Computers
An article about computers
Haddi Samba
Fatou Samba
Line Blakstad
Susanna M. Bjerke
09.13.2007
Abstract
In our paper we would like to broaden your horizon when it comes to computers. First we
would like to tell you a little bit about the history of computers, before we dive into the
intricate world of how computers work. There are both advantages and disadvantages
about this new and constants use of computers, something we will also show you
examples of.
Contents
Contents .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Definition and how computers work ........................................................................................................ 7
The History of Computers ........................................................................................................................ 9
The Pros and Cons of Computers ...................................................................................................... 11
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 13
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................................ 14
SOURCES ................................................................................................................................................ 15
INDEX ..................................................................................................................................................... 16
Introduction
We were given an assignment to write an article by our computer teacher, Naser Arian.
The task was to find information about how computers work, the history behind them and
pros and cons of using them. We found this task interesting because none of us know that
much about computers and by doing this assignment we were forced to plunge deeply
into the world of computers.
Definition and how computers work
A computer is a gathering of mechanical and electronic components. The computer is
programmable and can store, retrieve and process data. It can also do different
mathematical and logical operations and then display the result of them. The computer
helps us do uncountable things much more effectively than we can do manually. When
people hear the word computer, the first thing that comes up in their mind is the
stationary computer or the lap top, but as a matter of fact the computer comes in many
different shapes and sizes.
How does the computer work?
The computer has four main sections which are the arithmetic and logic unit, the control
unit, the memory, and the input and output devices.

The control unit is known as the central processing unit. It reads gets instructions
one by one from storage, read the instructions and store the result. The
instructions are very simple, and there is a need of a huge quantity to do complex
operations. The computer also has a program counter that has control over which
location in the memory the instructions are going to be read from.


Arithmetic/logic unit ALU) (The ALU is capable of performing arithmetic and
logic. It adds, subtracts, multiplies, divides, it is capable of using trigonometry,
and calculate square roots. Some can only calculate whole numbers while others
floating points to represent real numbers. All computers can be programmed to do
any arithmetic operation because even the computers that only have the ability to
calculate simple operations, can also break more complex calculations into simple
steps.
Memory : A computers memory is a list of cells where you can place numbers
and read them. Each cell can store a single number. The computer can be
instructed to put different numbers in different cells. The information stored in the
memory can represent anything. Since the CPU is not able to differ between
different information, it is up to the software to give significance to what the
memories see as a series of numbers. In most of the modern computers, each
memory cell can store numbers in groups of eight bits called byte. Each byte can
represent 256 numbers. For larger numbers, consecutive bytes may be used. A
computer can store any kind of information in memory as long as it can be
represented in numerical form. Modern computers can have trillions bytes of
memory. The Computer main memory comes in two principal varieties: random
access memory or RAM and read-only memory or ROM. RAM can be read and
written to anytime the CPU demands it, but ROM is pre-loaded with data and
software that never changes, so the CPU can only read from it.
Input/output (I/O)
I/O is the means by which a computer receives information from the outside world and
sends results back. Devices that provide input or output to the computer are called
peripherals. On a typical computer, peripherals include input devices like the keyboard
and mouse, and output devices such as the display and printer. Hard disks, floppy discs
and optical discs serve as both input and output devices. Computer networking is another
form of I/O.
The History of Computers
We ask ourselves who invented the computer? However it isn’t a question with one
simple answer. The history of the world known and great invention of computers are long
and reveals that a lot of different people contributed to be a part of the invention. So you
can say that the computer is a complex piece of machinery, made up of many parts. In a
way you could say that everyone who contributed invented their own part of the
computer. The development of the computers has been incredible. Just 70 years ago,
when the early electronic computers were invented, they were the size of a large room
and demanded huge amounts of power. Today, however, the computers are hundreds of
billions of times more powerful, and simpler computers can be made so small that they
would fit into a wrist watch!
It is difficult to define what really was the first computer because the definition we have
today on a computer is impossible to compare to how the first computer were. They
would not be qualify to today’s standards.
A computer is an electronic machine that has the ability to store, retrieve and process
data. This makes them extremely versatile and useful for everyone around the world.
Because of their ability to store and execute programs they are distinguished from for
example calculators.
The word “computer” refers to a person who performs numerical calculations, and that is
exactly what a computer does! Only today it is much more complicated and it is amazing
what a computer can be used to.
