NAME: Aruna Oluwatobiloba Emmanuel

DEPARTMENT: Financial Studies

PROGRAMME: Accounting

MATRIC NO: Run/Acc/15/6004

COURSE: Management information system

LECTURER: Dr ojedele

ASSIGNMENT

a) Definition of a computer

b) Types of a computer system

c) Components of computer system

What is a computer

A computer is one type of machine manage different kinds of programs to perform useful tasks
to the users. Computer gives proper response to the user through the set of instructions
arranged in proper order. It has storage capacity along with execution benefits. Computer can
perform both complex and simple operations. Based on the types of actions, computer design
in several formats with hardware and software specifications.

Types of computer system

Computers can be classified into the following basis defined below:

 On the basis of functionality

 On the basis of size, speed and cost.

On the basis of functionality

According to functionality computer can be divided into three type:

1. Analog
2. digital
3. Hybrid

Analog computers

An analog computer is a form of computer that uses the continuously-changeable aspect of

physical fact such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being
solved. Analog means continuity of associated quantity just like an analog clock measures time
by means of the distance travelled by the hand of the clock around a dial. E.g. thermometer,
analog clock, speedometer etc.

Digital computers
This is a computer that performs calculation and logical operations with quantities represented
as digits, usually in the binary number system of ‘0’ and ‘1’. Computers capable of solving
problems in discrete form. By manipulating combinations of binary digits (‘0’, ’1’), it can
perform mathematical calculations, organize and analyze data, control industrial and other
processes, and simulate dynamic systems such as global weather patterns. E.g. IBM PC, apple
Macintosh, calculator etc.

Hybrid computer

This is a digital computer that computer that accepts analog signals, converts them to digital
and processes them in digital form. A hybrid computer may use or produce analog data or
digital data. It accepts a continuous varying input, which is then converted into a set of discrete
values for digital processing. E.g. devices used in petrol pump, devices used to measure the
Heartbeat of the patient etc.

On the basis of size, speed and cost

We can divide on the basis of size, cost and speed as:

 Super computer
 Mainframe computer
 Mini computer
 Micro computer
 Personal computer

Super computer

These are the largest, fastest, most powerful, and most expensive computer made. Like other
large system, supercomputers can be accessed by many individuals at the same time. Super
computers are primarily used for scientific applications that are mathematically intensive. The
first super computer was built in the 1960s for the United States department of defense. This
computer was designed to be the world’s fastest and most powerful computer of that time. E.g.
control data cyber 205, cray-1 etc.
Mainframe computer

These are the most powerful computers. A mainframe computer contains several
microprocessors. A single mainframe computer can be used by hundreds of people at once.
Each user has his own terminal that is connected to the mainframe. Minicomputers are
medium-sized computer which are more powerful than microcomputers but not as powerful as
mainframes. A mainframe computer system is usually composed of several computers in
addition to the mainframe, or host processor. E.g. Amdahl 580, control data cyber176 etc.

Mini computer

The ‘age of mini’ started in the late 1960. The creation of integrated circuits suitable for
computers enabled designers to shrink the size of the computer. Mini computers are frequently
referred to as mid-range computers. E.g. IBM SYSTEM 360, HP 3000, PRIME 9755 etc.

Micro computer

When you are working on a multiuser computer, such as a mainframe or minicomputer, you
can control the input and see the output on the display, but you can control nothing else .A
single-user computer gives you control over all the phases of computer processing: input,
processing, output, and storage. A single-user system is designed to meet the computing needs
of an individual. Single-user computers fall into two categories:

 Workstation.
 Microcomputers.

Personal computer

A small computer intended for use by an individual. A personal computer will usually fit on a
desk. A computer designed for use by a single user. Although other microcomputers preceded
it, the IBM PC was the first to use the name specifically. As a result, the term PC now applies to
an IBM-compatible computer as contrasted to the Apple Macintosh, these being the two
standards that emerged from an abundance of competitors in the early 1980s. PC further
divided into two types:
  Desktop computer
 Laptop/ Notebook computer

Component of computer system

The computers run on three major systems; hardware, software, and human ware. Hardware
and software exist together to make up the actual device. The human ware brings the whole
computer into a functional existence. Hardware and software need the human input in order to
trigger the execution of data processing.

1. Computer hardware

This refers to any part that is tangible by the human touch. Examples include:

 Display monitor.
 Keyboard.
 Mouse.
 Motherboard.
 Memory modules.
 Disk drive.

These parts are typically housed within the laptop or desktop unit itself, except for the desktop
keyboard and mouse. The most important piece of hardware is the microprocessor chip, known
as the central processing unit (CPU). Newer and slimmer computers come embedded with a
union of CPU and a graphics processing chip (GPU) called accelerated processing unit (APU).
The CPU and APU are responsible for all kinds of data manipulation.

2. Computer software

Software refers to the instruction, programs, data and protocols which run on top of hardware.
It is also retained temporarily and persistently in primary and secondary hardware media. The
random access memory chips an example of primary hardware while the hard disk drive is an
example of secondary hardware. Software can be divided into system, application, malicious
and programming categories.

System software

The system manages other software and devices inside the computer. The foremost example of
system software is the operating system (OS). In a typical setup, the operating system is like the
motherboard for software. It is the first thing that is installed, followed by applications and
other software. Three popular operating systems include Android OS, iPhone OS, windows
phone OS, and Firefox OS.

Application software

This is designed for end users to perform a specialized assignment in order to output useful
information. An example would be a word processing application used to compose letters or
brochures, such as Microsoft word, adobe Photoshop, Corel draw.

Malicious software

Malware is short for malicious software, which is a generic term that refers to exploitative code
designed by criminals and black hat hackers to maim normal operations of a computer.
Malware attack will result in data loss and hacker access to private information. Malware
scripts are delivered to the computer as viruses, Trojans, rootkits, key loggers, worms, or
through email and websites as adware, spyware, ransom ware and scare ware.

Programming software

These are tools used by developers to create all kinds of software like windows OS and word
processing. Also called languages, they are used to write source codes, debug errors, maintain
and create new software for computers and write malicious scripts like viruses and Trojans.

3. Human ware

This refers to the person that uses the computer. More specifically, it is about the person that
uses the computer. More specifically, it is about the individual that brings together the
hardware and software components to make them productive. Typically, a great deal of testing
is done on software packages and hardware parts to ensure they enhance the end-user
experience to aid in creating documents, musical and video recordings, and all forms of raw and
finished data

References

As extracted from http://informationQ.com

As extracted from an http://twibofuture.com

As extracted from an article written by Sikander shahzad