Unit: I Chapter

Basics of Information Technology

1
KNOWING THE
COMPUTER SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION
In today's world, computers are used for almost every task
imaginable. Routine activities such as paying bills, buying
commodities or communicating with a friend can be done
with the computer. That is why it is important not only to
know how to use a computer, but also to understand its
Objectives: components and their utility. As a computer user it is
important that you have the basic understanding of the
 What is Computer? core components that make up your computer system.
 Characteristics of Computer
In this lesson we present an overview of the basic design of
 Limitations of a Computer
the computer system, how different parts of the computer
 Working of a Computer
system are organized and various operations performed to
 Exploring Input Devices
accomplish a specific task.
 Exploring Output Devices
 Understanding Central Processing Unit(CPU)
 Exploring Memory Storage Devices
 Primary Memory
 Secondary Memory
 Cloud Storage

7
 1.1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

Computers have been called 'mind tools' because they enhance our ability to perform tasks that require mental activity.
Computers are efficient in performing activities such as making calculations quickly, sorting large lists and searching through
vast information libraries. Humans can do all these activities, but a computer can often perform them faster and more
accurately. Our ability to use the computer enhances our mental capabilities and makes us more productive. The key to
making effective use of the computer as a tool is to know what a computer does, how it works and how you can use it.

WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
A computer is an information‐processing machine. This means it takes in data, works on
it by manipulating or calculating and then puts the information back out in a new more
Definition
useful form. This is called input, process, output ( I.P.O. for short ). Information that is Computer is defined as an electronic
processed and stored by a computer is called data. Data when processed to find some device that accepts input, processes
meaningful result is called as information. Everything that goes on in the world can be data, produces output in the required
format and stores information.
thought of as input, process and output. For example, Brushing your teeth!

Input Process Output

Toothpaste and Brush Cleaning Teeth Clean teeth
and fresh breath

Any digital computer carries out five functions:

Process Unit
Output Unit
 Takes data as input
 Stores the data/instructions in its memory and use them when required
 Processes the data and converts it into useful information
 Generates the output
 Controls all the above four steps

Input Unit
1.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER

Computer has become a popular, the most important and unavoidable device in today's world because of its characteristic
like correct and dependable outputs, high speed, accuracy etc. Following are the characteristics of computer:

SPEED
Speed of computer may be defined as the time taken by a computer to perform a task. Computer takes only a few seconds for
the calculations that we take hours to solve. It works in a fraction of second. The speed of computer is calculated in MIPS
(Millions instructions per Seconds). Its speed is measured in term of MHZ (Mega Hertz) and GMZ (Giga Hertz).
Units of Time Meaning in Seconds Part of a Second In the Power of 10
Milliseconds In Thousands 1/1000 10‐3
Microseconds In Millions 1/1000000 10‐6
Nanoseconds In Thousands Million 1/1000000000 10‐9
Picoseconds In Million Millionths 1/1000000000000 10‐12

8 Computer Applications ‐ IX
STORAGE
Computer has mass storage section where we can store large volume of date for future use. This data will be easily accessible
when needed. Magnetic disk, magnetic tape and optical disk are used as mass storage devices. The storage capacity of
computer measured in terms of Kilobyte (KB), Megabyte (MB), Gigabyte (GB) and Terabyte (TB).

Unit Equivalent
0 or 1 Binary Bit
4 bits 1 Nibble
8 bits (2 nibble) 1 Byte
1024 Bytes 1 Kilobytes
1024 Kilobytes 1 Megabytes
1024 Megabytes 1 Gigabyte
1024 Gigabyte 1 Terabyte
1024 Terabyte 1 Petabyte
1024 Peta Byte 1 Exabyte
1024 Exabyte 1 Zettabyte
1024 Zettabyte 1 Yottabyte

ACCURACY
The computers are accurate machines that can perform large number of tasks without errors,
but if we feed wrong data to the computer it returns the wrong information accordingly called
GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out). The degree of accuracy in a computer is very high and every
calculation is performed with same accuracy. The accuracy level is determined on the basis of
design of computer. The errors in the computer are due to human and inaccurate data.
DILIGENCE
The capacity of performing repetitive task efficiently without getting tired is called diligence capacity of the computer.
Computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue unlike humans. It can work for hours without any errors. Even
if millions of calculations are to be performed, computer will diligently perform every calculation accurately.
VERSATILITY
The capacity to perform completely different types of work efficiently is called versatility of
computer. Computers cover mostly every area we can think of, nowadays. You may use your
computer to prepare payroll slips, office work, mathematical calculation, type documents,
weather information, play games etc.
RELIABILITY
Some of the main uses of computers is based around the idea that they are reliable. Huge databases that are very difficult to
control by people can be dealt in a much more reliable manner by the computer. However, there are some computers that
are much more dependable than others. Reliability can be affected by how old the computer is and how much data can be
stored in it. It can fearlessly do the risky jobs which human may think, but not do out of fear.
AUTOMATIC
Computer is an automatic machine, which works without the intervention of the user. The user is required to give the data
and utilize the result but the process is automatic.

