Basics of Computer everyone should know!
“You might be laughing that this guy will teach me about computers!” You might be knowing much more than me about computers, I am just here to change some perceptions of computers. What does come to your mind when you think about a computer. Does it come something like in the picture below?
If yes, then you are also like me who has blocked his/her thinking. The above picture is just a category of computers known as Personal Computers. It's the same as we say polyethylene compound as “politheen” (carry bag) in India.
By definition, a computer is a machine that can be instructed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations.
A computer can be anything from microwave ovens, industrial robots to a super computer. Our journey started with ABACUS and now we are at supercomputers.
Block Diagram of Computer
You might be thinking that this rubbish was taught to me in the 6th Grade. But, the reality is that this basic diagram covers all the aspects of the computer at the upper layer, and starting from the basic level and then going to the advanced level makes sense.
- Input Device = Mouse, Keyboard, etc.
- Output Device = Monitors, Printers, etc.
- Primary Memory = RAM + ROM + Cache Memory
- Secondary Memory = HDD + Pen Drive
Hardware required to assemble a PC
- Motherboard — The motherboard serves as a single platform (board) to connect all of the parts of a computer together. It connects the CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card, sound cards, and other ports.
Types of Motherboard (Based on size) — Standard + Micro + Extended
2. Processor — This is a semiconductor chip that is used to control and process all the data. They are classified in Single/Dual/Quad/Octa depending on the cores. They are also classified into one more category :
Socket — They have lots of pins at the bottom and require a single cooling fan. They are generally used in the lower range of laptops.
Slot — They have a plug-in interface and require two or more cooling fans. They are generally used in the higher range of laptops.
3. RAM (Random Access Memory) — This is a volatile memory where everything required immediately is stored. Part of the OS is also stored here to make the computer functional.
- SRAM (Static RAM) — They require a constant power supply to store information thus they are used in the case of Cache Memory.
- DRAM (Dynamic RAM) — They lose information over a period of time without power supply thus they are used in the case of Main Memory.
4. Hard Disk- This is a place where all the data of the computer is stored.
- HDD (Hard Disk Drives) — They rely on magnetic storage.
- SDD (Solid State Drives) — They use flash memory to store data and is hence very fast compared to HDD. This is one of the reasons why MACs are very fast.
5. Power Supply Unit — They supply power to each component by converting mains AC to DC power.
Basic Software Structure
- System Software — It is software that provides a platform for application software to run. E.g. — macOS, Windows, Ubuntu, etc.
- OS — Interface b/w user and hardware. E.g — Ubuntu.
- Kernel — Interface b/w application and hardware. E.g — Linux.
2. Application Software — It is software designed for end-user. E.g. — MS Office, IDEs, etc.
“At last, I want to wrap up by saying that both Hardware and Software are essential parts of the computer.” Without each other, they are of not much use. I wrote this blog just to put in some basic stuff which people do not know about computers which have become a really important place in our lives.
The upcoming blogs will be anything that I believe is great to put in. Stay Tuned!🥰 For appreciating my work consider giving a clap. 😊
