Fundamentals of computer | Introduction & Basics of Computer

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In this post, I will explain the introduction and basics of computer systems in detail.

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Basic Fundamentals of Computer: Introduction & Basics of Computer

Computer fundamentals mean some basic information about computer systems that you must know.

In today's digital world it is very important to have basic knowledge of computers because today any work is being done everywhere through the computer.

Today we are surrounded by computers, today it is very important for us to know the basic information of computer because if you want to grow your career or your skills.

Then you should know about computer running or computer. Only then can you advance your career.

In this post, we have explained all the basic things of computers in full detail which will help you a lot in increasing your computer skills.

If you learn to operate a computer, then you can do everything on the computer that you want to do. You can do much of your work using the computer system, very easily.

What is Computer System?

What is Computer and how does a computer work

A computer is a machine that performs calculations by using logic and algorithms.

Computers can do much more than we think they can. They can store, manipulate, control, and communicate data in a variety of ways.

Computers are programmed to perform various tasks with the help of various programs which are stored on the computer's hard drive or flash memory card.

There are many types of computers: desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Each type has its own unique features that make it unique from other types of computers.

Laptops are lighter weight than desktops but also more portable because they have bigger screens that make them ideal for use at home or at work while you're on the go.

Read Also - What is Computer System in detail.

Basic Functions of Computer System

A computer is a machine that has been programmed to perform certain tasks. A computer can do so many things, some of which are as follows:

Computers are used in businesses for keeping records and also used in home life as well.

Computers can help with calculations and they are used to keep track of data such as birthdays, addresses, phone numbers, etc.

They have the ability to store data electronically in databases or files which makes it easier for people to access their information at any time.

Also, computers are very useful when it comes to storing digital images and videos which can be viewed on TV sets or other electronic devices like tablets and phones.

Read Also - Basic functions of Computer System in detail.

There are four basic functions of a computer system, which are given below.

  1. Input Function
  2. Processing Function
  3. Output Function
  4. Storing Function
Basic Functions of Computer System

Fundamentals of computer - Basic functions of computer

Different Types of Computer System

There are three types of computer system, which names are given below.

  • Analog Computer
  • Digital Computer
  • Hybrid Computer

Read Also - Different types of Computer in detail.

1. Analog Computer

Such computers, with the help of which we can measure physical quantities such as length, height, pressure, temperature, etc. Computer systems that measure such physical quantities are called analog computers.

I hope you understand analog computers.

2. Digital Computer

A computer system that after taking input data from the user, converts that input data into binary language and then does processing after that. Well, the computer system is called a digital computer.

Digital computers are always electrically powered devices, digital computers cannot run without electricity.

I hope you understand digital computers.

There are four famous types of computer system you found everywhere, which names are given below.

  • Desktop Computer
  • Laptop Computer
  • Tablet Computer
  • Mobile Computer

1. Desktop Computers

These are the most common type of computers and have a screen, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. They are used to working on office documents like spreadsheets, presentations, etc.

2. Laptop Computers

Laptops have less memory capacity than desktop computers but they also come with more ports. There are different components and parts of a laptop.

Laptops are commonly used by people who travel a lot as they can easily connect to other devices such as mobile phones or tablets. There are many uses of laptops in our daily life.

They usually run on the Windows operating system which is one of the most popular operating systems in the world.

3. Tablet Computers

Tablets can be very useful for users who don't need to use their computers for any purpose other than browsing the internet or working on documents.

Some tablets have touch screens that allow users to operate them using only fingers while others may be operated using physical buttons or keypads instead of touchscreens.

Tablet PCs also provide different functions that laptops do not provide including GPS, MP3 players, cameras, and webcams among others.

4. Mobile Computers

Mobile computers are a type of microcomputer. Today almost everyone is using mobile computers. Mobile computers are very small so you can use mobile phones anywhere.

3. Hybrid Computer

Such computer systems which are capable of performing the work of both analog and digital computers, those computers are called hybrid computers.

Simply put, hybrid computers are a mixture of both types of computers. Meaning that hybrid computers are also capable of doing the work of analog computers and are also capable of doing the work of digital computers. 

Generations of Computer System

There are five generations of computer system, which are given below.

  • 1st Generations of Computer
  • 2nd Generations of Computer
  • 3rd Generations of Computer
  • 4th Generations of Computer
  • 5th Generations of Computer

Read Also - Generations of Computer 1st to 5th in detail.

First Generation- The main purpose of the first generation was to store data. This includes paper tape, punched cards, and magnetic tapes.

Second Generation- The main purpose of this generation is that it stores and processes data. These include disk drives, magnetic core memory, integrated circuits, semiconductor memories, etc.

Third Generation - This is the current era where computers are working at speeds of millions of instructions per second with a capacity of thousands of megabytes or gigabytes and hard drives storing hundreds of gigabytes.

Fourth Generation - The new generation is expected to be more powerful than all previous ones combined because they will have unlimited storage capacity, processing power, and wireless capabilities.

Fifth Generations - The fifth generation of Computers is a computer system designed on the basis of the new age. The latest technology has been used in the computer system of this generation so that the computer of this generation is capable of doing very advanced tasks.

