UNIT I

Computer Fundamentals

By ERROR

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TABLE OF
CONTENTS

BASICS OF COMPUTER ………………………………………….1

what is computer …………………………………………………………………………… 3

Characteristics of computer ………………………………………………………….. 5

Block diagram of computer …………………………………………………………… 7

Classification of computers ……………………………………………………………. 10

Central Processing Unit (CPU) ……..……………………………………………….. 13

Input/Output (I/O) Devices …………………………………………………………….15

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What is computer ?

A computer is a programmable device that stores,

retrieves, and processes data. The term "computer"
was originally given to humans (human
computers) who performed numerical calculations
using mechanical calculators, such as
the abacus and slide rule. The term was later given
to mechanical devices as they began replacing
human computers. Today's computers are electronic
devices that accept data (input), process that data,
produce output, and store (storage) the results.

A computer is a machine that can be programmed to carry

out sequences of arithmetic or logical
operations (computation) automatically. Modern digital
electronic computers can perform generic sets of
operations known as programs.

What parts are needed for a computer to

work?

A computer does not require all the components mentioned

above. However, a computer cannot function without having
at the very minimum the parts listed below.
• processor - Component that executes instruc-
tions from the software and hardware.

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 • memory - Temporary primary storage for data
traveling between the storage and CPU.
• motherboard (with onboard video) - Component
that connects all components.
• Storage device (e.g., hard drive) - Slower sec-
ondary storage that permanently stores data.
However, if you had a computer with only the mini-
mum parts above, you would be unable to communi-
cate with it until you connected at least one input
device (e.g., keyboard). Also, you would need at
least one output device (e.g., monitor) for you to see
what is happening.

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Characteristics of computer.

1. Speed: – As you know computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds
for calculations that we take hours to complete. You will be surprised to know
that computer can perform millions (1,000,000) of instructions and even more per
second.

2. Accuracy: – The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every

calculation is performed with the same accuracy. The accuracy level is 7.
determined on the basis of design of computer. The errors in computer are due
to human and inaccurate data.

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3. Diligence: – A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue,
etc. It can work for hours without creating any error. If millions of calculations are
to be performed, a computer will perform every calculation with the same
accuracy.

4. Versatility: – It means the capacity to perform completely different type of

work. You may use your computer to prepare payroll slips. Next moment you
may use it for inventory management or to prepare electric bills.

5. Power of Remembering: – Computer has the power of storing any amount

of information or data. Any information can be stored and recalled as long as
you require it, for any numbers of years.

6. No IQ: – Computer is a Dumb machine and it cannot do any work without

instruction from the user. It performs the instructions at tremendous speed and
with accuracy. It is you to decide what you want to do and in what sequence. So
a computer cannot take its own decision as you can.

7. No Feeling: – It does not have feelings or emotion, taste, knowledge and

experience. Thus it does not get tired even after long hours of work. It does not
distinguish between users.

8. Storage: – The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large
amount of data. You can also store data in secondary storage devices such as
floppies, which can be kept outside your computer and can be carried to other
computers.

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Block Diagram of a computer.

Input
All the data received by the computer goes through the input unit. The
input unit comprises different devices like a mouse, keyboard, scanner,
etc. In other words, each of these devices acts as a mediator between
the users and the computer.
The data that is to be processed is put through the input unit. The com-
puter accepts the raw data in binary form. It then processes the data
and produces the desired output.

The 3 major functions of the input unit are :

• Take the data to be processed by the user.

• Convert the given data into machine-readable form.
• And then, transmit the converted data into the main
memory of the computer. The sole purpose is to connect
the user and the computer. In addition, this creates easy
communication between them.

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CPU – Central Processing Unit
Central Processing Unit or the CPU, is the brain of the computer. It works
the same way a human brain works. As the brain controls all human
activities, similarly the CPU controls all the tasks.
Moreover, the CPU conducts all the arithmetical and logical operations
in the computer.
Now the CPU comprises of two units, namely – ALU (Arithmetic Logic
Unit) and CU (Control Unit). Both of these units work in sync. The CPU
processes the data as a whole.

ALU – Arithmetic Logic Unit

The Arithmetic Logic Unit is made of two terms, arithmetic and logic.
There are two primary functions that this unit performs.
1. Data is inserted through the input unit into the primary
memory. Performs the basic arithmetical operation on it.
Like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It per-
forms all sorts of calculations required on the data. Then
sends back data to the storage.
2. The unit is also responsible for performing logical opera-
tions like AND, OR, Equal to, Less than, etc. In addition to this
it conducts merging, sorting, and selection of the given
data.

CU – Control Unit
The control unit as the name suggests is the controller of all the activi-
ties/tasks and operations. All this is performed inside the computer.

