DATA is a representation of a fact, number, word, image, or sound such as time, date, prices, name, numbers of items sold etc.
INFORMATION is processed data that is meaningful or useful to someone such as Z-score of Advanced level examination results, Salary slip of an employee etc.
What is a computer ?
A computer is a machine that manipulates data according to a set of instructions.
· It is an electronic Device - ,J xU ,yj;jpudpay; rhjdk; MFk;
· It is an information Processing Machine – gFg;gha;Tnra;J jfty;fis jUfpd;w rhjdk;
· It works under the control of a stored program. – Nrkpf;fg;gl;l nra;epuy;fspd; fPo; fl;Lg;gl;L nraw;glf;$ba rhjdk; MFk;.
Type of Computer – fzdpapd; tiffs;
- Microcomputers (Personal computers) – Ez; fzdp (IBM, DELLS, COMPAC)
- Minicomputers (Midrange computers) – rpW fzdp (DEX’S VAX Range, IBM’S AS400 Range)
- Main Frame Computer – gpujhd rl;lf; fzdp (IBM 1130)
- Super Computer - tpNrl fzdp (CRAY-1)
A computer system is a combination of six elements:
1. Hardware – Basic electronic and electro -mechanical (physical components) parts in a computer.
2. Software – instruction to hardware.
3. Data and Information – data as input and information as processed data.
4. Procedures or instructions – guidelines to use software and hardware.
5. Live ware (People) –Those operating the computer system.
6. Communication – connection between computers to share data and information.
IT Tools (Associated components of IT)
IT tools are referred to as either hardware or software items used to process information. For example Input output devices, application software..etc.
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Computer Hardware – fzpdp td;nghUs;
1. Keyboard
2. Pointing Devices
a. Mouse
i. Mechanical mouse
ii. Optical mouse
b. Track ball
c. Joy sticks
d. Touch Screen
e. Touch Sensitive Pad
f. Light Pen
3. Scanners
a. Image Scanner
b. Fingerprint Scanner
c. Barcode Reader
4. Digital Camera
5. Microphone.
Output Device
1. Monitor – Visual Display Unit - VDU
a. CRT - Cathode Ray tube monitor
b. LCD – Liquid Cristal Display
2. Printers
a. Dot-matrix Printer
b. Inkjet/Bubble jet Printer
c. Laser Printer
3. Plotters
4. Speakers
Primary Storage device
(Main Memory)
1. Registers
2. RAM (Random access Memory)
3. ROM (Read only Memory)
4. Cache Memory
Secondary Storage Device
1. Punch Card
2. Magnetic Tape
3. Magnetic Disks
4. Hard Disk
5. Floppy disk
6. Optical Disk
a. CD-ROM – Compact Disk-Read only Memory
b. WORM
c. Rewritable CD
d. DVD- Digital Video/Versatile Disk
Ports
- Serial Port - Modem, Mouse, Keyboard
- Parallel Port - Printer, Scanner, ZIP Drives
- Video Card Ports - Monitor
- USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port – Printer, Scanner, Mouse, Keyboard, joystick, Data traveler
- PS2 Port - Mouse, Keyboard
- Ethernet Port – Network, Internet Connection.
Computer Software – fzpdp nkd;nghUs;
Software is the program that controls the activity of processing by the computer.
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1. System software / Operating System
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a. Operating System
(DOS, Windows, Linux)
b. Translating System
i.Machine Language
ii.High-level Language
c. Motility System
1. Application software
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a. Package
(M.S. Word, Adobe Photoshop)
b. Language
(C++, Java, Pascal, Visual Basic)
