COMPUTER AWARENESS (Theory) - 01

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
COMPUTER - COMPUTARE(Latin Word) - To calculate
Definition
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data according to the
set of instructions.
Charles Babbage(British scientist) - Father Of Computer
He invented the first mechanical computer in early 19th century and further in 1833
Alan Mathison Turing
Regarded as the Father of Modern Computers or Father of theortical computer science
and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Characteristics of Computer
* Speed * Accuracy * Diligence * Versatility
COMPUTER AWARENESS (Theory) - 02

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER
TYPES OF COMPUTER
1. ON THE BASIS OF FUNCTIONS
ANALOG COMPUTERS
• This is a type of computer that reads data using measurement and some program scale.
• It calculates by measuring continuous changes in the physical quantities.
• e.g. Mechanical integrators, nomogram, speedometer etc.
DIGITAL COMPUTERS
• This is a computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities
represented as binary digits.
• e.g. Desktop, mainframe etc.
HYBRID COMPUTERS
• These computers are the combination of both analog and digital computers.
• It works by measuring quantity and calculating logical operations.
• e.g. ECG monitors, HRS-100 etc.
2. ON THE BASIS OF PURPOSES
GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS
• This type of computers are designed in order to work in all environments.
• They are versatile computers but are not efficient and also consume a large amount of time
in generating the results.
• e.g. ENIAC, desktops etc.
SPECIAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS
• They are designed to perform only a specified task.
• They are not versatile and their speed and size depends on the task.
• They are efficient and consume less time in generating results.
• e.g. ATM, aircraft controllers etc.
3. ON THE BASIS OF SIZE AND CAPABILITY
MICRO COMPUTERS
• It is a digital computer used by individuals and is also considered as an acronym for
Personal Computers (PCs).
• They are small in size.
• e.g. Laptop, Palmtop, Notebook, Desktop etc.
MINI COMPUTERS
• This type of computers are more powerful than micro computers, but less powerful
than mainframe computers.
• They are also termed as mid-range computers.
• It is a multiprocessing system capable of supporting 4 to about 200 users
simultaneously.
• e.g. IBM mid range computers, K-202, SDS-92 etc.
MAINFRAME
• Computers It is a very large computer and is used for handling major applications in
large business organisations.
• They can also be used as centralised computers with several terminal users
connected to it.
• They can contain large databases and are also known as super servers.
• They can handle huge amount of input/output (I/O) operations at the same time.
• They are very expensive.
• e.g. Fujitsu’s ICL VME, Hitachi’s Z800 etc.
SUPER COMPUTERS
• It can be defined as the most powerful computer in terms of performance and storage capacity.
• They are highly expensive
• They are employed for specialised applications such as for weather forecasting, several scientific researches
etc.
• NASA (National Aeronautics for Space Administration) uses super computers for launching space shuttles,
controlling them and for space exploration purpose.
(i) CRAY-1
• The world’s first supercomputer introduced by Seymour R CRAY in 1976.
(i) PARAM
• The first supercomputer developed in India in 1990.
• Developed by the Centre of Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune.
COMPUTER AWARENESS (Theory) - 03

COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
A computer consists of following three main components
1. Input/Output (I/O) Unit
2. Central Processing Unit
3. Memory Unit
INPUT UNIT
• The computer accepts coded information through input
unit by the user.
• It is a device that is used to give required information to
the computer.
• e.g. Keyboard, mouse, etc.
OUTPUT UNIT
• This unit sends the processed results to the user.
• It is mainly used to display the desired result to the user
as per input instruction.
• e.g. Monitor, printer, plotter, etc.
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
• It consists a set of registers, arithmetic logic unit and
control unit, which together interpret and execute
instructions in assembly language.
• Central Processing Unit is often called the brain of
computer.
• The CPU is fabricated as a single Integrated Circuit (IC)
and is also known as microprocessor.
• A CPU controls all the internal and external devices and
performs arithmetic and logic operations
THE CPU CONSISTS OF FOLLOWING MAIN SUB-SYSTEMS
ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT (ALU)
• ALU contains the electronic circuitry that executes all
arithmetic and logical operations on the available data.
• ALU uses registers to hold the data that is being
processed
CONTROL UNIT (CU)
• CU coordinates with the input and output devices of a
computer.
