Introduction to Computers - Computer Fundamentals Notes

 Page 1


Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 1/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
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Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 1/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 2/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
In this chapter you will learn about:
§ Computer
§ Data processing
§ Characteristic features of computers
§ Computers’ evolution to their present form
§ Computer generations
§ Characteristic features of each computer generation
01
Page 3


Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 1/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 2/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
In this chapter you will learn about:
§ Computer
§ Data processing
§ Characteristic features of computers
§ Computers’ evolution to their present form
§ Computer generations
§ Characteristic features of each computer generation
01
Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 3/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
§ The word computer comes from the word “compute”, 
which means, “to calculate”
§ Thereby, a computer is an electronic device that can 
perform arithmetic operations at high speed
§ A computer is also called a data processor because it can 
store, process, and retrieve data whenever desired
Computer
Computer
01
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Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 1/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 2/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
In this chapter you will learn about:
§ Computer
§ Data processing
§ Characteristic features of computers
§ Computers’ evolution to their present form
§ Computer generations
§ Characteristic features of each computer generation
01
Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 3/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
§ The word computer comes from the word “compute”, 
which means, “to calculate”
§ Thereby, a computer is an electronic device that can 
perform arithmetic operations at high speed
§ A computer is also called a data processor because it can 
store, process, and retrieve data whenever desired
Computer
Computer
01
Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 4/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
Data Processing
Data Processing
The activity of processing data using a computer is called 
data processing
Data
Capture Data
Manipulate Data
Output Results
Information
Data is raw material used as input and information is 
processed data obtained as output of data processing
01
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Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 1/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 2/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
In this chapter you will learn about:
§ Computer
§ Data processing
§ Characteristic features of computers
§ Computers’ evolution to their present form
§ Computer generations
§ Characteristic features of each computer generation
01
Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 3/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
§ The word computer comes from the word “compute”, 
which means, “to calculate”
§ Thereby, a computer is an electronic device that can 
perform arithmetic operations at high speed
§ A computer is also called a data processor because it can 
store, process, and retrieve data whenever desired
Computer
Computer
01
Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 4/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
Data Processing
Data Processing
The activity of processing data using a computer is called 
data processing
Data
Capture Data
Manipulate Data
Output Results
Information
Data is raw material used as input and information is 
processed data obtained as output of data processing
01
Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha
Slide 5/17 Chapter 1: Introduction to Computers Ref Page 
1) Automatic: Given a job, computer can work on it 
automatically without human interventions
2) Speed: Computer can perform data processing jobs 
very fast, usually measured in microseconds (10
-6
), 
nanoseconds (10
-9
), and picoseconds (10
-12
)
3) Accuracy: Accuracy of a computer is consistently high 
and the degree of its accuracy depends upon its design. 
Computer errors caused due to incorrect input data or 
unreliable programs are often referred to as Garbage-
In-Garbage-Out (GIGO)
(Continued on next slide)
Characteristics of Computers
Characteristics of Computers
02