Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEM

1.0 Objectives
1.1 Introduction –Computer?
1.2 Evolution of Computers
1.3 Classification of Computers
1.4 Applications of Computers
1.5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Computers
1.6 Similarities Difference between
computer and Human
1.7 A Computer System
1.8 Components of a Computer System
1.9 Summary
1.10 Check your Progress - Answers
1.11 Questions for Self – Study
1.12 Suggested Readings

1.0 OBJECTIVES

After studying this chapter you will be able to:

 Learn the concept of a system in general and the computer system in
specific.
 Learn and understand how the computers have evolved dramatically within a
very short span, from very huge machines of the past, to very compact designs
of the present with tremendous advances in technology.
 Understand the general classifications of computers.
 Study computer applications.
 Understand the typical characteristics of computers which are speed,
accuracy, efficiency, storage capacity, versatility.
 Understand limitations of the computer.
 Discuss the similarities and differences between the human and the computer.
 Understand the Component of the computer.

1.1 INTRODUCTION- Computer

Today, almost all of us in the world make use of computers in one way or the
other. It finds applications in various fields of engineering, medicine, commercial,
research and others. Not only in these sophisticated areas, but also in our daily lives,
computers have become indispensable. They are present everywhere, in all the dev
ices that we use daily like cars, games, washing machines, microwaves etc. and in day
to day computations like banking, reservations, electronic mails, internet and many
more.

The word computer is derived from the word compute. Compute means to
calculate. The computer was originally defined as a super fast calculator. It had the
capacity to solve complex arithmetic and scientific problems at very high speed. But
nowadays in addition to handling complex arithmetic computations, computers perform
many other tasks like accepting, sorting, selecting, moving, comparing various types of
information. They also perform arithmetic and logical operations on alphabetic, numeric and
other types of information. This information provided by the user to the computer is data.
The information in one form which is presented to the computer is the input information
or input data.

Introduction to Computer System/1

Information in another form is presented by the computer after performing a process on it.
This information is the output information or output data.

The set of instructions given to the computer to perform various operations is

called as the computer program. The process of converting the input data into the
required output form with the help of the computer program is called as data
processing. The computers are therefore also referred to as data processors

Therefore a computer can now be defined as a fast and accurate data

processing system that accepts data, performs various operations on the data, has the
capability to store the data and produce the results on the basis of detailed step by step
instructions given to it..

The terms hardware and software are almost always used in connection with the
computer.

• The Hardware:
The hardware is the machinery itself. It is made up of the physical
parts or devices of the computer system like the electronic Integrated Circuits (ICs),
magnetic storage media and other mechanical devices like input devices, output
devices etc. All these various hardware are linked together to form an effective functional
unit. The various types of hardware used in the computers, has evolved from vacuum
tubes of the first generation to Ultra Large Scale Integrated Circuits of the present
generation.

• The Software:

The computer hardware itself is not capable of doing anything on its

own. It has to be given explicit instructions to perform the specific task. The computer
program is the one which controls the processing activities of the computer. The
computer thus functions according to the instructions written in the program. Software
mainly consists of these computer programs, procedures and other documentation used in
the operation of a computer system. Software is a collection of programs which utilize and
enhance the capability of the hardware
.
Check your Progress - 1.1
1. Fill in the blanks.
a. The set of instructions to perform various operations is called
a …………………
b. Compute means to …………. of the computer.
c. Mechanical devices are a type of..................

2. Answer in brief.
a. Define a computer.
.............................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

b. W hat is software?

.............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

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 1. 2 EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS

The computers of today are vastly different in appearance and performance as

compared to the computers of earlier days. But where did this technology come from and
Where is it heading? To fully understand the impact of computers on today’s world and the
promises they hold for the future, it is important to understand the evolution of computers.

1.2.1. The First Generation:

The first generation computers made use of:
 Vacuum tube technology,
 Punched cards for data input,
 Punched cards and paper tape for output,
 Machine Language for writing programs,
 Magnetic tapes and drums for external storage.
The computers of the first generation were very bulky and emitted large
amount of heat which required air conditioning. They were large in size and cumbersome
to handle. They had to be manually assembled and had limited commercial use. The
concept of operating systems was not known at that time. Each computer had a
different binary coded program called a machine language that told it how to operate.

