Define (a) MICR, (b) OMR, (c) OCR, (d) OBR

Define (a) MICR, (b) OMR, (c) OCR, (d) OBR

a) MICR: MICR is a character recognition technology used primarily by the banking industry to facilitate the processing of cheques. The human readable characters are printed on documents using a magnetic ink. It stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition.
b) OMR: OMR which stands for Optical Mark Recognition is the process of gathering data with an optical scanner by measuring the reflectively of light at predetermined positions on a surface.
c) OCR: OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. OCR is the recognition of printed or written text characters by a computer. It is the application software that allows a computer to recognize printed or written characters, e.g. letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and pictograms using an optical scanner for input. OCR is being used by libraries to digitize and preserve their holdings.
d) OBR: It stands for Optical Bar Code Reader which is used for reading bar-coded data. It scans a set of vertical bars of different width for specific data and is used to read tags. Bar code reading is done by a light pen or scanner connected to a computer.

What is the functions of the CPU of a computer?

Answer:

CPU stands for central processing unit. Overall a personal computer can be divided into the following major parts from point of view of functions performed:

1. Input devices (keyboard, mouse)
2. Output devices (monitor which displays the output or results of work being done on the computer)
3. CPU (central processing unit, which is the brain of the computer which does all the processing and calculations on data inputs and provides output on screen or printer)
4. Storage devices (memories, hard disk which store data).

Many times in common language the CPU term is used for the computer box unit which contains motherboard, processor, hard disk, CD/DVD and floppy drives. This is the box to which we connect monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer through cables. In technical terms the term CPU is used only for the processor, which fits on the motherboard.

What Are the Functions of a CPU in a Computer?

                                               

The CPU is the central brain of the computer:

A computer's central processing unit (CPU) is the central brain of the computer. According to Rhode Island University, a CPU is a device that processes mathematical functions at incredible speeds. Understanding how a computer works requires an understanding of the functions of the CPU and what the CPU does to help the rest of the computer operate.

What Is Information

Information is stimuli that has meaning in some context for its receiver. When information is entered into and stored in a computer, it is generally referred to as data. After processing (such as formatting and printing), output data can again be perceived as information.
For example: Total price=unit price*quantity sold.
Here total price is information 

operating system (OS)

What is an operating system? An operating system (sometimes abbreviated as "OS") is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all the other programs in a computer. The other programs are called applications or application programs. The application programs make use of the operating system by making requests for services through a defined application program interface (API). In addition, users can interact directly with the operating system through a user interface such as a command language or a graphical user interface (GUI).
An operating system performs these services for applications:

• In a multitasking operating system where multiple programs can be running at the same time, the operating system determines which applications should run in what order and how much time should be allowed for each application before giving another application a turn.
• It manages the sharing of internal memory among multiple applications.
• It handles input and output to and from attached hardware devices, such as hard disks, printers, and dial-up ports.
• It sends messages to each application or interactive user (or to a system operator) about the status of operation and any errors that may have occurred.
• It can offload the management of what are called batch jobs (for example, printing) so that the initiating application is freed from this work.
• On computers that can provide parallel processing, an operating system can manage how to divide the program so that it runs on more than one processor at a time.

All major computer platforms (hardware and software) require and sometimes include an operating system. Linux, Windows 2000, VMS, OS/400, AIX, and z/OS are all examples of operating systems.

What is an Operating System?

An operating system is a program designed to run other programs on a computer. A computer’s operating system is its most important program. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software and hardware resources. Operating systems are responsible for everything from the control and allocation of memory to recognizing input from external devices and transmitting output to computer displays. They also manage files on computer hard drives and control peripherals, like printers and scanners.
The operating system of a large computer system has even more work to do. Such operating systems monitor different programs and users, making sure everything runs smoothly, without interference, despite the fact that numerous devices and programs are used simultaneously. An operating system also has a vital role to play in security. Its job includes preventing unauthorized users from accessing the computer system.
There are multiuser, multiprocessing, multitasking, multithreading, and real-time operating systems. A multiuser operating system enables multiple users to run programs simultaneously. This type of operating system may be used for just a few people or hundreds of them. In fact, there are some operating systems that are used to allow thousands of people to run programs at the same time.

What Is OS?

Operating system

An operating system or OS, is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the computer software. Without a computer operating system, a computer and software programs would be useless. In the picture to the right, is an example of Microsoft Windows XP, a popular operating system and what the box may look like if you were to visit a local retail store to purchase it.

Examples of computer operating systems

Microsoft Windows 7 - PC and IBM compatible operating system. Microsoft Windows is the most commonly found and used operating system.
Apple MacOS - Apple computer operating system. The only Apple computer operating system.
Ubuntu Linux - A popular variant of Linux used with PC and IBM compatible computers.
Google Android - operating system used with Android compatible phones.
iOS - Operating system used with the Apple iPhone.

What is the difference between system software and application software?

