What is the Computer Programming ?

Every piece of software, from a simple word processor, such as Microsoft Notepad, to the most advanced image editing programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, is made by one or more computer programmers who use a programming language that tells a computer how to act. Programming is a highly complex subject that covers many different types of languages and can be used to solve a huge range of problems.

History

The earliest instance of programming with modern computers occurred in the early 1940s when the mathematician John von Neumann designed a system that allowed for the digital computation of data within the random access memory of a computer. The first computer programs were created by entering the strings of ones and zeros that make up binary code. Low level programming called "assembly codes," which directly access a computer's hardware, were then invented that allowed text commands to be entered which took the place of binary. Assembly languages are specific to each type of hardware, so the next logical step was the invention of a language called "FORTRAN' which was hardware independent and could be used to write programs for any type of computer. The most frequently used modern programming languages are "C++" and "C#" which both have significantly more features and are much easier to read than early programming languages.

Function

• All of the computer software that you use or video games that you play are created by entering lines of code into a program called a compiler which tells a computer system how to interpret the code and what to do with it. The compiled code is then transferred from the text files that it was created as into an executable file that can be opened by the computer user.

  
  

  Features

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    Programming languages work by defining variables, such as the number of lives that a game character has or the amount of letters in the alphabet for a text program, and then declaring statements that utilize or change those variables. Each programming language has different terminologies for how variables and statements must be declared, how large a variable can be, and the different types of variables that can be used, such as numbers, letters or strings of letters.

    
    

    Types

    • There are four main types of programming languages and each has benefits in different situations. Declarative languages are the most simple as they only define what a program is meant to do but do not worry about things like managing memory or controlling the flow of the program. Functional languages do not change variables but rather just work with states that remain unchanging. Imperative languages work by frequently changing the state of the program or its variables. The most complex type of programming language is known as "object oriented" because it is used to create fully functional objects which have many different characteristics and variables and all interact with each other to execute a program. Markup language, such as HTML, can also be considered a programming language, although it only defines how to display information on a web browser and does not actually declare statements or define variables.

      

      
      

      Considerations

      • Writing a computer program can be a highly complex and daunting task even if you are using the most simple type of language. All programs should have a separate section meant to handle errors, such as what the program should do if the user inputs incorrect information or if two statements conflict with each other. Memory management is also an extremely important aspect of programming so that the software does not completely take over the computer's memory and cause everything else to run very slowly or not at all. There are large libraries of pre-programmed options, such as the Standard Template Library for C++, that you can use to quickly solve problems that many other programmers have had to deal with before you.

        

        
        

        Examples of Computer Programing Languages

        

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Do you know any thing about HACKERS ???

History

• Beginning in the 1960s, advancements in computer programming, design and technology were accompanied by advancements in the minds of hardware and software genius. By the late 1980s, through trial and error of learning and exploring computer systems and networks, skillful programmers began to manipulate electronic information unearthing private details, making them secure no longer.
  Initially, the term hacker was one of respect and used as a nomenclature for gifted individuals who engineered a new program or converted an old one into something ingenious. Hackers were motivated by the support from their peers and spent time working on the next challenge to amaze the masses. Later, the term became synonymous with cybercriminals.

Types

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  Within the hacker community, there are specialists who are able to perform tasks of a particular nature. An "algorithm hacker" solves problems with a sequence of instructions easily understandable to him. There are hackers who know the ins and outs of operating systems and hackers who can break any password or code.

  
  

Identification

• While hackers are capable of accessing unauthorized information, they are also able to prevent other intruders from exploiting a system to access information. Although some hackers do harm, others simply prefer to test the limits to determine their full potential with no malicious objectives.

  
  

Effects

• Some hackers break into systems with the intent to "destroy data, steal copyrighted software, and perform other destructive or illegal acts." Due to the "black hat" hackers, those who seek to wreak havoc, government and law enforcement have been forced to evolve with the advancements in technologically based crimes.
  Hacker-related cybercrimes have caused legislative enactments to protect victims from invasion of privacy and law enforcement to beef up its involvement in pursuing computer trespassing culprits. The FBI and Secret Service have specialists in computer intrusion. There are also computer crime specialists at the federally funded National White Collar Crime Center responsible for training law enforcement to recognize computer hacking criminals and bringing them to justice.

Prevention/Solution

Individuals can take precautions against hacker invasions. Installing a personal firewall and being cautious when accessing websites on the Internet are ways to shield yourself. Familiarize yourself with the options for Internet connections; the quickest connection does not mean it is the most secure. The nature of a hacker is to evolve and navigate around the obvious barriers to gain access where least detected. As hackers evolve, so too must protective measures against their hacks.