Punched cards Paper tape Vacuum tube

Fig. 1.1 The first Generation Computer technology

The Abacus, which emerged about 5000 years ago in Asia Minor and is still in use
today, allows users to make computations using a system of sliding beads arranged on a
rack. Early merchants used Abacus to keep trading transactions.

Abacus Pascaline
Fig. 1.2 the first Generation Computers

Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician invented the first mechanical

machine, a rectangular brass box, called Pascaline which could perform addition and
subtraction on whole numbers. This was in the seventeenth century. Colmar, a
Frenchman invented a machine that could perform the four basic arithmetic functions of
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Colmar’s mechanical calculator,
“Arithmometer”, presented a more practical approach to computing. W ith its
enhanced versatility, the “Arithmometer” was widely used until the First World War,
although later inventors refined Colmar’s calculator, together with fellow inventors, Pascal
and Leibniz, he helped define the age of mechanical computation.

Introduction to Computer System/3

 Charles Babbage a British mathematician at Cambridge University
invented the first analytical engine or difference engine. This machine could be
programmed by instructions coded on punch cards and had mechanical memory to
store the results. For his contributions in this field Charles Babbage is known as ‘the
father of modern digital computer.
Some of the early computers included:
Mark I –
This was the first fully automatic calculating machine. It was designed by
Howard Aiken of Harvard University in collaboration with IBM. This machine was an
electronic relay computer. Electromagnetic signals were used for the movement of
mechanical parts. Mark I could perform the basic arithmetic and complex equations.
Although this machine was extremely reliable, it was very slow (it took about 3-5
seconds per calculation) and was complex in design and large in size.

Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) –

This computer developed by John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry was the world’s
first general purpose electronic digital computer. It made use of vacuum tubes for internal
logic and capacitors for storage.
ENIAC (Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator) –
The first all electronic computer was produced by a partnership between the US
Government and the University of Pennsylvania. It was built using 18,000 vacuum tubes,
70,000 resistors and 1,500 relays and consumed 160 kilowatts of electrical power. The
ENIAC computed at speed about thousand times faster than Mark I. However, it could
store and manipulate only a limited amount of data. Program modifications and
detecting errors were also difficult.

Fig. 1.3 ENIAC

EDVAC –
In the mid 1940’s Dr. John von Neumann designed the Electronic Discrete
Variable Automatic Computer with a memory to store both program and data. This was
the first machine which used the stored program concept. It had five distinct units -
arithmetic, central control, memory, input and output. The key element was the central
control. All the functions of the computer were co-ordinate through this single source, the
central control. The programming of the computers was done in machine language
UNIVAC • I –
Remington Rand designed this computer specifically for business data
processing applications. The Universal Automatic Computer was the first general
purpose commercially available computer.

Fig 1.4 UNIVAC

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1.2.2 The Second Generation:
In the second generation computers:
 Vacuum tube technology was replaced by transistorized technology,
 Size of the computers started reducing,
 Assembly language started being used in place of machine language,
 Concept of stored program emerged,
 High level languages were invented.

This was the generation of Transistorized Computers. Vacuum tubes

were replaced by transistors. As a result, the size of the machines started shrinking.
These computers were smaller, faster, more reliable and more energy efficient. The
first transistorized computer was TX-0. The first large scale machines that took
advantage of the transistor technology were the early supercomputers, Stretch by IBM
and LARC by Sperry Rand. These machines were mainly developed for atomic energy
laboratories. Typical computers of the second generation were the IBM 1400 and 7000
series, Honeywell 200 and General Electric.

Fig 1.5 Transistors

IBM 1401 was universally accepted throughout the industry and most
large businesses routinely processed financial information using second generation
computers. The machine language was replaced by assembly language. Thus the
long and difficult binary code was replaced with abbreviated programming code which
was relatively easy to understand.
The stored program concept and programming languages gave the
computers flexi bility to finally be cost effective and productive for business use. The
stored program concept implied that the instructions to run a computer for a specific
task were held inside the computer’s memory and could quickly be modified or
replaced by a different set of instructions for a different function. High level languages
like COBOL, FORTRAN and AL- GOL were dev eloped. Computers started finding vast
and varied applications. The entire software industry began with the second generation
computers.

