COMPUTER REFRESHER FOR IBPS RRB

What is a computer?
An electronic device which is capable of receiving data in a particular form and of
performing a sequence of operations in accordance with a predetermined but variable set of
procedural instructions (program) to produce a result in the form of information.

Structure of a computer

INPUT UNIT:
This unit contains devices with the help of which we enter data into computer. This unit
makes link between user and computer. The input devices translate the information into the
form understandable by computer.

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Following are few of the important input devices which are used in a computer:
Keyboard, Mouse, Joy Stick ,Light pen, Track Ball, Scanner, Graphic Tablet
Microphone, Magnetic Ink Card Reader(MICR) ,Optical Character Reader(OCR),
Bar Code Reader, Optical Mark Reader(OMR).

The QWERTY keyboard was invented in 1875, by Christopher Latham Scholes.

A standard keyboard has 101 keys.

The Computer mouse was invented in 1960, by Douglas Engelbart

OUTPUT UNIT:
Output unit consists of devices with the help of which we get the information from
computer. This unit is a link between computer and users. Output devices translate the
computer's output into the form understandable by users.
Following are few of the important output devices which are used in a computer.
Monitors, Graphic Plotter, Printer

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU):

CPU is considered as the brain of the computer. CPU performs all types of data processing
operations. It stores data, intermediate results and instructions (program). It controls the
operation of all parts of computer.
CPU itself has following three components

Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU)

Memory Unit

Control Unit

ARITEMATIC&LOGIC UNIT (ALU):

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ALU is the part of a computer that performs all arithmetic computations, such as addition and
multiplication and all comparison operations.

MEMORY UNIT:
Computer memory is the storage space in computer where data is to be processed and
instructions required for processing are stored.

CONTROL UNIT:
This unit controls the operations of all parts of computer but does not carry out any actual data
processing operations.
Functions of this unit are:

It is responsible for controlling the transfer of data and instructions among other units of
a computer.

It manages and coordinates all the units of the computer.

It obtains the instructions from the memory, interprets them, and directs the operation of
the computer.

It communicates with Input/Output devices for transfer of data or results from storage.

It does not process or store data.

CPU Special Registers

The CPU contains a number of special-purpose registers:
Instruction Register (IR): The instruction register holds the instruction currently being executed.
Memory Data Register (MDR): The memory data register (also known as the memory buffer
register or data buffer) holds the piece of data that has been fetched from memory.
Memory Address Register (MAR): The memory address register holds the address of the next
piece of memory to be fetched.

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Program Counter (PC): The program counter holds the location of the next instruction to be
fetched from memory. It is automatically incremented between supplying the address of the next
instruction and the instruction being executed.
Accumulator: The accumulator is an internal CPU register used as the default location to store
any calculations performed by the arithmetic and logic unit.

Generation of Computers
Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a computer is/was being used.
There are totally five computer generations known till date.
S.N.

Generation & Description

First Generation
The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based.

Second Generation
The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based.

Third Generation
The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit based.

Fourth Generation
The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI microprocessor based.

Fifth Generation
The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards. ULSI microprocessor based

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Types of computer:

Sr.
No.

Type

Specifications

PC
(Personal
Computer)

It is a single user computer system having moderately powerful

microprocessor

WorkStation

It is also a single user computer system which is similar to

personal computer but have more powerful microprocessor.

Mini Computer

It is a multi-user computer system which is capable of

supporting hundreds of users simultaneously.

Main Frame

It is a multi-user computer system which is capable of

supporting hundreds of users simultaneously. Software
technology is different from minicomputer.

Supercomputer

It is an extremely fast computer which can execute hundreds of

millions of instructions per second.

Charles Babbage is called the "Father" of the computer. The First mechanical computer
designed by Charles Babbage was called Analytical Engine.

Worlds first Supercomputer were introduced in the 1960s, by Seymour Cray at Control
Data Corporation (CDC).

Performance of a supercomputer is measured in floating point operations per second

(FLOPS).

Supercomputer with fastest speed is NUDT Tianhe-2 manufactured by China in 2013.

PARAM 8000 is considered India's first supercomputer. It was indigenously built in 1990
by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing.

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Latest Supercomputer in India developed by Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore name

SahasraT (SERC - Cray XC40) speed 901.5 FLOPS world rank 79.

Computer Hardware

Hardware represents the physical and tangible components of a computer i.e. the components
that can be seen and touched.
Examples of Hardware are following:

Input devices -- keyboard, mouse etc.

Output devices -- printer, monitor etc.

Secondary storage devices -- Hard disk, CD, DVD etc.

Internal components -- CPU, motherboard, RAM etc.

Computer Software
Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined function. A program is a
sequence of instructions written to solve a particular problem.

What is open source software?

