Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System

Choose the correct option:-

1) Which of the following is not an output device?
a) Speaker b) Mouse c) Printer d) Monitor
Ans: Mouse

2) Which one of the following is the “brain” of a computer ?

a) CPU b) ALU c) CU d) MU
Ans: CPU

3) A collection of eight bits is called …………………

a) Byte b) Word c) Record d) Nibble
Ans: Byte

4) Second generation computers were manufactured using which technology?

a) Vacuum tubes b) Transistors c) ICs d) None of these
Ans: Transistors

5) Storage of 1KB means the following number of bytes

a) 1000 b) 1024 c) 1064 d) 1012
Ans: b) 1024
6) Which of the following is not hardware?
a) Hard disk b) Printer c) Assembler d) CPU
Ans: Assembler
7) Fourth generation computers used
a) Vacuum tubes b) Transistors c) Microprocessors d) IC’s
Ans: c) Microprocessors

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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System

8) Which of the following is a special purpose application software?

a) Word processing software b) Operating System software c) Computer d) Payroll system
Ans: Payroll system

9) The base of Octal Number System is ……….

a) 2 b) 10 c) 16 d) 8
Ans: 8
10) Who is known as the father of the modern computer?
a) Charles Babbage b) Blaise Pascal c) Herman Hollerith d) Jon Atanasoff
Ans: Charles Babbage

Fill in the blanks:-

1) The first generation computers used magnetic drums for storage.
2) The third generation computers replaced vacuum tubes and transistors
3) Registers are high speed and temporary storage area.
4) Bit is the short form of binary digit.
5) A group of four bits is called Nibble
6) RAM holds data, programs and instructions for computer.
7) A microphone is input device.
8) A Program is set of instructions to perform a specific task.
9) Anti Virus software are used to scan the computers for viruses.
10) The decimal system is composed of Ten digits.
11) Electrical Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was the first full electronic
general purpose computer.
12) Universal Automatic Computer I (UNIVAC I) was one of the first commercially available
computers.
13) An Assembler converts the program written in assembly language into the machine
language.
14) Processing takes place in the Control Unit

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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
15) The ALU performs the arithmetic and logical operations.
16) RAM is temporary or volatile
17) ROM stores basic input/output instructions to operate the computer.
18) Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only memory is an electronic non- volatile
storage medium that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed.
19) Data and instructions are given to the computer through its input device.
20) Raw data is processed by the computer to produce Information.
21) Results are obtained from the computer through its output device.
22) 1 MB = 1024 KB.
23) Random Access Memory (RAM) is an example of primary memory.
24) The Octal number system uses the digits from 0 to 7
25) A computer system comprise of both Hardware and Software
26) Software represents the set of program that directs the computer how to work.
State True or False :-
1) Another name for internal memory is primary memory. True
2) A hard disk can store less data than CD. False
3) Software represents to the physical components of a computer. False
4) A projector is an input device. True.
5) Interpreter is an utility software. False
6) The first generation computers used transistors. False
7) Atanasoff Berry Computer was the first electronic digital computers. True
8) IBM 604 is an example of second generation computers. True
9) UNIVAC I was one of the first commercially available computers. True
10) ROM is volatile. False
11) A group of eight bits is called nibble. False
12) Computer does not understand any language other than machine language. True
13) Pen drives use flash memory to store data. True
14) The monitor is a soft copy output device. True
15) A compiler translates a program written in machine language into a program written high levellanguages. False

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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
16) Bit is the smallest unit of data in a computer. True
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) Name a popular pointing device?
Ans: Mouse.

4) Who invented Jacquard’s loom?

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

5) 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

6) Give two examples of second – generation computers

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

7) 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. Ex. Translator- which helps to convert the
data from one language to the other.

8) Give two examples of secondary memories.

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

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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
8) What does the CPU do?
Ans :- CPU performs the work of all calculations like addition, substraction, 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.

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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
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 don’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) It’s 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, its 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 loosing 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.

