| Computers simply mean a machine which can | | | | for personal use of a single user at one time. They |
| compute. Let us peek into the past and find out who | | | | come in two types; A Desktop and a Laptop. Then |
| were the geeks who thought about having a device | | | | there is an even smaller computer known as the |
| that could perform calculative tasks by recognizing | | | | Palmtop which can be held in the palms of the user. |
| inputs and giving the appropriate outputs. | | | | While these are the smaller and personal types of |
| Abacus developed in 3000 BC can be called the first | | | | computers, The Mainframe, Workstation and |
| ever computer as it was a simple counting device. In | | | | Supercomputers are the larger high end computers |
| 1941 a German engineer Konard Zuse developed a | | | | used by big organizations. |
| first programmable calculator using binary math and | | | | Computers can perform a wide range of functions |
| Boolean logic. UNIVAC was developed in 1951 and the | | | | such as word processing, Digital Audio/Video |
| real breakthrough came in 1952 when Texas | | | | composition, Internet, Communications and Networking |
| Instrument developed the Integrated Circuit. In 1964, IBM | | | | and Desktop Publishing. Computers word processing |
| introduced a mainframe computer called IBM 360. | | | | capability includes automatic correction of spelling and |
| Apple introduced Apple I in 1976 and Apple II in 1977. | | | | grammar mistakes. Internet is one of the greatest |
| The Computer that is familiar to most of us in terms of | | | | inventions of human beings. It connects infinite number |
| looks and functionality was unveiled in 1981 when IBM | | | | of computers in the manner of a web. |
| introduced the Personal Computer. | | | | Ungodly amounts of information are available on the |
| The main characteristics of a Computer are: | | | | Internet and facilities of communications such as |
| 1 - It follows and is capable of following a special set | | | | messaging, audio and video conferencing are available |
| of instructions. | | | | for free. Graphic engineers are using computers for |
| 2 - It can execute preset list of instructions generally | | | | editing audio and video compositions. No media |
| known as a computer program. | | | | production can be completed without the help of |
| The basic components which are essential to make a | | | | computers. Nowadays Computers are indispensable |
| computer are: | | | | for Banking, Railway and Flight Reservations, Education |
| 1 - Input Device comprising of a Keyboard and Mouse | | | | and even defense of a country. There is hardly any |
| which are used for entering instructions and data into | | | | sector of business which does not utilize Computers. |
| the computer. | | | | Important and critical business tasks cannot be |
| 2 - Output device such as the Visual Display Unit or | | | | accomplished without the help of computers. |
| the Screen, Printer etc, which lets us see what the | | | | Just like human beings, computers are also prone to |
| computer has done. | | | | diseases which are created by attack of viruses. |
| 3 - The Central Processing Unit which is known as the | | | | Proper back up of all data stored in computer must be |
| brain of the Computer where all the processing of | | | | maintained to provide back up in case of storage |
| data is done and instructions are executed. | | | | media failure. Computers must be secured from |
| 4 - Memory is the powerhouse of the computer which | | | | unauthorized use by passwords and must be |
| stores data and instructions in it. | | | | protected from viruses by installing anti-virus programs |
| 5 - Mass Storage Devices are those which | | | | in them. Computers, if safeguarded and used properly |
| permanently stores and retain large amount of data. | | | | can create wonders for human kind and can produce |
| The common ones are floppy drives, CD-ROMs, Hard | | | | results which are unachievable without them. |
| disks etc. | | | | This article is under GNU FDL license and can be |
| Computers come in various types designed for various | | | | distributed without any previous authorization from the |
| purposes keeping in mind different categories of its | | | | author. However the author's name and all the URLs |
| users. According to their type they have different | | | | (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be |
| capabilities and are priced accordingly. The most | | | | kept. |
| popular computer is the Personal Computer which is | | | | |