Open source software is software whose source code is available for modification or
enhancement by anyone.
Example: Linux, Apache, Firefox, MYSQL, PHP, Thunderbird

What is Closed Source Software?

Closed source software can be defined as proprietary software distributed under a licensing
agreement to authorized users with private modification, copying and republishing restrictions.
Example: Mac OS X, Photoshop, Windows 7, Skype, Adobe Flash Player, Internet Explorer

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Types of software

Difference between application software and system software

Subject
Definition

Application Software
Application
software
is
computer software designed
to help the user to perform
specific tasks.

Purpose

Application

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software

System Software
System software is computer
software designed to operate
the computer hardware and to
provide a platform for running
application software.
is System software is computer
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Purpose
Classification

Environment
Essentiality
Number

computer software designed software designed to operate

to help the user to perform the computer hardware and to
specific tasks.
provide a platform for running
application software.
It is specific purpose software. It is general-purpose software.
Package Program,
Time Sharing,
Customized Program
Resource Sharing,
Client Server
Batch
Processing
Operating System
Real
time
Operating
System
Multi-processing Operating
System
Multi-programming
Operating System
Distributed
Operating
System
It executes as and when
required.
Application is not essential for
a computer.
The number of application
software is much more than
system software.

It executes all the time in

computer.
System software is essential
for a computer
The number of system
software
is
less
than
application software.

Operating System

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An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources
and provides common services for computer programs. The operating system is a vital component
of the system software in a computer system.

An operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the software and the
computer hardware.

It is an integrated set of specialised programs that are used to manage overall resources
and operations of the computer.

It is specialised software that controls and monitors the execution of all other programs that
reside in the computer, including application programs and other system software.

Relationship between Hardware and Software

Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of them must work
together to make a computer produce a useful output.

Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.

Hardware without set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and is useless.

To get a particular job done on the computer, relevant software should be loaded into
the hardware

Hardware is a one-time expense.

Software development is very expensive and is a continuing expense.

Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run different jobs.

A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.

If hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then software is its 'soul'. Both are
complimentary to each other.

MEMORY

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Cache Memory
Cache memory is a very high speed semiconductor memory which can speed up CPU. It is used to
hold those parts of data and program which are most frequently used by CPU.

Advantages
The advantages of cache memory are as follows:

Cache memory is faster than main memory.

It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.

It stores the program that can be executed within a short period of time.

It stores data for temporary use.

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Disadvantages
The disadvantages of cache memory are as follows:

Cache memory has limited capacity.

It is very expensive.

Function of different register

SI No.

Name of register

Function

Memory Address(MAR)

Holds address of

the

active

memory location.
2

Memory Buffer(MBR)

Holds information on its way to

and from memory.

Program Control(PC)

Holds

address

of

the

next

instruction to be executed.
4

Accumulator(A)

Accumulates result and data to

be operated from.

Instruction(I)

Holds an instruction while it is

being executed.

Input/Output(I/O)

Communicates with I/O devices.

Difference between Primary memory and Secondary memory

Primary memory

Secondary memory

Speed

Fast

Slow

Cost

Expensive

Cheap

Capacity

Low capacity

Large capacity

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Relation

with

Processor

Works

directly

with

the

Not connected directly to

processor

the processor

Primary memory is divided into two subcategories RAM and ROM.

Difference between RAM and ROM

Stands for

RAM

ROM

Random Access Memory

Read only memory

RAM allows the computer to read ROM stores the program

Use

data quickly to run applications.

required to initially boot

It allows reading and writing.

the computer. It only

allows reading.

RAM is volatile i.e. its contents are

Volatility

It is non-volatile i.e.

lost when the device is powered its contents are retained

off.

even when the device is

powered off.

Types

The two main types of RAM are

The types of ROM include

static RAM and dynamic RAM.

PROM, EPROM and

EEPROM.

Difference between SRAM and DRAM

SRAM

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DRAM

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Definition

It is a type of RAM. SRAM It is also a type of RAM. DRAM

essentially uses latches

makes use of capacitors to store

to store charge.

bits in the form of charge.

Speed

Faster

Slower

Size

Bigger

Smaller

Capacity

Less

5 to 10 times more than SRAM

Applications

Generally in smaller

Commonly used as the main

applications like CPU

memory in personal computers

cache memory and hard

drive buffers
Access

Easy

Power Consumption Less

Harder
More

Rom has mainly three types: PROM,EPROM and EEPROM.

PROM (Programmable Read only Memory)

PROM is read-only memory that can be modified only once by a user.

EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)

During programming, an electrical charge is trapped in an insulated gate region. For erasing
this charge, ultra-violet light is passed through a quartz crystal window(lid). This exposure to
ultra-violet light dissipates the charge.

EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)

The EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically. It can be erased and reprogrammed
about ten thousand times. The process of re-programming is flexible but slow.

