INTRODUCTION TO
COMPUTER
Charles Babbage was an English
polymath. A mathematician,
philosopher, inventor, and
mechanical engineer, Charles
Babbage is considered the "father of
the computer" for conceiving the
first automatic digital computer.
TWO GROUNDBREAKING MECHANICAL
COMPUTERS
• The Difference Engine Designed to calculate and
print mathematical tables automatically. While only a
small portion was ever built, it demonstrated the
potential for mechanized computation.
• The Analytical Engine Considered the
precursor to modern computers
The First Computer
ENIAC-First Electronic Computer
in the US, John Vincent Atannasoff
and Clifford E. Berry of IOWA State
University developed and tested the
Atanasoff-berry Computer in 1942,
the primary automatic electronic
computer
COMPUTER
A computer is an electronic device,
operating under the control of
instructions stored in its memory that
can accept data (input), process the
data according to specified rules,
produce information (output), and store
the information for future use
COMPUTER Classifications
• Minicomputer- Multi-user computer
capable of supporting from 10 to
hundreds of users simultaneously
COMPUTER Classifications
• Mainframe- a powerful multi-user
computer capable of supporting many
hundreds or thousands of users
simultaneously
COMPUTER Classifications
• Supercomputer- An extremely fast
computer that can perform hundreds
of millions of instructions per second
Functionalities of Computer
• Take data as input.
• Stores the data/instructions in its
memory and use them when required
• Process the data and convert it into
useful information.
• Generates the output
Computer Components
Hardware Computer hardware
refers to the physical components
of a computer system. These are
the tangible parts you can see and
touch
Input Devices
• Keyboard Allows you to enter text and commands.
• Mouse Used for navigation and selection on the screen.
• Touchscreen Allows direct interaction with the computer's display
• Scanner Converts physical documents (like paper) into digital
images.
• Microphone Captures audio input for Voice commands, recordings,
etc.
• Webcam Captures video and images.
Output Devices
• Monitor Displays visual information on the screen.
• Printer Produces physical copies of documents and images.
• Speakers Output audio.
• Headphones Allow for private audio output.
• Projector Displays images on a larger screen.
Computer Components
Software refers to the set of
instructions or programs that tell a
computer what to do. Unlike
hardware, which are the physical
component of a computer, software is
intangible. It exists as code, enabling
computers to perform specific tasks.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
• Operating System (OS) Manages the
computer's hardware and software
resources. Examples: Windows, macOS,
Linux, Android, iOS.
• Utility Software: Performs essential
maintenance tasks. Examples: Antivirus, disk
cleanup, file compression
• Device Drivers: Allow the computer to
communicate with specific hardware devices.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• Productivity Software: Used for everyday tasks. Examples: Word
processors (Microsoft Word), spreadsheets (Excel), presentation software
(PowerPoint), email clients.
• Multimedia Software: Used for creating and playing media. Examples:
Media players, video editors, image editors, music software.
• Business Software: Used in a business environment. Examples:
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) software, accounting software.
• Education Software: Used for learning and teaching. Examples:
Educational games, simulations, online learning platforms.
• Entertainment Software: Used for leisure. Examples: Games, and video
streaming services.
• Programming Software: Used by developers to create software.
Examples: Text editors, compilers, debuggers, integrated development
environments
PRIMARY MEMORY
• RAM- Random Access Memory is a memory
scheme within the computer system
responsible for storing data on a temporary
basis so that it can be promptly accessed by
the processor as and when needed
• ROM- Read only Memory is a permanent form
of storage. ROM stays active regardless of
whether the power supply to it is turned on
or off. ROM devices do not allow data stored
on them to be modified
UNIT OF MEASUREMENT-STORAGE
