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What is the full form of COMPUTER?

Full form of COMPUTER: Here, we are going to learn what does COMPUTER stands for? COMPUTER – which is not an abbreviation, it is derived from a word "compute" in Gadget Acronyms/Abbreviations, etc.
Submitted by Anushree Goswami, on March 18, 2020

COMPUTER

The computer is not an abbreviation; it is a word derived from the word "compute" which means to calculate. Therefore, in simple words, a computer is an electronic device that is used for rapid calculation.

A computer is a general-purpose electronic machine that can be instructed to conduct sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically through computer programming. Modern computers have the facility to pursue generalized sets of operations, called programs. These programs allow computers to perform an exceptionally extensive range of tasks. A computer comprises a central processing unit and some structure of memory.

COMPUTER = Arithmetical Logical Unit (ALU) + Control Unit (CU)

• ALU: Arithmetic Logical Unit is used to conduct arithmetic and logical operation.
• CU: The Control unit is used to alter the order of operations in response to stored information.

Image source: https://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/computer.html

Computers can be classified into a number of different ways, comprising:

Categorization on the basis of technology:

• Digital Computer
• Analog Computer
• Hybrid Computer

Categorization on the basis of generation:

• First generation computers: (1940-1956) based on Vacuum tubes.
• Second generation computers: (1956-1963) based on Transistors
• Third generation computers: (1964-1971) based on Integrated Circuits
• Forth generation computers: (1971- Present) Based on Microprocessors
• Fifth generation computers: (Present and Beyond) based on Artificial Intelligence

Categorization on the basis of architecture:

• Analog computer
• Digital computer
• Hybrid computer
• Harvard architecture
• Von Neumann architecture
• Reduced instruction set computer

Categorization on the basis of size and form-factor:

• Mainframe computer
• Supercomputer
• Minicomputer
• Microcomputer
• Workstation
• Personal computer
• Laptop
• Tablet computer
• Smartphone
• Single-board computer
  

Input devices:

When unprocessed data is sent to the computer with the assistance of input devices, the data is processed and sent to output devices. The input devices may be hand-operated or automated. The act of processing is mostly control and standardize by the CPU.

Following given below are a number of examples of input devices:

• Computer keyboard
• Digital camera
• Digital video
• Graphics tablet
• Image scanner
• Joystick
• Microphone
• Mouse
• Overlay keyboard
• Real-time clock
• Trackball
• Touch screen

Output devices:

The ways through which a computer gives output are known as output devices.

Following given below are a number of examples of output devices:

• Computer monitor
• Printer
• PC speaker
• Projector
• Sound card
• Video card