Categories of Computers.

Computers are  classified on the basis of  size  speed , processing power  and Price. However the classification of computers are not very straight forward .The distinction between theses  categories is sometimes not very clear. Some categories overlap different categories.

Computers can be divided into the following categories:-

1. Microcomputer or personal Computer.

2.Mini Computer

3.Main-frame Computer

4.Super Computer

5.Embedded Computer 

Storage and Communication Devices.

Storage Devices:-

The hardware component used to store Data,Instructions and Information permanently are Normally Called as Storage Devices.

It is also called Non-Volatile because its contents remain safe when computer is turned off.
Some Important Storage Devices are Floppy disk, Zip drive, Hard disk, Usb drive, Memory cards, CD-Rom, CD+RW, and DVD+RW drives.

Communication Devices:-

The Hardware component used to communicate and exchange Data,Instructions, and information with other computer are called Communications Devices.

An important communication Device is called Modem.

It Enables the computer to communicate with other computers through Telephone line or cable.

CPU and Memory

CPU:-

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.It is also called Processor.It is the Brain of the Computer.
It is the most important component of the Computer.It interprets and executes the instructions in the computer.A Computer can not work with-out CPU. All Computers must have Central Processing Unit.


Memory:-

The hardware component that stores data and instructions temporarily is called Memory.It is also called  Primary memory or Main memory.It consists of electronic chips connected to Mother-board.It is used to store the Input data before processing.It also stores processed data after processing until the data is sent to output devices.The main memory is also called Volatile because its contents are lost when the computer is turned off.

Output Devices

The data processed into useful information is called Output.
A Hardware component used to display information to the user is called Output Devices.Most commonly used Output Devices are Monitor,Printer and Speaker.

Monitor:-

Monitor is used to Display text,graphics and video Output.

Printer:-

Printer is used to Display Printed Output on paper.

Speakers:-

Speaker is used to hear Sound,Music and Video Outputs.

Input Devices

The data or instruction given to the computer is called Input.
A Hardware component used to enter data and instructions into computer is called Input-Devices.Most Commonly used input devices are Keyboard,Mouse,Micro-phone,Scanner,Digital Camera and Pc Camera.

Keyboard:-

Keyboard is used to enter text.It contains Alphabetic,Numeric and other keys to enter different type of Data.

Mouse:-

Mouse is pointing device.It controls the pointer on the screen.Th user gives instructions to the Computers through mouse.It contains different buttons.

Micro-Phone:-

Micro-phone is used to enter Voice into Computer.

Scanner:-

It reads printed text and graphics and translates the results in digital form.

Digital-Camera:-

Digital  Camera  is used to take and store pictures in Digital form.

PC-Camera:-

Pc camera is used to create movie and take photos on the computer.It is also used to make a video phone call.

Information Processing Cycle

A series of steps used to convert data into useful information is known as Information Procession Cycle.

The steps in this cycle are performed in a specific sequence.

 Different steps in Information Processing Cycle are as follows:-

Input:

The first step of information processing cycle is input. The computer accept data in this step. Data consist of raw facts and figures. Data is entered into computer for processing. It is entered using input devices like a keyboard or mouse.

Processing:

The second step of Information Processing Cycle is Processing. It converts data into information. Information is an Organized and Processed form of data. The central processing unit process data into useful information. Random Access Memory (RAM) temporarily stores program and data required by the CPU.

Output:

The third step of Information Processing Cycle is Output. The results are provided to user in this step. It is performed using different output devices such as monitors and Printers.

Storage:

The fourth step of Information Processing Cycle is Storage. It stores data ,information and programs used by the computer systems. It is performed using different storage devices like hard disk drives,CD,DVD and USB flash memory etc.

Information Technology (IT)

Information Technology:-

Information Technology is the technology that uses computing with high-speed communication links to spread information from one place to another. The interconnection of computers enables peoples to send and receive information. The communication links are also used to communicate with different people in the world.

The world has become a global village due to information technology. It means that people living in the world know one another as if they are living in a village. It has become possible due to fast communication links. Information can be transferred from one place to another place easily and quickly.

Information plays an important role in every field of life. Information can be used to improve the standard of life. It can also be used for solving different problems . For example if a person has the latest information about Medical field, he/she can use this information to cure different diseases.