Computer Applications ‐ IX 9
 1.3 LIMITATIONS OF THE COMPUTER

Although computer is far better in performance than human beings, it still has certain limitations which are given below:
No Thinking and Decision Making Power: The computer cannot think itself. The concept of
artificial intelligence shows that computer can think. But still this concept is dependent on
set of instructions given by human brain. It cannot take any decision. It can only perform the
tasks that are instructed by the users.
Zero IQ: Computers are machines with zero IQ(intelligence quotient). They can only
perform the task according to the instructions given to them and can't make changes by
themselves if required by a situation.
No Instinct: Lack of feelings is another limitation of computer. The computer cannot feel
like a human as it does not have emotions or knowledge. It does not get tired and keeps on
doing its tasks. Humans take decisions based on instincts if logic does not work, but
computer only follows human instructions.

1.4 WORKING OF A COMPUTER

A computer is a machine programmed to accept data (input) and process it into useful information (output). It also stores
data for later reuse (storage). A computer system includes a computer peripheral devices and software. The electronic
devices used for processing data are referred as hardware. In addition to the computer itself, the term 'hardware' refers to
components called peripheral devices that expand the computer's input, output and storage capabilities. Computer
hardware in itself does not provide a useful mind tool. To be useful, a computer requires a set of instructions, called
'software' or a computer program, which tells the computer how to perform a particular task.

Hardware is any electronic or electric part of your Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware
computer that has a physical structure, such as the what to do. Software guides the hardware and tells it how
computer monitor or keyboard and can be touched. to accomplish a particular task.

Block diagram of a computer system with arrows showing how data flows between the parts of a system.

Input Output Definition

CPU
Devices Devices Peripheral is a piece of computer
hardware that is attached to a
computer in order to expand its
abilities but is optional in nature.

Main Secondary
Memory Storage

10 Computer Applications ‐ IX
 1.5 EXPLORING INPUT DEVICES

An input device is a peripheral or hardware device, generally external, that is connected or remotely connected to the
computer or information appliance. Input devices are used to provide input that can be understood by the computer such as:
raw data, information or command. To get input, computer needs an input device which is the most important part of the
computer system.
Input device can be categorized into five types. These categories represent the way to communicate with computers.
 Typing devices (Keyboard)
 Pointing devices (Mouse, Light pen, Touch Screen etc.)
 Optical devices ( Scanner, Optical reader)
 Audio devices (Microphone)
 Video devices (Digital camera, Web camera)
KEYBOARD
Keyboard is the most common input device. You can enter data such as text and History Click
commands into a computer by pressing the keys on the keyboard. The keyboard detects The QWERTY layout was
created in the 1870s by a
the pressed key and generates the corresponding ASCII codes that can be recognized by newspaper editor and
the computer. ASCII(American Standard Code for Information Interexchange) is a printer by the name of
standard that assigns letters, numbers, and other characters. Christopher Latham Sholes.

Function key Status lights

Number Keys

Alphabetic Keys
Numeric keypad
Shift key
Ctrl key

Enter Arrow keys

Several kinds of keyboards are available, but they resemble each other with minor variations. The keyboard that is commonly
used is the QWERTY board which is the standard keyboard having 104 keys. A keyboard is used to transmit
alphabetic/numeric data by typing. In addition to the standard keys in the typing area, an enhanced keyboard contains:

Function keys: Programmed to perform specific tasks.

Status lights: Indicate modes that can be turned on and off by toggle keys (e.g., caps lock
and num lock). Teacher Says
Numeric keypad: Allows rapid entry of numbers. QWERTY is the most commonly used
keyboard layout and is simply named
Arrow keys: These keys and other cursor‐control keys (e.g., home, end, page up, and after the first six letters in the upper
left corner of the alphabetical keys. It
page down) control the on‐screen movement of the insertion point(cursor). was first used on typewriters.
Special keys: Such as Esc, Shift, Ctrl and Alt that have varying functions depending on the
software.

Computer Applications ‐ IX 11
MOUSE
The computer mouse is an electro‐mechanical, hand‐held device used along with a History Click
keyboard. It moves an arrow or pointer around the screen. As the mouse moves around
the top of the desk, the arrow on the screen moves also. It can perform functions like
selecting menu commands, moving icons, resizing windows, starting programs and
choosing options. All windows based applications today are designed to work with The first mouse was a one‐
mouse. The mouse is used to replace hard ‐to‐remember key combinations with easier button, rectangle shaped
'Point and Click' actions. However, it cannot substitute all keyboard operations but can device invented by Douglas
Engelbart in 1964.
be an alternative for command based operations.

There are three types of mouse:

Mechanical Mouse Optical Mouse Wireless Mouse

Laser mouse uses infrared laser

technology to detect the mouse's
Optical mouse uses LED and photo movement. The laser mouse is very
technology to detect movement, similar to the optical, only that
This is one of the earliest forms of rather than a physically moving ball. instead of an LED to track
computer mouse. It contains a ball It tracks the cursor's movement movement, it utilizes lasers to track
that could roll in all directions and through photo sensors that take the movements of the mouse and
track the pointer’s movement. Not over 1,000 pictures per second. represent them on the screen.
not so commonly used mouse.

