Answer All Questions each Question carry 3 marks

Assignment-1 5x3=15 Marks

1. What are the elements of computers?

Ans: The elements of computer are

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU ) :

The heart of any computer is the processor unit, which consists of ALU and control elements. The
CPU is the brain of any computer system. In a human body, the brain takes all major decisions and
the other parts of the body function as directed by the brain. Similarly, in a computer system, all
major calculations and comparisons are made inside the CPU and the CPU is also responsible for
activating and controlling the operations of other units a computer system.

The Components of CPU are:

a) Arithmetic Logic Unit

b) Control Unit

c) Main Memory Unit

a) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) The Arithmetic Logic Unit of a computer system is the place where the
actual execution of the instruction takes place during the processing operation. All calculations are
performed and all comparisons are made in the ALU of the CPU. The data and instructions, stored in
the primary storage prior to processing ,are transferred as and when needed to the ALU where
processing takes place. After the completion of processing , the final results that are stored in the
storage unit are released to an output device. The type and number of arithmetic and logic
operations that a computer can perform is determined by the engineering design of the ALU.
However , almost all ALU’s are designed to perform the four basic arithmetic operations- add,
subtract, multiply, divide and logic operations or comparisons such as less than , equal to ,or greater
than.

The functions of CPU are:

1. Store data as well as instructions.

2. Control the sequence for operations as per the stored instruction.

3. Issue commands to all parts of computer system

4. Carryout data processing and to send result to output.

b) Control Unit

The Control Unit of the CPU maintains order and directs all operations inside the computer.
It is known as nerve center of the computer because it controls and coordinates all hardware
operations, i.e , those of the CPU and input-output devices. At the beginning of the processing the
data first program instruction is selected and fed in the control section from the program memory
area. Here it is interpreted and signals are sent to other components to execute the necessary action.
Further program instructions are selected and executed, one after another, until the processing is
completed. Its actions are given below:

1. It gives command to transfer data from the input device to the memory to ALU

2. It also transfers the results from ALU to the memory and on to the output device for printing

3. It stores the program in the memory, takes instructions one by one, understands them and issues
appropriate commands the other units.

4. It fetches the required instructions from the main storage via memory data register and places it
in the control instruction register. Then it interrupts the instructions in control instruction register
and gets it executed by sending a command signal to the concerned hardware device. Memory
data register is special register, which holds all data instructions temporarily as they pass in and out
of the main memory. Control instruction register is also a special register that holds machine
instructions currently being interpreted by control unit

c) Memory Unit:

Although CPU is the brain behind all the operations in your computer, it needs to be supplied
with the data to be processed and the instructions to tell it what to do. Once the CPU has carried out
each instruction, it needs somewhere to store the result. This storage space is provided by the
computer’s memory. Thus, the memory unit is used to store the set of instructions that determine
the operations to be carried out on a set of data, as well as the data on which these operations are
performed.

The memory unit is also called the main memory or the immediate access store.

There are two types of memory’s: They are

1. Primary memory: - RAM, ROM

 2. Secondary Memory: - Magnetic tape, Magnetic disk etc..

2.What are the different types of wireless connections?

ANS: Wireless networks come in various types, each serving different purposes. Let’s explore
them:
1. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN):
o Commonly used in homes and offices.
o Connects devices within a limited area (such as a building or campus).
o Utilizes Wi-Fi technology (IEEE 802.11 standards) for wireless communication1.
2. Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN):
o Provides short-range connections (typically within a few meters).
o Examples include Bluetooth and ZigBee networks.
o Used for connecting devices like smartphones, tablets, and wearables1.
3. Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN):
o Covers larger areas, such as urban regions.
o Offers broadband access.
o Often used for city-wide Wi-Fi or WiMAX networks2.
4. Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN):
o Provides broad coverage over large areas.
o Includes cellular networks (e.g., 4G, 5G).
o Enables mobile communication across cities and countries2.

