Computers and its application in data processing

<<–2/”>a >a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/basics-of-computers/”>Basics of computers

Computer is a device that transforms data into meaningful information. Data can be anything like marks obtained by you in various subjects. It can also be name, age, sex, weight, height, etc. of all the students in a class.

A computer is a programmable machine. It allows the user to store all sorts of information and then ?process‘ that information, or data, or carry out actions with the information, such as calculating numbers or organising words.

Computer can also be defined in terms of functions it can perform. A computer can i) accept data, ii) store data, iii) process data as desired, and iv) retrieve the stored data as and when required and v) print the result in desired format.

Mainframe computers are large-sized, powerful multi-user computers that can support concurrent programs. That means, they can perform different actions or ?processes‘ at the same time. Mainframe computers can be used by as many as hundreds or thousands of users at the same time. Large organisations may use a mainframe computer to execute large-scale processes such as processing the organisation‘s payroll. Mini-computers are mid-sized multi-processing computers. Again, they can perform several actions at the same time and can support from 4 to 200 users simultaneously. Workstations are powerful, single-user computers. They have the capacity to store and process large quantities of data, but they are only used by one person at a time.

All the components of Computer can be classified as:-

Input Unit: This unit is used for entering data and programs into the computer system by the user for processing. b. Storage Unit: The storage unit is used for storing data and instructions before and after processing. c.Output Unit: The output unit is used for storing the result as output produced by the computer after processing. d.Processing: The task of performing operations like arithmetic and logical operations is called processing. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) takes data and

instructions from the storage unit and makes all sorts of calculations based on the instructions given and the type of data provided. It is then sent back to the storage unit. CPU includes Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control unit (CU)

Input devices accept data and instructions from the user. For Example 1. Keyboard 2. Mouse 3. Light Pen 4. Optical/magnetic Scanner 5. Touch Screen 6. Microphone for voice as input 7. Track Ball

Output devices return processed data that is information, back to the user. Some of the commonly used output devices are:

Monitor (Visual Display Unit) 2. Printers 3. Plotter 4. Speakers

Software is the computerised instructions that operate a computer, manipulate the data and execute particular functions or tasks.

Programming language: An artificial set of rules, vocabulary and syntax used to instruct the computer to execute certain tasks.

Computer program: A sequence of instructions that can be executed by a computer to carry out a process.

Data processing is the act of handling or manipulating data in some fashion.Regardless of the activities involved in it, processing tries to assign meaning to data. Thus, the ultimate goal of processing is to transform data into information.Data processing is the process through which facts and figures are collected,assigned meaning, communicated to others and retained for future use. Various steps of Data processing can be categorized as follows:-

Advantages of using computer in Data Processing:
1. It increases the speed of the computation and data processing.
2. It can handle huge volume of the data, which is normally not possible manually.
3. It facilitates copy, edit, save and retrieve the data at will.
4. It further enables validation, checking and correction of data easily.
5. Computer makes it very easy to perform comparative analysis, whether by drawing maps or graphs.
6. The type of graph or map (i.e. bar/Pie or types of shades), heading, indexing and other formats can be changed very easily.,

Computers are machines that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically. Modern computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs. These programs enable computers to perform a wide range of tasks.

Computers are used for a variety of purposes, including:

Data processing: Computers can be used to process large amounts of data quickly and accurately. This is useful for tasks such as accounting, inventory management, and scientific research.
Communication: Computers can be used to communicate with other computers and people. This is done through email, instant messaging, and Social Media.
Entertainment: Computers can be used to play games, watch movies, and listen to music.
Education: Computers can be used to learn new things, such as math, science, and history.
Work: Computers can be used to do many different types of work, such as writing reports, creating presentations, and managing spreadsheets.

Computers are made up of two main parts: hardware and software. Hardware is the physical part of the computer, such as the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and hard drive. Software is the instructions that tell the hardware what to do.

Computer hardware can be divided into two categories: input devices and output devices. Input devices allow the user to enter data into the computer, such as the keyboard and mouse. Output devices allow the computer to display data to the user, such as the monitor and printer.

Computer software can be divided into two categories: system software and application software. System software controls the basic functions of the computer, such as the operating system and the file system. Application software allows the user to perform specific tasks, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and games.

Computer networks allow computers to communicate with each other. This is done through a variety of technologies, such as the Internet, local area networks (LANs), and wide area networks (WANs).

Database management systems (DBMSs) are software that allow users to create and manage databases. Databases are collections of data that are organized in a way that makes it easy to find and use the data.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science that deals with the creation of intelligent agents, which are systems that can reason, learn, and act autonomously. AI is used in a variety of applications, such as Robotics, natural language processing, and computer vision.

