What is Hardware

Types of Hardwares

We divided computer hardware in further 4 groups.
1. Input Devices
2. Processing Device
3. Storage Devices
4. Output Devices.
1: Input Devices:

Input means giving data in computer. Input devices are devices used to input data. Some input devices are keyboard, Mouse, Digital Camera, Scanner etc

Keyboard
Keyboard consists on buttons called keys used to give textual (a – z) numeric (0 – 9) and special character data (, : < > etc) in computer. A standard keyboard consists on 4 types of keys.
a. Numeric Key b. Alphbatic / Alphanumaric keys
c. Navigation Key d. Function Key




Mouse
A mouse is and input device which is used just to pointing and select items on the screen. Laptop computers offer another alternative, the touchpad-a pressure-sensitive surface built into the keyboard console. It lets you more your cursor by tracing your finger on the touchpad itself.



Scanner
The scanner works like a copy machine. It captures a whole page and converts it to digital image. The scanned text cannot be edited at this point.






Camera
Camera is used to give live picture and videos in computer. It may be a digital one or VCR (Video Camera Recorder).



Mic
Mic is an input device used to just give / record / input sound in the computer.

Barcode Reader
An input device used to read and input barcode data in computer. This data will be further processed to calculate or output the actual information.

Types of Computer

1: Super Computer:
These are largest in size, fast in speed & have a capacity to perform many people tasks. More then 1000 people can work at a time on a single super computer. Speed of this computer is measured in BIPS (Billion Instruction Per Second). An instruction means a statement to perform a task. So, in on second these computers can execute one billion instructions. These computers are being used in Aerospace Technology & Atomic Energy.
2: Mainframe Computer:
These are second category computers. These are smaller than super controller but these are also large computer, fast in speed but slow as compared to Super Computer. On such type of computer 100 to 1000 people can work at a time. Speed of these computers is measured in MIPS (Million Instruction Per Second) means one million instructions can be processed in one second. These computers are being used in large organizations as by Air force, Navy, Pakistan Steel Mills, Large Bank & Agha Khan University is also using such computers.
3: Mini Computer:
These are 3rd category computers. These are small in size with low speed as compared to super & mainframe computer. On such types of computer upto 500 people can work at a time. Speed of these computer is measured in KIPS (Kilo Instruction Per Second) means 1000 instructions can be processed in a second. These computers are being used in middle size companies & organizations like hotels, railways, PIA & super stores etc.
4: Micro or Personal Computer:
These are the smallest types of computer being used these days. These have slow speed as compared to super, mainframe & mini computers. Just one man can work on such types of computer. The price is so less that a person can purchase it. So, it is also called PC (Personal Computer). Speed of these computers is measured in Hz, GHz, and MHz. It is being used in small offices, home for calculation & entertainment.

History of Computer

There are many devices which were used to aid computation for thousands of years. Humans learned to count on their hands. The abacus is first computing device in the human history used for arithmetic tasks (calculation). The Roman abacus was used in Babylonia as early as 2400 BC.
A number of astronomical calculators were constructed in ancient and medieval times. There are many inventions made by Abu Rayhan al-Beyruni (c. AD 1000); the Equatorium of Abu Ishaq Ibrahim al-Zarqali (c. AD 1015) the astronomical analog computers of other medieval Muslim astronomers and engineers. Al-khuwarzini is derived basic concept known as Algorithim, while bee basic for the modern computation.
John Napier (1550-1617) designed Napier’s bones, an abacus-like device used for multiplication and division. In 1890, the United States Census Bureau used punched cards, sorting machines, and tabulating machines designed by Herman Hollerith to handle.
In early days of 1940, Scientist develop machine naming ENIAC, EDVAC that were using vacuum tubes.
After 1959 by development in electronics, semi conductors, diodes come on screen. Computer manufacturing companies like IBM use this new technology and make machine like UNIVC II, CDC1604.
In third generation machine integrated circuits (IC) were used. That was 1965 when multiprocessing concept introduced. In 1981 IBM released first Personal Computer (PC). The computer is now being used in each and every field of life not only for calculation but also for controlling other machines and to perform other logical operations.
In 1990 Microsoft released Windows 3.0 that make computer more favorite and easy to use tools. After 1990, there was a great revolution in computer hardware as well as in software field. Concept of large scale integration and very large scale integration introduced in hardware side, plug and play and hot boot future introduced on software side. After 2000 Database management system and artificial intelligence introduced.

What is Computer

What is Computer?
The word computer is derived from a word Compute which means “To Calculate”. So, simply we can say. “Computer is a calculating device.”
In an other definition we say.
“Computer is a device that converts data into information according to given instructions.”
Working of Computer:
Computer convert data into information using a 4-steps process called IPC

(Information Process Cycle).

In IPC 1st Step è Data will be given in computer (input stage).
2nd step è Computer will process that data to generate useful information (Processing Stage).
I P C3rd Step è Computer will store the result (Storage stage).
4th Step è Computer will displayed result (Output Stage).

For example if you want result of 2+2 by computer then IPC work as;

Input Stage 2+2 will given in computer
Processing Stage 2+2 = 4 the result will be calculated
Storage Stage 4 will be store in computer.
Output Stage 4 will be displayed on screen

Here what is meant by Data & Information?
Data. “Individual or raw facts about any things called Data”. e.g. Ali, 50, RS etc
Information. “Data after processing to give a useful and complete meaning is called Information”.

Here question is that why this device is being too much popular? This is due to following reason.

Characteristics of Computer:

1: Speed.

Computer is a speedy device. A problem that a man can solve in hours, can be solved by computer in mill & micro seconds.
2: Storage Capacity.

Computer is used due to its large storage capacity. A data that you can place in 100 (7x4) feet almirah can be stored in a computer on a 2x2 inch area.
3: Reliability.

Computer is too much reliable it not give wrong result and never tired if you use it continuously. So is accurate and tireless machine.
4: Adoptability.

Computer has ability to work with and to control each and every electronic device. Your can plug camera, motors, fax and many other machines with it to get required result.

Usage of Computer:
Due to above characteristics computer is being used in each and every field of life. Computer is working as part of other machines as well as a separate machine. Computer is being used in Households, Robotics Technology, Offices, Industries, Banks, Railway, Airlines, Hotels to keep record, Universities for research, in data communication and Telecommunication, for Online reservation, online shopping and online banking etc.