Computer Education

  Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used. Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies. Nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software, which together make up an entire computer system. There are five computer generations known till date. Each generation has been discussed in detail along with their time period and characteristics. In the following table, approximate dates against each generation has been mentioned, which are normally accepted. Following are the main five generations of computers. S.No Generation & Description 1 First Generation The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based. 2 Second Generation The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based. 3 Third Generation The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit based. 4 Fourth Generation The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI microprocessor based. 5 Fifth Gene

  PORT A port is a physical docking point using which an external device can be connected to the computer. It can also be programmatic docking point through which information flows from a program to the computer or over the Internet. Characteristics of Ports A port has the following characteristics − External devices are connected to a computer using cables and ports. Ports are slots on the motherboard into which a cable of external device is plugged in. Examples of external devices attached via ports are the mouse, keyboard, monitor, microphone, speakers, etc. Let us now discuss a few important types of ports − Serial Port Used for external modems and older computer mouse Two versions: 9 pin, 25 pin model Data travels at 115 kilobits per second Parallel Port Used for scanners and printers Also called printer port 25 pin model IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port PS/2 Port Used for old computer keyboard and mouse Also called mouse port Most of the old computers provide two PS/2 port, ea

COMPUTER MOTHERBOARD The motherboard serves as a single platform to connect all of the parts of a computer together. It connects the CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card, sound card, and other ports and expansion cards directly or via cables. It can be considered as the backbone of a computer. Features of Motherboard A motherboard comes with following features − Motherboard varies greatly in supporting various types of components. Motherboard supports a single type of CPU and few types of memories. Video cards, hard disks, sound cards have to be compatible with the motherboard to function properly. Motherboards, cases, and power supplies must be compatible to work properly together. Popular Manufacturers Following are the popular manufacturers of the motherboard. Intel ASUS AOpen ABIT Biostar Gigabyte MSI Description of Motherboard The motherboard is mounted inside the case and is securely attached via small screws through pre-drilled holes. Motherboard contains ports t

RAM RAM (Random Access Memory) is the internal memory of the CPU for storing data, program, and program result. It is a read/write memory which stores data until the machine is working. As soon as the machine is switched off, data is erased. Access time in RAM is independent of the address, that is, each storage location inside the memory is as easy to reach as other locations and takes the same amount of time. Data in the RAM can be accessed randomly but it is very expensive. RAM is volatile, i.e. data stored in it is lost when we switch off the computer or if there is a power failure. Hence, a backup Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) is often used with computers. RAM is small, both in terms of its physical size and in the amount of data it can hold. RAM is of two types − Static RAM (SRAM) Dynamic RAM (DRAM) Static RAM (SRAM) The word  static  indicates that the memory retains its contents as long as power is being supplied. However, data is lost when the power gets down due to vola

                                                          A memory is just like a human brain. It is used to store data and instructions. Computer memory is the storage space in the computer, where data is to be processed and instructions required for processing are stored. The memory is divided into large number of small parts called cells. Each location or cell has a unique address, which varies from zero to memory size minus one. For example, if the computer has 64k words, then this memory unit has 64 * 1024 = 65536 memory locations. The address of these locations varies from 0 to 65535. Memory is primarily of three types − Cache Memory Primary Memory/Main Memory Secondary Memory Cache Memory Cache memory is a very high speed semiconductor memory which can speed up the CPU. It acts as a buffer between the CPU and the main memory. It is used to hold those parts of data and program which are most frequently used by the CPU. The parts of data and programs are transferred from the disk

            Central Processing Unit (CPU) consists of the following features − CPU is considered as the brain of the computer. CPU performs all types of data processing operations. It stores data, intermediate results, and instructions (program). It controls the operation of all parts of the computer.                CPU itself has following three components. Memory or Storage Unit Control Unit ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit) Memory or Storage Unit This unit can store instructions, data, and intermediate results. This unit supplies information to other units of the computer when needed. It is also known as internal storage unit or the main memory or the primary storage or Random Access Memory (RAM). Its size affects speed, power, and capability. Primary memory and secondary memory are two types of memories in the computer. Functions of the memory unit are − It stores all the data and the instructions required for processing. It stores intermediate results of processing. It stores the final

  Relationship between Hardware and Software Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of them must work together to make a computer produce a useful output. Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware. Hardware without a set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and is useless. To get a particular job done on the computer, relevant software should be loaded into the hardware. Hardware is a one-time expense. Software development is very expensive and is a continuing expense. Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run different jobs. A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware. If the hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then the software is its 'soul'. Both are complementary to each other.

  Hardware vs. software Before we talk about different types of computers, let's talk about two things all computers have in common:  hardware  and  software . Examples of Hardware are the following − Input devices  − keyboard, mouse, etc. Output devices  − printer, monitor, etc. Secondary storage devices  − Hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Internal components  − CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc. Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined function. A program is a sequence of instructions written to solve a particular problem.        There are two types of software − (i) System Software (ii) Application Software System Software The system software is a collection of programs designed to operate, control, and extend the processing capabilities of the computer itself. System software is generally prepared by the computer manufacturers. These software products comprise of programs written in low-level languages, which interact with the hardware at a very basic level.

COMPUTER DEFINATION  A computer is a machine or device that performs processes, calculations and operations based on instructions provided by a software or hardware program. It has the ability to accept data (input), process it, and then produce outputs. FULL FORM OF COMPUTER Let us tell you that when the word computer originated, then no such real full form was given. But after the creation of the computer, some scholars have expanded it in this way. C                 Calculate       O                 Operate       M                Memorize   P                 Print           U                Update          T                 Tabulate        E                 Edit            R                 Result       COMPUTER CHARACTERISTIC A Computer system has the following characteristics. They are Speed  Storage  Accuracy Versatility Integrity