It would take way too long to reproduce the whole timeline of the computers; however,
we would like to present the most important incidences of the history. It all began in 1936
when Konrad Zuse presented the first freely programmable computer that included
floating point arithmetic and measure of programmability. Some years later, in 1944, the
Harvard Mark 1 computer was introduced and that was the first computer with limited
programmability. 1958 was the he year the first chip was presented. This revolutionary
chip was and still is used to store information. In 1971 the first microprocessor was
introduced to the world. The microprocessor functions as the central processing unit of a
microcomputer.1 1974 was the year the first consumer computers were placed in stores
for the average person to buy. Microsoft begins a friendly war with Apple, their new
competitor, in 1985. Tensions grew high and their relationship today is still hostile.
We all can see that the computers have developed throughout the years, and who knows
what the future could bring? Can computers become even more incredible? Would the
internet be an even stronger media in the world than it is today?
If you look up the word “computer” in the dictionary, you will find ….The definition for
a computer is an electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed
mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these
operations.
1
http://dict.die.net/microprocessor/
The Pros and Cons of Computers
Now that we all know what a computer is and how it functions, we should look at some
of the benefits and disadvantages. How do computers affect our lives? They minimize
distances in the world; they reduce physical labor for people and make mass production
possible by having computers do all the work. They also keep people up to date on
current events. They make different situations much easier in our lives, but are computers
purely beneficial?
Computers have helped people keep in touch, even if they are thousands of miles apart.
By sending E-mails, chatting on different messenger systems (for instance MSN, AIM
and Yahoo) and registering for profiles on different websites, the computer minimizes the
distances around the world; you can communicate with your cousin in China while sitting
in your room in California.
This relatively new technology has also made finding information a snap. People can find
information about current events, such as world news and politics, different illnesses,
different countries, their favorite actor, pretty much anything. By typing in a simple word
in a search engine, thousands, perhaps even millions of search results pop up. In a way,
you can say that the computer itself has helped educate the world. But is all the
information necessary? And could this information get into the wrong hands?
Since the internet spreads information at such a rapid pace, one can never be aware of the
consequences. An innocent prank of putting a video out on “Youtube” (a website where
you can upload videos), could have a damaging effect for the person’s reputation. It’s
easier to steal somebody’s identity through the use of computers. The internet also
contributes to the easy spread of child pornography. This is obviously a negative aspect.
Not to mention isolation from the outside world as you’re locked up in a room
somewhere. Also the use of the internet provides an easy availability of personal
information about other people.
This brings us to our next point; entertainment. Computers are not only used for
educational things, they are also used for the purpose of entertainment.
The computer also contributes to globalization. Since the internet can spread information
so quickly
Conclusion
As previously mentioned computers come in different shapes and sizes. It has many
different functions and helps us in our daily lives. The computer has four main
sections which are the arithmetic and logic unit, the control unit, the memory, and the
input and output devices. The functions of the computers have changed throughout the
years, and are still changing today.
We have only mentioned a few of the pros and cons. If we were to name all of
them, this paper would be the length of a book. We believe that though there are many
positive aspects when it comes to computer technology, there are just as many
flipsides.
We hope you found this paper interesting and educational. If not, you can always go to
google.com to find more info!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to thank several people that have helped us during our project. First,
ourselves, because without us, the project would not have been written. Also, big thanks
to Daniel Gustum for helping us get all the technical stuff in order. We probably could
have figured it out ourselves, but we really appreciated his help and guidance.
SOURCES
[1] Die.net, Definition: microprocessor, [Online] URL: http://dict.die.net/microprocessor/
, 2002-07-16 , [Visited: 9.6.07]
[2] Mary Bellis, The History of Computers, [Online] URL:
http://inventors.about.com/library/blcoindex.htm, , [Visited: 9.6.07]
[3] Wikipedia.org, Computer, [Online] URL:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computers,
Jan2007, [Visited: 9.6.07]
[4] Jeremy Meyers, A Short History of the Computer, [Online] URL:
http://www.softlord.com/comp/, [Visited: 9.6.07]
[5] Wikipedia.org, How Computers Work, [Online] URL:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer#How_computers_work, [Visited: 9.6.07]
INDEX
ALU);7
Computer networking;8
Conclusion;13
control unit;15
display;8
floppy discs;8
Hard disks;8
History;9
Input/output;8
Memory :;7
mouse;8
Naser Arian;6
optical discs;8
peripherals.;8
printer;8
The control unit;7
The Pros and Cons of Computers;11