Remember, while all these networks use radio frequency (RF) connections, Wi-Fi specifically
refers to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

Types of Wireless Network Connections

In addition to a LAN, there are a few other types of common wireless networks:
personal-area network (PAN), metropolitan-area network (MAN), and wide-area network
(WAN).
LAN

A local-area network is a computer network that exists at a single site, such as an office
building. It can be used to connect a variety of components, such as computers, printers,
and data storage devices. LANs consist of components like switches, access points,
routers, firewalls, and Ethernet cables to tie it all together. Wi-Fi is the most commonly
known wireless LAN.

PAN

A personal-area network consists of a network centralized around the devices of a single

person in a single location. A PAN could have computers, phones, video game
consoles, or other peripheral devices. They are common inside homes and small office
buildings. Bluetooth is the most commonly known wireless PAN.

MAN

A metropolitan-area network is a computer network that spans across a city, small

geographical area, or business or college campus. One feature that differentiates a MAN
from a LAN is its size. A LAN usually consists of a solitary building or area. A MAN can
cover several square miles, depending on the needs of the organization.

Large companies, for example, may use a MAN if they have a spacious campus and
need to manage key components, such as HVAC and electrical systems.

WAN

A wide-area network covers a very large area, like an entire city, state, or country. In
fact, the internet is a WAN. Like the internet, a WAN can contain smaller networks,
including LANs or MANs. Cellular services are the most commonly known wireless
WANs.

3. What is machine cycle?

ANS: The steps performed by the computer processor for

each machine language instruction received. The machine
cycle is a four-process cycle that includes reading and
interpreting the machine language, executing the code, and
then storing that code.

Four steps of the machine cycle

1. Fetch - Retrieve an instruction from memory.

2. Decode - Translate the retrieved instruction into computer

commands.

3. Execute - Execute the computer commands.

4. Store - Send and write the results back in memory.

Example of a machine cycle

Below is an example of a machine cycle performing the steps

mentioned above for a math problem.

1. The computer user enters a math problem that's stored in

memory. The computer fetches that instruction from memory.

2. The control unit decodes that math problem into instructions

the computer understands.

3. The ALU (arithmetic logic unit) executes the instructions to get

the answer to the math problem.

4. The problem's answer is sent to and stored in memory where

it can be accessed and displayed to the user.

Improvements with pipelining

Early computer processors needed to wait until an instruction

completed all four stages before beginning work on the next
instruction. However, today's computers use pipelining, which allows
the processor to begin fetching a second instruction before it has
completed the machine cycle for another instruction.

Pipelining:

• Early CPUs had to wait until an instruction completed all four stages before starting the
next one.
• Modern computers use pipelining, allowing the processor to begin fetching a second
instruction before completing the cycle for another instruction.
• Pipelining improves performance by overlapping instruction processing.
4.what is hard disk?

Ans: A hard disk drive (HDD), also known as a hard disk or hard drive, is an essential
component in modern computers for storing and retrieving digital data. Let’s explore the key
aspects of HDDs:
1. Components:
o An HDD consists of one or more rigid, rapidly rotating platters coated with
magnetic material.
o These platters are paired with magnetic heads, arranged on a moving actuator
arm, which read and write data to the platter surfaces.
2. Data Access:
o Data is accessed in a random-access manner, allowing individual blocks of data
to be stored and retrieved in any order.
o HDDs are non-volatile storage devices, retaining data even when powered off.
3. History:
o IBM introduced the first HDD in 1956, revolutionizing data storage.
o HDDs dominated as secondary storage devices for general-purpose computers
since the early 1960s.
4. Capacity and Performance:
o HDD capacity is measured in terabytes (TB), where 1 TB equals 1,000 gigabytes.
o Some capacity is reserved for file systems, operating systems, and error
correction.
o Performance depends on rotational speed (measured in revolutions per minute)
and data-transfer rates.
5. Challenges and Competition:
o HDDs face competition from solid-state drives (SSDs), which offer higher data-
transfer rates, better reliability, and lower latency.
o SSDs are replacing HDDs in applications where speed and durability are crucial.

