Trying to determine your ideal IT career path? Want to know which computer jobs will be in the greatest demand, offer the highest salaries and best opportunities for advancement once you finish training? ITCareerFinder assembled this comparison of the decade’s hottest technology careers to serve as your guide. These 10 computer jobs will experience the fastest growth through 2020, pay salaries well above the national average, boast top employment rates and offer a range of advancement opportunities.
Compare the best computer jobs by employment projections, key growth factors and salary, then click the link of your favorite IT career path(s) for deep dive job profiles featuring skills and responsibilities, desirable certifications, salary analyses, education requirements, training & degree programs, local job openings and tips from IT insiders.
Methodology used to discover this decade’s best computer jobs centered around a 4-point weighted analysis of employment growth forecasts from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, IT salaries from Indeed.com, the ratio of job listings to qualified applicants on leading technology job boards, and potential for upward mobility based on interviews with IT/employment subject matter experts and 2012's IT hiring trends.
Discover the ten best computer jobs for the future:
Mobile App Developer Employment Projections | 2010 - 2020
Database Administrator Employment Projections | 2010 - 2020
Software Engineer Employment Projections | 2010 - 2020
Video Game Designer Employment Projections | 2010 - 2020
Network Administrator Employment Projections | 2010 - 2020
IT Security Specialist Employment Projections | 2010 - 2020
Computer Systems Analyst Employment Projections | 2010 - 2020
Web Developer Employment Projections | 2010 - 2020
Health Information Technician Employment Proj. | 2010 - 2020
Technology Manager Employment Projections | 2010 - 2020
About two hundred years before, the word "computer" started to appear in the dictionary. Some people even didn't know what is a computer? However, most of the people today not just knowing what is a computer, but understand how to use a computer. Therefore, computer becomes more and more popular and important to our society. We can use computer everywhere and they are very useful and helpful to our life.
Computers have brought about a tremendous revolution in every walk of life and are expected to open more vast fields due to the dexterity of those who design software and those who develop application programs. In a very short period, scientists have been able to extirpate all the defects, the limitations and the shortcoming of computer and much is expected from their ingenuity, acumen and acquisitiveness.
The fields of application of computers are various and new applications are being searched out. The scientists applied it to prediction of weather earthquakes, and storms, controlling of satellites and controlling of atomic reactions in reactors and else where. Engineers have not lagged behind. They use computers in designing cars aeroplanes, ships, buildings, bridges and tools etc.
In the business world, computers are playing great parts. They are used to word processing, record keeping, inventory controlling, patrol processing, account keeping and auditing, stock marketing and ticket reservations. They are now used to keep personal telephone and address directory. Business concerns user computers in forecasting demands and planning to meet them. Manufacturing concerns use them in forecasting material requirements, inventory management, production scheduling, control and other purposes
Bank now use them to keep records of day to day transactions, keeping accounts and managing over all investment. Computers have been placed at the hands of bank customers. This provides facility of making withdrawals at odd hours. Financial houses take the help of the computers to make their credit cards a medium of exchange. For entertainment purposes, computers are now used to play complex games, I.Q games and stimulation game. Computers have also played a vital role in communication field. It has become so advantageous that the 21st century is being called “information century” because information can easily be transferred from one place to another within seconds by using internet. We can convey are messages , send reports with audio visual accessoriAbout two hundred years before, the word "computer" started to appear in the dictionary. Some people even didn't know what is a computer? However, most of the people today not just knowing what is a computer, but understand how to use a computer. Therefore, computer becomes more and more popular and important to our society. We can use computer everywhere and they are very useful and helpful to our life.
Computers have brought about a tremendous revolution in every walk of life and are expected to open more vast fields due to the dexterity of those who design software and those who develop application programs. In a very short period, scientists have been able to extirpate all the defects, the limitations and es through e-mail.
But computers don’t have only merits. As all man0made things have their limitations, weaknesses and shortcoming, so are the computers wrought with them. Firstly they have inflexibility. They understand only symbols. Secondly they need detailed instructions to work. Thirdly they are costly and their peripheral devices are far most costly than the equipment themselves. Fourthly the cost of maintenance is also high. Fifthly the cost of operation in terms of staff and material is expensive. Sixthly in particular circumstances stored data may be completely lost, seventhly they are susceptible to destructive programmes called virus and eighthly they need extra care in handling and maintenance.
