WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

- Computer is an electronic device/machine which can automatically accept and

store input i.e. data, process it and creates output/result by interpreting and
executing programmed instructions.
OR
- Computer is a calculating machine which can do all types of work very fast and
give the result with accurate value having storage capacity to store data.

FULL FORM OF COMPUTER

C=Common
O= Operating
M=Machine
P=Particularly
U= Used for
T=Technological and
E=Educational
R=Researcher

Components of the Computer System

The various components of the computer system are classified into two groups.
• Hardware
• Software

1. HARDWARE

Hardware is the physical tangible component of the computer system. This type of component
is touchable. CPU, Mouse, Keyboard are examples of hardware components.

So, the hardware of the computer system are:

• Input Device: Input devices allow the user to enter data/information in the CPU (Central
Processing Unit). Mouse, Keyboard, scanner, barcode reader are general examples of input
devices.

• Output Device: Output devices input the processed data/information into human-readable
form. Monitor, speaker, projector, printer are general examples of output devices.
• Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU is referred to as the brain of a computer
system. It is used to processed data/information and provides output to output
devices. The CU (control unit), ALU (arithmetic and logical unit), and registers are
components of the CPU.

• Storage: In a computer, storage devices are used to store the data or information that
entered into the computer system and the output comes from processing the information or
data.

2. SOFTWARE:

Software is a collection of programs (set of instructions), data, and protocols. It is not in

material form so we cannot touch such types of components. The execution of software
programs is performed by hardware. Firmware, operating systems, applications are examples
of software.

FEATURES OF COMPUTER
• Speed: A computer is a time-saving device. It performs several calculations and tasks in
few seconds that we take hours to solve. The speed of a computer is measure in terms of
Gigahertz and Megahertz.

• Accuracy: A calculation or task performed by a computer is accurate the chances of

occurring errors are minimal. The errors occur in a computer by entering wrong data by a
human being. A computer performs several tasks and calculations so quickly and
accurately.

• Memory: A computer can store billions of records as per requirement and these records
can easily accessible with full accuracy. The storing capacity of computer memory is
measured in terms of Bytes, Kilobytes (KB), Megabytes (MB), Gigabyte (GB), and
Terabyte (TB).

• Versatility: A computer can perform more than one task at the same time, this feature is
called versatility. For example, we can create our project using PowerPoint and WordPad
while listening to music or we can design a website while listening to music.

• Automation: Today the world is moving toward AI (Artificial Intelligence) based

technology. Once instructions are programmed, a computer can perform work
automatically. This feature of the computer replaces thousands of workers by performing
tasks automatically.

• Reliability: A computer is a reliable device. The output results never differ until the input
is different. If an input is the same then output won’t be different.

• Diligence: A human cannot work for several hours without taking a rest whereas a
computer device never gets tired. A computer can perform millions of calculations
constantly with full accuracy without taking a rest.
BASIC APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTERS

Computers are used in every field of life, such as homes, businesses, educational institutions,
research organizations, the medical field, government offices, entertainment, etc. Today we
cannot imagine growing our technology without computers. The various field where the
computer is very essential are:

Science
Today computer is the primary work tool in the field of science. It is the best-suited machine for
collecting, analysing, classifying, and storing data. It becomes the most essential medium to
spread knowledge internally and internationally. It allows scientists from different locations to
work together and share ideas on the same project.

Defence System
A computer performs a vital to control defence system. Computers are used to track airplanes,
missiles, tanks, and different kinds of weapons. Once the radar system tracks a missile
and artificial intelligence is programmed to target a missile and destroy it before it comes on the
surface. It also used for GPS tracking, controlling defence vehicles, records of all members of
the military.

Medical
The computer plays a very important role in medical science such as record patients’ information
monitoring heart rate, oxygen level, and blood pressure. To conduct various surgeries junior
doctors, get the help of another professional doctor by web conferencing. Research is also spread
with the help of computers in the health sector.

Education
Today learning becomes easy because of computers. Anyone employed or student can learn any
stage of life with the help of a computer. Computers are very crucial for online classes, download
study material on the internet. Computers are also used to track student attendance and learning
strategies. Coaching and institutes increased their areas by audio-visual aids using computers.

Banking
A computer performs a crucial role in banking sectors, by storing several account holder details
on a bank server. All transactions such as deposits and withdrawals perform by a computer. A
banking company can easily monitor all ATMs and passbook printing machines.

