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Category: Computer Science for JSS & JHS
Basic Concept of Computer System: The Operating System
The operating system is an interface between the computer hardware and computer users. Every computer system, no matter the size, requires an operating system to function effectively.
In this tutorial, we shall discuss the following for the benefit of beginners and Junior Secondary students:
- The software
- The operating system
Definition of Software
Computer software can be defined as the intangible component of the computer system. It is the collection of programs, instructions, and data that directs the computer to perform specific tasks. There are two major types of software, namely:
- System software, and
- Application software
System Software
The system software is the backbone of the computer system. It has various functions including, controlling, integrating and managing the computer hardware components. It also interfaces between the user, application software, and hardware. It is a major functional unit of the computer system. System software can be classified as the operating system, drivers, and utilities.
Operating system:
The operating system is the software backbone of the computer system. Examples of the operating system include Unix, Linux, Mac Os, OS/2, Xenix, Windows, HP-UX, Android (for mobile devices), etc.
Drivers:
Drivers are system software that enables the use of a device in a computer system. Some are built within the scope of an operating system while some require separate installation.
Device drivers are operating system specific. A driver that works in Windows 7 may not necessarily work in windows 8. Examples of device drivers are printer drivers, video adapter drivers, network drivers, sound card drivers, etc.
Utility software:
Utility software is routine software that is packaged with the operating system which helps in system maintenance. Some utility software is installed separately to aid users to protect and maintaining the computer system.
It helps a user to maintain and protect the computer system but does not directly interface with the computer hardware. Examples are anti-virus software, firewalls, disk defragmenters, disk cleanup, backup and recovery managers, etc.
Application Software
Application software is used to accomplish specific tasks other than just running the computer system. There are different kinds of application software such as word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, multimedia, database, etc.
Application software may consist of any of the following groups:
- A single program e.g., AVS Video editor,
- A small collection of programs that work closely together to accomplish a task e.g., Microsoft Office Word, or
- A larger collection of related but independent programs and packages that have a common user interface or shared data format. Examples include Microsoft Office suite, CorelDraw graphic suite, etc.
Examples of application software:
There is different application software used for different purposes. Popular among them include:
- Word Processing apps – used for document creation, editing, and printing. Examples are MS Word, WordPad, WordPerfect, word star, textmaker, Lotus word pro, Microsoft works, etc.
- Spreadsheet applications – used for calculation and data analysis tasks. Examples are MS Excel, Quattro Pro, PlanMaker, OpenOffice.org Calc, AppleWorks, Accel, etc.
- Graphics Design applications – used to create and edit graphics. Examples are 3D Studio Max, CorelDraw, Dreamweaver, Paint, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, GIMP, Serif DrawPlus, etc.
- Multimedia software – used to playback audio and video files. Examples are Windows media player, Real player, Total video player, Gamut, Winamp, etc.
- Database applications – used to create and maintain data and information for easy retrieval. Examples are MS Access, Oracle, MySQL, MS SQL Server, DB2, etc.
What is an Operating System (OS)?
An Operating System (OS) can be defined as system software that manages computer hardware and software resources. It is a vital component of the computer system and it provides common services for computer programs. The hardware and application software are usually dependent on the operating system to function efficiently.
Types of operating system
There are seven (7) different types of operating systems (OS). Each type is designed to accomplish a purpose.
- Mobile operating system – this type of OS is designed to be used in smartphones and tablets, e.g., ios, and android/
- General–purpose operating system – this type of OS is designed to run on different kinds of hardware. They also accept different kinds of software, e.g., Windows, Mac, etc.
- Network operating system – is designed to facilitate networking and communication including built-in security, e.g., Windows server 2019.
- Embedded operating system – this type is built into chips included in a device to ensure performance and resilience. E.g., ATM, POS machines, etc.
- Real–time operating system – this type of OS is built into devices that have time constraints to interact between user commands and output. It usually functions without delays such as buffering and processing latency, e.g., VxWorks, FreeRTOS.
- Templated operating system – used in virtualization and cloud computing technology to create a single virtual machine image.
- Multi–user operating system – designed to identify, store and accommodate more than one user at the same time.
Examples of Operating System
Different operating systems are used in computer systems today. The most popular ones which are mostly packaged together with a new system sold in the market include:
- FreeDOS – an improved version of DOS (Disk Operating System)
- Unix – a stable multi-user & multitasking OS for server systems.
- Linux – is usually available as commercial and Open-Source software. There are different Linux OS depending on the distribution; e.g., Red Hat, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Fedora, Linux Mint, Debian, etc.
- Macintosh – usually called Mac, was introduced by the Apple computer.
- Windows – which is the most popular OS used today, especially in Nigeria. Windows OS is developed by Microsoft Inc. It has various versions including Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11.
Functions of Operating System
The basic functions of an operating system are:
- It helps in booting the computer system
- It monitors the system performance and activities
- It helps in managing various peripheral devices such as mouse, keyboard, printer, etc
- It provides a user interface for effective operating of the computer, e.g., command line and graphical user interface (GUI).
- It helps in resource allocation. It allocates computer memory and sharing of the central processing unit time by various applications and peripheral devices.
- It provides a system of file management which includes the way the operating system manipulates, stores, retrieves, and saves data.
- It assists in computer utility functions such as backup and restores operations, defragmentation, disk cleaning, etc.
Conclusion
Software is the intangible component of the computer system. It is made up of the system and application software. The system software includes the operating system, device drivers, and utility software. The operating system is the backbone of computer software because it interfaces between the user, hardware, and software.
Basic Concept of Computer System for JSS: Definition and Components
In this tutorial, we discussed the concept of the computer system for junior secondary school students. The article will also help anyone new to the computer system to understand its basic concepts.
In the world today, the computer system has proven to be invaluable to mankind. It is used virtually in all areas of human endeavor; in production, communication, medicine, science, etc.
Also, the presence of computer systems is everywhere. Unlike in the early years when only a privileged few own and have access to them. It is therefore important that everyone should have a basic knowledge of the computer system.
This tutorial, therefore, introduces the concept of the computer system for beginners. We shall discuss the following:
- What is a computer system?
- Components of a computer system
- Relationship between the components
Concept of Computer System
What is a Computer System?
A computer system is an electronic device that can perform different tasks based on predefined instructions. Some are designed to perform a particular task and are called special-purpose computers while others can perform more than one task.
Other definitions of the computer system include the following:
- A computer can be defined as a programmable device that can automatically perform logical and arithmetic operations. The operations performed are based on the input given by the user. It returns the desired result after processing the user’s data.
- A computer is an electronic device that accepts, processes, stores, outputs, and communicates data as per user instruction. It processes and gives out the results quickly and accurately.
- A computer system is the combination of hardware and software that takes input, processes them, and gives output.
Characteristics of the computer system
The computer component is divided into two major categories namely hardware and software.
