Computer Hardware Question 17 - 22

Computer Hardware Question 17: What is the  central processing unit (CPU)?

The CPU and Processing System

Answer:   The  central processing unit is the computer's main processing device. It functions through the interaction of three different units: (1) the control unit that interprets instructions and directs the processing, (2) the arithmetic/logic unit that performs arithmetic operations and makes comparisons, and (3) the primary storage unit that temporarily stores data during processing (main memory).The central processing unit is the most complex of the computer's hardware components, directing most of the information processing activities. Each new generation of CPUs adds new processing capabilities and, at the same time gets faster. As new processing methods are invented, new ways of miniaturizing the required circuits are also devised. This miniaturization has resulted in ever smaller, faster computers. Microcomputers that fit comfortably on your desk now have more processing power than mainframe computers that used to fill an entire room.

Today's CPUs are incredibly complex devices. To understand them, it is best to view them in terms of their function. Functionally, the CPU is composed of two main parts, the control unit and the arithmetic logic unit.
The CPU and processing system is illustrated below.

Computer Hardware Question 12 - 16

Computer Hardware Question 12: What is a  workstation?

Answer:   As PCs and the internet have become more popular, their use has expanded beyond their traditional role for word processing and simple data management. Some manufacturers have designed very powerful microcomputers that have taken over some of the more complex data management tasks that were formerly reserved for mainframes and minicomputers. These more powerful microcomputers have come to be called  workstations (see computer hardware questions 8 through 12 for information about the different types of computers). Workstations are microcomputers in that they are based on a microprocessor. And, like other microcomputers, they are designed to be used by one person at a time. However, workstations are usually faster than PCs, often have more storage then PCs, and may use more complex and powerful operating systems than PCs. Workstations are often used for scientific tasks or for managing detailed design and graphics tasks. Often they are used as  multiprocessing machines: that is, because they are fast and use a powerful operating system, they can be used to carry out more than one type of data-processing task at the same time.

Computer Hardware Question 8 - 11

Computer Hardware Question 8: What is a  mainframe?

Answer:   The largest, most expensive computers are known as  mainframes (see computer hardware questions 8 through 12 for information about the different types of computers). They generally cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars and they usually are used as central data processing and storage devices by large businesses or government agencies. The computer users can usually access the mainframes from many different offices that can be in different buildings or even in different cities. Many people can be in contact with the mainframe at the same time and, at any one moment, the mainframe can be processing several different programs for several different users. For that reason, mainframes are often referred to as  host computers in that they are host to many users in many different locations. Many printers and a variety of storage devices may be attached to the mainframe computer.

Computer Generations part2

Computer Hardware Question 6: What is a fourth generation computer?

Answer:   During the 1970s, The downsizing of mainframe and minicomputers continued. By the late 1970s, most businesses were using computers for at least part of their data-management needs.

However, the need for smaller and faster computers meant that even the integrated circuits of the third generation of computers had to be made more compact. Fourth generation computers are based on  large-scale integration (LSI) of circuits. New chip manufacturing methods meant that tens of thousands and later hundreds of thousands of circuits could be integrated into a single chip (known as  VLSI for  very large-scale integration).

Computer Hardware Question 3 - 5

Computer Hardware Question 3: What is a first generation computer?

Answer:   The first generation of computers is represented by the first commercial electronic computers that were based on the  vacuum tube. After the conclusion of the Second World War, the first commercially successful computer was produced by Mauchly and Eckert. They formed the Electronic Controls Company, expressly for the purpose of developing and selling electronic computers. One of their first projects, a new and more powerful computer named the UNIVAC 1, was delivered to the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.

Computers of the first generation were all very large, room-sized computers that used thousands of vacuum tubes (the same kind of glowing glass tubes that were used in radios of that era). Their design was functional for the time, but their role in business was limited by three factors - their size, the heat they generated, and their reliability problems. And, during this period, new methods

Computer Hardware Questions

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Computer Hardware Question 1: What is Computer  hardware?

Answer:   Computer  hardware refers to the computer's machinery, its electronic devices and its circuits. What we call a computer is actually a  system, a combination of components that work together. The hardware devices are the physical components of that system. The hardware is designed to work hand-in-hand with computer programs, referred to as  software. Software programs are usually designed specifically for use with one type of computer hardware.

What is the system development cycle?

General Computer Question 27: What is the  system development cycle?

Answer:   Today, the development of a computer system is generally based on a  systems development cycle model. In such a model, the systems development process is broken down into a number of manageable phases. By breaking the task down into smaller units, the systems analyst can receive feedback at each stage of development and can thus assure the effectiveness and success of the system. This systems development cycle approach also reduces the cost of systems development because the greatest expenditures are made during the later phases of the cycle (the earlier stages mostly involve planning). Although individual organizations may break the systems development process down differently, the best approach is to break the task down into small, manageable units. For example, we could break the systems development task down into the following five phases:

General Computer Question 21: Are there  health considerations when using computers?

