A. What is meant by Computer?
COMPUTER
= an electronic device capable of performing mathematical, logical and other date processing operation of program of instruction to produce a meaningful and useful output. B. Capabilities of a Computer:
1. It can follow instructions in a predetermined manner.
2. It can recall what it has done and can recall instructions whenever needed
3. It can handle arithmetic operations accurately at a very High Speed.
4. Whenever offered several alternatives, the computer can make decision.
5. It can communicate with a computer user and with other machines by sending messages.
C. Limitation of a Computer:
1. It cannot solve a problem by itself.
2. It is not capable of deciding by itself whether the data is correct or not, unless specified in the program.
3. Although it gives acurate results, it is not completely free from making errors.
D. Categories of Computers:
D.1 According to purpose:
1. General- Purpose Computer - is designed to solve different problems in various fields to meet the needs of its user.
2. Special- Purpose Computer - has more limited capabilities. It is designed to do just one specific task.
D.2 According to capacity
1. Main frame computer - Have a very large main storage capacities of up 1.5 million characters or more. It is the largest type of computer. It is solely used for complicated operations. The are quite expensive.
2. Mini-Computers - a computer w/c s smaller than mainframe in terms of storage capacity. They are less expensive.
3. Microcomputers - are computers that have CPU contained din single silicon chip known as microprocessor. It is the smallest type of computer.
Flow of Data
The basic functions of four components of the computer systems are briefly discussed below:
The input Units
The Input Unit accepts or read data and instructions and sends them into the main memory in the format that the computer can use.
The Central Processing Unit
The central Processing Unit also known as processor executes computer instructions stored in the main memory. It si considered as the brain of the computer.
The Main Memory
In the main memory you can temporarily place your software and data to perform the necessary operations and calculations.
The Output Unit
The ouput Unit converts the processed data into human-readable form such as printed report.
