Q. What Information Processing Cycle?

To understand how a computer functions you must understand the information processing cycle. The sequence of
events in processing information, which includes (1) input, (2) processing, (3) storage and (4) output. These processes
work together and repeat over and over.
1. Inputentering data into the computer.
2. Processingperforming operations on the data.
3. Storagesaving data, programs, or output for future use.
4. Outputpresenting the results.

Q. What are the different types of computers?

Computers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and serve a variety of purposes. Not too many years ago, computers
were the size of a large room and consumed huge amounts of power. However, with the advances in technology,
computers have shrunk to the size of a watch. Depending on the processing powers and sizes of computers, they have
been classified under various types. Let us look at the classification of computers.
Different types of Computers:
Supercomputers: Highly calculation-intensive tasks can be effectively performed by means of
supercomputers. Quantum physics, mechanics, weather forecasting, molecular theory are best studied by
means of supercomputers.
Mainframe Computers: Large organizations use mainframes for highly critical applications. Most of the
mainframe computers have the capacity to host multiple operating systems and operate as a number of virtual
machines and can thus substitute for several small servers.
Microcomputers: A computer with a microprocessor and its central processing unit is known as a
microcomputer. When supplemented with a keyboard and a mouse, microcomputers can be called as personal
computers. A monitor, a keyboard and other similar input output devices, computer memory in the form of
RAM and a power supply unit come packaged in a microcomputer. These computers can fit on desks or tables
and serve as the best choices for single-user tasks.
Personal computers: come in a variety of forms such as desktops, laptops and personal digital assistants. Let
us look at each of these types of computers.

Desktops: A desktop is intended to be used in a single location and are widely popular for daily use in
workplace and home.
Laptops: Similar in operation to desktops, laptop computers are miniaturized and optimized for mobile use.
Laptops run on a single battery or an external adapter that charges the computer batteries. They are enabled
with an inbuilt keyboard, touch pad acting as a mouse and a liquid crystal display.
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs): It is a handheld computer and popularly known as a palmtop. It has a
touch screen and a memory card for storage of data. PDAs can also be effectively used as portable audio
players, web browsers and smart phones. Most of them can access the Internet by means of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
communication.

Q. What are input and output devices?

Q. What is computer and also describe it characteristics/features?

Computer:
A computer is digital electronic information processing machine controlled by a stored program.
An electronic device that is used to solve various problems according to set of instructions given to it
Computer is an electronic data processing machine which takes the input, store the data in its memory then
processing it with the help of Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) under the supervision of Control Unit (CU) and given
us the output according to instructions (programs)
A computer is an electric device, which takes data as input, process it and provides result as output under given
section

Features:
All the devices take some input and gave some output but computers have some special features, which
differentiate this device from other devices. These special characteristics are as follows:

Speed

Recalling Recollecting

Accuracy

Automation

Reliability

Productivity

Storage Capabilities

Decision Making

Versatility

Cost Reduction

Patience & Diligence

Efficiency
Q. What is computer and also describe it characteristics/features?
1) The Abacus:
The abacus is considered as first computer in history, it emerged about 500 year ago in Asia and still used in the
countries like China & Japan. It is very fast way of making calculations and is made of wooden.
02) Difference Engine:
Charles Babage was the mathematic who had laid this stone in the history of computers, By 1822 the designed a
machine named Difference Engine for solving the mathematical equation. In 1822, he came out with a new idea of
designing. Analytical Engine that was intended to be an automatic machine.
03) Punching Cards:
In 1820, Joseph Marie Jacquard used punching cards in his looms for the purpose of designing different woven
designs. Babage also used the concept of punched cards to encode machine instructions.
04) First Electronic Computer:
Dr. John Atanasoff developed this electronic machine for solving certain mathematical equations. He called Atanasoff
Berry Computer or ABC, after its inventor name and his assistants name
05) Mark-I:
It is also known as automatic sequence controlled calculator, this was the first fully automatic calculating machine
designed by Howard A. Aiken of Harvard University in collaboration with IBM (International Business Machine)
corporation.
06) The ENIAC:
The electronic Numerical Integrator and calculator was an all electronic computer. It was developed for military
requirements. Although ENIAC was 1000 times faster than Mark-I but it have some short coming too.
07) The EDVAC:
AS the operation of functionality of ENIAC was limited because of wiring board, this problem was overcome by a
new concept of store program develop by Dr. John Von Newman. Another achievement of Dr.Von Newman was
that he introduced a new digit system for computer called Binary System.
08) The EDSAC:
The Electronic Delay storage Automatic Calculator was developed by Britain almost in the same in the same period
of EDVAC by USA.
09) The UNIVAC I: (1951)
The Universal Automatic Computer was the first computer commercially available in the market.
Todays Computer:
Summing up the points. We can conclude that the computer we are familiar with these days where not introduce in
their current shape. This is the result of many peoples hard work and it took centuries to form the current shape of
computer.
Q. What is computer and also describe it characteristics/features?