Hardware is the machine itself and its connected devices such as the monitor, keyboard, mouse, scanner, printer, etc. Software is the set of instructions that allow the computer to perform designated tasks.
A computer system has the following characteristics:
- A computer system is an electronic device. This means that it needs electricity to function effectively.
- Tasks are performed by a computer through programmed instructions. This means that a computer cannot work except instruction is passed to it.
- It processes simple and complex data faster and more accurately than human beings
- It can store a large amount of data while working for hours without breaking or inputting errors
- A computer can perform different kinds of work at the same time. This is called multitasking.
- A computer cannot think. Fifth-generation computers require learning algorithms to be able to perform the tasks of man. Thus, a computer does not have emotions, knowledge, experience, or feeling.
- Generally, a computer cannot replace man. It requires man to function, both in programming and operation.
Components of Computer System
Looking at the characteristics of the computer system listed above, we can identify three components of a computer system:
- hardware
- software, and
- peopleware
Hardware component
These include the physical components that make up a computer system. The hardware components include all components that a user can see and touch while using the computer.
The hardware component can be divided into five basic units, namely:
- the input unit
- the storage unit
- the processing unit (Central processing unit – CPU)
- the output unit, and
- the communication unit
The central processing unit is further divided into the Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and a control unit (CU). These five units enable the computer to perform the following six basic functions:
- Accept data or instruction as input
- Store data and instruction for future use
- Process data based on per-user instructions
- Control all operations within a computer system
- Generate results in the form of output to the user
- Transmit and receive data to/from other computers within a network
The input unit
The input unit enables the computer to collect data from the user. Input devices are connected to the unit to enable users to enter data into the computer system.
The input devices are connected to the computer system through a port system. Older generation computers use serial, ps/2, and firewire ports, but presently the USB and HDMI ports are used.
The devices that are used for input include the following:
- mouse, keyboard,
- scanner, touchscreen monitor,
- camera/ camcorder, joystick, and
- microphone.
The storage unit
The storage unit enables the computer to communicate with the various storage devices connected to it. These devices are used to save data and information for future use. Some of the hardware components that make up the storage devices include:
Primary memory/ storage: they include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), cache, and flash memory.
Secondary (internal) storage: two types of devices are used, namely Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Solid-State Drive (SSD). The SSD is faster but has a lower capacity than HDD.
External storage: This is usually used for tertiary and archival storage or to backup data in case of accidental loss. They include CD/DVD, diskette, flash drive, external hard disk, blue-ray disk, etc.
The central processing unit (CPU)
This is the processing nerve of the computer. It is the center where all arithmetic and logical operations are performed. The CPU receives data and instructions from the primary memory and processes them. It can perform calculations based on the instructions received and the type of data provided. The CPU is divided into the Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control unit (CU).
VIA computer microprocessor (VIA microprocessor with hardware random number generation (RNG) capability, 2008) by Via Technologies Inc is licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 The Arithmetic Logic Unit performs all calculations and comparisons based on the data and instructions provided. Arithmetic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, power, etc. Logical operations include comparison operators such as greater than, less than, greater than, or equal to, etc.
The Control Unit controls all operations of the computer. It takes care of the step-by-step processing of all operations within the computer. Operations such as input, processing, and output are performed by the control unit.
The output unit
The output unit enables the computer to deliver results to the user. Output devices are connected to the unit to enable users to see or receive results from the computer system.
The output devices are connected to the computer system through a port system. Older generation computers use parallel and serial ports. However, the USB and HDMI ports have replaced them.
The hardware components of the output unit are Monitor, printer, and speaker.
Identifying hardware components
Software component
The software component of a computer is a set of instructions and data stored in digital form within the computer memory. It is divided into two:
- System software, and
- Application software
System software
System software is used to manage and control the hardware component of the computer. It allows for user interaction between the hardware and application software.
There are two major categories of system software: the operating system and device drivers.
Application software
Application software is developed to allow users of a computer system to perform different tasks. They are also called apps for short. Different applications are corresponding to different tasks. For example, Microsoft word is used for word processing, CorelDraw for creating graphics, etc.
Application software can either be generic (i.e. for general use) or bespoke (i.e. custom-made).
Generic application software is developed for the general public. Anyone can purchase, install and use the app for different purposes. As a result, they are usually cheaper and readily available. E.g. Microsoft Word.
The bespoke or custom-made software is designed for a specific purpose. They are usually created for an organization or a particular occasion. This makes them expensive and very rare.
People-ware component
Peopleware refers to the role of people in the development and use of computer software and hardware. The computer is designed to be used by people. The people who use the computer are referred to as the peopleware component of the computer system.
Anyone who designs, develops, or uses a computer system plays an important role in the computing process. They include computer professionals and users such as;
- Hardware and software engineers,
- Programmers and IT specialists
- Individual computer users,
- Network engineers, computer technicians,
- database administrators,
- desktop publishers, etc.
Relationship Between the Components
The relationship between hardware, software, and people-ware
- The hardware, software, and peopleware are indispensable. All of them complement one another and none can function without the other. For example, people created the hardware and software, and the hardware cannot function without the software. Similarly, the software cannot function without the hardware. Also, the hardware and software need people to make them function effectively.
- One hardware can be used to load different software depending on who is using it. This means that people (users) determine the kind of software that can be loaded (installed) on computer hardware.
- The kind of job people does determines the kind of hardware and software that they can use. For example, the kind of computer hardware and software a film editor uses are different from the kind desktop publisher uses.
- Hardware may be purchased once while software used in computer hardware changes over time. Similarly, one or more persons can use computer hardware and software over time.
- Hardware, software, and peopleware can be upgraded over time. This means that obsolete and less functional hardware can be changed or upgraded to improve efficiency. Also, over time, the software is updated to accommodate recent development in information and communication trends. Similarly, computer professionals and users upgrade their knowledge of innovative developments in the hardware and software industry to maximize productivity and usability.
Conclusion
A computer is an electronic device that performs predefined tasks. There are three (3) major components of the computer system, namely hardware, software, and peopleware. Each of these components and interrelated such that one cannot exist without the other.
Classification of Computers by Degree of Versatility
Classification of computers by degree of versatility is a grouping of computer systems based on what they can do. It tries to define computer systems based on the tasks they are designed to perform.
Classification by degree of versatility is also called classification of computers by purpose. It addresses the following question:
What do we use a given computer for? What is the purpose for which a given computer is designed? Computers can be classified based on what they can do, otherwise called the degree of versatility.
Classification of Computers by Degree of Versatility
Therefore, classification of computers by degree of versatility looks at a computer based on the accomplishment of tasks.
The classification of computers by degree of versatility is in the following:
- General-purpose computers, and
- Special-purpose computers
General-Purpose Computers:
A general-purpose computer is a computer that is installed with different applications to carry out different tasks. The general purpose is used to define what is suitable for all purposes.