In summary, HDDs remain crucial for data storage, but SSDs are gradually taking over due to
their superior performance.

A hard disk drive (HDD) is an internal or external computer component that stores
data, such as the operating system, applications, and user files.

HDDs are “non-volatile” storage devices, meaning they retain stored data even when
power isn't being supplied.
How does a hard drive work?

An HDD includes two main elements; a spinning platter and an actuator arm.

• The platter is a circular magnetic disk containing tracks and sectors that
retain data.
• The actuator arm moves across the platter to read and write data.

The platter spins (hence the name) on a spindle to help speed up the read/write
process as the actuator arm moves across it.

The data sectors are spread out randomly (also known as fragmented) across the
platter, and below we'll discuss defragmenting a hard drive to boost performance.

Internal vs external hard drives

Hard drives can be both within and outside computers. Internal hard drives are
installed inside the computer's case and are directly connected to the motherboard
and power supply. External hard drives, on the other hand, are housed in their own
enclosure and connect to the computer via USB, Thunderbolt, or other interfaces.
Internal drives are typically used for primary storage, while external drives are often
used for additional sotrage, backups, or transferring data between devices.

advantages and disadvantages of an HDD?

Advantages of an HDD: of Disadvantages
• HDDs can be slow at retrieving larger files
• HDDs can store a large amount of data
• They consume more power
(this varies by the drive size)
• The moving parts produce a lot of heat
• They are relatively cheap compared to
• They are less durable, especially in
other storage solutions
portable devices
• Advantages of an HDD:
o Non-Volatile Storage: Retains data without power1.
o Cost-Effective: Generally cheaper than SSDs.
o Higher Capacity: Offers more storage space.
• Disadvantages of an HDD:
 o Fragility: Contains delicate physical mechanisms.
o Speed: Slower read/write speeds compared to SSDs.
o Maintenance: Requires defragmentation for optimal performance.

5.What are the Components of CPU?

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU ) :

The heart of any computer is the processor unit, which consists of ALU and control elements.
The CPU is the brain of any computer system. In a human body, the brain takes all major
decisions and the other parts of the body function as directed by the brain. Similarly, in a
computer system, all major calculations and comparisons are made inside the CPU and the CPU
is also responsible for activating and controlling the operations of other units a computer system.
The Components of CPU are :

a) Arithmetic Logic Unit

b) Control Unit

c) Main Memory Unit

a) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

The Arithmetic Logic Unit of a computer system is the place where the actual execution of
the instruction takes place during the processing operation. All calculations are performed and all
comparisons are made in the ALU of the CPU. The data and instructions ,stored in the primary
storage prior to processing ,are transferred as and when needed to the ALU where processing
takes place. After the completion of processing , the final results that are stored in the storage
unit are released to an output device. The type and number of arithmetic and logic operations
that a computer can perform is determined by the engineering design of the ALU. However ,
almost all ALU’s are designed to perform the four basic arithmetic operations- add, subtract,
multiply, divide and logic operations or comparisons such as less than , equal to ,or greater than

The functions of CPU are :

1. Store data as well as instructions.

 2. Control the sequence for operations as per the stored instruction.

3. Issue commands to all parts of computer system

4. Carryout data processing and to send result to output.

b) Control Unit

The Control Unit of the CPU maintains order and directs all operations inside the computer. It
is known as nerve center of the computer because it controls and coordinates all hardware
operations, i.e , those of the CPU and input-output devices. At the beginning of the processing the
data first program instruction is selected and fed in the control section from the program memory
area. Here it is interpreted and signals are sent to other components to execute the necessary action.
Further program instructions are selected and executed, one after another, until the processing is
completed .Its actions are given below :

1. It gives command to transfer data from the input device to the memory to ALU

2. It also transfers the results from ALU to the memory and on to the output device for printing

3. It stores the program in the memory, takes instructions one by one , understands them and issues
appropriate commands the other units.

