Computer Assgnment Essay Example

designed to conveniently fit between the keyboard and monitor.

Other scanner types include optical mark readers, originally created for reading penciled or graphic information on exam answer sheets, as well as handheld electronic organizers – small mobile computers that accept input through a pen-like instrument called a stylus used for writing on the computer's screen.

In addition, there are microphones linked either to the World Wide Web or the Internet in some way.

The track pad, which is typically a few inches square, functions as a substitute for a mouse on certain notebook/palmtop computers. It operates by detecting pressure from the fingertip. On the other hand, a joystick is a manual control with a vertical handle that can freely move in two directions and serves as an input device for computers or computer-controlled devices. Meanwhile, touch screens are display screens equipped with touch-sensitive transparent panels that cover the entire screen. In contrast to using pointing devices like mice or light pens, fingers are used to directly interact with objects displayed on the screen.

The light pen is an input device that utilizes a light-sensitive detector to select objects on a display screen, similar to a mouse. However, the light pen enables users to move the pointer and choose objects directly by pointing with the pen. On the other hand, a stylus is a pen-shaped device used for pointing and drawing on digitizing tablets or touch screens. Lastly, a sensor is

capable of generating an output signal in response to an input quantity, typically in electrical or optical form.

The Optical Character Recognition feature allows users to scan printed or typewritten documents. Another method, called Pen-Based Computing, involves using a special pen on a monitor surface, similar to a personal digital assistant. There is also the Voice Recognition System, which is activated by the user's programmed voice and currently only accepts a limited number of vocal commands. An output device is any tool that allows the computer to communicate information to the user. One such device is the monitor, which displays soft copy output. There are various types of screens available for this purpose.

The Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) uses raster scanning, where electron beams are swept across the back of the screen. In contrast, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is a flat display commonly found on watches and calculators, and sometimes used in laptops. Plasma displays contain non-ionized neon/gas (called plasma) sealed between two glass plates. One plate has horizontal wires while the other has vertical wires. Plasma displays typically generate clear and detailed images without the flickering problems seen with monochrome monitors.

Plasma splays are generally more expensive than CRT counterparts. Printers are devices that produce information on paper as output. There are several types of printers available. Non-almanac printers place an image on a page without physically touching the page. Laser printers use a light beam to transfer images to paper. Mink-Jet printers spray ink from multiple jet nozzles and can print in black and white as well as different colors of ink to produce excellent graphics. Impact printers use physical contact with

the paper to produce an image by striking the paper, ribbon, and print hammer together. Examples of impact printers include daisy wheel printers and dot matrix printers. Cain printers and band printers are also types of dot matrix printers. Voice output is typically used for short replies or inquiries, such as providing a balance or flight time over the telephone. Speaker is an output device that produces sounds for the user to hear. Microfilm or microfiche are reduced-sized photographic reproductions of printed information on film cards, which can be read using microfiche readers and printed using microfiche printers. A plotter is a device that draws pictures on paper based on commands from a computer.

Plotters and printers have different ways of drawing lines. Plotters use a pen to produce continuous lines, while printers simulate lines by printing a series of dots. Multicolumn plotters can draw different colors by using different-colored pens.

INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES - a type of hardware that is utilized for both transmitting and receiving information to/from the computer. Disk Drive is a computer hardware component that holds and rotates a magnetic or optical disk, enabling the reading and writing of data. Hard Disk Drive refers to a fixed magnetic disk that is permanently attached to a drive unit.

An optical disc is a disk that uses a laser beam to burn pits into its surface to record information. A modem modulates the computer output into a suitable signal for transmission and then demodulates the signal for computer input.

The system unit is the primary component of a personal computer. It comprises the chassis, microprocessor, main memory, bus, and ports, but excludes peripheral devices

as well as the keyboard or monitor. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) serves as the computer's brain.

The CPU, also known as the processor or central processor, is responsible for most calculations in a computer system. It consists of the Control Unit, which supervises the functions of the entire system based on conditions defined by the stored program. The Arithmetic/ Logic Unit is responsible for all arithmetic computations and comparison operations. The CPU also includes the Memory Unit, which can store data and instructions like an electronic filing cabinet. The Motherboard is the primary circuit board of a microcomputer.

