🌐 General Computer Knowledge: Facts You Must Know in 2025
📘 Introduction to Computers
The word computer originates from the Latin word “computare”, meaning to calculate. In modern times, a computer is defined as a programmable electronic device that performs arithmetic and logical operations based on input.
Did you know? A basic modern computer can execute 3 to 4 million instructions per second, showcasing its incredible speed and efficiency.
🧠 Early Computing Devices & Inventors
Before electronic computers, devices like the abacus were used for calculations. Here’s a quick look at the major pioneers of computing:
Abacus: Known as the earliest counting machine.
Charles Babbage: Father of the modern computer.
Alan Turing: Father of computer science.
Vint Cerf: Father of the internet.
🤖 What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability of machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence—like decision-making, learning, and language understanding.
Cybernetics was an early term for machine intelligence.
John McCarthy, an American computer scientist, is known as the Father of AI.
🧠 OpenAI & ChatGPT
One of the biggest breakthroughs in modern AI is ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI.
GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer.
ChatGPT is an AI chatbot used globally in education, writing, business, and more.
OpenAI was founded in 2015 by Sam Altman, who still serves as CEO.
🕰️ History of Electronic Computers
From mechanical to electronic, here are the major milestones:
Howard H. Aiken invented the first electromechanical computer in 1963.
Herman Hollerith developed the first electronic calculator.
EDVAC: The first computer to store both data and programs.
UNIVAC I: First general-purpose electronic digital computer.
ENIAC: Known as the first general-purpose computer.
🌍 Global Internet & Tech Usage
China has the highest number of internet users.
USA leads in the number of personal computers.
Google is the most used internet search engine worldwide.
Yahoo follows as the second most used.
🧩 Types of Computers by Function
Computers are divided based on functionality:
Analog Computers
Measure continuous data like temperature or speed.
Examples: Speedometers, mercury thermometers.
Digital Computers
Process binary data (0s and 1s).
Most common today—used in homes, schools, and offices.
Hybrid Computers
Combine analog speed with digital precision.
Example: Fuel processors in petrol pumps.
💻 Types of Computers by Size
Computers also differ in size and power:
Supercomputers: Most powerful, used in research and military.
Mainframe computers: Handle large volumes of data and users.
Minicomputers: Smaller than mainframes, used by medium businesses.
Microcomputers (PCs): Personal computers for individual use.
📊 Data, Information, and Processing
Understanding how computers handle information is key:
Data: Raw facts, figures, or symbols.
Types: Numeric (23), Alphabetic (FIA), Alphanumeric (FIA23).
Information: Processed, meaningful data.
Database: Organized collection of related data.
Program: A set of written instructions that tells the computer what to do.
🧑💻 Software, Hardware & Programming
To function properly, computers require:
Hardware: Physical components (monitor, keyboard).
Software: Programs that operate the hardware.
Programmer: A person who writes software.
Programming: The process of creating software using a programming language