i) What is computer
system?
- A computer system
in contemporary usage refers to a desktop system, including the computer itself
(aka "The CPU" or "The Box") and all the peripheral devices
needed to operate it, usually including:
The computer,
usually mounted in a tower (vertical) case, including components: the CPU or
central processing unit; a mother board or mainboard, including a BIOS; A
graphics card; a sound card (often build onboard, ie. into the mainboard), a
variety of disk ports to serve hard drives, disk drives and optical drives, a
variety of peripheral ports, including USB ports, legacy serial and parallel
ports, legacy psx, and SCSI; and LAN ports, either ethernet or firewire. A hard
drive (sometimes more) is included for long-term data storage. The case also
contains a transformer power supply and a number of fans to keep the internal
components cool while operating.
A monitor,
typically either a CRT or an LCD flatscreen.
A set of speakers
to hear sound.
A keyboard,
typically a standard 104-key QWERTY keyboard.
A mouse, typically
a three button mouse with scroll wheel.
Other peripherals
can be added to the system to augment its functionality. Common ones include:
A wi-fi adapter to
connect to wireless networks.
A bluetooth adapter
to connect to wireless peripherals.
A modem for a
direct connection to an internet service provider.
A printer to
produce (paper) hardcopy
A scanner to input
data from hardcopy
all these pieces,
pulled together comprise a personal computer system.
Read more:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_computer_system#ixzz22ubFqhnx
ii) How does
computer works?
- CPU:
This is the CPU
stands for "Central Processing Unit" this is the brain to the
computer. This is why you can running diffrent programs at the same time. If
you press "CTRL+ALT+DEL" you can take a look at the CPU. The jobb to
the CPU is to run programs you want the computer to run. When you click on a
program the RAM are getting the data to the CPU.
- RAM:
This is the RAM
stands for "Random Access Memory" this function work is to give the data
to the CPU so the it can run a program. If you have alot of RAM you start up
the programs faster since they send more information faster to the CPU.
How do we
comunitcate with the computer?
Only way we can
comunicate with the computer is with a "Keybored" and
"mouse". Without the mouse and keybored we could't do any tasks on
the computer. When we do a task on the computer we can see it on the screen so
displayed on the computer. So the Screen is the output and input is the
"keybored" and "mouse"
- AMU:
This is the Hard
drive of the computer it stands for Auxiliary Memory Units. This is why you can
store data on your computer if this did't exist you could't store anything at
the computer. This can be called your root of the computer "C:"
- Secondary AMU's:
This will go under
the name CD room, Floopy disks, CD, This can be called secondary storage places
on the computer. This are normaly used to copy important information on so you
don't want to los. Why should i make a copy of important information? Well
sometimes things can happend to the computer like the Auxiliary Memory Unit
Crash. This will say that the hard disk wont boot up. or mabye you get Virus
infection so is destroying your computer.
iii) What is
computer network?
-Computer Networks
Networks are
collections of computers, software, and hardware that are all connected to help
their users work together. A network connects computers by means of cabling
systems, specialized software, and devices that manage data traffic. A network
enables users to share files and resources, such as printers, as well as send
messages electronically (e-mail) to each other.
Computer networks
fall into two main types: client/server networks and peer-to-peer networks. A
client/server network uses one or more dedicated machines (the server) to share
the files, printers, and applications. A peer-to-peer network allows any user
to share files with any other user and doesn’t require a central, dedicated
server.
The most common
networks are Local Area Networks or LANs for short. A LAN connects computers
within a single geographical location, such as one office building, office
suite, or home. By contrast,Wide Area Networks (WANs) span different cities or
even countries, using phone lines or satellite links.
Networks are often
categorized in other ways, too. You can refer to a network by what sort of
circuit boards the computers use to link to each other – Ethernet and
Token-Ring are the most popular choices. You can also refer to a network by how
it packages data for transmission across the cable, with terms such as TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) and IPX/SPX (Internet Package
eXchnage/Sequenced Package eXchange).
iv) Computer
history and generations
Computer History
- This is a
searchable directory about the history of computers, computing and a timeline
of the history of computers and early calculating machines has been included.
Our timeline includes developments in the 1600's and their impact on computing.
The development of the modern day computer was the result of advances in
technologies and man's need to quantify. (The abacus was one of the first
counting machines. Calculating machines were sold commercially before the
advent of steel manufacturing technologies. Papyrus was something to write on,
before we had paper. Writing was a way to record mathematical calculations.)
This history of computers site includes the names of early pioneers of math and
computing and links to related sites for further study. A new "Timeline of
the History of Computers and Related Technologies" has been added. This
site was designed to be used by students assigned topics about the history of
computers and computing. Original articles are footnoted and related links are
included. One important purpose of this Web page, is to debunk myths some
people create, such as "we have computers because of the military"
(Not true). We have computers because man wanted to quantify as early as the
ancient Chinese Dynasties, when they created the abacus and used it for
calculating, and adding and subtracting in particular... Babbage and Lovelace
were "programming" machines as early as the 1800's before any
military computer in this country. 1801 was the creation of the Jacquard loom
which used "punch cards". Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) have been around
since 1885 and the US gov't first used a computer in the 1950's. Great
Britain's COLOSSUS was developed before the ENGIGMA, so people trying to
perpetuate the importance of the US military in the development of computer
technologies is doing a disservice to students. Electronics and related
computer development, and the invention of the transistor were all independent
of military intent. If anything, even the totalisator machines were created for
statistical purposes and have been used for horse racing, not rocket science. I
love my Mac, and it has no military background that I am aware of. Military
computers did not have integrated circuits like PC computer chips either... Stop
saying computer development was military in origin... simply can't back it up
with fact. Yes, the military also had old computers, just like my Commodore was
old... but they weren't related... no tubes in my commodore, that was different
technology altogether than a military monster computer with vacuum tubes...
mechanical relays...
