CHAPTER – 1

BASICS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

Short answer questions :-
1) Who is known as the “ father of the modern computer” ?
Ans :- Charles Babbage is known as the “father of the modern computer”

2) What is a computer ?
Ans :- A computer is an electronic device that performs a function based on a given set of
instructions. It also works on the principles of Hardwares and softwares.

3) Who invented Jacquard’s loom?

Ans :- Jacquard’s loom was invented by Joseph Jacquard in the year 1801.

4) Give the full form of ENIAC and EDVAC.

Ans :- The full forms of the following terms are as :-
i) ENIAC :- Electrical Numerical Integrator and Computer
ii) EDVAC :- Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Calculator

5) Give two examples of second – generation computers

Ans :- The examples of second- generation computers are IBM 604, UNIVAC 1108.

6) What is AI?
Ans :- AI is the growing branch in the world of computer technology. This technology helps to
perform /make computers thinks like human beings.

7) Give two examples of secondary memories.

Ans :- Compact Disk (CD) and Hard disk are the examples of secondary memories.

8) What does the CPU do?

Ans :- CPU performs the work of all calculations like addition, subtraction, division and
multiplications. It even helps to perform the logical operations like Yes/No type and controls the
workings of other units present in the CPU.

9) Why we use secondary memory?

Ans :- Secondary memory is used to store large amount of data and programs permanently and
can be used later whenever required.

10) Give two examples of pointing device?

Ans :- Mouse and Trackball are the examples of pointing device.

11) Which input device is used to record sound?

Ans :- Microphone is the input device which is used to record sound.

12) What is the use of barcode reader?

Ans :- It is used to read the information stored in a barcode.

13) What is system software? Give two examples.

Ans :- System Software is a set of programs designed to operate hardware and control the
internal operations of a computer system.

14) What is the role of CU?

Ans :- The CU controls and coordinates the operations of all the other components of the
computer system. It does not process the data but controls the entire processing of data within
the computer.

15) What is the function of ALU?

Ans :- The ALU performs the functions of arithmetic calculations and logical
decisions/operations.

16) What do you understand by memory word?

Ans :- Memory is the space which is used to store data and instructions, for immediate desired
results.

17) What is the function of a compiler?

Ans :- Compiler converts/translates the programs from the high level languages into the
machine readable language.

18) What is the main limitation of a computer?

Ans :- The limitations of a computer are as follows :-
i) It cannot work or make decision on its own, because it doesn’t have all the abilities of
decision making.
ii) It cannot respond/ work on a particular condition unless that condition is already
programmed into them.
iii) Its an electronic machine which means it requires electricity to work. If there’s no
electricity it will not work.
iv) When the work is completed you need to save the work otherwise your work will go
away.
v) Like laptop, it’s not portable.
19) Mention three main features of a computer?
Ans :- The three main features of a computer are as follows :-
i) Speed: - Computers works at a very fast speed which means it can carry out millions of
instructions per second. The computers speed is measured in nanoseconds (1 nanosecond
= 1×10 seconds) and picosecond (1 picosecond = 1×1012 seconds)
ii) Versatility: - Computer can do different types of task more efficiently.
iii) Accuracy: - Computers works at a very fast but without losing its accuracy. On the
basis of correct data or instructions, it provides very accurate results.

20) What is a computer program?

Ans :- Computer program is a set of program/ instructions, which helps to perform various
tasks.

21) What are the fundamental components of a computer system?

Ans :- The basic components of a computer are Control Unit (C.U), Arithmetic and Logic Unit
(ALU) Memory Unit (M.U), Input/output unit.

22) What is application software?

Ans :- Application Software is a set of programs developed/written by programmers to carry out
a specific task/work.

23) Mention various categories of application software?

Ans :- General- Purpose Application software (Packages) and Specific- Purpose Application
Software are categories of application software.

24) What do you understand by computer memory?

Ans :- Computer memory is a storage place where the feeded data or instructions into computer
is been stored.

25) What is the binary equivalent of hexadecimal 15?

Ans :- The binary equivalent of hexadecimal 15 is 1110.