Government Sectors
Government can easily monitor government sectors such as road services, railway, development,
and other rising funds. The information of every citizen is stored on the server through the
computer.

Entertainment
Today most people are so busy and they do not easily get time to fresh their mind. We can play
various interesting video games using a computer. We can watch movies, TV shows, and reality
shows on the computer. A computer is also used to create sarcastic memes and make us happy.
INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES

INPUT DEVICES

Input devices are the devices that are used to send signals to the computer for performing tasks.
The receiver at the end is the CPU (Central Processing Unit), which works to send signals to the
output devices. Some of the classifications of Input devices are:

• Keyboard Devices
• Pointing Devices
• Composite Devices
• Game Controller
• Visual Devices
• Audio Input Devices

OUTPUT DEVICES

Output Devices are the devices that show us the result after giving the input to a computer
system. Output can be of many different forms like image, graphic audio, video, etc. Some of
the output devices are:

• Monitor
• Television
• Printer
• Speakers
• Projector
• Plotter
• Braille Reader
• Video Card
• Headphones
KEY COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER KEYBOARD

• Alphabetic Keys: The fundamental keys used to enter text, representing letters.
(A…………………. Z)

• Numeric Keys: The fundamental keys used to enter digits, representing numbers.
(0…………9)

• Function Keys (F1–F12): Keys in the top row that perform a variety of tasks, frequently
acting as shortcuts for commands or particular tasks.

• Modifier keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt): These keys increase command choices by changing how
other keys behave when tapped in combination.

• Numeric Keypad: An additional set of keys for entering numbers that resembles a
calculator and is usually located on the right.

• Special keys: Keys have particular purposes for navigation, text editing, and system
control (Enter, Backspace, Tab).

• Arrow keys (Up, Down, Left, Right): Make navigating documents, menus, and interfaces
easier.

• Escape key (Esc): It is used to reverse a command and go back in time.

Key name How to use it

Shift Press Shift in combination with a letter to type an uppercase letter. Press Shift in
combination with another key to type the symbol shown on the upper part of that key.
Caps Press Caps Lock once to type all letters as uppercase. Press Caps Lock again to turn this
Lock function off. Your keyboard might have a light indicating whether Caps Lock is on.
Tab Press Tab to move the cursor several spaces forward. You can also press Tab to move to
the next text box on a form.
Enter Press Enter to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line. In a dialog box, press
Enter to select the highlighted button.
Spacebar Press the Spacebar to move the cursor one space forward.
Backspace Press Backspace to delete the character before the cursor, or the selected text.
Computer System Architecture

• INPUT UNIT
The input unit provides data to the computer system from the outside. So, basically it links the external
environment with the computer. It takes data from the input devices, converts it into machine language and
then loads it into the computer system. Keyboard, mouse etc. are the most commonly used input devices.

• OUTPUT UNIT
The output unit provides the results of computer process to the users i.e it links the computer with the
external environment. Most of the output data is the form of audio or video. The different output devices
are monitors, printers, speakers, headphones etc.

• STORAGE UNIT
Storage unit contains many computer components that are used to store data. It is traditionally divided
into primary storage and secondary storage. Primary storage is also known as the main memory and is
the memory directly accessible by the CPU. Secondary or external storage is not directly accessible by the
CPU. The data from secondary storage needs to be brought into the primary storage before the CPU can
use it. Secondary storage contains a large amount of data permanently.

• ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT

All the calculations related to the computer system are performed by the arithmetic logic unit. It can
perform operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division etc. The control unit transfers data
from storage unit to arithmetic logic unit when calculations need to be performed. The arithmetic logic unit
and the control unit together form the central processing unit.

• CONTROL UNIT
This unit controls all the other units of the computer system and so is known as its central nervous system.
It transfers data throughout the computer as required including from storage unit to central processing unit
and vice versa. The control unit also dictates how the memory, input output devices, arithmetic logic unit
etc. should behave.
FATHER OF COMPUTER

CHARLES BABBAGE a British mathmetician and Engineer , coined the concept of programmable
computer called “ANALYTICAL ENGINE”.