• It directs the computer to carry out stored program
instructions by communicating with the ALU and the
registers.
• It organises the processing of data and instructions.
MEMORY UNIT
This unit is responsible to store programs or data on a
temporary or permanent basis.
1. Primary memory (main memory)
2. Secondary memory (auxiliary memory)
MOTHERBOARD
• The main circuit board contained in any computer is
called a motherboard.
• It is also known as the main board or logic board or
system board or planar board.
• All the other electronic devices and circuits of computer
system are attached to this
INTERCONNECTION OF UNITS
• CPU sends data, instructions and
information to the components inside
the computer as well as to the
peripheral devices attached to it.
• A bus is a set of wires used for
interconnection, where each wire can
carry one bit of data.
A computer bus can be divided into two
types
1. INTERNAL BUS
• The internal bus connects
components inside the motherboard
like CPU and system memory.
• It is also called the system bus.
2. EXTERNAL BUS
• It connects the different external
devices; peripherals, expansion slots,
I/O ports and drive connections to
the rest of computer.
• It is also referred to as the expansion
bus.
COMPUTER AWARENESS (Theory) - 04

COMPUTER HARDWARE
COMPUTER HARDWARE
• The physical components of a computer that can be
seen and touched by the user.
• By the use of these hardware devices, it made very
easy for the computer for processing its data, store
and retrieve.
INPUT DEVICES
• An electro mechanical device that allows the user to
feed data into the computer for analysis and storage
and to give commands to the computer.
• Eg. keyboard, mouse, trackball, joystick, light pen,
touch screen, barcode reader, OMR, OCR, MICR, smart
card reader, biometric sensor, scanner, Mic, web cam,
PC card etc
KEYBOARD
• It is one of the most common input devices.
• The user can type text and command using this device.
• The layout of the keyboard was borrowed from the
regular typewriter with some additional keys.
• There are different types of keyboard such as QWERTY,
DVORAK and AZERTY.
• QWERTY keyboard contains total 104 keys.
• Toggle keys - Caps Lock & Num Lock keys
(They toggle or change their status from one state to another)
• Modifier keys - Shift, Ctrl and Alt keys.
POINTING DEVICES
• A pointing device is used to communicate with
the computer by pointing to the locations on the
monitor.
• Movements of the pointing device are echoed on
the screen by movements of the pointer.
• Eg. mouse, trackball, joystick, light pen, touch
screen etc.
MOUSE
• Invented by Douglas Engelbart at Stanford
Research Center in 1963.
3 types of mouse
(i) Wireless (ii) Mechanical (iii) Optical
TRACKBALL
• It is another pointing device which is an
alternative to a mouse.
LIGHT PEN
• An input device that utilizes a light-sensitive
detector to select objects on a display screen.
OPTICAL SCANNER
• These devices are used for automatic data
collection.
• The devices of this category completely eliminate
manual input of data.
TOUCH SCREEN
• Touch panel displays and pads are now being offered as alternatives
to keyboard.
• Here the input can be given through the computer screen, that
accepts the input through monitor
• users touch electronic buttons displayed on the screen or they may
use light pen
MICROPHONE
• Microphone is an input device, which takes voice as input.
• The voice communication is more error-prone than information
through keyboard.
2 types of microphones
A. Desktop Microphone B. Hand held Microphone
WEBCAM
• It is a video capturing device.
• Webcam is a digital camera attached to computers and can be used
for video conferencing, online chatting, etc.
SCANNER
• It is used to convert the data and image on paper into the digital form.
• Scanner is an optical input device and uses light as an input source to
convert an image into an electronic form that can be stored on the
computer.
BIOMETRIC SENSOR
• It is a device which recognises physical or behavioural traits of the
individual.
• Biometric sensors are used for marking attendance of
employees/students in organisations/institutions.
OUTPUT DEVICES
• Output devices return processed data that is information,
back to the user.
• Eg - 1. Monitor 2. Printer 3. Plotter 4. Speaker
MONITOR
• The monitor is just like a television screen and it is used to
display data and information.
TYPES OF MONITOR
CATHODE RAY TUBE (CRT)
• The CRT works in a same way as a television.
