A computer is an device capable of accepting data inform of fact and figures as input, applying prescribed processed to the data, and supplying the results of these processes in form of meaningful information as output.
Data processing:
Is getting of information to the right person at the right time. In business,that right person is usually the manager .
Data:
Is the factual material used as basic fir decision or discussion, calculating and measuring. Data alone tells no story . It must be processed by information.
Information:
Is the result obtained from combining processing data as an output information present a meaningful collections if data.
Data base:
This can be defined as a way of storing data and there are device that are used to accomplish the task. Data storage device are ;
1. Storage capacity
2. Access facilities
3. Size
4. Robustness
5. Relative cost.
Classification of computer
Computer can be classified I three ways namely by;
1. Purpose
2. Type
3. Capacity
Classification by purpose
Computer are classified first as either special purpose or general purpose machine the division here depends on how flexible the computer operates.
Classification by type
We consider three way in which they present data there are three types in the category of computers.
Analog computer;
It operates on data which is continuously variboe physical quantities e.g temperature presure bamometer etc. Engineers and scientist in modelling and simulation of physical processes used them.
Digital computer;
Operates in descrete data such as number and numerically coded character. It is suitable for mathematical , scientific, commercial and banking data processing because of it ability to handle alphabet and numerical data with precision and speed.
Hybrid computer;
Combines analog and digital computer into units. It is used in scientific applications such as digital contain of an analog plant.
Classification of capacity
In the early stage the capacity was measured in term of physical size but development in micro electronic has led to the production of compact but powerful machines classification if computer by capacity means;
1. Main frame computer
2. Mini computer
3. Micro computer
Main frame computer
These are large and powerful computer lab with fast processing speeds ,large storage capacity and have many terminals where spread over a wide area can interact with the computer.
Mini computer
They are modarate sized computers designed and built to perform many of the function that a main frame computer does.very small in size and cost less.
Micro Computer;
They are the smallest size of computer currently available in the market. They are computer in which each of their central processing units (CPU) is implemented using a micro processor. Micro computer are further devided into ,
1. Desktop microcomputer
2. A laptop microcenter
Desktop microcomputer;
Is a small personal computer PC which is light enough to be placed on our desk.
A laptop microcomputer;
Is so small that it can litteraly be placed on our laps . It was a type of display known as liquid crystal display ,and can be easily transported from one location to another.
Micro computer configuration
If a computer such as IBM PC is placed on top of a desk and it is operating alone . We say that it is a stand alone micro computer. However, in some organization there may need to link micro computer to each other by some communicating facilities to enable them talk to each other . This is known as networked microcomputer.
LAN;
Local area network (LAN) as the name implies ,is a system that covers relatively short distance. It is important because it is a system where by users have their computers connected together to exchange files ,and electronic mail ,share printers, modem's and other communication devices and access shared data . PC's and compatible PC's stand for microcomputer used as a personal commitments. For example and IBM microcomputer instructed under license by another computer company are design as PC ,xt ,at,xt, Xtra technology ATs advance techniques IMB -PC .
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Technology