What is Computer?

Lesson Plan: Unit - 01 Computer Fundamentals



Subject: BELE2CFA : Computer Fundamentals And Applications
Topic of Study: What is Computer?
Grade/Level: Bachelor of SCIENCE
Objective: To understand the definition of Computer.
Time Allotment: 10 Minutes

To understand the computer - before that you must understand the two basic terms: Data & Information.

1.0 Data

Data is a raw material.

In other words, it is a facts and figures which we can use as input for the process.

We can not take any actions.

Data  can be categorizes as....

• Numerical - includes only 0 to 9
• Alphabets - includes only A to Z or a to z.
• Others - includes symbols such as !@#$%^&*()_+}:<>?

1.1 Information

Information is a valuable data.

In other words, it is a usable data which we can use as output for real usage.

Figure 1.1 Data-Process-Information

It is a processed or organized data.

We can take any actions.

1.2 What is Computer? 

An electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form, according to instructions given to it in a variable program. - Oxford Dictionary.

Computer is derived from a Latin word “computare” which means to “to calculate”,“to count”, “to sum up” or “to think together”.

Computer means a "device that performs computation".

It is a device which taking Data as Input, Process on it and gives us Information as Output.

For input the data in computer - we need input devices.

Example. Keyboard, Mouse, Mic etc...

For taking output from Computer - we need output devices.

Example. Monitor, Speaker, Printer etc..