Information technology has enabled different types of institutions and organizations to be a part of Digital Convergence.
The Digital Convergence means that various industries have merged electronically to exchange information. This merging is very important in modern world. The information can be transferred in any form like text,photos,audio and videos..etc.

Components of Information Technology:-

Three Major Components of Information technology are as Follows.

Computers:

Electronic systems that can be instructed to Accept,Process,Store,and present data and Information.

Communication Network:

It is an interconnection of different locations through a medium that enables peoples to send and  receives information. Communication networks allows people and businesses to interact. It includes hardware,programs and information. Information Technology has become revolutionary through the use of communication networks. Information can be transferred from place to another easily and quickly.

Know-how:

Know-how is the capability to do something properly. Information technology know-how consist of the following:

• Familiarity with the tools of information technology including the internet.
• Possession of the skills needed to use these tools.
• Understanding of using IT for problem-solving and creating opportunities.

People should know how to use of information technology to solve problems. They should also know how information technology can create opportunities for them.

Information

The processed data is called information. Information is an organized and processed form of data. It is more meaningful than data and is used for making decisions. Data is used as input for the processing and information is the Output of this processing. This information can be used again in some other processing and will be considered as data in that processing.

For example the marks of a student in different subject is data. This data is used to calculate the total marks which is the information. The total marks can be processed again to calculate average marks of the student. In this processing, total marks is used as data and average marks is the information.

Data and its Examples.

DATA:-
A collection of raw facts and figures is called Data..The word means that the facts have not been processed to get their exact meaning.
Data is given to computer for processing. Data is Collected from different sources. It is collected for different purposes.
Data may consist of Numbers,Characters,Symbols or Pictures etc.

Examples:-
some examples of data are Described below:

1. 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,study program..etc. The purpose of collecting this data is to maintain the record of the student during their study period in College/University.
2. Government collect the data of all citizens of Country during Census. Government stores this Data Permanently to use it for different purposes at different times.
3. Different Organizations conduct surveys to know the opinion of the people about their product. In these surveys people express their ideas and opinions about different issues. The ideas and opinions of the people are stored as data. The organizations use their data for the improvement of their product.

Hardware and Software Differences

Software is set of instructions that tells the computer Hardware what to do. The hardware can not perform any task without software..and the Software can not be executed  without Hardware.
A Computer Becomes Useful When Hardware and Software are Combined.
According to this Relation between Computer Hardware and Software Following are the main Differences Between Both of Them.

Softwares:-

1. Software is the set of instructions that tells the computer Exactly what to do.
2. Software can not be Executed without Hardware.
3. Software can not be Touched.
4. Software is Debugged in case of problems(Buggs).
5. Software is Re-installed if the problem is not solved.

Hardwares:-

1. Hardware is Physical Parts of Computer that cause processing of Data.
2. Hardware can not perform any task without Software.
3. Hardware can be touched and seen.
4. Hardware can be Re-paired in case of Problem.
5. Hardware is Re-placed if the Problem is not Solved.

Software and Hardware

Software:-
A set of instructions given to the computer to solve a problem is called Software.
   Software is also called Program...

Different Softwares are used to solve different problems,..and a Computer works according to given instructions Written in Software......
Common Examples includes,... MS-Office,Open-Office,Messengers,Players,Device-drivers,Anti-viruses...and Much More.


Hardware:-
The physical parts of the Computer are called Hardware...,The user  can see and touch the Hardware..
Common Examples includes Computer (Mouse,Key-board,Printers,Web-Cams,CPU parts,Rams,Processors,Hard-disks..etc)...and Much More.

Computer

Computer is an Electronic Device used to solve different problems according to set of instructions given to it.
A computer can accept data,process data into useful information and store it for later use.

The word computer is derived from compute that means to calculate. Computer can be used as a calculating machine to produce results at a very high speed...,How-ever, calculation is not the only use of computer.It can be used for different purposes.

People use computer to solve different problems Quickly and Easily.It has Changed the way of life.

Computers are available in Different Shapes and Sizes.

Today Computer has Became the part of Life and Old Ways of Working are now Fading Away.