Potential

With the abundance of available information floating around on the Internet and stored seemingly secure in databases, the potential for identity theft and unauthorized access to confidential information will remain a threat. It has been said that there's nothing that you can do to guarantee your complete protection, but measures are being taken by government organizations to minimize future threats.

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Prevent Computer from Virus Threats

Install Virus Protection Programs...

Anti-virus programs hunt for viruses and cleans attachments if possible. When a file can't be cleaned, the anti-virus program will isolate the file. The anti-virus program uses the definition list you download from the program's website, or it matches up a general pattern of what a virus looks like.

The schedule with which the anti-virus definitions are updated can vary, and you may get caught in that window of vulnerability between the virus appearing and it getting updated to the list. Warning: The viruses will get in if you don't keep your anti-virus program updated.

Software companies use patches to correct a problem or a weakness that people can take advantage of. Patching is a necessity and will be an on going method for computer systems weakness prevention.


The Internet is not always what you see. Scan all of your email attachments as you download them. This should be done with files you download directly from internet sites as well as music files, programs, e-books, games, etc. Be careful sharing files with others, such as MP3, videos, programs, pictures, etc. Downloadable data can contain malicious code that you download without knowing it, and will infect your computer.


Downloading the latest patch for your system can stop some of these viruses. You need to get the most recent protection that is out there. Get them directly from the company site. Please note that sometimes you could receive false notifications of necessary update patches in your email, urging you to download a patch immediately to protect your computer. Microsoft does not send update notices by email. These are almost always viruses.

Trojan is a code that hides from you. Even banner ads can contain trojans. The banner ad displays another pop-up that would redirect you to another site and load the content on that page. This would allow the trojan to execute while you are distracted with the content of the page. Trojan programs do not seek out new computers to infect like a worm or virus.

A trojan has the ability to automatically infect a computer. The fact that no fix exists for it, makes the appearance of the trojan a problem. MooSoft developed The cleaner for detecting and removing trojans in your computer.

People can help protect themselves against Active X issues by changing their IE internet security zone settings to prompt them before running Active X components. If your not familiar with changing security settings, visit PC Pitstop for a free scan to check for security vulnerabilities and automatically set your security controls.

Hackers use automated programs to break into systems and are used by virus writers who set out to damage or use a computer system. The use of a firewall will help prevent this. A firewall works by warning you when someone is trying to gain access to your computer. If someone gains access to your computer they can retrieve information that you have entered, such as passwords, bank accounts and credit card numbers.Zone Labs offers a free basic firewall.

A computer worm hasn't been created to spread by instant messaging, however it provides a target. Experts say a computer worm transmitted by using instant messaging programs would infect as many as 1,000,000 computers in less than a minute. New threats to your computer are created on a regular basis.

Keeping informed and using good judgment is always the very best prevention.

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Computer to TV Troubleshooting

The biggest problem with connecting your computer to your TV is that, generally speaking, computers and TVs don't display at the same resolutions. For example, the closest thing to the HDTV resolution 720p (1280 x 720) is a monitor display mode called XGA (1280 x 960). Not quite the same. And the closest thing to 1080p (1920 x 1080) is a monitor display mode called WUXGA (1920 x 1200). Again, not quite the same.

The result, in most cases, is something called overscan, where the full computer screen image doesn't fit on the TV screen. Overscan is a bigger problem on SDTVs where the native screen resolution is much smaller than your computer's display. If you're going to use an SDTV as a monitor, plan on lowering your screen resolution to 800 x 600.

HDTVs also have overscan problems, but usually only the very edge of the computer image gets cropped. A bigger problem with HDTVs is when the TV refuses to display a signal that doesn't fit its native resolution.

Luckily, most HDTVs have the ability to scale incoming signals to match their native screen resolution. This involves either upconverting lower-resolution signals in the attempt to bring the resolution up to high definition or downconverting higher-resolution signals for lower-resolution screens. It's not perfect, but for most casual viewers, there's little to no noticeable loss in image quality.

In rare cases, the HDTV won't recognize the resolution of the signal sent by your computer. When you connect an external display to your computer, most graphics cards will automatically try to find a good match for the display's native resolution. If this doesn't work, you will probably need to edit your resolution with third-party software.

Two programs are considered the best solutions for solving connectivity problems between a computer and a TV: PowerStrip for Windows and DisplayConfigX for Mac. Both of these programs allow you to match your graphics card's resolution precisely with the native resolution of your TV. If your HDTV is 1080p, you can go into one of these programs and switch your computer's resolution to 1920 x 1080, even if this wasn't previously an option.

