BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS

What is a Computer?

A computer is an electronic device that accepts data from the user, processes it, produces results,
displays them to the users, and stores the results for future usage.

Computer System is a collection of entities (hardware, software, liveware) that are designed to receive,
process, manage, and present information in a meaningful format.

• Data is a collection of unorganized facts & figures and does not provide any further information
regarding patterns, context, etc. Hence data means "unstructured facts and figures".

• Information is a structured data i.e. organized meaningful and processed data. To process the
data and convert into information, a computer is used.

Functions of Computers

A computer performs the following functions −

Receiving Input. Data is fed into computer through various input devices like keyboard, mouse, digital
pens, etc. Input can also be fed through devices like CD-ROM, pen drive, scanner, etc.

Processing the information. Operations on the input data are carried out based on the instructions
provided in the programs.

Storing the information. After processing, the information gets stored in the primary or secondary
storage area.

Producing output. The processed information and other details are communicated to the outside world
through output devices like monitor, printer, etc.

COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

• Computer hardware - Are physical parts/ intangible parts of a computer.

• Computer software - also known as programs or applications. They are classified into two
classes namely - sytem software and application software
• Liveware - is the computer user; also known as orgware or the humanware. The user commands
the computer system to execute on instructions.

HARDWARE

Hardware refers to the physical, tangible computer equipment and devices, which provide support for
major functions such as input, processing (internal storage, computation and control), output, secondary
storage (for data and programs), and communication.

The hardware that makes up the most basic computer system includes the monitor, keyboard and a system
unit. Physical components fall into five categories: Input devices, System unit, Secondary storage, Output
devices and Communications devices
Categories of Hardware

A. Input devices. These are devices used to send data to the computer for processing.

Examples: Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Joystick, camera, microphone

B. Output devices. These are devices that gives out the result of the processed data. It converts data
from machine language to human understandable language.

Examples: monitor, printer, speakers

C. System unit. A system unit is the part of a computer that houses the primary devices that perform
operations and produce results for complex calculations. It includes the motherboard, CPU, RAM
and other components, as well as the case in which these devices are housed. This unit performs
the majority of the functions that a computer is required to do.

Main components of system unit

1. Motherboard
The motherboard is the main internal hardware component of the system unit. This board is called the
“motherboard” because it has all the connectors that connect to the other hardware components of the
computer system. This means that all input and output (I/O) devices have their connectors on the
motherboard.

Since the CPU (especially high-speed CPU) generates a lot of heat during operation, it has a socket for
fixing the central processing unit (CPU) or the processor with a heat sink and fan. It also has a main
memory slot, a video or graphics card slot, and a backup battery.

2. CPU or Processor
The CPU is the hardware component responsible for all operations performed in the computer system,
which is why most computer users call it the brain of the computer, which is fixed on the motherboard
through a slot.

The CPU or processor has two main components, namely the control unit (CU) and the arithmetic logic
unit (ALU). CU fetches instructions from memory and executes them to control input and output devices,
while ALU performs arithmetic and logic processing. The speed of the processor is measured in
megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).

3. RAM
RAM is the main memory of a computer system, and its main function is to temporarily store data. Based
on the fact that the data is accessed randomly (in no particular order), it allows the CPU to easily access
the data. It can also speed up the operation of the computer because it allows random access to data.

The larger the RAM, the faster the CPU can access data. RAM is volatile, which means it works or stores
data while the computer is still running, and loses all data when the computer is shut down. RAM, CPU,
and hard disk are the main sources of computer speed. A computer can use multiple RAMs, depending
on the user’s preference, but limited by the number of memory slots on the motherboard.
4. Hard Drive
The main storage device of a computer system is a hard disk or hard disk drive. Unlike RAM, which
temporarily stores data, the main function of a hard drive is to permanently store information, files, and
other documents, and also allows data to be retrieved, but it is non-volatile (data will not be lost when
the computer is shut down).

The operating system and application software (apps) are installed on the hard drive. The amount of data
that a hard drive can hold depends on its capacity.

Most modern system units or chassis can contain two hard drives, one of which can be used as a “primary”
(primary) hard drive; one for installing the operating system, and the other as a “slave” (secondary) hard
drive; you can combine documents and other files are stored on which files and other files to avoid
overloading the main hard drive to avoid slowing down the system. The secondary hard drive can also
be used as a backup for damage to the primary hard drive.