Feature Description Task Can perform different tasks Application Can install different kinds of applications. Allow users to install applications Memory Consumes a large amount of memory Growth Predicated by Moore’s law Uses Word processing, graphics designing, internet services Examples Desktop, laptop, smartphone General-purpose computers are defined by the computer’s architecture which allows different programs to be installed in them. The computer may be manufactured with preinstalled programs and also allows end-users the privilege to install other programs.
The rise in general-purpose computers was fueled by Moore’s Law. Moore’s law states that the number of transistors in a microprocessor (dense integrated circuit (IC)) will double every two years. For the past five (5) decades the law has been widely used in the semiconductor industry. The law serves a great deal in setting targets for research and development and long-term planning.
This exponential growth in microchips made computers smaller, faster, more efficient, and able to carry out tasks using different applications. As a result, computers that can carry out different tasks with dedicated programs become increasingly available.
In as much as they are called general-purpose computers, their ability to carry out tasks depends on available applications. Also, to install a given application, the computer must meet the minimum requirement to run such an application.
This means that you cannot create graphics with your general-purpose computer if you did not install a graphic package. Also, to install a graphic package, your computer must be configured to run such an application.
A general-purpose computer consists of hardware and software, and can be used to perform the following tasks:
- Create different kinds of designs including web, graphic, and CAD (computer-aided designs)
- Process word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc
- Access the internet, play games, and access emails
- Create and play videos, music, etc.
Examples of general-purpose computers include personal computers (desktops, laptops, etc), tablets, smartphones, etc.
Special-Purpose Computers:
Special purpose computers are designed to solve specialized problems. They are sometimes called dedicated computers because they are dedicated to handling specific tasks on a recurring basis.
Feature Description Task Can perform specified kind of task Application Designed with applications to enable it to perform a dedicated task Memory Consumes less amount of memory Growth Predicated by failing Moore’s law Uses Home appliance controllers, oil exploration, traffic control system Examples VCR, Microwave oven, classical molecular dynamic machines For example, the Jacquard loom was designed to produce complex designs on textiles. This is what it does on a repeated basis. They, therefore, perform the same tasks over their lifetime.
Unlike general-purpose computers which allow users the privilege to install applications, special-purpose computers come prepared to perform dedicated tasks. They are designed with the instructions to perform such specialized tasks built within them.
They are therefore more efficient, and can effectively carry out their functions. Also, they use less amount of memory since they accept a particular set of data, and they are very fast.
The industry is gradually driving away from general-purpose computers to special-purpose computers because Moore’s law is failing. Also, the drive towards special-purpose computers is enhanced by applications like deep learning and cryptocurrency mining. If Moore’s law finally fails, there is a tendency to revert to the origin, when specialized supercomputers were built.
There are three (3) classes of special-purpose systems, namely;
- Time embedded systems – these are devices with application-specific integrated circuits (ASCI). They can perform their tasks without an operating system.
- Multimedia systems – these are devices that incorporate multimedia data such as audio files, video conferencing, etc.
- Handheld systems – these are portable devices with special-purpose embedded operating systems.
Special-purpose computers are used in applications such as:
- Home appliance controllers and fuel injection in vehicles
- Oil exploration and weather forecasting simulations
- Traffic control and aircraft navigational systems
- Playing intensive video games and satellite tracking
- Defense and surveillance equipment, etc.
Some examples of special-purpose computers include VCR, microwave ovens, PDA, Navier-Stokes hydrodynamic solvers, classical molecular dynamic machines, Ising model computers, etc.
For more information:
Conclusion
A computer can be designed to solve a specific problem or different kinds of problems. Computers that solve different kinds of problems are known as general-purpose computers. While computers that are designed to solve specialized problems are called special-purpose computers.
Classification Of Computer by Type
In addition to the classification of computer by generation and size, computers can be classified by type. Classification of computer by type distinguishes computers based on the form of data it processes.
The precision of a computer system can be described in two ways: discrete, and continuous.
In this tutorial, we shall discuss the classification of computer by type and degree of versatility.
Classification of computer by Type
The three classes of the computer by type include:
- Analog computers
- Digital computers, and
- Hybrid computers
Analog Computers
In real life, most of the signals generated are analogous in form or represent continuous variables, e.g. sound. Sound is represented by a wave of continuous length. To measure such signals, we need a reliable device that can factor in such signals and give a suitable output.
Feature Description Purpose Processes continuous/ analog data Speed Slow Accuracy Produce varying results Reliability Results are not reliable Mechanical operations Yes (uses a mechanical rotation of gears) Uses Simulation of aircraft, nuclear power plants, etc. Types Tide predictor, harmonic analyzer, differential analyzer, etc Examples The slide rule, voltmeter, analog clock An analog computer is therefore defined as a device or machine that is designed to process continuously changing data. It harnesses such a continuous flow of data and generates a user-friendly and readable result.
In analog computers, data is stored in the physical quantity of its natural form (i.e., continuous form). It then uses measures (mechanical rotation of gears) to perform calculations that generate human-readable output. Data is measured directly without the need for conversion into numerals and codes, e.g. temperature.
Also, in analog computers, results are not usually accurate, because they cannot produce exact equivalent results. Hence, it is used where exact values are not required, e.g. speed. They are equally slow and less reliable.
Analog computers are widely used to simulate dynamic systems and in scientific and industrial applications. Some use cases include simulation of aircraft, nuclear power plants, industrial chemical processes, analysis of hydraulic and electronic networks, etc.
Examples of analog data include sound, temperature, electricity, pressure, speed, etc.
Types of analog computers
There are five (5) types of analog computers, namely:
- Slide rule – the simplest analog computer for performing arithmetic operations.
- Tide predictor – developed in 1873 by William Thompson (Lord Kelvin), used to predict the daily occurrence of tides.
- Harmonic analyzer – developed by Olaus Henrici in 1894 for determining the fundamental and harmonic components of complex sound waves.
- Differential analyzer – invented by Vannevar Bush and colleagues in 1931 to solve complex differential equations.
- Castle clock – developed by Al-Jazari in 1206, and used to keep time and display zodiac, solar, and lunar orbits.
Analog computers can be classified into mechanical and electronic analog computers. Mechanical analog computers use mechanical components such as rotating shafts to carry variables from one mechanism to another.
Electronic analog computers have operational amplifiers used to perform mathematical operations. It enabled analog computers to perform real-time calculations and were faster than their mechanical counterpart.
Some examples of analog computers include slide rules, speedometers, automatic voltage regulators, seismometers, analog clocks, thermometers, voltmeters, tide predictors, etc.
Digital Computer:
A digital computer is a computer that uses discrete values to process data and solves problems. Such machines operate on data of different magnitude by expressing them in binary numbers.
Feature Description Purpose Processes discrete data Speed Fast Accuracy Produce precise results Reliability Results are reliable Mechanical operations No, mostly electronic Uses Solving complex scientific and business problems Functional components Input, memory, processing, output Examples ENIAC, Desktop, calculator A binary number is a system of counting that expresses numbers in 0 and 1. In digital computing, 0 is used to represent an off state and 1 represents an on the state. Digital computers manipulate 0 and 1 digits and their combinations based on a set of instructions retained in their memory.
