Introduction to Computers/What is a computer

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Introduction to Computers → What is a computer This page is part of the Introduction to Computers project.

[edit] What is a computer?

A computer is a machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions.

A computer can also be defined as an electronic machine that accepts input (data), processes it and gives out results(information)

[edit] Computer organization at a glance

A basic computer consists of three major components: CPU (Central Processing Unit), IO (Input/Output), and Memory as illustrated in Figure 1.

Data comes through Input and the CPU processes the data based on a program which is in Memory. The result is returned to Memory or is presented to the user.

CPU itself consists of Arithmetic and Logic Unit(ALU), Control Unit(CU) and Registers.

[edit] A Computer-based system

A Computer-based system is a system in which a computer is involved and consists of three major elements: Hardware, Software, and User. The elements of a computer based system are described in the three following scenarios:

1. Registration in a University

   Hardware = Micro computers, Network platform, and a Server Computer

   Software = Student Registration Application, Database, and Operating System

   User = Operators, Administrators

2. Controlling a section of an Assembly Line

   Hardware = A specially embedded system which is developed for this purpose

   Software = The machine code Loaded on the Embedded system Memory

   User = Other Machine, Supervisor

3. Playing a game with a Computer

   Hardware = Game Console such as XBox, Playstation

   Software = The Game itself

   User = The little kid

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