Computer

A Computer is a system of hardware which can accept data

(observation, facts & concepts) in prescribed form (i.e. in a
specified sequence) and which can process the data according
to set of instruction that are fed into it & supply the results of
the processing in a specified format.

As information, which in turn assists computer user in

decision-making, or as signals to control automatically further
machine or process? Or store the result in a primary
/secondary storage for safekeeping or later reuse.

In simplest terms a computer is an electronic machine for

accepting & processing of data & help in retrieving information
when needed.

The first devices that resemble modern computers date

to the mid-20th century (1940–1945), although the computer
concept and various machines similar to computers existed
earlier. Early electronic computers were the size of a large
room, consuming as much power as several hundred modern
personal computers (PC). Modern computers are based on tiny
integrated circuits and are millions to billions of times more
capable while occupying a fraction of the space. Today, simple
computers may be made small enough to fit into a wristwatch
and be powered from a watch
battery. Personal computers, in various forms, are icons of the
Information Age and are what most people think of as a
computer; however, the most common form of computer in use
today is the embedded computer. Embedded computers are
small, simple devices that are used to control other devices for
example; they may be found in machines ranging from fighter
aircraft to industrial robots, digital cameras, and children's
toys.

• The ability to store and execute lists of instructions

called programs makes computers extremely
versatile and distinguishes them from calculators.
The Church-Turing thesis is a mathematical
statement of this versatility: any computer with a
certain minimum capability is, in principle, capable
of performing the same tasks that any other
computer can perform. Therefore, computers with
capability and complexity ranging from that of a
 personal digital assistant to a supercomputer are all
able to perform the same computational tasks given
enough time and storage capacity.

A programmable machine. The two principal characteristics of

a computer are:
• It responds to a specific set of instructions in a
well-defined manner.
• It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a
program).

Modern computers are electronic and digital. The actual

machinery -- wires, transistors, and circuits is called hardware;
the instructions and data are called software.

All general-purpose computers require the following hardware

components:

• Memory: Enables a computer to store, at least

temporarily, data and programs.
• Mass storage device: Allows a computer to
permanently retain large amounts of data. Common
mass storage devices include disk drives and tape
drives.
• Input device: Usually a keyboard and mouse, the
input device is the conduit through which data and
instructions enter a computer.
• Output device: A display screen, printer, or other
device that lets you see what the computer has
accomplished.
• Central processing it (CPU): The heart of the
computer, this is the component that actually
executes instructions.

In addition to these components, many others make it

possible for the basic components to work together efficiently.
For example, every computer requires a bus that transmits
data from one part of the computer to another.

Computers can be generally classified by size and power

as follows, though there is considerable overlap:

• Personal computer: A small, single-user computer

based on a microprocessor. In addition to the
microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard
 for entering data, a monitor for displaying
information, and a storage device for saving data.
• Workstation: A powerful, single-user computer. A
workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a
more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality
monitor.
• Minicomputer: A multi-user computer capable of
supporting from 10 to hundreds of users
simultaneously.
• Mainframe: A powerful multi-user computer capable
of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously.
• Supercomputer: An extremely fast computer that
can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per
second.

Classification of Computer
On the basis of the usage of data computers can be classified
as:

1. Analog Computers.

2. Digital Computers.

3. Hybrid Computers.

Analog Computers: are in which numerical magnitudes are

represented by physical quantities, such as electric current,
voltage or resistance, mechanical movements etc.

Analog computers accept data & then process it to produce

analog data.

Digital Computers: A digital computer on data in the form of

digits, rather than the physical quantities used in analog
computers. That is, it’s input must be discrete rather than
continuous & may consist of combination of numbers,
characters & special symbols, written in appropriate
programming language.
Classification of digital computers:
1. General-purpose digital computer.

2. Special purpose digital computer.

General-purpose digital computer: This is also called all-

purpose digital computer. It can be used for any type of
application e.g.: Computers that are used for payroll, graphics,
analysis etc.

Special purpose digital computer: These computers designed

to solve problems of a restricted type i.e. designed to be
especially efficient in a certain class of applications.

Ex: Computer installed in washing machine.

Hybrid Computers: Hybrid computer is the outcome of the

integration of analog computer components & digital
components. This integration is obtained by digital –to-analog
converter and analog –to-digital converter.

A hybrid computer may use or produce analog data or digital

data.

It accepts a continuously varying input which is then converted

into a set of discrete values for digital processing.

Hybrid Machines are generally used in scientific applications or

in controlling industrial processes.