Answer:   When new devices and new tasks are introduced into the workplace, there is bound to be concern about a person's prolonged exposure to these new conditions. With the growing computerization of businesses, there has been a great deal of concern about exposure to the types of screens that are commonly used in computers, screens based on the  cathode-ray tube ( CRT). There has been discussion that prolonged exposure to CRT screens might cause tumors, cataracts, or that they might cause problems for pregnant women. While the evidence related to the use of CRT screens is complicated and produces no clear-cut indications, it is a concern that should not be taken lightly. Today, new CRT screens have been designed to limit the emissions they give off and many are now purchasing these types of screens.

General Computer Question 20:

General Computer Question 20: What types of  computer jobs are available?

Answer:   The invention and evolution of the computer has resulted in millions of new types of computer-related jobs. From those who enter the data to those who maintain the largest computer systems, there continues to be a worldwide demand for workers who are trained to play a role in the development and use of computer technology. There are a number of schools and training programs that teach  data input skills. This type of program provides training in the kind of skills needed for entry-level jobs in the computer industry. Skills related to the use of the basic types of applications programs will often be sufficient for those who want to be involved in the data input process. Because computers are used to store vast amounts of data, there is a great need for people who can use a keyboard, or other input devices, to get data into the system. As companies have become computerized, much of the training of employees to use computers has taken place on the job. Often this training takes place on the fly: data-entry people learn how to use a word processor while using it to do their job. When they get stuck, they refer to manuals and they ask questions. However, many companies have learned that it is more profitable in the long run to use a more realistic approach that provides in-house training or payment to employees who attend courses offered elsewhere.

As the use of computers has become more common, many businesses now are more likely to require potential employees to have computer skills before they are hired.

General Computer Question 19

General Computer Question 19: How can I improve my  computer skills?

Answer:   If you intend to find work in the computer field itself, or if you plan to go into any of the large number of other fields that use computers, it is likely that you will need some kind of specialized computer training. There are a wide variety of resources available for those who do not want to become a computer professional, but who do want to gain some computer skills. They provide skills that will allow you to enter the job market for the first time or improve your chances for promotion in a job that you already have.

A number of universities now offer an introductory computer course that must be taken by all students. These courses are designed to introduce students to basic computing concepts, such as those presented in this text. In addition, these courses often provide hands-on tryouts of the most popular computer

General Computer Question 17 - 18

General Computer Question 17: What is  public domain and shareware?

Answer:   There is a great deal of software that is available for free or for a nominal copying fee. Users are free to make a copy of  public domain software and use it without the restrictions of licenses found on commercial software. Documentation included with this type of software often encourages users to make copies and distribute them to friends.

Another category of inexpensive software, called  shareware, may be copyrighted, but generally the developer allows users to make copies without an initial charge. However, if you intend to use the software beyond a brief tryout, the developer requests that you pay for the program. The cost of shareware is generally quite a bit less than off-the-shelf software and is frequently sold at computer swap meets, conventions, through the mail, and over the internet.

General Computer Question 13 - 16

General Computer Question 13: What is a  computer virus?

Answer:   The computer virus is a new concern for computer users that has appeared in the last decade. Some people have found a way to create computer programs that silently replicate themselves on storage media without the computer user realizing it. These programs are referred to as  computer viruses because, in many ways, they act much like a human virus. When human viruses invade the body, they may or may not cause trouble when they reproduce themselves. They begin to cause us trouble when that replication or something inherent to the virus begins to interfere with the body's normal functions. Likewise, when a computer virus begins to replicate, it may or may not be designed to cause trouble (some computer viruses are very dangerous because they are designed to damage data). But, as with human viruses, even if the virus is not designed to damage data, we would prefer not to have this kind of undetected replication going on. Even if a virus program was written just to replicate itself and nothing else (some people may write these programs just to see how far they will travel and how many computers they will infect), it may end up causing trouble by interfering with other programs.

General Computer Question 11 - 12

General Computer Question 11: Are there  privacy issues when using computers and the internet?

Answer:   With the increased use of computers for storing large databases of information about individuals, the problem of privacy has become a real concern. The government, as well as a number of businesses and organizations, have compiled databases containing a variety of personal information about each of us. The collection of information begins at the moment of our birth and continues throughout our lives. Almost any activity that requires the use of a computer, including registering to go to a school, applying for a job, applying for a loan or credit card, entering a contest, or getting a marriage license can result in your name ending up in somebody's computer data file. The government itself has a variety of agencies that collect information on its citizens: the Internal Revenue Service has an electronic record of all of our tax returns, the Civil Service Department has records on hundreds of thousands of government employees, and the Department of Health, Education and Welfare keeps records on anyone who has received social security, medicaid, medicare, or welfare benefits.

General Computer Question 7 - 10

General Computer Question 7: How are computers used in  Entertainment and Recreation?

Answer:   Computers can be found throughout the entertainment industry. They are behind much of the glitz and excitement that we encounter every time we turn on the television, attend a professional basketball game, or risk our money in the slot machines of Las Vegas. Computers are used to create the special effects used in television advertisements, the colorful displays on the score boards at sports arenas, and the cards that are displayed on the screen if we play a game of video poker. Computer games are becoming more and more lifelike as the computer's capability to portray graphics is constantly improved.

