What Is A Computer?: - Modern Computers Are Electronic and Digital Devices That

What is a Computer?
• Modern computers are

electronic and digital
devices that:
– Respond to a specific set
of instructions or a
program.
– Execute the prerecorded
list of instructions.
 An electronic device that helps people
perform different tasks.
 An electronic device that follows a set of
instructions so that it can manipulate or work on

data and provide useful information.
 A machine that performs tasks, such as
mathematical calculations or electronic
communication under the control of a set of
instructions called program.
A computer is an electronic device,
operating under the control of instructions
(software) stored in its own memory unit,
that can accept data (input), manipulate
data (process), and produce information
(output) from the processing. Generally,
the term is used to describe a collection of
devices that function together as a system.
Computers can perform four general
operations, which comprise the
information processing cycle.
 Input
 Process
 Output
 Storage
• Just about all computers, regardless of size, take raw data and change it
into information you can use. The process involves input, process, output,
and storage (IPOS). For example:
• You input data with some type of input device.
• The computer processes it to turn it into information
• You output the information to some type of output device.
• You store it for later retrieval.
• Input, output, and processing devices grouped together represents a
computer system.
• Input devices: keyboard, hard disk drive, floppy disk drive, scanner,
modem, mouse, joystick, trackball, graphics tablet, touch display screen,
voice recognition devices, video input, and digital camera.
• Output devices: monitor, printer, hard disk drive, floppy disk drive.
• Storage devices: hard drive, CDs, magnetic tape cartridge, WORM disks,
Zip and Jaz diskettes, floppy diskettes, super floppies, photo CDs, and
DVDs.
Data Information
 Data that has been
A collection of raw Data that has been
organized,
organized, isis
facts, figures, &
meaningful
meaningful and
and
symbols in a form useful
useful
of: Can be sent to
Can be sent to
– Numbers output
output
– Words Printer
Printer
Web page
– Images Web page
speaker
speaker
– Video Can be stored
Can be stored
– Sounds On disk
On disk
Why Is A Computer So Powerful?
• The ability to perform the information
processing cycle with amazing speed.
• Reliability (low failure rate).
• Accuracy.
• Ability to store huge amounts of data and
information.
• Ability to communicate with other computers.
1.The computer is a machine.
2.It is electronic.
3.It is automatic or self – directing.
4.It is digital
5.It can manipulate data.
6.It has memory
7.It has logic formulation
• The computer has the ability to perform arithmetic
operation like: addition, subtraction, multiplication,
and division etc.
• The computer can also perform logical operations.
• The computer has the ability to store and retrieve
information because a computer has storage area
called memory.
• The computer has the ability to process
information at a very high speed.
• The computer can direct itself in a predetermined
manner without human intervention.
• A computers high-speed processing is accompanied
by high-accuracy results. No other system can
produce as much accuracy as the computer system.
• Self-checking, the computer verifies the accuracy of
its own work by means of a parity check.
• A computer can tirelessly perform the same
operations millions of times in exactly the same
way without getting bored the way a human clerk
would.
• A computer has a program which contains a set of
instructions used by the computer to perform a
specific task.
• Computers do not think for you, it
cannot generate information on its own.
• Dependent to humans.
• The computer cannot correct inaccurate
data.
• The computer is subject to breakdown.
Computers come in various types and these may
be classified in various ways. Generally,
computers are classified according to:
– Purpose - whether the computer is general purpose
or special purpose.
– Type of data handled - whether the computer is
using analog, digital data or a combination of both.
– Capacity - whether the volume of work that the
computer can handle is large or small.
What Makes a Computer So Powerful?
• Computers are not intelligent. They will do only
what we ask them to do.
• Speed – A computer can perform billions of
calculations per second.
• Reliability – The electronic components are
dependable.
• Accuracy – If data is entered correctly,
computers generate error-free results.
• Storage – Computers can store and retrieve
unlimited amounts of data and information.
• Communications – Computers can communicate
and share resources with other computers.
What is a COMPUTER?
• A collection of devices and
programs that function
together as a system.
– Electronic devices
• Contains
– Memory
– Instructions
• Data is input
• Processes data – according to
rules
• Outputs information
• Stores results
• Thank you for your participation in
this workshop. We hope you found
it helpful. Do not forget to complete
an Academic Enrichment Summary.
If you are viewing this workshop via
the internet please come by the
Student Support Services office to
complete an Academic Enrichment
Summary or you may click on the
link in the instruction box on the
Workshops page and print one out
or e-mail it to [email protected]
so that we may document your
participation. Handouts available
upon request.
• EXIT

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What is a Computer?

• Modern computers are

instructions so that it can manipulate or work on

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