Module I

Basic of Computer Hardware and Softwares

Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user and
processes these data under the control of set of instructions (called program) and gives the result
(output) and saves output for the future use.

Computer Architecture

The basic components of a modern digital computer are: Input Device, Output Device, Central
Processor Unit (CPU), mass storage device and memory.

Central Processor Unit (CPU)

It is the brain of the computer system. All major calculation and comparisons are made inside the
CPU and it is also responsible for activation and controlling the operation of other unit. This unit
consists of two major components that are arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control unit (CU).

 Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Here arithmetic logic unit performs all arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division. It also uses logic operation for comparison.

 Control Unit (CU)

The control unit of a CPU controls the entire operation of the computer. It also controls all
devices such as memory, input/output devices connected to the CPU.

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Input /Output Unit

The input/output unit consists of devices used to transmit information between the external world
and computer memory. The information fed through the input unit is stored in computer's
memory for processing and the final result stored in memory can be recorded or display on the
output medium.

Eg: Mouse, Keyboard, Printer, Monitor, etc.

Memory Unit

Computer memory is any physical device capable of storing information temporarily,

like RAM (random access memory), or permanently, like ROM (read-only memory).
Memories can be classified into two categories
 Primary Memory
 Secondary Memory
Primary memory is computer memory that is accessed directly by the CPU. There are two
types of primary memory.
 Read Only Memory (ROM)
 Random Access Memory (RAM)

The content of ROM cannot be changed and can be used only by CPU. It is needed to store Basic
Input Output System (BIOS), which is responsible for booting. This memory is permanent in
storage (non volatile) and is very small in size.
The RAM is a volatile memory i.e. its contents get destroyed as soon as the computers is
switched off. All kinds of processing of CPU are done in this memory.
Secondary Memory

Primary memory has limited storage capacity and is volatile. Secondary memory overcome this
limitation by providing permanent storage of data and in bulk quantity. Secondary memory is
also termed as external memory and refers to the various storage media on which a computer can
store data and programs. The Secondary storage media can be fixed or removable. Fixed Storage
media is an internal storage medium like hard disk that is fixed inside the computer. Storage

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medium that are portable and can be taken outside the computer are termed as removable storage
media.
eg: Hard disk, Magnetic Tapes, Pen drive

Memory Hierarchy (Out of Scope)

In the Computer System Design, Memory Hierarchy is an enhancement to organize the memory
such that it can minimize the access time. The Memory Hierarchy was developed based on a
program behavior known as locality of references. The figure below clearly demonstrates the
different levels of memory hierarchy:

System Software and Application Software

System Software:
System Software is the type of software which is the interface between application software
and system. Low level languages are used to write the system software. System Software
maintain the system resources and give the path for application software to run. An important
thing is that without system software, system cannot run. It is a general purpose software.
Application Software:
Application Software is the type of software which runs as per user request. It runs on the
platform which is provide by system software. High level languages are used to write the
application software. It is a specific purpose software.

The main difference between System Software and Application Software is that without system
software, system cannot run on the other hand without application software, system always runs.

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 S.NO SYSTEM SOFTWARE APPLICATION SOFTWARE

System Software maintain the system

Application software is built for
1. resources and give the path for application
specific tasks.
software to run.

Low level languages are used to write the High level languages are used to
2.
system software. write the application software.

3 Machine Dependent Machine independent

4 It is a general-purpose software. It is a specific purpose software.

Without system software, system can’t Without application software

5.
run. system always runs.

System software runs when system is

While application software runs
6 turned on and stop when system is turned
as per the user’s request.
off.

Photoshop, Microsoft Office,

7 Compiler, Operating System, Interpreter
VLC

Types of Languages
Computer programs can be written in high and low level languages, depending on the task and
the hardware being used.

High Level Language

High level languages are written in a form that is close to human language, enabling to
programmer to just focus on the problem being solved.

