Basic Computing Skills

By Kh. Atiar Rahman

The word 'Computer' has been derived from the Latin word ' Compute' which means to count. In former time, computer was used to manipulate data like words and numbers. So, it was called as a 'Computing machine'. Presently, a computer has become an electrically powered device through different evolution of technology. According to the definition made by the Microsoft technologists- " A Computer is an electrically powered device or set of devices which works under the control of a stored program automatically accepting and processing data with minimum human intervention to produce results. Hence, a computer is automatic, re-programmable and a data processor to store information'. That is to say, the following concepts may be accepted apropos the definition of computer.

& A computer is an electrically powered device.

& It works under the control of a stored program.

& It accepts data, analyzes data, preserves data and displays them in the form of result.

& It completes work related to accounts very speedily and correctly

& It works out  complex mathematical problems

& It analyzes data and displays results by the representation of charts and graphs.

Brief History of Computer:

& Three thousand years ago before the birth of Christ, a machine named 'Abacus' was invented.

& With the help of this machine, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division were figured out.

& In seventh century, some machines were invented for calculation.

& In the 18th century, Jacquard invented weaving machine, which afforded some opportunities to compute.

& Babbage was the father of modern computer as he firstly introduced the use of memory and storage location in the computer.

& Despite no title for his wisdom of knowledge, he was appointed as a professor in 'Newton's chair' of Cambridge University for 11 years at the age of 36. He had never taught the students.

& In 1812 he invented 'Differentiatial  Engine'

& With the help of this machine, he could easily compute in different calculations.

& Afterwards, he had chalked out to invent 'Analytical Engine'. But for not having given the expenditure by the Government, he could not be able to make that machine. Indeed, the machine was of very large size and involved a huge amount of cost.

& After the death of Babbage, his close friend and the daughter of English poet Byron, Lady Ada Augusta invented such machine with some sort of programming language. For this reason, she had had the recognition of the world as the first ' Computer Programmer' of the world. She was uncommon talent to create machine like computer.

& During 2nd world war in 1944, this machine was mismatched due to bombardment 

& In 1946, under the supervision of Professor Howard Equine of Harvard University, a machine called 'Mark 1 ' was made. This machine was of complex combination of 3 million parts of electric equipment. This was looked like a dinosaur. In spite of that, this machine was the first computer of 1st generation (1944-1950).

& In 1946, ENAIC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) was made. In it , 18000 electric lamps were used.

& This machine was made for exclusive demand of Army at that time.

& In 1948, the use of bulb was replaced by transistor. Transistor as used were very  tiny electronic switches by which the work was done like the electric bulbs.

& The size of the transistor was very small and in 1958, integrated circuit was invented and as a result, the use of computer spread to a great extent.

& Afterwards, in 1971 a revolutionary change occurred when microprocessor was invented by the 'Intel Company of  USA.

& During this time, Bill Gates of Microsoft Company of USA and the use of computer spread home and abroad wrote Dos program.

Structure of a data processing system: Input ® Process ® Output

We send information and instructions with the help of Input device (e.g. Keyboard and Mouse) which are displayed in the Monitor and then reported to the CPU where the data are processed, controlled and stored in the respective memory location and then in the form of output we acquire result in the Printer.

Input:

Keyboard, mouse , floppy disk, hard disk, mike etc.

Processing Unit: CPU: CU, ALU, Memory.

Output device:                   

Printer.

Most important component is output

Different parts of a PC

Monitor:

The monitor displays input data and the computer puts out after processing. Data or information is in the form of word and pictures.

CPU:

It stands for Central Processing Unit

It consists of two major components inside (a) Processor or active unit, which does the computational or processing jobs on data and information.

Memory: both long term ( in the form what are called hard disk, floppy disk ) and short term memory  ( for intermediate processing called Ram or Random Access memory and Read only memory or ROM i.e. Permanent Memory )

 The CPU also contains other components like communication devices, speaker etc.; One such communication device called modem. Modems can be outside a CPU. They allow the computer to communicate with another computer via a telephone line.

Computer Software:

Computer Software is a set of instructions that controls the computer and its peripheral devices. The non-physical properties of a computer system is called  Software.

Types of software:

There are three types of Software: a. Operating Software, e.g. DOS (Disk Operating System), Windows' 95 b. Application Software, e.g. Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint etc., c. Programming Software e.g. C ^++, Java, Q-Basic, PASCAL, Oracle etc.,

Operating the Personal computer: ON/ Off

For On: Wall socket, Voltage Stabilizer, UPS, Monitor and CPU.

For off: Just the reverse but before switching off the Computer, you must apply Shut Down Process as follows: Click Start Button, Click Shut down, Click yes to confirm Shut down and then O.K. to display the message " It is now safe to turn off your Computer "

Classification of Computer: 

Computer may be classified into two ways: a. According to Memory location and b. According to Technology. According to Memory size: Business Micro, e.g. PC (Personal Computer).We are commonly conversant with PC, Main frame Computer, Mini and Super Computer. According to Technology: Digital Computer, Analogue Computer and Hybrid Computer.

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