Despite the aforesaid frailties, foibles and faults they are tempted with, computers are widely acclaimed, intensively used and blindly relied upon. Their applications are increasing in various fields and they are expected to do services so far not imagined by man
1. UNIVAC is
A) Universal Automatic Computer
B) Universal Array Computer
C) Unique Automatic Computer
D) Unvalued Automatic Computer
2. The basic operations performed by a computer are
A) Arithmetic operation
B) Logical operation
C) Storage and relative
D) All the above
3. The two major types of computer chips are
A) External memory chip
B) Primary memory chip
C) Microprocessor chip
D) Both b and c
4. Microprocessors as switching devices are for which generation computers
A) First Generation
B) Second Generation
C) Third Generation
D) Fourth Generation
5. What is the main difference between a mainframe and a super computer?
A) Super computer is much larger than mainframe computers
B) Super computers are much smaller than mainframe computers
C) Supercomputers are focused to execute few programs as fast as possible while mainframe uses its power to execute as many programs concurrently
D) Supercomputers are focused to execute as many programs as possible while mainframe uses its power to execute few programs as fast as possible.
6. ASCII and EBCDIC are the popular character coding systems. What does EBCDIC stand for?
A) Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
B) Extended Bit Code Decimal Interchange Code
C) Extended Bit Case Decimal Interchange Code
D) Extended Binary Case Decimal Interchange Code
7. The brain of any computer system is
A) ALU
B) Memory
C) CPU
D) Control unit
8. Storage capacity of magnetic disk depends on
A) tracks per inch of surface
B) bits per inch of tracks
C) disk pack in disk surface
D) All of above
9. The two kinds of main memory are:
A) Primary and secondary
B) Random and sequential
C) ROM and RAM
D) All of above
10. A storage area used to store data to a compensate for the difference in speed at which the different units can handle data is
A) Memory
B) Buffer
C) Accumulator
D) Address
11. Computer is free from tiresome and boardoom. We call it
A) Accuracy
B) Reliability
C) Diligence
D) Versatility
12. Integrated Circuits (Ics) are related to which generation of computers?
A) First generation
B) Second generation
C) Third generation
D) Fourth generation
13. CD-ROM is a
A) Semiconductor memory
B) Memory register
C) Magnetic memory
D) None of above
14. A hybrid computer
A) Resembles digital computer
B) Resembles analogue computer
C) Resembles both a digital and analogue computer
D) None of the above
15. Which type of computers uses the 8-bit code called EBCDIC?
A) Minicomputers
B) Microcomputers
C) Mainframe computers
D) Super computer
16. The ALU of a computer responds to the commands coming from
A) Primary memory
B) Control section
C) External memory
D) Cache memory
17. Chief component of first generation computer was
A) Transistors
B) Vacuum Tubes and Valves
C) Integrated Circuits
D) None of above
18. To produce high quality graphics (hardcopy) in color, you would want to use a/n
A) RGB monitor
B) Plotter
C) Ink-jet printer
D) Laser printer
19. What are the stages in the compilation process?
A) Feasibility study, system design and testing
B) Implementation and documentation
C) Lexical Analysis, syntax analysis, and code generation
D) None of the above
20. Which of the following IC was used in third generation of computers?
A) SSI
B) MSI
C) LSI
D) Both a and b
21. The main electronic component used in first generation computers was
A) Transistors
B) Vacuum Tubes and Valves
C) Integrated Circuits
D) None of above
22. A dumb terminal has
A) an embedded microprocessor
B) extensive memory
C) independent processing capability
D) a keyboard and screen
23. One millisecond is
A) 1 second
B) 10th of a seconds
C) 1000th of a seconds
D) 10000th of a seconds
24. The output quality of a printer is measured by
A) Dot per sq. inch
B) Dot per inch
C) Dots printed per unit time
D) All of the above
25. Which of the following was a special purpose computer?
A) ABC
B) ENIAC
C) EDVAC
D) All of the above
26. What was the computer invented by Attanasoff and Clifford?
A) Mark I
B) ABC
C) Z3
D) None of above
27. Which of the following storage devices can store maximum amount of data?
A) Floppy Disk
B) Hard Disk
C) Compact Disk
D) Magneto Optic Disk
28. Which computer was considered the first electronic computer until 1973 when court invalidated the patent?
A) ENIAC
B) MARK I
C) Z3
D) ABC
29. A physical connection between the microprocessor memory and other parts of the microcomputer is known as
A) Path
B) Address bus
C) Route
D) All of the above
30. High density double sided floppy disks could store _____ of data
A) 1.40 MB
B) 1.44 GB
C) 1.40 GB
D) 1.44 MB
31. A high quality CAD system uses the following for printing drawing and graphs
A) Dot matrix printer
B) Digital plotter
C) Line printer
D) All of the above
32. Which of the following is not an input device?
A) OCR
B) Optical scanners
C) Voice recognition device
D) COM (Computer Output to Microfilm)
33. The accuracy of the floating-point numbers representable in two 16-bit words of a computer is approximately
A) 16 digits
B) 6 digits
C) 9 digits
D) All of above
34. In most of the IBM PCs, the CPU, the device drivers, memory, expansion slots and active components are mounted on a single board. What is the name of the board?