4. It fetches the required instructions from the main storage via memory data register and places it in
the control instruction register. Then it interrupts the instructions in control instruction register and
gets it executed by sending a command signal to the concerned hardware device. Memory data
register is special register, which holds all data instructions temporarily as they pass in and out of
the main memory. Control instruction register is also a special register that holds machine
instructions currently being interpreted by control unit.

c) Memory Unit :

Although CPU is the brain behind all the operations in your computer, it needs to be supplied
with the data to be processed and the instructions to tell it what to do. Once the CPU has carried out
each instruction, it needs somewhere to store the result. This storage space is provided by the
computer’s memory. Thus, the memory unit is used to store the set of instructions that determine
the operations to be carried out on a set of data, as well as the data on which these operations are
performed.

The memory unit is also called the main memory or the immediate access store(IAS). The main
memory section is used for four purposes. Three of these relate to the data being processed.
i) Data are fed into an input storage area where they are held until ready to be
processed.
ii) A working storage space that’s like a sheet of scratch pad is used to hold the data
being processed and the intermediate results of such processing
iii) An output storage area holds the finished results of the processing operations
until they can be released.
iv) In addition to these data related purposes, the main memory section also
contains an instruction storage area that holds the processing instructions The
primary memory is further classified into Random Access Memory (RAM) and
Read Only Memory (ROM)
 ASSIGNMENT-2
6. What is output devices?

ANS: The job of an output device is just the reverse of that of an input device. It supplies
information and results of computation to the outside world. Thus these are instruments of
interpretation and communication between humans and computer systems. Their main job is to
convert data from machine understandable form to human understandable Form. Output interfaces
are designed to match the unique physical or electrical characteristics of output devices to the
requirements of the external environment

Monitor

Visual Display Unit (VDU), commonly called monitor is the main output device of a
computer. It consists of a Cathode Ray Tube(CRT),which displays characters as output. It forms
images from tiny dots, called pixels, that are arranged in a rectangular form. The sharpness of the
image depends upon the number of the pixels. Types of Monitors : There are different kinds of
monitors depending upon the number of pixels. Depending upon the resolution, monitors can be
classified as:

1) CGA (Color Graphics Adapter)

2) MDA (monochrome Display adapter)

3) HGA (Hercules Graphics Adapter)

4) EGA ( Enhanced Graphics Adapter)

5) VGA (Video Graphics Adapter)

6) SVGA (Super VGA)

The differences between these monitors are depending upon color of display, monitors can be
classified as Monochrome and color Monitors.

Printers
 Printers are the most commonly used output devices that can be found in almost all
computer centers. They are the primary output devices used to prepare permanent documents in
human readable form (known as hard copy). There are several types of printers that are designed
for different types of applications. Depending on their speed and approach of printing, printers are
classified as character printers, line printers, and page printers. In addition, there is another
classification according to which printers are of two types- impact and non-impact.

Page no. 26 Daiagram draw here:---- Fig 2.17

Impact Printers :

The impact printers use the familiar typewriter approach of hammering a typeface against
paper and inked ribbon, are called Impact Printers. These printers are of two types-

a) Character and

(b) Line printers.

a) Character Printers :

These printers print one character at a time. These printers can be further classified into two types –
Daisy Wheel and Dot Matrix Printers.

Daisy Wheel Printer :

In the daisy wheel approach, each petal of the wheel has a character embossed on it. A
motor spins the wheel at a rapid speed. When the designed character spins to the correct position
paper strikes it to produce the output. Daisy Wheel printers give a good quality but they are
expensive than Dot Matrix printers

Dot Matrix Printer :

In dot matrix printer, an arrangement of in y hammer strikes to produce the desired

character. Each hammer prints a small dot on the paper. Dot matrix printers are faster than daisy
wheel printer, but the quality of print from a daisy wheel is better than that of a dot matrix. Speed of
a dot matrix is measured in the form of characters per second. The printing speed of a dot matrix
printer can be up to 360 cps(character per second).They are widely used with micro computers in
most of the offices.

b) Line Printers :
 Line printers use impact methods to produce a line at a time. The speed is measured in the
form of lines per minute. The quality of printing is not as good as that of as that of a daisy wheel
printer.

