Lecture notes
Business & Computing
- Module
- Computer Technology
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- Arden College Southport
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STU 25/09/2021Computer Technology Module – Revision
Computer technology combines the hardware of computers and computer-controlled devices
with software – OS, authoring tools, expert systems and courseware – to support training
technology.
What is Computer Technology?
1. Is a broad term that refers to computer software and hardware.
2. Refers to computer-specific technology as previously defined.
3. Refers to inventions related to or associated with computers and devices with a CPU,
such as the hardware and software of computers, the Internet and storage devices.
4. A combination of computer related hardware or software such as multimedia
computers, different types of media (graphics, audios and videos) and networked
communication tools (email, bulletin boards etc.) together in an educational setting in
order to enhance language learning.
Computer technology combines the hardware of computers and computer-controlled devices
with software—operating systems, authoring tools, expert systems and course ware—to
support training technology. A computer is a machine that can be instructed to carry out
sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically via computer programming.
Modern computers have the ability to follow generalized sets of operations, called programs. A
"complete" computer including the hardware, the operating system, and peripheral equipment
required and used for "full" operation can be referred to as a computer system. Computer
technology is often through the donation of technology to developing areas. Many institutions,
government, charitable, and for-profit organizations require technology development often
involving hardware or software design, and the coordination of donors, distributors, and
deplores. Computing is any activity that uses computers to manage, process, and communicate
information. It includes development of both hardware and software. Computing is a critical,
integral component of modern industrial technology.
PC (Personal It is a single user computer system having moderately powerful
Computer) microprocessor
It is also a single user computer system, similar to personal
Workstation
computer however a more powerful microprocessor has.
It is a multi-user computer system, capable of supporting
Mini Computer
hundreds of users simultaneously.
It is a multi-user computer system, capable of supporting
Main Frame hundreds of users simultaneously. Software technology is
different from minicomputer.
Supercomputer It is an extremely fast computer, which can execute hundreds of
,STU 25/09/2021
millions of instructions per second.
A PC can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user.
PCs are based on the microprocessor technology that enables manufacturers to put an entire
CPU on one chip. Businesses use personal computers for word processing, accounting, desktop
publishing, and for running spreadsheet and database management applications. At home, the
most popular use for personal computers is playing games and surfing the Internet. Although
personal computers are designed as single-user systems, these systems are normally linked
together to form a network. In terms of power, now-a-days high-end models of the Macintosh
and PC offer the same computing power and graphics capability as low-end workstations by
Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell.
Workstation is a computer used for engineering applications (CAD/CAM), desktop publishing,
software development, and other such types of applications which require a moderate amount
of computing power and relatively high quality graphics capabilities.
Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics screen, large amount of
RAM, inbuilt network support, and a graphical user interface. Most workstations also have
mass storage device such as a disk drive, but a special type of workstation, called diskless
workstation, comes without a disk drive. Common operating systems for workstations are
UNIX and Windows NT. Like PC, workstations are also single-user computers like PC but are
typically linked together to form a local-area network, although they can also be used as stand-
alone systems.
Minicomputer
It is a midsize multi-processing system capable of supporting up to 250 users simultaneously.
Mainframe
Mainframe is very large in size and is an expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds
or even thousands of users simultaneously. Mainframe executes many programs concurrently
and supports many simultaneous executions of programs.
Supercomputer
Supercomputers are one of the fastest computers currently available. Supercomputers are
very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that require immense amount of
mathematical calculations (number crunching).
Today’s world is an information-rich world and it has become a necessity for everyone to
know about computers. A computer is an electronic data processing device, which accepts and
stores data input, processes the data input, and generates the output in a required format.
Functionalities of a Computer
If we look at it in a very broad sense, any digital computer carries out the following five
functions −
Step 1 − Takes data as input.
, STU 25/09/2021
Step 2 − Stores the data/instructions in its memory and uses them as required.
Step 3 − Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
Step 4 − Generates the output.
Step 5 − Controls all the above four steps.
Advantages of Computers
Following are certain advantages of computers.
High Speed
Computer is a very fast device.
It is capable of performing calculation of very large amount of data.
The computer has units of speed in microsecond, nanosecond, and even the
picoseconds.
It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to man who will
spend many months to perform the same task.
Accuracy
In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate.
The calculations are 100% error free.
Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that the input is correct.
Storage Capability
Memory is a very important characteristic of computers.
A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings.
It can store large amount of data.
It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio, etc.
Diligence
Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of
concentration.
It can work continuously without any error and boredom.
It can perform repeated tasks with the same speed and accuracy.
Versatility
A computer is a very versatile machine.
A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.
This machine can be used to solve the problems related to various fields.
At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the very next
moment it may be playing a card game.
Reliability
A computer is a reliable machine.
Modern electronic components have long lives.
Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.
Automation
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