A) Motherboard
B) Daughterboard
C) Bredboard
D) Fatherboard
35. In most IBM PCs, the CPU, the device drives, memory expansion slots and active components are mounted on a single board. What is the name of this board?
A) Motherboard
B) Breadboard
C) Daughter board
D) Grandmother board
36. Magnetic disks are the most popular medium for
A) Direct access
B) Sequential access
C) Both of above
D) None of above
37. A technique used by codes to convert an analog signal into a digital bit stream is known as
A) Pulse code modulation
B) Pulse stretcher
C) Query processing
D) Queue management
38. Regarding a VDU, Which statement is more correct?
A) It is an output device
B) It is an input device
C) It is a peripheral device
D) It is hardware item
39. A modern electronic computer is a machine that is meant for
A) Doing quick mathematical calculations
B) Input, storage, manipulation and outputting of data
C) Electronic data processing
D) Performing repetitive tasks accurately
40. When was vacuum tube invented?
A) 1900
B) 1906
C) 1910
D) 1880
41. Which of the following produces the best quality graphics reproduction?
A) Laser printer
B) Ink jet printer
C) Plotter
D) Dot matrix printer
42. Computers with 80286 microprocessor is
A) XT computer
B) AT comptuers
C) PS/2 computer
D) None of above
43. An application suitable for sequential processing is
A) Processing of grades
B) Payroll processing
C) Both a and b
D) All of above
44. Which of the following is not processing?
A) arranging
B) manipulating
C) calculating
D) gathering
45. The digital computer was developed primarily in
A) USSR
B) Japan
C) USA
D) UK
46. Software in computer
A) Enhances the capabilities of the hardware machine
B) Increase the speed of central processing unit
C) Both of above
D) None of above
47. Today’s computer giant IBM was earlier known by different name which was changes in 1924. What was that name?
A) Tabulator Machine Co.
B) Computing Tabulating Recording Co.
C) The Tabulator Ltd.
D) International Computer Ltd.
48. Before a disk drive can access any sector record, a computer program has to provide the record’s disk address. What information does this address specify?