Long answer questions :-

1) Mention four features of a computer system?
Ans :- The main features of a computer are as follows :-
i) Speed :- Computers works at a very fast speed which means it can carry out millions of
instructions per second. The computers speed is measured in nanosecond (1 nanosecond =
1×10 seconds) and picosecond (1 picosecond = 1×1012 seconds)
ii) Versatility :- Computer can do different types of task efficiently.
iii) Accuracy :- Computers work at a very high speed without loosing accuracy. It gives
correct results, provided the correct data and set of instructions are provided as input.
iv) Tiredness :- As humans get tired of doing the same tasks again and again but computer
does not. It can perform the given tasks again and again without an error.
2) Mention the characteristic features of third- generation computers?
Ans :- The feature of third generation computers are as follows:-
i) The third generation computers were replaced translators with Integrated Circuits (IC’s).
ii) The speed and efficiency of computers, were increased by the chips.
iii) The computers were more powerful, reliable,
iv) These computers were faster in speed and were less expensive.
v) Examples :- IBM 360 series and 370 series.
3) What do you understand by generation of computers? Mention two disadvantages of first
generation computers?
Ans :- Generation of computers means new/latest developments in the technology of the
computers. Its in relation to the hardware of computers. Latest advanced developments in the
technology as compared to the technology of previous generation.
The disadvantages of the first generation computers are as followed:-
i) Vacuum tubes which were used in first generation computers had a very short span of
life.
ii) The first generation computers were very huge in size and consumed a lot of energy
where the machines got very hot and which created maintenance problems too.

4) Describe the functioning of CPU.

Ans :- CPU looks after and controls the entire working of a computer system just like human
brain which controls the movements or workings of the human body.

5) Draw a block diagram of a computer system

Ans :- Page 8 : Fig. : 1.10

6) What are the categories of Printers? Explain.

Ans :- Printers are divided into two categories that is
i) Impact printers :- In this type of printers, there is a link between print head and paper.
Impact printers are divided into i) line printers ii) character printers.
a) Line printers prints one line of text at a time. Examples of line printers are drum
and chain printers.
 b) Character printer prints one character of a text at a time. Examples of character
printers are Dot- Matrix and letter- quality print
ii) Non- Impact printer :- There is no relation between the printer head and paper. As
compared to Impact printers, these type of printers are the most fastest. The main types of
Non- Impact printers are inkjet printers, thermal printers, electromagnetic printer and
laser printer.

7) What is a bus? Explain three types of buses.

Ans :- The buses are electrical circuitry wires that connects the various components on and
transfers data between them on the motherboard. There are three main buses which are :
a) Data bus :- This bus only carries data from memory to CPU and again back from CPU to
memory.
b) Address bus :- It carries the address from CPU to the memory
c) Control bus :- It carries instructions between the CPU and other parts of the computer.

8) What are the functions of primary storage area?

Ans :- The primary storage area performs the following functions :-
i) It holds input data and instructions
ii) It holds data that is being processed and the processing instructions.
iii) It holds intermediate results of processing.
iv) It holds final results of processing.

9) Explain three types of ROM

Ans :- The three types of ROM are as followed :-
i) PROM:- It stands for Programmable Read Only Memory. This are the blank chips on
which the data and instructions is been written with the help of PROM programmer.
ii) EPROM:- This is a type of memory which can erase the contents/data written on the
PROM by exposing with the help of ultraviolet light/rays. EPROM stands for Erasable
Programmable Read Only Memory.
iii) EEPROM:- This memory uses an electricity to erase the contents/programs stored on
PROM and not with ultraviolet rays/light. EEPROM abbreviation is Electricity Erasable
Programmable Read Only Memory.

10) What is the purpose of language processor? Explain the three language processors?
Ans :- Language processors is the system software or a program that is converts the programs
written in assembly level languages or high level language into machine readable language
program. Assembler, compiler and interpreter are the examples of language processors.

11) Differentiate between data and information.

Ans :- Data :- Data means raw facts and figures or unprocessed data. Data can be anything for
example marks obtained by a student in various subjects and his roll number form data.
Information :- Information means processing of unprocessed data or meaningful data. For
example Computer prepares result sheets using these data, which is the information.

12) Write short note on fifth generation computers.

Ans :- Fifth generation computers are totally based upon artificial intelligence (AI). AI is the
growing branch in the world of computer technology. This technology helps to perform /make
computers as per the thinking of human beings.
Fifth generation computers are still in development process mode, though there are some
applications, such as voice recognition, translator: programs that could translated documents
from one language to other.