Although, the range of software available today is vast and varied, most software can be divided into two major categories:
1.System software
2.Application software

1.System software:

System software is a set of one or more programs, designed to control the operation and extend the processing capability of a computer system. In general, a computer's system software performs one or more of the following functions:
1. Supports the development of other application s/w.
2.supports the execution of other application software (s/w).
3.Monitors the effective use of various hardware (h/w) resources, such as CPU, memory, peripherals, etc.
4.Communicates with and controls the operation of peripheral devices, such as printer, disk, tape, etc.
Hence, system software makes the operation of a computer system more effective and efficient. It helps the h/w components work together, and provides support for the development and execution of application software( programs). the program included in a system s/w package are called system programs, and the programmers who prepare system software are referred as system programmer.
some of the most commonly known types of the system software are:
1. Operating Systems: An operating system (often referred to as OS )is an integrated set of programs that controls the resources (the CPU, memory, I/O devices,etc.) of a computer system and provides its users with an interface or virtual machine that is more convenient to use than the bare machine. According this definition, the two primary objectives of an OS are: (i) Making a computer system convenient to use. (ii) Managing the resources of a computer system.
2. Programming language translator: Programming language translators are system s/w, which transform the instructions prepared by the programmers in a programming language, into a form, which has been interpreted or executed by a computer system.
3. Communication S/W: In a network environment where multiple computers are interconnected together by communications network, communication s/w enables transfer of data programs from one system to another.
4.Utility Programs: Utility programs (also known as utilities) are a set programs, which help users in system maintenance tasks, and in performing tasks of routine nature. some of the tasks commonly performed by utility programs include formatting of hard disks or floppy disks, taking backup of files stored on hard disk on to a tape or floppy disk, sorting of the records stored in a file in a particular order based on some keyfield(s), etc.  

2. Application Software:

Application s/w is a set of one or more programs, designed to solve a specific problem, or do a specific task. For example, an application s/w for payroll processing produces pay slips as the major output, and an application s/w for processing examination results produces mark sheets as the major output along with some other statistical reports. The program included in the application s/w package is called application programs and the programmers who prepare application s/w are called application programmers.
Some of the most commonly known application s/w are:
(i) Word processing s/w
(ii) spreadsheet s/w
(iii) Database s/w
(iv) Graphics s/w
(v) personal assistance s/w
(vi) Education s/w
(vii) Entertainment s/w

Difference Between Hardware and Software

Software and hardware are computer-related terms that categorize different types of computer related paraphernalia.

Hardware includes every computer-related object that you can physically touch and handle like disks, screens, keyboards, printers, chips, wires, central processing unit, floppies, USB ports, pen drives etc.

Software includes every computer-related program that you cannot feel with the physical senses for example, system operating system, an anti-virus program, the web browser, the memory, all data, reports etc. All storage devices that keep data safe and store it in some electronic form are hardware while all data in itself is software.

Software is what makes the hardware function properly and to an optimum level. Sometimes, there is confusion between software and hardware because the two terms are so integrally connected. If you buy an anti-virus program you buy software but since it comes on a disk, you have also bought the hardware. The major confusion between software and hardware occurs relating to memory. Software defines the memory capacity of a computer but it depends on the kind of hardware ‘“ or memory chip ‘“ used in the particular computer.

Software is of two kinds:
Applications software: That is of individual liking and need. It can range from games to professional work-related programs like database management systems, word processors, spreadsheets etc.

Systems software: This makes the computer run and thereafter, makes the applications software on your computer function properly. Without systems software, the applications software cannot be run because the computer needs to be started up with systems software. Systems software is also known as the operating system of a computer.

Some computer manufacturers supply the hardware with their own patented systems software. However, some computers can be bought from a provider and they will run well with systems software bought from another provider. Applications software is designed to run on most operating systems

What are the differences between hardware and software?

Answer

Computer hardware is any physical device, something that you are able to touch and software is a collection of instructions and code installed into the computer and cannot be touched. For example, the computer monitor you are using to read this text on and the mouse you are using to navigate this web page is computer hardware. The Internet browser that allowed you to visit this page and the operating system that the browser is running on is software.

                                                                                                                    Can a computer run without software?

In most situations, yes, a computer can run without software being installed. However, if an operating system or interpreter is not found on the computer it would either generate an error or sit at a black screen. Installing additional programs onto the computer after the operating system has been installed will only give that computer additional abilities. For example, a word processor is not required, but will allow you to create documents and letters.

• How to install a software program.

Can a computer run without hardware?

Depends on the hardware. Almost all computer setups will require at least a disk drive (e.g. hard drive), display, keyboard, memory, motherboard, processor, power supply, and video card in order to function properly. If any of these devices was missing or had problems, an error would be encountered, or the computer would not start. Adding other hardware such as a disc drive (e.g. CD-ROM or DVD), modem, mouse, network card, printer, sound card, speakers, etc. are not required, but will give the computer additional capabilities.

• How to install computer hardware.
• What does the inside of a computer look like?

Additional information

• See the software and hardware definitions for further information and related terms.
• See the hardware listing and software listing for a complete listing of hardware devices and software programs currently found on Computer Hope.