CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS A. According to type: 1.

Analog Computers comes from the word analogous meaning similar used for scientific engineering and process control purposes ex. speedometer, gasoline pump 2. Digital Computers Digital Computers machines that specializes in counting. They operate by counting values that are discrete and the continuous quantitative that can be measured by analog. B. According to Capacity: 1. Supercomputer the fastest, most powerful computer 2. Mainframe computer used in application that require huge storage capacity and massive processing ability. Major Banks and insurance companies still rely on mainframe, as well as airline reservation systems, libraries, and stores that manage huge inventories. These mainframes were large (filling up huge rooms) and needed extremely controlled environment for them to operate. (UNIVAC, ENIAC) 3. Minicomputers do the same things mainframes do, but on a smaller scale. (IBM 3480) 4. Microcomputers single-user, single task machines. Portable micros like laptop, palmtop, and notebook provided the greatest computing power in the smallest area. C. According to Purpose: 1. General-purpose Computers capable of dealing with a variety of problems and processing jobs. 2. Special-Purpose Computers designed for performing one specific task. It is also called dedicated. (ATM, scanners, video games) Components of Computer System Hardware consist of tangible parts and physical components in a computer system includes keyboard, mouse, screen, printer, and all the peripheral devices or any device attached to a computer Input Devices hardware use to enter data and instructions Keyboard standard input device patterned after the typewriter and calculator Mouse hand-clicked device used for pointing Trackball stationary, upside-down mouse Joystick used for computer games Light pen used to draw, write or issue commands when it touches a specially designed screen Output Devices hardware that conveys information to users Printer provides hard copies Video Monitors used to provide soft copies Speakers for audio output Modem used for both input and output System Unit responsible for accepting and processing data brought in by input devices box-like case containing electronic components used to process data sometimes called chassis Main Circuit Board central nervous system of computer / Brain of computer

Ports connections from the motherboard to a peripheral device (keyboard, mouse, etc.) Expansion Slots long, plug-in strips used to connect expansion cards to the motherboard Bus responsible for transporting electronic signals between computer components Central Processing Unit Heart of the computer, controls the interpretation and execution of instructions

Computer Memory Bit basic unit of capacity in computer Memory holds data and instruction before and after they are processed Primary Storage Read Only Memory (ROM) permanent instructions are stored Random-access memory (RAM) data and instructions are temporarily stored Secondary Storage Hard Disk Drive high capacity storage Floppy Disk (diskette) portable, inexpensive storage medium, 1.44mb Zip disk magnetic medium that stores 100Mb or 250 Mb, used to backup and transfer files Compact Disk Read-only Memory (CD ROM) optical disk that can hold 650Mb 1 GB Digital Video Disk Read-only Memory (DVD ROM) high capacity disc capable of storing 4.7Gb 17Gb CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW R-readable disc you can write on once RW re-writable, erasable disc you can write on multiple times Software the programs that manage, run, and operate the entire computer system consist of instruction that tell the computer what to do and how to execute a certain task 2 types of Software 1. Application software program that has been developed to perform a specific task, to solve a particular problem or to give entertainment. Ex: Word processing, spreadsheet Types of Applications: a) Word Processors word processing program used to edit text (MS Word) b) Spreadsheets designed for maintaining numerical tables and calculating formulas (MS Excel) c) Database maintain and retrieve large quantities of records of information (MS Access) d) Other graphic programs 2. System Software is the main reason why the application software interacts with the computer. Its function is to help the computer manage its internal and external resources. Ex: Operating System software that enables the computer to work stores and manage data, and controls the sequence of the software and hardware activity. (PC-DOS, MSDOS, Microsoft Windows XP) Utility Program main function is to either enhance existing functions or provide enhanced services offered by other software programs. (Backup, Data recovery, File defragmentation ) Language Translator task is to convert programs into machine language. (C++, Ada, Pascal ) *the system software can run without the application but the application software but the application software could not run without the system software.

Peopleware

most important elements of computer system people of all levels and skills, from rookies to professionals who use computers with the aim of finding solutions to better and improved the way of life their work is from processing to programming The typical Electronic Data Processing Department (EDP) set up consists of the following personnel: 1. Programmer person in charge in preparing a program for the entire system assigned to take care of the system specifications and analysis and converts them into effective and well-documented programs that solve specific task Responsible for providing the support and assistance to maintain the system software environment 2. Computer Operator ensuring the proper operations and setting up of processor, He checks, from time to time, the disk drives, tapes, and the execution of the program 3. Data Entry Operator converts data from source document into a magnetic media from suitable for input into a computer system 4. System Librarian handles the library of users manual, keeps the tapes or diskette library, and protects the installed programs and data for archiving 5. Database Administrator creates a data dictionary that records organization-wide data definitions and standards 6. Information System Manager focuses on internal activities such as system analysis or program preparation, performs the job of planning, organizing, implementing, and controlling 7. System Analyst in charge of system analysis, how computer data processing can be applied to specific user problems, and in designing effective custom-made data processing solution 8. Telecommunications Specialist in charge of design of internal and external data communications network that serves the organization