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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
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.
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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
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:-
Disadvantages
i) Vaccum 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 maintainance 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 :- The block diagram of a computer system is as followed

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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
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. Inkjet
printers are divided into i) line printers ii) character printers.
 i) Line printers prints one line of text at a time. Examples of line printers are drum
and chain printers.
 ii) 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 :
Data bus :- This bus only carries data from memory to CPU and again back from CPU to memory.
Address bus :- It carries the address from CPU to the memory
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

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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.
Ex. Translator- which helps to convert the data from one language to the other. In the parallel
processing, many processors are been grouped together to form into one large group processor. A
super conductor is a conductor through which electricity can travel without any
resistance/problem resulting faster transfer of information between the parts of a computer. 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 started with ENIAC which was then followed by IBM
UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic Computers) which was built by Mauchly and Eckert in 1951.
ii) The first generation of computers used vaccum tubes and punched cards.
iii) These generation computers were very big in size
iv) These computers were very slow in processing/performing input/output.
v) 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 translators with Integrated Circuits

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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
(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.
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 instructi. 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.

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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.
Ans :- Computers are widely used at some are which are :-
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.
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.
Medical field :- Computers are mostly useful in labs, pharmacies etc. Computers are
maintained the records of patients and medicines, maintain hospital bills etc.
Business :- Its used to mainly for sales forecasting, processing the transactions, maintain the
employees records, planning purpose, presentation work, and preparing reports etc.
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.
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.
Communication :- Computers are widely used in communication like sending/recieving emails,
chatting, video conferencing, send any documents.
Entertainment :- Computers are used for listening music, watching movies, playing games,
creating animaton /cartoon videos, recording sound or music etc.
Reservation :- Computers are used to air flight, railway or bus tickets reservations online.
People can book their tickets by sitting in their homes.
Science and Engineering :- It is used by the scientists for the research works, sending and
launching artificial satellites.
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.

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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 :-

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

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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
iii) The difference Softcopy and Hardcopy is as followed :-

iv) The difference between Primary memory and Secondary memory is as followed:-

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

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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
vi) The difference between Assembler and Compiler is as followed :

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

viii) The difference between System software and Application software is as followed:-

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EXTRA QUESTIONS
1) Abacus: The abacus called a counting frame, is a calculating
device that was invented in Mesopotamia around 3500 BC. An
abacus consists of beads divided into two parts which are
movable on the rods of the two parts. Simple calculations can be
carried out rapidly and efficiently by positioning the beads
appropriately.
2) Napier’s Bones: In the 17th century, the Scottish Mathematician
Sir Jhon Napier invented this manually operated calculating
device. Napier’s bones are numbered rods which can be used to
perform multiplication of any number by a single digit number.
3) Pascal’s adding machine: One of the first semi-automatic
mechanical devices, Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician,
developed it in 1642. He designed the machine to add and
subtract two numbers directly and to perform multiplication and
division through repeated addition or subtraction.
4) Leibnitz’s calculator: Gottfried Leibnitz, a German
mathematician improved an adding machine and constructed a
machine called Leibnitz’s machine in 1671. It was able to perform
multiplication and division also.
5) Jacquard’s Loom: The Jacquard Loom is a mechanical loom,
invented by Joseph Jacquard, first demonstrated in 1801. He
manufactured punched cards and used to control the looms. The
entire control weaving process was automatic. The entire
operation was under a program’s control.
6) Babbage Difference Engine: Charles Babbage, an English
Mathematician, developed a machine called Difference engine in
the year 1822. Charles Babbage is often called the father of the
modern computer. The difference engine was made to calculate
various mathematical functions.
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Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
7) Analytical Engine: In 1833, Charles Babbage designed a
machine Analytical Engine, which was to become a real ancestor
of the modem general purpose computer. Analytical engine was
capable of performing all four arithmetic operations as well as
comparison. He included the concept of central process, storage
area, memory and input-output devices in his design.
8) Hollerith's Machine: In 1887, an American named Herman
Hollerith invented the tabulating machine which was the first
electromechanical calculating device. He used punched cards for
storing and processing information. This machine was used by
American Department of Census to compile their 1880 census
data.
9) Mark I: In 1943, American Computer Engineer devised the first
electromechanical computer named Mark-I. It was able to multiply
two 10-digit numbers in 5 seconds. Mark-I was the first machine
which could perform to pre programmed instruction automatically.
It was the first operational general purpose computer.
10) GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS:
There are five generations of Computer:-
a) First Generation(1939-1954): The first generation computers
used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for
storage. Sizes of these computers were as large as the size of
a room. First generation computers could be programmed in
machine language, consisting of only 0s and 1s.
Some computer of this generation are given below:
i)ABC (Atanasoff Berry Computer): It was the first electronic
digital computer. It was a special-purpose computer and
designed to solve system of linear equations.
ii) ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and computer):
It was the first fully electronic general- purpose computer.
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Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
iii) EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic
calculator): It was built on the stored program architecture
for computers proposed by the scientist and mathematician
John Von Neumann. The program was fed into its memory
unit using paper tape. It was slightly faster than ENIAC.
iv) EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Calculator): It could hold both a program and data in
memory.
v) UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic Computer I): It was one
of the first commercially available computers.
b) Second Generation(1955-1975): Second-generation
computers were manufactured using transistors instead of
vacuum tubes. Transistors were highly reliable compared to
tubes. Due to the properties of transistors, the second-
generation computers were more powerful, more reliable, less
expensive and smaller than the first-generation computers. The
first-generation computers were programmed using machine
language, the second-generation computers moved towards
symbolic or assembly languages. High level languages like
FORTRAN, CO-BOL, ALGOL and SNOBOL were also being
developed. Examples of some second-generation computers
include IBM604, IBM1401, IBM1620, IBM7094, CDC11604,
CDC3600, and UNIVAC1108.
c) Third Generation (1965-1975): The third generation computers
replaced transistors with Integrated Circuits(IC), known as
chips. The third generation computers were more powerful,
more reliable, relatively less expensive and faster. IBM’s 360
series and 370 series computers are examples of third-
generation computers.

