COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

Definition of Computer
A Computer is an electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user,
processes it under program control and then returns the output in the form of
information.

COMPUTER
RAW DATA INFORMATION
ELECTRONIC
INPUT DEVICE OUTPUT

On the basis of above diagram we can say that the basic principle on which a
computer system works is called IPO cycle.

RAW DATA
A collection of alphabets or numbers having incomplete meaning is called raw
data.

INFORMATION
Data after processing becomes information and information holds the
complete meaning.

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ADVANTAGES OF COMPUTER
1. SPEED
Computer is a very fast calculating device it can perform calculations on
such a high speed that a human being can not. The speed of computer is
measured in MIPS (Millions of instructions per second).

2. ACCURACY
The output generated by computer is always 100% accurate. If there is
any error then that is due to operators fault. This is called GIGO
(Garbage in Garbage Out) in computer jargon.

3. DILIGENCE
It means a computer never tired. You can run a computer for 24 hours
round the clock but its processing speed will never be downgraded.

MEMORY OF COMPUTER
In computer there are two types of memory:

1. Temporary
2. Permanent

1. TEMPORARY MEMORY
Temporary is that kind of memory which can retain its contents as
long as the computer system is running. Once you switch off the
computer all its contents would be permanently lost.

2. PERMANENT MEMORY
A permanent memory can retain its contents for ever no matter
whether the computer is on or off. Data present in permanent
memory will remain in the computer until we manually delete it.

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COMPARISON OF TEMPORERY & PARMANENT MEMORY

Temporary Permanent
1. Present in the form of Chips. 1. Present in the form of Disks.
2. Also called RAM (Random Access
Memory), temporary/ primary 2. Also called secondary/
storage/ memory. permanent storage/ memory.
3. Fast 3. Slow
4. Small capacity 4. Large capacity
5. Expensive 5. Inexpensive
6. Volatile 6 Non volatile

RAM DISK

DATA MEASUREMENT UNITS

Data is measured in terms of Bytes.

1 Byte = 1 Character

A character can be any alphabet any number or any special character. 1 byte
internally is made up of 8 bits. A bit is a binary number having value either 0 or
1.

1 Byte= 1 Character

1 Character = A-Z/ a-z/ 0-9/@,#,$,%

8 Bits = 1 bytes

1 Bit= 0 or 1

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There are larger units which are in use these are:

1 KB (Kilo Byte) = 1024 byte

1 MB (Mega Byte) = 1024 KB

1 GB (Giga Byte) = 1024 MB

1 TB (Terabyte) = 1024 GB

LANGUAGE OF COMPUTER
The only language used and understood by the computer is called Binary or
Machine language.

Binary is a special language that is based only on 2 numbers these are 0 and 1.
Inside a computer all the representations are made using a separate
combination of 0 and 1.

NUMBER SYSTEM
Number system means a system in which you can represent your numbers on
computer. 4 number systems are there. Each and every number system has a
base or radix that represents the total number of digits allowed in that
particular number system.

These number systems are as follows:

NUMBER SYSTEM BASE / RADIX POSSIBLE VALUE

1. Decimal 10 0-9
2. Binary 2 0,1

3. Octal 8 0-7

4. Hexadecimal 16 0-9 & A-F

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CLASSIFICATION OF SOFTWARE
A set of instructions given to the computer system to solve any computer
based problem is called computer software.

Software can be classified as follows:

SOFTWARE

(1) APPLICATION (2) SYSTEM

(i) OS (ii) TRANSLATER (iii) UTILITIES

(a) ASSEMBLER (b) COMPILER (c) INTERPRETER

1. APPLICATION
Software that is designed to solve any specific problem of the user is
called application software and this kind of software is directly used by
the user of the computer for example: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Tally,
Corel Draw, Paint or any custom software like bill generation software.

2. SYSTEM
Software that is not directly used by the user but used by the machine
is called system software. System software can be classified into
following three categories:-

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(i) OS
OS stands for operating system. This is an integrated set of several
computer programs which are used to manage various resources
and overall operations of a computer system. It can also be defined
as a link in between the user and the hardware. It converts users
English language commands into binary and computers binary
output back to users English language. For example: DOS, Windows,
UNIX, Linux etc.

