Computer 2.

Process- It is the manipulation of data entered into a

computer.
A computer can be defined as an electronic, programmable device
3. Output- It is the result of the process performed by
that stores, processes, and retrieves data. From its definition, the
the computer.
essential elements of a computer are the following:
4. Storage- It is data that is saved or stored for later
 Electronic- A computer uses electricity in any form such that use.
power may come a live outlet. (AC), dry cell (battery),
Types of Computers
hydroelectricity, solar energy etc.
 Programmable- Computer can be given an instruction apart Type Specifications
from the firmware installed in it. A computer user may Personal Single Computer system; Moderately
develop applications and run them using a computer Computer powerful microprocessor
Workstations Single user computer system; Similar to PCs
 Store- Computers can save data that a user may want to
but have more powerful microprocessors
access or view later or when the data is needed.
Minicomputer Multi-user computer system; Capable of
 Process- A computer manipulates data (input) into supporting hundreds of users simultaneously
information (output). Data are things collected by an Mainframe Multi-user computer system; Capable of
individual while information is data used to convey supporting hundreds of users simultaneously;
knowledge Software technology is different from a
 Retrieve- A computer has the capability of restoring data minicomputer
which intentionally or accidentally deleted by user. Supercomputer An extremely fast computer; Performs
hundreds of millions of instructions per
second
Functions of a Computer

1. Input- It is
process of
feeding
data into a
computer.
Microcomputer Workstation

A computer designed for A PC used for desktop

individual use is called a publishing, software
Microcomputer. The term was development, engineering
used to differentiate desktop applications and other similar
computer from microcomputers. applications that require a
A microcomputer is synonymous modest amount of computing
to the personal computer but it power and high-quality graphic
may refer to a laptop, workstation or server. The first computers were capabilities is called a workstation. Workstations have large amount
very large that they filled a large room, that is why computers that of memory, built-in network support, and high resolution graphics.
could fit a desktop were labeled as microcomputers. Workstations are normally connected to a network but can also be
stand-alone systems.

Laptop
Personal Computer
A laptop is a portable PC suitable for
A personal computer is a small,
mobile use. Laptops are typically
inexpensive computer customized for
used for work, education, and
individual use. PCs are developed under
multimedia. A laptop combines the
microprocessor technology that allows
system unit, input, and output
manufacturers to place an entire CPU
devices into a single device. Modern
on one chip. Businesses use PCs for
day laptops have a built-in webcam.
word processing, desktop publishing,
and accounting. The most popular use for personal computers is for A laptop can be powered from a rechargeable battery or using an AC
playing games and surfing the net. adapter. As laptops became smaller and lighter, cheaper and more
powerful and screens became smaller and of better quality, laptops
became very widely used for different purposes.
Minicomputer Supercomputer

A minicomputer is smaller than a A supercomputer operates the

mainframe but larger than a highest performance rate
microcomputer. The among all types of computers. It
Minicomputer is typically used as is normally used for engineering
small or mid-range servers and scientific applications that
performing business and scientific perform a huge amount of
applications. Minicomputers may computation. A supercomputer
contain one or more processors, is an array of thousands of computers that perform parallel
support multiprocessing and tasking, and are generally resilient to processing.
high workloads. Although they are smaller than mainframes or
Computer System
supercomputers, minicomputers are more powerful than personal
computers and workstations. A Personal Computer (PC) is composed of three major components;
hardware, software and people ware. The three components depend
Mainframes
and interact with each
Mainframe is the term used to other to make a PC
denote a very large computer. system function
It is called Mainframe because optimally. Computer
all its components, processors, hardware needs
memory chips, etc., are all computer software and
placed inside a frame. vice versa to operate.
Mainframes contain several Computer hardware and
processors working as one unit computer software need
thus paving the way for people ware to perform
centralized computing where all operations are performed inside the their respective tasks
processor section and another utility program is running in the efficiently.
background to display the output.

