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Define Computer A computer is an electronic device that is designed to work with Information. The term computer is derived from the Latin term computare, this means to calculate. Computer can not do anything without a Program; it represents the decimal numbers through a string of binary digits. The Word 'Computer' usually refers to the Center Processor Unit plus Internal memory. Define Analog Computer An analog computer is a device that performs computations using continuous physical variables which are analogs of the actual items being computed. Analog computers might, for example, use the continuous rotation of gears or the angular movements of mechanical or electromechanical parts to perform computation. Define Digital Computer A computer that stores data in terms of digit (numbers) and proceeds in discrete steps from one state to the next. The state of digital computer typically involves binary digits. Define Hybrid Computer Hybrid computers are computers that are designed to provide functions and features that are found with both analog computers and digital computers. The idea behind this combined or hybrid computer model is to create a working unit that offers the best of both types of computers. With most designs, the analog components of the equipment provide efficient processing of differential equations, while the digital aspects of the computer address the logical operations associated with the system. Different Kinds/Types of Computer Computer Name Picture Definition/Function Supercomputer A supercomputer is a high-powered computer system that has processing capabilities far greater than a typical workstation. It may be designed for a specific application, such as simulation modeling or scientific research, or may simply be created to showcase the latest computing technology. A supercomputer may be a built as a single machine or may consist of a cluster of computers that process data in tandem. Mainframe Computer Mainframes (often colloquially referred to as "big iron") are powerful computers used mainly by large organizations for critical applications, typically bulk data processing such as census, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and financial transaction processing. Minicomputer A small computer that is intermediate between a microcomputer and a mainframe in size, speed, and capacity, that can support time-sharing, and that is often dedicated to a single application. Microcomputer Microcomputer, an electronic device with a microprocessor as its central processing unit (CPU).Microcomputer was formerly a commonly used term for personal computers, particularly any of a class of small digital computers whose CPU is contained on a single integrated semiconductor chip. Thus, a microcomputer uses a single microprocessor for its CPU, which performs all logic and arithmetic operations. The system also contains a number of associated semiconductor chips that serve as the main memory for storing program instructions and data and as interfaces for exchanging data of this sort with peripheral equipmentnamely, input/output devices (e.g., keyboard, video display, and printer) and auxiliary storage units.

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Define Hardware

Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that constitutes a computer system. Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a computer such as the monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive disk (HDD), system unit (graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips), etc. all of which are physical objects that can be touched. 7. Define Central Processing Unit (CPU) CPU is an acronym for a central processing unit, which is considered to be the brains of a computer. The CPU is the most important part of a computer of any size. It controls everything from the operating system and software to games and hardware. The CPU is housed in the computer's motherboard and is responsible for instructing the computer what to do and when, such as connect to the Internet and write documents. It performs all analytical, computational and logical functions that occur within computers. The CPU interprets instructions from each program and piece of hardware and processes the data. 8. Define Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) An arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is a major component of the central processing unit of a computer system. It does all processes related to arithmetic and logic operations that need to be done on instruction words. In some microprocessor architectures, the ALU is divided into the arithmetic unit (AU) and the logic unit (LU). 9. Define Control unit (Note: CPU component) A control unit is circuitry that directs operations within the computer's processor by directing the input and output of a computer system. The processor then controls how the rest of the computer operates (giving directions to the other parts and systems). A control unit works by gathering input through a series of commands it receives from instructions in running programs and then outputs those commands into control signals that the computer and other hardware attached to the computer carry out. The control unit is basically circuitry inside the CPU, controlling the operations inside the CPU and "directing traffic" in a sense. The functions a control unit performs can depend on the type of CPU, since the varying degrees of architecture between all the different CPUs determine the functions of the control unit. 10. Enumerate at least 3 memory and storage device and define each Memory Types Ram: Ram (Random Access Memory) is the most commonly known type of computer memory. Ram received it's name from its ability to directly access any memory cell. The operating system, software applications and other data currently in use, are kept here so they can be quickly accessed by the processor. The processor is able to read and write from Ram faster than any other storage media on the computer such as a cd-rom, floppy disk, or even the hard drive itself. Ram is temporary storage as data only remains there when the machine is running. When you shut down the computer, Ram loses all of it's data. When you start it back up, the operating systems and your others files are loaded from the hard disk and into Ram. Dram: Dram (Dynamic Random Access Memory) is the most widely used form of computer memory. It stores data for minimal amounts of time and needs to be refreshed regularly. Dram is measured by ns (nanoseconds) and storage capacities in mb (megabytes). Vram: Vram (Video Random Access Memory) is another form of computer memory. As a version of fast-page memory, it is often found in vacs (video accelerator cards). Types of Storage Device Floppy Disk: Its a circular disk coated with magnetic oxide and enclosed within square plastic cover (Jacket). Its available in different size, but the most commonly used floppy is 3. Data up to 1.44 MB can be stored in it. Data is written as tiny magnetic spots on the dish surface creating new data or a disk surface eraser data previously stored at that location. Floppies are available in 2 sizes, 3.5 inch & 5.25 inch. The 3.5 inch size floppy is mostly used. The 5.25 inch floppy is kept in a flexible cover & it s not safe. It can store about 1.2 MB data. Hard Disk: Hard disks are made of aluminum or other metal alloys which are coated on both sides with magnetic material. Unlike floppy disks, hark disks are not removable from the computer. To remain the storing capacity several disks are packed together & mounted on a common drive to form a disk pack. A disk is also called a platter. Magnetic Tape: Magnetic Tape can be used to perform both functions -input and output. Magnetic Tape is a secondary storage media. Magnetic tapes are used for large computers like mainframe computers where large volume of data is stored for a longer time. In PC also you can use tapes in the form of cassettes. The cost of storing data in tapes is inexpensive. Tapes consist of magnetic materials that store data permanently. It can be 12.5 mm to 25 mm wide plastic film-type and 500 meter to 1200 meter long which is coated with magnetic material. The deck is connected to the central processor and information is fed into or read from the tape through the processor. It similar to cassette tape recorder. 11. Define Read-only memory Read-only memory (ROM) is a type of storage medium that permanently stores data on personal computers (PCs) and other electronic devices. Because ROM is read-only, it cannot be changed; it is permanent and non-volatile, meaning it will also hold its memory even when power is removed.