(ii) TRANSLATOR
These are those programs which are used to convert a program
from a programming language into machine language. It can also be
divided into three parts:

a) Assembler
An assembler is a program that is used to convert a program
that is used to convert a program from Assembly language into
machine language. For example: Turbo Assembler (TASM).

b) Compiler
It is a program that is used to convert a program from High
Level Language (HLL) into machine language. For example:
Compiler for C language.

c) Interpreter
It works just like compiler (converts high level language
program into machine language) but unlike compiler it reads
one line at a time compiles it in the memory and then executes
it. For example interpreter for VB (Visual Basic)

(iii) UTILITIES
They are those programs which are not an essential part of the
system but enhance the capability of the system if present. For
example: Antivirus software and Backup utility.

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CLASSIFICATION OF HARDWARE
Any physical component of the computer system is called computer hardware.
It can be classified as follows:

HARDWARE

C.P.U PERIPHERALS

INPUT DEVICE OUTPUT DEVICE STORAGE DEVICE

1. CPU
CPU stands for central processing unit. This part is the brain of the
computer. All the calculations as well as comparisons are performed
inside it. Internally CPU is made up of three parts:

(i) ALU
ALU stands for Arithmetic Logic Unit. This part of CPU can perform
any kind of calculations but cannot take decisions.

(ii) CU
CU stands for Control Unit. This part of CPU can take any kind of
decision but cannot perform calculations.

(ii) Register
This is the storage area inside CPU. All the incoming data as well as
instructions are stored here before actual processing takes place.

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2. PERIPHERALS
All the input, output as well as storage devices surrounding the CPU are
called peripherals. Peripherals can be divided into following three
categories:

A. Input Devices
All those devices using which you can input the data into the
computer are called input devices. For example: Mouse, Key Board,
Tracker Ball, Joystick, Scanner, Touch Screen etc.

Tracker Ball Joy Stick Mouse

B. Output Devices
All those devices on which computer’s output can be sent are called
output devices. For example:

(i) MONITOR
A monitor or VDU (Visual Display Unit) can be built using three
different techniques. Depending on that monitors can be of three
types:

1. CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)

2. LED (light Emitting Diodes)
3. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
(ii) PRINTER
Printer is an output device that is used to have a hard copy
(printed output on paper) of any document or picture. Printers
can broadly be classified into two categories:

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 1. IMPACT PRINTERS
This is that category of printers which uses a striking
mechanism to print on paper such as Hammer or Pin Stud.
For example: DMP (Dot Matrix Printer).

2. NON- IMPACT PRINTER

This is that category of printers which do not use any
striking mechanism but uses either inkjet mechanism or
laser mechanism. For example: Inkjet Printer and Laser
Printer.

3. PLOTTER
Plotter is just like a printer (used to have a hard copy) but
instead of using any striking mechanism, inkjet mechanism
or laser mechanism it uses ink pens. This device is basically
used for complex map drawings.

C. STORAGE DEVICES
All those devices on which data can be stored permanently are called
storage devices. For example:

(i) FLOPPY DISK

A floppy disk is made up of a thin circular disk of plastic coated
with magnetic material. This is called a Platter. This platter
remains enclosed inside a thick protective square form plastic
jacket. In the bottom right corner of the floppy a write protection
switch is also available. The size of a standard floppy available in
the market is approximately 3.5 inch and its storage capacity is

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 around 1.44 MB. In order to work with a floppy you need to have
a floppy disk drive (FDD) attached to your system.

Floppy

(ii) HARD DISK

In case of floppy there was a single platter made up of
plastic but in case of hard disk there can be multiple
platters and all these platter are made up of metal. There is a
separate read write head for each and every platter all these
heads are joined together to form head assembly. This assembly
can move forward and backward. This entire structure remains
unclosed inside a metal box and this metal box remains fixed
inside the CPU box. Because of the hard nature of its platters this
device is called hard, and because of its fixed nature inside the
CPU box this device is also known as fixed disk. The storage
capacity of the hard disk varies from 40 to 750 GB. Hard disks are
also available in Terabytes.

