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An Introduction to Computers
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Introduction to Computer
By Zulfiqar Mirani
Senior Electronics Engineer
Civil Aviation Authority, Pakistan
Computer:
is a machine that can solve problems by accepting data, performing certain operations
and presenting results of those operations.
Types of Computer:
Analogue
Digital
Analogue Computer:
Recognize data as a continuous measurement of a physical property.
Digital Computer:
Recognize data by counting discrete signals representing either a high (ON)
or low (OFF) voltage state of electricity.
Software
1. System Software
2. Application Software
Classification:
Large computer are grouped as
Super Computers
Mainframe Computers
Mini Computers
Whereas Microcomputers are the smallest computers.
Flow of data:
Input
Processing
Output
Input involves
Collecting
verification and
encoding data into a machine readable form
Processing involves
Classifying
sorting
calculating
summarizing and
storing the results
Output involves
Retrieving the data
converting data into human readable form and
displaying the information to the user
Computer Architecture
Basic Elements of a Computer
Input
Arithmetic & Logic Unit
Control Unit
Memory
Output
Microcomputer Elements
Input/output
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Memory
Microprocessor:
Arithmetic & Logic Unit and
Control Unit
on a single chip (Integrated Circuit) is called a Microprocessor. It may also contain
primary storage.
Memory:
Primary
Secondary
Primary Storage:
provides temporary storage of data during program execution.
Example: Semiconductor Memories
RAM
ROM
RAM:
Random Access Memory allows the user to
enter data into memory (write)
retrieve the stored data (read)
RAM is also called Read & Write Memory
When power is shut off everything that was stored in RAM is lost
ROM:
Is a Read Only Memory, data cannot be written into it. Contents of ROM are permanent
and do not lost when power is shut off.
Secondary Memory:
Is a non-volatile memory used for
storage of large amounts of data for permanent or long term storage
storing backup or copies of data
Input:
Is the process of entering and translating data into a machine readable form.
Input devices:
Keyboard
Mouse
Joystick
Track ball
Light pen
Digitizer
Touch screen
Magnetic strips
Output:
Is the process of
translating data into a form understandable to a humans or
storing data or information in secondary storage device readable by other
machines
Output devices:
Printer
Plotter
Monitor
Voice synthesizer
Printer:
Impact Printers
Dot Matrix
Daisy wheel
Plotter:
Produces images on paper.
Monitor:
A device that displays information on a Television like screen.
Software
Software:
The programs used to make a computer perform a useful function.
Classification:
System Software
Application Software
System Software:
A set of programs that make the computer machine run itself effectively. It is usually
provided by the manufacturer with machine.
Application Software:
The software that performs specific jobs. These are generally the programs used by the
End-Users.
Glossary
Bit:
Is smallest unit of data that a computer recognizes.
Byte:
Is a group of Eight bits.
Word:
A string of bits which can occupy a single addressable location. The word is identified by
different processors as different items such as Instructions, Quantities and Alphanumaric
characters.
Word Length:
The number of bits making up a word.
Data Processing:
converting the Data (raw facts) into Information (an organized, usable form) is called data
processing
Volatile Memory:
Is called when Data is lost with power shut off
Example: RAM
Cache is where the processor stores frequently accessed instructions or data for faster
performance. Intel's® Pentium® 4 processors contain a new advanced Level 1 (L1)
instruction cache technology, Execution Trace Cache, that delivers a much higher
performance instruction cache. The Execution Trace Cache makes more efficient use of
cache memory.
The motherboard is the main circuit board inside the computer. The motherboard contains
the central processing unit, the bus, memory sockets, expansion slots, and other electronic
components.
Chipset: A number of integrated circuits designed to perform one or more related functions,
the chipset is often used to refer to the core functionality of a motherboard.
The internal bus connects all the computer components to the chipset and main memory. It
is a collection of wires through which data is transmitted from one part of a computer to
another.
The 400 MHz system bus of the Pentium® 4 processor is an advanced system that delivers
three times the bandwidth of the Intel® Pentium® III processor system bus. This provides a
3.2 gigabyte transfer speed between the Pentium® 4 processor and the memory controller
and is the highest bandwidth desktop system bus available, delivering more responsive
system performance.
Intel’s answers to some common questions
How do I know what kind of PC to purchase?
If you don't like waiting, expect high-performance, want your PC to last for as long as
possible, run intensive applications on your computer, and/or need a PC that can extend and
enhance the power of the other digital devices in your home, the Pentium® 4 processor may
be right for you. But if you're just looking for a PC to help you get online and run simple
programs, then a Pentium® III processor or an Intel® Celeron™ processor may be a better
choice.
Why does Intel keep making faster processors and why should I buy a high-
performance processor?
Typically new or improved software applications require more processing power than their
predecessors. Additional functionality means more instructions that must be processed. If
you buy a computer that is adequate to run applications today, it may not be adequate to run
the applications of tomorrow. This means that in order to use new or improved software
applications or operating systems, you will have to buy a new PC. Intel continues to make
faster processors so you can get the most out of your computer today and have the
headroom to accommodate the applications and Internet content of tomorrow.
Will the Pentium® III processor be discontinued now that the Pentium® 4 processor is
introduced?
No. Intel® will continue to ship Pentium® III processors.