Introduction

to Computer
Fundamentals
 Computer Fundamentals

What is Computer?
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. It can process both
numerical and non-numerical (arithmetic and logical) calculations.
A computer has four functions:
a. accepts data Input
b. processes data Processing
c. produces output Output
d. stores results Storage

Input (Data):

Input is the raw information entered into a computer from the input devices. It is
the collection of letters, numbers, images etc.

Process:

Process is the operation of data as per given instruction. It is totally internal process
of the computer system.

Output:

Output is the processed data given by computer after data processing. Output is
also called as Result. We can save these results in the storage devices for the future
use.

Computer System
All of the components of a computer system can be summarized with the
simple equations.

COMPUTER SYSTEM = HARDWARE + SOFTWARE+ USER

 Hardware = Internal Devices + Peripheral Devices

All physical parts of the computer (or everything that we can touch) are known
as Hardware.

 Software = Programs
Software gives "intelligence" to the computer.

 USER = Person, who operates computer.

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 Major parts of the Computer
Input Devices

2. Keyboard
1. Mouse

4. Digital
3. Scanner
Camera

5. Web 6. Joysticks
Camer
a

8. Touch
7. Track Ball Pad/
Scree
n

10. Bar
9. Light Pen
Code
Reader

12.
11. Microphone
Graphics
Tablets

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 14. Optical
13. Mark
Magneti Reader
c Ink (Used
Characte for
r Reader Answer-
(Used in Sheet
Bank) Marking
Purpose)

15. Magnetic
Card
Reader 16.
(Used in Biometri
Shops, c Devices
Colleges,
Stations
etc)

17. Bluetooth

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 Processor
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

The main unit inside the computer is the CPU. This unit is responsible for all
events inside the computer. It controls all internal and external devices, performs
arithmetic and logic operations. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the device
that interprets and executes instructions.

Output Devices

2. Printer
1. Monitor (Dot
Matrix)

3. Projector InkJet

4. Plotter Laser

5. Speaker

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 Storage Devices
1. Primary memory (main memory)

A. RAM (Random Access Memory/Read-Write Memory)

B. ROM (Read-only-memory)

2. Secondary memory (storage devices)

A. Hard Disk (Local Disk)

B. Optical Disks: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW
C. Pen Drive
D. Zip Drive
E. Floppy Disks
F. Memory Cards
G. External Hard Disk

A. Hard
Disk

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 B. Optical
C. Pen Drive
disk

D. Zip
Disk
E. Floppy Disk
(supe
r
disk)

F. G. External
Memor Hard Disk
y Cards

Peripheral Devices

1. The
Modem 2. Switches/H
/ ub
Internet
Adapter

4. TV Tuner
3. Router
Card

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 Internal Components

1. The 2. Expansion
Mother Slots
Board

3. CMOS 4. Cooling
Battery Fan

5. Network 6. Graphics
Card Card

7. Power 8.
Supply Unit Memor
(SMPS) y Slots

Software
Software, simply are the computer programs. The instructions given to the
computer in the form of a program is called Software. Software is the set of
programs, which are used for different purposes. All the programs used in
computer to perform specific task is called Software.

Types of software
1. System software:

a) Operating System Software

DOS, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Unix/Linux, MAC/OS X etc.
b) Utility Software
Windows Explorer (File/Folder Management), Windows Media Player,
Anti- Virus Utilities, Disk Defragmentation, Disk Clean, BackUp, WinZip,
WinRAR etc…

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 2. Application software:

a) Package Software
Ms. Office 2003, Ms. Office 2007, Macromedia (Dreamweaver, Flash,
Freehand), Adobe (PageMaker, PhotoShop)
b) Tailored or Custom Software
SAGE (Accounting), Galileo/Worldspan (Travel) etc.