Generations

Period

Technology Used

First Generation

1940 - 1956

Vacuum Tube

Second Generation

1956 - 1963

Transistors

Third Generation

1964 - 1971

Integrated Circuit

Fourth Generation

1972 - 2010

Microprocessor

Fifth Generation

2010 - Present

Artificial Intelligence

Classifications of Computer System

Computers come in different types, each one having a specific purpose. Which we also call classes of computers.

First of all, we have the mainframe computers which are used for large-scale processing and data crunching.

Next is the personal computer which can be used by individuals to access websites and other computer applications from home or office.

The third type is a tablet that has both a touch screen and keyboard, enabling users to run multiple programs at once.

There are also different types of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets that come with advanced features such as cameras, GPS, etc.

Computer systems have been classified into three parts on the basis of their size and their working capacity, which are given below.

Read Also - Classification of Computer system in detail.

  • Classification of Computers On the Basis of Size.
  • Classification of Computer On the Basis of Type.
  • Classification of Computer According to Purpose.

1. Classification of Computers On the Basis of Size

On the basis of size, the computer system is divided into four parts, whose names are given below.

  1. Micro Computer
  2. Mini Computer
  3. Mainframe computer
  4. Super Computer

2. Classification of Computer On the Basis of Type

On the basis of type, the computer system is divided into three parts, whose names are given below.

  1. Analog Computer
  2. Digital Computer
  3. Hybrid Computer

3. Classification of Computer According to Purpose

On the basis of purpose, the computer system is divided into two parts, whose names are given below.

  1. Special Purpose computer
  2. General Purpose computer

Characteristics of Computer System

Computers do not get tired and they work without interruption. They are faster than human beings and they process a lot of data.

In the future, computers will be more useful to people because they can take care of all the tasks which human beings cannot do.

For example, people can now buy things online using their computers instead of going to stores or malls. Computers also help us in our daily life as we use them for shopping, banking, etc.

Computers are a tool which helps us in many ways like booking tickets online, searching for information on the internet, banking, etc.

Read Also - Important Characteristics of Computer system in detail.

There are various important characteristics of computer system, which are given below.

  • Speed
  • Accuracy
  • Diligence
  • Reliability
  • Versatility 
  • Storage Capacity
  • Automatic
  • Quick Decision
  • Multitasking
  • Power of Remembering 
  • No IQ
  • No Feeling
  • Components of Computer System

    There are five important components of a computer system, which are given below.

    1. Input Unit
    2. Output Unit
    3. Memory or Storage Unit
    4. Control Unit
    5. Arithmetic and Logic Unit

    Read Also - Basic Components of Computer System in detail.

    Hardware Components of Computer System

    A computer is a device that helps you to perform different tasks. It consists of different components which include:

    Read Also - Basic hardware components of computer system in detail.

    Hardware Components of Computer

    Picture of Hardware components of Computer

  • Mouse
  • Keyboard
  • Monitor
  • Motherboard
  • CPU
  • RAM Memory
  • ROM Memory
  • Hard Disk Drive
  • Optical Drive
  • IO System
  • External Ports
  • CPU Fan
  • Sound Card
  • Video Display Controller
  • Power Supply - This is an important component as it provides the power to all other components inside the computer and also supplies electricity to the entire system while its operation is in progress thus keeping everything running smoothly without any interruptions or hiccups.
  • Block Diagram of Computer System

    Block diagram in computer system means how the computer system executes an instruction block by block. 

    The computer system completes that instruction by giving block by block any instruction received from the user.

    Read Also - Block diagram of computer system in detail.

    There are three important block of computer system, which are given below.

    • Input Block
    • CPU ( Central Processing Unit ) Block
    • Output Block
    Block Diagram of computer system with explanation

    Picture of Block Diagram of Computer

    Parts of Computer System

    The parts of a computer are the motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, and operating system.

    In order to get started with your first computer, you need a motherboard, CPU, and RAM.

    If you want to upgrade your computer in the future then you can buy a new motherboard that will have more space for more components or use an existing one that has more space available for upgrades.

    A hard drive is used to store all the data on your computer including documents, music files, and photos.

    You should also consider buying an external hard drive as it is much faster than internal ones but still cheaper than buying a brand new one.

    An operating system is what controls all other functions of your computer like running programs and connecting to the internet so make sure that it is compatible with your PC before purchasing it as not all operating systems work well together.

    Read Also - Basic parts of computer system in detail.

    Basic Parts of Computer

    Picture of Parts of computer

    There are various important parts of a computer system, which names are given below.

    1. Monitor
    2. CPU
    3. Keyboard
    4. Mouse
    5. Storage Unit
    6. Memory Unit
    7. UPS
    8. Motherboard
    9. Power Supply Unit
    10. GPU
    11. Computer Case
    12. Printer
    13. Speaker

    Advantages of Computer System

    A computer is a very important tool in today's world. It helps us do almost everything from our homes or offices.

    Computers are also used for storing, transferring, and sharing data which is used to make money.

