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Ñ computer is, at its most basic, a machine which can take instructions, and perform
computations based on those instructions.
Computers range from the very small to the very large. Some are capable of doing millions of
calculations in a single second, while others may take long periods of time to do even the most
simple calculations.
Based on Capacity, speed and reliability computers can be divided into the following
categories of computers:

`c Super computer
`c ºainframe Computer
`c ºinicomputer
`c ºicrocomputer

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Ñ supercomputer is a computer which performs at a rate of

speed which is far above that of other computers.
The primary use for supercomputers is in scientific computing,
which requires high-powered computers to perform complex calculations. Scientific
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organizations like NÑSÑ boast supercomputers the size of rooms for the purpose of performing
calculations, rendering complex formulas, and performing other tasks which require a
formidable amount of computer power. Some supercomputers have also been designed for
very specific functions like cracking codes and playing chess; Deep Blue is a famous chess-
playing supercomputer.

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These are computers used by large organizations like meteorological surveys and statistical
institutes for performing bulk mathematical computations. They are core computers which are
used for desktop functions of over one hundred people simultaneously. Since mainframes are
usually the most important computers in a company·s computational arsenal, they are routinely
protected by multiple layers of security and power backup, both internal and external.
mainframe computer

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The ºini computers are a less bulky version of the mainframe computers. In times past, the
minicomputer was typically a standalone device that was ideal for use by small and mid-sized
businesses who needed more power and memory than could
be obtained with microcomputers, but did not have a need
for the resources provided by mainframes. ºore recently, a
minicomputer is thought of in terms of being a server that is
part of a larger network.

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These are the most frequently used computers better known by the name of ´Personal
computersµ. This is the type of computer meant for public use. Other than Desktop Computer
the choice ranges as follows:

`c Personal Digital Computer

`c Tablet PC
`c Towers
`c ]ork Stations
`c îaptops
`c 3and 3eld Computer
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The CPU or the Central Processing unit is the

brain of the computer and the single most important chip in the
computer. ºodern processors contain millions of transistors which
are etched onto tiny square silicon called a die, which is about the
width of a standard thumb. The CPU performs the system's
calculating and processing.
The speed at which a CPU processes is known as its Clock speed.
The speed of the CPU is measured in either ºegahertz (º3z) or more commonly now in
Gigahertz (G3z). Ñ 1 G3z CPU can carry out 1 billion instructions per second!
Now days, CPU available in the market, have a clock speed of 3 G3z.
Ñrithmetic logic unit (ÑîU) is a digital circuit that performs arithmetic and logical operations. The
ÑîU is a fundamental building block of the central processing unit
(CPU) of a computer, and even the simplest microprocessors contain
one for purposes such as maintaining timers.

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The main memory holds the program instructions and data. It

contains two types of memory chip, called ROº and RѺ.

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Input devices are used to put data and

instructions into a computer. ºost common input
devices are keyboard and mouse. Click here to
go to Input Devices topic

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Output devices are used to get the result of the processing

done by the computer. ºost common output devices include
monitor and printer. Click here to go to Output devices topic.



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Secondary or backing storage is used to store programs and

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data when they are not being

used

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Software is a general term used

to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform
some tasks on a computer system.
Software includes websites, programs, video games etc. that
are coded by programming languages like C, C++, etc.
"Software" is sometimes used in a broader context to mean
anything which is not hardware but which is used with
hardware, such as film, tapes and records.

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System software helps run the computer hardware and

computer system. It includes:

`c device drivers
`c operating systems
`c servers
`c utilities


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Programming software usually provides tools to assist a

programmer in writing computer programs, and software using different programming
languages in a more convenient way. The tools include:

`c compilers
`c debuggers
`c interpreters
`c linkers
`c text editors

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Ñpplication software allows end users to accomplish one or more specific (not directly computer
development related) tasks.

Typical applications include:

`c industrial automation
`c business software
`c computer games
`c telecommunications (i.e. the internet and everything that flows on it)
`c databases
`c educational software
`c medical software

Typical examples of 'software applications' are word processors, spreadsheets, media

players and database applications.

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Programs that perform everyday tasks such as defragmenting a hard disc drive or performing a
backup of data.




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There are several differences between computer hardware and software. 3owever, the
fundamental difference between hardware and software is that hardware is a physical device
something that you're able to touch and see. For example, the computer monitor you're viewing
this text on or the mouse you're using to navigate is considered computer hardware.

Software is code and instructions that tell a computer and/or hardware how to operate. This
code can be viewed and executed using a computer or other hardware device. 3owever,
without any hardware software would not exist. Ñn examples of software is ºicrosoft ]indows,
an operating system that allows you to control your computer and other programs that run on it.
Ñnother example of software is the Internet browser you're using to view this page.

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3ardware is the actual components that your computer is made of: ram, rom, motherboard,
modem, wireless chip etc. Software is any program that you load onto a computer: the
operating system (]indows, îynix) games or applications.
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Ñn operating system (commonly abbreviated to either OS or O/S) is an interface between

hardware and applications; it is responsible for the management and coordination of activities
and the sharing of the limited resources of the computer
. The operating system acts as a host for applications that are run on the machine. Ñs a host,
one of the purposes of an operating system is to handle the details of the operation of the
hardware.

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`c Input/ Output control

`c 3andling Errors
`c Ñllocating resources to programs
`c Providing the user with an interface to control the computer
`c 3andling files stored on a backing store

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Telling the operating system what to do requires a user interface that lets the user give
instructions. There are two main types of user interface.

`c Graphical User Interface

`c Command îine User Interface

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Ñll operating systems do not look the same, ºS ]indows

looks different from ºac OS X and they both look
different from the GNOºE desktop of some îINUX
distributions.3owever these examples do have something
in common. They are all Graphical User Interfaces or
GUI's (pronounced gooey). These are designed to make
operating the computer as easy as possible They provide

`c ]indows
`c cons
`c ºenus
`c ointer

Collectively these features are known as ]IºP.

The only one that might need explanations is 'Icons', these are pictures that represent something
e.g. a text document icon on the desktop. This icon is not the document itself but it represents
the document and when clicked will cause the document to be loaded.
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Some operating systems have the option of a command line

interface or a GUI, others only have a command line interface. Ñ
command line interface is not as easy to use as a GUI. Users have
to type commands and there is no indication what commands
are possible, so users have to know what they are doing! You can
access the command prompt in ºS ]indows from the accessories
folder in the programs menu.