The memory unit sends a set of instructions to the control unit. Then the
control unit in turn converts those instructions. After that these
instructions are converted to control signals.

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These control signals help in prioritizing and scheduling activities. Thus,
the control unit coordinates the tasks inside the computer in sync with
the input and output units.

Memory Unit
All the data that has to be processed or has been processed is stored in
the memory unit. The memory unit acts as a hub of all the data. It
transmits it to the required part of the computer whenever necessary.

There are two types of computer memory:

1 Primary memory – This type of memory cannot store a vast amount

of data. Therefore, it is only used to store recent data. The data stored in
this is temporary. It can get erased once the power is switched off.
Therefore, is also called temporary memory or main memory.
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is an example of primary
memory

2 Secondary memory – As explained above, the primary memory

stores temporary data. Thus it cannot be accessed in the future. For
permanent storage purposes, secondary memory is used. It is also
called permanent memory or auxiliary memory. The hard disk is an
example of secondary memory.

Output
There is nothing to be amazed by what the output unit is used for. All the
information sent to the computer once processed is received by the
user through the output unit. Devices like printers, monitors, projectors,
etc. all come under the output unit.
The output unit displays the data either in the form of a soft copy or a
hard copy. The printer is for the hard copy. The monitor is for the display.
The output unit accepts the data in binary form from the computer. It
then converts it into a readable form for the user.

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Classification of computer

based on size :

1 : Super computers : The super computers are the most high perform-
ing system. A supercomputer is a computer with a high level of perfor-
mance compared to a general-purpose computer. The actual Perfor-
mance of a supercomputer is measured in FLOPS instead of MIPS. All of
the world’s fastest 500 supercomputers run Linux-based operating sys-
tems. Additional research is being conducted in China, the US, the EU,
Taiwan and Japan to build even faster, more high performing and more
technologically superior supercomputers. Supercomputers actually play
an important role in the field of computation, and are used for intensive
computation tasks in various fields, including quantum mechanics,
weather forecasting, climate research, oil and gas exploration, molecular
modeling, and physical simulations. and also Throughout the history, su-
percomputers have been essential in the field of the cryptanalysis.
eg: PARAM, jaguar, roadrunner.

2 : Mainframe computers : These are commonly called as big iron, they

are usually used by big organisations for bulk data processing such as
statistics, census data processing, transaction processing and are widely
used as the servers as these systems has a higher processing capability
as compared to the other classes of computers, most of these mainframe
architectures were established in 1960s, the research and development
worked continuously over the years and the mainframes of today are far
more better than the earlier ones, in size, capacity and efficiency.
Eg: IBM z Series, System z9 and System z10 servers.

3 : Mini computers : These computers came into the market in mid

1960s and were sold at a much cheaper price than the main frames, they
were actually designed for control, instrumentation, human interaction,
and communication switching as distinct from calculation and record

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keeping, later they became very popular for personal uses with evolu-
tion.
In the 60s to describe the smaller computers that became possible with
the use of transistors and core memory technologies, minimal instruc-
tions sets and less expensive peripherals such as the ubiquitous Tele-
type Model 33 ASR.They usually took up one or a few inch rack cabinets,
compared with the large mainframes that could fill a room, there was a
new term “MINICOMPUTERS” coined
Eg: Personal Laptop, PC etc.

Classification of computer
based on functionality :

1) Servers : Servers are nothing but dedicated computers which are set-
up to offer some services to the clients. They are named depending on
the type of service they offered. Eg: security server, database server.

2) Workstation : Those are the computers designed to primarily to be

used by single user at a time. They run multi-user operating systems.
They are the ones which we use for our day to day personal / commercial
work.

3) Information Appliances : They are the portable devices which are de-
signed to perform a limited set of tasks like basic calculations, playing
multimedia, browsing internet etc. They are generally referred as the
mobile devices. They have very limited memory and flexibility and gen-
erally run on “as-is” basis.

4)Embedded computers : They are the computing devices which are

used in other machines to serve limited set of requirements. They follow
instructions from the non-volatile memory and they are not required to
execute reboot or reset. The processing units used in such device work

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to those basic requirements only and are different from the ones that are
used in personal computers- better known as workstations.

Classification on the
basis of data handling

1) Analog : An analog computer is a form of computer that uses the con-

tinuously-changeable aspects of physical fact such as electrical, me-
chanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved. Any
thing that is variable with respect to time and continuous can be claimed
as analog just like an analog clock measures time by means of the dis-
tance traveled for the spokes of the clock around the circular dial.

2) Digital : A computer that performs calculations and logical operations

with quantities represented as digits, usually in the binary number sys-
tem of “0” and “1”, “Computer capable of solving problems by pro-
cessing information expressed in discrete form. from manipulation of the
combinations of the binary digits, it can perform mathematical calcula-
tions, organize and analyze data, control industrial and other processes,
and simulate dynamic systems such as global weather patterns.