They are also of two types – Drum Printers and Chain Printers.

Drum Printers :

These printers print the line by a rotating drum having a ring of characters for each print
position. The hammer strike each character of the drum simultaneously so that entire line is printed
for one full rotation of the drum. These printers are also called Barrel Printers. The printouts
obtained from these printers have even character spacing but uneven line height.

NON-IMPACT PRINTERS:

a. Laser Printer :
b. Inkjet Printers
c. Thermal Printers :
d. Speakers/Headphone.

7. What is internal clock?

ANS: Certainly! Let’s explore the concept of an internal clock in computers:

1. Definition:
o An internal clock, also known as a system clock, is a fundamental component
within a computer system.
o It regulates the timing and synchronization of various operations, ensuring that
different circuits work together harmoniously.
2. Function:
o The internal clock provides a consistent time reference for all components.
o It coordinates activities such as fetching instructions, executing calculations,
and managing data transfers.
o Essentially, it keeps the computer’s “heartbeat” steady.
3. Clock Speed:
 o Clock speed is measured in ticks per second (Hertz).
o A higher clock speed generally indicates faster processing capabilities.
o However, other factors (like architecture and cache) also influence overall
performance.
4. Real-Time Clock (RTC):
o Computers have both an internal clock (system clock) and an RTC.
o The RTC runs even when the computer is turned off or in a low-power state.
o It tracks real-world time and date, ensuring accurate timestamps.

In summary, the internal clock plays a crucial role in orchestrating a computer’s activities,
maintaining synchronization, and contributing to overall performance.

8. What is world wide web?

ANS: The word www called as World Wide Web (WWW):

1. Definition and Purpose:

o The World Wide Web, commonly known as the Web, is an information
system that enables content sharing over the Internet.
o Unlike technical jargon, the Web aims to appeal to users beyond IT specialists
and hobbyists.
o It allows documents, media, and resources to be accessed using specific rules
defined by the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
2. Invention and Origins:
o The Web was invented by English computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee while
working at CERN in 1989.
o Berners-Lee envisioned a “universal linked information system” that would
connect people globally.
3. How It Works:
o Web servers host documents and resources, making them accessible to
programs like web browsers.
o Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) identify and locate these servers and
resources.
 o The most common document type is a web page formatted in Hypertext
Markup Language (HTML).
4. Components of the Web:
o Web Pages: Individual documents containing text, images, videos, and
hyperlinks.
o Hyperlinks: Interactive links connecting web pages.
o Web Servers: Computers hosting web content.
o Web Browsers: Software (e.g., Chrome, Firefox) that displays web pages.
5. Web Navigation and Surfing:
o Users follow hyperlinks across multiple websites, exploring diverse content.
o Web applications function as software within web pages.
6. Impact and Dominance:
o The Web has become the world’s primary information platform, connecting
billions of people worldwide.
o It transformed communication, education, entertainment, commerce, and
government services.

World Wide Web, which is also known as a Web, is a collection of websites or web
pages stored in web servers and connected to local computers through the
internet. These websites contain text pages, digital images, audios, videos, etc.
Users can access the content of these sites from any part of the world over the
internet using their devices such as computers, laptops, cell phones, etc. The
WWW, along with internet, enables the retrieval and display of text and media to
your device. The building blocks of the Web are web pages which are formatted in
HTML and connected by links called "hypertext" or hyperlinks and accessed by
HTTP. These links are electronic connections that link related pieces of information
so that users can access the desired information quickly. Hypertext offers the
advantage to select a word or phrase from text and thus to access other pages
that provide additional information A web page is given an online address called a
Uniform Resource Locator (URL). A particular collection of web pages that belong
to a specific URL is called a website, e.g., www.facebook.com, www.google.com,
etc. So, the World Wide Web is like a huge electronic book whose pages are stored
on multiple servers across the world.related to that word or phrase. Small websites
store all of their WebPages on a single server, but big websites or organizations
place their WebPages on different servers in different countries so that when users
of a country search their site they could get the information quickly from the
nearest So, the web provides a communication platform for users to retrieve and
exchange information over the internet. Unlike a book, where we move from one
page to another in a sequence, on World Wide Web we follow a web of hypertext
links to visit a web page and from that web page to move to other web pages. You
need a browser, which is installed on your computer, to access the Web.server.