A) Track number
B) Sector number
C) Surface number
D) All of above
49. The arranging of data in a logical sequence is called
A) Sorting
B) Classifying
C) Reproducing
D) Summarizing
50. What is the responsibility of the logical unit in the CPU of a computer?
A) To produce result
B) To compare numbers
C) To control flow of information
D) To do math’s works
51. Abacus was the first
A) electronic computer
B) mechanical computer
C) electronic calculator
D) mechanical calculator
52. If in a computer, 16 bits are used to specify address in a RAM, the number of addresses will be
A) 216
B) 65,536
C) 64K
D) Any of the above
53. Instructions and memory address are represented by
A) Character code
B) Binary codes
C) Binary word
D) Parity bit
54. The terminal device that functions as a cash register, computer terminal, and OCR reader is the:
A) Data collection terminal
B) OCR register terminal
C) Video Display terminal
D) POS terminal
55. A set of flip flops integrated together is called ____
A) Counter
B) Adder
C) Register
D) None of the above
56. People often call ______ as the brain of computer system
A) Control Unit
B) Arithmetic Logic Unit
C) Central Processing Unit
D) Storage Unit
57. Which is used for manufacturing chips?
A) Bus
B) Control unit
C) Semiconductors
D) A and b only
58. The value of each bead in heaven is
A) 1
B) 3
C) 5
D) 7
59. The first computer introduced in Nepal was
A) IBM 1400
B) IBM 1401
C) IBM 1402
D) IBM1402
60. Mnemonic a memory trick is used in which of the following language?
A) Machine language
B) Assembly language
C) High level language
D) None of above
61. Instruction in computer languages consists of
A) OPCODE
B) OPERAND
C) Both of above
D) None of above
62. Which generation of computer is still under development
A) Fourth Generation
B) Fifth Generation
C) Sixth Generation
D) Seventh Generation
63. A register organized to allow to move left or right operations is called a ____
A) Counter
B) Loader
C) Adder
D) Shift register
64. Which was the most popular first generation computer?
A) IBM 1650
B) IBM 360
C) IBM 1130
D) IBM 2700
65. Which is considered a direct entry input device?
A) Optical scanner
B) Mouse and digitizer
C) Light pen
D) All of the above
66. A set of information that defines the status of resources allocated to a process is
A) Process control
B) ALU
C) Register Unit
D) Process description
67. Each set of Napier’s bones consisted of ______ rods.
A) 5
B) 9
C) 11
D) 13
68. BCD is
A) Binary Coded Decimal
B) Bit Coded Decimal
C) Binary Coded Digit
D) Bit Coded Digit
69. When was the world’s first laptop computer introduced in the market and by whom?
A) Hewlett-Packard, 1980
B) Epson, 1981
C) Laplink Traveling Software Inc, 1982
D) Tandy Model-200, 1985
70. From which generation operating systems were developed?
A) First
B) Second
C) Third
D) Fourth
71. The first firm to mass-market a microcomputer as a personal computer was
A) IBM
B) Super UNIVAC
C) Radio Shaks
D) Data General Corporation
72. How many address lines are needed to address each machine location in a 2048 x 4 memory chip?
A) 10
B) 11
C) 8
D) 12
73. Properly arranged data is called
A) Field
B) Words
C) Information
D) File
74. A computer consists of
A) A central processing unit
B) A memory
C) Input and output unit
D) All of the above
75. Why are vacuum tubes also called valves?
A) Because they can amplify the weak signals and make them strong
B) Because they can stop or allow the flow of current
C) Both of above
D) None of above
76. John Napier invented Logarithm in
A) 1614
B) 1617
C) 1620
D) None of above
77. An integrated circuit is
A) A complicated circuit
B) An integrating device
C) Much costlier than a single transistor
D) Fabricated on a tiny silicon chip
78. What type of control pins are needed in a microprocessor to regulate traffic on the bus, in order to prevent two devices from trying to use it at the same time?
A) Bus control
B) Interrupts
C) Bus arbitration
D) Status
79. Where as a computer mouse moves over the table surface, the trackball is
A) Stationary
B) Difficult to move
C) Dragged
D) Moved in small steps
80. Which of the following is used as a primary storage device?
A) Magnetic drum
B) Hard Disks
C) Floppy
D) All of above
81. Multi user systems provided cost savings for small business because they use a single processing unit to link several
A) Personal computers
B) Workstations
C) Dumb terminals
D) Mainframes
82. What are the three decisions making operations performed by the ALU of a computer?
A) Grater than
B) Less than
C) Equal to
D) All of the above
83. The word processing task associated with changing the appearance of a document is
A) Editing
B) Writing
C) Formatting
D) All of above
84. Nepal brought a computer for census of 2028 BS. This computer was of
A) first generation
B) second generation
C) third generation
D) fourth generation
85. Algorithm and Flow chart help us to
A) Know the memory capacity
B) Identify the base of a number system
C) Direct the output to a printer
D) Specify the problem completely and clearly
86. Which statement is valid about computer program?
A) It is understood by a computer
B) It is understood by programmer
C) It is understood user
D) Both a & b
87. The difference between memory and storage is that memory is _____ and storage is __
A) Temporary, permanent
B) Permanent, temporary
C) Slow, fast
D) All of above
88. When was Pascaline invented?
A) 1617
B) 1620
C) 1642
D) 1837
89. Which of the following statement is valid?
A) Lady Augusta is the first programmer
B) Ada is the daughter of Lord Byron, a famous English poet
C) ADA is a programming language developed by US Defense
D) All of above
90. A compiler is a translating program which
A) Translates instruction of a high level language into machine language
B) Translates entire source program into machine language program
C) It is not involved in program’s execution
D) All of above
91. What is required when more than one person uses a central computer at the same time?
A) Light pen
B) Mouse
C) Digitizer
D) Terminal
92. Which of the following is the first computer to use Stored Program Concept?
A) UNIVAC
B) ENIAC
C) EDSAC
D) None of above
93. The term gigabyte refers to
A) 1024 bytes
B) 1024 kilobytes
C) 1024 megabytes
D) 1024 gigabyte
94. in which year was UK’s premier computing event called ?The which computer? started?
