Basics of Computer

What is a Computer?

An electronic device that stores, retrieves, and processes data, and can be programmed with instructions. A computer is composed of hardware and software, and can exist in a variety of sizes and configurations.

Hardware & Software

The term hardware refers to the physical components of your computer such as the system unit, mouse, keyboard, monitor etc. The software is the instructions that makes the computer work. Software is held either on your computer’s hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD or on a diskette and is loaded from the disk into the computers RAM, as and when required.

Types of Computers

Mini and Mainframe Computers Very powerful, used by large organisations such an banks to control the entire business operation. Very expensive!

Personal Computers

Cheap and easy to use. Often used as stand-alone computers or in a network. May be connected to large mainframe computers within big companies.

Types of Devices

Input Devices

• The Mouse
• The Keyboard
• Tracker Balls
• Scanners
• Touch Pads
• Light Pens
• Joysticks

Output Devices

• VDU
• Printers
• Plotters
• Speakers
• Speech synthesisers
• Storage Devices

We will explain all devices in detail in coming blogs and also share rest of the information about basic of computer system.