LIGHT PEN
Light pen is an input device that is used with a cathode‐ray tube(CRT) display to point
items on the screen or draw new items or modify the existing ones. It uses a light‐
sensitive detector to select objects on a display screen. It is called a light pen because its
action is activated by light, therefore it is light sensitive. The tip of the light pen contains
a light‐sensitive element which, when placed against the screen, detects the light from
the screen enabling the computer to identify the location of the pen on the screen. After
the computer recognizes the point, you can perform the click operation by pressing the
pen on the computer screen. If you place the light pen on any blank part of the display Teacher Says
Light pen cannot work with LCD
screen, it does not provide any information or response.
screens it only works with traditional
monitors i.e. CRT monitors.
TOUCH SCREEN

A touch screen is a computer display screen that serves as an input device, allows the
user to interact with a computer by using their finger. They can be quite useful as an
alternative to a mouse or keyboard for navigating a graphical user interface (GUI).
Touchscreens are used on a variety of devices such as computer and laptop monitors,
smartphones, tablets, cash registers and information kiosks.

12 Computer Applications ‐ IX
GRAPHICS TABLET
Alternatively referred to as a drawing tablet and pen tablet, a graphics tablet is a hardware
input device that enables an artist to draw or sketch digitally using a pen or stylus. They are
helpful because they provide a more natural and precise feel than a standard computer
mouse. This device is often used along with specialised software such as Computer Aided
Design stems (CAD).

JOYSTICK
A joystick is a computer device consisting of a handheld stick that moves and transmits
position to a computer. You can move the stick in all four directions and is often used for
computer games or to control devices for people with special needs such as wheelchairs.

SCANNER
Scanner is an optional input device that allows information such as an image or text to be input into a computer. It uses
reflected light to capture images and translate them into files that computer can read and display. Scanners come in high‐ and
low‐resolution versions and can scan images in either black‐and‐white or color. They are useful for publishing and multi‐
media applications.

Different types of scanners are as follows:

Handheld scanner Flatbed Scanner Drum Scanner Teacher Says

OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition.
OCR technology is a software that scans
documents containing texts and converts
them into documents that can be edited.

BAR CODE READER

A bar code reader, also called a price scanner or point‐of‐sale ( POS ) scanner, is a hand‐
held input device. The bar code readers are used in places like supermarket, bookshops,
etc. used to capture and read information contained in a printed vertical lines(bar codes)
format on various product items. A bar code is a pattern printed in lines of varying
thickness. The bar‐code reader scans the information on the bar codes and transmits them
to the computer.

MAGNETIC INK CHARACTER RECOGNITION (MICR)

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition or MICR, is a character recognition technology used
primarily by the banking industry to facilitate the processing of cheques. MICR characters
are printed in special typefaces with a magnetic ink or toner, usually containing iron oxide.
These characters are usually printed at the bottom strip of cheque leaf. A special input MICR characters are usually
unit(MIC Reader) is used to read these characters, which can be easily read by humans too. printed at the bottom strip
This method eliminates the manual errors. It also saves time, ensures security and accuracy of cheque leaf.

of data.
Teacher Says
MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) is a
technology used to verify the legitimacy or
originality of paper documents, especially
bank cheques.

Computer Applications ‐ IX 13
MAGNETIC READER

Magnetic reader is an input device that reads a magnetic strip on a card. It is handy and data
can be stored and retrieved. It also provides quick identification of the card's owner. All the
credit cards, ATM cards (banks), petro cards, etc. store data in a magnetic strip that can be
read easily by the magnetic reader.

SMART CARDS

This input device stores data in a microprocessor embedded in the card. This allows
information, which can be updated, to be stored on the card. The data can be read and
given as input to the computer for further processing. Most of the identification cards use
this method to store and retrieve the vital information.

DIGITAL CAMERA
The digital camera is an input device mainly used to capture images. The digital camera
takes a still photograph, stores it and sends it as digital input to the computer. It is a modern
and popular input device. Digital camera uses a combination of advanced image sensor
technology and memory storage that helps in capturing and storing images in digital
format. The captured images are instantly available for the print or you can download them
on your computer system and print later.
WEB CAMERA
The term web cam is a combination of 'Web' and 'video camera'. It is a digital camera that is connected to the computer and
can send live pictures from anywhere to another location by means of internet. It is mainly used for live video chat sessions
with one or more friends. It can be also used to record full motion and store the captured motion digitally.
Web Camera can be used for the following purposes: History Click
It is believed that the webcam was
 Live video chat started in 1991, the first webcam was
pointed at the Trojan room coffee pot
 Teleconferencing
in the computer science department
 Video monitoring and security of Cambridge University.

 Recording Videos
MICROPHONE
Sometimes abbreviated as mic, a microphone is a device that converts sound waves into analogous electrical waves, which
the computer can understand. It allows computer users to input audio into their computers.
Microphone can be used for the following purposes:
 Teleconferencing History Click
 Video Conferencing Microphone was
originally
 Dictation invented by Emile
Berliner in 1877.
 In‐Game Chat
 Music Recording

14 Computer Applications ‐ IX
 1.6 EXPLORING OUTPUT DEVICES

Output is any information that comes out after data is processed by the computer. An output device is capable of presenting
processed information from the computer. Like the input, the output device is also a peripheral and hardware device used to
receive the result of the processed data that comes from its input. All computer or information systems need output devices.
Output devices are also known for the way in which the computer communicates with human.
There are three types of output devices based on the way they deliver the output data:
 Display output (Monitors) History Click
The first cathode ray tube
 Physical output (Printers, Plotters) scanning device was
invented by the German
 Audio output ( Speakers, Headphone) scientist Karl Ferdinand
Braun in 1897.

