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BBSYDP Office Automation Course Course Code: IT/MS/09 Prepared By: Tehmina Yaseen Submitted to: Madam Hina Khan
COMPUTERS A machine that can be programmed to manipulate symbols. Computers can perform complex and repetitive procedures quickly, precisely and reliably and can quickly store and retrieve large amounts of data. OR An electronic device that stores and manipulates information. Unlike a calculator, it is able to store a program and retrieve information from its memory. Most computers today are digital, which means they perform operations with quantities represented electronically as digits.

Modern Computers: All general-purpose computers require the following hardware components: Memory : Enables a computer to store, at least temporarily, data and programs. Mass Storage Device : Allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of data. Common mass storage devices include disk drives and tape drives. Input Device : Usually a keyboard and mouse, the input device is the conduit through which data and instructions enter a computer. Output Device : A display screen, printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has accomplished.

Central Processing Unit (CPU): The heart of the computer, this is the component that actually executes instructions. In addition to these components, many others make it possible for the basic components to work together efficiently. For example, every computer requires abus that transmits data from one part of the computer to another. CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS Classification Of Computers By Type 1. Analog Computer 2. Digital Computer 3. Hybrid Computer 1) Analog Computers In analog computers, continuously varying physical quantities are use, such as Current, voltage, temperature and pressure, speed of sound etc. The devices that measure such quantities are analog devises, e.g., odometer, speedometer, voltmeter, ammeter. Analog computers operate by measuring rather than counting. 2) Digital Computer Digital computers work with discrete data. They convert the data into digits(binary digits 0 and 1) and all operations are carried out on these digits at extremely fast rates. A digital computer basically knows how to count the digits and add the digits. Digital computers are much faster than analog computers and far more accurate. They perform calculations by counting. 3) Hybrid Computers A hybrid computers is a combination of both analog and digital computers i.e. it can perform functions of both a digital and an analog computer, For example,petrol pump, an intensive care unit of a hospital, analog devices measure the patients heart function, temperature, or other vital signs. These measures are then converted into numbers or digits and supplied to a digital component that monitor. Classification Of Computers By Size 1. 2. 3. 4. Microcomputers Minicomputers Macro or Mainframe Computers Supercomputers

Microcomputers They are the smallest, low cost, digital and general-purpose computers. They are about the same size as of Typewriter, they contain a small CPU, normally called a microprocessor. These computers are often called personal computers(PCs). Usage

General purpose calculations, industrial control, instrumentation, home appliances, commercial equipment control, office automation etc. Minicomputers This computer is next in the line but less offers less than mainframe in work and performance. These are the computers, which are mostly preferred by the small type of business personals, colleges, etc. Usage Minicomputers are used for multi-user and interactive applications in universities, research organisations,government organisations,industries etc. Mainframes Mainframe computers are very powerful large general purpose computers. They are faster and more powerful than minicomputers. This is normally to expensive and out of reach from a salary-based person who wants a computer for his home. This kind of computer can cost up to thousands of dollars. Usage This computer is commonly used in big hospitals, air line reservations companies, and many other huge companies prefer mainframe because of its capability of retrieving data on a huge basis. Supercomputers The biggest in size, the most expensive in price than any other is classified and known as super computer. It can process trillions of instructions in seconds. This computer is not used as a PC in a home neither by a student in a college. USAGE In most of the Hollywoods movies it is used for a controlnimation purposes. This kind of computer is also helpful for forecasting weather reports worldwide. Classification Of Computers By Purpose There are mainly two types of digital computer:1. General-purpose computer 2. Special-purpose computer General-purpose computer General purpose computers are designed to solve a large variety of problems. That is, they can be given different programmes to solve different types of problems. Special-purpose computer

Special-purpose computers are designed to solve specific problems, the computer program for solving the problem is built right into the computer. DATA PROCESSING CYCLE Data The collection of raw facts and figures is called data. Data Processing Data processing is the manipulation of data into a more useful form. The data processing cycle is the order in which data is processed. There are four stages; Input Source documents are collected and converted into some convenient form for processing. When editing input data, you should identify and arrange data with like characteristics into groups or classes. For example, enrollment forms may be classified according to year level, courses, and the like. Processing The input data is manipulated to produce data give useful information. This is the actual operation performed on the input data. This operation includes classifying, sorting, calculating, recording, and summarizing data. Storage It involves the filing of data and information for future use. Memory holds data that is waiting to be processed, and storage areas hold data permanently until the data is deleted. Output This step yields the results of the data processing in an appropriate form accepted to the user for analysis or as an input for a second cycle. Input Processing Storage Output

HARDWARE The physical components of a computer system Examples: Keyboard Monitor Mouse Printer Scanner Digital Video Camera Graphic Tablet Joy Stick

SOFTWARE The instructions that tell a computer what to do is called Software. Software Program A set of instructions that directs a computers hardware to perform a task is called a Program or Software Program Types Of Software Operating System (OS) Or System Software Application Software

Operating System (OS) Or System Software Operating System Software, also called system software, is the master controller for all activities that take place within a computer. Examples of OS software: Microsoft Windows Unix

Mac OS

Application Software Application Software is a set of one or more computer programs that helps a person carry out a task. Examples of application software: Microsoft Word Internet Explorer Macromedia Dreamweaver Adobe Acrobat Reader

OPERATING SYSTEM "An operating system (OS) is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system. A user cannot run an application program on the computer without an operating system, unless the application program is self booting." OPERATING SYSTEM ENVIRONMENTS Operating systems can be classified as follows: Multi-User: Allows two or more users to run programs at the same time. Some operating systems permit hundreds or even thousands of concurrent users. Multiprocessing: Supports running a program on more than one CPU. Multitasking: Allows more than one program to run concurrently. Multithreading: Allows different parts of a single program to run concurrently. Real Time: Responds to input instantly. General-purpose operating systems, such as DOS and UNIX, are not real-time.

LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR "A Translator is a computer program that translates one programming language instruction(s) into another programming language instruction(s) without the loss of original meaning. OR, the translator will translate X language and produce X." Compiler Computer software that translates (compiles) source code written in a high-level language (e.g., C++) into a set of machine-language instructions that can be understood by a digital computer's CPU. Compilers are very large programs, with error-checking and other abilities. Some compilers translate high-level language into an intermediate assembly language, which is then translated (assembled) into machine code by an assembly program or assembler. Other compilers generate machine language directly.

Interpreter An interpreter translates high-level instructions into an intermediate form, which it then executes. In contrast, a compiler translates high-level instructions directly into machine language. Compiled programs generally run faster than interpreted programs. Advantage The advantage of an interpreter, however, is that it does not need to go through the compilation stage during which machine instructions are generated. This process can be time-consuming if the program is long. The interpreter, on the other hand, can immediately execute high-level programs. For this reason, interpreters are sometimes used during the development of a program, when a programmer wants to add small sections at a time and test them quickly. In addition, interpreters are often used in education because they allow students to program interactively.