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Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
d) Fourth Generation (1976-Present): The next advancement in
computer technology was the microprocessors. The
microprocessor launched the fourth-generation computers.
Semiconductor memories replaced magnetic core memories
IBM's Personal Computer (PC) and Apple's Macintosh are
examples of fourth-generation computers.

e) Fifth generation (Present and beyond):

The fifth-generation computer system was an initiative by
Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry, begun in
1982.
Fifth-generation computers are based on the concept of artificial
intelligence (AI). AI is an emerging branch in computer science,
which interprets the means and methods of making computers
think like human beings.
A super- conductor is a conductor through which electricity can
travel without any resistance resulting faster transfer of
information between the components of a computer.
Fifth-generation computers are still in development, though
there are some applications, such as voice recognition,
programs that could translate documents from one language to
another.
11) USAGE OF COMPUTERS:
a) Education: Computers are used in education sector for
taking online classes, online examinations, referring e-
books, online tutoring etc.
b) Home: Computers are used at home for several purposes
like watching movies, online bill payment, home tutoring,
playing games, internet access, social media access, etc.
c) Medical Field: Computers have become an important part
in hospitals, labs and pharmacies. Computers are used to

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 Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
keep records of patients and medicines. Computers are
used in diagnostic system and patient monitoring system.
d) Business: Computers are used for maintaining staff
records, transaction processing, sales forecasting,
production planning, create presentation and reports, etc.
e) Government: Various Government department use
computers to improve the quality and efficiency of their
service. Computers are used to keep records on legislative
actions, Internal Revenue Service, etc.
f) Reservation: Computers are used for airline/railway/bus
tickets reservations. People can book their tickets
irrespective of their location.

12) LIMITATIONS OF COMPUTER:

The Limitations of Computers are:-
a) Depend on user’s input.
b) Computer has no imagination.
c) Cannot detect error in logic.
d) Only expert user can work on it.
e) Cannot take its own decisions.

13) COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM:

There are five major operations in a Computer system:-

a) Accepting data or instructions.

b) Processing data.
c) Storing data.
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Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
d) Displaying results
e) Controlling and coordinating all operations inside a computer.
14) Block Diagram of a Computer:-

15) INPUT UNIT: The Input Unit consists of input devices that are
attached to the computer. Examples of input devices are:
Keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone etc.
16) OUTPUT UNIT: The Output Unit consists of output devices that
are attached to the computer. Examples of output devices are:
Monitor, Printer etc.
17) INPUT DEVICE: An input device is any hardware device that
sends data to a computer, allowing you to interact with and control
it. For Example: Keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone etc.