VISUAL DISPLAY UNIT (VDU)

Out of all the output devices, visual display unit i.e. monitor is perhaps the most important output device because people
interact with this device most intensively than others. Computer information is visually displayed on the monitor screen
(called as soft copy), with the help of video adapter card installed in your computer.
Three basic types of monitors are used with desktop computers:
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT):
CRT or Cathode Ray Tube Monitor is a typical monitor that you see on a desktop computer. It
looks a lot like the television screen and also works the same way. This type uses a large
vacuum tube, called cathode ray tube (CRT). This type of monitor is useful for displaying
graphics and images in which colors play an important role.
Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD):
These types of monitors are also known as flat panel monitor. Most of these employ liquid
crystal displays (LCDs) to render images. They are more popular display devices as
compared to the CRT monitors because of their thinness, high resolution and less power
consumption.
Light Emitting Diode (LED):
These types of monitors are an improved version of LCD monitors and manufacturers have
tried to eliminate the drawbacks of LCD monitors. LEDs are small semiconductors that emit
visible light when an electrical current is passed through them. Although the light is often
not particularly bright, they are typically more efficient and longer lasting than LCD
monitors.
PRINTERS
A printer is an output device that produces a printed copy of text or images i.e. what you have been doing on the computer.
The printed copy is usually on paper and called as a 'hard copy'.

TYPES OF PRINTERS
There are different kinds of printers, which vary in their speed and print quality and are broadly classified into:

Impact Printers Non‐Impact Printers

Computer Applications ‐ IX 15
IMPACT PRINTERS
Impact printers include all printers that print by striking an ink ribbon. Impact printers use a print head containing a number
of metal pins which strike an inked ribbon placed between the print head and the paper. Line printers, dot matrix printers,
thermal printers are some of the impact printers.

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, hence the name dot matrix printer. Its
speed is measured in characters per second (CPS). Although it is less expensive, it is louder, slower
and produces lower print quality.

LINE PRINTER
Line printers are high‐speed printers capable of printing an entire line at a time. A line printer can
print 150 lines to 3000 lines per minute. The limitations of line printer are they can print only one
font, they cannot print graphics, the print quality is low and they are noisy to operate. But it can
print large volume of text data very fast as compared to the other printers. It is also used to print on
multi‐part stationary to prepare copies of a document.

NON‐IMPACT PRINTERS
The printers that produce output on paper without striking the paper are known as non‐impact Teacher Says
Printing speed of the Inkjet
printers. They use electrostatic, inkjet or thermal technologies for printing. Non‐impact and Laser printers is measured
printers include laser printers inkjet printers and thermal printers. in PPM (Pages Per Minute).

INKJET PRINTER
Inkjet printers produce printouts by firing tiny drops of ink at the paper. Each drop makes up a part
of the letter or picture. Inkjet printers are expensive than dot‐matrix but are cheaper than laser.
They produce good quality printouts and do not make much noise. They can print out between
two to five pages in a minute. Many ink jet printers can print in color.
LASER PRINTER
Laser printers use a laser beam and dry powdered ink to produce a fine dot matrix pattern. It can
produce very good quality of graphic images as compared to inkjet printers. They are extremely
fast and quiet and can produce between eight to twelve pages in a minute.

Advantages of Laser Printer Disadvantages of Laser Printer

 The main advantage of Laser printer is its speed &  The main disadvantage of Laser printer is its cost, they
efficiency at which it prints high‐quality quality graphics are relatively costly as compared to other printers.
& text.
 The maintenance, repair & servicing charges of these
 Laser printers produce high‐quality output as
printers are also high.
compared to other printers.
 Laser printers emit small amount of ozone and are
 Laser printers are quite and does not produce
hazardous to health and environment.
disturbing sounds.
 They are also capable to produce color prints.

16 Computer Applications ‐ IX
THERMAL PRINTER
Thermal printers are the printers that produce images by pushing electrically heated pins
against special heat‐sensitive paper. They are inexpensive and used widely in fax machines,
calculators and small billing machines.
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 use special pens to draw the output as a series of lines. A plotter
consists of a movable set of pens which move across the paper, plotting or drawing, as it moves.
Plotters are most commonly used for producing detailed drawings such as electronic designs
and building plans required to be printed on very large sheets of paper.

TABLE: Summary of Printers

TYPE OF PRINTER SPEED PRINTING COST NOISE QUALITY CARBON COPIES

Dot Matrix Slow Low Noisy Low Yes
Line Medium Low Noisy Low Yes
Inkjet Medium Medium Quiet Good No
Laser Fast Expensive Very Quiet Very Good No
Thermal Fast Medium Quiet Low No

SPEAKERS
Speakers are the most common type of audio output device that allow you to listen to voice like
music and conversation with people. It requires a separate energy supply to be operational.
Voice output has become very common in many places like airlines, banks, automatic
telephone enquiry system etc.
HEADPHONES
Headphones are also commonly used audio output device sometimes referred to as earphones
that plugs into the line out port of your computer and allows you to privately listen to audio
without disturbing anyone else. Headsets is the another variation of headphones that includes
both headphones and a microphone. It doesn't require a separate power supply.

Teacher Says
Speaker’s power output is measured in terms of PMPO (Peak Monetary Power Output) or an RMS (Root Mean Square).
PMPO: It refers to the maximum power output achieved for speaker system under perfect conditions.
RMS: It determines the average power output of the speakers over a long period of time.

PROJECTOR
A projector is an output device that can take images generated by a computer or DVD/Blu‐ray
player and reproduce them onto a screen, wall or other surface.