13) What are the basic differences between four generation of computers?
Ans :- The basic differences between four generation of computers are as follows:
The first generation of computers
i) The first generation of computers used vaccum tubes and punched cards.
ii) These generation computers were very big in size
iii) These computers were very slow in processing/performing input/output.
iv) As the first generation of computers very big in size they consumed a lot of energy .
The second generation of computers
i) Transistors were introduced in second generation computers.
ii) Due to making use of transistor in this generation computers resulted into reduction in
getting machines heated.
iii) Second generation computers were very smaller in size and were very fast as
compared to first generation computers.
iv) There was an improvement in the storage capacity.
v) These machines worked with High level languages such as ALGOL and FORTRAN.
The third generation of computers
i) The third generation computers had replaced transistors with Integrated Circuits (IC’s).
ii) This chips increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
iii) The computers were more powerful, reliable,
iv) These computers were faster and less expensive
v) Examples :- IBM 360 series and 370 series.
The fourth generation of computers
i) The microprocessors were launched the fourth-generation computers.
ii) Semi conductor memories were replaced by core memories.
iii) Fourth generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable.
iv) Faster accessing and processing speeds and increased memory capacity helped in
many new operating systems. It gave a rise to Personal Computers (PC’s)
v) Graphical User Interface (GUI) made computers more user friendly.
vi) Examples :- IBM’s Personal Computer (PC) and Apple’s Macintosh.

14) Write a short note on Mark- I.

Ans :- The first electromechanical computer was invented by the American Computer Engineer in
the year 1943 and it was named as Mark- I. It could multiply two 10-digit number in just 5
seconds. These computers automatically perform on pre-programmed instruction. It was the
first operational computer which was used for general purposes.

15) Explain the two main types of secondary memory.

Ans :- The secondary memory is divided in two types :-
i) Magnetic media :-
a) Floppy Disk b) Hard disk c) Magnetic tapes
ii) Optical Media :-
a) Compact Disk (CD) b) Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) c) Blue ray disk d) Solid State

16) Describe various types of magnetic media ?

Ans :- The various types of magnetic media are :-
i) Floppy disk :- A floppy disk is a flexible and portable disk. It has magnetic coating on it
which can store 1.44 MB of data. It was one of the oldest type of storage and nowadays its
not used due to its less storage space/capacity.
ii) Hard disk :- Hard disk has set of disks called as platters, each having its own read/write
These rotating disks are coated with a magnetic material and are attached within the
space between them. Data is recorded on the surface of the disks.
iii) Magnetic tapes :- It can hold large amount of data. It is available in the form of
cassettes, reads and cartridges.
17) Mention some areas where computers are used widely. (based on marks)
Ans :- Computers are widely used at some are which are :-
a) Education :- Computers are used in education for taking online classes, online
examinations/tuitions, e-books etc. A computer can be much helpful in teaching. Teachers
use computers to prepare lessons, results, question paper, whereas students use the
computers to access internet, do projects works and research works too.
b) Home :- Computers are used in homes for watching movies, making online bill payments,
home tuitions, for playing games, accesing internet, social media, nowadays employees
can do their office work from home, internet banking, online shopping etc.
c) Medical field :- Computers are mostly useful in labs, pharmacies etc. Computers are
maintained the records of patients and medicines, maintain hospital bills etc.
d) Business :- Its used to mainly for sales forecasting, processing the transactions, maintain
the employees records, planning purpose, presentation work, and preparing reports etc.
e) Government :- Its widely used in government departments to improve the quality and
efficiency of services. Use to maintain records on the legislative actions, maintaining land
records etc.
f) Banking and finance :- In banks its used to maintain customer’s/account holders
information and their conducted transactions People also use computers to access
information on stock markets, trade stocks and manage investments.
g) Communication :- Computers are widely used in communication like sending/receiving
emails, chatting, video conferencing, send any documents.
h) Entertainment :- Computers are used for listening music, watching movies, playing games,
creating animaton /cartoon videos, recording sound or music etc.
i) Reservation :- Computers are used to air flight, railway or bus tickets reservations online.
People can book their tickets by sitting in their homes.
j) Science and Engineering :- It is used by the scientists for the research works, sending and
launching artificial satellites.
k) Military :- Computer is widely used in defense in the matters of missile controlling,
performing military operations and planning etc.

