples of analog data. These values continuously increase and decrease. The analog computers are used to measure the continuous values. The thermometer is an example of analog device because it measures continuously the length of a mercury column.
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The word "Digital" means discrete. It refers to binary system, which consists of only two digits, i.e. 0 and 1. Digital data consists of binary data represented by OFF (low) and ON (high) electrical pulses. These pulses are increased and decreased in discontinuous form rather than in continuous form.

Digital Computers

In digital computers, quantities are counted rather than measured. A digital computer operates by counting numbers or digits and gives output in digital form. A digital computer represents the data in digital signals 0 and 1 and then processes it using arithmetic and logical operations. Examples of digital devices are calculators, personal computers, digital watches, digital thermometers etc. Today most of the computers used in offices and homes are digital computers. Or A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number 30 system.

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Hybrid Computers
The hybrid computers have best features of both analog and digital computers. These computers contain both the digital and analog components. In hybrid computers, the users can process both the continuous (analog) and discrete (digital) data. These are special purpose computers. These are very fast and accurate. These are used in scientific fields. In hospitals, these are used to watch patient's health condition in ICU (Intensive Care Unit). These are also used in spaceships, missiles etc.

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Difference between Analog and Digital

ANALOG Accept input data in continuous form and output is measured on a scale It may have some errors in output. DIGITAL Accept input data in digital form and output is received in digital form. Output is accurate.

Have low internal memory. Have fewer functions.

Have large internal memory. Have large number of functions.

It is used only in scientific, industrial and It is general purpose in use. medical fields. It is costly.
It is not easily programmed.

It is low in cost.
It is easily programmed.
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On the Basis of Processing Speed and Storage Capacity

Computers are classified according to their data processing speed, amount of data that they can hold and price. Generally, a computer with high processing speed and large internal storage is called a big computer. Due to rapidly improving technology, we are always confused among the categories of computers.

Depending upon their speed and memory size, computers are classified into following four main groups.
Supercomputer Mainframe computer Mini computer Microcomputer

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Super Computer
Supercomputer is the most powerful and fastest, and also very expensive. It was developed in 1980s. It is used to process large amount of data and to solve the complicated scientific problems. It can perform more than one trillions calculations per second. It has large number of processors connected parallel. So parallel processing is done in this computer. In a single supercomputer thousands of users can be connected at the same time and the supercomputer handles the work of each user separately. Supercomputer are mainly used for:

Weather forecasting. Nuclear energy research. Aircraft design. Online banking. To control industrial units.

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Super Computer
The supercomputers are used in large organizations, research laboratories, aerospace centers, large industrial units etc. Nuclear scientists use supercomputers to create and analyze models of nuclear fission and fusions, predicting the actions and reactions of millions of atoms as they interact. The examples of supercomputers are CRAY-1, CRAY-2, Control Data CYBER 205 and ETA A-10 etc.

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Mainframe Computers
Mainframe computers are also large-scale computers but supercomputers are larger than mainframe. These are also very expensive. The mainframe computer specially requires a very large clean room with air-conditioner. This makes it very expensive to buy and operate. It can support a large number of various equipments. It also has multiple processors. Large mainframe systems can handle the input and output requirements of several thousand of users. For example, IBM, S/390 mainframe can support 50,000 users simultaneously. There are basically two types of terminals used with mainframe systems. These are: 1. Drum Terminal 2. Intelligent Terminal
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Mainframe Computers
i) Dumb Terminal Dumb terminal does not have its own CPU and storage devices. This type of terminal uses the CPU and storage devices of mainframe system. Typically, a dumb terminal consists of monitor and a keyboard (or mouse). ii) Intelligent Terminal Intelligent terminal has its own processor and can perform some processing operations. Usually, this type of terminal does not have its own storage. The mainframe computers are specially used as servers on the World Wide Web. The mainframe computers are used in large organizations such as Banks, Airlines and Universities etc. where many people (users) need frequent access to the same data, which is usually organized into one or more huge databases. IBM is the major manufacturer of mainframe computers. 37

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Minicomputers
These are smaller in size, have lower processing speed and also have lower cost than mainframe. These computers are known as minicomputers because of their small size as compared to other computers at that time. The capabilities of a minicomputer are between mainframe and personal computer. These computers are also known as midrange computers The minicomputers are used in business, education and many other government departments. Although some minicomputers are designed for a single user but most are designed to handle multiple terminals. Minicomputers are commonly used as servers in network environment and hundreds of personal computers can be connected to the network with a minicomputer acting as server like mainframes, minicomputers are used as web servers. Single user minicomputers are used for 38 sophisticated design tasks.

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Microcomputer
The microcomputers are also known as personal computers or simply PCs. Microprocessor is used in this type of computer. These are very small in size and cost.

The IBMs first microcomputer was designed in 1981 and was named as IBM-PC. After this many computer hardware companies copied the design of IBM-PC. The term PC-compatible refers any personal computer based on the original IBM personal computer design.

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