Computer Applications ‐ IX 17
 1.7 UNDERSTANDING CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the main component in a computer system for processing data and instructions. It could
be considered as the computing equivalent of the human brain that takes all major decisions, makes all sorts of calculations
and directs different parts of the computer function by activating and controlling the operation. It is a hardware device that is
made up of many sub components:
ALU
 Control Unit Input Internal Control Output
Registers
device memory unit device
 ALU: Arithmetic & Logic Unit
control bus
 Registers data bus
address bus
 Internal memory(cache)
RAM
 Buses

Control Unit: The control unit sends and receives signals from all parts of the computer. This ensures that all processes take
place at the right time and in the correct order. These signals travel along a control bus.
Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU): The ALU is that part of the CPU which processes and manipulates data. It performs simple
calculations(+,‐,x,/) on the data that is temporarily stored in the registers. The ALU is also able to perform logical operations
like comparisons on data. It is these comparisons that allow programs to make use of choice e.g. on the basis of gender (the
person is male or female).
Registers: A register is a storage location found on the CPU where data or control information is temporarily stored. Registers
are usually much faster to access than internal memory, since they have to be accessed quite often.
Internal memory: Internal memory called as cache is fast access temporary storage on the CPU. Data is moved from the
registers to the internal memory when it is not being actively used. Data from internal memory can then either be written to
RAM (main memory) or called back into the registers for further processing. This process of using internal memory speeds up
the processing of data.
Buses : Buses allow data to be transferred to different parts of the computer.
There are three main buses used by the CPU :

Address Bus: When data is saved or Control Bus: The control bus is used Data Bus: Data needs to be moved
loaded from memory, the address at by the control unit to send control between several parts of a
which it is to be stored or loaded signals to different parts of the computer, the path along which
from must be sent. The storage computer data travels is called a data bus.
address of data always travels along
an address bus.

Teacher Says History Click

The speed at which a processor operates is Intel 4004 (1971): It was the first
called the clock speed. The speed of the microprocessor and was used in
processor is measured in Hertz (Hz). One clock the Busicom 141‐PF calculator.
tick per second would be measured as 1 Hz.

18 Computer Applications ‐ IX
 1.8 EXPLORING MEMORY STORAGE DEVICES

Information and documents are stored in computer storage so that it can be retrieved whenever they are needed later on.
Computer storage is the storing of data in an electromagnetic form to be accessed by a computer processor. The term
'memory' usually refers to the main memory of the computer, whereas the word 'storage' is used for the memory that exists
on disks, CDs/DVDs or pen drives.

There are primarily four types of storage in a computer:

 Primary storage which is more popularly called as memory
 Secondary storage which is more popularly referred to as storage
 Offline storage referred as movable storage
 Cloud storage

PRIMARY STORAGE

It is where a computer stores data on a temporary basis so that it can process the data. Think of primary storage as 'short term
memory'. Primary storage is a type of memory that is directly accessible to a computer processor and it is volatile because it is
temporary in nature and is erased when the power is turned off. Its storage capacity however, is much smaller than what can
be stored in secondary or tertiary storage. Computers need just enough primary storage to function and temporarily hold
anticipated amounts of data for processing. The main primary storage are:

ROM RAM

 ROM is an acronym for Read‐ Only Memory. The data  RAM is an acronym for Random‐Access Memory which
or program in ROM can only be read but cannot be means the data and program in RAM can be read and
written. written.
 ROM is a type of memory permanently stored inside  RAM stores data during and after processing. RAM is
the computer. also known as a working memory.
 All the contents in ROM can be accessed and read but  The data in RAM can be read (retrieved) or written
cannot be changed. (stored).
 ROM is non‐volatile. It holds the programs and data  RAM is volatile which means the programs and data
when the computer is powered off. in RAM are lost when the computer is powered off.
 Programs in ROM have been prerecorded.  A computer uses RAM to hold temporary instructions
 It can only be stored by the manufacturer once and and data needed to complete tasks. This enables the
cannot be changed. CPU (Central Processing Unit) to access instructions
and data stored in the memory very quickly

Teacher Says
ROM can be used for storing the programs such as the Basic Input Output System (BIOS): BIOS is a low‐level program that handles
input and output operations relating to the keyboard and screen of the system. It provides an interface between the hardware and
the operating system. One of its primary functions is loading and executing the bootstrap loader i.e. the program that loads the
operating system.

Computer Applications ‐ IX 19
 1.9 BACKING/SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES

Secondary storage or backing storage is a way of permanently storing programs and data. It is the type of storage where a
computer stores data which it is not currently processing but which may be needed at some later time. Secondary storage
can be thought of as 'long term memory' or storage and it is non‐volatile in nature because data remains intact even when
power in a computer is turned off. We need secondary storage because when we switch off the computer all the data in RAM,
Random Access Memory, is lost. Hard disk, floppy disk and compact disk(CD's) are all examples of secondary storage media.
To read or write from a compact / floppy disk we must put it into the floppy disk/compact disk drive.
FLOPPY DISK
A floppy disk is a soft magnetic disk that is the oldest type of storage device. The floppy
drive uses a thin circular disk for data storage. It is a thin magnetic‐coated disk contained in
a flexible or semi‐rigid protective jacket. The floppy disks are usually 3.5" in size. A 3.5"
floppy disk can hold 1.44 MB of data.
History Click
Floppy disks are slower to access than hard disks and have less storage capacity
Floppy disks were invented in
although it is less expensive and portable. It can be accessed randomly. Floppy disks 1950 at the Imperial University
were popular from the 1970s until the late 1990s, when they were replaced by in Tokyo by Doctor Yoshiro
Nakamatsu.
CD/DVDs and other means to transfer files from computer to computer.
HARD DISK
The hard disk drive or HDD is the main and usually largest, data secondary storage hardware device in a computer. The
operating system, application software and other data files are stored in the hard disk drive. The term hard is used to
distinguish it from a soft or floppy disk. Hard disks hold more data and are faster than floppy disks. A hard disk, for example,
can store anywhere from 500 GB to more than one TB (Terabyte), whereas most floppies have a maximum storage capacity of
1.4 megabytes.
Spindle
Motor
Platters