    They are also essential for playing games, searching for information on the internet, and communicating with people all over the world.

    The computer is a great invention that changed the way we work today because it allows us to work at home or anywhere else without any restrictions.

    Read Also - Advantages of Computer System in detail.

    There are various important advantages of computer system, which are given below.

    • Cost-effective
    • Multitasking of Computer
    • Keep Your Entertained
    • Save Your Time
    • Get Information
    • Can Make Money
    • Data store Capability
    • Connect on the internet to get all things
    • Product Employment
    • Problem Solves by using the Internet
    • Increase job opportunity

    Disadvantages of Computer System

    The computer is a wonderful invention, but it has some disadvantages as well.

    Computer viruses are one of the major issues that people have with computers today.

    The virus attacks our system and when we try to access any website or download anything from the internet, our system gets blocked by the virus.

    Also, there is spyware that keeps track of all our activity on the computer, this is called malware.

    Another disadvantage of computers is when you lose your hard drive or get a new one then everything you have done on your computer will be lost forever!

    That's why I always recommend using an external hard drive so that you can save all your important files in case something happens to your internal hard drive.

    Read Also - Disadvantages of a Computer System in detail.

    There are various disadvantages of computer system, which are given below.

    • Computers affect our society
    • Computer waste your time
    • Computer increasing unemployment
    • Loss of your digital data
    • Computers affect our student life
    • Computers' effects on our environment
    • Today, Cybercrime is growing
    • Computer damage your eyes

    Computer Hardware

    Computers hardware is a collective term referring to various parts of a computer system such as CPU (Central processing unit), Motherboard, Hard Drive, Memory, Graphics cards, Power Supply, Casing, and other related parts.

    The class of hardware is not unique to any one particular product and encompasses a wide range of devices to the atomized components of a single computer system.

    Computer Software

    Software refers to all the programs that run on a computer. It includes software that you install directly onto your computer as well as apps such as word processors and spreadsheets.

    It also includes operating systems like Windows and Mac OS X, which are pre-installed on most computers today.

    There are two types of software: packaged software (also known as "off-the-shelf" or "pre-loaded") and open source software (also known as "free" or "open").

    Packaged software is sold in CD/DVD form and usually comes with instructions for installation by the end-user; this method was largely used before digital downloads became popular.

    There are two types of computer software, which names are given below.

    • System Software
    • Applications Software

    There are various examples of system software and application software.

    Uses of Computer System

    The computer is the most important invention of the 20th century. It has brought in a new era of fast and accurate communication.

    In today’s world, widespread use of computers is seen everywhere. Computers are used in our school curriculum, offices, hospitals, and almost every sector of the country.

    It has made the administration and communication easier for everyone.

    The uses of computers are countless. It is used for the preparation of different kinds of accounts, conducts several types of audits, keeps a check on the cash and securities, and much more.

    Read Also - What are the uses of computer system in detail.

    Elements of Computer System

    There are two parts to a computer; hardware and software. The hardware is the physical parts or aspects of the computer.

    The software is the program that can run on the computer and make the computer perform functions such as word processing or connecting to the internet.

    Some parts of the computer are essential and some are optional.

    The basic components that make up a computer are the CPU (Central Processing Unit), the input and output devices, the memory and storage mediums, power supply, and the enclosure.

    There are five important elements of a computer system, which names are given below.

  • Hardware
  • Software
  • User
  • Data
  • Procedures
  • Read Also - Basic elements of computer System in detail.

    Limitations of Computer System

    A computer is a programmable machine that can be programmed to do a specific task by giving it a set of instructions.

    It has limitations because a computer is just a machine, which is programmed by humans, and it does as it is told.

    If a computer is programmed with the wrong program, it will give wrong results.

    To fix this issue and to make the computer more powerful, we have to program it in a proper way.

    Most of the human errors come from the lack of experience of the programmer.

    There are various limitations of computer systems, which are given below.

    • Lack of common-sense
    • Zero IQ
    • No Feeling
    • Computers can’t Decide
    • Computers can’t Express their Ideas
    • Computers can’t Implement
    • Computers can’t Think
    • Depend on the user input.
    • An expert user can work on a computer

    Read Also - What are the limitations of computer system in detail.

    Input Device of Computer System

    There are various input device of a computer system, which are given below.

    • Keyboard.
    • Mouse.
    • Joy Stick.
    • Light pen.
    • Track Ball.
    • Scanner.
    • Graphic Tablet.
    • Microphone.

    Output Device of Computer System

    There are various output device of computer, which names are given below.

    • Monitor
    • Printer
    • Headphones
    • Computer Speakers
    • Projector
    • GPS
    • Sound card
    • Video card
    • Braille reader
    • Plotter

    We hope that you have fully understood about fundamentals of computer & introduction and Basics of computer system, if you still have not understood, then please comment on us.

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    Hi, I'm The Avinash Pandey, founder of Quick Learn Computer. I graduated in Bachelor of Computer Applications and has two years of teaching experience in the computer science field. This blog helps you learn the fastest and easiest way to increase your computer skills.

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