SUBJECT: Computer Science

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the ability to store,
retrieve, and process data accurately and in a high speed.

A computer is a machine that can be programmed to accept data, process data into useful information
and store it for later use. A computer consists of hardware and software. The machine is known as
hardware. The programs are called software. The processing of input to output is directed by the
software but performed by the hardware.

Mainly there are two Components of the Computer

1- Software :-A set of instructions given to the computer to solve a problem is called software.
Software is also called program Different softwares are used to solve different problems. A
computer works according to the instructions written in software

2- Hardware:-The physical parts of the computer are called hardware. The user can see and touch
hardware. Keyboard and mouse are examples of hardware.

What is the Relationship of Software and Hardware

Software is a set of instructions that tells the computer hardware what to do. The hardware
cannot perform any task without software. The software cannot be executed without hardware.
A computer becomes useful only when hardware and software are

What is difference between software and hardware?

The difference between software and hardware as as follows

Software Hardware
Software is a set Hardware is
of instructions physical parts of
that tell a computer that
computer exactly cause processing
what to do. of data.

Software cannot Hardware cannot

be executed perform any task
without without software
Hardware.
Software cannot Hardware can be
be touched. seen and touched
 Software is de Hardware is
bugged in case of repaired in case
problem of problem
Software is re Hardware is
installed if the replaced if the
problem is not problem is not
solve solve
What is data? Give its example.

A collection of raw facts and figures is called data. The word raw means that the facts are unprocessed.
Data is given to the computer for processing. Data is collected from different sources. It is collected for
different purposes Data may consist of numbers, characters, symbols or pictures etc.

Example

Students fill an admission form when they get admission in college. The form consists of raw facts about
the students. These raw facts are student’s name, father name, address etc. The purpose of collecting
this data is to maintain the records of the students during their study period in the college.

Q. What is information? Give its example.

The processed data is called information. Information is an organized and processed form of data. It is
more meaningful than data. It is used for making important decisions. Data can be processed in different
ways to produce the required information.

Example

Data collected from census is used to generate different types of information. The government can use
it to determine the literacy rate in the country. Government can use the information in important
decisions to improve literacy rate

What is data processing? Explain with example

The process of converting data into information is called data processing. Data is the input and
information is the output of a data processing system. It is also known as computing Data processing
consists of different steps that are performed in a sequence. The basic steps of data processing are as
follows

PROCESSING
INPUT OUTPUT

Data Processing Information

Example

The addition process can be performed on the marks obtained by a student in different subjects. This
process adds the marks and provides total marks. In this process, the marks in different subjects is data
and the total marks is information.

English=50

Math=95

Computer=76
Data 50 95 76

Processing 80+95 +76

Information Total marks - 251

Primary components of a computer system.

A computer system requires different components to perform the functions of input. processing, output
and storage. These components are as follows

1. Input Devices

The data that is given to the computer is called input. Input devices are used to input data and
instructions into the computer. These devices send this data to the processing unit Most commonly used
input devices are keyboard and mouse.

2. Processing Device

The processor is used to process data. It is also called central processing unit (CPU). It is the brain of the
computer. It consists of electronic circuit. CPU interprets and executes program instructions. All
computers must have a central processing unit Main memory is used to store the input data before
processing. It also stores processed data after processing until the data is sent to the output device. The
main memory is closely connected to CPU but it is separate from it.

3. Output Devices

The data processed into useful information is called output. Output devices are used to display the
result of processing. The most common output devices are monitor and printer.

INPUT DEVICES

Keyboard , Enhanced keyboard and its segments.

Keyboard is the most commonly used input device. Data is mostly entered using a keyboard. The
buttons on the keyboard are called keys. A standard keyboard contains over 100 keys. A keyboard
contains numeric keys, alphabetic keys, function keys and special- purpose keys. A standard keyboard is
normally called QWERTY keyboard. This is because the first six keys on the top row of letters on these
keyboards are QWERTY.

Main Parts of Keyboard

The keyboard in most personal computers have the following main parts:

1. Function Keys

2. Main Keyboard (in the center)

3. Numeric Keys (to the right)

4. Additional Keys

Function keys from F1 to F12 are used to perform special functions. Their function depend on the
software being used in the computer.
2. Main Keyboard

The main keyboard includes the keys found on a typewriter keypad. It also contains some special keys.
The special keys have different uses and effects that depend on the software being used.

Enhanced Keyboard

101-key enhanced keyboard has some additional keys between the main keypad and the numeric keys.
It also contains status lights in upper-right corner.