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Secondary Memory
This type of memory is also known as external memory or non-volatile. It is slower than main
memory. These are used for storing data/Information permanently.
For example : Hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD etc.

Characteristic of Secondary Memory

These are magnetic and optical memories

It is known as backup memory.

It is non-volatile memory.

Data is permanently stored even if power is switched off.

It is used for storage of data in a computer.

Computer may run without secondary memory.

Slower than primary memories.

Hard disk
It is used as main storage device of the computer. It uses 2-4 metallic disk (platter). The disk is
usually made of aluminum. It has the storage capacity of few mega bytes to tera byte.

CD
It stands for Compact Disk. It has storage capacity of 700 MB or approximately 90 minutes of
standard audio.
Types of CD are
CD-R is a blank CD in which data can be stored once. After storing data it is converted into CD-

ROM.
CD-ROM
It cannot be erased or updated
CD-RW
it can be erased and used for multiple times.
DVD

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It stands for Digital Versatile Disk. It has the storage capacity of 4.7GB to 17GB. Its shape and
size is similar to CD but the difference in storage capacity is due to different chemical
component and data is compressed before storing.

Pen drive
It is a flash memory. It is a semi-conductor memory. It is mainly used for transferring data. It has
faster read/write speed compared to magnetic memory. Pen drive has storage capacity of few
MB-GB. A pen drive is a plug and play device. A pen drive can be connected with the computer
through USB port.
Computer languages
A programming language is a special language use to develop applications, scripts, or other set
of instructions for computers to execute.
Machine Language
Machine language or machine code is a set of instructions executed directly by a computer's
central processing unit (CPU).
Assembly Language
Assembly language is a low-level programming language for a computer or other programmable
device specific to a particular computer architecture in contrast to most high-level programming
languages, which are generally portable across multiple systems.
Difference between High-Level & Low-Level Language
High-level
Learning
Understanding
Execution

Modification

Uses

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Language Low-level

languages

High-level languages are easy to

learn.
High level languages are near to
human languages.
Programs in high-level languages
are slow in execution.

Low-level
languages
are
difficult to learn.
Low-level languages are far
from human languages.
Programs
in
low-level
languages
are
fast
in
execution.
Programs in high-level languages Programs
in
low-level
are easy to modify.
languages are difficult to
modify.
These languages are normally used These languages are normally
to write application programs.
used to write hardware
programs.

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Special purpose language

A special purpose language is a program language that was designed for a specific function. For
example, LISP is an example of a special purpose programming language designed to create
artificial intelligence.

Examples of High level languages are BASIC, COBOL, C, C++, Pascal, Prolog and
JAVA
COBOL stands for Common Business Oriented Language for business data processing.
Fortran: The name FORTRAN is an acronym for FORmula TRANslation, because it was
designed to allow easy translation of math formulas into code.
The C is a general-purpose, procedural, imperative computer programming language
developed in 1972 by Dennis M. Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories to develop
the UNIX operating system.

Difference between source code and objet code

S. No. Source code
1

Object code

Source code is written in high- Object code is written in

level or assembly language.
machine language through
compilers.
Source code is easy to Object code is difficult to
understand.
understand

Source code is easy to modify.

Object code is difficult to modify

Source code contains fewer Object code contains more

statements than object code.
statements than source code.

Language translator
Language translator is a program that translates a program of high level language of computer
understands only machine language. A program written in high-level or assembly language
cannot be run on a computer directly. It must be converted into machine language before
execution.

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Types of translators
1. Compiler
A compiler is a program that converts the instruction of a high level language into machine
language as a whole.
Or,
The compiler converts the source program into machine code as a whole.

2. Interpreter
An interpreter is a program that converts one statement of a program into machine at one time.

The advantage of interpreters over compilers is that an error is found immediately. So

the programmer can correct errors during program development.
The disadvantage of interpreter is that it is not very efficient.

3. Assembler
An assembler is translating program that translates the instruction of a assembly language into
machine language.

Microsoft word
Word Processing Software
Word processing software is used to manipulate a text document, such as a resume or a report.
Some of the functions of word processing software include:

Creating, editing, saving and printing documents.

Copying, pasting, moving and deleting text within a document.
Formatting text, such as font type, bolding, underlining or italicizing.
Creating and editing tables.
Inserting elements from other software, such as illustrations or photographs.
Correcting spelling and grammar.

Microsoft word shortcut keys:

Shortcut
Ctrl + N
Ctrl + W
Ctrl + S
Ctrl + P
Ctrl + F

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Description
Starts a new blank document
Close the active document
Save a document
Display the print dialog box.
Open find box.