1.2.3. The Third Generation:

The third generation computers were characterized by:

 Use of Integrated circuits,
 Phenomenal increase in computation speed,
 Substantial reduction in size and power consumption of the machines,
 Use of magnetic tapes and drums for external storage,
 Design-of Operating systems and new higher level languages,
 Commercial production of computers.

This generation was characterized by the invention of Integrated Circuits (ICs).

The 1C combined electronic components onto a small chip which was made from
quartz.

Introduction to Computer System/5

Fig 1.6 i) Integrated Circuit ii) Integrated Circuit

Later, even more components were fitted onto a single chip, called a
semiconductor. This reduced the size even further. The weight and power
consumption of computers decreased and the speed increased tremendously. Heavy
emphasis was given to the development of software. Operating systems were designed
which allowed the machine to run many different programs at once. A central program
monitored and co-ordinate the computer s memory. Multiprogramming was made
possible, whereby the machine could perform several jobs at the same time. Computers
achieved speeds of executing millions of instructions per second. Commercial
production became easier and cheaper. Higher level languages like Pascal and Report
Program Generator (RPG) were introduced and applications oriented languages like
FORTRAN, COBOL, and PL/1 were developed.

1.2.4. The Fourth Generation:

The general features of the fourth generation computers were:
 Use of Very Large Scale Integration,
 Invention of microcomputers,
 Introduction of Personal Computers,
 Networking,
 Fourth Generation Languages.

Fig. 1.7 VLSI

The third generation computers made use of ‘Integrated Circuits that had 10-
20 components on each chip, this was Small Scale Integration (SSI).
The Fourth Generation realized Large Scale Integration (LSI) which could fit
hundreds of components on one chip and Very Large Scale integration (VLSI) which
squeezed thousand of components on one chip. The Intel 4004 chip, located all the
components of a computer (central processing unit, memory, input and output controls)
on a single chip and microcomputers were introduced. Higher capacity storage media like
magnetic disks were developed. Fourth generation languages emerged and applications
software’s started becoming popular.
Computer production became inexpensive a n d the era of Personal

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Computers (PCs) commenced. In 1981, IBM introduced its personal computer for use
in office, home and schools. In direct competition, the Macintosh was introduced by
Apple in 1984. Shared interactive systems and user friendly environments were the
features of these computers.
As the computers started becoming more and more powerful, they could be
linked together or networked to share not only data but also memory space and
software. The networks could reach enormous proportions with local area networks. A global
web of computer circuitry, the Internet, links the computers worldwide into a single
network of information.

1.2.5 The Fifth Generation:

Defining the fifth generation computers is somewhat difficult because the field
is still in its infancy. The computers of tomorrow would be characterized by Artificial
Intelligence (At). An example of Al is Expert Systems. Computers could be developed
which could think and reason in much the same way as humans. Computers would be
able to accept spoken words as input (voice recognition).

Many advances in the science of computer design and technology are

coming together to enable the creation of fifth generation computers. Two such advances
are parallel processing where many CPUs work as one and advance in superconductor
technology which allows the flow of electricity with little or no resistance, greatly
improving the speed of information flow.

Check your Progress -1.2

1. Match the following.
A B
a) Very Large scale Integration I) Second Generation
b) Vacuum Tube Technology II) Fifth Generation
c) Stored Program III) Fourth Generation
d) Superconductor Technology IV) First Generation
e) Semiconductor Technology v) Third Generation

2. Write True or False

A. Expert system is an example of artificial Intelligence.
B. The world’s first general purposes electronic digital computer was the Abacus.
C. The first generation computers used machine language for programming.
D. Charles Babbage designed the Analytical Engine .
E. Personal Computer (PC) was developed in the first generations.

1. 3 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

Computers are broadly classified into two categories depending upon the logic
used in their design as:

1.3.1 Analog computers:

In analog computers, data is recognized as a continuous
measurement of a physical property like voltage, speed, pressure etc. Readings on a dial
or graphs are obtained as the output, ex. Voltage, temperature; pressure can be
measured in this way.