3) Hybrid : A computer that processes both analog and digital data, Hy-
brid computer is a digital computer that accepts analog signals, converts
them to digital and processes them in digital form.

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Central Processing unit :

WHAT IS A CPU?

A Central Processing Unit is the most important component of a Com-

puter system. A CPU is a hardware that performs data input/output, pro-
cessing and storage functions for a computer system. A CPU can be in-
stalled into a CPU socket. These sockets are generally located on the
motherboard. CPU can perform various data processing operations. CPU
can store data, instructions, programs, and intermediate results.

Now, the CPU consists of 3 major units, which are:

1. Memory or Storage Unit

2. Control Unit
3. ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)

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WHAT DOES A CPU DO?

The main function of a computer processor is to execute instruction and

produce an output. CPU work are Fetch, Decode and Execute are the fun-
damental functions of the computer.
• Fetch: the first CPU gets the instruction. That means binary
numbers that are passed from RAM to CPU.
• Decode: When the instruction is entered into the CPU, it needs
to decode the instructions. with the help of ALU(Arithmetic
Logic Unit) the process of decode begins.
• Execute: After decode step the instructions are ready to exe-
cute
• Strore: After execute step the instructions are ready to store in
the memory.

TYPES OF CPU
We have three different types of CPU:

• Single Core CPU: The oldest type of computer CPUs is single

core CPU. These CPUs were used in the 1970s. these CPUs
only have a single core that preform different operations. This
means that the single core CPU can only process one operation
at a single time. single core CPU CPU is not suitable for multi-
tasking.

• Dual-Core CPU: Dual-Core CPUs contain a single Integrated

Circuit with two cores. Each core has its cache and controller.
These controllers and cache are work as a single unit. dual core
CPUs can work faster than the single-core processors.

• Quad-Core CPU: Quad-Core CPUs contain two dual-core pro-

cessors present within a single integrated circuit (IC) or chip. A
quad-core processor contains a chip with four independent
cores. These cores read and execute various instructions pro-
vided by the CPU. Quad Core CPU increases the overall speed

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 for programs. Without even boosting the overall clock speed it
results in higher performance.

I/O Devices :
INPUT DEVICES
Input devices are the devices that are used to send signals to the com-
puter for performing tasks. The receiver at the end is the CPU (Central
Processing Unit), which has work to send signals to the output devices.
Some of the classifications of Input devices are:
• Keyboard Devices
• Pointing Devices
• Composite Devices
• Game Controller
• Visual Devices
• Audio Input Devices
Some of the input devices are described below.

Keyboard

The keyboard is the most frequent and widely used input device for en-
tering data into a computer. Although there are some additional keys for
performing other operations, the keyboard layout is similar to that of a
typical typewriter.

Mouse
The most common pointing device is the mouse. The mouse is used to
move a little cursor across the screen while clicking and dragging. The
cursor will stop if you let go of the mouse. The computer is dependent on
you to move the mouse; it won’t move by itself. As a result, it’s an input

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device.
A mouse is an input device that lets you move the mouse on a flat surface
to control the coordinates and movement of the on-screen cursor/pointer.

Scanner
A scanner is an input device that functions similarly to a photocopier. It’s
employed when there’s information on paper that needs to be transferred
to the computer’s hard disc for subsequent manipulation. The scanner col-
lects images from the source and converts them to a digital format that
may be saved on a disc. Before they are printed, these images can be mod-
ified.

OUTPUT DEVICES

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

Monitor
Monitors, also known as Visual Display Units (VDU’s), are a computer’s
primary output device. It creates images by arranging small dots, known
as pixels, in a rectangular pattern. The amount of pixels determines the
image’s sharpness.
The two kinds of viewing screens used for monitors are described below.
• Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor: Pixels are minuscule visual
elements that make up a CRT display. The higher the image
quality or resolution, the smaller the pixels.
• Flat-Panel Display Monitor: In comparison to the CRT, a Flat
panel display is a type of video display with less volume, weight,
and power consumption. They can be hung on the wall or worn
on the wrist.

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Printer
Printers are output devices that allow you to print information on paper.
There are certain types of printers which are described below.
• Impact Printers
• Character Printers
• Line Printers
• Non-Impact Printers
• Laser Printers
• Inkjet Printers

Speakers

Speakers are devices that produce sound after getting a command from a
computer. Nowadays, speakers come with wireless technology also like
Bluetooth speakers.

Projector

Projectors are optical devices that have the work to show visuals on both
types of screens, stationary and moving both. It helps in displaying images
on a big screen. Projectors are generally used in theatres, auditoriums, etc.

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