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Chapter 1 – Basics of Computer System
18) OUTPUT DEVICE: An output device is any hardware device
used to send data from a computer to another device or user. For
Example: Monitor, Printer etc.
19) CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT(CPU): The CPU is the brain of
the computer system. In a computer system, all calculation and
comparisons are made inside the CPU and the CPU is also
responsible for activating and controlling the operations of other
units of a computer system.
The CPU Consists of three basic components:
a) Arithmetic and Logic Unit(ALU): The ALU does
arithmetic calculation and take logical decisions. ALU
performs all the arithmetic (+,-,x,/) and logical
(<,>,=,<=,>=) operations.
b) Control Unit(CU): The control unit of a computer system
manages and coordinates the operations of all the other
components of the computer system.
c) Registers: Registers are high speed temporary storage
area. Registers are used to quick accept, store and
transfer data and instructions that are being used
immediately by the CPU.
These parts are connected to the rest of the computer through
buses. The buses are electrical wire which connects the various
components and transfer data between them. There are three
main buses. These are:
(i) Data bus: Data bus carries data from the memory
to the CPU and the CPU to the memory.
(ii) Address bus: Address bus carries address from
the CPU to the memory.
(iii) Control bus: Control bus carries instructions
between the CPU and other parts of the computer.
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20) Memory Unit: Computer memory is the storage space in the
computer. The memory unit provides space for storing data and
instructions, space for intermediate results, and also space for the
final results.
21) Units of Memory: A bit is an elementary unit of memory. Bit is
the short form of binary digit. A bit can be either 0(representing
OFF/Low voltage) or 1 (representing ON/High voltage). Data in a
computer are stored in the form of strings of 0s and 1s.

Unit Short Name Full Name

1. 1 Bit Bit Binary Digit
2. 4 bits 1 nibble Nibble
3. 8 bits 2 nibble or 1 byte Byte
4. 210 i.e, 1024 bytes 1kb Kilo byte
5. 210 i.e, 1024 kb 1mb Mega byte
6. 210 i.e, 1024 mb 1 gb Giga byte
7. 210 i.e, 1024 gb 1 tb Terra byte
8. 210 i.e, 1024 tb 1 pb Peta byte
9. 210 i.e, 1024 pb 1 eb Exa byte

22) Types of Memory:

There are two types of memories in a computer system:-
a) Internal memory or Main memory or Primary memory:
All computers have internal memory to store programs and
data while the computer is running.
Internal storage area does the following operations:
(i) It holds input data and instructions.
(ii) It holds data that is being processed and the
processing instructions.
(iii) It holds intermediate result of processing.

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(iv) It holds final result of processing.
The Internal memory of a computer is made up of two parts:
(i) Random Access Memory (RAM): RAM holds
data, programs and instruction for computer. The
CPU can access data directly from RAM almost
immediately. The contents of RAM can be
accessed randomly. It is also called Read/Write
memory. Read/Write memory means that we can
read from this memory and can also write on it.
RAM is temporary or volatile. Volatile means that,
its content are lost as soon as the power to the
computer is switch off.
RAM may be classified as Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and
Static RAM (SRAM).
(ii) Read Only Memory(ROM): In ROM, information
once stored remains fixed. So, ROM can only be
read and used. The contents of ROM are written by
the manufacturer and come along with computer.
ROM stores basic input/output instructions to
operate the computer. ROM only allows reading,
we cannot write on it. ROM is non-volatile.
Non-volatile means that, its contents are retained
even when the power supply to the computer is
switched off.
The three types of ROM are PROM (Programmable Read Only
Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and
EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory).
(b) External memory or Secondary memory or Auxiliar memory:
Secondary memory devices are used to store data and
programs permanently for later use. The secondary memory is non-
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volatile. Primary memory has a limited storage capacity. So, secondary
memory devices are used to store large amount of data.
There are various types of secondary storage devices. These storage
media can be broadly divided into two categories: Magnetic and Optical
Media.
The examples of Magnetic Media are Floppy Disks, Hard Disks,
Magnetic tapes etc.

The examples of Optical Media are Compact Disk (CD), Digital

Versatile Disk(DVD), Blue-ray Disk, Solid State etc.
23) TYPES OF SOFTWARE:
(i) System Software
(ii) Application Software
(i) System Software: System software is a set of programs
designed to operate hardware and control the internal
operations of a computer. System software provides a
platform for running application software. System software
can be further classified into Operating system, language
processors and Utilities.
(ii) Application Software: Application software is a set
programs develop to carry out complete operations for a
specific Purpose.
Application software can be further divided into two categories:
a) General-Purpose Application software (Package).
b) Specific-Purpose Application Software.
24) Performance Measurements of Computer:
There are many factors that can affect performance of a
computer system. Three of them are discussed below:
(i) CPU speed.
(ii) Memory size.
(iii) Number of programs.
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