Computers Learning

Hardware and Software

2010-06-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

The article will help us to understand the technicalities of Computer function. Beginners must know this, it is more useful to design the career in any of this parts. Two technical parts make a computer ready to use.

Hardware

Software

Hardware: Hardware is a physical component of computer, like in earlier blogs we have already discussed about the Input device, CPU, Out Device.

Parts of Computer:

Keyboard - Keyboard generally (with 105 Keys) is used QWERTY mechanism, this mechanism is nothing but keys are set on board as like manual typewriter key board. Keys on the keyboard are - Numerical keys (0-9), Alphabetical Keys (A-Z), special characters (@#$%^&*), function keys (F1 - F12) and other supporting key like caps lock, tab, shift key, space bar, delete key and so on.
Mouse - An input device, also an direct input, A mouse mainly is two finger operative device fits under our palm, a typical mouse has two buttons (left button and right button) and a scroll wheel, the display of mouse can be seen on screen as 2D cursor frequently blinking. now-a-days optical mouse are preferred as durable than track ball mouse.
CPU - (Central Processing Unit) every computer has CPU, which consists of mother board (an universal card on which core components like processor, ICs and wiring are seen, mainly System board/Motherboard which holds the CPU, BIOS (Basic Input Output System), Random Access Memory and other parts, and has slots for expansion cards

BIOS - Basic Input Output System holds the basic information about the configuration of computer, it contains coded information used to boot (initial start) computer, this coded information is nothing but the information about your hardware and software parts.

Motherboard: Motherboard is basic circuit plate where lot of wiring and electronic components are connected, like Power Supply, Input Device, Output Device, storage device, microprocessor are connected to mother board, it consists of slots where different cards like graphic reader, RAM, internet, LAN are fixed. Buses: Like PCI bus: (Peripheral Componenet Interconnect), ISA bus (Industry Standard Architecture), USB (Universal Serial Bus), AGP (Advanced Graphic Port) are Slots on which different cards are fitted. Connectors to outer peripherals like Keyboard, Mouse, Game pad, Printer, Monitor, Modem, Plotter, Image scanner, Webcam, Speakers, Monitor, USB Ports, LAN Ports

What is microprocessor: Usually we all hear about the microprocessor like celeron, intel, AMT Athlon and so on, the words relates to microprocessor, its a brain of computers, it is associated with each and ever computer. Function of microprocessor it to regulate and monitor the functionality of hardware and software, each and every function of computer is regulated, the speed of microprocessor itself shows the configuration of computer. we all hear about P1, P2, P3, Dual Core, Core 2Duo with MHz(mega hertz) or Ghz (giga hertz) this technical words relates to the speed of working of computer and so on. "Intel inside" is the major partner to produce microprocessor, preferably every 9 of 10 computers holds microprocessor of Intel. While buying the computer, the basic configuration is to know about microprocessor technicality.

Monitor are of two types like CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and (LCD) Liquid Crystal Display which is Flat screen monitors.

Printer are also of two types mainly, DMP (Dot Matrix Printer) and Laser/copier. DMP - mainly consists of 9-pin head used to print the data, which is noisy and more time consuming as compared to laser printer. Laser Printer - Rich quality printing like image, photo printing is done on this type of printers, it mainly consists of cartridge (Black/Colour) based technology, the mechanism is that ink is spread on paper through these cartridges.

These are basic hardware components associated with each basic computer. Apart from these there are additional components like Modem, Webcam, Hard Disk, Multimedia, LAN and so on.

Functionality of Computer

2010-06-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers,

Functionality of Computer

By the way we have understood about the term computer and basic structure, parts of computer. Overall by this we get the rough idea about the computer. Today we shall learn about the functioning of computer.

Before starting to functioning of computer, lets understand some basic terms generally used:

Input: Putting or providing the information.
Information/instruction: It is a piece of sentences or commands provided to computer to process.
Process: calculating, drafting the information in prescribed form, formulating the information is known as processing the information
Data: Data is processed information.
Output: Output is final result received after processing.

