Class:- 8th

Subject: IT

Basic Fundamental Computer

Five Generations of Computers

First Generation (1946-1959) :-

Based on- Vaccum tubes
Example:- ENIAV, EDVAC, UNIVAC etc.

Second Generation (1959-1965) :-

Based on- Transistors
Example:- IBM1620, IBM1400 and 700 Series, CDC3600 etc.

Third Generation (1965-1971) :-

Based on- Integreted Circuits (ICs)
Example:- IBM360, IBM370, PDP etc.

Fourth Generation (1971-Presents) :-

Based on- Microprocessor {VLSI (Very Large Scale Integreted
Circuit)}
Example:- DEC10, STAR1000, CRAY-1, CRAY-X-MP etc.

Fifth Generation (Presents to future) :-

Based on- ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integreted ) AI
Example:- Desktop, Laptop, Notesbok, Robotics etc.

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Q.1. What is Input Device?

Ans. An input device is a computer device or hardware that

allows the user to provide data, input, and instructions to the
computer system.
The instruction or data inserted during this process is called
“Input” while the device used to input the data is known as an
input device of a computer.
Example of Input Devices are: Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick,
Scanner, Light Pen, Microphone, Digital Camera, Track Ball etc.

Q.2. What is Processing Device?

Ans. When a computer receives data from an input

device (e.g., keyboard), it goes through an intermediate stage
before it's sent to an output device (e.g., monitor).
A processing device is any hardware inside a computer that
interprets and manipulates incoming data during this stage. For
example, in the diagram below, the CPU is the processing device.

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Q.3. What is Memory Unit?

Ans. A memory unit is a component of a computer system that

stores data, instructions, and information. It can also be called
primary memory or internal memory. It includes various types
such as RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporary storage
and ROM (Read-Only Memory) for permanent storage

Q.4. What is Output Device?

Ans. An output device is a hardware component of a computer

system that displays information to users.
Example of Output Devices are: Monitor, Printer, Speakers
Headphones, Projector, Plotter etc.

Note:- Touchscreen is a both Input & Output Device.

Q.5. What is the Characteristics of computer?

Characteristics of a Computer
1. Speed: Computers can perform millions of calculations per
second. The computation speed is extremely fast.
2. Accuracy: Because computers operate on pre-programmed
software, there is no space for human error.
3. Diligence: They can perform complex and long calculations
at the same time and with the same accuracy.
4. Versatile: Computers are designed to be versatile. They can
carry out multiple operations at the same time.
5. Storage: Computers can store a large amount of data/
instructions in its memory, which can be retrieved at any
point of time.

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Q.6. Shortcut key with details

Ctrl + C: Copy the selected text or item.

Ctrl + X: Cut the selected text or item.
Ctrl + V: Paste the copied or cut text or item.
Ctrl + Z: Undo the last action.
Ctrl + Y: Redo the last undone action.
Ctrl + A: Select all text or items in the current window or
document.
Ctrl + S: Save the current document or file.
Ctrl + P: Open the print dialog to print the current document
or item.
Ctrl + F: Open the Find dialog to search for text in the
current document or page.
Ctrl + N: Open a new window or document.
Ctrl + O: Open an existing file or document.
Alt + Tab: Switch between open applications or windows.
Alt + F4: Close the current application or window
Windows Key + D: Show or hide the desktop.
Windows Key + L: Lock the computer.
Windows Key + E: Open File Explorer.
F2: Rename the selected file or folder.
F5: Refresh the current window or page.
Esc: Cancel the current task or close the dialog box.

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Q.7. How many types of computers are there based on
size?

Ans.: When categorizing computers based on size, they

generally fall into the following categories:

Based on size, computers are generally categorized into the

following main types:

1. Microcomputers:
o Personal Computers (PCs): Includes desktops, laptops,
and all-in-one computers.
o Workstations: High-performance PCs designed for
professional tasks.
2. Minicomputers:
o Mid-range Systems: Larger and more powerful than
microcomputers, used for medium-sized business
applications.
3. Mainframes:
o Large Systems: Powerful computers used by large
organizations for critical and high-volume processing tasks.
4. Supercomputers:
o Extremely Large Systems: The most powerful and largest
computers used for complex simulations and high-speed
calculations.
5. Embedded Systems:
o Small Systems: Computers integrated into other devices
for specific tasks, such as in appliances, automobiles, and
industrial machines.

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6. Mobile Devices:
o Compact Systems: Includes smartphones, tablets, and
other portable computing devices.

These categories reflect the range of computer sizes and their

respective applications, from personal and business use to
advanced scientific and industrial functions.

Q.8. How many types of computers are there based on

data handling?

