Principal Characteristics of Computer 1) Speed: A computer is a very fast device.

It can perform in few seconds, the amount of work that a human being can do in an entire year. The speed of a computer measure in microseconds(10-6), nanoseconds(10-9) and picoseconds(10-12). A powerful computer is capable of performing several billion arithmetic operation per second. 2) Accuracy: Computer is very accurate device. The accuracy of a computer is principle high. The degree of accuracy of a particular computer depends upon its design. Computer done very calculation with same accuracy. Errors can occur in a computer, However, these problem are mainly due to human rather than technological weaknesses. 3) Automatic(Automation): A machine is no sooner than done to be automatic if it, works by itself without human intervention. Computer are automatic machines, because one started on a job, they carry on, until the job is finished, without any human assistance. However, computer being machines can not start them selves. They cannot go out find their own problems and solutions. They have to be instructed. 4) Diligence: Computer has unlike human beings. A computer is free from dullness and lack of concentration. It can continuously work for hours without creating any error human beings in doing regular types of jobs, which requires great accuracy. Computer can perform the number of calculation with exactly the same accuracy and speed as the first one. 5) Versatility: Versatility is a most important characteristic of computer. It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work. You may use your computer to prepare payroll slips. Next moment you may use it for inventory management or to prepare electric bills. A computer is capable of performing almost any task, if the task can be reduced to series of logical steps. 6) Memory(Power of Remembering): Computer has a brain, but unlike human (Man) beings. A computer can store data and information. And recalled as long as you require it, for any numbers of years. Because of its secondary storage capability. A data and information can be retrieved as long as desired by the user and can be recalled, as when required. The information recalled would be as accurate as on the day when it was fed to the computer. 7) No. I.Q.(Intelligence Quotient) : A computer is not a magical device. It is no intelligence of its own. User can determine, what tasks will the computer perform. So a computer cannot take its own decision as you can. (A computer can not take it own decision in this regard.). 8) No Feelings: Computer has no feelings. They have no emotions, because they are machine. Computer is not like human heart and soul. Computer cannot make such judgments on their own. Their judgment is based on the instructions given to them in the from of programs, that are written by us.

Pertinacity (Endurance)
This denotes that the computers never get tried as the humans do. If there are surplus amount of executions to be made then each and every execution will be executed at the same time period. They can perform their assigned task without taking any refreshment.

Cheaper (Reduction of cost)

Computers are short term investment in order to achieve a long term gain. Though the investment is high they reduce the cost of each and every transaction. They reduce man power and leads to an elegant and efficient way for computing various tasks.

Basic Functions of Computers INPUT, OUTPUT, PROCESSING, STORAGE

Components of Computer Basic Information

A Motherboard - The backbone of the computer, designed to transfer information and power to and from all of the major components. Other components are usually plugged into this device, and it is almost always the largest board in the computer. Also called a "Mainboard" or "mobo". The motherboard contain the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) that allows all the components to communicate with each other. CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The Central Processing Unit that is usually attached directly to the motherboard. It is comprised of a chip with usually dozens of pins which are connected to the motherboard. They are usually obscured by a large heat sink (large metal components which divert heat away from chips). RAM (Random Access Memory) - Usually Dual-Inline Memory Modules (DIMMs), they are plugged directly into the motherboard as well. Some high-performance versions are cased in metal which help cool the chips on them. There are usually 8 chips on a stick of RAM (random access memory), sometimes there is a 9th "parity" chip, which helps check for errors within the memory. ROM (Read Only Memory), usually on a Hard drive - This is usually a large metallic rectangular prism-shaped device about 3.5 inches wide. It stores data onto metal discs within the device and have recently come out with capacities as large as 1 TB (Terabyte, or 1000 Gigabytes, 1,000,000 Megabytes etc). In the 'old days' these were cards, ticker tape, or magnetic discs labeled as A drive or B drive. Now most computers have C drive, which is the hard drive mentioned earlier. A Power Supply - Computers need specific power voltages for each component and always have a power supply which takes power from the wall and outputs power at specific voltages on specific cable formats within the computer. The OS - The operating system; the primary functions of the operating system are to manage the hardware resources (disk space, memory, CPU and so on) and provide facilities to manage and run programs.

A case to hold all the components, usually in a tower. Human Interface Devices (HID) - These are the components that allow a human being to interact with the computer and access and/or process data. These can include a keyboard, mouse, monitor (digital video screen, usually now an LCD monitor), video cam, microphone, headphones/speakers, graphics tablet, or other devices.

1. Case

The case is the main hardware component of the computer and contains several circuit boards that define how your computer operates. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of the computer and processes information. RAM (Random Access Memory) holds temporary information that disappears when the computer is shut off.. A video card for handling displays, a sound card for managing sound, a power source, and a cooling fan are also in the case.

2. Hard drive

A hard drive is magnetic media that stores information permanently. It can exist inside the case or can be externally connected through ports. Though low-end laptops can have hard drives starting at 100MB (megabytes) in size, terabyte (TB) drives are becoming more common. The larger the capacity of the drive, the more information it can store.
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CD/DVD

CDs and DVDs are the primary means of distributing programs. Your computer must play these discs on drives in order to download the software. Though separate drives exist for each disc type, they are more often combined into one drive to save space. A CD/DVD drive can also store information on a disc in a process known as "burning."

Monitor

A monitor or screen displays information from the computer. Its size is typically expressed in inches as a diagonal measurement from one corner of the screen to the opposite. Common sizes for desktop monitors range from 17 to 23 inches. Old and bulky CRT monitors have been all but replaced by more compact flat screens.

Keyboard

You enter information into a computer primarily by typing on a keyboard, which contain not only keys for letters, numbers, and punctuation marks, but those for functions such as moving the cursor and deleting text. Though wireless keyboards, most of them are still attached to the computer. More advanced keyboards can also feature on/off switches, media controls, and lighted keys.

Mouse

A mouse moves the cursor on the screen, and activates or manages program icons through the use of buttons. Traditional mice accomplish this by moving across a mouse pad while trackballs save space by rotating a ball at a fixed location.

Modem

Modems connect the computer to the internet through a phone line or high-speed cable. They may exist inside the case or as an external device. Several computers connecting to the same modem or to each other use a router, which may also be part of a modem.