ICP ASSIGNMENT NAME: YOUSIF SANI

ROLL NO: 23MTE027.

What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It
has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You may already know
that you can use a computer to type documents, send email, play games,
and browse the Web. You can also use it to edit or
create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos.

Hardware vs. software

Before we talk about different types of computers, let's talk about two things
all computers have in common: hardware and software.

 Hardware is any part of your computer that has

a physical structure, such as the keyboard or mouse. It
also includes all of the computer's internal parts, which
you can see in the image below.

So ware is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to

do and how to do it. Examples of so ware include web browsers, games, and
word processors.

Everything you do on your computer will rely on both hardware and so ware.
For example, right now you may be viewing this lesson in a web
browser (so ware) and using your mouse (hardware) to click from page to
page. As you learn about different types of computers, ask yourself about the
differences in their hardware. As you progress through this tutorial, you'll see
that different types of computers also o en use different types of so ware.
What are the different types of
computers?
When most people hear the word computer, they think of a personal
computer such as a desktop or laptop. However, computers come in many
shapes and sizes, and they perform many different functions in our daily
lives. When you withdraw cash from an ATM, scan groceries at the store, or
use a calculator, you're using a type of computer.

Desktop computers
Many people use desktop computers at work, home, and school. Desktop
computers are designed to be placed on a desk, and they're typically made
up of a few different parts, including the computer case, monitor, keyboard,
and mouse.

Laptop computers
The second type of computer you may be familiar with is a laptop computer,
commonly called a laptop. Laptops are battery-powered computers that
are more portable than desktops, allowing you to use them almost
anywhere.

Tablet computers
Tablet computers—or tablets—are handheld computers that are even more
portable than laptops. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, tablets use a touch-
sensitive screen for typing and navigation. The iPad is an example of a
tablet.
Servers
A server is a computer that serves up information to other computers on a
network. For example, whenever you use the Internet, you're looking at
something that's stored on a server. Many businesses also use local file
servers to store and share files internally.

Other types of computers

Many of today's electronics are basically specialized computers, though we
don't always think of them that way. Here are a few common examples.

 Smartphones: Many cell phones can do a lot of things

computers can do, including browsing the Internet and
playing games. They are often called smartphones.
 Wearables: Wearable technology is a general term for a
group of devices—including fitness
trackers and smartwatches—that are designed to be
worn throughout the day. These devices are often
called wearables for short.
 Game consoles: A game console is a specialized type of
computer that is used for playing video games on your
TV.
 TVs: Many TVs now include applications—or apps—
that let you access various types of online content. For
example, you can stream video from the Internet directly
onto your TV

PCs and Macs

Personal computers come in two main styles: PC and Mac. Both are fully
functional, but they have a different look and feel, and many people prefer
one or the other.

PCs
This type of computer began with the original IBM PC that was introduced in
1981. Other companies began creating similar computers, which were
called IBM PC Compatible (o en shortened to PC). Today, this is the most
common type of personal computer, and it typically includes the Microso
Windows operating system.
The Macintosh computer was introduced in 1984, and it was the first widely
sold personal computer with a graphical user interface,
or GUI (pronounced gooey). All Macs are made by one company (Apple), and
they almost always use the Mac OS X operating system.

What is an operating system?

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a
computer. It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all
of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the
computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language. Without
an operating system, a computer is useless.

The operating system's job

Your computer's operating system (OS) manages all of
the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are
several different computer programs running at the same time, and they all
need to access your computer's central processing unit (CPU), memory,
and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this to make sure each
program gets what it needs.

Types of operating systems

Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any computer you buy. Most
people use the operating system that comes with their computer, but it's
possible to upgrade or even change operating systems. The three most
common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft
Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface,

or GUI (pronounced gooey). A GUI lets you use your mouse to
click icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly displayed on the
screen using a combination of graphics and text.

Each operating system's GUI has a different look and feel, so if you switch to a
different operating system it may seem unfamiliar at first. However, modern
operating systems are designed to be easy to use, and most of the basic
principles are the same.

Microsoft Windows
Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There
have been many different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones
are Windows 10 (released in 2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009),
and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes pre-loaded on most new PCs,
which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.

macOS
macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by
Apple. It comes preloaded on all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the
specific versions include Mojave (released in 2018), High Sierra (2017),
and Sierra (2016).

According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less

than 10% of global operating systems—much lower than the percentage of
Windows users (more than 80%). One reason for this is that Apple computers
tend to be more expensive. However, many people do prefer the look and
feel of macOS over Windows.