Machine Learning (ML) is a subfield of AI that deals with the design and development of algorithms that can learn from data. ML is used in a variety of applications, such as spam filtering, fraud detection, and product recommendations.

Natural language processing (NLP) is a field of computer science that deals with the interaction between computers and human language. NLP is used in a variety of applications, such as machine translation, speech recognition, and text analysis.

Computer vision is a field of computer science that deals with the extraction of meaningful information from digital images or Videos. Computer vision is used in a variety of applications, such as face recognition, object detection, and scene understanding.

Robotics is a field of engineering that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots. Robots are machines that can be programmed to perform a variety of tasks.

Big data is a term used to describe the large and complex datasets that are generated by modern technology. Big data is difficult to process using traditional data processing methods.

Cloud computing is a model of computing that allows users to access applications and data over the Internet. Cloud computing is a cost-effective and scalable way to access computing Resources.

Cybersecurity is a field of computer science that deals with the protection of computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. Cybersecurity is important to protect critical Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE, personal information, and intellectual property.

Ethics of computing is a field of study that deals with the moral and ethical issues that arise from the use of computers. Ethics of computing is important to ensure that computers are used in a way that is beneficial to Society.

The future of computing is uncertain, but it is likely that computers will become even more powerful and ubiquitous. Computers are likely to be used in a variety of new and innovative ways, such as in healthcare, education, and transportation.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about computers and its application in data processing:

What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically. Modern computers can perform generic sets of operations known as programs. These programs enable computers to perform a wide range of tasks.
What are the different types of computers?
There are many different types of computers, but they can be broadly classified into four categories: personal computers, mainframe computers, supercomputers, and embedded computers.
Personal computers are small, single-user computers that are designed for general-purpose use. They are the most common type of computer and are used for a variety of tasks, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and internet browsing.
Mainframe computers are large, powerful computers that are used for high-volume processing and data storage. They are typically used by large businesses and organizations to manage their operations.
Supercomputers are the most powerful type of computer and are used for complex scientific and engineering calculations. They are typically used by governments and research institutions.
Embedded computers are small, specialized computers that are embedded in other devices, such as cars, appliances, and medical equipment. They are designed to perform a specific task and are not typically used by end users.
What are the different components of a computer?
The main components of a computer are the central processing unit (CPU), the memory, the storage, the input/output devices, and the power supply.
The CPU is the brain of the computer and is responsible for carrying out instructions.
The memory stores data and instructions that are being used by the CPU.
The storage stores data and programs that are not currently being used by the CPU.
The input/output devices allow the user to interact with the computer and to send and receive data.
The power supply provides power to the other components of the computer.
How does a computer work?
A computer works by following a set of instructions called a program. The program is stored in the memory of the computer and is executed by the CPU. The CPU fetches instructions from the memory, decodes them, and executes them. The results of the instructions are stored in the memory or sent to the output devices.
What are the different applications of computers?
Computers are used in a wide variety of applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, internet browsing, email, gaming, and video editing. They are also used in business, education, healthcare, and government.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of computers?
Computers have many advantages, including speed, accuracy, and storage capacity. They can also be used to automate tasks and to communicate with others. However, computers also have some disadvantages, such as the risk of data loss and the potential for addiction.
What is the future of computers?
The future of computers is uncertain, but it is likely that they will become even more powerful and versatile. They may also become more integrated into our lives, such as being used to control our homes and cars.

Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Computers and its application in data processing:

Which of the following is not a type of computer?
(A) Analog computer
(B) Digital computer
(C) Hybrid computer
(D) Quantum computer
Which of the following is not a component of a computer?
(A) CPU
(B) RAM
(C) ROM
(D) Hard drive
Which of the following is not a function of the CPU?
(A) Arithmetic and logic operations
(B) Control operations
(C) Input and output operations
(D) Storage operations
Which of the following is not a type of memory?
(A) RAM
(B) ROM
(C) Cache memory
(D) Hard drive
Which of the following is not a type of storage device?
(A) Hard drive
(B) CD-ROM
(C) DVD-ROM
(D) Flash drive
Which of the following is not an input device?
(A) Keyboard
(B) Mouse
(C) Monitor
(D) Scanner
Which of the following is not an output device?
(A) Monitor
(B) Printer
(C) Speaker
(D) Keyboard
Which of the following is not a software application?
(A) Word processing
(B) Spreadsheet
(C) Database
(D) Operating system
Which of the following is not a type of Network?
(A) Local area network (LAN)
(B) Wide area network (WAN)
(C) Metropolitan area network (MAN)
(D) Internet
Which of the following is not a type of security threat?
(A) Virus
(B) Worm
(C) Trojan horse
(D) Firewall

I hope these MCQs are helpful!