What is a computer.

Computers affect your life every day and will continue to do so in the future. New uses for computers and improvements to existing technology are being developed continually.

The first question related to understanding computers and their impact on our lives is, " What is a computer? " A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory unit that can accept data (input), process data arithmetically and logically, produce results (output), and store the results for future use. Most computers also include the capability to communicate by sending and receiving data to other computers and to connect to the Internet. While different definitions of a computer exist, this definition includes a wide range of devices with various capabilities. Often the term computer or computer system is used to describe a collection of devices that function together to process data.

Data is input, processed, output and stored by specific equipment called computer hardware. This equipment consists of input devices, a system unit, output devices, storage devices, and communication devices.

Input devices are used to enter data into a computer. Two common input devices are the keyboard and the mouse. As the data is entered using the keyboard, it is temporarily stored in the computer's memory and displayed on the screen of the monitor. A mouse is a type of pointing device used to select processing options or information displayed on the screen. The mouse is used to move a small symbol that appears on the screen. This symbol, called a mouse pointer or pointer, can be many shapes but is often in the shape of an arrow.

The system unit is a box-like case that contains the electronic circuits that cause the processing of data to occur. The electronic circuits usually are part of or are connected to a main circuit board called the motherboard or system board. The system board includes the central processing unit, memory and other electronic components. The central processing unit (CPU) contains a control unit that executes the instructions that guide the computer through a task and an arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) that performs math and logic operations. The CPU is sometimes referred to as the processor.

Memory also called RAM (Random Access Memory) or main memory, temporarily stores data and program instructions when they are being processed.

Storage devices, sometimes called secondary storage or auxiliary storage devices, store instructions and data when the system unit is not using them. Storage devices often function as an input source when previously stored data is read into memory. A common storage device on personal computers is called a hard disc drive. A hard disc drive contains a high-capacity disc or discs that provide greater storage capacities than floppy discs. A CD- ROM drive uses a low-powered laser light to read data from removable CD-ROMs.

Communication devices enable a computer to connect to other computers. A modem is a communications device used to connect computers over telephone lines. A network interface card is used to connect computers that are relatively close together, such as those in the same building. A group of computers connected together is called a network.

The devices just discussed are only some of the many types of input, output, storage, and communication devices that can be part of a computer system. A general term for any device connected to the system unit is peripheral device.

Whether small or large, computers can perform four general operations. These four operations are input, process, output, and storage. Together, they comprise the information processing cycle. Each of these four operations can be assisted by a computer's ability to communicate with other computers. Collectively, these operations describe the procedures that a computer performs to process data into information for immediate use or store it for future use.

All computer processing requires data. Data refers to the raw facts, including numbers, words, images, and sounds, given to a computer during the input operation. In the processing phase, the computer manipulates and organizes the data to create information. As long as information exists only inside our heads, there is no way for it to be processed by a computer. For computer processing, information must be represented by such concrete symbols as words, numbers, drawings, and sounds. Information refers to data that has been processed into a form that has meaning and is useful. The production of information by processing data on a computer is called information processing. During the output operation, the information that has been created is put into some form, such as a printed report or an electronic page that people can use. The information also can be stored electronically for future use.

The people who either use the computer directly or use the information it provides are called computer users, end users, or simply users.

Comments:

auxiliary (AUX) допоміжний, додатковии

capacity ємність, об'єм

circuit схема, мікросхема, ланцюг

device прилад, пристрій

hardware апаратні засоби, апаратура, обладнання; загальне позначення сукупності фізичних пристроїв комп'ю­тера або його окремих частин на відміну від прог­рам або даних

network комп'ютерна мережа. Призначена для спільного використання обчислювальних ресурсів, перифе­рійних пристроїв, застосувань і даних. Мережі кла­сифікуються за географічною ознакою (локальні, кампусні, міські, регіональні, глобальні) топологією, передавальним середовищем, способом комутації тощо

pointing device координатно-вказівний пристрій, позицію вальний пристрій, вказівний пристрій, маніпулятор; клас пе­риферійних пристроїв, який застосовують для пе­реміщення курсору на екрані монітора

to process обробляти

storage зовнішня пам'ять; зовнішній пристрій для зберігання даних; пам'ять (основна).

to store запам'ятовувати, зберігати

unit пристрій, блок, вузол