What is computer?

A computer is an electronic device, which can accept, process, store and retrieve data and information according to given set of instructions.

There are mainly four types of computer: hggghggfd

Micro Computer
Mini Computer
Mainframe Computer
Super Computer

According to technical sector, computer is categorize into four area:

Hardware
Software
Firmware
Liveware

1. Hardware : All the physical components of the computer are called Hardware. e.g.- Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Joystick, CPU, Monitor, Printer, Projector etc.

There are four types of Hardware devices in computer:

Input Device : It is a device which is use to feed data into the computer for processing. e.g.- Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Joystick etc.
Processing Device : It is a device which is use to process any data according to given instructions. e.g.- CPU (Central Processing Unit).
Storage Device : It is a device which is use to store any data and information into the computer's memory. e.g.- Hard Disc, Floppy Disc, Punch Card, Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), Pen Drive etc.
Output Device : It is a device which is use to find the output of any data or information. e.g.- Monitor, Printer, Projector, Plotter etc.

2. Software : A set of programs, which performs a particular task is called Software.

Command/Instruction -----> Program -----> Software

Command : Command is the instruction, which is given into the computer for perform any task.

Program : A set of commands which perform a particular task is called Program.

Just like any language grammar.

Alphabet/Letter -----> Word -----> Sentence

All software can be classified into two categories

Based on use and features,
Based on their availability and sharability.

Types of Software based on use and features:

System Software
Application Software

System Software : It is a software which is use to interact with Hardware. It is a mediator between user and Hardware.

System software are divided into there categories:

Operation System
Device Drivers
Programming Language Translator
Utility Programs

Operating System : It is a system software which is use to operate and handle all the hardware, software and firmware resources into the computer and other digital devices.

e.g.- DOS, MS-Windows, Unix, Linux, Ubuntu, Android, iOS, Mac OS, Solaris etc.

Device Driver : It is a system software, which is use to control any particular device, which is attached to the computer.

e.g.- BIOS Driver, Display Drivers, Sound card Driver, Motherboard Drivers, Printer Drivers, ROM Drivers, USB Drivers, VGA Drivers, Virtual Device Drivers etc.

Programming Language Translator : It is a system software, which translate User Level Code (Assembly & High Level Language) to Machine Readable Code (Machine Language).

There are mainly three Language Translator :

1. Assembler

2. Compiler

3. Interpreter

Utility Program : It is a system software, which is use to analyze, optimize and maintain the resources of the computer. It is use to perform a special task.

e.g.- AntiVirus Software (Norton AntiVirus, McAfee AntiVirus, Quick Heal AntiVirus, Avast AntiVirus), Memory Optimization Software (CCleaner), File Optimizing Software (WinZip, WinRar) etc.

Application Software : It is a software which is use to perform a special or particular task. It is also called productivity program or end-user program. It is a mediator between system software and user.

There are various types of Application Software :

a.) Text Editor : This application software is use to create, open and edit any text.

e.g- Edit (DOS), Notepad (MS-Windows).

b.) Word Processor : This application software is use for documentation. Unlike Text Editor, it allow us to formatting and other advance features like mail merge, basic image processing etc.

e.g.- Wordpad, MS-Word, Corel WordPerfect, Google Docs, Abiword. Apple iWork- Pages etc.

c.) Electronic Spreadsheet : This application software is use to process any data and information in tabular format.

e.g.- MS-Excel, Google Sheets, LibraOffice CalC, SmartSheet, Zoho Sheet etc.

d.) Presentation Package : This application software is use to make presentation of any project.

e.g.- MS-PowerPoint, Google Slides, Zoho Show etc.

e.) Database Manager : This application software is use to create and manage database. This is also called Database Management System (DBMS).

e.g.- FoxPro, dBase, Clipper, MS-Access, SQL etc.

f.) Graphics Software : This software is use to create and manage any drawing and graphics.

e.g.- MS-Paint, Corel Draw, Adobe PhotoShop, AutoDesk Maya, GIMP, PaintShop, AutoCAD etc.

g.) Accounting Package : This application is use to manage accounts and inventory.

e.g.- Tally, Marg, Zoho Books, QuickBooks.

h.) Multimedia Package : It is the software that is able to play, create or record images, audio or video files. They are used for video editing, animation, graphics, and image editing.

e.g.- Adobe Photoshop, Inkscape, Media Monkey, Picasa, VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker.

i.) Web Browser : This application software is use to browse the internet.

e.g.- Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Safari

UC Browser etc.

j.) Programming Language : This software is use create programs in a computer.

e.g.- Basic, C, C++, Java, PhP, C# etc.

3. Firmware : It is a data or programs which is permanently stored in computer's memory (ROM - Read Only Memory)/hardware device. It cannot be updated or modify by an end-user without using any special program/software.

It provides essential information regarding how the device interacts with other hardware. Firmware can be considered as ‘semi-permanent’ as it remains permanent unless it is updated using a firmware updater.