Linux
Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating systems,
which means they can be modified and distributed by anyone around the
world. This is different from proprietary software like Windows, which can
only be modified by the company that owns it. The advantages of Linux are
that it is free, and there are many different distributions—or versions—you
can choose from.

According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less

than 2% of global operating systems. However, most servers run Linux
because it's relatively easy to customize.

Operating systems for mobile devices

The operating systems we've been talking about so far were designed to run
on desktop and laptop computers. Mobile devices such as phones, tablet
computers, and MP3 players are different from desktop and laptop
computers, so they run operating systems that are designed specifically for
mobile devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include Apple
iOS and Google Android. In the screenshot below, you can see iOS running
on an iPad.
Operating systems for mobile devices generally aren't as fully featured as
those made for desktop and laptop computers, and they aren't able to run all
of the same so ware. However, you can still do a lot of things with them, like
watch movies, browse the Web, manage your calendar, and play games.

What is an application?
You may have heard people talking about using a program, an application,
or an app. But what exactly does that mean? Simply put, an app is a type of
software that allows you to perform specific tasks. Applications for desktop
or laptop computers are sometimes called desktop applications, while
those for mobile devices are called mobile apps.

When you open an application, it runs inside the operating system until you
close it. Most of the time, you will have more than one application open at
the same time, which is known as multi-tasking.

App is a common term for an application, especially for simple

applications that can be downloaded inexpensively or even for free. Many
apps are also available for mobile devices and even some TVs.

Desktop applications
There are countless desktop applications, and they fall into several
categories. Some are more full featured (like Microsoft Word), while others
may only do one or two things (like a clock or calendar app). Below are just
a few types of applications you might use.

 Word processors: A word processor allows you to write

a letter, design a flyer, and create many other types of
documents. The most well-known word processor
is Microsoft Word.
Web browsers: A web browser is the tool you use to access the Internet.
Most computers come with a web browser pre-installed, but you can also
download a different one if you prefer. Examples of browsers include Internet
Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari.
Media players: If you want to listen to MP3s or watch movies you've
downloaded, you'll need to use a media player. Windows Media
Player and iTunes are popular media players.
 Games: There are many types of games you can play on
your computer. They range from card games
like Solitaire to action games like Halo. Many action
games require a lot of computing power, so they may
not work unless you have a newer computer.

 Mobile apps

Desktop and laptop computers aren't the only devices that can run
applications. You can also download apps for mobile devices
like smartphones and tablets. Here are a few examples of mobile apps.
Gmail: You can use the Gmail app to easily view and send emails from your
Installing new applications
Every computer and mobile device will come with some applications already
built in, such as a web browser and media player. However, you can also
purchase and install new apps to add more functionality. You can review our
lessons on Installing Software on Your Windows PC, Installing Software
on Your Mac, and Free Software to learn more.
 mobile device. It's available for Android and iOS devices.
 Instagram: You can use Instagram to quickly share
photos with your friends and family. It's available
for Android and iOS.
 Duolingo: With a combination of quizzes, games, and
other activities, this app can help you learn new
languages. It's available for Android and iOS.
Open source vs. closed source
software
Almost every piece of computer software is created using source code, which
is the technical blueprint that tells a program how to function. When creators
release their finished product to the public, they must decide whether to
make its code open source or closed source.

What is open source and closed source?

With closed source software (also known as proprietary software), the
public is not given access to the source code, so they can’t see or modify it in
any way.

But with open source software, the source code is publicly available to
anyone who wants it, and programmers can read or change that code if they
desire. Keep in mind that you don’t have to read or modify any code in order
to use an open source product.

Which type is more common?

The vast majority of apps, games, and other popular software is closed
source. However, there are open source options for many types of programs.
If you want an open source alternative to Microsoft Office, you could use
LibreOffice. Instead of using Windows, you could try an open source Linux
operating system. Other common open source examples include the Firefox
web browser and WordPress blogging platform.

What are the pros and cons?

One of open source’s biggest advantages is that it’s usually free, although
some features and technical support may cost extra. Also, because the code
is available to anyone who wants it, public collaboration can fix bugs, add
features, and improve performance within a relatively short amount of time.

However, open source software isn’t perfect. It may not be as user

friendly as closed source software, and if you run into trouble it may be
difficult to find technical support, especially for less popular programs.

Closed source software is more likely to be a stable, focused product, and if

you need support customer service is typically easier to access. However,
closed source software often costs money, and if it has any bugs or missing
features you’ll have to wait on the creator to address the problems.

Now that you understand the difference between open and closed source
software, you can take advantage of the type that best meets your needs.