Computer
Generations
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The first computers
used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums formemory, and were often
enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate and in
addition to using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which
was often the cause of malfunctions.
First generation
computers relied on machine language, the lowest-level programming language
understood by computers, to perform operations, and they could only solve one
problem at a time. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output
was displayed on printouts.
The UNIVAC and
ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing devices. The UNIVAC
was the first commercial computer delivered to a business client, the U.S.
Census Bureau in 1951.
Transistors
replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers. The
transistor was invented in 1947 but did not see widespread use in computers
until the late 1950s. The transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube,
allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient
and more reliable than their first-generation predecessors. Though the
transistor still generated a great deal of heat that subjected the computer to
damage, it was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube. Second-generation
computers still relied on punched cards for input and printouts for output.
Second-generation
computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic, or assembly,
languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words.
High-level programming languages were also being developed at this time, such
as early versions of COBOL and FORTRAN. These were also the first computers
that stored their instructions in their memory, which moved from a magnetic
drum to magnetic core technology.
The first computers
of this generation were developed for the atomic energy industry.
The development of
the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of computers.
Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called
semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of
computers.
Instead of punched
cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through
keyboards and monitorsand interfaced with an operating system, which allowed
the device to run many different applications at one time with a central
program that monitored the memory. Computers for the first time became accessible
to a mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper than their
predecessors.
The microprocessor
brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits
were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first generation filled an
entire room could now fit in the palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip,
developed in 1971, located all the components of the computer—from the central
processing unit and memory to input/output controls—on a single chip.
In 1981 IBM
introduced its first computer for the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced
the Macintosh. Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers
and into many areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use
microprocessors.
As these small
computers became more powerful, they could be linked together to form networks,
which eventually led to the development of the Internet. Fourth generation
computers also saw the development of GUIs, the mouse and handhelddevices.
Fifth generation
computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development,
though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used
today. The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make
artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum computation and molecular and
nanotechnology will radically change the face of computers in years to come.
The goal of fifth-generation computing is to develop devices that respond to
natural language input and are capable of learning and self-organization.
v) Classification
of computer
- Analog Computer
An analog computer (spelt analogue in British
English) is a form of computer that uses continuous physical phenomena such as
electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being
solved
Digital Computer
A computer that performs calculations and
logical operations with quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary
number system
Hybrid Computer
(Analog + Digital)
A combination of computers those are capable
of inputting and outputting in both digital and analog signals. A hybrid
computer system setup offers a cost effective method of performing complex
simulations.
On the basis of Size
Super Computer
The fastest and
most powerful type of computer Supercomputers are very expensive and are
employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of
mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a
supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid
dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.
The chief
difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that a supercomputer
channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast as possible,
whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many programs concurrently.
Mainframe Computer
A very large and
expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of users
simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simple microprocessor (in
watches, for example) at the bottom and moves to supercomputers at the top,
mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some ways, mainframes are more
powerful than supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs.
But supercomputers can execute a single program faster than a mainframe.
Mini Computer
A midsized
computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie between workstations and
mainframes. 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 4 to about 200 users
simultaneously.
Micro Computer or Personal Computer
Desktop Computer: a
personal or micro-mini computer sufficient to fit on a desk.
Laptop Computer: a
portable computer complete with an integrated screen and keyboard. It is
generally smaller in size than a desktop computer and larger than a notebook
computer.
Palmtop
Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized computer. Palmtops have no
keyboard but the screen serves both as an input and output device.
Workstations
A terminal or
desktop computer in a network. In this context, workstation is just a generic
term for a user's machine (client machine) in contrast to a "server"
or "mainframe."
vi) Computer
Components
- Computers are
made of the following basic components:
Case with hardware
inside:
Power Supply - The
power supply comes with the case, but this component is mentioned separately
since there are various types of power supplies. The one you should get depends
on the requirements of your system. This will be discussed in more detail later
Motherboard - This
is where the core components of your computer reside which are listed below.
Also the support cards for video, sound, networking and more are mounted into
this board.
Microprocessor -
This is the brain of your computer. It performs commands and instructions and
controls the operation of the computer.
Memory - The RAM in
your system is mounted on the motherboard. This is memory that must be powered
on to retain its contents.
Drive controllers -
The drive controllers control the interface of your system to your hard drives.
The controllers let your hard drives work by controlling their operation. On
most systems, they are included on the motherboard, however you may add
additional controllers for faster or other types of drives.
Hard disk drive(s)
- This is where your files are permanently stored on your computer. Also,
normally, your operating system is installed here.
CD-ROM drive(s) -
This is normally a read only drive where files are permanently stored. There
are now read/write CD-ROM drives that use special software to allow users to
read from and write to these drives.
Floppy drive(s) - A
floppy is a small disk storage device that today typically has about 1.4
Megabytes of memory capacity.
Other possible file
storage devices include DVD devices, Tape backup devices, and some others.
Monitor - This
device which operates like a TV set lets the user see how the computer is
responding to their commands.
Keyboard - This is
where the user enters text commands into the computer.
Mouse - A point and
click interface for entering commands which works well in graphical
environments.