Even though computers were introduced to us several decades back, most of us aren’t still very comfortable with the concepts on which a computer works. It still is in a way, somewhere close to rocket science when it comes to comprehending its functions and process.
Let us simplify the functions of a computer and have a better understanding of what goes inside every task it performs.
Before we get into the complicated functioning of the computer and its components, let us first check the general introduction of what criterion a computer works on.
The sole reasons for which the computer was built were :
- Data input
- Data processing.
- Information output.
- Data and information storage.
Imagine being a teacher and trying to generate the report cards of your students with the help of a computer.
You would start by feeding the information into the computer, with the help of a keyboard. The computer will then go through the information and process it. You could now choose to have the final report card get printed and into a hard copy. You could save the same information for future reference and save them on the computer.
Feeding information into the computer was a part of data input, the information getting analyzed as a part of data processing. Printing the information was a part of information output and when you’re saving the information, it shall be called Data and information storage.
Data input
Every computer has two kinds of devices, the input devices, and the output devices. The input devices collect the information from the user and the output devices produce the processed information to the user. Data input is when you put information into your computer. This can be done either manually or automatically. If you wish to do it manually, you could use a keyboard, a mouse, or a stylus. If you wish to do it automatically, you could use the voice typing feature.
Biometric devices are also considered amongst automatic input devices. They also work to dictate the data to the computer.
A word processing software works to read and analyze the alphanumeric data that has been fed to the computer. Similarly, a photo editing application reads and understands data in the form of an image and then it manipulates or edits it according to the need of the user. By using Robotics and automated applications, we can gather information, get it analyzed and processed, and then receive the output, and all of this without any manual efforts.
Data processing
When you have fed the machine with raw information, it shall then analyze it and convert it into something that makes sense and can be used further. This entire procedure is called processing. It takes place in the microprocessor or the central processing unit. It is known as the brain of the computer. Scientists have merged the microprocessor and the graphics processing unit to develop something called an “Accelerated processing unit”. There has been a massive evolution of processing chips in computers. If you ever start comparing the old ones to the new processing chips, you will realize how they have become more efficient with their functions, over time. The best part about the accelerated processing unit is that it is great at graphic processing and at the same time it can perform arithmetic and logical computations. The important tools of data processing are Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM). When the data is fed to the computer, it gets stored temporarily in Dynamic random access memory (DRAM). It later gets transferred to Static random access memory (SRAM). From the SRAM the information gets picked by the microprocessor, which further gets processed and is delivered later as the final output.
Information output
When the entire raw data that was provided to the computer has been processed and is now presented before the user in the form of its result, is known as output. The output can be generated in different forms as it could be in the form of alphanumerics, images, or could even be video. The data could also be listened to in form of an audio file if there are speakers available. The data can be obtained in the form of a hard copy via printing it on paper or you could obtain printed 3D models of the data.
Data and information storage
When the final data is saved into the computer so that you could refer to it in the future, this process is known as data and information storage. This information is stored in Hard drives and solid-state disk drives (SSD). In the case of bigger computer systems, the RAID system is employed for storing data and information for future use. Information can be stored externally and internally. When you store information in devices that are inbuilt in the computer, it is termed internal storage. While, when you use devices such as pen drives and others, these are called external storage devices. Apart from these are clouds, that can be used to store information and more safely than the other two options. Clouds are online platforms to store your data. Storage is a very important factor when it comes to computers, laptops, and even smartphones for that matter. The storage availability of a device determines the value of a device to a great extent.
These are the basic functions that a computer performs. When the computers were started being made, it was these functions that were the primary reasons for its invention.
The invention of computers has made our lives easier and is just raising the standards of living each day. With every new release of a gadget, there’s an up gradation in the quality and functions of a device. Therefore science has proved to be a real boon for our society.