Introduction to Computer

Introduction of Computer

A computer is an electronic device which takes input from the user, process it, stores it and gives output in desired form. The computer as a system is a combination of hardware and software components that jointly offer the necessary services to the user. Computer word is derived from the Latin word “Computare” which means to “calculate”.

In another word, Computer is an electronic device that accepts data through input device then store and process them, and resulted data are displayed from output device. A computer is a programmable machine capable of:

•          Taking input raw-data
•      Storing the input data
•      Processing it at the central processing unit (CPU) and
•     Giving out the result as output on Output devices.

Actually, A computer is a collection of hardware and software components that helps us to complete many different tasks at enormous speed.

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 keep huge 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 medium 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 Unit (CPU)	The heart of the computer, this is the component that actually executes instructions

Some frequently used terms in computer study

Data	Data is the collection of known facts and figures about a person, place, things etc. which can be recorded in the form of text, number, sound or image. It is not meaningful as it is the raw fact. Example: Name: Roshan, Ram, Prabin, Gender: Male, Age: 30, 29, 27 , Class: MSc Computer Science etc.
Information	Information is the processed data which we get in the required form. It gives us meaningful result which is useful to us. Example:  Roshan is the Student of MSc Computer Science.
Process	The Conversion of input (data) into output (information) which is done by the processing unit of the computer System.
Instruction	It is a command given to the computer to do a specific task.
Program	It is a set of instructions to perform a specific task in a computer, also called component of software.