18) What are the major operations performed by a computer?

Ans :- A computer basically performs five major operations which are Accepting data or
instructions, Processing of data, Storing of data, displaying of output , controlling all the
operations in the computer.

19) Differentiate between the following pairs :

i) Input and Output unit
ii) RAM and ROM
iii) Softcopy and hardcopy
iv) Primary memory and secondary memory
v) Impact printer and non- impact printer
vi) Assembler and Compiler
vii) Hardware and software
viii) System software and application software
Ans :- i) The difference between Input unit and Output unit are as followed :-

INPUT UNIT OUTPUT UNIT

It consist of those input devices that are It consists of those output devices
attached to the computer which are attached to the computer
It helps the user to enter data and
It is used to get the output results from
commands
the computer.
into the computer system.
Output coming from the CPU is in the
Converts data into machine understandable binary form, it must be converted into
form i.e. is binary human readable form before supplying
results to the outside world.
Examples of Output devices are
Examples of input devices are : Keyboard,
Printer,
Mouse, Scanner, Microphone etc.
Monitor, Speaker etc.

ii) The difference between RAM and ROM is as followed :-

RAM ROM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory
ROM stands for Read Only Memory
The data/instructions stored on RAM memory The data/instructions stored on ROM
gets erased when the power supply is been memory does not gets erased even the
turned off. power supply is been turned off
RAM is volatile in nature. in nature. ROM is non- volatile
It supports reading and writing operations It does not support write operations.
Data only can be read not changed.
Instructions are stored at a time of
Instructions are stored during its operation
manufacturing.
Static and Dynamic RAM are it’s types PROM, EPROM, EEPROM are it’s types

iii) The difference Softcopy and Hardcopy is as followed :-

SOFTCOPY HARDCOPY
Hardcopy means the data or
Softcopy means the data or information that
information that
is displayed on the monitor screen
is printed on the paper
Softcopy can be only seen but cannot be
Hardcopy can be seen and be touched.
touched.
We can edit the data with any changes on
We cannot edit the data on hardcopy
softcopy
iv) The difference between Primary memory and Secondary memory is as followed:-

PRIMARY MEMORY SECONDARY MEMORY

It retains data, instructions and processed It retains the data or contents for a
output for a short period of time long period of time
The contents or data gets lost when there is The contents or data does not gets lost
power failure or when computer is been even if there is power failure or when
switched off. computer is been switched off.
Volatile in nature Non- Volatile in nature.
Primary storage is fast, expensive and less
Secondary storage is slow, less
in
expensive and large in capacity.
capacity
Examples:- RAM (Random Access Memory) Hard disk, Compact Disk, Pendrives ,
and ROM (Read Only Memory) Floppy Disks etc

v) The difference between Impact printer and Non- Impact printer is as followed :

IMPACT PRINTER NON- IMPACT PRINTER

This printers does not make any
This type of printer makes a physical contact
physical contact between printer head
between printer head and paper
and paper.
Slower than Non- Impact printers Faster than Impact printers
Types are inkjet printers, thermal
Types are line printers and character
printer, electromagnetic printer and
printers
laser printer.

vi) The difference between Assembler and Compiler is as followed :

ASSEMBLER COMPILER
Assembler converts the programs written in Compiler converts the program written
assembly language into machine language in high level language into machine
language
It is an example of language processor Compiler is also an example of
language processor

vii) The difference between Hardware and Software is as followed :-

HARDWARE SOFTWARE
Hardware is the physical parts of a computer Software is a set of programs designed
system to perform a specific task
Hardware can be seen and touched Software cannot be seen and touched.
Hardware cannot work on its own, and hence Hardware is required for a software to
it requires software to instruct what to do. work on.
Ex. Input devices, Output devices, CPU,
Ex. System software and application
memory devices etc.
software, utility software etc.
viii) The difference between System software and Application software is as followed:-

SYSTEM SOFTWARE APPLICATION SOFTWARE

System software is a software which
controls Application software is a software
and manages the resources and workings of designed for a specific purpose.
entire computer system
System software provides specific
Application software provides
functionalities like booting of computers
application specific functionalities to a
properly, managing memory, managing of
user.
hardwares
For ex:- Windows operating system, Unix and For ex:- MS office suite, Tally, Adobe
Linux etc Photoshop etc