With an advanced level of data manipulation, digital computers can be used to solve complex problems in science, industry, and business. It can be used to perform mathematical calculations in scientific research, facilitate engineering and product design, etc.
Digital computers generate more accurate results at a rate faster than analog computers. Because input values do not depend on physical variations, they are more reliable.
Components of a digital computer
Digital computers have four major functional components namely:
- Input unit – this represents the devices used to send data into the computer.
- Output unit – this includes the devices and peripherals used to bring out results from the computer.
- Memory unit – this represents the devices used to store program and instruction data in the computer
- Processing unit – this represents the devices that manipulate data and information to generate results. They use a special logic unit called ALU (arithmetic logic unit) to perform calculations. The control unit (CU) on the other hand directs information in the memory in an appropriate sequence.
There are different generations of digital computers. The progression to digital computers began with the invention of mechanical counting devices.
Examples of digital computers include Harvard Mark 1, ENIAC, Colossus (first electronic digital computer), calculator, digital clock, personal computers, etc.
Hybrid Computer:
A hybrid computer takes advantage of the functionalities of analog and digital systems. They combine both functionalities to generate faster and more accurate results.
Feature Description Purpose Processes continuous and discrete data Speed Very fast Accuracy Produce accurate results Reliability Results are reliable Mechanical operations No Uses The medical field, industries, etc Types General-purpose, special=purpose, and large electronic hybrid computers Examples Hycomp 250, fuel dispenser, ATM A hybrid computer has an analog unit for computing continuous data and a digital memory unit for the precision of results. The analog unit solves differential and complex mathematical equations. The digital unit controls the flow of instructions and maintains logical and numerical operations.
Unlike hybrid systems which convert analog signals to digital, hybrid computers process both analog and digital data and generate results.
Examples include HYDAC 2400, Hycomp 250, Starglow Hybrid computer, cell phone, petrol dispenser, ATM, Ultrasound machine, electrocardiogram machine, etc.
Types and uses of hybrid computers
There are three main types of hybrid computers, namely;
- Large electronic hybrid computers – are used to solve complex differential equations.
- General-purpose hybrid computers – are used to carry out different concurrent tasks with the help of different applications.
- Special purpose hybrid computers – use specialized applications to solve specific problems.
Some of the applications and uses of hybrid computers include the following fields:
- Medical field – for example, CT (computed tomography) scan, echocardiogram, and ultrasound machines. Also, used in intensive care units.
- Petrol or gas stations – for example, fuel dispenser units.
- Used in different sectors such as airline, defense, laboratories, industries, etc.
Conclusion
Classification of computer by type is divided into three: analog, digital and hybrid computers. Analog computers process continuous data, digital computers process discrete data, and hybrid computers process both kinds of data.
Classification of Computers by Size
Another way to classify a computer system is by size. Classification of computers by size is important to computer scientists and users.
Classification of computers by size allows us to group the computer system based on the physical magnitude and processing power.
Ordinary users see this classification to be more important because it reveals the magnitude and processing power of a computer. Computer scientists use this classification to know the capacity and usage of a given computer system.
Classification of a computer by size looks at the following:
- The physical size of a computer system
- The processing capacity and storage units
- The cost and usage
In this tutorial, we shall discuss the four main classes of computers by size, namely:
- Supercomputers
- Mainframe computers
- Minicomputers, and
- Microcomputers
Classification of computers by size
Supercomputers –
Supercomputers are the fastest and most expensive machines in the world. Unlike other computers, the speed of a supercomputer is measured in Floating-Point Operations Per Second (FLOPS).
Characteristic Description Size They are large Cost They are very expensive Processing They use parallel processing, vector, scalar, and multi-threaded processors Speed Floating-point per second (FLOPS) – Extremely fast Usage Tasking computations, e.g. weather forecasting, aircraft design Apps Linux OS (run different OS in different nodes) Power Consumes a lot of energy, e.g. Fugaku consumes 29,899kw of energy. Examples Cray-1, Tianhe-2A, HPC5, Frontera Normal computer speed is measured in Million Instructions Per Second (MIPS). One petaflop equals one thousand trillion flops, and a supercomputer with 1-petaflop can perform one quadrillion (1015) flops per second.
According to the Top500 list, the fastest supercomputer in the world is the Japanese Fugaku A64FX 48C. It has a world record of 7,630, 848 cores, which made it about 3x faster than IBM Summit. The fastest supercomputer in the world has a processing speed of 442 flop/s.
Supercomputers could use parallel processing, vector, scalar, or multi-threaded processors. (Parallel processing is a system that allows more than one processor to perform a single computation at the same time). They also consume a lot of energy and generate a lot of heat, hence requiring a cooling system. For example, IBM Summit consumes 10096KW of energy.
Supercomputers are specially built to handle highly difficult computations. This is why they are used in weather forecasting, climate research, molecular and biological research, nuclear research, and aircraft design. They can also be found in major universities, military agencies, and scientific research laboratories.
The first commercial supercomputer was CDC 6600, designed by Seymour Cray in the 1960s/70s. Other examples include IBM Sierra Nvidia/Mellanox, Sunway Taihulight, Nvidia Selene, etc.
Supercomputers run different operating systems in different nodes. Linux operating is predominantly used.
Mainframe Computers:
Mainframe computers are designed to be used as data servers for major corporations around the world. They have the highest level of security and can reliably perform trillions of interconnected transactions daily.
Characteristic Description Size Less in size than super but larger than minicomputer Cost Less expensive than a supercomputer Processing Use multiprocessors (up to 7 cores per CPU) Speed Trillion daily transactions Usage Bulky data processing, e.g. industry statistics, census Apps Linux OS (run different instances in virtual machines) Power Consumes less power than a supercomputer Examples IBM z14 – z16 Mainframes are designed for longevity and speed. By longevity, we mean that they have a long life span. By speed, we mean that it can process trillion transactions daily. For example, the IBM z mainframe can process 1 trillion web transactions per day.
Mainframes are designed with three key characteristics in mind, otherwise called RAS.
- Reliability
- Availability, and
- Serviceability
They are highly reliable because they have built-in redundancy. This means that the failure of hardware does not affect its performance. When hardware fails, the workload is transferred automatically to other hardware to ensure no downtime.
Mainframes are designed to ensure that data integrity is protected and remains available for a long period without failure. They are particularly used in corporations that have zero tolerance for downtime.
They are built with high-level processor cores and built-in shared memory to support massive transactions and throughput simultaneously. They are therefore used in large-scale transaction processing such as census data, consumer statistics, etc.
Mainframes can run multiple different instances of different operating systems through virtual machines. They can run common operating systems (OS) such as Linux or specialized OS such as IBM z/OS.