Introduction to Computer System/7

1.3.2 Digital Computers:
These are high speed electronic devices. These devices are
programmable. They process data by way of mathematical calculations, comparison,
sorting etc. They accept input and produce output as discrete signals representing high
(on) or low (off) voltage state of electricity. Numbers, alphabets, symbols are all
represented as a series of 1s and Os.

Digital Computers are further classified as General Purpose

Digital Computers and Special Purpose Digital Computers. General Purpose computers
can be used for any applications like accounts, payroll, data processing etc. Special
purpose computers are used for a specific job like those used in automobiles,
microwaves etc.

Another classification of digital computers is done on the basis of their capacity to

access memory and size like:

• Small Computers:
I) Microcomputers: Microcomputers are generally referred to as Personal
Computers (PCs). They have Smallest memory and less power. They are widely used
in day to day applications like office automation, and professional applications, ex. PC-
AT, Pentium etc.

II) Note Book and Laptop Computers: These are portable in nature and are
battery operated. Storage devices like CDs, floppies etc. and output devices like printers
can be connected to these computers. Notebook computers are smaller in physical
size than lap top computers. However, both have powerful processors, support
graphics, and can accept mouse driven input.

Microcomputer

Notebook or Laptop Handheld Computer

Fig. 1.8 Small Computers

III) Hand Held Computers:

These types of computers are mainly used in applications like
collection of field data. They are even smaller than the note book computers.

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• Hybrid Computers: Hybrid Computers are a combination of Analog and Digital
computers. They combine the speed of analog computers and accuracy of digital
computers. They are mostly used in specialized applications where the input data
is in an analog form i.e. measurement. This is converted into digital form for further
processing. The computers accept data from sensors and produce output using
conventional input/output devices.

• Mini Computers: Mini computers are more powerful than the micro computers. They
have higher memory capacity and more storage capacity with higher speeds. These
computers are mainly used in process control systems. They are mainly used in
applications like payrolls, financial accounting, Computer aided design etc. ex. VAX,
PDP-11

•Mainframe Computers: Main frame computers are very large computers which
process data at very high speeds of the order of several million instructions per second.
They can be linked into a network with smaller computers, micro computers and with
each other. They are typically used in large organizations, government departments etc.
ex. IBM4381, CDC

• Super Computers: A super computer is the fastest, most powerful and most expensive
computer which is used for complex tasks that require a lot of computational power.
Super computers have multiple processors which process multiple instructions at the
same time. This is known as parallel processing. These computers are widely used in
very advanced applications like weather forecasting, processing geological data etc.
ex. CRAY-2, NEC - 500, PARAM.

Check your Progress - 1.3

1. Fill in the blanks
a. Personal computers are also called as ………………….
b. Combination of Analog and Digital computers are called as ……………..
c. In a ………..computer number and characters are represented as a series of 0’s
and 1’s.
2. Answer in brief
1. W hat is parallel processing?
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
2. W hat is analog computer?
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
3. W rite 1-2 lines on mainframe computers.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................

1.4 APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTERS

Today computers find widespread applications in all activities of the modern world.
Some of the major application areas include:

1.4.1 Scientific, Engineering and Research:

This is the major area where computers find vast applications. They
are used in areas which require lot of experiments, mathematical calculations,

Introduction to Computer System/9

weather forecasting, and complex mathematical and engineering applications.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) help in
designing robotics, automobile manufacturing, automatic process control dev ices etc.

1.4.2 Business:
Record keeping, budgets, reports, inventory, payroll, invoicing, accounts
are all the areas of business and industry where computers are used to a great
extent. Database management is one of the major area where computers are used on a
large scale. The areas of application here include banking, airline reservations, etc. where
large amounts of data need to be updated, edited, sorted, searched from large
databases.

1.4.3 Medicine:
Computerized systems are now in widespread use in monitoring
patient data like , pulse rate, blood pressure etc. resulting in faster and accurate
diagnosis. Modern day medical equipment are highly computerized today. Computers
are also widely used in medical research.

1.4.4 Information:
This is the age of information. Television, Satellite communication, Internet, networks
are all based on computers.

