What is Computer?
Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user and processes these data under the control of set of instructions (called program) and gives the result (output) and saves output for the future use. It can process both numerical and non-numerical (arithmetic and logical) calculations.
It works the principle of INPUT-PROCESS-OUTPUT Cycle.
A computer has four functions:
accepts data Input Unit
processes data Processing Unit
produces output Output Unit
stores results Storage Unit
(While designing the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine Charles Babbage has given the concept of these four units, Hence he is known as “Father of Computer”.)
Input (Data):
Input is the raw information or facts entered into a computer from the input devices. It is the collection of letters, numbers, images etc.
Process:
Process is the operation of data as per given instruction. It is totally internal process of the computer system.
Output:
Output is the processed data given by computer after data processing. Output is also called Result or information. We can save these results in the storage devices for the future use.
Computer System
The components of the Computer System are:-
Hardware
Software
Firmware
Live ware
COMPUTER SYSTEM = HARDWARE + SOFTWARE+ USER
Hardware = Internal Devices + Peripheral Devices
All physical parts of the computer (or everything that we can touch) are known as Hardware.
Software = Programs
Software gives “intelligence” to the computer.
USER = Person, who operates computer.