what is a computer
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions (software) stored in its own memory unit, that can accept data (input), manipulate data (process), and produce information (output) from the processing.
Generally, the term is used to describe a collection of devices that function together as a system.
TYPES OF COMPUTER
Personal computer:
It can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user. In price, personal computers range anywhere from a few hundred pounds to over five thousand pounds. All are based on the microprocessor technology that enables manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip. Businesses use personal computers for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for running spreadsheet and database management applications.
Supercomputer.
Supercomputer is a broad term for one of the fastest computers currently available. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations (number crunching). For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers scientific simulations, (animated) graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, electronic design, and analysis of geological data (e.g. in petrochemical prospecting).
Minicomputer
It is a midsize computer. In the past decade, the distinction between large minicomputers and small mainframes has blurred, however, as has the distinction between small minicomputers and workstations. But in general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of supporting from up to 200 users simultaneously.
Mainframe
Supercomputer is a broad term for one of the fastest computers currently available. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations (number crunching). For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers scientific simulations, (animated) graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, electronic design, and analysis of geological data (e.g. in petrochemical prospecting). 
Computer hardware: refers to the physical parts of a computer and related devices. Internal hardware devices include motherboards, hard drives, and RAM. External hardware devices include monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and scanners.
The internal hardware parts of a computer are often referred to as components, while external hardware devices are usually called peripherals. Together, they all fall under the category of computer hardware. Software, on the other hand, consists of the programs and applications that run on computers. Because software runs on computer hardware, software programs often have system requirements that list the minimum hardware required for the software to run.
Output devices: An output device is any peripheral that receives data from a computer, usually for display, projection, or physical reproduction. For example, the image shows an inkjet printer, an output device that can make a hard copy of any information shown on your monitor. Another example of an output device is a computer monitor, which displays an image that is received from the computer. Monitors and printers are two of the most common output devices used with a computer.
Example of computer storage like Magnetic storage device:Today,magnetic storage is one of the most common types of storage used with computers and is the technology that many computer hard drives use, Optical storage devices: Another common storage is optical storage, which uses lasers and lights as its method of reading and writing data, Flash memory devices: Flash memory has started to replace magnetic media as it becomes cheaper as it is the more efficient and reliable solution,Paper storage Early computers had no method of using any of the above technologies for storing information and had to rely on paper.
Types of software
The internal hardware parts of a computer are often referred to as components, while external hardware devices are usually called peripherals. Together, they all fall under the category of computer hardware. Software, on the other hand, consists of the programs and applications that run on computers. Because software runs on computer hardware, software programs often have system requirements that list the minimum hardware required for the software to run.
Input device: An input device is any hardware device that sends data to a computer, allowing you to interact with and control the computer.The most commonly used or primary input devices on a computer are the keyboard and mouse. However, there are dozens of other devices that can also be used to input data into the computer.
Purpose of input device is to provide data and control signals to an information processing system like a computer
Output devices: An output device is any peripheral that receives data from a computer, usually for display, projection, or physical reproduction. For example, the image shows an inkjet printer, an output device that can make a hard copy of any information shown on your monitor. Another example of an output device is a computer monitor, which displays an image that is received from the computer. Monitors and printers are two of the most common output devices used with a computer.
STORAGE DEVICE:
Storage device is any hardware capable of holding information either temporarily or permanently. The picture shows an example of a Drobo, an external secondary storage device.
There are two types of storage devices used with computers: aprimary storage device, such as RAM, and a secondary storage device, like a hard drive. Secondary storage can be removable,internal, or external storage.
Example of computer storage like Magnetic storage device:Today,magnetic storage is one of the most common types of storage used with computers and is the technology that many computer hard drives use, Optical storage devices: Another common storage is optical storage, which uses lasers and lights as its method of reading and writing data, Flash memory devices: Flash memory has started to replace magnetic media as it becomes cheaper as it is the more efficient and reliable solution,Paper storage Early computers had no method of using any of the above technologies for storing information and had to rely on paper.
Application Software
Application software is a collection of one or more programs used to solve a specific task.Generally software used in banking industry, airline/railway reservation, generation of telephone or electricity bills etc. all fall under application software.Few examples of application software are:
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Education software
- Entertainment software
- System software: refers to the files and programs that make up your computer's
- operating system. System files include libraries of functions, system services, drivers for printers and other hardware, system preferences, and other configuration files. The programs that are part of the system software include assemblers, compilers, file management tools, system utilites, and debuggers.
UTILITY PROGRAMS:
Utility software is used to perform basic maintenance tasks on a computer.Examples include disk utilities like defragmenters, compressors and cleaners. There are also operating system utilities such as antivirus programs, registry cleaners and system restoration programs.
Internet and network connection is managed by variety of small software utilities, including firewall programs, while program installation and removal is achieved by package managers and installation clients.
A Utility program is designed to do one or perhaps two tasks very well and nothing else.
For example, you may want to compress a file to let you save it on to a flash drive. For this task you would choose to use a file compression utility program.
COMPUTER IMPACT AND APPLICATION
Everyone knows that this is the age of computer and vast majority of people are using computer. Development of science and technology has direct effect on our daily life as well as in our social life. Computer technology has made communication possible from one part of the world to the other in seconds. be used as a management tool to assist in solving business problems.
- Banking: Branches are equipped with terminals giving them an online accounting facility and enabling them to information as such things as current balances, deposits, overdrafts and interest charges.
- Industrial Application: In industry, production may be planned, coordinated and controlled with the aid of a computer.
- Engineering Design: Computer help in calculating that all the parts of a proposed design are satisfactory and also assist in the designing.
- Meteorology: Data is recorded at different levels of atmosphere at different places, using remote sensors carried on a satellite.
- Air Travel: Small computers are installed as a part of the plane's equipment.
- Road Traffic Control: Computers assist with the control of traffic lights.
- Telephones: Computerized telephone exchanges handle an ever increasing volume of calls very efficiently.
- Medicine: Computers are widely used in hospitals for such task as maintaining drugs, surgical equipment and linen, for payroll and also for checkup and treatment of diseases.
- Impact of computer in academic
- Among the many impacts of computers on education are the ability of students to access the Internet to facilitate research, the globalization effect of the interaction between students in different countries, access to educational materials from museums and other institutions, and the option of distance education for those unable to attend physical schools. Computers also offer graphics, simulations, model building, games and other programs to reinforce classroom instruction.
An article on the U.S. Department of Education website emphasizes the importance of computer science instruction at schools. It points out that computers drive innovation and economic growth, and despite challenges faced by the national economy, computer-related job growth remains strong. A position statement by the National Science Teachers Association states that computers not only play a crucial role in the development of science, but also in its instruction. It further explains that computers offer teachers flexibility in the classroom and allow students to participate more actively in learning and research.
With computers in classrooms, teachers can present and demonstrate new material, provide illustrations and guide students to supplementary websites. Class websites can provide details of homework, grades, schedules and calendars. Students have the ability to create blogs and wikis as research projects. Online videos and other media can be integrated into classroom instruction. Since computers are already so much a part of students' lives, using them in classrooms offers relevancy as a motivation for learning.
COMPUTER GENERATION
- First generation 1946-1959 vacuum Tube based
- second generation 1959-1965 Transistor based
3.Third generation : Period of third generation
1965-1971. Intergrated circuit based.
4. Forth generation 1971-1980 microprocessor based
5. Fifth generation 1980 on wards.ULSI microprocessor based.
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