Addonal keys

a) Esc Key

ESC key is used to terminate a command or current task.

b) CapsLock key

CapsLock is a toggle key. The characters appear in uppercase if it is pressed. The characters appear in
lowercase if it is not pressed Numbers and symbols are not affected. The status light under "CapsLock
turns on when it is pressed.

c) Tab Key

Tab key is used to move the cursor to next tab stop which is equal to 5 spaces or user can spot the next
Tab

d) Shift Keys

Shift key is pressed in combination with other keys to produce upper case letters and the upper symbols
shown on certain keys

e) Control Keys

Control key is pressed in combination with other keys to execute commands. For example, CTRL+O is
used to open a new file.

f) Alt Keys

ALT key is also used in combination with other keys to execute commands.

g) Backspace Key

Backspace key is used to delete single character on the left of the cursor.

h) Enter Key

Enter key is used to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line. It is normally used at the end of a
paragraph.

3. Numeric Keys

Numeric keys are located on the right side of most keyboards. The numeric keys are used for two
purposes depending on the status of NumLock key. If NumLock is on, the keys are used to enter numeric
data and mathematical symbols like. If NumLock Key in off, the numeric keys are used to move the
cursor and perform other functions as follows

End:-It is used to move the cursor to the right corner of screen

:- It moves the cursor down one line.

Pg Dn:- It is used to move the cursor one page down on the screen,

It moves the cursor one character to the left

It moves the cursor one character to the right.

HOME:- It is normally used in word processing or text editors to move the cursor to the top of the
screen.

It moves the cursor one line up.

Pg Up:-It is used to move the cursor one page up on the screen.

Insert:-It is used to switch between Insert Mode and Overtype Mode. It is a toggle key

Del:-It deletes characters to the right of cursor. It is also used to delete files.

4. Additional Keys

Some additional keys on extended keyboard are as follows

Arrow Keys: The arrows keys are used to move the cursor position. It is also called Navigation Keys.

Insert, Delete, Home, End, Page up and Page Down Keys: These keys are above the arrows key. The
functions of these keys are same as described in numeric keypad.

Print Screen: It is used to take a snap of the computer screen, which is also called the Screen Shot.

Scroll Lock: It locks and unlocks the cursor on screen in some programs. The cursor moves normally
when it is turned off. It does not work in all programs.

Pause or Break Key: It is used to pause screen when information is too fast to read

The pointing devices, List the names of different pointing devices.

Pointing Devices

An input device used to control a pointer on the screen is called pointing device. A pointer is a small
symbol that appears on the screen in graphical user interface.

Some important pointing devices are as follows:

Mouse

Touch Pad
Digitizer/Graphic Tablet

Trackball

Touch Screen

Joystick

Pointing Stick

Light Pen

Pen-based System

Mouse and its functions.

Mouse is the most widely used pointing device. It is a small and lightweight input device. Mouse is
moved on a flat surface to control the movement of the cursor or pointer on a screen. It is attached to
the computer by a cable or wireless connection. Mouse is very easy to use. It is mostly used in graphics
applications

A mouse usually has two or three buttons, called Right click and Left click. These buttons are used to
perform different tasks Left click Performs the work of Enter while Right click opens the menu. It may
also include a scroll wheel to scroll through long documents. The mouse contains a small ball at the
bottom. The movement of the cursor depends on the movement of ball.

Now a days Mouse has a Laser light instead of the moving ball, which performs the same task as the
moving ball does.

Track ball.

A trackball can be used as an alternative to a mouse. This device has buttons similar to those on mouse.
It has a large rotating ball on the top. The body of the track ball is not moved. The ball is rolled with
fingers. The position of the cursor on the screen is controlled by rotating the ball.

An advantage of the trackball is that it takes less space to move than mouse. Trackball is often included
in laptop computers. It can also be used as separate input devices with standard desktop computers.

Touch pad/track pad

A touch pad is a small, flat surface over which the user moves his finger. The movement of the finger
moves the cursor on the screen. It is also known as track pad.

A touch pad also has one or more buttons near it. These buttons work like mouse buttons. Touch pads
are commonly used with notebook computers.

Touch screen.

Touch screen is a video display screen that receives input from the touch of finger. The screen is covered
with a plastic layer. There are invisible beams of infrared light behind the screen. The user enters data
by touching icons or menus on the screen. Most touch screen computers use sensors to detect touch of
a finger. Touch screen is commonly used in ATM, departmental stores and supermarkets.

Pointing stick.

Pointing stick is a pressure-sensitive device. It is similar pointer on the screen moves when the user
pushes the pointing stick. It requires no additional space or cleaning like mouse. Pointing stick is
normally used with notebook computers
Digitizer/Graphics tablet

A graphics tablet consists of a flat pad connected to a stylus or puck by wire. A stylus is a per-like device
used to create sketches and images. A puck is a copying device used to copy an image. A puck looks like
a mouse. The puck is specially used to trace a drawing and store it in the computer in digital form.

A designer can produce very accurate drawings using graphics tablet. Graphic tablets are often used to
make maps and engineering drawings.

