Definition of Computer – Feature of computer – computer processing speed – MIPS – functions of computer – components of computer – types of computer
Table of Contents
Definition of Computer
It is a device that works in an electric medium and performs both mathematical and logical operations with storage capacity.
Feature of Computer
- Processing Speed
- Accuracy and Reliability
- High Storage Capacity
- Automation (Capable of functioning automatically)
- Diligence (does not suffer any physical and mental trauma)
- Versatility
Processing Speed:
The speed of a computer is measured in the following time units for the access time of instructions per second.
| Millisecond [1ms] | A thousandth of a second or 1/1000 |
| Microsecond [1ms] | A millionth of a second or 1/10000000 |
| Nanosecond [1ns] | A thousand millionth of a second or 1/1000000000 |
| Picosecond [1ps] | A million millionth of a second or 1/1000000000000 |
| KIPS | Kilo Instructions Per Second |
| MIPS | Million Instructions Per Second |
Previous year questions on MIPS
-
______ is the unit of time used to classify different computers based on speed.
a. Minutes
b. MIPS
c. Seconds
d. Milli SecondsAns: MIPS
-
A computer with CPU speed around 100 million instructions per second and with the word length of around 64 bits is known as ______
a. Super computer
b. Mini computer
c. Micro computer
d. Macro ComputerAns – Super Computer
-
Which of the following are the problems with using millions of instructions per second (MIPS) as a measure for comparing computer performance?
1. It does not take into account the capabilities of the instructions.
2. MIPS can vary inversely with performance
3. MIPS varies between programs on the same computer
Options
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3Ans – 1 and 3 only
Functions of a computer
- Data collection
- Data Storage
- Data processing
- Data Output
Components of computer
A complete computer system consists of four parts:
- Hardware – all the physical and tangible components of the computer
- Software – set of electronic instructions consisting of complex codes (programs) that make the computer perform tasks.
- User – the computer operators
- Data – all the facts and figures, computer stores and reads
Computer Hardware
| Processing Devices |
|---|
| Mother Board Processor RAM ROM SMPS |
| Storage Devices |
|---|
| Magnetic Disk Optical Disk Flash Memory Magnetic Tape |
| Input Devices |
|---|
| Keyboard Microphone Mouse Web camera Touch Screen Light Pen |
| Output Devices |
|---|
| Monitor Printer Speaker |
Computer Software
| Utility Software |
|---|
| Utility tools Customized Software |
| Application Software |
|---|
| Text Graphics Multimedia Language Accounting |
| System Software Single User |
|---|
| DOS Mac-OS Windows |
| System Software Multi-User |
|---|
| Unix Windows Server |
Types of Computer | Classification of Computers
A computer can be classified into five types:
| 1 | Portable Computer | – can be carried from one place to another easily – examples are Laptop, Notebook and Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) |
| 2 | Micro Computer | – Single-user computer – also called Personal Computer |
| 3 | Mini Computer | – Medium level, multiuser computers – generally used by Insurance companies, Bank, and Factories for keeping records |
| 4 | Mainframe Computer | – expensive, large centralised computer, multiuser, large memories – generally used by railways in reservations |
| 5 | Super Computer | – solving large computational problems, very high speed – examples are ANUPAM, PARAM, PADMA, Cray 1 etc. |
Types of Computers based on Data Taken and Output
Digital
The computers count data or signals as “ON” and “OFF” in binary digits only
Analogy
It recognises data as a continuous measurement in waveform by continuous electrical pulses
Hybrid
It exhibit features of both analogy and digital computer