COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE
Computer
In the ancient days, computer referred to a device for mathematical calculations. But a computer is no more confined to the limited definition and it has come a long way since the days of Eniac and Charles Babbage. We can generally refer to computer as a machine that processes data through a set of programs.
The Evolution of computer
Numerous plans are designs were there but the first concrete shape given to computer was the Z3 constructed by Konrad Zuse in 1941. It was followed by the first regular computer named Atanasoff-Berry computer in the same year. The next was a large scale electronic computer Harvard Mark I of IBM in 1944 and the ENIAC in 1946. But the revolutionary change came with the introduction of the Von Neumann Architecture which is also known as “Stored Program Architecture” and it became the basis for all modern computers. During 1950’s tube based computer designs were in vogue. In the 1960’s valves were replaced by transistors and both were replaced by Integrated Circuit (IC) in 1970’s. Today the computers are based on microprocessors and chips.
Computer components
Looking from the outside, a complete computer set will have a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a displaying monitor; a keyboard attached to the CPU, a mouse attached to the CPU and may have two additional accessories in a printer and a Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) attached to the computer. Inside the CPU which is the soul of a computer, it would have motherboard, display card, microprocessors, Random Access Memory (RAM) for primary storage, Expansion cards, Power Supply unit, Optical disc drive, Hard Disc set for secondary storage etc.
Computer architecture
Architecturally a computer contains the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU), control circuitry, the memory unit, and the Input Output (I/O) device. They are interconnected by wires and regulated by a timer clock. Control system is vital since it ties all components together and allows the computer to process data and display results. Now days the ALU and control unit are located on a single integrated circuit called a microprocessor.
How computer works
The working pattern is fairly simple for a computer. On each clock cycle, it fetches the instructions and related data from the memory and on execution of the instructions the data is processed. The results are stored and the next data and instruction set is fetched. Control unit interprets the instructions and ALU executes it. One important thing is that computer does not recognize anything excepting zero and one which represent negative and positive and every data processed by it is transformed accordingly into machine language, processed and again reconverted into human readable language. A Computer may be mini, mainframes, or servers and their performances differ accordingly. One more category is the supercomputer that is used in scientific and technical laboratories for experiment and research.
Software
Software is programs and may also include data and instructions. Computer software allows the user to perform specified task. Windows XP Microsoft Office program is software, so is the Linux based Open Office Organization. The Windows XP, a software, is itself created from the C++ software with around forty thousand lines of computer codes. Software goes through regular evolutions and the software engineers are on constant search for improving their performances. Thousands of different types of computer software including language software, anti-virus, security, office works, calculating software etc are available in the market. The basic concept was that there are tasks common forms a number of works and this can be translated into a program that is software. Without operating software, the computer shall remain useless and idle. An operating system like Windows XP and Linux or Macintosh is software managing not only the work but the hardware as well. The Graphical User Interface, we are so acquainted with, is nothing but software. They are called software because while they are visible, they are not touchable and work remaining in the background.
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