I have already said that Lets consider an example of manufacturing unit structure, the same information is provided to computer for processing. As we know the basic structure shown in sketch contains five basic units. Now lets see the functionality of each unit-

Input Device: The is the basic part of computer, through which we provide the information. The common examples of Input Device are KeyBoard, Mouse. Information is group of sentences or commands provided to computer to process. Information is provided in higher level language (English) to Computer via Input Device.
CPU (Central Processing Unit): CPU is the main electronic part of computer, it mainly consists of hardware mechanism like mother board, microprocessor, memory and so on. CPU is bifurcated into 3 parts,
Control Unit is important part, which keeps control over all the parts of computer. This unit receives the information from user, analyse it and stores in Memory Unit, further the same information is sent to ALU (Arithmetic and logic Unit) for processing as per instructions received, again ALU returns back the processed data to control unit and as per instruction Control unit forwards the data to output device or storage unit.
Storage Unit or Memory Unit: Storage Units primarily consists two part as like human brain parts - short term memory and long term memory, Primary Storage unit and other is Secondary Storage unit. Primary storage unit is used as short term memory, which is used only at the time of processing or works till the computer is in power on mode. The data stored in this memory is for shorter period till computer is in power on mode and once computer is switched off, no more data can be retrieved. example is RAM - Random Access Memory. Secondary Storage Unit: The data stored in secondary storage unit is saved for longer period and can be retrieved again and again for longer period. The stored data can be edited or changed whenever required. example is Hard Disc, CD/DVD, Pen-drive, Floppy Diskette.
Output Device: The processed data is received in printed form or visible on the monitor, and can be saved on Hard Disc, CD/DVD, Pen-drive, Floppy Diskette. examples are Monitor, Printer, plotter and so on.

Above is the basic functionality of any base computer.
Learn with interest and make use of it...

We shall discuss on-

How information is provided and how it is processed?

What is Hardware and Software? in our next post, please hung up for the information.

About Computers...

2010-06-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

Learn more About Computer -

What is Computer?

How does it works?

Why it is more useful in our life?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Should I learn computer or is it necessary to learn the usage of computers, what charges will I have to pay? What are the terms Hardware and Software commonly used? Many of us find cribbing with such type of common question and the answer is learn computers and shoot out the trouble.

Now Learning Computer means - to learn operation of computer. First chapter is History (which is already covered in previous post), further we shall study about computer, how does it works.

Computer is an electronic device which is used to process the information and transform in data. the term information is used prior to processing and lastly the word data is used, it means before processing the information (raw material) after processing it turns into data (transcribed form). Initially mechanism of computer machine is divided in to 5 major parts and those are-

Input Device

Central Processing Unit (Storage Unit, Control Unit and Arithmetic and Logic Unit)

Output Device

The basic structure of computer is-

Above structure gives us the idea of mechanism behind building a computer, in previous blog, I have taken an example of manufacturing unit. Raw material that comes in to process, then it is processed using various supporting agents, then it turns into finished goods. The same concept is used to design the computer.

Input Device - Input device is a part from where information is provided to compute. Best example are Keyboard, Mouse

CPU (Central Processing Unit)- CPU has three basic unit -

Control Unit - Controls all the activities performed by every part of computers.

Storage Unit (Memory) - Store and retrieve the information received or stored. This units contains temporary memory/ long term memory

ALU (Arithmetic and Logic Unit) - Process the information as pr the instruction received and supplies back to Control Unit.

Output Device - Here we the processed data as instructions are supplied through input device. Good examples are Monitor, Printer.

Now this make a clear picture, that what is computer and how does it works.

History of Computer

2010-06-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

Computer is a mechanical device used for computing the jobs, mathematical problems, it is being used in many sectors from small scale to large scale.

