1.1 INTRODUCTION

This unit presents a broad survey of concepts and terminology related to today’s digital computers. Here, the idea of computer literacy is introduced. A computer is also a tool intended to assist the user in accomplishing information-based tasks ranging from locating and acquiring data/information to processing it and to presenting or transmitting it as output. Besides, it allows the user to browse the web pages, read a book, play a video game, watch a movie, etc.

A computer is an electronic device that has the ability to accept data, store data, perform mathematical and logical operations, and report the results. Computers have become an integral part of our lives today, Many aspects of our life have been affected by the changes brought by computer. Today Banks, Educational institutions, railways and airline reservations and commercial organizations use the computers to performing  difficult and repetitive tasks. Computers are also used in the fields of weather forecast, medical research, security purpose, space research and undersea explorations. Computers are categories on the basic of size, cost and performance.