Modern Computer

Source for webopedia

By Vangie Beal

Modern Computers Defined

Modern computers are electronic and digital. The actual machinery wires, transistors, and circuits is called hardware; the instructions and data are called software.

All general-purpose computers require the following hardware components:

·         Memory : enables a computer to store, at least temporarily, data and programs.

·         Mass storage device : allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of data. Common mass storage devices include solid state drives (SSDs) or disk drives and tape drives.

·         Input device : usually a keyboard and mouse, the input device is the conduit through which data and instructions enter a computer

·         Output device : a display screen, printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has accomplished.

·         Central processing unit (CPU) : the heart of the computer, this is the component that actually executes instructions.

In addition to these components, many others make it possible for the basic components to work together efficiently. For example, every computer requires a bus that transmits data from one part of the computer to another.

Computers are generally classified by size and power as follows, although there is considerable overlap. The differences between computer classifications generally get smaller as technology advances, creating smaller and more powerful and cost-friendly components.

       ·         Personal computer : a small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In                                                  addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a                                                      keyboard for entering data, a  monitor for displaying information,                                            and a storage device for saving data.

       ·         Workstation : a powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal                                           computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality                               monitor.

       ·         Minicomputer : a multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of                                       users simultaneously.

       ·         Mainframe : a powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or                                thousands of users simultaneously.

       ·         Supercomputer : an extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of                                        instructions per second.