Introduction to computer

a. Define computer and draw the figure of computer.

→ A computer is an electronic machine, that accepts the data and instructions from the user, processes the data according to the  given set of instructions, stores and gives the information.

b. Define the terms: data and information with example.

→ Data: It is defined as raw facts or symbols which are collected from various sources. Examples of data are: 7, Santosh, 14, chitwan, student etc.

→Information: It is defined as the desired output or meaningful result obtained after processing the data. Example of information after processing above data is: Santosh is a 14 years student of chitwan reading in class 7.

c. Explain the working system of a computer with an example.

→ The  conversion of raw data into useful information is key task of computer. Thus the working system  of computer is based on the following four steps.

Input :  This is the first step of computer working in which computer takes raw data from the user through input devices such as Keyboard, mouse etc and provides computer understandable form for processing.

Processing: This is the second step of computer working in which computer processor processes the input data based on predefined set of instructions. After processing data it sends them to the output device under the supervision of control unit.

Output: This is the next step of computer in which the computer display the output as meaningful information through output devices such as monitor, printer, etc.

Storage: This is another step of computer working in which the computer stores the processed information permanently on storage devices such as hard disk, CD, DVD etc.

d. List the different characteristics of a computer.

→ The different characteristics of computer are:-

a. Speed              b. Accuracy         c. Versatility       d. Storage           e. High storage capacity , etc.

e. Write short notes on:

i. High Speed: Computers are capable of performing complex type of calculations at a very high speed. It can execute millions of instructions per seconds. The time taken to perform the task by the computer is measured in fraction of seconds.

ii. Accuracy: The result obtained from the computer is extremely accurate and error free. Generally computers are 100% accurate machine provided it correct input. Some time it may produce undesirable result which is due to incorrect input. This term in computer is considered as Garbage In Garbage Out (GIGO).

iii. High storage capacity: The computer can store huge amount of data, instructions and software in a small piece of hardware device. It also allows retrieving the stored information easily. The storage capacity of computer is measured in terms of bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes etc.

iv. Automation :  A computer does not interfere with the user during the processing of data. It can automatically perform operations. It automatically executes the program instructions one by one and automatically controls different devices attached with it. To make the computer work automatically, a set of per-defined instructions are fed into the computer.

f. List any five application fields of a computer.

→ The five application fields of a computer are:

a. At home          b. In education                  c. In entertainment         d. Bank                 e. Business

g. Write short notes how computers are used in the following fields.

i. At home: computer are used at home for writing letters, drawing pictures, listening music, watching films , playing games, sending and getting information on form email, keeping record of monthly expenditure, and so on. As well as it  is also used at home as an educational tool for children.

ii. In education: Now-a-days almost all the schools and colleges use computer in classroom and labs to teach students by using different software. The computer based training or presentation method is also used to teach students. The web based technology known as internet technology provides several education materials, online lectures and tutorials for students.

iii. In medicine and health: Computer in medical sector are used in laboratory, pharmacy, scanning ,monitoring, telemedicine , etc. Now-a-days, computers in hospital are used in different medical units such as ICU, ECG, operation theater, X-ray, recovery room, pathology, etc.

iv. In entertainment: Computers have become a mean of human entertainment in present days. We can play games, watch movies and listen music using the computer. Now-a-days, the movies and songs are mostly available on CDs, DVDs or on the websites at very low cost.

v. Desktop publishing:  The computer is  playing very important role in the field of desktop publishing. It is not possible to publish the newspapers, magazines, books, etc. without using computer. The designers use word processors and graphics software to design pages of the books or magazines in the computer.

h. Why is computer called an information processing machine?

→ Converting raw data into meaningful information is the main task of computer. So, computer is called an information processing machine.