• CRT has a vacuum tube.
• CRT works by moving an electron beam back and forth
across the back of the screen.
• A screen covered with a fine layer of phosphorescent
elements, called phosphores.
LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY (LCD)
• These screens are used in laptops and notebook sized PCs.
• A special type of liquid (nematic or smectic liquid crystals)
is sandwiched between two plates.
• It is a thin, flat and light weight screen made up of any
number of color or monochrome pixels arranged in front of
a light source
LIQUID/LIGHT EMITTED DIODE (LED)
• It is an electronic device that emits light when
electrical current is passed through it.
• LEDs usually produce red light, but today’s LEDs
can produce RGB (Red, Green and Blue) light,
and white light as well
3-D MONITOR
• It is a television that conveys depth perception
to the viewer.
• 3-D describes an image that provides the
perception of length.
• When 3-D images are made interactive then
user feels involved with the scene and this
experience is called virtual reality.
PRINTER
• A printer prints information and data from the computer onto a
paper.
• It can print documents in color as well as in black and white.
TYPES OF PRINTERS
LASER PRINTER
• A laser printer produces high quality print that one normally
finds in publishing.
• It is extremely fast and quiet.
• Moreover, the operation of a laser printer is easy with
automatic paper loading and no smudging or messing up of ink
ribbons.
INKJET PRINTER
• It is a printer that places extremely small droplets of ink onto
paper to create an image.
• It sprays ink onto paper to form characters and prints high
quality text and graphics.
DOT MATRIX PRINTER
• The dot matrix printer was very popular at one point of time.
• It is a very versatile and inexpensive output device.
• In dot matrix printer the print head physically "hits" the paper
through the ribbon and produces text (or images) by
combinations of dots
• Its speed is measured in characters per second (CPS).
LINE PRINTER
• It is a high-speed printer capable of printing an entire
line of text at once instead of one or more characters at
a time.
• These are impact shaped character printers which print
one line at a time.
• Print quality of line printer is not high.
PLOTTER
• A plotter is a special kind of output device that, like a
printer, produces images on paper, but does so in a
different way.
• Plotters are designed to produce large drawings or
images, such as construction plans for buildings or
blueprints for mechanical objects.
• A plotter can be connected to the port normally used by
a printer.
Plotters usually come in two designs,
FLAT BED
Plotters of small size to be kept on table with restriction of
paper size.
DRUM
These plotters are of big size using rolls of paper of unlimited
length.
SPEAKERS
• Speakers are another type of output device, which allow
you to listen to voice like music, and conversation with
people
COMPUTER AWARENESS (Theory) - 05

COMPUTER MEMORY
PRIMARY MEMORY
• The memory unit that communicates directly with the CPU is called main memory or
internal memory or primary memory.
• The primary memory allows the computer to store data for immediate manipulation and to
keep track of what is currently being processed.
• It has limited storage capacity. Main memory is volatile in nature, it means that when the
power is turned OFF, the contents of this memory are lost forever
RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)
• It is also known as read/write memory, that allows CPU to read as well as write data and
instructions into it.
• RAM is used for the temporary storage of input data, output data and intermediate results.
2 TYPES
(i) DYNAMIC RAM (DRAM)
• It is made up of memory cells where each cell is composed of one capacitor and one
transistor.
• DRAM must be refreshed continually to store information.
• DRAM is slower, less- expensive and occupies less space on the computer’s motherboard.
(II) STATIC RAM (SRAM)
• It retains the data as long as power is provided to the memory chip. SRAM needs not be
refreshed periodically.
• It uses multiple transistors for each memory cell. It does not use capacitor.
• SRAM is often used cache memory due to its high speed. SRAM is more expensive and
faster than DRAM.
READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM)
• It is also known as non-volatile memory or permanent storage.
• It does not lose its contents when the power is switched OFF.
• ROM can have data and instructions written to it only one time.
• Once a ROM chip is programmed at the time of manufacturing, it cannot be
reprogrammed or rewritten.
• So, it has only read capability, not write.
(i) PROGRAMMABLE ROM (PROM)
• It is also non-volatile in nature.
• Once a PROM has been programmed, its contents can never be changed.
• It is one-time programmable device.
