Prakhar Gupta has 4+ years of experience in Content Marketing Field. 

Content Marketing Specialist

In last blog, we learned about the computer and its features. In today&#39;s blog we will continue our discussion related to computers and learn about the functions of computer.

There are various functions of computers as modern computers have the ability of completing simple to complex works easily. But some basic functions are performed by every single computer system regardless of its size, power, capability, and modernity etc. On the basis of the basic foundational working of a computer system, a computer mainly has four major functions:

<ol>
	<li>Input function</li>
	<li>Data Processing</li>
	<li>Output function</li>
	<li>Data and Information Storage</li>
</ol>

The above basic functions are elaborated below.

1. Input Function: We all know that computers don’t work on their own. Data is needed in the input form by the users for the computer to perform various works. Data input is the first function of a computer system. Input is the process of entering information into a computer system by using the input devices like Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Microphones, webcams. Data can be provided on the computer in the form of word processing programs, spreadsheets, online forms etc. The data is entered in raw form only.

There are many input devices but mouse and keyboard are the major input devices of the computer system.

a) Mouse: The mouse is one of the most used input devices of a computer. They are also known as “pointing devices”. The mouse works as an interface between user and computer. The mouse is a small input device which has two buttons, one on the left side and the other on the right side with a tiny wheel in between them that is used for scrolling. There are majorly three types of mouse namely Normal mouse, PS2 mouse, Wireless Mouse.

b) Keyboard: The Keyboard is basically used for entering information into the computer system. It can be wired and wireless also. It has various keys that help to input alphabet letters, numbers, signs, and other data like

<ol>
	<li>Function keys from F1 to F12,</li>
	<li>Special Keys are also called combination keys which are used with combinations such as shift or ctrl etc.</li>
	<li>Alphabetic Keys are used to enter alphabets.</li>
</ol>

2. Data processing: Data processing is the major function of a computer. It has manipulation of raw data before changing into useful information. The Central Processing Unit(CPU) plays a vital role in data processing. Many computers currently use the CPU in conjunction with a graphics processing unit (GPU), forming an accelerated processing unit (APU). This conjugation of CPU and GPU upgrades powerful graphics processing abilities with the CPU’s conventional arithmetic and simple calculations that makes computers faster and more powerful. The CPU is popularly known as the ‘brain’ of the computer as it has access to all the functions. It works on the user instructions, performs system scripts and orders to boot the Operating System, runs programs etc. Each instruction is serially processed by the CPU and go through the following units:

<ul>
	<li>Control Unit: The Control Unit of the CPU governs all the tasks and operations of the computer. It works on the sequence of operations and decodes into commands. It is responsible for controlling input, output, memory, and other devices that are connected to the computer system.</li>
	<li>Arithmetic Logic Unit: The Arithmetic Logic Unit of the CPU works on the arithmetic and logical operations. The arithmetic unit controls mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. The logical unit controls logical operations such as AND, OR, equal, greater, and less than, comparison, selection, matching, data combing etc.</li>
	<li>Memory Unit: The memory unit permits the CPU to store the data temporarily and final results of the processed data. All the inputs/outputs are firstly stored in the memory unit and then forwarded to other units of the computer. It uses the primary memory i.e. RAM of the computer.</li>
</ul>

3. Output function: The raw data given by the users is processed by the computer’s processor. The processed data is forwarded from the primary memory to the output device by the CPU. Output devices are used to show the final result of the processed data. The output is thus considered to be information and is useful to the computer user. The output is stored in the form of soft copy or hard copy. Monitor and printer are the major output devices connected to the computer system.

a. Monitor: A monitor is also known as a visual display unit. It is a vital primary output device of a computer. It is built of glass, circuitry, adjustment buttons, power supply, etc., all enclosed together. It is joined to a computer to digitally see the output data such as text, image, video, etc. on the screen.

b. Printer: A printer is connected to a computer system to make a hard copy of the document, image, or information on paper. The printer takes output data from the computer system and prints an exact copy of it. There are two kinds of printers namely impact and non-impact printers.

4. Data and Information Storage: The fourth primary function of the computer system is data and information storage. A computer can store information temporarily and permanently. After the input is given, firstly stored in the primary memory for temporary basis. It is then sent for processing. After the data is processed and then sent the useful information to the output units from the primary memory. This information is then saved in permanent storage. RAM(Random Access Memory), ROM(Read-Only Memory), SSD(Solid State Drive), HDD(Hard Disk Drive) play a vital role in the functioning of the computer system.

a. RAM or Random Access Memory is the main primary memory of the computer and stores ongoing data temporarily. It is a volatile memory, the data stored gets lost when the power supply is turned off.

b. ROM or Read-Only Memory is a non-volatile storage medium that permanently stores essential computer data such as firmware. It is a non- volatile memory, and stores information permanently.

c. SSD stands for Solid State Drive whereas HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive. These are two permanent storage devices on a computer.

These were all the major functions of computer. Hope you liked it. For more, stay tunned.

Since 1995, Neetu Mam is Providing Free Content for English to the Students

Best Publisher for English Content

Learn the&nbsp;key concepts&nbsp;of&nbsp;Functions of Computer

Study Notes for Computer Knowledge topic - Functions of Computer

Latest Notifications

Exam Eligibility

Exam Dates

Exam Pattern

Syllabus

Admit Card

Exam Cutoff

Answer Key

Exam Results

Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs Quiz

Daily Editorial

Daily Vocabulary

Study Plan

Important Days

Question Paper

Previous Year PDF

English Language

Logical Reasoning

Quantitative Aptitude

General Knowledge

General Awareness

General Science

Today in History

Know Your State

Full Form

Know Your Country

Government Schemes

Know Your City

Know Your Leader

Books and Authors

question answer

Quiz

Courses

Classes

Study Notes for Computer Knowledge topic - Internet

Celebrating World NGO Day on 27th February

&lt;p&gt;No title&lt;/p&gt;

Click to study the Complete Theory of Functions of Computer and practice a lot of questions difficulty wise on this Static GK topic that can be asked in your competitive exam.

Study Notes for Computer Knowledge topic - Functions of Computer

Functions of Computer FAQs

Name the main functions of computer.

Give examples of input devices.

What is the fullform of CPU?

What is the function of monitor?

Where is the Data and Information stored in computer?

Functions of Computer Comments:

Functions of Computer RELATED ARTICLES