Read / Write
Heads

Movable
Arm

Power
Data Connector
Connector
The storage capacity of the disk is determined as (number of tracks * number of
History Click
sectors * bytes per sector * number of read/write heads) Thus, the data is stored The hard drive was first introduced on
as magnetized spots arranged in concentric circles (tracks) on the disk. Each track is September 13, 1956 and consists of one or
divided into sectors. The arrangement of tracks and sectors on a disk is known as its more hard drive platters inside of an air
sealed casing.
'format'.
The first commercial hard disk drive had
Advantages of the Hard disk: the capacity to store approximately 5 MB
data and were the size of a dining room
 Faster reading/writing access times as compared to floppy disk and CD/DVD. table. They were also called a Winchester
Drive.
 Larger storage capacity
 Fitted inside the computer hence the risk of damage is less

20 Computer Applications ‐ IX
COMPACT DISC(CD)
A compact disc also known as a CD, is a plastic optical disc with a metalized surface that is used for digital audio/video and
data storage. A compact disc is a flat, round storage medium that is read by a laser in a CD‐ROM drive. The standard CD is
capable of holding 80 minutes of music or 700 MB of data.
The data on a CD is stored as small notches on the disc and is read by a laser from an optical drive. The drive translates the
notches (which represent 1's and 0's) into usable data.
Types of CD's are:
• CD‐R is a recordable, disk can be written only once but can be read again and again.
• CD‐RW is a re‐writable disk, allows erasing previously recorded data and writing new
data multiple times.
DIGITAL VERSATILE DISK (DVD)
Digital versatile disk(DVD) originally named Digital Video Disk is an optical disk storage. It can store 4.7 GB data and is much
faster than CD, also it can store high quality audio, video and any kind of digital information.
Like a CD, the DVD also comes in many versions like:
• DVD‐ROM can only be read and not written.
History Click
• DVD‐R can record data only once. The CD standard was proposed by Sony
and Philips in 1980 and the technology
• DVD‐RW can record and erase data multiple times. was introduced to the U.S. market in
1983.
Advantages of CD/DVDs
• Mass storage capacity
• Portable Medium
• High data stability
BLU‐RAY DISC
Blu‐ray Disc (BD) is an optical disc format such as CD and DVD. It was developed for recording
and playing back high‐definition (HD) video and for storing large amounts of data. While a CD
can hold 700 MB of data, a basic DVD can hold 4.7 GB of data and a single Blu‐ray disc can hold
up to 25 GB of data on a single‐layer disc and 50GB on a dual‐layer disc.

Teacher Says
Blu‐ray Disc is a new optical disc format jointly developed by the Blu‐ray Disc Association (BDA), a group of
the world's leading consumer electronics, personal computer and media manufacturers including Apple,
Dell, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and
Thomson.

PEN/THUMB DRIVE
A pen drive is a portable Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash memory device for storing and
transferring audio, video and data files from a computer. The drive gets its name from the
fact that many have a retractable port connector like a ballpoint pen and they are small
enough to fit into a pocket. Other names include flash drive, jump drive and thumb drive. It
is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an integrated Universal Serial Bus
(USB) interface. USB flash drives are typically removable, re‐writable and physically much
smaller than a floppy/compact disk.

Computer Applications ‐ IX 21
USB flash drives are often used for the same purposes for which floppy disks or CD‐ROMs were used. Flash drives are smaller,
faster and have thousands of times more capacity (4GB‐ 1TB), are more durable and reliable because they have no movable
parts.
The advantages of flash memory are: Teacher Says
The pen drives are compatible
• Small in size, removable, lightweight,durable and re‐writable with all the operating systems
such as Linux, Mac OSX,
• Fast reading access times among the secondary storage devices Windows and UNIX.
• Works with USB port and requires low voltage
• Compatible with all Operating systems
EXTERNAL HARD DISK
An external drive is just a hard drive (HDD) that is connected to a computer on the
outside(USB) rather than on the inside. Some external drives draw power over their data
cable(USB), while others may require an AC wall connection to derive power on their own.
External hard drives typically have high storage capacities and are often used to back up
computers or serve as a network drive.
MEMORY CARDS
A memory card sometimes called a flash memory card or a storage card is a small storage medium used to store data such as
text, pictures, audio, and video, for use on small, portable or remote computing devices like digital cameras, smart phones,
tablets etc.
TABLE: Types of Memory Cards

SD (Secure Digital) SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity)

SDXC (Secure Digital 'Xtra Capacity') CompactFlash (CF)

Micro SD Multi Media Cards (MMC)

STORAGE IN THE CLOUD

Backing up online is the latest way to store your personal files and folders without copying
the data to disc. Files saved to the internet are more secure and there's a lesser risk of losing
your data. Backups to CD/DVD‐ROM and USB drives just can't offer the same level of
protection. Cloud storage is a model of networked online storage where data is stored in
virtualized pools of storage that are generally hosted by the third parties. Hosting
companies operate large data centers and people who require their data to be hosted have
to buy or lease storage capacity from themselves.
Teacher Says
 Google Drive is a cloud storage service from Google that lets you save files in the cloud and access them either
through your computer or an app on a mobile device. You can have 15 GB free storage.
 OneDrive is a cloud storage service from Microsoft with a significant chunk of space offered for free by Microsoft
to anyone with a Microsoft account.