9. Parts of Power Point Window?

ANS: PPT stands for PowerPoint, which is a presentation

software developed by Microsoft and used for creating dynamic

slide presentations. It is widely used for creating slideshows for

business and educational purposes .

the different parts of the Microsoft PowerPoint window

and their functions:

Ribbon

The Ribbon is the primary interface for accessing tools and

commands in PowerPoint. It consists of the following

components.

• Tabs − They are located at the top section below the

title bar and contain groups of related commands.

Specifically, it includes File, Home, Insert, Design,

 Transitions, Animation, Slide Show, Review,

View, and Help menus.

• Groups − Groups are the combination of organized

related commands. Each group name appears below

the group section.

• Commands − They are the predefined instructions

of the executable program. It exists in the form of

Icons in the ribbon, for instance, a group

of Slides that contains New Slide, Layout, Reset,

Section, etc.

Quick Access Toolbar

This Quick Access Toolbar is a customizable toolbar that

provides quick access to frequently used commands.

File Tab

This File menu bar performs file related operations such as

creating a new presentation, opening an existing file, save,

save as, printing the file, and so on.

Title Bar

The header or title bar of the presentation is located at the

top of the window. It presents the name of the active

presentation.
Slide Area

This is the main area of the PowerPoint window where slides

are displayed and edited.

Slide Pane

The Slide thumbnail pane is a column on the left corner of the

PowerPoint window that displays small images of the slides in

the presentation. You can use the thumbnail pane to quickly

navigate to different slides in the presentation.

Slide Views Buttons

They are the four view buttons on the left of Zoom control

contain a series of icons. It allows you to change the

PowerPoint views.

• Normal view − This is the presentation’s normal

view, with the slide sheet on the right and slide

thumbnails on the left. This view allows you to

select and rearrange the working slides.

• Slide Sorter view − It shows all of the slides in a

tabular format. Only the slides can be arranged in

this view.
 • Reading View −This window will allow you to

carefully read the slide. You cannot, however, make

any changes.

• Slide Show View − This displays all of the slides, as

well as any animations and sounds you ’ve added to

the presentation.

Notes Pane

This is a section below the slide area where you can add notes

to accompany each slide. The notes are not visible during the

presentation, but they can be printed as a speaker’s guide.

Status Bar

This is the status bar at the bottom of the screen of the

PowerPoint window that displays information about the

current slide, such as the page number and slide status.

Parts of PowerPoint Presentation

A Microsoft PowerPoint presentation typically has several key

components, including:

• Title Slide: This is the first slide in the presentation

and usually includes the presentation title, the

name of the presenter, and the date.

 • Introduction Slides: These slides provide an

overview of the presentation topic, including its

purpose, main points, and structure.

• Body Slides: These slides contain the main content

of the presentation and can include text, images,

charts, tables, graphs, and other visual elements.

• Transition Slides: These slides are used to connect

different sections of the presentation and help to

maintain a flow between different parts of the

presentation.

• Conclusion Slides: These slides summarize the key

points of the presentation, provide closing remarks,

and can include a call to action.

• End Slides: These slides can include a final thank

you message, contact information, or other closing

elements.

• Layout Slides: These slides serve as templates for

different types of content and can be customized to

match the overall look and feel of the presentation.

In addition to these core components, PowerPoint also

includes a range of formatting and design tools, such

as themes, custom layouts, and multimedia elements,

which can be used to enhance the visual appeal of the

presentation.
 10. What are the various optical input devices?