Examples of mainframe computers include IBM System z10, IBM z800, IBM z14 and z15, Honeywell 6000s, etc.
Minicomputers:
Minicomputers are smaller general-purpose computers that were developed in the late 1960s. They are smaller, less expensive, and less powerful than mainframe computers.
Characteristic Description Size Less in size than a mainframe but larger than a microcomputer Cost Less expensive than a mainframe Processing Use one or more processors Speed Faster than microcomputer Usage Transaction processing, database management, etc Apps Different apps and operating systems Power Consumes less power than the mainframe Examples IBM system/3, PDP-11, TI-990 Minicomputers are multi-users systems that are used as mid-sized servers in different organizations. They support multiprocessing and multitasking and are robust at handling workloads.
Some minicomputers have more than one processor and can support the interconnection of more than one user simultaneously. They are used in different fields and business communication including database management, transaction processing, engineering and scientific computations, etc.
Some examples of minicomputers include IBM system/3, PDP-11, TI-990, PDP-8, etc.
Microcomputers:
Microcomputers are generally called personal computers (Pcs), primarily used by individuals. The system you are using to browse this info is a type of microcomputer.
Characteristic Description Size Different sizes (hand-held to desktop) Cost Relatively cheap Processing Use one processor Speed Depends on size and configuration Usage General-purpose Apps Different apps and operating systems Power Consumes less power Examples Desktop, laptop, tablet They are smaller in size, relatively cheaper, and have a central processing unit. Their popularity can be traced to the 1970s and 1980s, since then, smaller size of the PC has been developed.
Microcomputers are general-purpose machines that can be used to perform varying tasks. Different applications can be installed depending on the task to be carried out. Designers install graphic packages, data scientists install data manipulation and visualization software, etc.
There are different types of microcomputers depending on their sizes. They include
- Desktops – These are larger systems that are kept on office desks for office use. They are not easily moveable because the monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc are connected to them. These days, we have 3in1 desktops that can be moved easily but are not as portable as laptops and notebooks.
- Laptops and notebooks – These are portable microcomputers that can be easily moved from one place to another. Laptops are bigger and heavier while notebooks are smaller and slimmer. They come with an inbuilt keyboard, mouse, and screen.
- Tablets – These are slimmer palmtops that are of the size of a notebook or jotter. They are of different sizes ranging from 5-inches to 13-inches. They are predominantly screen-touch.
- Smartphones – These are mobile telecommunication gadgets that can be used to perform computing tasks. They come with apps that allow users to perform different tasks depending on what they want to accomplish. Different apps can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play store depending on the device.
- Others – Other devices can perform different computing tasks. Though they are not traditionally meant for such, advancement in technology has necessitated such features. Some of these devices include smartwatches, smart TVs, smart refrigerators, etc.
Conclusion
Classification of computers by size is the most relevant among the classes of computers because it applies to all. We identified four main classes of computers by size:
- Supercomputers which is extremely large, very expensive, and extremely fast.
- Mainframes which is medium in size, expensive, and very fast.
- Minicomputers which is large, less expensive, and faster than microcomputers.
- Microcomputers vary in size, speed, and cost. Availability is based on individual usage. It can also run different applications.
A microcomputer is the most used size because it is available to individuals and businesses. Check the classification of computers by generation.
Classification of Computers by Generation
Just as it took years to transit from our old black and white television to the modern smart television today, computers experienced the same transition. Classification of computers by generation is a process of arranging computers based on the period of invention.
After phasing out the Celeron, Pentium, and Cores nomenclature, Intels decided to invent the generations naming scheme in 2008. This led to classifying Intels processors as gens which come in 3 variants: Core i3, i5, and i7 beginning with its first core i3 launched in January 2010.
This repositioning brought yearly advancement and improvements in Intels processors and positioned the 5th-generation computers rightly to perform their intended tasks.
For you not to get confused, we created posts to distinguish these modern machines from the original classification of computers. You can thus learn more about the:
- 6th and 7th generation computers
- 8th and 9th generation computers
- 10th and 11th generation computers
using each of the above links.
When classifying a computer system, certain characteristics are considered. These characteristics are listed in this article, while the modern classifications center on Intel’s microprocessors only.
Therefore, in this tutorial, we shall discuss the 5 primary classifications of computers by generation.
Table of Contents
Classification of computer definition
Classification of computers is a process of organizing or arranging the computer system based on vital features.
These features can be physical size, processing ability, or mode of operation.
What is the classification of computers?
A typical computer system can be classified into four (4) different categories, namely;
- Classification of computers by generation
- Classification of computers by size
- Classification of the computer system by type, and
- Classification of the computer system by degree of versatility
Classification of Computers by Generation
After the invention of the first computer in 1945 which filled the entire room, subsequent computers showed improved capabilities. These improved capabilities are captured in the following features:
- Higher processing power and computation strength
- Reduced size and power consumption
- Lower cost of production, acquisition, and maintenance
- Better and improved programming languages
The classification of computers by generation captured the above features per generation. This shows the chronological improvement of the computer system as technology advanced. For a comprehensive article visit the post: different generations of computers.
First-generation computers –
These computers were developed between 1945 and 1956. They are based on vacuum tubes and have the following characteristics.
Feature Description Vacuum tubes Used for circuitry Magnetic drums Used for memory and storage Size Very large Power consumption Consume a lot of power and generates a lot of heat Cost Very expensive to buy and maintain Speed Very slow (computation time in milliseconds) Programming language Machine language Input/output Punched cards/ printouts Examples ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC Second-generation computers –
The second-generation computers were developed between 1956 and 1963 with transistors replacing vacuum tubes. Some of the characteristics include:
Feature Description Transistors Used for circuitry Magnetic core technology Used stored program concept (instructions stored in memory), magnetic tape for mass storage Size Large Power consumption Consume less power and generates less heat than 1st generation Cost Less expensive than first-generation Speed Slow (computation time in microseconds) Programming language Assembly language Input/output Punched cards/ printouts Examples IBM 1401, PDP-1, UNIVAC 1107 Third-generation computers –
Third-generation computers were developed between 1964 and 1971 with integrated circuits. Other notable characteristics are.
Feature Description Integrated circuits Used for circuitry Hardware/ software The advent of operating systems to interface between hardware/ software Size Small (magnetic tape for storage) Power consumption Less power and less heat Cost Cheaper and available to the public Speed high (computation time in nanoseconds) Programming language High-level language Input/output keyboards/ monitors Examples IBM 360s, PDP-11, Honeywell 6000s Fourth-generation computers –
This generation took place around 1971. It marked the advent of microprocessors in place of integrated circuits, and it is still in use today. Other major characteristics include.
Feature Description Microprocessor Used as single processing power RAM and cache technology Stores computation instructions for the CPU Size Small and portable Power consumption Less power and heat Cost Less expensive Speed Fast (computation time in picoseconds) Programming language High-level language Input/output Keyboard, mouse,…/monitor, printer,… Examples Altair 8800, STAR 1000, CRAY-1 Fifth-generation computers –
The movement for fifth-generation computers began in Japan in 1982 through the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. The project was initiated to create computers with parallel computing technology, pattern processing, and logic programming language.