22 Computer Applications ‐ IX
 RECAP BYTE
 A computer is an electronic device, which takes input from the user in the form of data, processes it and displays the
information as output.
 Facts and figures (numbers, alphabets) given to the computer for processing is called as Data.
 Processed data used to find some meaningful results is called as information.
 Computer is an information‐processing machine that works on IPO (input‐process‐output) cycle.
 Hardware refers to the physical parts of the computer system like keyboard, printer, monitor, mouse etc.
 Software is a set of instructions required to carry out operations for a specified job.
 A computer system consists of three main components: Input unit, Central processing unit and Output unit.
 Input devices are used to provide input that can be understood by the computer such as: raw data, information or
command.
 QWERTY is the most commonly used keyboard layout and is simply named after the first six letters in the upper left corner
of the alphabetical keyboard.
 Mouse is an input device that controls the movement of the pointer on the screen and is used to select and execute
commands.
 Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer system that process and controls all the operations.
 Buses allow data to be transferred to different parts of the computer. Address bus, control bus and data bus are three main
buses used by the CPU.
 Output devices are used to display the result of the processed data that comes from the input.
 Computer stores data in units called bits and bytes. Eight bits are grouped together to form a byte.
 Primary memory is used by the computer to store data on the temporary basis so that it can process the data.
 RAM stands for Random Access Memory will store data during and after processing and is volatile in nature.
 ROM stands for Read Only Memory where programs are stored by the manufacturer and are permanent in nature.
 Secondary memory is the storage where a computer stores data permanently and it is non‐volatile in nature.

COMPUTER LAB ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY 1: Visit your school computer lab and identify the following storage devices/media. Name them and tick(3)
the type. Write their storage capacity.

DEVICE NAME PRIMARY SECONDARY STORAGE

CAPACITY

Computer Applications ‐ IX 23
ACTIVITY 2: Visit your school computer lab and list out the Input and Output devices that are installed. Identify the
types of devices shown below and tick the following chart accordingly. Mention their types.

DEVICE NAME INPUT OUTPUT Type

DEVICE DEVICE (If Any)

ACTIVITY 3: Explore and identify the following types of ports present on the rear side of the computer case. Write the
name of the ports where you can connect keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, modem and pen drives.

Port Figure Port Name Device Connected

24 Computer Applications ‐ IX
ACTIVITY 4: Read the following statements to mark and name the keys of the computer keyboard.
a) They are 26 in numbers from A‐Z, but not arranged in a sequence. ...............................
b) They are 10 in number from 1 to 9 and 0. ...............................
c) They are 12 in numbers from F1 to F12. ...............................
d) This key puts the command inside the CPU, so that it can be executed. ...............................
e) They are four in number and used to move the cursor in all four directions. ...............................
f) Used for quick entering of numbers. ...............................
g) The longest key on the keyboard. ...............................
h) They are two in numbers and used to get capital and upper row letters of the keys. ...............................

........................

........................

........................ ........................

........................

........................
........................ ........................
ACTIVITY 5: Familiarize yourself with the computer mouse.

Index Fingure
Left Button Right Button

1 2

Scroll Wheel

The front of the mouse points away from you and has two buttons on the left and right which you can click. These allow you to
open programs and menus. In the middle of these two buttons is a small wheel, which allows you to scroll up and down
pages.
• You can use your index finger to click the left button and the middle finger to click the right one.
• At the bottom of the mouse is a sensor that allows the mouse to know where to move.
• A wireless mouse may have a compartment to insert a battery and it may have an on and off switch.

Computer Applications ‐ IX 25
 PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS
1. Read the following statements and select (3) the correct option.
i) The devices used to enter the program/data and send vi) One of these is not a pointing device.
it to the processing unit. a) Scanner b) Mouse
a) Output Devices b) Input Devices c) Light Pen
c) Memory Devices vii) This part of computer is the brain of the computer.
ii) The devices used to show the result of Processing. a) Monitor b) CPU
a) Memory Devices b) CPU c) RAM
c) Output Devices viii) The device used to convert sound waves into
iii) Any information that is processed and stored by a electronic representation.
computer. a) Microphone b) Speakers
a) Numbers b) Data c) Scanner
iv) The physical parts of the computer system. ix) A nibble is equal to
a) Hardware b) Software a) 8 Bits b) 4 Bytes
v) The device that stores data permanently for the c) 4 Bits
future use. x) The storage that is directly accessible to a computer
a) RAM b) Hard Disk processor and it is temporary in nature.
c) Monitor a) Secondary b) Primary
c) Cloud

ANSWERS i) b ii) c iii) b iv) a v) b vi) a vii) b viii) a ix) c x) b

2. State whether the following statements are True or False: True False
a) Secondary storage of the computer system is non‐volatile.
b) A display device is an output device that visually conveys only text.
c) Secondary storage devices can store data and perform arithmetic functions.
d) An inkjet printer is a color printer that produces photo quality pictures.
e) CD‐R disk can be used to read and write data multiple times.
f) Cloud storage is an online concept of storing data via Internet.
g) CD‐RW is also called as Erasable Optical Disk.