D. Data Storage Devices

The storage unit is a part of the computer system which is employed to store the information and
instructions to be processed. A storage device is an integral part of the computer hardware which stores
information/data to process the result of any computational work. Without a storage device, a computer
would not be able to run or even boot up. Or in other words, we can say that a storage device is hardware
that is used for storing, porting, or extracting data files. It can also store information/data both
temporarily and permanently.
Types of Computer Memory
1. Primary Memory
2. Secondary Memory
3. Tertiary Memory

1. Primary Memory: It is also known as internal memory and main memory. This is a section of the
CPU that holds program instructions, input data, and intermediate results. It is generally smaller in size.
RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory) are examples of primary storage.
2. Secondary Memory: Secondary storage is a memory that is stored external to the computer. It is
mainly used for the permanent and long-term storage of programs and data. Hard Disks, CDs, DVDs,
Pen/Flash drives, SSD, etc, are examples of secondary storage.
3. Tertiary Memory: Tertiary Memory is a type of Memory that is rarely used in personal computers
and due to this, tertiary memory is not considered to be an important one. Tertiary memory works
automatically without human intervention.

Types of Computer Storage Devices

1. Primary Storage Devices

• RAM: It stands for Random Access Memory. It is used to store information that is used
immediately or we can say that it is a temporary memory.
• ROM: It stands for Read-Only Memory. The data written or stored in these devices are non-
volatile, i.e, once the data is stored in the memory cannot be modified or deleted.

2. Magnetic Storage Devices

• Floppy Disk: Floppy Disk is also known as a floppy diskette. It is generally used on a
personal computer to store data externally. A Floppy disk is made up of a plastic cartridge
 and secured with a protective case. Nowadays floppy disk is replaced by new and effective
storage devices like USB, etc.
• Hard Disk: Hard Disk is a storage device (HDD) that stores and retrieves data using
magnetic storage. It is a non-volatile storage device that can be modified or deleted n
number of times without any problem. Most computers and laptops have HDDs as their
secondary storage device. It is actually a set of stacked disks, just like phonograph records.
In every hard disk, the data is recorded electromagnetically in concentric circles or we can
say track present on the hard disk, and with the help of a head just like a phonograph arm(but
fixed in a position) to read the information present on the track. The read-write speed of
HDDs is not so fast but decent. It ranges from a few GBs to a few and more TB.
• Magnetic Card: It is a card in which data is stored by modifying or rearranging the
magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles present on the band of the card. It is also
known as a swipe card. It is used like a passcode(to enter the house or hotel room), credit
card, identity card, etc.
• Tape Cassette: It is also known as a music cassette. It is a rectangular flat container in
which the data is stored in an analog magnetic tape. It is generally used to store audio
recordings.

3. Flash Memory Devices

It is a cheaper and more portable storage device. It is the most commonly used device to store data
because is more reliable and efficient as compared to other storage devices. Some of the commonly
used flash memory devices are:
• Pen Drive: It is also known as a USB flash drive that includes flash memory with an
integrated USB interface. We can directly connect these devices to our computers and
laptops and read/write data into them in a much faster and more efficient way. These devices
are very portable. It ranges from 1GB to 256GB generally.
• SSD: It stands for Solid State Drive, a mass storage device like HDD. It is more durable
because it does not contain optical disks inside like hard disks. It needs less power as
compared to hard disks, is lightweight, and has 10x faster read and writes speed as compared
to hard disks. But, these are costly as well. While SSDs serve an equivalent function as hard
drives, their internal components are much different. Unlike hard drives, SSDs don’t have
any moving parts and thus they’re called solid-state drives. Instead of storing data on
magnetic platters, SSDs store data using non-volatile storage. Since SSDs haven’t any
moving parts, they do not need to “spin up”. It ranges from 150GB to a few more TB.
• SD Card: It is known as a Secure Digital Card. It is generally used with electronic devices
like phones, digital cameras, etc. to store larger data. It is portable and the size of the SD
card is also small so that it can easily fit into electronic devices. It is available in different
sizes like 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, etc.
• Memory Card: It is generally used in digital cameras. printers, game consoles, etc. It is
also used to store large amounts of data and is available in different sizes. To run a memory
card on a computer you require a separate memory card reader.
• Multimedia Card: It is also known as MMC. It is an integrated circuit that is generally
used in-car radios, digital cameras, etc. It is an external device to store data/information.

4. Optical Storage Devices

Optical Storage Devices is also secondary storage device. It is a removable storage device. Following
are some optical storage devices:
 • CD: It is known as Compact Disc. It contains tracks and sectors on its surface to store
data. It is made up of polycarbonate plastic and is circular in shape. CD can store data up to
700MB. It is of two types:
• CD-R: It stands for Compact Disc read-only. In this type of CD, once the data
is written can not be erased. It is read-only.
• CD-RW: It stands for Compact Disc Read Write. In this type of CD, you can
easily write or erase data multiple times.
• DVD: It is known as Digital Versatile Disc. DVDs are circular flat optical discs used to
store data. It comes in two different sizes one is 4.7GB single-layer discs and another one
is 8.5GB double-layer discs. DVDs look like CDs but the storage capacity of DVDs is more
than as compared to CDs. It is of two types:
• DVD-R: It stands for Digital Versatile Disc read-only. In this type of DVD,
once the data is written cannot be erased. It is read-only. It is generally used to
write movies, etc.
• DVD-RW: It stands for Digital Versatile Disc Read Write. In this type of
DVD, you can easily write or erase data multiple times.
• Blu-ray Disc: It is just like CD and DVD but the storage capacity of blu ray is up to
25GB. To run a Blu-ray disc you need a separate Blu-ray reader. This Blu-ray technology
is used to read a disc from a blue-violet laser due to which the information is stored in
greater density with a longer wavelength.