Feature Description Processing Parallel processing & computing technology Purpose Capable of learning and organizing Cost Expensive Speed Very fast Programming language Logic programming & algorithms Example Apple Siri Fifth-generation is used to refer to computers that are capable of learning and organizing based on human behavioral algorithms. They are in continuous development and are based on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
These computers and machines are developed to perform some of the basic tasks of man. They use parallel processing to enhance speed and achieve real-time results. An example of natural language processing technology is Apple’s Siri, Google Assistance, and Microsoft Cortana.
Conclusion
There are five main classes of computers by generation:
- First-generation computers used vacuum tubes and were developed between 1945 – 1956.
- Second-generation computers used transistors and were developed between 1956 – 1963.
- Third-generation computers used integrated circuits and were developed between 1963 – 1971.
- Fourth-generation computers used microprocessors and were developed between 1971 – date.
- Fifth-generation computers used parallel processing and were developed between 1985 – date.
Each of these generations of computers has its distinguishing features which were explained in this tutorial. Check out the classification of computers by type.
The Features of Graphic Packages for JSS
The features of graphic packages are tools within the software environment that make creating and editing graphics possible. Most of the graphic packages discussed under examples of graphic packages have brushes, pens, etc to create and edit objects.
In this tutorial, we shall discuss the features of two popularly used computer graphic packages.
- Microsoft Paint which represents a painting application
- CorelDraw, representing a vector package.
Microsoft Paint
Microsoft Paint is a simple painting graphics application that comes with all versions of the Windows operating system. It can be used to scan images and create and modify objects.
It can open and save files in the following formats: Jpeg, Gif, PNG, TIFF, and bitmap (.bmp). The bitmap file extension can be monochrome, 16 color, 256 color, and 24-Bit bitmap.
The diagram below displays the Windows 11 Paint environment.
Features of MS Paint and their uses
Tools Uses Tool width Used to set the width of a selected tool. E.g. eraser size or the width of a line or curve made with a pencil or shapes. Color 1 Used for the foreground color of objects. Click this tool and select a color palette before drawing an object. It is usually used by the pencil tool, brushes, and the outline of a shape. Color 2 Used for the background color of shapes. Click this tool and select a color palette to set the background of an object. It is usually used by the eraser tool, and shapes fill. Color palette Used to set the outline or fill color of an object. Choose the color of your choice from the color palette to set the foreground or background color of an object. Shapes Used to create an object. Choose your desired shape to draw an object such as a line, ellipse, rectangle, triangle, etc Paintbrushes Used to draw and apply color to an object. Choose a brush to make paintings of different thicknesses and forms. Click brushes and select a brush of your choice and start painting. Pencil Use the Pencil tool to draw freeform lines or curves. Color fill Used to fill an object or an enclosed shape with color. Select it, then click an area on the canvas to apply foreground color or right-click to apply a background color. Add text Used to add text to an object or in the workspace. Select and position appropriately to add a text. Eraser Used to clean areas of your drawings or pictures. Select the eraser tool and choose the eraser width by selecting a size, then, clean the desired area. Color picker Used to copy a color from an existing image. The color picked can be set as a current foreground or background color. To set the current foreground color, select the pick tool and click on the image color. To set the current background color, select the pick tool, and right-click on the image color. Magnifier Used to enlarge part of an object on the workspace. Select the magnifier and click on the object to zoom in, or right-click to zoom out. How to create objects in MS Paint
Drawing a line:
To draw a line in MS Paint, do the following:
- Select the pencil tool,
- Click the Size tool, from the dropdown list, select a line width of your choice
- Select the Color 1 tool
- On the color palette, select a color of your choice
- Use your free hand to click and drag on the workspace to draw a freeform line.
- Select a line from the Shapes tool,
- Follow steps a-c above.
- Click and drag on the workspace to draw a straight line.
Drawing a curve:
To draw a curve in MS Paint, follow these steps:
- Select the pencil tool,
- Click the Size tool, from the dropdown list, select a line width of your choice
- Select the Color 1 tool
- On the color palette, select a color of your choice
- Using the pencil, draw a curve of your choice on the workspace
- Select a curve on the Shapes tool,
- Follow steps a-c above.
- Click and drag on the workspace to draw a straight line
- Move a distance away from the line and click twice to create a curve. Note: The length of the line and the distance from the line depends on the depth of the curve.
Draw a rectangle:
You can use the pencil tool to draw a freeform rectangle. But to draw a smooth rectangle, do the following:
- Select a rectangle from the Shapes tool,
- Choose the size, foreground, and background colors of your choice
- Click and drag on the workspace to draw a rectangle
Draw a square:
You can use the pencil tool to draw a freeform square. However, do the following:
- Select a rectangle from the Shapes tool,
- Choose the size, foreground, and background colors of your choice
- Hold down the Shift key on the keyboard, then click and drag on the workspace to draw a square
Draw an ellipse:
Use the pencil tool to draw a freeform ellipse if you wish. However, do the following:
- Select ellipse from the Shapes tool,
- Choose the size, foreground, and background colors of your choice
- Click and drag on the workspace to draw an ellipse
Draw a circle:
You can use the pencil tool to draw a roughened circle or do the following:
- Select ellipse from the Shapes tool,
- Choose the size, foreground, and background colors of your choice
- Hold down the Shift key on the keyboard, then click and drag on the workspace to draw a circle
Following the above steps, you can draw other shapes using the Shapes or Pencil tools.
Add a text:
To add a text to your drawing or picture or create a text image, do the following:
- Select the Text tool on the toolbox
- Choose a foreground color of your choice. This will represent the text color.
- Click on the appropriate location on the workspace or object to insert the textbox.
- Type the text you want in the text box.
- Note: You can highlight, color, and change the font or size of the text; resize and move to reposition the textbox. But the textbox must be active to do these.
- When you are done, click outside the textbox to deactivate it.
Draw a painting:
You can use the paintbrushes to create a painting of your choice. Do the following:
- Click the Brushes tool, from the dropdown list select a paintbrush of your choice.
- Select the size and foreground color of choice
- Click and drag on the workspace to paint your imaginative idea.
CorelDraw Graphics
CorelDRAW is a professional vector graphic design application developed for professionals and used by expert graphic designers. It is used to create different kinds of design including illustrations, adverts, logos, engraving, printing, and publishing.
In the highly competitive market for graphic design packages, CorelDraw has a considerable market share. This is because of its rich features and acceptability among professionals.
Features of graphic packages: CorelDraw graphics
Unlike MS Paint, the features of the CorelDraw graphic package are overwhelming, especially for beginners. You may be lost the first time you open the CorelDraw window. To assist beginners, we listed the basic features of a CorelDraw window, no matter the version.