Light pen.

A light pen is a hand held pointing device. It looks like a pen. It is connected by a wire to the computer.
The pen sends information to the computer when user touches the pen on specific areas of a specially
designed screen Light pen is usually used by engineers and graphic designers etc.

Joystick.

A joystick consists of a base and a stick. The Stick- can be moved in any direction to move an object
around the computer screen. A joystick can perform a similar function to a mouse or trackball. But it is
often considered less comfortable and efficient. The most common use of a joystick is for playing
computer games.

Pen-based computer systems.

Pen-based system is used to enter handwriting and Omarks in computer using pen-like stylus. The user
writes words and symbols on the screen. This system uses handwriting recognition software. The
software translates handwritten characters into a form that can be stored and processed by computer.
Many handheld computers have pen input. Pen-based systems are commonly used to input signatures
or messages that are stored as images.

Audio Input

The process of entering any sound into the computer called audio input. It may include speech and
music etc. Audio can be entered through microphone. Audio input devices record the analog sound and
convert it into digital form for further processing. The main use of audio input devices digital is to
provide input for multimedia computers.

Video Input

The process of entering full-motion recording into a computer is called video input or video capture.
Video can be entered from an analog device like VCR. The analog signals of video must be converted into
digital form before storing it in the computer. An expansion card converts the analog video signal into
digital signal. It is known as video capture card.

What is output? What are different types of output? Name different types of output devices.

Output

The data that has been processed into useful information is called output. The output is of two types:

⚫ Soft Copy Output: The output shown on display screen is called softcopy output. Softcopy output is
not tangible. It means that it cannot be touched.

Hard Copy Output: The output printed on paper is called hardcopy output. The common devices to
produce hardcopy output are printers and plotters.
Output Devices

The hardware components that are used to receive information from the computer are called output
devices. Output devices take information from the computer and convert it in a form that is
understandable by the users.

Examples

Some important output devices are as follows:

• Monitors

⚫ Printers

• Plotters

Speakers

What is difference between soft copy and hard copy?

The difference between soft copy and hard copy is as follows

Soft Copy

1. Soft copy is in electronic form

2. It is easier to modify
3. It is intangible.
4. It is stored on storage devices.
5. Its duplicate copies can be produced without any cost

Hard Copy

1. Hard copy is in printed form.

2. It is difficult to modify.
3. It is tangible
4. It is printed on papers
5. Its duplicate copies can be produced with cost

What is difference between input and output devices?

The difference between input and output devices is as follows:

INPUT DEVICES OUTPUT DEVICES

Input devices give Output devices
data and get information
instructions to from the
the computer. compute

Input devices Output devices

take data and take information
instructions from from the
the user and computer and
convert it in a convert it in a
form. That is form that is
understandable understandable
by the computer. by the users.
 Examples of input Examples of
devices are output devices
keyboard and are monitor and
mouse. printer

Monitor / Display Screen

A display screen is also known as monitor or simply screen. It is the most common output device. It is
used to display soft copy output. There are different types of display screens, Different display screens
can be distinguished on the basis of the following features

1. Size

Monitors are available in different sizes. The size of monitor for personal computers is from 14 to 21
inches. The size of the monitor is measured diagonally

2. Color

The display screens can be either monochrome or color. The color display screens display output in
multiple colors. The RGB display screens can create 256 colors and thousands of variations of these
colors. RGB stands for Red. Green and Blue.

The monochrom display screens display output in single color. Monochrome display screens show
images in a single color usually white, green, blue, red or amber. However, monochrome monitor can
display different shades of one color.

3. Resolution

All characters and images on the display screen are made of pixels or dots. Resolution of a monitor is the
number of pixels on the screen. It is the image sharpness of a display screen. High number of pixels
means sharper image.

4. Video Display Adapters

A display screen must have a video display adapter attached with the computer to display graphics. It is
also called video graphics card. It is a circuit board that determines the following tthing

Resolution

Number of colors

Speed with which images appear on the display screen

There are three types of graphics cards:

1. VGA

VGA stands for Video Graphics Array. It supports 16 to 256 colors depending on screen resolution. It
supports 16 colors at 320-200 pixels. It supports 256 colors at 640x840 pixels. It is called 4-bit color

2.SVGA

SVGA stands for Super Video Graphics Array. It supports 256 colors at higher resolution then VGA. It has
two graphics modes. These are 800x600 pixels and 1024-768 pixels. It is called 8-bit color. SVGA is the
most common standard used today. It is used primarily with 15-inch monitors
 3.XGA

XGA stands for Extended Graphics Array. It supports up to 16.7 million colors at a resolution of 24x768
pixels. It is called 24-bit color or true color. It is used with 17 and 19 inch monitors:

Types of Monitor / display screens

Display screen are of two types. These are as follows:

1. CRT Monitor

CRT monitor is the most common form of display screen. It looks like a television. It can display text and
graphics.