3. Computer Languages & Scripting:

a) Low Level Language
i) Machine Level Language
ii) Assembly Language

Machine language: These language instructions are directly executed by CPU

Assembly language: The endeavor of giving machine language instructions

a name structure that means bit strings of instructions of machine
language are given name here

High Level Language: The user friendly language ...more natural

language than assembly language.

Assembler is needed to convert assembly language into machine language

Complier is needed to convert high level to machine language

b) High Level Language

COBOL (COmmon Business Oriented Language), FORTRAN (FORmula
TRANslation), BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code), C,
C++ etc. are the examples of High Level Language.

Types of Computer
On the basis of working principle
a) Analog Computer

An analog computer (spelt analogue in British English) is a form of computer that

uses continuous physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic
quantities to model the problem being solved.

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 1. Thermometer 2. Speedometer

3. Petrol
4. Multimeter
Pump
Indicator

b) Digital Computer

A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities

represented as digits, usually in the binary number system.

c) Hybrid Computer (Analog + Digital)

A combination of computers those are capable of inputting and outputting in both

digital and analog signals. A hybrid computer system setup offers a cost effective
method of performing complex simulations.

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 On the basis of Size
a) Super Computer

The fastest type of computer. Supercomputers are very expensive and are
employed for specialized applications that require immense amounts of
mathematical calculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a
supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid
dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and petroleum exploration.
The chief difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that a
supercomputer channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast as
possible, whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many programs
concurrently.

b) Mainframe Computer
A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even
thousands, of users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simple
microprocessor (in watches, for example) at the bottom and moves to
supercomputers at the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some
ways, mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they support
more simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can execute a single program
faster than a mainframe.

c) Mini Computer

A midsized computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie between workstations

and mainframes. In the past decade, the distinction between large minicomputers
and small mainframes has blurred, however, as has the distinction between small
minicomputers and workstations. But in general, a minicomputer is a
multiprocessing system capable of supporting from 4 to about 200 users
simultaneously.

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 d) Micro Computer

i. Desktop Computer: a personal or micro-mini computer sufficient to fit on

a desk.

ii. Laptop Computer: a portable computer complete with an integrated

screen and keyboard. It is generally smaller in size than a desktop
computer and larger than a notebook computer.

iii. Palmtop Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized

computer. Palmtops have no keyboard but the screen serves both as an
input and output device.

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 e) Workstations

A terminal or desktop computer in a network. In this context, workstation is

just a generic term for a user's machine (client machine) in contrast to a "server"
or "mainframe."

On the basis of Brand

a) IBM/IBM Compatible Computers

c) Apple/Macintosh

Booting
The process of loading the system files of the operating system from the disk into
the computer memory to complete the circuitry requirement of the computer system
is called booting. The system files of MS. DOS are:

Types of Booting:
There are two types of booting:
 Cold Booting: If the computer is in off state and we boot the
computer by pressing the power switch ‘ON’ from the CPU
box then it is called as cold booting.

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  Warm Booting: If the computer is already ‘ON’ and we restart it by
pressing the ‘RESET’ button from the CPU box or CTRL, ALT and DEL key
simultaneously from the keyboard then it is called warm booting.

How to start the Computer in Ms. Windows mode?

There is nothing special you need to start this system. Just,
1. Switch ON the Power Supply.
2. Switch ON the CPU and,
3. Switch ON the Screen (Monitor).

How to Shutdown (Turn Off) the Computer?

Before shutting down the Computer, close all opened windows at first. Then,
1. Click on Start button.
2. Click on Shutdown (Turn Off Computer).
Then, Computer asks you:
What do you want the Computer to do?
 Standby
 Shutdown (Turn Off)
 Restart
 Restart in MS-DOS mode.

Note: The options will be different from one OS to another.

3. Choose 2nd option (i.e. Shutdown/Turn Off).

4. Click on OK.
Then, wait until the message “It’s now safe to turn off your Computer”.
5. Then, Switch Off the screen.
6. Switch Off the CPU.
7. At last, Switch Off the power supply

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