Hardware interface

A hardware interface specifies the plugs, sockets, cables and electrical signals that pass through eash line between the CPU and a peripheral device or communications networks.

The types of hardware interfaces are as follows:

Parallel port:A parallel port allows lines to be connected that will enable 8 bits to be transmitted simultaneously. They are used principally for faster speed devices such as connecting printers.

Serial port:A serial port, or RS-232 port, enables a line...

The various input and output devices are as follows:

INPUT

1. Keyboard: A keyboard is for putting information including letters, words and numbers into your computer. You press the individual buttons on the keyboard when you type. The number keys across the top of the keyboard are also found on the right of the keyboard. The letter keys are in the centre of the keyboard.
2. Mouse: The mouse is a small, movable device that lets you control a range of things on a computer. Most types of mouse have...

The types of secondary storage devices are as follow:

1. Magnetic Memory
2. Optical Memory

Magnetic Memory : Magnetic storage is the manipulation of magnetic fields on a medium in order to record audio, video or other data. Magnetic storage has been around in many forms since 1888 by Oberlan Smith, who publicized his audio recording on a wire in Electrical World.Magnetic storage or magnetic recording is the storage of data on a magnetized medium. Magnetic storage uses different patterns of...

ROM is further classified into four types-

1. MROM
2. PROM
3. EPROM
4. EEPROM.

The differences between RAM and ROM are as follows:

A microprocessor is a computer processor where the data processing logic and control is included on a single integrated circuit, or a small number of integrated circuits. The microprocessor contains the arithmetic, logic, and control circuitry required to perform the functions of a computer's central processing unit.

The types of microprocessors are as follows:

1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU):The component that performs the arithmetic and logical operationsis known as the Arithmetic Logic...

The functions of microprocessors are as follows:

1. It is responsible to carry out processing instructions.
2. It gives commands to all parts of the computer system.
3. It controls the sequence of operations.
4. It controls the storage of data or instructions.
5. It also performs arithmetic calculations such as addition, subtraction. etc

The characteristics of microporcessors are:

1. clock speed: The speed at which a microprocessor can execute the instructions is called the clock speed. Basically clock speed...

The components of computer system with their functions are as follows:

1. Input Unit: The main function of input devices isto direct commands and data into computers. Computers then use their CPU to process this data and produce output.
2. Memory Unit: Itstores all the data and the instructions required for processing. It stores intermediate results of processing. It stores the final results of processing before these results are released to an output device. All inputs and outputs are...

Mobile computing is a generic term describing one's ability to use technology while moving, as opposed to portable which is only practical for use while deployed in a stationary configuration. A mobile computing device is created using mobile components.

The applications of mobile computing are as follows:

1. Web or Internet access.
2. Global Position System (GPS).
3. Emergency services.
4. Entertainment services.
5. Educational services.

On the basis of size computers are divided into following types:

1. Super computers: They are the most powerful and fastest computers among digital computers. They are special purpose and are capable of handeling huge amount of calculations that are beyond human capabilities. Due to their high cost and size, they are relatively rare. They are used only by large corporations, universities, and government agencies. for example: CRAY, X-MP/24, PARAM etc.
2. mainframe computer: It is large in size...

1. mechanical calculating era: The mechanical age can be defined as the timebetween 1450 and 1840. A lot of new technologies were developed in this era due to an explosion of interest in computation and information. Technologies like the slide ruler (an analog computer used for multiplying and dividing) were invented in this period.
2. Electromechanical era: The electromechanical age heralded the beginnings of telecommunications as we know it today. This age can be defined roughly as the time...

Applications of computer system

1. Computer in Education: In education most of the educational institutes are using computers for learning and teaching purpose. They are used as teaching aids, information resources and computing and research means or tools.
2. Computer in business:Business computer applications focuses onintegrating computer technology with decision-making and problem solving skills. Areas of instruction include advanced applications in word processing, spreadsheets, presentation...

Characteristics (features) of computer:

1. Speed: The data processing speed of the electronic computer is very fast because the signals can pass at the speed of electricity which is near to that of the speed of light.

2. Accuracy: The accuracy of a computer is consistently high, and every calculation is performed with the same accuracy i.e. almost 100% accurate results are always the same as per design. The degree of accuracy depends on the computer design.

3. Diligence: The computer can...

1. data : It can be defined as a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner, which should be suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by human or electronic machine. Its called 'datum' in plular form.
2. information: Information isorganized or classified data, which has some meaningful values for the receiver.
3. process: In computing, a process is the instance of a computer program that is being executed by one or many threads.
4. instruction:...