Avoid increasing the refresh rate on your graphics card, unless you have a 120-hertz HDTV. If you send a signal with a refresh rate over 60 hertz to a normal HDTV, you could damage the TV ..........

How to Assemble a Computer

In assembling a computer, the main points to consider are purpose, availability, compatibility, and cost. Before building a system, ask these questions: What is the computer needed for? Are the parts for this computer available? What is the compatibility of the parts? Is this computer within the budget? The answers to these would serve as a guide in assembling the right computer.



Materials Needed:

- One (1) motherboard
- one (1) compatible processor with cooling fan
- one (1) compatible memory module
- one (1) tower casing with power supply
- one (1) graphics card (if the motherboard does not have a built-in video adapter)
- one (1) compatible hard disk for storage
- one (1) CD/DVD-ROM/RW drive
- one (1) ps/2 or USB mouse
- one (1) ps/2 or USB keyboard
- one (1) CRT or LCD monitor
- one (1) Philips screw driver
- one (1) pack thermal paste or grease

Step 1

When all the parts of the computer have already been selected and checked for compatibility, begin by laying all the components on a flat surface. Make sure that they are placed on anti-static sheets or wrappers (the sheets they are packaged in, for example) to avoid damage due to electro-static discharge. Also, avoid touching any leads or any exposed metal on any component.

Step 2

Take the processor and carefully place it on the CPU slot of the motherboard. Take note of the correct positioning of the processor. Avoid touching any lead of the processor to avoid damaging it. Refer to the motherboard manual for the correct placement.

Step 3

Apply thermal paste to the cooling fan of the processor. Spread the compound evenly on the metal surface. Install the fan on the motherboard, following the instructions on the motherboard’s manual. Take care in doing so to avoid damaging the processor. Connect the CPU fan’s power to the appropriate pins on the motherboard. Refer to the manual for the correct pins.

Step 4

Place the motherboard in the tower casing and screw it in place. Install the back panel that came in with the motherboard on the casing. It should fit the rectangular hole at the back of the casing.

Step 5

Insert the memory module in the memory slot of the motherboard. Locate this on the motherboard’s manual. Avoid touching the chips of the memory module to avoid damage. Check the slots of the memory so that it fits appropriately into the board’s RAM slot. When the memory module is properly inserted, the locks would snap to an upright position and lock the module in place.

Step 6

If the board has no video adapter built in, insert the graphics card in the appropriate slot in the mother board. This may be the AGP or the PCI-e slot, depending on what components you have. A lock would also hold the card in place.

Step 7

Install the CD/DVD-ROM/RW drive in the casing. Screw the drive in place to secure it. Connect the drive to the board using the IDE cable that came in the package. An IDE slot should be available on the board.

Step 8

Mount the hard disk in the casing. Screw the drive in place to secure it. Connect the hard disk using the appropriate cable that came in the package. This may be an IDE or a SATA cable. An available IDE or SATA slot should be available on the board.

Step 9

Connect the casing’s power, reset, and LED pins to the motherboard. The appropriate pins on the motherboard can be seen on the manual.

Step 10

Connect the power supply to the board. There is a power slot on the board which should have the same number of pins as the power supply. These may be 20- or 24-pin ends.

Step 11

Connect the other power cables to the other components. The CD/DVD-ROM/RW drive and the hard disk must each have a power cable connected to them.

Step 12

Screw the cover of the casing in place.

Step 13

Attach the CRT or LCD monitor power cable to the power supply. If there is no slot on the supply, then the monitor plugs directly into an outlet. Connect the VGA or DVI cable of the monitor to the graphics port of the system. This may be the built-in port or the port of the installed graphics card in Step 6.

Step 14

Attach the mouse and keyboard to the appropriate ports. If a ps/2 mouse and a ps/2 keyboard were bought, attach them to the ps/2 ports at the back of the system. A USB mouse or keyboard should be attached to the USB slots.

For video tutorials :- 
http://www.google.lk/search?q=assemble+a+computer&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=653&prmd=ivns&source=univ&tbm=vid&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=nq3kTaekKIP5rQeG5fi4Bg&sqi=2&ved=0CDwQqwQ

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Parts of a Computer

If you use a desktop computer, you might already know that there isn't any single part called the "computer." A computer is really a system of many parts working together. The physical parts, which you can see and touch, are collectively called hardware. (Software, on the other hand, refers to the instructions, or programs, that tell the hardware what to do.)

The illustration below shows the most common hardware in a desktop computer system. Your system may look a little different, but it probably has most of these parts. A laptop computer has similar parts but combines them into a single notebook-sized package.

Processor (CPU) - The part of the computer that handles all processes
and instructions supplied by memory unit (RAM).