3. Read the following statements and name the correct input/output/secondary storage device.
a) An alternative device used instead of keyboard to input data by pressing buttons on the ............................
screen.
b) A hand‐held device used in places like supermarket to capture and read information ............................
contained in a bar code printed on various product items.

26 Computer Applications ‐ IX
 c) It produces a hard copy of text or images on the paper. ............................

d) A portable flash memory device integrated with USB port for storing and transferring ............................
audio, video and data files.
e) The main storage device to store operating system, software titles and other files. ............................

ANSWERS a) Touch Screen b) Bar Code Reader c) Printer d) Pen Drive e) Hard Disk

4. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

a) The two types of solid‐state secondary memory are ....................... drives and ....................... sticks.
b) ....................... bytes are grouped together to form one kilobyte.
c) In CPU, ....................... performs all mathematical calculations and logical operations like comparing data.
d) ....................... is a high speed, high quality non impact printer.
e) A pattern called as ....................... printed in lines of different thickness is usually seen on items in supermarket.
f) The code printed at the bottom of all bank cheques is called as ........................

ANSWERS a)Pen , Memory b) 1024 c) ALU d) Laser Printer e) Bar Code f) MICR

5. Write the full form for the following:

a) ALU: Arithmetic and Logical Unit f) BD: Blue‐Ray Disk
b) RAM: Random Access Memory g) DVD: Digital Versatile Disk
c) ROM: Read Only Memory h) CPS: Characters Per Second
d) USB: Universal Serial Bus i) PPM: Pages Per Minute
e) CPU: Central Processing Unit j) MICR: Magnetic Ink Character Recognition

6. Answer in brief:
a) The most familiar output device for the personal computers. ............................
b) The term used to measure the printing speed of the impact printers. ............................
c) The term used to measure the printing speed of the non‐impact printers. ............................
d) A commonly used keyboard layout named after the first six letters in the upper left ............................
corner of the keyboard.
e) The term used to measure the speed of the processor chip.
............................
f) The improved version of LCD monitors.
............................
g) Another name for the paper printed by the printer.
............................
h) Storage location on the CPU in which data or control information is temporarily stored. ............................
i) It is the oldest type of soft magnetic storage disk. ............................
j) A removable storage device that you can easily carry in your pocket. ............................

a) Monitor b) CPS c) PPM d) QWERTY e) Mhz f) LED g) Hard Copy

ANSWERS
h) Cache i) Floppy Disk j) Pen Drive

Computer Applications ‐ IX 27
 APPLICATION BASED QUESTIONS
1. Yogita is having desktop computer with CRT monitor, which consumes more electricity and space too. She is
planning to buy a new monitor for her computer, suggest her which type of monitor should she buy and why?
Ans: She should buy LED monitor because it has a high resolution output, consumes less power and are thinner
as compard to LCD and CRT monitors, hence occupy less space.
2. Shelly works in school office. Everyone in the office is fed up with the noise that the dot matrix printers make.
She suggests the principal to change over to a new printer. Give suggestions to Shelly which printer would be
the right choice for the school office. Satisfy your answer with the advantages of your recommended printer
over the dot matrix printers.
Ans: She should recommend Laser Printer for the school office because they produce high quality printing at
high speed and without making any noise while dot matrix is louder, slower and produces lower print
quality.
3. Chirag is a computer graphic designer and has purchased an external hard disk for keeping his computer files
as backup. He does not know how to attached external hard disk with his computer, explain him the way to
install it.
Ans: He can attach the external hard disk with any of the USB ports of his computer. There are some external
hard disks that require separate power adaptor to be connected, he has to check for the same.
4. Sanya is fond of listening music and watching movies on her laptop computer. Suggest her the device she
should purchase so that she could listen to the music without disturbing others.
Ans: Sanya should buy headphones.

ASSESS YOUR KNOWLEDGE

1. Convert the following storage units as directed. [One is solved for you]
a) 1 GB = 1024 MB b) 1024 KB = ______ Bytes
c) 2 GB = ______ KB d) 1024 MB = ______ GB
e) 10 GB = ______ MB f) 2048 KB = ______ MB
g) 2 MB = ______ KB h) 4096 MB = ______ GB
i) 6 KB = ______ Bytes j) 10 GB = ______ MB
2. Answer the following questions:
a) Define the term 'Computer'.
b) Explain the characteristics of computer which makes it the most important and unavoidable device.
c) What do you mean by Input devices? Give any four examples.
d) What do you mean by Output devices? Give any four examples.
e) Name all the components of CPU with their respective functions.
f) Differentiate between ROM and RAM.
g) List the different primary memory units used in the computer.
h) Differentiate between Primary memory and Secondary memory.
i) List the different secondary memory units used in the computer.
j) Some storage devices are volatile in nature. Name them and explain the term 'volatile'.
k) What is DVD and how does it differ from CD?

28 Computer Applications ‐ IX