12. Define Random access memory Random Access Memory (RAM) is a computer storage location that allows information to be stored and accessed quickly from random locations within DRAM on a memory module. Because information is accessed randomly instead of sequentially like a CD or hard drive the computer is able to access the data much faster than it would if it was only reading the hard drive. However, unlike ROM and the hard drive RAM is a volatile memory and requires power in order to keep the data accessible, if power is lost all data contained in memory lost. 13. Enumerate at least 7 input device and define each Keyboard: The keyboard helps in inputting the data to the computer. The layout of the keyboard is like that of traditional typewriter, although there are some additional keys provided for performing some additional functions. Mouse: Mouse is most popular Pointing device. It is a very famous cursor-control device. It is a small palm size box with a round ball at its base which senses the movement of mouse and sends corresponding signals to CPU on pressing the buttons. Generally, it has two buttons called left and right button and scroll bar is present at the mid. Mouse can be used to control the position of cursor on screen, but it cannot be used to enter text into the computer. Joystick: Joystick is also a pointing device, which is used to move cursor position on a monitor screen. It is a stick having a spherical ball at its both lower and upper ends. The lower spherical ball moves in a socket. The joystick can be moved in all four directions. The function of joystick is similar to that of a mouse. It is mainly used in Computer Aided Designing (CAD) and playing computer games. Microphone: Microphone is an input device to input sound that is then stored in digital form. The microphone is used for various applications like adding sound to a multimedia presentation or for mixing music. Scanner: Scanner is an input device, which works more like a photocopy machine. It is used when some information is available on a paper and it is to be transferred to the hard disc of the computer for further manipulation. Scanner captures images from the source which are then converted into the digital form that can be stored on the disc. These images can be edited before they are printed. Touch Screen: A touch screen is a computer screen or other screen that you can touch with your finger to enter information. Examples of touch screens include a smart board, a microwave, a dishwasher, or an ATM at a bank. Digital Camera: A digital camera can be used to take pictures. It can be hooked up to a computer to transfer the pictures from the camera to the computer. Some digital cameras hold a floppy disk, and the floppy disk can be taken out of the camera and put directly into the computer. 14. Enumerate at least 3 display or output device and define each Monitor: A monitor is also called as video display terminal (VDT). The visual display of the processed data, which the users can view it through the monitor. Computer monitors come in a variety of screen sizes and not to forget visual resolutions. There are two types of computer monitors available, namely CRT and flat panel. All monitors rely in a video card, which is located on the motherboard to display the information. It is the video card, which processes the data into images, which is eventually displayed on the monitor. Printer: The next of the computer output devices is the printer, which is an external hardware device, which takes processed data from the computer to generate a hard copy of the data. After the monitors, printers are the most used peripherals on computers and they are commonly used to print text data, images, etc. There are three main types of computer printers, namely ink jet, laser printers and dot matrix. Each of these printer type uses a different technology to print the data Plotter: Plotters, like printers, create a hard copy rendition of a digitally rendered design. The design is sent to a plotter through a graphics card and the image is created using a pen. In simple words, plotters basically draw an image using a series of straight lines. This computer output device is used with engineering applications. 15. Define Motherboard Motherboard is the main circuit board of a microcomputer. The motherboard contains the connectors for attaching additional boards. Typically, the motherboard contains the CPU, BIOS, memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports, expansion slots, and all the controllers required to control standard peripheral devices, such as the display screen, keyboard, and disk drive. Collectively, all these chips that reside on the motherboard are known as the motherboard's chipset.