Memory (RAM) - Random Accessed Memory. The area of the computer that
holds the instructions (processes) and information system gives it.
When you turn the computer off, everything in RAM disappears.

Read Only Memory (ROM) - A chip or disk that holds information that
cannot be changed. Ex CD-ROM, DVD-ROM.

Disk drive - A mechanical device that you use to transfer information
back and forth between the computer's memory and a disk.

Floppy disk (3.5") - A magnetically coated disk on which information
can be stored and retrieved. Capacity is 1.44MB - requires a
Floppy-Drive.

Zip disk - A magnetically removable coated disk on which information
can be stored and retrieved. Capacity is 100 or 250MB or more -
requires a zip-drive.

Hard disk - A large capacity storage area that offers access to store
and retrieve information, very slow compare to RAM.

Monitor - A screen that displays the information in the computer.

Keyboard - A device used to enter data and issue commands to the
computer.

Printer or Scanner - A devices that help to make hard copies o scan
documents into the computer.

Mouse - A small, hand-held device used to control the pointer on the
screen.

Software - Instructions that tell your computer how to perform a task.
Software is stored on the disks in program files. Software cannot be
seen or touched. There are two main kinds of software:
* application software and
* system software

Application software (program) - Software that does specific task,
such as word processing. (Word, Power Point)

System software - Software that the computer system or OS operating
system.

Firmware - A kind of system software - instructions that are built
into the
computer system on ROM chips.

Operating System (OS) - software that acts as a link between you,
application software (programs), and hardware. (Windows , Mac OS ,
Linux )

Graphical User Interface (GUI) - A phrase that is commonly used to
describe Microsoft Windows and other OS that use pictures to help you
communicate with the computer.

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History of Computer Science....

     The first computers were people! That is, electronic computers (and the earlier mechanical computers) were given this name because they performed the work that had previously been assigned to people. "Computer" was originally a job title: it was used to describe those human beings (predominantly women) whose job it was to perform the repetitive calculations required to compute such things as navigational tables, tide charts, and planetary positions for astronomical almanacs. Imagine you had a job where hour after hour, day after day, you were to do nothing but compute multiplications. Boredom would quickly set in, leading to carelessness, leading to mistakes. And even on your best days you wouldn't be producing answers very fast. Therefore, inventors have been searching for hundreds of years for a way to mechanize (that is, find a mechanism that can perform) this task.

The abacus was an early aid for mathematical computations. Its only value is that it aids the memory of the human performing the calculation. A skilled abacus operator can work on addition and subtraction problems at the speed of a person equipped with a hand calculator (multiplication and division are slower). The abacus is often wrongly attributed to China. In fact, the oldest surviving abacus was used in 300 B.C. by the Babylonians. The abacus is still in use today, principally in the far east. A modern abacus consists of rings that slide over rods, but the older one pictured below dates from the time when pebbles were used for counting (the word "calculus" comes from the Latin word for pebble).

In 1617 an eccentric (some say mad) Scotsman named John Napier invented logarithms, which are a technology that allows multiplication to be performed via addition. The magic ingredient is the logarithm of each operand, which was originally obtained from a printed table. But Napier also invented an alternative to tables, where the logarithm values were carved on ivory sticks which are now called Napier's Bones.

Napier's invention led directly to the slide rule, first built in England in 1632 and still in use in the 1960's by the NASA engineers of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs which landed men on the moon.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) made drawings of gear-driven calculating machines but apparently never built any.

The first gear-driven calculating machine to actually be built was probably the calculating clock, so named by its inventor, the German professor Wilhelm Schickard in 1623. This device got little publicity because Schickard died soon afterward in the bubonic plague.

In 1642 Blaise Pascal, at age 19, invented the Pascaline as an aid for his father who was a tax collector. Pascal built 50 of this gear-driven one-function calculator (it could only add) but couldn't sell many because of their exorbitant cost and because they really weren't that accurate (at that time it was not possible to fabricate gears with the required precision). Up until the present age when car dashboards went digital, the odometer portion of a car's speedometer used the very same mechanism as the Pascaline to increment the next wheel after each full revolution of the prior wheel. Pascal was a child prodigy. At the age of 12, he was discovered doing his version of Euclid's thirty-second proposition on the kitchen floor. Pascal went on to invent probability theory, the hydraulic press, and the syringe. Shown below is an 8 digit version of the Pascaline, and two views of a 6 digit version:

Pascal's Pascaline [photo © 2002 IEEE]

A 6 digit model for those who couldn't afford the 8 digit model

A Pascaline opened up so you can observe the gears and cylinders which rotated to display the numerical result.

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