Because most graphic applications share the same features, it will help you if you choose other vector apps.
Title bar:
This bar displays the title of the current open graphic window, usually, the name used to save the graphic file. If the currently opened graphic is not saved, it will display Untitled-1.
Ruler:
A ruler is used to determine the size and position of objects in the drawing window. If the ruler is not showing, go to the View menu and select Rulers.
Menu bar:
The menu bar is an area that contains the list of menus with pulled-down contents. These pulled-down contents are commands used to accomplish tasks while creating drawings. Apps without menu bars have ribbons.
Standard toolbar:
In CorelDraw, the standard toolbar is detachable. You can detach it and place it in any location of your choice. It contains popularly used commands for easy access.
Property bar:
This is a detachable bar that contains commands that is related to the selected object or tool.
Object Properties:
This property is used to apply effects on the selected object.
Color palette:
This is a moveable bar that contains color swatches.
Toolbox:
This is also a detachable bar containing tools for selecting, modifying, and filling objects in the drawing window. Learn more about the toolbox in CorelDraw.
Workspace:
All areas where drawings can be created within the window. It is bordered by the printable page.
Printable page:
This is a rectangular area within the drawing window that contains objects for printing. You can set up the page based on what you want to print.
Conclusion
We discussed the features of graphic packages using Microsoft Paint and CorelDraw. The features of CorelDraw are observed to be more complex than that of Paint. In both graphic packages, there are pencil and drawing tools to create different kinds of objects.
35 Examples of Graphic Packages
Examples of graphic packages used by graphic designers abound. There are different categories ranging from raster to vector application software.
In graphics designing, we use application packages such as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP GNU, Paint 3D, etc to manipulate raster images. And use packages such as Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, Inkscape, AutoCAD, etc to create vector images.
For students in junior secondary/high schools, we shall list 20 examples of graphic packages in this tutorial. The list shall be divided into painting packages and drawing packages.
Classes of Graphic Design Packages
When sourcing a computer graphics package to use, you should consider choosing from the following list.
- Open source graphic apps: These are software that receives a vast community of contributors. Anyone with good coding knowledge can modify such software to suit his/her needs. They are essentially free to use. So, you can download any of them and use them to practice graphic designing. Examples include Inkscape, GIMP, Gravit Designer, SVG-Edit, Pinta, etc. You can also use the free PNG to SVG converter to save your PNG file as an SVG image.
- Cloud-based platforms: These are platforms that provide tools that allow anyone to create and manage graphics online. Some of the platforms provide free services, with limited capability. To have full access to the features of the platform, you may need to pay. Also, such platforms can be used both on desktop and mobile devices, but they require access to the internet. Examples of cloud graphic services are Canva, Stencil, Pixlr, Fotor, AppyPie, etc.
- Commercial or paid software: This refers to proprietary graphic packages that one can either subscribe to or purchase. They can be desktop apps or cloud-based. They include popular brands used by professionals in graphic designing and the printing industry. Examples are Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Sketch, Xara Designer Pro+, Genially, etc.
- Desktop applications: Desktop packages are applications that are installed on desktop computers for design purposes. When purchased or downloaded for free, users will not require internet access to use them efficiently. Examples are CorelDraw, Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Designer, Photoscape, Lunacy, etc.
- Mobile device apps: These are apps developed for mobile devices. They can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play and be used on smartphones and tablets. There are apps for android and IOS devices or both. Examples are Procreate (for ios), Infinite Design (android), Ibis Paint x (android), Adobe capture (both), ArtFlow (android), etc.
Examples of Graphic Packages
We listed 20 examples of graphic packages in this section. These packages were classified as raster and vector graphic packages.
10 Examples of paint packages
These are graphic packages you can use to manipulate images and scanned documents. Remember that such images may lose their quality and clarity. 10 examples of painting graphic packages are listed below.
Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA on Pexels.com - Corel Painter: This is a professional digital art software for the Windows operating system (OS).
- Adobe Photoshop: An image editing software for windows and Mac systems. It is used to edit images, and create banners and websites.
- Corel Photo-Paint: An image editor that comes with the CorelDraw graphics suite. Used in photo editing and graphic designing.
- QFX: This is an image editing software developed by Ron Scott in 1990.
- Serif Photoplus: This is an image editing software for windows. It is now a legacy app with no support for updates.
- Picasa: This graphic package is owned by Google and it’s used to organize, edit and view digital photos. However, the service is discontinued for google photos.
- MS Paint: It is a graphics editor that comes with all versions of Windows OS. Higher versions of windows come with an improved version of Paint.
- GIMP: An open-source and cross-platform image manipulation software developed for Linux, Windows, and Mac. It can be used in place of Photoshop.
- Krista: A professional and open-source painting program developed by artists,
- Artweaver: A windows graphics editor developed by Boris Eyrich.
10 Examples of drawing graphic packages
These are application packages you can use to create, draw and modify objects. The modified objects may not lose their originality. The list of 10 examples of drawing graphic packages is given below.
- Xfig: An interactive drawing and open source graphic app that runs on the X Window System.
- CorelDRAW: A fully loaded professional graphic design software developed for professionals.
- Adobe Illustrator: A vector graphic editor and design application software for creating gorgeous graphics everywhere.
- Harvard graphics: A graphics and presentations software developed for IBM systems and released in 1986. It eventually went off the market in 2017.
- Affinity Designer: A professional creative software for vector graphics. It was developed by Serif and is used for illustrations, photo editing, etc. versions are available for windows and mac.
- Inkscape: An open-source scalable vector graphic editing software with powerful drawing tools.
- MS Expression Design: A professional vector graphic design and illustration tool for creating web and desktop application elements.
- Adobe Fireworks: A graphic editor made for web designers. It was used to create website application interfaces but has been discontinued since 2012.
- Adobe Freehand: Used to create illustrations, print, and website layouts. Adobe support for the application has been discontinued since 2011.
- MS Visio: This is a vector graphics application included with the Microsoft Office suite. It is used to draw diagrams, flowcharts, and charts.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we enlisted 35 examples of graphic packages that can be used to create and edit objects. These examples were divided into seven categories as follows:
- Open-source software
- Cloud design services
- Commercial applications
- Desktop and downloadable software
- Mobile apps for android and ios devices.
- Painting graphic packages
- Drawing app packages
For a beginner who wants to learn and create designs, you can choose from any of the first five categories. For students who are studying for exams, you can learn and identify the list of raster and vector graphics.
Types of Graphic Packages
The types of graphic packages discussed in this tutorial are those approved for junior secondary/high schools. A computer graphic application package is software used to create and edit shapes and images.
There are different classes of such packages based on what they can do, and how to access them. Also, graphic apps are available for desktop and mobile users. Among them include CorelDraw, Paint, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Inkscape, etc.
In this tutorial, we shall discuss the types of graphic packages as specified in the computer science curriculum for JSS2.