The motherboard includes connectors for attaching additional boards. These typically include the CAP], BIOS, memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports, expansion slots, and all the necessary controllers for standard peripheral devices such as the display screen, keyboard, and disk drive. All of these chips on the motherboard are collectively referred to as the motherboard's chippies. Ports refer to interfaces on a computer that allow for device connections. Personal computers feature different types of ports. Internally, there are multiple ports for connecting disk drives, display screens, and keyboards.

Personal computers have external ports such as USB, ASS, and Serial for connecting peripheral devices like modems, printers, and mice. Expansion Slots are connectors in a computer that allow for the insertion of expansion cards. These connectors provide power and establish connections between the card and the motherboard's data bus, address bus, and control signals. Some examples of expansion slot types include SIS (International Serial Architecture), EPIC (Peripheral Component Interface), and GAP (Accelerated Graphics Port). A bus is a set of wires that facilitate data transmission within

different parts of a computer.

Registers are special additional storage locations that are not part of the memory but offer the advantage of speed. A microprocessor, which is a miniaturized central processing unit, can be etched on a chip made of silicon. It is usually expressed in tracing on the surface of the motherboard, where it internally transports data within the computer system. Cache, on the other hand, is a relatively small block of very fast memory that is designed to speed up the internal transfer of data and software instructions.

The first two steps, known as the actual instruction time or I-Time or Instruction cycle or I-cycle, involve fetching the instruction from memory and decoding it by the control unit, which also directs the necessary data to be moved from memory to the arithmetic/logic unit. The following two steps, referred to as execution time or E-Time or Execution cycle or E-cycle, involve the arithmetic/logic unit carrying out the arithmetic/logical instruction as the actual operation on the data, and then storing the result of this operation in either memory or a register.

The text provides information about storage devices and software in computer systems. There are two types of storage devices: primary storage (or main memory), which is a non-volatile temporary storage; and secondary storage (or auxiliary memory), which is a volatile permanent storage. Examples of primary storage include RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), and EPROM (Electronic Erasable Programmability). Examples of secondary storage include hard disk, floppy disk, and optical disk such as compact disks.
Software is defined as a planned set of instructions that converts data into

information to enhance the usefulness of a computer.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE includes programs that are specifically designed to make it easier for users to use the computer.

System software, including the operating system and programming languages, supports the production and execution of application programs. The operating system is essential in guiding the computer through tasks such as loading, storing, executing applications, and transferring data between devices and memory. Examples of operating systems are MS-DOS, MAC-SO, all versions of Windows, and UNIX. Programming languages like DAD, LISP, C, Pascal, Basic are also considered system software as they are used in creating software.

Compilers / Translators are system programs that convert the English-like instructions used by computer programmers into machine-readable code. Examples of these programs include Assembly and COBOL. Utility Programs, on the other hand, perform standard tasks such as organizing and maintaining data files, as well as translating programs written in different languages into a language that can be understood by the computer. Examples of utility programs include Text Editor, Defragmenter, File Compressor like WinZip, and more. Application Software refers to software that is used for real-world tasks, solving specific problems, or performing particular tasks.

Customized programs are typically created to perform specific tasks, such as payroll, monitoring, registration, point of sales, and video rentals. Packaged programs, on the other hand, are purchased programs that are designed for common ease and personal applications. Here are some examples:

WORD PROCESSING is the most widely used software on personal computers, serving various purposes such as creating memos, reports, correspondence, minutes of meetings, and other documents. In contrast, ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEETS have been employed as business tools for centuries and are

comprised of columns and rows of numbers. Some examples of electronic spreadsheets are MS Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, and Gastropod.

DATABASE MANAGEMENT involves managing a collection of interrelated facts and handling data in various ways. Some examples of database management systems are "D Basel", MS Access, Boxes, and FoxPro. On the other hand, GRAPHICS refers to visual information, which is often more compelling than a page of numbers. Adobe Photos and Corel Draw are some examples of graphics software.

COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS - It enables the connection between a phone and a computer, allowing communication with the office computer or retrieval of data from another computer in a different location. Some examples of computer communication tools are Win Popup.

DESKTOP PUBLISHING - This involves the creation of personalized cards, business cards, letterheads, and more. Notable examples of desktop publishing software include Hallmark and Disney's.