• These types of memories are found in video game consoles, mobile phones,
implantable medical devices and high definition multimedia interfaces.
(II) ERASABLE PROGRAMMABLE ROM (EPROM)
• It is similar to PROM, but it can be erased by exposure to strong ultraviolet light,
then rewritten.
• So, it is also known as Ultraviolet Erasable Programmable ROM (UVEPROM).
(III) ELECTRICALLY ERASABLE PROGRAMMABLE ROM (EEPROM)
• It is similar to EPROM, but it can be erased electrically, then rewritten electrically
and the burning process is reversible by exposure to electric pulses.
• It is the most flexible type of ROM, and is now commonly used for holding BIOS.
SECONDARY MEMORY/ STORAGE
• This memory stores much larger amounts of data and
information for extended periods of time.
• Data in secondary memory cannot be processed directly by
the CPU, it must first be copied into primary memory,
• i.e. RAM. It is the slower and cheaper form of memory.
• Secondary storage is used to store data and programs when
they are not being processed.
• It is also non-volatile in nature.
• Due to this, the data remain in the secondary storage as
long as it is not overwritten or deleted by the user.
• It is a permanent storage.
Secondary memory devices include as follows,
MAGNETIC STORAGE
• Magnetic storage is the manipulation of magnetic fields on
a medium in order to record audio, video or other data.
• It includes hard disk drive, floppy disk and magnetic tape.
OPTICAL STORAGE
• Optical storage is any storage type in which data is written
and read with a laser.
• It includes CD, DVD and Blu-ray disc.
SOLID STATE STORAGE
• Solid state storage is a type of storage technique that
employs storage devices built using silicon microchip based
storage architecture.
• It includes pen/flash drive, memory card.
HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD)
• It is a non-volatile and random access digital data storage device.
• All programs of a computer are installed in hard disk. It is a fixed
disk
FLOPPY DISK (DISKETTE)
• It is used to store data but it can store small amount of data and
it is slower to access than hard disks.
• Floppy disk rounds in shape and a thin plastic disk coated with
iron oxide.
• It is available in three sizes; 8 inch, 5 1/4 inch and 3 1/2 inch.
MAGNETIC TAPE
• These tapes are made of a plastic film-type material coated with
magnetic materials to store data permanently
• It is usually 12.5 mm to 25 mm wide and 500 m to 1200 m long
• Magnetic tapes hold the maximum data, which can be accessed
sequentially.
COMPACT DISC (CD)
It is the most popular and the least expensive type of optical disc.
CDs are categorised into three main types as follows
(i) CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory)
(ii) CD-R (Compact Disc- Recordable)
(iii) CD-RW (Compact Disc- Rewritable)
DIGITAL VIDEO DISC (DVD)
• DVD is also known as Super Density Disc (SDD) or Digital Versatile Disc (DVD).
• It is an optical disc storage media.
• DVDs offer higher storage capacity than CDs while having the same dimensions.
• Depending upon the disc type, DVD can store several Gigabytes of data (4.7 GB-17.08 GB).
DVDs come in three varieties as follows
(i) DVD-ROM (Digital Video Disc-Read Only Memory)
(ii) DVD-R (DVD-Recordable)
(iii) DVD-RW (DVD-Rewritable)
BLU-RAY DISC (5X of DVD)
• It is an optical disc storage medium designed to re-capture the data normally in DVD format.
• Blu-ray disc (BD) contains 25 GB (23.31 GB) per layer space.
• The name Blu-ray disc refers to the blue laser used to read the disc, which allows information to be stored at
a greater density than the longer- wavelength red laser used in DVDs
The variations in the formats are as follows,
1. BD-ROM (Read only) 2. BD-R (Recordable) 3. BD-RW (Rewritable) 4. BD-RE (Rewritable)
PEN/THUMB DRIVE
• Pen drive is also known as flash drive.
• A flash drive is a data storage device that consists of flash memory (key memory) with a
portable USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface.
• USB flash drives are typically removable, rewritable and much smaller than a floppy disk.
MEMORY CARDS
• These are the data storage devices in a chip shaped which can store the data in it.
• They are commonly used in many electronic devices, including digital cameras, mobile
phones, laptop computers.
• They are small, re-recordable, easily portable and very light weighted.