Basic Concepts of Computer
 :: 1
1
BASIC CONCEPTS OF COMPUTER
1.1  INTRODUCTION
A computer is a programmable machine designed to perform
arithmetic  and  logical  operations  automatically  and
sequentially  on  the  input  given  by  the  user  and  gives  the
desired output after processing. Computer components are
divided  into  two  major  categories  namely  hardware  and
software. Hardware is the machine itself and its connected
devices such as monitor, keyboard, mouse etc. Software are
the set of programs that make use of hardware for performing
various functions.
1.2  OBJECTIVES
After going through this lesson you would be able to:

familiarise yourself with characteristics of computers

identify the basic components of a computer

explain the importance of various units of a computer

differentiate  between  system  software  and  application
software

explain the importance of operating system

get acquainted with open source

appreciate the need of computer security
1.3  CHARACTERISTICS  OF  COMPUTERS
The  characteristics of  computers that  have  made them  so
powerful  and  universally  useful  are  speed,  accuracy,
diligence, versatility and storage capacity. Let us discuss them
briefly.
2 :: Computer and Office Applications
Speed
Computers work at an incredible speed. A powerful computer
is capable of performing about 3-4 million simple instructions
per second.
Accuracy
In addition to being fast, computers are also accurate. Errors
that may occur can almost always be attributed to human
error  (inaccurate  data,  poorly  designed  system  or  faulty
instructions/programs written by the programmer)
Diligence
Unlike human beings, computers are highly consistent. They
do not suffer from human traits of boredom and tiredness
resulting in lack of concentration. Computers, therefore, are
better  than  human  beings  in  performing  voluminous  and
repetitive jobs.
Versatility
Computers  are  versatile  machines  and  are  capable  of
performing any task as long as it can be broken down into a
series  of  logical  steps.  The  presence  of  computers  can  be
seen in almost every sphere – Railway/Air reservation, Banks,
Hotels, Weather forecasting and many more.
Storage Capacity
Today’s computers can store large volumes of data. A piece
of  information  once  recorded  (or  stored)  in  the  computer,
can  never  be  forgotten  and  can  be  retrieved  almost
instantaneously.
1.4 COMPUTER ORGANIZATION

 Basic Concepts of Computer
introduction to computer pdf
تعريف الكمبيوتر بالانجليزي
مكونات الحاسوب pdf