Ans.: Based on data handling, computers can be grouped into

three main types:

1. Analog Computers:
o Data Handling: Process data in a continuous form, like
measuring temperature or pressure. They work with
physical quantities and are often used in specialized
applications like scientific experiments.

Analog Computers

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 2. Digital Computers:
o Data Handling: Process data in discrete steps, using binary
code (0s and 1s). They are used for most everyday
computing tasks, such as running applications, browsing
the internet, and managing files.

Digital Computers

3. Hybrid Computers:
o Data Handling: Combine features of both analog and
digital computers. They can handle both continuous and
discrete data, making them useful in applications that need
both types of processing, like certain medical or scientific
instruments.
Hybrid Computers

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 Memory

Q.1. What is a memory unit and write the key memory unit.

Ans. A Memory Unit is a standard measurement of data

storage in computing. It refers to the quantity of information
that can be stored in a computer system's memory. Memory
units are categorized based on the amount of data they can hold,
from small to very large quantities.

Key Memory Units:

1. Bit (b): The smallest unit of memory. It can represent a

binary value of 0 or 1.
2. Half Byte: ½ byte = 1 nibble = 4 bits.
3. Byte (B): 1 byte = 8 bits. It typically represents a single
character of text (like 'A' or 'B').
4. Kilobyte (KB): 1 KB = 1,024 bytes.
5. Megabyte (MB): 1 MB = 1,024 KB (or approximately 1
million bytes).
6. Gigabyte (GB): 1 GB = 1,024 MB (around 1 billion bytes).
7. Terabyte (TB): 1 TB = 1,024 GB (around 1 trillion bytes).
8. Petabyte (PB): 1 PB = 1,024 TB.
9. Exabyte (EB): 1 EB = 1,024 PB.
10. Zettabyte (ZB): 1 ZB = 1,024 EB.
11. Yottabyte (YB): 1 YB = 1,024 ZB.

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Q.2. What is Primary Memory? Write characteristics and
types of primary memory.

Ans.:
1. Primary Memory

Definition: Primary memory, also known as main memory,

refers to the memory that is directly accessible by the CPU. It
includes RAM and cache memory.

Characteristics:

Volatile: Primary memory is generally volatile, meaning it loses

its contents when the power is turned off (except for some types
of cache and RAM, which are volatile).

Fast Access: It provides quick read and write access to data,

which is crucial for running programs and processing tasks
efficiently.

Primary memory is of two types: RAM and ROM.

RAM (Random Access Memory): RAM is hardware that

temporarily stores data and programs. It is the faster part of
the main memory which can be directly accessed by the CPU. It
reads and writes programs until the computer is switched on.
There is two types of RAM.

1. DRAM: - DRAM full form is Dynamic Random-Access

Memory. It is a type of RAM that is used for dynamic data
storage.

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 2. SRAM: - SRAM full form is Static Random-Access
Memory. This type of RAM stores static data in memory
which remains active until there is a power supply. Same
sized SRAM chip holds less data than DRAM.

ROM (Read Only Memory): Read-Only Memory (ROM) is a

permanent storage type. This is a type of read-only memory
that only reads the stored information, but it does not have the
capability to modify or write. Since it is a non-volatile type of
memory in computer, the information stays even after a power
cut or when the system has been shut down. ROM is of the
following five types:

1. PROM: PROM stands for Programable Read only Memory.

It is a digital ROM which only once allows writing any
information or program. This is done using a special PROM
programmer or burner device.
2. EPROM: EPROM stands for Erasable Programable Read
only Memory In this type of ROM, data can be erased as
well as reprogrammed only once. It can store data for a
minimum of 10-20 years.
3. EEPROM: The full form of EEPROM is Electrically
Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory. It is an
electrically erasable and programmable ROM. This allows
data to be erased using a high-voltage electrical charge.
After this, it can be reprogrammed up to thousands of
times

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Q.3. What is Secondary Memory? Write characteristics
and components.

Ans.:
Secondary Memory

Definition: Secondary memory refers to storage devices used

for long-term data storage. Unlike primary memory, secondary
memory is not directly accessible by the CPU.

Characteristics:

Non-volatile: Secondary memory retains data even when the

power is turned off.

Slower Access: It is generally slower than primary memory but

is used for storing large amounts of data and programs.

Components:

Hard Disk Drive (HDD): Uses spinning disks to read and write
data. It provides large storage capacity but slower access speeds
compared to SSDs.

Solid State Drive (SSD): Uses flash memory to store data,

offering faster access speeds and better reliability compared to
HDDs.

External Hard Drives: Used for additional or backup storage,

similar to internal hard drives but connected externally.

Optical Discs: Such as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays, which use

laser technology to read and write data.

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