GENERATION OF COMPUTER

Generations of Computer Time-Period Evolving Hardware

First Generation 1940s – 1950s Vacuum Tube Based

Second Generation 1950s – 1960s Transistor Based

Third Generation 1960s – 1970s Integrated Circuit Based

Fourth Generation 1970s – Present Microprocessor Based

Fifth Generation Present – Future Bio-chips (AI)

Abacus: - First Computing device

TYPES OF COMPUTERS

ANALOG COMPUTERS:
An Analog computer is a computing device that works on a continuous range of values. The results given by
the analog computers will only be approximate since they deal with quantities that vary continuously. It
generally deals with physical variables such as voltage, pressure, temperature, speed, etc. Results generated
by these computers are not complete, there may be any fractions values involve with the results of these
computers, wall clocks are the main example of this computer.

DIGITAL COMPUTER:
On the other hand, a digital computer operates on digital data such as numbers. It uses binary number
system in which there are only two digits 0 and 1 each one is called a bit.
The digital computer is designed using digital circuits in which there are two levels for an input or output
signal. These two levels are known as logic 0 and logic 1. Digital computers can give more accurate and
faster results. A digital computer is well suited for solving complex problems in engineering and technology.
Hence digital computers have increasing use in the field of design research and data processing. Based on
the purpose, digital computers can be further classified into two main categories

• General purpose computers

• Special purpose computers
HYBRID COMPUTER:
A hybrid computer combines the desirable features of analog and digital computers. It is mostly used for
automatic operations of complicated physical processes and machines. Now a day’s analog to digital and
digital to analog converters are used for transforming the data into suitable form for either type of
computation

For example, in hospital ICU analog devices might measure the patient’s temperature, blood pressure, and
other vital signs. These measurements which are in analog might then be converted into numbers and
supplied to digital components. In the system these components are used to monitor the patients vital sign
and send signals if any abnormal readings are detected, hybrid computers are mainly used for specialized
tasks.

TYPES OF COMPUTER

• SUPERCOMPUTER,

• MAINFRAME COMPUTER,

• MINICOMPUTER,

• MICROCOMPUTER

• Supercomputer: A supercomputer is a high-performance computer designed to solve

complex problems that require a massive amount of processing power. Supercomputers
are used in fields such as weather forecasting, scientific research, and engineering
simulations. They can process large amounts of data at high speeds and are typically used
for applications that require massive parallel processing, such as running simulations or
analyzing large datasets. Supercomputers are some of the most powerful computers in the
world, and they are often used for scientific research or national security applications.
• Mainframe Computer: A mainframe computer is a large computer system that is used
by organizations to process large amounts of data and perform complex tasks.
Mainframes are designed for reliability, security, and high availability. They are often
used for critical business applications, such as banking, insurance, and healthcare.
Mainframes are typically more expensive than other types of computers, but they are also
more powerful and can handle large workloads with ease.
• Mini Computer: A minicomputer is a small-scale computer that is designed to handle
tasks that require more processing power than a microcomputer but less than a mainframe
computer. Minicomputers are used in a variety of applications, including scientific
research, engineering, and business applications. They are smaller and less expensive
than mainframe computers, but they are still capable of handling complex tasks and can
be used in multi-user environments.
• Micro Computer: A microcomputer is a small computer system that is designed for
personal or home use. Microcomputers are also known as personal computers (PCs) and
are widely used for everyday tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and gaming.
They are affordable, easy to use, and can be used by a single user at a time.
 Microcomputers are the most common type of computer and are found in homes, schools,
and businesses all over the world.

Advantages of Computer
• Multitasking

• Speed

• Cost-Effective Storage

• Accuracy

• Data Security

• Storage

• Reliable

Disadvantages of Computer
• Virus and Hacking Attacks

• High Cost

• Health Problems

• Public Safety

• Privacy Violation

TYPES OF COMPUTER MEMORY

• PRIMARY MEMORY

It is also known as the main memory of the computer system.

Primary memory is of two types:

• RAM (Random Access Memory)

ROM (Read Only Memory)

• SECONDARY MEMORY

It is also known as auxiliary memory and backup memory.

Types of Secondary Memory:

 • Magnetic Tapes
• Magnetic Disks
• Optical Disks:
• CD – ROM
• DVDs

MEASUREMENT OF MEMORY

0.1……………...= 1BIT
8BIT…………. =1BYTE
1024 BYTE…………=1KILOBYTE(KB)
1024 KILO BYTE………. =1MEGABYTE(MB)
1024 M.B………………=1GIGABYTE(GB)
1024 GIGABYTE………. =1TERABYTE(TB)

BINARY DIGITS
Computer works on Binary digits i.e. 1 & 0.