* Desktop computers
* Laptop and notebook computers
* Tablet PC
* Palmtop computers
* Personal digital assistants (more commonly known as PDA's)
* Programmable calculator
A) Micro –processor- Microprocessors are simply a computer processor that has been
configured into the design and function of a microchip. Sometimes referred to as a
logic chip, this small component functions as the means of executing the
command to start booting up a computer. As part of the process, a microprocessor
initiates the activation of all the components necessary to allow the computer to
be used, such as waking the operating system.
a) Integrated Circuit: - Integrated Circuits are usually called ICs or chips. They are
complex circuits which have been etched onto tiny chips of semiconductor (silicon). The
chip is packaged in a plastic holder with pins spaced on a 0.1" (2.54mm) grid which will
fit the holes on stripboard and breadboards. Very fine wires inside the package link the
chip to the pins.
IC pin numbers
Pin numbers- The pins are numbered anti-clockwise around the IC (chip) starting near the
notch or dot. The diagram shows the numbering for 8-pin and 14-pin ICs, but the
principle is the same for all sizes.
3) Mainframe Computers :- The term mainframe computer was created to distinguish
the traditional, large, institutional computer intended to service multiple users from the
smaller, single user machines. These computers are capable of handling and processing
very large amounts of data quickly. Mainframe computers are used in large institutions
such as government, banks and large corporations. These institutions were early adopters
of computer use, long before personal computers were available to individuals.
"Mainframe" often refers to computers compatible with the computer architectures
established in the 1960s. Thus, the origin of the architecture also affects the classification,
not just processing power. The chief difference between a supercomputer and a
mainframe is that a supercomputer channels all its power into executing a few programs
as fast as possible, whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many programs
concurrently.
Note:- Mainframe are very powerful computers usually used for server purpose. Super
computers are the most powerful of all, they are implemented for specific tasks like
satellite launching, missile firing, robots etc
An operating system, or OS, is a software program that enables the computer hardware to
communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a computer operating
system, a computer would be useless.
As computers have progressed and developed so have the types of operating systems.
Below is a basic list of the different types of operating systems and a few examples of
operating systems that fall into each of the categories. Many computer operating systems
will fall into more than one of the below categories.
GUI - Short for Graphical User Interface, a GUI Operating System contains graphics and
icons and is commonly navigated by using a computer mouse. See our GUI dictionary
definition for a complete definition. Below are some examples of GUI Operating
Systems.
System 7.x
Windows 98,Windows CE
Multi-user - A multi-user operating system allows for multiple users to use the same
computer at the same time and/or different times. See our multi-user dictionary definition
for a complete definition for a complete definition. Below are some examples of multi-
user operating systems.
Linux
Unix
Windows 2000
Linux
Unix
Windows 2000
Unix
Windows 2000
Linux
Unix
Windows 2000
MS-DOS
Disk operating system. The term DOS can refer to any operating system, but it is most
often used as a shorthand for MS-DOS (Microsoft disk operating system). Originally
developed by Microsoft for IBM, MS-DOS was the standard operating system for IBM-
compatible personal computers.
The initial versions of DOS were very simple and resembled another operating system
called CP/M. Subsequent versions have became increasingly sophisticated as they
incorporated features of minicomputer operating systems. However, DOS is still a 16-bit
operating system and does not support multiple users or multitasking.
For some time, it has been widely acknowledged that DOS is insufficient for modern
computer applications. Microsoft Windows helped alleviate some problems, but still, it
sat on top of DOS and relied on DOS for many services. Even Windows 95 sat on top of
DOS. Newer operating systems, such as Windows NT and OS/2 Warp, do not rely on
DOS to the same extent, although they can execute DOS-based programs. It is expected
that as these operating systems gain market share, DOS will eventually disappear. In the
meantime, Caldera, Inc. markets a version of DOS called DR-OpenDOS that extends
MS-DOS in significant ways.
Redirection
Directing output ( > ) from a program to a specific file or device (different from the
'standard output' device: the screen).
Directing input ( < ) to a program from a specific file or device (different from the
'standard input' device: the keyboard).
Pipe
A data-channel ( | ) in RAM that takes output from a program and feeds the data as
input to another program.
Filter
A program that accepts input data - does something to the data - and delivers output
data.
Both input and output may be redirected or piped.
DOS filters: find, more, sort
Commands details:
ATTRIB
CHDIR or CD
displays the name of the current directory or changes the current directory
CHKDSK
checks the status of a disk and displays a status report; it can also fix disk errors
CLS
COPY
DEL
DELTREIE
deletes a directory and all the files and subdirectories that are in it
DIR
displays the files and subdirectories that are in the directory you specify
DISKCOPY
copies the entire contents of one floppy disk to another floppy disk. It writes over the
existing contents of the destination disk as it copies the new information on it.
ECHO
displays or hides the text in batch programs when the program is running.
EDIT
starts MS-DOS Editor, a text editor you can use to create and edit ASCII text files.
DEL or ERASE
EXIT
quits the MS-DOS command interpreter and returns to the program that started it, if one
exists.
FASTHELP
displays a list of all MS-DOS 6 commands and gives a short explanation of each.
FIND
FORMAT
HELP
MKDIR or MD
creates a directory
MEM
MORE
MOVE
MSBACKUP
backs up or restores one or more files from one disk onto another
MSD
prints a text file while you are using other MS-DOS commands
QBASIC
RD or RMDIR
deletes a directory
REN
RMDIR or RD
deletes a directory
SCANDISK
starts a disk analysis and repair tool that checks a drive for errors and corrects any
problems that it finds.
TREIE
UNDELETE
restores files that were deleted previously by using the DEL command
VER
XCOPY
copies directories , their subdirectories, and files except hidden and system files.