ANS: INPUT DEVICES :

The input device is the interface between the computer and user. This device accomplishes
the task of translating the language we understand into something that the computer can
comprehend. In order to use the computer for data processing ,data has to be given to the computer.
This is called input. Those devices that help in feeding the input are called input devices. Input
devices read information prepared by users and convert it into a code that can be conveyed by
electrical pulses into the computer system. Their main job is to convert data from human
understandable from to machine under stand able form.

There are many types of input devices. Let us discuss them

Key Board :

The most common input device is the keyboard. It is the standard input device through which
information is fed into the system. The computer keyboard is similar to the typewriter keys,
keyboards has function keys for communications to the internal processor. The inputs we give are
letters of the alphabets, numbers, and special characters. Apart from board, there are many input
devise. Let us examine briefly some other input devices.

The keyboards is the main mans of issuing directions to your PC . A computer keyboard is quite
similar to that of typewriter. But it has some additional keys which are described below:

• Arrows and other movement keys (Home, Page Up, Page Down)
• Function keys(F1to F10 or F1to F12)
• text editing keys ( Backspace, Del, Ins)
• Modifier keys ( Shift, Ctrl, Alt.)
• Enter
• Other special keys (print Screen, Scroll Lock and so on)
• LED status indicators

Today keyboards are enhanced with 101 keys or more the enhanced keyboards are most popular
since they have some extra set of keys. The keyboard layout is given at the end of this previous page.
Mouse :

Mouse is another basic input device of a computer. It is pointing device used to move cursor,
draw sketches/diagrams, selecting a text/object/menu item , etc. on monitor screen while working
on windows. Mouse is a small, palm size box containing three buttons and a ball underneath which
senses the movement of the mouse and sends the corresponding signals to CPU on processing the
buttons.

Micro phone :

A microphone (sound recorder) is also a basic voice-input device of computer. It is used to

store voice data consisting of recorded message or synthesized sound using a GUI operating system
such as Windows. Microphone converts sound waves into analog electrical signals, which are
further converted to digital form in a PC.

Special Input Devices : The input devices which are not essential to operate PC are called Special
Input Devices. These devices are required for special input operations . These devices include
Scanner, Digital Camera, Touch Screen, Light Pen, Trackball, Joystick, Digitizer, Optical Mark Reader,
Optical Character Reader, Bar code Reader and Magnetic Ink character Recognition (MICR) Device.

Scanner :

Scanner is widely used in Desktop Publishing (DTP) applications. It is used for digitizing
images such as photographs, forms, documents, etc. into computer memory. There are many types
of scanners. Some scanners can also read text by converting them to digital code. The scanners are
very useful for converting the typed pages into word-processing files. Graphics scanners convert a
printed image into video image without converting it to digital code.

Digital Camera :

Digital Camera is a type of camera that records images in an electronic format, storing the
images either on a disk or on a special memory, called flash memory. A digital camera uses a CCDI
(charge -coupled Device) element to capture the image through the lens when the photographer
releases the shutter in the camera. The image captured by the camera can be transferred to the PC in
two ways, depending upon how the camera store them. As the electronic images captured by digital
camera can be manipulated and processed much like the image from a scanner, the digital camera is
a popular input device of multimedia computer.

Touch Screen:

Some special VDU devices have touch sensitive screens. These screens are sensitive to
human fingers and act as tactile input devices. Using the touch screen, a user can point to a
selection on the screen instead of pressing keys as shown in fig. Touch screen helps the user in
getting the information quickly. It is mainly used in hotels or airports to convey information to
visitors.

Light Pen :

Light pen is a pointing device, which is used to select a displayed menu item or draw pictures on the
monitor screen as shown in fig. It consists of a photocell and an optical system placed in a small tube.
When its tip is moved over the monitor screen and pen button is pressed, its photocell-sensing
element detects the screen location and sends the corresponding signal to the CPU.