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