Computer Awareness

Made Simple

Soumya Ranjan Behera

• Publisher: BPB Publications
• Year: 2020
• eBook ISBN: 9789386551917
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Information Technology
• Index: Computer Science

Learn about the Hardware and Software used in Computers, Operating Systems, Browsers, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Emails, Printing, etc.Today, we are living in a computer age, where computers play a key role in our everyday lives. In addition to communication media like television, radio and newspaper, we now have another communication medium, i.e. computers. We use computers to email, to chat, for Internet browsing, for teleconferencing, for video conferencing, etc. We also use them for e-learning, e-commerce, e-banking, e-governance, e-ticketing and for many more things. So, fundamental awareness of computers is a must if we wish to lead a successful life. Computer Awareness is essential and an integral part of competitive and entrance exams. This book Computer Awareness- made simple has been specially designed for General competitive examinations like Bank PO, Clerk, SSC, Railway and various entrance examinations. KEY FEATURES• In every chapter the basics of the topics are defined first, followed by • Multiple Choice Questions with Answers• Including Previous Year MCQs with Answers• Tables, Facts, Notes, and Tips clear the concept and easy to memorize• 6 Practice Sets for self-improvement• At the end of this book the essential Abbreviations and Glossary used in Computers are appended• This book completely fulfils all the necessity of students appearing at competitive and entrance examination WHAT WILL YOU LEARN• Computer, its architecture, hardware- software, memory and its Security• Data Representation, Operating System• Programming and Database Concepts• Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office• Data Communication and Networking• Internet and Its Services WHO THIS BOOK IS FORAnyone who wants to learn the basics of computer. This book will play a pivotal role in presenting all the basics of computer you need to become a better learner.AUTHOR BIOSoumya Ranjan Behera, a well-known author of computer and competitive books. He obtained his B.Tech degree in Computer Science and Engineering Technology from Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Odisha. He has more than seven years of experience in editing, research and writing booksHis Linkedin profile: linkedin.com/in/srbsom

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

A computer is an electronic device that is designed to work with Information. The term computer is derived from the Latin term ‘computare’, this means to calculate or programmable machine. Today, the word computer refers to computing devices, whether or not they are electronic, programmable, or capable of ‘storing and retrieving’ data.

A computer is not an short form, is sometimes abbreviated as ‘puter’ and is an electronic device that allows you to input data and have it stored, processed, or otherwise manipulated quickly and efficiently and if necessary output that data in an easy to read format.

Charles Babbage is known as Father of Computer (Programmable Computer). Alan Turing is considered as Father of modern computer science. He formed the concept of the algorithms and computations with one of his inventions, the Turing machine. He is also regarded as Father of theoretical Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

A Computer System

Functioning of a Computer

The four basic functions of a computer system are as follows

1. Input: Transferring of information into the computer system is called input. It may be through a user input device - i.e. keyboard, mouse, scanner etc. or though previously loaded software/program, cd etc. It sends data instructions to the Central Processing Unit (CPU).
2. Storage: The process of saving data and instructions permanently is known as storage. The data is first stored in the storage unit for faster access and processing.
3. Processing: It involves manipulation of raw data into information. It is the core function of the computer system. It controlled by the Control Unit, the Arithmetic Logic Unit and Temporary Storage.
4. Output: It is the function that allows a computer to display information to the user. It can be accomplished through the monitor (or other graphical display), printer, etc.

Features of Computer

The important features of computer are as follows

1. Automatic (Spontaneous): The computers are automatic. It may execute the process without any involvement of user once they are assigned to a work.
2. Accuracy (Authenticity): The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every calculation is performed with the same accuracy. The level of accuracy is determined by the design of computer.
3. Speed (Celerity): Computer can perform millions of instructions and even more per second. The computer present in the modern world has the speed of Nano and Pico second.

   

4. Diligence (Attentiveness): A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can work for hours without creating any error.
5. Storage Capacity: A computer can store huge amount of data / information and retrieve any piece of this information whenever required. It depends on the capacity of hard disk (secondary storage).
6. Reliability (Consistency): A computer is reliable, dependent and can be run for many years without loss of data.
7. Versatility (Adaptability): Computer can perform different types of tasks simultaneously. It can do multiple tasks at same time.
8. Plug and Play (PnP): Computer can detect and configure hardware and software component automatically.

Terms Related to Computer

• Hardware: It is the physical components of the computer. It refers to the objects that we can actually touch. e.g. monitor, keyboard, mouse, system unit, hard disk, mother board, etc.
• Software: It is a set of instructions / programs that tells the hardware what to do and how to perform the actions. e.g. word processor, operating system, etc.
• Data: It is a raw material of information. It can be unprocessed raw texts, numbers, figures, spreadsheets, etc.
• Information: Properly processed, organized, structured data is called information.
• Instruction: Any command given to the computer in the computer language is by the user is cal...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Preface
• Table of Contents
• 1. Introduction to Computer
• 2. Computer Architecture
• 3. Computer Hardware
• 4. Computer Memory
• 5. Data Representation
• 6. Computer Software
• 7. Operating System
• 8. Programming Concepts
• 9. Microsoft Windows
• 10. Microsoft Office
• 11. Database Concepts
• 12. Data Communication and Networking
• 13. Internet and Its Services
• 14. Computer Security
• Practice Sets (1-6)
• Abbreviations
• Glossary