CIA/CAD/CAM stands for Computer Aided Instructions, Computer Aided Design, and Computer Aided Manufacture. PLOWSHARE is the group that manages the maintenance, operation, programming, and analysis of the computer system. The Computer Operator works in the computer room and handles various tasks. The Data Library, located near the computer room, is managed by a data librarian. The Data Entry Personnel are in charge of entering large amounts of data into the computer system.

System analysts review current or proposed applications within a company to determine if they should be implemented using a computer. Computer programmers design, write, test, and implement specialized programs that process data on the computer. The database administrator is responsible for managing data, making it an important function within the information system department. The size and complexity of the department determine

the management style within the Management Information System Department (MISS).

The individuals participating in MISS include the Systems Manager, responsible for system analysis and design; the Programming Manager, overseeing programmers; the Operation Managers, handling scheduling, maintenance, and equipment operation; and the Information System Department Manager, who has overall responsibility for the department and may hold titles such as Vice President of Information System or Chief Information Officer.

EDP, which stands for Electronic Data Processing, is the process of data processing by a computer and its programs in an environment that involves electronic communication. It is also commonly known as "IS" or "MIS," which stand for information services or systems and management information services or systems. Initially, EDP was derived from "DIP," which stands for data processing. This term was coined during a time when data input into computers primarily relied on punched cards, with output being in the form of punched cards or paper reports. Proper classification of computer systems is essential to fully grasp the concept of Computing.

Computer technology has evolved over time, resulting in the development of advanced computer systems that can be accessed remotely. These systems are classified into four main groups: Mainframe Computer, Minicomputer, Microcomputer, and Supercomputer. The following provides a description for each group:

1. Mainframe Computer: Mainframe computers are large computers with multiple network terminals, enabling simultaneous operation by multiple users. However, obtaining and maintaining mainframe computers can be costly.

The term "mainframe computer" was coined to refer to a large cabinet housing the central processing unit and computer memory. These machines were developed in the sass to handle and analyze vast amounts of data beyond the capabilities of smaller

electronic devices. IBM played a crucial role in advancing mainframe computers. Over time, this system has gained renown for its exceptional stability, security, accuracy, and reliability.

The modern IBM series computers, which are smaller and more efficient than the initial generation mainframe computers that occupied an entire room, can operate multiple operating systems. IBM dominates over 90% of the worldwide market for mainframe computers, commonly used by big organizations like banks, government agencies, and large businesses. These machines require a clean and cool environment and follow regular computer maintenance protocols. Minicomputers emerged in the 1980s as medium-sized computers that bridge the gap between mainframes and microcomputers.

Midrange computers, also referred to as minicomputers, were created to meet users' daily computing needs instead of being exclusively utilized for large-scale or intensive calculations. While they can perform similar tasks as mainframe computers, they operate on a smaller scale with lower capacity. Like mainframes, minicomputers are multi-user devices equipped with multiple network interfaces but have fewer networks available. Unlike mainframes, though, minicomputers do not possess specific environmental prerequisites and can be conveniently placed in various offices within an organization.

However, normal computer maintenance practices should be carried out. The popularity of minicomputers declined after the emergence of microcomputers, which were cheaper to manufacture and more flexible. Microcomputers, also known as the commonest computer seen everywhere in schools, offices, and homes, derive their name from their use of a microprocessor (CAP') memory located in one integrated micro chip or circuit. Unlike large computers that use multiple chips for processing activities.

Advancements in imputer technology have allowed for the development of smaller computer components. This has enabled microcomputers to achieve

speeds comparable to those of mainframe computers from previous years. Microcomputers come in different forms like laptops, desktops, palm tops, and notebooks. They typically use a single central processing unit and are intended for individual use. In contrast, supercomputers are highly expensive and generally accessible only to organizations, countries, and research institutions.

The Mainframe computer is utilized for extensive mathematical calculations and is acknowledged to be more than fifty times faster than microcomputers. It necessitates a dust-free and cool environment to achieve optimal performance and maintenance.

A computer network, additionally referred to as a data network, is a telecommunications network that facilitates the exchange of data between computers. In this type of network, interconnected computing devices transmit data to one another through network links, employing either cable media or wireless media. Data is transferred in packet form.

The Internet is the most famous computer network, with nodes being devices that create, route, and terminate data. These nodes can include personal computers, phones, servers, and networking hardware. Even if there is no direct connection between two devices, they are considered networked together when they can exchange information. Computer networks differ in transmission media, communication protocols, size, topology, and organizational purpose.