1.4.5 Education:
The use of computers in education is increasing day by day. The students
develop the habit of thinking more logically and are able to formulate problem solving
techniques. CDs on a variety of subjects are available to impart education. On line
training programs for students are also becoming popular day by day. All the major
encyclopedias, dictionaries and books are now available in the digital form and therefore are
easily accessible to the student of today. Creativity in drawing, painting, designing,
decoration, music etc. can be well developed with computers.
1.4.6 Games and Entertainment:
Computer games are popular with children and adults alike. Computers are
nowadays also used in entertainment areas like movies, sports, advertising etc.

1.5 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS

Advantages of Computers:
1.5.1 Speed:
The speed of a computer is measured in terms of the number of
instructions that it can perform or execute in a second. The speeds of computers are
measured in milli­seconds (10~3 sec), micro-seconds (10*6 sec), and nano-seconds
(10~9sec). Computers are superfast machines and can process millions of instructions
per second. Smaller computers can execute thousands of instructions per second,
while the more complex machines can execute millions of instructions per second.

1.5.2 Accuracy:

Computers are very accurate. They are capable of executing hundreds

of instructions without any errors. They do not make mistakes in their computations.
They perform each and every calculation with the same accuracy.

1.5.3 Efficiency
The efficiency of computers does not decrease with age. The computers

Computer Fundamentals/10
can perform repeated tasks with the same efficiency any number of times without
exhausting there selves. Even if they are instructed to execute millions of
instructions, they are capable of executing them all with the same speed and efficiency
without exhaustion.

1.5.4 Storage Capability

Computers are capable of storing large amounts of data in their storage
devices. These dev ices occupy very less space and can store millions of characters
in condensed forms. These storage devices typically include floppy disks, tapes, hard
disks, CDs etc, the data stored on these devices can be retrieved and reused whenever it is
required in future

1.5.5 Versatility
Computers are very versatile. They are capable not only of
performing complex mathematical tasks of science and engineering, but also other non-
numerical operations fielding air-line reservation, electricity bills, data base management
etc.

Limitations of Computers:
Although the computers of today are highly intelligent and sophisticated
they have their own limitations. The computer cannot think on its own, since it does not
have its own brain. It can only do what is has been programmed to do. It can execute
only those jobs that can be expressed as a finite set of instructions to achieve a specific
goal. Each of the steps has to be clearly defined. The computers do not learn from
previous experience nor can they arrive at a conclusion without going through all the
intermediate steps. However the impact of computers on today’s society in phenomenal
and they are today an important part of the society.

Check your Progress - 1.4 & 1.5

Select the appropriate option

a. The number of instructions a computer can process in a given time is called its
(i) Versatility (ii) Speed
(iii) Efficiency (iv) Accuracy

Answer the following:

a) Give any one application of modern day computers
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
b) State in brief one or two limitations of computers.
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................

1.6 Similarities and Difference

between Human and Computer

Computer is a very effective and efficient machine which performs several

activities in few minutes, which otherwise would have taken several days if performed
naturally. Besides there would have been a doubt about the accuracy, finish etc. The
computer may be faster; more accurate but it cannot compete with human brain. However
there are some similarities between the human and the computer which would make the
computer more understandable.

Introduction to Computer System/11

 Human Computer

# Like human beings has ears, Computers have input devices such as keyboard,
nose, eyes etc. scanner, touch screen, mouse etc to get information.

# Like we remember things Computer also stores information.

#We recollect certain information The computer also retrieves information when times,
as required.

#We express ourselves by Computer expresses through screen, Printouts etc

speech, writing etc which We call as output.

with the help of software, computer

#When we watch, hear, learn
also can analyze Information and draw
certain things
conclusions.
and analyze.

The computer brain is known as CPU conclude

#The place where we store,
information is known as the brain (Central Processing
analyze,
Unit) where it analyses information.

The computer has storage devices like floppies, hard disks, compact disks to store
and retrieve information.

However computer does not understand emotions, it does not

understand meaning beyond words, it cannot read between the lines like the human. W e
learn many things unknowingly, certain things knowingly; we call it as upbringing. But
computers can learn everything only knowingly. We learn many things on our own,
but computer has to be taught to do everything.