Working of CRT Monitor

It uses a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) to display an image on the screen. CRT consists of one or more guns
that fire a beam of electrons inside the screen. The screen is coated with tiny phosphor dots from inside.
The beam of electrons repeatedly falls on the surface of screen. Every beam-fall takes only a fraction of
a second.

CRT in color monitors consists of three guns. These guns generate red, green and blue (RGB) colors. The
other colors are generated with the combination of these three colors

2. Flat Panel Display

Flat-panel monitors take less space and are lightweight. These monitors use much less power than CRTs
Notebook computers use flat panel monitors. Flat panel display is made up of two plates of glass. These
plates contain a substance between them. The substance is activated in different ways.

There are three types of technologies used in flat panel display screens:

i. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

This type of display screen contains a substance called liquid crystal. The molecules of this substance line
up in such a way that the light behind the screens blocked or allowed to create an image.

ii. Electro Luminescent Display (ELD)

This type of display screen contains a substance that glows when it is charged by electric current.

iii. Gas Plasma Display

This type of display screen is similar to neon bulb. The display uses a gas that emits light in the presence
of an electric current. It is more expensive technology. It is not commonly used.

Advantages of Flat Panel Display over CRT

The advantages of flat panel display over C CRT are a are as follows:

It takes less desk space.

It uses less energy than CRT monitor. . It uses liquid crystal technology.

Its weight is less than CRT.

It is used for notebook computers, PDAs, cellular phones and personal computers.

It does not emit harmful radiation.

Differentiate between CRT and LCD monitors.

CRT Monitors LCD Monitors

It is less expensive It is more
than a LCD expensive than a
monitor. CRT monitor

It takes more desk It takes less desk

space. space.

It uses more energy It uses less

than LCD monitor. energy than CRT
monitor.

It uses picture tube It uses liquid

technology. crystal
technology

Its weight is more Its weight is less

than LCD. than CRT.

It is used for It is used for

personal notebook
computers. computers, PDAs,
cellular phones
and personal
computers

It emits harmful It does not emit

radiation. harmful
radiation.

Printer and it’s types.

A printer is an output device that prints characters, symbols and graphics on paper. The printed output
is called hard copy. Print resolution is commonly measured in dots per inch (dpi). The printers with
higher dpi produce higher quality output.

Types of Printers

Different types of printers are as follows:

1. Impact Printers

An impact printer works like It prints characters or images by striking a print hammer or set of pins
against an inked ribbon. Impact printers are the oldest print technologies which are still produced. The
impact printers are used where low-cost printing is required. Three most common forms of impact
printers are as follows:

Dot Matrix Printers

Daisy Wheel Printer

Line Printer

2. Non-Impact Printers

A non-impact printer prints characters and graphics on paper without striking paper. Some printers use
spray ink while others use heat and pressure to create images. These printers are faster than impact
printer. However, they are more costly than impact printers. They produce no noise during printing. The
print quality of non-impact printers is better than impact printers.

Different kinds of non-impact printers are as follows:

• Laser Printer

• Inkjet Printer

Thermal Printer

What is impact printer? Discuss different types of impact printers.

Impact Printers

An impact printer works like a typewriter. It prints characters or images by striking a print hammer or
wheel against an inked ribbon.

Types of Impact Printers

Different types of impact printers are as follows:

Dot Matrix printer

Daisy Wheel Printer

Line Printer

1. Dot Matrix Printer

A dot matrix printer is an impact printer. It produces printed images when tiny pins on a print head
strike an inked ribbon. When the ribbon presses against the paper, it creates dots that form characters
and graphics. The print head on a dot matrix printer can contain 9 or 24 pins. This number of pins
depends on the manufacture and the printer model. A higher number of pins print more dots that
produce higher quality.

The speed of dot matrix printer is measured by the number of characters printed in one second. The
speed of most dot matrix printers ranges from 350 to 1100 characters per second (cps). Dot matrix
printer do not provide high quality output. They produce a lot of noise while printing. The printing cost
of these printers is very cheap.

2. Daisy Wheel Printer

Daisy wheel printer is similar to a typewriter. It uses a print wheel. The print wheel is called daisy wheel.
Each petal of daisy wheel contairs character. A motor rotates the wheel. A hammer strikes a petal
against the ribbon when the desired character reaches the position on the paper. This prints the
character on the paper. Daisy wheel printer is slower than dot matrix printer but better in quality.

3. Line Printer

Line printer is a fast impact printer. It prints an entire line at a time. Its speed is measured in lines per
minute (ipm). Many line printers can print 3000 lines per minute. Two types of line printers are band
printer and chain printer. It is normally used by mainframe and microcomputers.