History of Computers

The Concept of Computer lies in Abacus (a computing slate) 150 B.C. The word computer was enforced late 1600 AD. In 1837, the then renowned scientist Charles Babbage (known as father of computers) was the first man to design the computer with the concept of manufacturing unit (Inputing raw material, processing the raw material as per our requirement and turn the raw material into finished goods) by using programmable concept of computing. Basically the need of invention of computers started in late 1890, to process the data of census in United States of America. and the generation of computers started. Meanwhile many other scientist made efforts to design a user-friendly computing device. The actual era started after 1945. Categorically Computer History is divided into generations, each generations made computers relatively more familiar than previous generation. Lets take the journey by understanding each generation one-by-one.

First Generation: (1945-60) Vacuum Tubes

The first computer was developed in mid on 20th century 1940-45, these computers consumed large amount energy, area, hundreds of people to operate the machine, it was built with the help of Vacuum Tube which use to produce large amount of heat and was not user friendly to operate. Vacuum Tube used to damage frequently. In this generation the concept was sucessful but the device was not useful.

Second Generation: (1960-70) Transistor

Vacuum tubes were replaced by Transistor, which produced less heat compartively to vacuum tube and also proved to more user friendly, but the data was entered using machine level language (0,1) ASCII/ANSI which was far away to understand by common man and was limited of usage.

Third generation: (1970-80) IC

Transistors were replaced by IC (Integrated circuit) made by using silicon relatively cheaper and easy to use, this era was useful and the concept of small computers came into existence. single IC used to performed many task (IC - Integrated Circuit [also known as micro circuit, integrated chip, silicon ship] made of silicon, an semiconductor device based circuit board, can perform large amount of work). The concept of Mainframe computer came into existence.

Fourth Generation: (1980- ) (VLSI - Very Large Scale Integrated Circuit)

The great achievment of making computer user friendly. In comparision to all earlier generation, this generation is more user-friendly, the concept of Microprocessor became more popular. The usage of computers increased because of computers turned into small in size, cheaper than previous computers, more user-friendly, able to perform multi task. (Mirco processor- Its a mutilpurpose device, microprocessor are the main part of computers, situated in CPU, Intel world famous company is major producers of micro processor)

Internet

Internet and web networking:

The concept of web networking started in 1970 in United States of America, it was restricted to only those people who were able to understand the Machine language, but after 1990 the concept of World Wide Web (www) and email came into existence. Internet has made world closer. Telecommunication became more faster and easier to use. Internet has proven that Computer is an integrated part of every individual. Information is circulated from one location to other electronically and easily.

Overview - Computers

2010-06-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

Hello Beginners...

Desk Top
Personal Computer

This is an great opportunity for me to share basic computer knowledge at free to all the beginners. We will learn computers in and out topic-wise in understandable language. Generally, maximum citizens are aware of computers, but most of developing countries very few people knows about computers, in India, Government of India has taken great efforts to make citizens computer literate at basic level. Computer is man-made machine, but proved to be faster than man. Learning computer has become an essential part of every individual. As we all see around us how computer technology has made our life easier. In our regular life we computer is used in almost all the sector from small business to large scale industries, space, medical and engineering fields, statistical reporting, generating reports. Computers can maintain large amount of data for long period of time and again can be retrieved when ever required. Due to computer world has come closer, one can simply sent the information to other part of world in just fraction of minute. Computer has proved a great revolution for next generation.

What is Computers?
How it works?
What mechanism is used?
Who can work on computers?
What is Internet?
Why it is so popular?
What is hardware and software?

Laptop Computer

Today in India, many of the Govt. organisations are feeding the school to provide training to their students, but due to lack of time availability, many of us are unable to grab the facility. Computer knowledge is basic requirement, students from school age need to learn about computers.

Beginners, Lets start learning about computer step-by-step.

History of Computer.
Basic Structure of Computer.
Types of Computer,
Central Processing Unit,
Languages (MLL and HLL)
Hardware and software
Operating System
Application software
Programming and Software developing.
Internet and email.

Find the answers of every questions and every topic step-by-step on each post. Follow us for latest topics.