Module 1

Basics of Computer
Hardware and
Software
Date: 22/04/2023

ഈശ വിശ്വവിദ്യാലയം
ആനയറ, തിരുവനന്തപുരം
Contents

1. Introduction to Computers 3
2. Generations of Computers 4
3. Functional units of computer 5
4. Input & Output Devices 8
5. Processor 9
6. Memory 11
7. Software 15
8. Keyboard Shortcuts 16

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Introduction to Computers
The term computer is derived from the word compute. A computer is an electronic device that
takes data and instructions as an input from the user, processes data, and provides useful
information known as output. This cycle of operation of a computer is known as the
Input-Process-Output cycle shown in figure.

The electronic device is known as hardware and the set of instructions is known as
software.

Definition
“ Computer is fast and accurate electronic system that is designed to accept and store
input data, process them and produce output results using the instructions of a stored
program.”

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 Generations of Computers
● The different computing devices
developed over the years can be
categorized into several
generations.

● Each generation of computer is the

result of technological development,
which changed the way computers
used to operate.

● Computers can be categorized into

five generations:
1. First generation (1940-1956)
2. Second generation (1956-1963 )
3. Third generation (1964-1971)
4. Fourth generation (1971-Till Date )
5. Fifth generation (1980s...)

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Functional units of computer
○ Input Unit
○ Output Unit
○ Storage Unit
○ Arithmetic Logic Unit
○ Control Unit

2. Input Unit
○ Accept the data and instructions
from the outside environment.
○ Convert it into machine language.
○ Supply the converted data to the
computer system.

3. Output Unit
○ It connects the internal system of
a computer to the external
environment.
○ It provides the results of any computation, or instructions to the

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 outside world.

4. Storage Unit
○ This unit holds the data and instructions.
○ It also stores the intermediate results before these are sent to the
output devices.
○ It also stores the data for later use. The storage unit of a computer
system can be divided into two categories:

i. Primary Storage:
● This memory is used to store the data which is being
currently executed.
● It is used for temporary storage of data. The data is
lost when the computer is switched off.
● RAM is used as primary storage memory.

ii. Secondary Storage:

● In addition to RAM, every computer also has another
storage drive that’s used for storing information on a
long-term basis, and this is known as secondary
storage. Any file you create or download is saved to
the computer’s secondary storage.
● There are two types of storage device used as
secondary storage in computers:HDD (Hard Disk

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 Drive) and SSD (Solid-State Drive).

5. Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU)

○ All the calculations are performed in ALU of the computer system. •
The ALU can perform basic operations such as addition, subtraction,
division, multiplication etc.
○ Whenever calculations are required, the control unit transfers the
data from the storage unit to ALU.
○ When the operations are done, the result is transferred back to the
storage unit.

6. Control Unit (CU)

○ It controls all other units of the computer.
○ CPU chip used in a computer is partially made out of Silica. on other
words silicon chip used for data processing are called Micro
Processor.
○ It controls the flow of data and instructions to and from the storage
unit

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Input & Output Devices

● An input device sends information to a computer system for

processing, and an output device reproduces or displays the results of
that processing.
● Input devices only allow for input of data to the computer.
● Devices are only input devices or output devices, as they can only
accept data input from a user or output data generated by a computer.
● Some devices can accept input and display output, and they are
referred to as I/O devices (input/output devices).

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Processor

It performs following tasks:

● It performs all operations.

● It takes all decisions.
● It controls all the units of computer.
● Fetch, Decode, Execute, Store
● Executing a single instruction consists of
a particular cycle of events; fetching,
decoding,executing and storing.

1. Fetch : get the instruction from memory into the processor.

2. Decode : internally decode what it has to do (Eg: add).
3. Execute : take the values from the registers, actually add them together
4. Store: store the result back into another register.

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The basic elements of a processor:
1. The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which carries out arithmetic and logic
operations on the operands in instructions.
2. The floating point unit (FPU), also known as a math coprocessor or
numeric co-processor, a specialized co-processor that manipulates
numbers more quickly than the basic microprocessor circuitry can.
3. Registers, which hold instructions and other data. Registers supply
operands to the ALU and store the results of operations.
4. L1 and L2 cache memory. Their inclusion in the CPU saves time
compared to having to get data from random access memory (RAM).

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Memory
● Memory is the most essential element of a computing system because without it
computers can't perform simple tasks. Computer memory is of two basic type -
Primary memory (RAM and ROM) and Secondary memory (hard drive, CD, etc.).

● Random Access Memory (RAM)

○ primary-volatile memory
○ where the data the
computer is working on is
stored while the
computer is running.
○ The program is also
loaded into RAM before
being executed.
○ Thus both program and
data is stored in RAM
while the program is being executed.

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● Read Only Memory (ROM)
○ primary-non-volatile memory.
○ Stores crucial information
essential to operate the system,
like the program essential to
boot the computer.
○ It is not volatile.
○ Always retains its data.
○ Used in embedded systems or
where the programming needs
no change.
○ Used in calculators and peripheral devices.

○ Types of ROM
■ PROM (Programmable
read-only memory) - It
can be programmed by
user. Once programmed,
the data and instructions
in it cannot be changed.

■ EPROM (Erasable Programmable

read only memory) - It can be
reprogrammed. To erase data from
it, expose it to ultraviolet light. To
reprogram it, erase all the previous
data.

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 ■ EEPROM (Electrically erasable
programmable read only
memory) - The data can be
erased by applying electric field,
no need of ultra violet light. We
can erase only portions of the
chip.

Hard Disk

■ The hard disk is a device that can store data and have the data
survivor power-off and resets of the computer.
■ Data stored on a hard disk can be read at a later point, no matter
how long time the computer has been powered off - provided that
the computer and hard disk
is still working at the time it is
again powered on.
■ The hard disk is where you
normally store your
documents and files.
■ It is also on the hard disk that
the computer's operating
system is stored, and where
the programs you have
installed on the computer
are stored.
■ The hard disk is also where your own programs are stored.
■ When the computer is told to execute a program, it loads the
program from the hard disk into RAM and executes it from there.
■ Programs can also read from and write to the hard disk.
■ For instance, the program Microsoft Word can read and Word
documents from and to the hard disk

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 Solid State Drive (SSD)
● A solid-state drive (SSD) is a new
generation of storage device used
in computers.
● SSDs store data using flash-based
memory, which is much faster than
the traditional hard disks they've
come to replace.
● SSDs also have no moving parts,
and upgrading to one is a great way
to speed up your computer and
make it more resilient. Learn how
SSDs work and how to keep them optimized with
performance-boosting software.

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Software

“ Software is a collection of instructions that enable the user to interact with a computer , its
hardware or perform tasks ”

● Systems softwares are

○ programs written in low-level languages,
used to interact with the hardware at a
very basic level.
○ It provides a platform to other software's
to manage the computer itself.
○ interface between the hardware and the
end users.
○ Examples are Operating System,
Compilers, Interpreter, Assemblers, etc.

● Application Softwares are

○ designed to carry out a specific task other than one relating to the
operation of the computer itself.
○ Examples are Railways Reservation Software, Microsoft Office Suite
Software, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint , etc.

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Keyboard Shortcuts

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