Hard Disk

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COMPARISON OF FLOPPY AND HARD DISK

FLOPPY DISK HARD DISK

1. There is a single platter. 1. Can have multiple platters.
2. Smaller in size. 2. Larger in size.
3. Platter is made up of 3. Platter is made of metal.
plastic.
4. Small capacity. 4. Large capacity.
5. Portable. 5. Non Portable.
6. Detachable. 6. Non Detachable.
7. Inexpensive 7. Expensive

(iii) COMPACT DISK

A compact disk or CD is made up of Vinyl material. It’s a rounded
disk having a highly reflecting surface of silver. Data is recorded
on this surface with the help of laser beam by making
microscopic pits. The storage capacity of a CD is around 700 MB.
In order to work with a CD you need to have a CD ROM drive
attach to the system. In order to store data on the CD you should
have a CD Writer. There is another disk that looks just like CD
that is DVD. In order to work with a DVD you should have a DVD
Writer attached to the system.

EVOLUTION OF COMPUTER
The very first computing device invented was Abacus, after Abacus several
devices have been invented but the very first electronic computer was ENIAC
(Electronic Numeric Integrator And Calculator) it was made up of 16000
vacuum tubes and several other circuits and its size was approximately
equivalent to a three bed room flat. The development of computer after ENIAC

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has been divided into several stages these are called different computer
generations.

1. FIRST GENRATION COMPUTERS

This generation of computers was based on Vacuum tube technology.
Features of computer belonging to this generation are:

(i) Too bulky in size.

(ii) Non Portable.
(iii) Cooling was required.
(iv) Speed was slow.

2. SECOND GENERATION COMPUTERS

In this generation vacuum tubes have been replaced by Transistors.
Features of computers belonging to this generation are:

(i) Smaller in size.

(ii) Non Portable.
(iii) Cooling was still required.
(iv) Speed was faster than first generation.

3. THIRD GENRATION COMPUTERS

Third generation onwards we started using IC technique an IC or
Integrated Circuit is a small chip of silicon on which a large number of
electronic circuits could be integrated. But in 3rd generation this
technique was called LSI (Large Scale Integration) where it was possible
to integrate hundreds of electronic circuits on a single IC chip.

(i) Smaller in size.

(ii) Portable.
(iii) Cooling was not required.
(iv) Speed was faster than second generation.

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 4. FOURTH GENRATION COMPUTERS
This generation was also based on IC technique but here this technique
was called VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) here it was possible to
integrate thousands of electronic circuits on a single I.C chip.

(i) Smaller in size.

(ii) Portable.
(iii) Cooling was not required.
(iv) Speed was faster than 3rd generation.

5. FIFTH GENRATION COMPUTERS

This generation that is currently going on is also based on IC technique
but here this technique is called SVLSI (Super Very Large Scale
Integration) here it is possible to integrate millions of electronic circuits
on a single IC chip.

(i) Smaller in size

(ii) Cooling was not required
(iii) Portable
(iv) Speed is faster than 4th.

In this generation we are also experimenting with AI (Artificial

Intelligence) that means induced intelligence. The I.Q. of a computer
system measured till today is zero that means a computer cannot take
its own decisions it works just on the basis of instructions given by the
operator. But the future computers are supposed to have some I.Q so
that they will be able to take their own decisions. This technique is
commonly used in Robotics.

BOOTING
Whenever you switch on your computer system then the very first process that
takes place is called BOOTING. Booting is a word that is originated from two
words boot + strapping. That means to prepare or to get ready. Technically the
process of booting can be defined as a transfer of operating system files from
hard disk into RAM. During the process of the booting a computer prepares
itself so that it can execute the commands given by the user.

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COMPUTER NETWORKS
An interconnected set of two or more computers is called a computer network.
A network is established due to following reasons:

 Data sharing
 Hardware sharing
 Communication

KINDS OF NETWORK
Computer networks can be of three types.

