Computer

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

A computer is an electronic device, operating  under the control of instructions stored in its 
own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use.

Data and Information

Computers process data into information. Data is a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video. Information conveys meaning and is useful to people.
Many daily activities either involve the use of or depend on information from a computer. As shown in Figure 1-2, for example, computers process several data items to print information in the form of a cash register receipt.

Information Processing Cycle

Computers process data (input) into information (output). Computers carry out processes using instructions, which are the steps that tell the computer how to perform a particular task. A collection of related instructions organized for a common purpose is referred to as software. A computer often holds data, information, and instructions in storage for future use. Some people refer to the series of input, process, output, and storage activities as the information processing cycle.Most computers today communicate with 
other computers. As a result, communications also has become an essential element of the information processing cycle.