The 2 Types of Graphic Packages
Computer graphic packages can be classified into two main groups:
- Raster graphic software
- Vector graphic software
Let us look at each of the two types with examples.
Raster or painting graphic packages
Raster graphic packages are also called painting applications. They are so-called because when used on an image, such image may lose its original quality.
Painting applications are used to create and edit shapes and images as an array of pixels. These computer programs will allow you to manipulate and save images in a raw file format called a bitmap.
However, traditional bitmap images are extremely large. In today’s computer operations, such sizes are not recommended, and they are not used for web services. As a result, it permits a user to save images in other acceptable formats. Such formats include JPEG/ JPG, PNG, TIFF, HEIC, and GIF. These file formats help to compress bitmap image files to smaller sizes that are more efficient to use.
Painting applications can be used to modify still images captured with a webcam or digital camera. It can also be used to manipulate scanned documents. For example, you can resize, erase and edit parts of the scanned documents at will.
Disadvantages of painting applications
Loss of image quality
One disadvantage of using a raster graphic package is that it leads to the loss of original image quality. So, if you are using a Painting application to manipulate an image, be prepared for a loss of quality.
Single unit image
Another disadvantage of using a painting application package is that images cannot be split into individual parts. A raster graphic image is a single image that cannot be separated into individual units. Hence, resizing an image resizes the whole. This explains the loss of image quality when images are resized.
For example, when you convert a drawing into a bitmap image in CorelDraw. To edit such an image, you will need Corel Photo-Paint because the image can no longer be separated.
Some examples of painting applications include Microsoft Paint, Corel Photo-Paint, Corel Painter, Photoshop, etc.
Vector or drawing graphic packages
A Vector application software is also called a drawing computer graphic package. They are so-called because they can be used to create 2d and 3d objects with utmost clarity.
Vector graphic packages are used to make paths, points, lines, curves, and shapes to create images. Such graphic packages are usually based on mathematical equations.
Drawing applications allow users to develop creative drawings from different tools such as shapes, SmartArt, freehand drawings, and color additives. When each of the individual created parts is brought together at will the developer can produce an imaginative image.
Graphic & Animation Exploration · 1 by Manuel Creignou is licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0 Most of the images made with vector graphic packages are expressions of one’s imagination. They represent one’s creativity and mindset. Objects and images made may not look real, but they represent one’s idea, philosophy, or brand.
Advantages or Benefits of drawing applications
One major advantage of vector graphic packages is that they retain their image quality when images are altered. Hence, vector-based images can be scaled indefinitely without degrading the image quality.
In drawing packages, objects are treated as individual units. A whole object can be disintegrated and each unit altered, and be brought together again. By so doing, there is no loss in quality.
Examples of vector graphic packages include CorelDraw, Inkscape, Illustrator, etc.
Conclusion
There are two major types of graphic packages, raster or painting, and vector or drawing applications.
Raster graphic applications are resolution-based. Images are based on pixels; when scaled they lose quality and clarity. Vector graphics are resolution-independent. They can retain the highest quality at any scale.
One disadvantage of a raster application is that images are seen as a single unit that cannot be disintegrated. However, vector applications allow individual parts of an object to be modified and brought together again. A common example of a raster graphic package is Microsoft Paint, and a vector application is CorelDraw.
What is Graphic Packages?
What is graphic packages? Graphic packages are mobile and desktop apps used to create and modify images. Different mobile, desktop, and cloud-based graphic packages are in use by millions of users today. Some of these graphic packages are classified as raster or vector graphics.
If you are new to basic computer operations, you will learn about word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and probably graphic apps. Graphic designing is a major skill used by businesses and organizations to communicate visual messages to their audience.
Computer graphic packages are one of the applications required in basic computer studies for Junior Secondary/high school students. It is used to teach students how to paint and create basic designs.
FRIDA’S Resto-Boutique by Jean-baptiste beaudelle is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 In nursery and elementary schools, children start early to learn creativity using drawing books. They learn how to color and draw basic shapes. In junior secondary school, they are introduced to computer graphics to learn how to paint and create designs.
This tutorial is created for junior secondary/high school students. At the end of this tutorial, you will know what is a graphic package and list 10 uses of graphic packages.
What is Graphic Packages?
A graphic package is application software used to create and modify shapes and images. It is a computer program or a mobile app that can be used to perform basic graphic operations.
Some of the basic operations you can perform with graphic packages include:
- Creating basic drawings using preset shapes or free drawing tools
- Applying and filling shapes with colors
- modifying images of different degrees.
- Importing images and shapes
- Converting shapes to bitmap images
- Scanning documents and images
However, the quality and kind of image or shape to be created depends on the type of graphic package.
Computer graphic packages have basic features that allow users to create and manipulate shapes and images. Some of these features are present in all the graphic package software. They include but are not limited to pencil, eraser, paintbrush, basic shapes, and editing tools.
List of 10 Uses of Graphic Packages
There are different uses of graphic packages. Each usage depends on the type of design you are creating. As a beginner, let’s list 10 uses of graphic packages.
- Scanning of documents and pictures: Graphic packages provide a tool that helps in converting hardcopy documents into softcopy in varying degrees of resolution. You can also scan pictures into the computer system using such apps.
- Editing shapes and images: Graphics packages can be used to modify shapes and images. Tools such as pencil, eraser, paintbrush, etc can be used to modify existing images.
- Create brand identity: With graphic packages like CorelDraw, you can create brand identity such as logo, business card, company letterhead, etc. Your choice of an app depends on the nature of the design. CorelDraw can be used to create simple and sophisticated designs.
- Digital printing and the printing press: Graphic packages are mostly used by print media to develop digital materials such as kindle and ebooks. They also have features that allow them to create and produce volume printing such as newsletters, books, magazines, etc.
- Develop and publish marketing materials: They can be used to create online and offline marketing materials such as flyers, banners, etc.
- Create and print brand-differentiating materials: Some graphic packages can be used to create visual materials for product differentiation. Product labels, packaging designs, t-shirts, cover designs, etc can be created using some graphic packages.
- Creation of communication patterns: You can create different communication patterns using graphic packages. For example, you can create concept arts, t-shirt designs, etc.
- Create visual patterns: You can also use graphic apps to create environmental design and visual patterns. Examples include creating signage, street signs, traffic signs, etc.
- Teaching and learning: Computer graphic software can be used to teach elementary graphics to students. Also, students use them to learn the basics of drawing and painting in school.
- View images: one of the most used graphic packages is to view images and pictures. Depending on the type, you can view images with different file extensions such as jpg, png, tiff, gif, etc.
Conclusion
This is a recap of what you learned so far in this tutorial.
- Graphic packages are used to create and modify shapes and images
- They are part of the junior secondary/high school curriculum.
- They can be used to scan, create and edit digital and hardcopy materials.
- Their uses include: creating brand identity, ebooks, adverts, product labels, and visual patterns.
To know how to become a graphic designer, visit the post what is graphic designing?
