What is Computer ?
It is an electronic machine which takes the data as input and gives the information as output.
What is Data?
Data can be defined as a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions, which should be suitable for communication, or processing by human or electronic machine.
Data is represented with the help of characters such as alphabets (A-Z, a-z), digits (0-9) or special characters (+,-,/,*,<,>,= etc.)
What is Information?
Information is organized or classified data, which has some meaningful values for the receiver. Information is the processed data on which decisions and actions are based.
For the decision to be meaningful, the processed data must qualify for the following characteristics −
- Timely − Information should be available when required.
- Accuracy − Information should be accurate.
- Completeness − Information should be complete.
Operations Done by Computer.
S.No. |
Operation |
Description |
1 |
Take Input |
The process of entering data and instructions into the computer system. |
2 |
Store Data |
Saving data and instructions so that they are available for processing as and when required. |
3 |
Processing Data |
Performing arithmetic, and logical operations on data in order to convert them into useful information. |
4 |
Output Information |
The process of producing useful information or results for the user, such as a printed report or visual display. |
5 |
Control the workflow |
Directs the manner and sequence in which all of the above operations are performed. |
Input (Data):
Input is the raw information entered into a computer from the input devices. It is the collection of
Letters, numbers, images etc.
Process:
Process means to do operation on input data to produce the output.
Output:
Output is the processed data given by computer after data processing. Output is also called as Result.We can save these results in the storage devices for the future use.
Functions of a Computer
If we look at it in a very broad sense, any digital computer carries out the following five functions −
Step 1 − Takes data as input.
Step 2 − Stores the data/instructions in its memory and uses them as required.
Step 3 − Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
Step 4 − Generates the output.
Step 5 − Controls all the above four steps.