1. LAN
LAN stands for Local Area Network. These are the small networks limited
to any localized area such as a small office or building.

2. MAN
MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network. These are slightly bigger
networks which are spread outside of any physical area but within the
city.

3. WAN
WAN stands for Wide Area Network. These are the largest networks
which are spread across cities or even countries.

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 MS WINDOWS

MS windows or Microsoft windows in an operating system developed by

Microsoft Corporation U.S.A. in the year 1993. It is a GUI based user friendly
multitasking operating system.

FEATURES OF WINDOWS
1. Multiuser
A multiuser operating system is that which supports networking. Using
windows you can establish a network of computers and can share
information among them.

2. Multitasking
Multitasking means ability to perform more than one kind of tasks
simultaneously. In windows you can run more than one programs side
by side without closing the previous one.

3. GUI based
It stands for Graphical User Interface. It is a kind of interface where
everything is represented using a separate picture. These are called
icons. This kind of interface is also known as user friendly interface
because this is much easier to learn working with windows. Any person
of any level can learn working with windows very easily with minimum
efforts.

4. Point & click mechanism

In windows in order to select anything you just need to point it with the
help of mouse pointer and then click to select it, double click to open it.

5. Drag & drop features

In windows in order to shift anything from one place to another you just
need to drag it with the help of left mouse button and then drop it to
place it at the destination.

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 6. WYSIWYG feature
WYSIWYG stands for What You See Is What You Get. That means
whatever you see on the screen you will get exactly same output from
printer also.

7. Based on WIMP
WIMP stands for Window, Icon, Mouse and Pointer. If any operating
system supports these four things then that mean you are working with
a user friendly GUI based operating system.

8. Plug & play

Whenever you attach any new hardware device like printer to the
system then this device will not start functioning automatically until you
install its driver. A driver is a special software that comes along with the
device free of cost. But windows has eliminated this problem by
introducing plug & play feature that says you just attach any new
hardware device to the system, you need not install its driver, and this
device will start functioning automatically without any manually
installation of driver.

COMPONENT OF WINDOWS SCREEN

There are three visible components on windows screen these are:

1. Desktop
The entire visible area on windows screen is called desktop. Desktop acts
as a place holder that is used to hold any kind of thing available in
windows.

2. Icon
These are the pictorial representations of anything available in windows.
An icon can represent to any file or folder or program or shortcut or any
command.

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 3. Task bar
The horizontal bar located at the bottom of the screen is called task bar.
It can be divided into three parts:

I. Start Button
This is the left most part of the task bar. In order to start any kind
of activity in windows you need to go to start button.

II. Task Area

This is the middle empty part of the task bar it gives you a list of all
the programs which are currently running in windows and you can
switch in between two running programs using this task area.

III. System Tray

This is the right most part of the task bar. It holds icons for date &
time as well as volume control. It may contain some other icons
also depending on the software installed in your system.

DEFAULT ICONS ON THE WINDOWS DESKTOP

There are three default icons on the windows desktop these are:

1. My Computer
This icon, when doubled clicked shows the content of your computer. It
gives you details about floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, CD ROM drive
or any other storage device attached to the system.

2. My Documents
This is the default folder that is used to store any file created in
windows. In windows if you save any file and while saving it you do not
specify its destination then this is by default saved in My Documents
folder.

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 3. Recycle Bin
This is the default folder that is used to store any kind of file deleted
from windows. In windows if you delete any file then it is not deleted
permanently but moved to the recycle bin folder. So that later if you
wish to get this file back then you can do so using recycle bin folder.

VERSIONS OF WINDOWS
A version of software can be considered as an edition of the book. While
purchasing new software we always try to get that latest version of the
software to avail the latest features provided by the software. There have been
several versions of windows since it came in the market these are:

Windows 3.1
OE (Operating Environment)
Windows 3.11

Windows 95
Windows 98 OS (Operating System)

Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows 2003
Windows Vista
Windows ME
Windows XP NOS (Network Operating System)
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10

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