Basic Computer Knowledge


Overview:


Topic Included:Definitions & Exmaples.
Main Topic:Basic Computer Knowledge.
Basic Computer Knowledge Sub-topic:Computer Introduction.
Questions for practice:Questions & Answers included.

What is Computer?


A computer is an electronic machine that manipulates data according to the list of instructions given. The instructions given by an individual to the computer are known as programs.


What is Computer Skill:


Computer skill is the knowledge of computer operations and how-to instructions given by an individual to a computer to complete a task.


History of Computers:


There was a device in China named "Abacus", which was used by the Chinese as a calculator, and it has been noted as being an early computer.

In 1820, Charles Babbage was the first who conceptualized and designed a fully programmable computer, but due to limited resources, the device was never constructed.

In The 1930s and 1940s, an American mathematician Howard Aiken developed a powerful and flexible computing machine named "Mark-I" which was built by IBM.


Generations of Computers:


There are five generations of modern computers.

1. First Generation Computers (1945-1955): The first generation computers were based on vacuum tubes. The first operational electronic general-purpose computer ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was built in 1943 by the partnership between the U.S. government and the University of Pennsylvania. It consisting of 18,000 vacuum tubes, 7,000 resisters, 1,000 capacitors, 6,000 switches, and 1 million soldered joints.

2. Second Generation Computers (1955-1965): The second-generation computers were based on transistors. The first computer based on the transistors was "Transac S-2000" constructed in 1958.

3. Third Generation Computers (1965-1975): The third-generation computers were based on integrated circuit technology. The integrated circuit is a single device that contains many transistors.

4. Fourth Generation Computers (1975-1995): The fourth-generation computers were based on microprocessors. Microprocessors employ millions of transistors on a single chip.

5. Fifth Generation Computers (1995 onwards): The fifth-generation computers are based on microprocessors with very large-scale integration of transistors also uses the concept of parallel processing.


Applications of Computers:


Some of the applications of computers are as follows.

1. Weather Forecasting.

2. Scientific and Education works.

3. Advertisement.

4. Entertainment.

5. Designing.

6. Medical ect.


Types of Computers:


There are three types of computers as follows.


1. Analog Computers: An analog computer is a type of computer that uses a continuously changeable value of physical phenomena like voltage, temperature, pressure, etc. These types of computers are widely used in scientific and industrial applications.


2. Digital Computers: The latest generation of computers is digital computers. These types of computers operate on binary digits zero (0) and 1. A binary digit is called "bit" and a group of "8 bits" is called "a byte".


3. Hybrid Computers: The combination of analog computers and digital computers are called hybrid computers, which convert analog quantity to digital and digital quantity to analog quantity.


Structure of Computer:


The structure of the computer can be divided into 4 parts.


1. Input.
2. Process.
3. Storage.
4. Output.