5. Cloud and Virtual Storage

Nowadays, secondary memory has been upgraded to virtual or cloud storage devices. We can store our
files and other stuff in the cloud and the data is stored for as long as we pay for the cloud storage. There
are many companies that provide cloud services largely Google, Amazon, Microsoft, etc. We can pay
the rent for the amount of space we need and we get multiple benefits out of it. Though it is actually
being stored in a physical device located in the data centers of the service provider, the user doesn’t
interact with the physical device and its maintenance.
E. Communication Devices

A communications device is any type of hardware capable of transmitting data, instructions, and
information between a sending device and a receiving device. At the sending end, a communications
device sends the data, instructions, or information from the sending device to a communications channel.
At the receiving end, a communications device receives the signals from the communications channel.

Some types of communications devices: dial-up modems, digital modems, wireless modems, network
cards, wireless access points, routers, hubs and switches, repeaters, bridges and gateways.

SOFTWARE

The software can be best defined as a set of instructions, technically referred to as programs, that
perform operations and specific tasks based on the commands of the user. Every single task that a user
intends to perform is regulated by software. Made of binary language (ones and zeroes), there is a
variety of software for different tasks. With that said, here’s everything about software that you should
know.

Examples and Types of Software

There are several types of software based on their functionalities, which are as follows-
System Software
System software allows the user to run computer software or hardware and is responsible for managing
their interaction with each other. It perpetually runs in the background to maintain the basic
functionalities and the hardware of the computer. It essentially acts as a mediator between the computer
and the user to facilitate operations. System software is of four types, which are as follows-
• Operating System – The operating system is a collection of software that helps execute
programs and offers a computer application’s general services. There are various types of
operating systems, such as iOS, macOS, Windows, Unix, Linux, and Ubuntu, among others.
• Device Drivers – Device drivers handle the operations of the hardware devices connected to
a computer. They act as a software interface for the hardware devices so that applications
and the operating system of a computer can run the hardware functions without having the
knowledge of the hardware’s exact specifications.
• Firmware – Firmware is embedded in the read-only memory of a system and is a type of
permanent software that offers low-level control for certain device hardware.
• Utility – Utility software functions to configure, maintain, and offer support in the analysis
and optimization of the computer.
Application Software
Application software or application programs are end-user programs that serve specific functionality to
help users accomplish certain tasks. This includes graphic designing, researching online, drafting
documents, watching movies or playing games, and managing finance among others. Developers keep
creating software applications based on the evolving needs of users. There are various types of
application software, which are as follows-
• Word Processors – Word processor software, as the name suggests, is designed for making
notes, typing data, and documentation. Users can also format, store, and print their data and
documents respectively using word processes.
• Database Software – Also known as Database Management System (DBMS), database
software allows users to perform various operations on quickly retrieved data, such as
creation, management, organization, and modification. Some popular examples of DBMS
are MS Access, dBase, MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and FileMaker.
• Multimedia Software – Users can perform certain actions on their computer, such as playing
and recording music and video files as well as creating images with the help of multimedia
software. This type of software has a massive application in the field of graphic designing
where users create gifs, images, animations, and edit videos. Adobe Photoshop and
Illustrator, Windows Movie Maker and Media Player, Corel Draw, and Picasa are some
common types of multimedia processors.
• Web Browsers – Web Browsers are used for browsing the internet and their primary function
is to allow users to fetch data across the web and also position the data. In simpler terms, you
would access the internet with the help of web browsers so that you find the information that
you need. Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari, and UC Browser
are very commonly used web browsers.
• Freeware – Freeware software is made available free of cost for a lifetime and it can be
downloaded from the internet. This type of software is generally created by companies to
improve their reach and gain more popularity. Some such software that is available free of
cost for different purposes are Skype, Audacity, Zoom, Adobe Reader, WhatsApp, etc.
• Shareware – Shareware, much like Freeware, can be downloaded from the internet.
However, the main difference between both is that, while freeware can be used for an
unlimited amount of time without having to make any payment, shareware can be used on a
 trial basis. Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop, WinZip, and PHP Debugger are some popular
types of shareware software.
• Open-Source – Open-source software is also available on the internet free of cost. However,
what differentiates them from freeware is that they are available with their source code. This
means users who download open-source software can make changes and transformations to
it and even add features to it.

