Computers

[2025-10-17 Fri]

1. Definition

A computer is a programmable electronic device designed to process information according to a set of instructions.

2. Types of Computers

2.1. Server

A computer optimized to provide resources and services to other computers over a network.

2.2. Supercomputer

An extremely powerful computer designed for complex computations and large-scale simulations, such as climate modeling, molecular analysis, or scientific research.

2.3. Personal Computer (PC)

A general-purpose computer intended for individual use. Examples include desktop and laptop computers.

2.4. Smartphone

A handheld computing device that combines mobile communication with advanced computing capabilities, running dedicated mobile operating systems and applications.

2.5. Embedded Computer

A specialized computer system integrated within a larger device or machine to perform dedicated control or monitoring functions (e.g., in vehicles, appliances, or medical devices).

3. Core Functions of All Computers

All computers, regardless of type, can perform three fundamental tasks:

Input/Output: Read and write information
Arithmetic: Perform mathematical operations
- Many computers use an ALU for this purpose
Logic: Conduct comparisons and logical operations (Boolean algebra)

4. Components of a Computer

4.1. Hardware

The physical components of a computer system, such as the CPU, memory, storage devices, graphics card, and input/output peripherals.

4.1.1. Input Devices

Devices designed to acept/input/read information for the computer
Mouse
Keyboard

4.1.2. Output Devices

Devices that provide/output/write information for the computer

4.1.3. System Unit

A metal plastic box containing main interior components of a computer
Motherboard
- CPU
- Primary Storage(eg; RAM)
- - power supply
Fan/cooling
hard drive
graphics card

Motherboard
- Main PCB found in computer systems
- Holds crucial electronic components of a system, such as the CPU and memory
- Provides connectors between components
1. CPU
  - The command center or the brain of computers
  - Processing speed is measured in Hz(Cycles/Second)
2. Primary Storage(eg; RAM)
  - Temporary storage of work, programs, and data currently in use
  - Computers are only able to work with information when it is in the primary storage
3. Power Supply
  
  Most devices are only designed to work with DC(Direct Current). The power supply takes in alternating current from a wall outlet and convert it into DC.
Secondary Storage(eg; Hard Drive, SSD)
- Permanent storage of work, programs, and data.
- Normally on magnetic or solid state medium (Eg; hard disc/drive, memory key, dvd, cd, floppy disc, tape, punch cards)
1. History Of Secondary Storage
  - Selectron Tube
    - Held up to 512 bytes
    - Was 10" x 3"
    - Due to production problems, never became popular
  - Punch Card:
    - Capacity: 1 collumn = 1 character. 80 collumns
    - Size: 7 3/8" x 3 1/4
    - Used in 1700s for controlling mechanized textile looms before computers
    - Used as recently as 1970s
  - Hard disk drive
    - Magnetic storage
    - First ever hard drive capacity: 5mb
    - First hard drive with >1GB capacity was made in 1980
  - Floppy Disk
    - Removable
    - Magnetic
    - Used 1970s-Early 2000's
  - Opitcal Disk Data Storage
    - Compact disk (cd)
      
      Capacity: 700MB
      
      ROM read only
      
      R came blank, write once
      
      RW could be written on multiple times
    - Digital Video Disk(DVD)
      
      Capacity: 4.7gb(single sided)
    - Blue-Ray disc
      
      Capacity: 25GB per lay (50GB common)
  - Flash Memory
    - Electric(solid state)
    - Can be electrically erased and reprogrammed
    - Maintains data even without power
    - Have replaced traditional hard drives

4.2. Software

The set of programs and operating data installed on a computer, including the operating system (OS), kernel, drivers, and application software.