A) 1980
B) 1985
C) 1986
D) 1987
95. Once you load the suitable program and provide required data, computer does not need human intervention. This feature is known as
A) Accuracy
B) Reliability
C) Versatility
D) Automatic
96. What is a brand?
A) The name of companies that made computers
B) The name of product a company gives to identify its product in market
C) A name of class to indicate all similar products from different companies
D) All of above
97. Machine language is
A) Machine dependent
B) Difficult to program
C) Error prone
D) All of above
98. A byte consists of
A) One bit
B) Four bits
C) Eight bits
D) Sixteen bits
99. Modern Computers are very reliable but they are not
A) Fast
B) Powerful
C) Infallible
D) Cheap
100. What is the date when Babbage conceived Analytical engine
A) 1642
B) 1837
C) 1880
D) 1850
1-A | 2-D | 3-D | 4-D | 5-C | 6-A | 7-C | 8-D | 9-C | 10-B |
11-C | 12-C | 13-D | 14-C | 15-C | 16-B | 17-B | 18-B | 19-C | 20-D |
21-B | 22-D | 23-C | 24-A | 25-A | 26-B | 27-B | 28-A | 29-B | 30-D |
31-B | 32-D | 33-B | 34-A | 35-A | 36-C | 37-A | 38-C | 39-B | 40-B |
41-C | 42-B | 43-C | 44-D | 45-C | 46-A | 47-B | 48-D | 49-A | 50-B |
51-D | 52-B | 53-B | 54-D | 55-C | 56-C | 57-C | 58-C | 59-B | 60-B |
61-C | 62-B | 63-D | 64-A | 65-D | 66-D | 67-C | 68-A | 69-B | 70-C |
71-C | 72-B | 73-C | 74-D | 75-B | 76-A | 77-D | 78-C | 79-A | 80-A |
81-C | 82-D | 83-C | 84-B | 85-D | 86-D | 87-A | 88-C | 89-D | 90-D |
91-D | 92-C | 93-C | 94-A | 95-D | 96-B | 97-D | 98-C | 99-C | 100-B |
Computers differ based on their data processing abilities. They are classified according to purpose, data handling and functionality.
According to purpose, computers are either general purpose or specific purpose. General purpose computers are designed to perform a range of tasks. They have the ability to store numerous programs, but lack in speed and efficiency. Specific purpose computers are designed to handle a specific problem or to perform a specific task. A set of instructions is built into the machine.
According to data handling, computers are analog, digital or hybrid. Analog computers work on the principle of measuring, in which the measurements obtained are translated into data. Modern analog computers usually employ electrical parameters, such as voltages, resistances or currents, to represent the quantities being manipulated. Such computers do not deal directly with the numbers. They measure continuous physical magnitudes. Digital computers are those that operate with information, numerical or otherwise, represented in a digital form. Such computers process data into a digital value (in 0s and 1s). They give the results with more accuracy and at a faster rate. Hybrid computersincorporate the measuring feature of an analog computer and counting feature of a digital computer. For computational purposes, these computers use analog components and for storage, digital memories are used.
According to functionality, Type of computers are classified as :
Analog Computer
An analog computer (spelt analogue in British English) is a form of computer that uses continuous physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved.
Digital Computer
A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number system
Hybrid Computer (Analog + Digital)
A combination of computers those are capable of inputting and outputting in both digital and analog signals. A hybrid computer system setup offers a cost effective method of performing complex simulations.
Analog Computer
An analog computer (spelt analogue in British English) is a form of computer that uses continuous physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved.
Digital Computer
A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number system
Hybrid Computer (Analog + Digital)
A combination of computers those are capable of inputting and outputting in both digital and analog signals. A hybrid computer system setup offers a cost effective method of performing complex simulations.
On the basis of Size: Type of Computer
The fastest and most powerful type of computer Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.
The chief difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that a supercomputer channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast as possible, whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many programs concurrently.
A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands, of users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simple microprocessor (in watches, for example) at the bottom and moves to supercomputers at the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some ways, mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute a single program faster than a mainframe.
A midsized computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie between workstations and mainframes. In the past decade, the distinction between large minicomputers and small mainframes has blurred, however, as has the distinction between small minicomputers and workstations. But in general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of supporting from 4 to about 200 users simultaneously.
Desktop Computer: a personal or micro-mini computer sufficient to fit on a desk.
Laptop Computer: a portable computer complete with an integrated screen and keyboard. It is generally smaller in size than a desktop computer and larger than a notebook computer.
Palmtop Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized computer. Palmtops have no keyboard but the screen serves both as an input and output device.