Programming Software
Programs and software are created by coders using different software tools, known as programming
software. Some such programs used for software development by coders are as given below-
• Compilers – The conversion of codes written by humans into lower-level machine code is
performed by compilers. These machine codes can be interpreted directly by computer
hardware. While compilers serve a very basic purpose, they are the basis for creating even
the most complicated and sophisticated software.
• Debuggers – Debuggers play an essential role in ensuring your software or application
performs well by testing and debugging the computer code.
• Linkers – Linkers are responsible for combining various individual files from a compiler into
a single executable file. The file converted, as a result, runs on its own without requiring
a programming environment.
• Malware – Malware is software developed to attack computers and their software in a
harmful way to cause them to misbehave or seize to work. This includes viruses,
ransomware, trojans, and worms. Since there are a variety of malware that may be
mistakenly downloaded, it is crucial to have antimalware software on your computer to keep
it safe from their attacks.

How Does Software Work?

A software serves the purpose of executing commands provided by the user. These commands, known
as inputs, are processed by the software. While the input is given in complex language that humans use,
it is first converted into a binary language that the software understands. Based on the input, the
software provides output to users. This output depends on the nature of the command given and the
functionalities of the software.

How Software is Distributed?

There are different ways in which software can be distributed based on various factors. With that said,
here are some common distribution mechanisms for software:

1. Commercial
The commercial distribution of software means providing users with a license to use that particular
software. Since users don’t completely own the software and are only provided a license, they cannot
make any modifications or add features to the software. While the most common type of distribution
mechanism in the past, it is less popular in recent times.
2. Open-Source
Open-source software is the opposite of commercial ones as it can be downloaded from the internet
along with its source code. Since users can download the source code of the software as well, they can
work on the codes and make changes to the software. While some open-source software might be free
of cost, some may also be sold at retail prices.
3. Freeware
Freeware type of software is available to be downloaded from the internet and is completely free of
cost. Freeware is commonly adware, which means it comes with embedded advertising to generate
revenue, which compensates for the software being free of cost.
4. Shareware
Shareware is a variation of software, which is available for download for a limited period of time on a
trial basis. It is aimed at offering a realistic experience to users so that they make the decision to buy
the full version of the software for an unlimited amount of time, based on their experience with the
shareware.

Software Licensing and Patents

Software licensing refers to putting a restriction on the usage and distribution of software with the help
of a legally binding document known as a software license.

These software licenses, without any copyright violation, give users the rights to one or multiple copies
of software. They highlight the basic responsibilities of the concerned parties to an agreement, and also
put restrictions on the ways software can be utilized.

The terms and conditions of a software license typically involve the fair use policy of the software,
limitations of liability, guarantees and warranties, disclaimers, and protections in case of infringement
of the intellectual property rights of others because of the software or its usage.
Even though software infringements can be prevented with the help of copyright laws, these do not
completely prevent others from independently developing similar software without copying. Patents, on
the other hand, stop a person from making use of the functional aspects of software claimed by a
software developer in that patent.

History of Software

Up until the late 1950s, the term software had not been used. Even though different software was being
developed during this period, they had not been made available to people commercially. As a result of
this, users, which included mostly scientists and big enterprises, often resorted to developing their own
software.

Here is a brief timeline of the history of software:

• 21st June 1948 – Tom Kilburn, a computer scientist at the University of Manchester in the
United Kingdom, wrote the world’s first software piece.
• 1958 – John Tukey, a statistician, coined the term software in one of his articles.
• 1977 – Apple II was released by Apple and shortly after VisiCorp released VisiCalc for the
Apple II, which was the first spreadsheet for PCs.
• 1981 – IBM began the sale of software. Commercial software became available to
consumers.
• In the mid-1980s – Software applications like AutoCAD, MS Word, and MS Excel were
released.
• 1985 – Microsoft Windows 1.0 was released.
• 1997 – DVDs were introduced which were able to store the whole MS Office Suite on a
single disk.
• 1999 – Salesforce.com started using cloud computing which pioneered software delivery
through the internet.
 • 2000 – The term Software as a service (SaaS) became a trend.
• 2007 – The first iPhone was launched, and mobile applications started gaining popularity.
• 2010 to present – DVDs became outdated as software could now be easily bought and
downloaded over the internet by users.

PEOPLEWARE

A term first coined by Peter G. Neuman in 1977, peopleware refers to the role people play in
technology and the development of hardware or software. It can include various aspects of the process
such as human interaction, programming, productivity, teamwork, and project management.

Examples of Peopleware include individual people, project teams, computer engineers, website
designers, and other IT specialists, such as database and network administrators. While Peopleware
can mean many different things, however, it always refers to the people who develop or use computer
systems. While the term may not be as widely used as “Hardware” or “Software,” Peopleware is an
important part of computer technology.

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