In the motion picture industry, the time required to create animation has been greatly reduced through the use of computers and special graphics software. The movie industry also uses computers routinely for a variety of special effects and specialized computer programs have even made it possible to "colorize" old black-and-white films.

Musicians are also taking advantage of advances in technology by using computerized electronic synthesizers to store, modify, and access a wide variety of sounds. Special word processing software has been created for scoring music and other applications give musicians a way to actually cut and paste stored sounds to create compositions.

General Computer Question 3 - 6

General Computer Question 3: How are computers used in  Banking and Finance?

Answer:    Computers have become an indispensable tool in the handling of money and finances. Computerized ATM machines and credit card machines are now familiar throughout the United States and in many other countries in the world. Although they have only been in existence for a short while, many of us now take them for granted and expect our bank to provide these computerized services whenever and wherever we need them. Many do not realize that these machines are part of the huge electronic network that has been put in place in the banking and financial services industries. The ATM machines and the credit card machines provide our  interface with the bank's computers.

Computers are also used extensively in the world of stocks and investments. Around the world, investors, investment brokers, financial advisors, and the stock exchanges themselves rely on huge databases of information about world financial markets. Through a worldwide network of computers, this information can be quickly updated as financial events occur. This computerized financial network has created a global market for currencies and financial instruments. Today, a change in a stock on the Hong Kong stock market will be known instantly by everyone who has access to the computer network.

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General Computer Question 4: How are computers used in  Education?

Answer:   Today, computers can be found in every school. From kindergarten to graduate school, the computer is being used for learning, for record keeping, and for research. A variety of  computer-assisted instruction ( CAI) programs are now being used to facilitate the learning of nearly every educational topic. Multimedia-based learning systems can deliver information to students in the form of sound and video in addition to text and pictures. Using these new tools, students can gain control over their own learning as the computer delivers the instruction at the student's desired pace, monitors their progress, and provides instantaneous feedback. And, because computers can now take over some of the instruction that used to take place in the classroom, teachers are free to work with students who need more concentrated attention.

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General Computer Question 5: How are computers used in  Medicine?

Answer:   Computers are now so widely used in medicine they are changing the very structure of our society's health care system. They are used extensively for basic tasks such as keeping track of patient appointments and they are used widely for diagnostic and treatment procedures. Diagnosis of illness can be aided through the use of databases that contain information on diseases and symptoms and laboratory tests on blood and tissue chemistry have become dependant on computer analysis. In addition, such computer-based technologies as  computer tomography ( CAT)  scans and  magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which allow the physician to see the organs of the body in three dimensions, can provide direct evidence of disease.

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General Computer Question 6: How are computers used in  Business?

Answer:   Business was one of the first areas to incorporate the computer. Because of its powerful capability to store and retrieve vast amounts of information, computers are now a vital component of almost every type of business. They are used to record sales, maintain information about inventories, maintain payroll records, and generate paychecks. Business workers now use computers to keep track of meetings, write letters and memos, create charts and presentation graphics, create newsletters, and examine trends.

All of us have by now experienced how the  point-of-sale ( POS) product scanning systems in stores have speeded up the check-out process and made it more accurate by eliminating the need for checkers to punch in the price for each individual item. These point-of-sale systems not only make it more convenient for shoppers, but they also provide an accurate inventory of product availability for the store's management. 

General Computer Question 2: How do we use computers?

Answer:    During the past few decades, computers and electronic technologies have been incorporated into almost every aspect of society. They now play a role in how we learn, how we take care of our money, and how we are entertained. Today, there is probably no better indication of how advanced a society is than how computerized it is. In our society, computers are now a fundamental component of our jobs, our schools, our stores, our means of transportation, and our health care. Our complex systems of banking and investment could not operated without computers. Essentially, all of our medical and scientific facilities now depend entirely upon incredibly complex computer-based systems.  

General Computer Question 1: What is a computer?

Answer:   A common, somewhat simplified, definition is that the  computer is an electronic device that can be used to  process information. As we might expect from this definition, the fact that the computer is electronic means that it will be fast: it can operate at electronic speed. But what do we mean when we say the computer can  process information? The answer to that question is not so simple. When computers were first used, they were used exclusively for calculating numbers. During that period, information  processing was defined as calculating numbers. Today, computers are not only used for calculations, but also for creating and manipulating text and pictures. They are used to design bridges and spacecraft, to record a company's sales and to keep track of customers, to create a school newspaper, or to estimate the cost of a new school. If computers can do all these things, then it appears that we must define information processing in terms of what the  current crop of computers can do, and that definition is constantly expanding.

An illustration of a basic computer system is below.

 A Basic Computer System.

In a remarkably short period of time the computer has changed our world. During the first half of the twentieth century, economic growth in the world's industrial societies was fueled by large-scale manufacturing processes. Back then, most manufacturing was involved in converting natural resources into products that were then sold to the public. During that period, the industrialized countries of the world developed factories with assembly lines that were designed to efficiently build everything from household appliances to automobiles, ships, and locomotives. The countries that were best able to adapt their societies to produce these kinds of products became the "industrialized" societies and the dominated the world's economy.