GNDU B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce)

Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Computers, Generations and Applications

Summary

A computer is an electronic device that accepts data as input, processes it according to a set of stored instructions, and produces meaningful information as output, with the ability to store data for future use. Its general features that make it useful are speed, accuracy, diligence (it does not tire), versatility, large storage capacity and automatic operation. Computers have evolved through generations marked by changes in their main electronic components: the first generation used vacuum tubes, the second used transistors, the third used integrated circuits, the fourth used microprocessors (very large-scale integration), and the fifth generation is associated with artificial intelligence and very high levels of integration. Computers are also classified by size and power: micro or personal computers and workstations for individual or technical use, mini computers for medium organisations, mainframe computers for large organisations handling many users, and super computers for the most demanding scientific tasks. Despite their power, computers have limitations: they have no intelligence of their own, cannot think or take decisions without instructions, depend wholly on the program and data supplied, and produce wrong results if fed wrong input (garbage in, garbage out). Their applications are vast and include data and information processing, commercial and office automation, industry and engineering, healthcare, education, and graphics and multimedia, which is why they are central to modern business and society.

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Practice quiz