Advantages

 Easier to modify as it uses English like statements

 Easier/faster to write code as it uses English like statements
 Easier to debug during development due to English like statements
 Portable code – not designed to run on just one type of machine

Example: C, C++, Java, python

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Low Level Language

Low level languages are used to write programs that relate to the specific architecture and
hardware of a particular type of computer.

They are closer to the native language of a computer (binary), making them harder for
programmers to understand.

Example: Machine Code

Assembly Language

An assembly language is a low-level programming language designed for a specific type

of processor.

Example: 8085 programing

System Translator
A translator is a programming language processor that converts a computer program from one
language to another. It takes a program written in source code and converts it into machine
code. It discovers and identifies the error during translation. There are 3 different types of
translators as follows:
1) Compiler

A compiler is a translator used to convert high-level programming language to low-level

programming language.
Eg: gcc, javac, g++
2) Interpreter
Just like a compiler, is a translator used to convert high-level programming language to low-level
programming language.
Example: Python, jvm
3) Assembler
An assembler is a translator used to translate assembly language to machine language.
Example: Fortran Assembly Program (FAP), Macro Assembly Program (MAP)

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 BASIS FOR
COMPILER INTERPRETER
COMPARISON

Input It takes an entire program at a time. It takes a single line of code or

instruction at a time.

Output It generates intermediate object It does not produce any

code. intermediate object code.

Working The compilation is done before Compilation and execution take

mechanism execution. place simultaneously.

Speed Comparatively faster Slower

Errors Display all errors after compilation, Displays error of each line one by
all at the same time. one.

Error detection Difficult Easier comparatively

Example Gcc, g++, javac Python, jvm

Structured Approach to Programming

Structured Programming Approach can be defined as a programming approach in which the
program is made as a single structure. It means that the code will execute the instruction by
instruction one after the other. It doesn’t support the possibility of jumping from one instruction
to some other with the help of any statement like GOTO, etc. Therefore, the instructions in this
approach will be executed in a serial and structured manner. The languages that support
Structured programming approach are:
 C
 C++
 java
Advantages of Structured Programming Approach:
1. Easier to read and understand
2. Easier to Maintain
3. Easier to Debug
4. Machine-Independent, mostly.

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Disadvantages of Structured Programming Approach:
1. Since it is Machine-Independent, so it takes time to convert into machine code.
2. The converted machine code is not the same as for assembly language.

Flowchart, Algorithm and Pseudo Code

Algorithm
It is a complete step by step representation of the solution of the problem, represented in English
like Languages. An algorithm can be abstract or quite detailed. A detailed algorithm consists of
every step, equivalent to one instruction of a programming language.
Example: Algorithm to find area of circle

1. Read the value of the radius

2. Calculate the area of circle
3. Print the area of circle.

Pseudo Code
It is a more formal representation than the algorithm. Here, we represent every stp in a formal
way which is very close to the actual programming language representation. In pseudocode, each
of the steps will be written via operator and statements equivalent to some programming
language instructions. The only difference will be that the exact syntax of the programming
language will not be followed. All pseudocodes will start with the keyword “START” and
complete with keyword “STOP” or “END”.

Example: Pseudocode to find area of circle

1. START
2. Read radius
3. area = 3.14 * radius * radius
4. print sum
5. STOP

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Flowchart
Very popular method to represent the steps of the solution is the flowchart, which uses many
graphical symbols and thus, is more understandable. The symbol used for various different types
of statements are as shown

Start, Stop

Read, Print

Processing Statements

Condition Check

Direction of flow

Connectors (for longer flow chart)

Example: Flowchart for finding area of circle

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1) Arithmetic Operation

2) Largest of two numbers

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3) Largest of three numbers

4) Odd or even

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5) Sum of first n numbers

6) Sum of digit of a number

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7) Check whether a number is palindrome or not

8) Check whether a number is Armstrong or not.

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9) Check whether a number is perfect or not

10) Check whether a number is prime or not.

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11) Sum and average of an array

12) Display non – negatives numbers in an array.

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13) Linear Search

14) Largest element in an array

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15) Bubble Sort

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