what is the definition of computer
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computer
What is a computer?
Basically, a computer is an electronic machine that can carry out calculations and is able to store information.
In order to do these things, a computer uses different programs for specific tasks. For example, it has a word processing program for typing letters and a program called a Web Browser for searching and browsing the internet.
Computers also come in different shapes and sizes e.g. laptops, desktops and tablets but they are all able to perform the same or similar tasks.
Beginnings
The first programmable computer, designed by Charles Babbage in the 1830s, was mechanical rather than electronic. Unfortunately it was never built, and it wasn't until World War II that British code breakers built Colossus, the world's first programmable and fully electronic computer.
However, Colossus still didn't include a number of elements present in modern computers. Finally, after the war, a complete computer was built in Manchester by the great mathematician Alan Turing, who had worked with the code breakers.
From science project to everyday tool
Computers were initially of interest only to scientists and engineers. But from the human–computer interaction theories of mouse inventor Douglas Engelbart in the 1960s to the release of the Apple Macintosh computer in 1984, they became easier to use and more capable of tasks that ordinary people could carry out.
Now, with the spread of personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, notebooks and tablets, computers have become part of our everyday lives. It's almost impossible to imagine modern society without them.
Highlights in the development of the computer
Computers started out as huge racks of glass valves and wires that occupied multiple rooms and weighed tons. Now they can fit on tiny microchips that are barely larger than an ant and are millions of times more powerful than the first ones.
Computers have a huge variety of uses. Originally employed to break enemy codes and calculate artillery trajectories, they're now used for everything from word processing and spreadsheets to mobile phones and playing games.
The number of computers in the world has risen incredibly. Urban myth has it that, in the 1950s, the head of IBM estimated a global market for five – yes, five – computers. But within the next few years, it's expected that there will be 2 billion computers – and that figure doesn't even include computers built into other devices.
In the late 1960s, the American government created ARPANET, a network that allowed the few university and military computers in the US to talk to each other. This eventually turned into the internet, a global web that connects well over a billion computers – and people – to each other.
Computer: Computer is an electronic programmable device that works according to instructions gives by User. Computers can understand only binary language i.e. 0,1. Units of computers are very important in order to bring proper control and co-ordination in system.
Computer helps us to save our data, information, our files, photos, videos etc. Computers are today mainly used for storing information, Browsing, Internet activities, Creating presentations, Communication, Exploring world using internet and doing complex calculations. It is to be said that, The computer has been passed through the 5 generations. Each generation of computer brought major changes to the world of computers.
Charles Babbage is a founder and known as father of Computers. He was mathematician, Mechanical engineer, philosopher and inventor. He is everything that first created a programmable computer. Because of this great invention, Today, we are living a digital life.
Uses/Advantages of computers:
- Storage: Computers can be used for storing data and using it while it is required.
- Accuracy: Computers are very accurate. Hence, they have very high accuracy.
- Efficiency: It is easy to use and understand the computer. We can do complex calculations, complex work on computer easily.
- Communication: Computers can be also used for communicating through internet.
- Internet: Once, we are connected to internet, then we can do exploration of the outer world.
- Scientific calculations and predictions: At higher level, Computers are used for weather predictions, medical science, space research, AI development etc.
- Employment: Software companies provides a lot of Jobs opportunities to people. Hence, Computers provides employment.
- Speed: Computers have ability to perform the large task very rapidly.
Disadvantages of Computers:
- Costly: Nowadays computers are costly. Due to which, poor people can't buy them.
- High repairing cost: As computers are very costly. There repairing parts too are costly.
- Overuse: Overuse of computers lead to various health diseases like problem in Back vertebral column, problems in neck and even Brain tumor may happen.
- Effect on Children: Video games of computers affects the small child's most.
Types of Computers:
1) Mini computers - Usually they are found in the Mini electronic devices like smartwatches, Calculators, Smartphone.
2) Tablet computers- Tablets which we see in our daily life; Eg: i-Pad, Samsung Tab....etc.
3) Digital computers - All the computers which we use today are digital computers. Digital computers are also referred as Personal Computer(PC).
4) Super computer - This computers are generally used for research work, Meteorology, Servers, Space research etc.
Generations of computer:
- 1st generation of computer is beginning of the age of computers. In the first generation computers,
- In the second generation of computers, The major change was using Transistors.
- 3rd generation of computers used Integrated circuits for data processing.
- Microprocessors were invented and used in 4th generation of computer.
- Today, we are living in the 5th generation of computers. In this generation of computer, there is use of Nano processor.
Components of computer:
There are 5 basis components of computer, which helps computer system to run properly without any interruption. A computer system is designed in such a way that, every byte of information inputted should be processed properly, Such that user should get the required output.
i) Input Unit
- Input units reads the data provided from input device.
- This data in the form of binary code is sent to the computer unit.
- Computer unit processes the information and provides the necessary output to the user.
ii) Output unit
- It accepts the information provided by computer system in binary codes.
- But, we humans can't understand that language, So, Output unit converts the information from binary language to Humans language.
- Output unit includes Monitor, Sound system etc.
iii) Storage unit
- Storing the data and information in memory provided to output unit as a history.
- Processing the files required to output unit while using programs, applications and games from storage devices.
IV) Central processing unit (CPU)
- Arithmetic logical unit and Logical unit are the important components of this system.
- Architecture of computer is designed in this CPU, such that, only supported devices can perform the operations. Like CPU designed by IBM cannot be used to run Mac OS.
V) Arithmetic and Logic unit (ALU)
- ALU is an important component of CPU.
- ALU receives the data for processing from the temporary storage from the files called as "registers".
- All processing and computations are done by the ALU.
Learn More:
Computer - Uses, Advantages, Structure and Organisation -brainly.in/question/4176835
Artificial Intelligence - It's uses, Advantages and Disadvantages, Applications, It's working and Machine Learning - brainly.in/question/14024876
Components and Units of computers - https://brainly.in/question/13754251