Check your Progress - 1.6

Select the appropriate option

a. Keyboard is
(i) Input device (ii) CPU
(iii) Output dev ice (iv) Storage device

b. The part of computer similar to the human brain is

(i) Floppy disk (ii) Printer
(iii) Central processing unit (iv) Mouse

1. 7 A COMPUTER SYSTEM

Any system is defined as a group of integrated parts which are

Computer Fundamentals/12
designed to achieve a common objective. Thus, a system is made up of more than
one element or part, where each element performs a specific function and where all the
elements (parts) are logically related and are controlled in such a way that the goal
(purpose) of the system is achieved.

A computer is made up of a number of integrated elements like

- The central processing unit,
- The input and output devices and
- The storage devices.
Each of these units performs a specific task. However, none of them can
function independently on their own. They are logically related and controlled to achieve a
specific goal. W hen they are thus integrated they form a fully fledged computer system.

1. 8 COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

The basic parts of computer system are:

 Input Unit
 The Central Processing Unit
 Output Unit

Fig. 1.9 Central Processing Unit

The Input Unit:

Input dev ices are the dev ices which are used to feed programs and data to the
computer. The input system connects the external environment with the computer
system. The input dev ices are the means of communication between the user and the
computer system. Typical input devices include the keyboard, floppy disks, mouse,
microphone, light pen, joy stick, magnetic tapes etc. The way in which the data is fed into
the computer through each of these devices is different. However, a computer can
accept data only in a specific form. Therefore these input devices transform the data
fed to them, into a form which can be accepted by the computer. These devices are a
means of communication and inter1 station between the user and the computer systems.

Thus the functions of the input unit are :

 accept information (data) and programs.

 convert the data in a form which the computer can accept.
 provide this converted data to the computer for further processing.

The Central Processing Unit:

This is the brain of any computer system. The central processing unit or CPU is
made of three parts:

Introduction to Computer System/13

 The control unit.
 The arithmetic logic unit
 Te primary storage unit

The Control Unit :

The Control Unit controls the operations of the entire
computer system. The control unit gets the instructions from the programs stored in
primary storage unit interprets these instruction an subsequently directs the other units
to execute the instructions. Thus it manages and coordinates the entire computer
system.

The Arithmetic Logic Unit:

The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) actually executes the
instructions and performs all the calculations and decisions. The data is held in the primary
storage unit and transferred to the ALU whenever needed. Data can be moved from the
primary storage to the arithmetic logic unit a number of times before the entire processing
is complete. After the completion, the results are sent to the output storage section and
the output devices.

The Primary Storage Unit:

This is also called as Main Memory. Before the actual
processing starts the data and the instructions fed to the computer through the input
units are stored in this primary storage unit. Similarly, the data which is to be output
from the computer system is also temporarily stored in the primary memory. It is also
the area where intermediate results of calculations are stored. The main memory has the
storage section that holds the computer programs during execution. Thus the primary
unit:

 Stores data and programs during actual processing

 Stores temporary results of intermediate processing
 Stores results of execution temporarily

1.8.3 Output Unit:

The output devices give the results of the process and computations to
the outside world. The output units accept the results produced by the computer, convert
them into a human readable form and supply them to the users. The more common output
devices are printers, plotters, display screens, magnetic tape drives etc.

Check your Progress - 1.7 & 1.8

1. Fill in the blanks.
a. The primary storage unit is also called as …………………
b. Arithmetic logic unit is a part of …………………………
c. The unit of the computer which gives t h e results of the process and
computations is the ……………
2. Answer in brief
a. Define a system.
..............................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
b. W rite the functions of the input unit.
.............................................................................................................................

Computer Fundamentals/14
 1.9 SUMMARY

A computer is a fast and accurate data processing system which

accepts data, performs various operations on the data, has the capacity to store data and
process the data with the set of instructions given to it. The data is the information
provided by the user to the computer and the set of instructions to perform the operation
on data is the computer pro- gram.

The hardware of the computer is the physical parts of the machine like
monitor, keyboard, disks etc. whereas the software is the various programs, procedures
and other documentation which is used to operate the hardware efficiently.

Classification of computers done on the basis of the logic used in their

design as analog and digital computers. Analog computers recognize data as a
continuous movement of a physical property. Digital computers recognize data a
series of discrete signals representing high or low voltage state of electricity. Hybrid
computers are a combination of analog and digital computers. Digital computers are further
classified according to their speed and capacity of memory and size as micro computers,
notebook or laptops, Mini computers, Main frames and Super computers.