A terminal or desktop computer in a network. In this context, workstation is just a generic term for a user's machine (client machine) in contrast to a "server" or "mainframe."
A computer can process data, pictures, sound and graphics. They can solve highly complicated problems quickly and accurately. A computer as shown in Fig. performs basically five major computer operations or functions irrespective of their size and make. These are
it accepts data or instructions by way of input,
it stores data,
it can process data as required by the user,
it gives results in the form of output, and
it controls all operations inside a computer.
We discuss below each of these Computer operation
1. Input: This is the process of entering data and programs in to the computer system. You should know that computer is an electronic machine like any other machine which takes as inputs raw data and performs some processing giving out processed data. Therefore, the input unit takes data from us to the computer in an organized manner for processing.
2. Storage: The process of saving data and instructions permanently is known as storage. Data has to be fed into the system before the actual processing starts. It is because the processing speed of Central Processing Unit (CPU) is so fast that the data has to be provided to CPU with the same speed. Therefore the data is first stored in the storage unit for faster access and processing. This storage unit or the primary storage of the computer system is designed to do the above functionality. It provides space for storing data and instructions.
The storage unit performs the following major functions:
All data and instructions are stored here before and after processing.
• Intermediate results of processing are also stored here.
3. Processing: The task of performing operations like arithmetic and logical operations is called processing. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) takes data and instructions from the storage unit and makes all sorts of calculations based on the instructions given and the type of data provided. It is then sent back to the storage unit.
4. Output: This is the process of producing results from the data for getting useful information. Similarly the output produced by the computer after processing must also be kept somewhere inside the computer before being given to you in human readable form. Again the output is also stored inside the computer for further processing.
5. Control: The manner how instructions are executed and the above operations are performed. Controlling of all operations like input, processing and output are performed by control unit. It takes care of step by step processing of all operations inside the computer.
In order to carry out the operations mentioned in the previous section the computer allocates the task between its various functional units. The computer system is divided into three separate units for its operation. They are
Logical Unit :After you enter data through the input device it is stored in the primary storage unit. The actual processing of the data and instruction are performed by Arithmetic Logical Unit. The major operations performed by the ALU are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, logic and comparison. Data is transferred to ALU from storage unit when required. After processing the output is returned back to storage unit for further processing or getting stored.
The next component of computer is the Control Unit, which acts like the supervisor seeing that things are done in proper fashion. Control Unit is responsible for co ordinating various operations using time signal. The control unit determines the sequence in which computer programs and instructions are executed. Things like processing of programs stored in the main memory, interpretation of the instructions and issuing of signals for other units of the computer to execute them. It also acts as a switch board operator when several users access the computer simultaneously. Thereby it coordinates the activities of computer’s peripheral equipment as they perform the input and output.
The ALU and the CU of a computer system are jointly known as the central processing unit. You may call CPU as the brain of any computer system. It is just like brain that takes all major decisions, makes all sorts of calculations and directs different parts of the computer functions by activating and controlling the operations.
What is Computer : 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. Computer can not do anything without a Program. It represents the decimal numbers through a string of binary digits. The Word 'Computer' usually refers to the Center Processor Unit plus Internal memory.
Charles Babbage is called the "Grand Father" of the computer. The First mechanical computer designed by Charles Babbage was called Analytical Engine. It uses read-only memory in the form of punch cards.
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.
The basic components of a modern digital computer are: Input Device, Output Device, Central Processor Unit (CPU), mass storage device and memory. A Typical modern computer uses LSI Chips. Four Functions about computer are:
Input (Data):
Input is the raw information 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 as Result. We can save these results in the storage devices for the future use.
Computer Classification: By Size and Power
Computers differ based on their data processing abilities. They are classified according to purpose, data handling and functionality.
According to functionality, computers are classified as:
Analog Computer: A computer that represents numbers by some continuously variable physical quantity, whose variations mimic the properties of some system being modeled.
Personal computer: A personal computer is a computer small and low cost. The term"personal computer" is used to describe desktop computers (desktops).
Workstation: A terminal or desktop computer in a network. In this context, workstation is just a generic term for a user's machine (client machine) in contrast to a "server" or "mainframe."
Minicomputer: A minicomputer isn't very mini. At least, not in the way most of us think of mini. You know how big your personal computer is and its related family.
Mainframe: It refers to the kind of large computer that runs an entire corporation.
Supercomputer: It is the biggest, fastest, and most expensive computers on earth.
Microcomputer: Your personal computer is a microcomputer.