Mainframes are effective in large-scale computing suited for banking,

insurance and web applications. Mainframes are used for real-time
business transactions such as in ATMs and online-banking
transactions.
Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical and tangible parts of the computer
system. Any PC component that can be seen and touched is hardware.
1. Input Devices
Input devices are components of hardware that are used to send
data and manage signals from the computer.
Input Description
Devices
Key board The keyboard is the most commonly used input
device. It is divided into four (4) parts; the
alphanumeric pad which is based on a
typewriter, the numeric keypad (numpad), the
function keys and the special keys.
Mouse Douglas Engelbart invented the mouse in the early
1960s. The mouse became an input device when
graphic user interface (GUIs ) were introduced for
PCs on the 1980s.
Graphics Graphic tablets permit drawing directly into the
Tablet computer. It comes with a stylus, a pen-like object
that lets user writes on tablet surface as if it were
a sheet of paper.
Joystick Joysticks are commonly used for playing games on
the computer. Modern joysticks contain number
of sticks and buttons that allow for complex
movement controlled by a couple of finger flicks.
Headset A head set is composed of an earphone and a
microphone and contains voice-recognition
software. It allows dictation of data and
instructions directly into other software
applications installed on the computer.
Scanner A scanner is like a photocopier. A digital image of
the document is produced that can be saved in
the computer’s memory. Scanned images can be
viewed and edited using a graphics software
application.
2. Output Device
Output devices ae used to receive the output of processed data.
The output could be a picture displayed on the screen.
Output Device Description
Monitor The monitor is also called the computer
screen. It is the standard output device.
Monitors vary in sizes and types.
Projector The projector is an output device that
transfers the display of a monitor onto a
flat surface to show a larger version of it.
Speakers Speakers are an output device connected
to a computer’s soundcard that produces
sounds. As multimedia and games become
popular, higher quality computer speakers
were manufactured for advanced sound
effects.
Printer A printer is a machine used to transfer text
or images onto paper.
3. System Unit

The main components of the computer are housed inside the

system unit. It contains the motherboard, CPU, RAM and other
hardware components.
Software BIOS PROGRAMING LANGUAGE
A set of software routines built Translate source language
Software is a general term for well- ordered collections of into a chip that boots the into machine using
computer instructions and data. It is often divided into two major machine and serves as an assemblers, compliers,
types: system software that performs the basic non-task specific interface between the driver interprets and application
function of the computer and application software which is used and the peripheral devices. generators.
to accomplish specific tasks. TP MONITOR COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL
Mainframe/ midrange Set of rules, formats and
1. System Software
program that distributes input functions for sending data
System software controls, integrates and manages each single from multiple terminals to the across the network.
hardware component of a computer system in order for other appropriate application.
software and the users of the system see it as a functional unit NETWORK OPERATING
SYSTEM
having to concern themselves with low-level details such as
Manage traffic and security
transmitting data from the memory to disk or providing text onto
between clients and servers in
a display. a network.
System software is typically composed of an operating system 2. Application Software
utilities such as file managers, disk formatters, text editors, user An application is any program, or group of programs, that is
authentication (log in) and management tools, display managers, designed for the end user. Applications software (also called end-
and networking and device control software. user programs) include such things as database programs, word
SYSTEM SOFTWARE processors, Web browsers and spreadsheets.
OPERATING SYSTEM MESSAGING PROTCOL APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Manages the computer Sets of rules, formats and
WORD PROCESSING CAD (Vector graphics)
system. Provides file, task and functions for sending, storing Create and edit text files. Create drawings for
job management and forwarding email in a illustrations.
network.
DATABASE IMAGING (Raster Graphics)
DRIVER DATABASE MANAGEMENT
Interactive editing of data. Scan documents and paint
Contains the detailed machine Manages the storage, into TV-like images.
language necessary to activate retrieval, security and integrity
all functions in the device. of the database. SPREADSHEET DIAGRAMMING PROGRAM
Create and edits rows and Creation of drawings of
columns of numbers for interconnected symbols.
financial analysis.
 WEB BROWSER CONTACT MANAGER
Access the internet. Keep track of prospects,
names, addresses,
appointments.

3. People ware

People ware pertains to anything that has to do with the role of

people in the development or application of the computer. Some
examples of people ware are the following:

a. Computer Engineers
Computer Engineers are engaged in designing software and
applications to meet the needs of a specific sector or industry.
b. Software Engineers
Software Engineers are responsible for the design and
development, testing and evaluation of the computer
software.
c. Information Technology
The IT Specialists’ task are to plan and perform installation.
d. Website Designer
Set up and navigation schemes of a website.
e. Computer Technicians
Responsible for the repair and maintenance of computers.