The typical characteristics of the computer are its superfast speed, the
accuracy of each and every calculation, and its consistent efficiency. It has tremendous
storage capacity and can store large volumes of data. It is versatile in the sense that it
can be used in a vast range of applications from complex scientific problems to a
child’s game. A system is a group of integrated elements which are logically related to
achieve the goal of the system each element performs a specific task assigned to it.

A computer system is made up of:

Input Unit: which accepts input data The Central Processing Unit: This is made up of the
Control unit, the Arithmetic and Logic Unit and the Primary Storage Unit. This unit
controls the entire computer system.

Output Unit: This unit gives the results of the computation to the user. The evolution or
development of computers is characterized by generations of computers. The first
generation had very large and complex machines which made use of the vacuum
tube technology. Invention of transistors in the second generation reduced the size of the
computers and the concept of stored program emerged, as well as higher level languages
were introduced. The third generation was characterized by Integrated Circuits and
commercial production of computers. The fourth generation saw the invention of
microcomputers with Very Large Scale Integration, Networking and introduction of
personal computers. The fifth or the present generation has seen advances in parallel
processing and superconductor technologies.

Computers today, find applications in vast and varying fields like scientific,
engineering and research, medicine and business, education and games, entertainment.
The computers however have a serious drawback that they can only do what they
are programmed to do since they have no brain. They cannot arrive at a conclusion
without going through all intermediate steps.

1.10 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS - ANSWERS

1.1
1 a) program
b) Calculate
c) Hardware

2. a) A computer can be defined as a fast and accurate data processing

system that accepts data, performs various operations on the data, has the capability

Introduction to Computer System/15

to store the data and produce the results on the basis of detailed step by step
instructions given to it
b) Software is a collection of programs which utilize and enhance the capability
of the hardware. It consists of the various computer programs, procedures and
other documentation used in the operation of a computer system.

1.2
1. a- (iii)
b- (iv)
c - (i)
d- (ii)
e- (v)

2.
a) True
b) False
c) True
d) True
e) False

1.3
1. a) Microcomputer b) Hybrid Computer c) Digital

2. a) Multiple processors multiple instructions at the same time. This is known as

parallel processing.
b) Analog computer is a computer in which data (information) is recognized as a
continuous measurement of a physical property like voltage, speed, pressure etc.
Graphical output or readings on a dial are obtained, ex. voltage, speed, temperature,
pressure can be measured in this way.
c) Mainframe computers are very large computers which process data at very high
speeds. They can be linked into a network and are used in large organizations and
government departments, ex. IBM 4381.

1.4 & 1.5

1 a) - ii) speed
2 a) Applications of modern day computers : Scientific, Engineering and
Research : They are used in areas which require lot of experiments, mathematical
calculations, weather forecasting, and complex mathematical and engineering
applications.
b) Limitations of computers : Computers can only do what they have been
programmed to do. They can execute only those jobs that can be expressed as a finite set of
instructions to achieve a specific goal where each step has to be clearly defined.

1.6
1.
a) - i) input device
b) - iii) central Processing unit

1.7 & 1.8

1.
a) Main Memory
b) Central Processing Unit
c) Output Unit
2.
a) A system is defined as a group of integrated parts which are designed to
achieve a common objective. Thus, a system is made up of more than one element or
part, where each element performs a specific function and where all the elements (parts)
are logically related and are controlled in such a way that the goal (purpose) of the system is

Computer Fundamentals/16
achieved.
b) The functions of the input unit are :
i) Accept information (data) and programs.
ii) Convert the data in a form which the computer can accept.
iii) Provide this converted data to the computer for further processing.

1.11 QUESTIONS FOR SELF - STUDY

1. Define the terms: data, program, hardware and software.

2. List and explain in brief the characteristics of computers.
3. Define a System. W hat constitutes a computer system?
4. W rite short notes on Fourth Generation of Computers, Limitations of computers.
5. Explain the classification of computers on the basis of their capacity to access
memory and size.
6. List the applications of computers.

1. 12 SUGGESTED READINGS
 Computer Fundamentals
Concepts, Systems & Applications – P.K Sinha

REFERENCE
 http://www.tutorialspoint.com/

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