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Ctrl + Page Up
Ctrl + Page Down
Backspace
Ctrl + Backspace
Deletes
Ctrl + Delete
Ctrl + Z
Ctrl + Y
Ctrl + X
Ctrl + C
Ctrl + V
Ctrl + A
Ctrl + B
Ctrl + I
Ctrl + U
Ctrl + Shift + L
Ctrl + Shift + F
Ctrl + Shift + >

Move to the previous edit location

Move to the next edit location
Deletes one character to the left
Deletes one word to the left
Deletes one character to the right
Deletes one word to the right
Undo last action.
Redo the last action performed.
Cut selected text.
Copy selected text.
Paste.
Select all contents of the page.
Bold highlighted selection.
Italic highlighted selection.
Underline the selected text.
Quickly create a bullet point.
Change the font.
Increase selected font +1pts up to 12pt and
then increase font +2pts.
Increase selected font +1pts.
Decrease selected font -1pts if 12pt or lower; if
above 12, decreases font by +2pt.
Decrease selected font -1pts.
Moves one word to the left.
Moves one word to the right.
Moves to the beginning of the line or
paragraph.
Moves to the end of the paragraph.
Switches to another open Microsoft Word
document.
Prints the document.
Open Help.
Spellcheck and grammar check selected text
or document.
Save As.
Insert the current date.
Insert the current time.

Ctrl + ]
Ctrl + Shift + <
Ctrl + [
Ctrl + <left arrow>
Ctrl + <right arrow>
Ctrl + <up arrow>
Ctrl + <down arrow>
Ctrl + Shift + F6
Ctrl + Shift + F12
F1
F7
F12
Shift + Alt + D
Shift + Alt + T

Computer network and security

Difference between Internet and Intranet.
Internet
1. Internet is network of Computers which is open for all.

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2. Internet itself contains a large number of intranets.

3. Unlimited number of users.
4. Visitors traffic is unlimited.
5. Contains unlimited source of information.
6. Collection of various LANs, WANs and MANs.
Intranet
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Intranet is network of Computers designed for a specific group of users.

Intranet can be accessed from Internet but with restrictions.
Limited number of Users.
Limited visitors traffic.
Contains only specific group purpose information.
Mostly any of LAN or MAN or WAN.

Difference Between LAN, MAN and WAN

LAN
1. LAN (Local Area Network) is a group of computers and other network devices which are
connected together.
2. All the devices that are part of LAN are within a building or multiple building.
3. LAN network has very high speed mainly due to proximity of computer and
network devices.
4. LAN connection speeds can be 10Mbps or 100Mbps or 1000Mpbs also.
5. LAN uses Guided Media
MAN
1. MAN ((Metropolitan Area Network) is a larger network of computers and other network
devices which are connected together usually spans serveral buildings or
large geographical area.
2. All the devices that are part of MAN are span across buildings or small town.
3. MAN network has lower speed compared to LAN.
4. MAN connection speeds can be 10Mbps or 100Mbps.
5. MAN uses Guided Media or Unguided media.

WAN
1. WAN (Wide Area Network) is a group of computers and other network devices which are
connected together which is not restricted to a geographical location. Internet is WAN
2. All the devices that are part of WAN have no geographical boundaries.
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3. WAN speed varies based on geographical location of the servers. WAN connects
several LANs
4. WAN connection speeds can be 10Mbps or 100Mbps.
5. WAN mainly uses Guided Media or Unguided media. Its long distance communications,
which may or may not be provided by public packet network.

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model

OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) is reference model for how applications can
communicate over a network.
The purpose of the OSI reference model is to guide vendors and developers so the
digital communication products and software programs they create will interoperate, and
to facilitate clear comparisons among communications tools.
There are seven layers in the OSI model, each having a different task.

Difference Between Virus and Worm

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Virus
How does it infect
computer system?
How can it spread?

Does it infect files?

a It inserts itself into a file or It exploits a weakness in an

executable program.

It has to rely on users

transferring
infected
files/programs
to
other
computer systems.
Yes, it deletes or modifies
files. Sometimes a virus also
changes the location of files.
Virus is slower than worm.

whose speed is more?

Definition

Worm

The virus is the program code

that
attaches
itself
to
application program and when
application program run it runs
along with it.

application
or
operating
system by replicating itself.
It can use a network to
replicate
itself
to
other
computer systems without
user intervention.
Usually not. Worms usually
only monopolize the CPU and
memory.
Worm is faster than virus.
Eg.The code red worm
affected 3 lakhs PCs in just 14
Hrs.
The worm is code that
replicate itself in order to
consume resources to bring it
down.

Trojan horse
In computers, a Trojan horse is a program in which malicious or harmful code is contained
inside apparently harmless programming or data in such a way that it can get control and do its
chosen form of damage, such as ruining the file allocation table on your hard disk.

What is Anti-Virus Software?

Anti-virus software is a program or set of programs that are designed to prevent, search for,
detect, and remove software viruses, and other malicious software like worms, trojans, adware,
and more.

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