SKILL ENHANCEMENT COURSE

(SEC)
BCA1FS111– Introduction to Computers and Office Automation

DR MINI T V
SACRED HEART COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS), CHALAKUDY

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 0

 Module Unit Content

I Introduction To Computers
1 Types of Computers
2 Hardware: CPU, Input/Output Devices. Storage Devices, memory
hierarchy, RAM, ROM, Secondary Memory,and Registers.
3 Software: Types of Software, computer languages, language
translators, and Operating Systems.
4 Computer Networks: LAN, WAN, MAN, Client -Server
II Documentation Using a Word Processor
(OpenOffice Writer / M.S. Word)
5 Introduction to Office Automation, Word Processing Concepts -
creating and editing documents, Formatting documents.
6 Finding and Replacing Text, Printing documents, Auto-text,
Autocorrect, Spelling and Grammar Tools.
7 Document Dictionary, Graphics, Tables, Charts, Columns, Page
Borders, Bookmark.
8 Advanced Features- Mail Merge, Macros, Tables, File Management,
Printing, Styles, linking and embedding objects, Template.
III Electronic Spread Sheet (Open Office Calc/MS- Excel)
9 Introduction to Spread Sheet, Spreadsheet Concepts, Creating, Saving,and
Editing a Workbook.
10 Inserting, deleting worksheets, entering data in a Cell/Formula,
Copying and moving data from selected Cells.
11 Handling Operators in Formula. Functions: Mathematical, Logical,
Statistical, Text, Financial, Date and Time, Function Wizard.
12 Formatting a Worksheet, Formatting Cells, and Changing Data
alignments. Changing date, Character, Number, Currency format,
Changing font.
13 Adding borders and colors, Printing Worksheets, Charts and graphs,
creating previewing and modifying charts, Conditional Formatting,
and Filters.
14 Advanced features – Pivot table & Pivot Chart, Linking and
Consolidation
IV Presentation using (OpenOffice Impress/MS- Power Point)
15 Presentations, Creating, Manipulating & Enhancing Slides.
16 Organizational Charts, Charts, Drawing objects, clip arts, Word Art,
Layering art Objects.
17 Inserting Animated Pictures or Accessing through Object, Inserting
Recorded Sound Effect or In-Built Sound Effect.
V Open Ended Module
1 • Design and Implement Automation Solutions in real-world
scenarios
• Understand Future Trends in Automation

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 1

 Module 1
Introduction to Computers
A computer is an electronic device that has storage, computations, input (data), output (data)
and networking capabilities. With the growing AI, computers also have learning capabilities
from the data provided. The input and output data can be in different forms like text, images,
audio and video. A computer processes the input according to the set of instructions provided
to it by the user and gives the desired output. Computers are of various types and they can be
categorized in two ways on the basis of size and on the basis of data handling capabilities.

Types of Computers
There are two bases on which we can define the types of computers. We will discuss the type
of computers on the basis of size and data handling capabilities. We will discuss each type of
computer in detail. Let’s see first what are the types of computers.
• Super Computer
• Mainframe computer
• Mini Computer
• Workstation Computer
• Personal Computer (PC)
• Server Computer
• Analog Computer
• Digital Computer
• Hybrid Computer
• Tablets and Smartphone
Now, we are going to discuss each of them in detail.
Supercomputer
When we talk about speed, then the first name that comes to mind when thinking of computers
is supercomputers. They are the biggest and fastest computers (in terms of speed of processing
data). Supercomputers are designed such that they can process a huge amount of data, like
processing trillions of instructions or data just in a second. This is because of the thousands of
interconnected processors in supercomputers. It is basically used in scientific and engineering
applications such as weather forecasting, scientific simulations, and nuclear energy research. It
was first developed by Roger Cray in 1976.
Characteristics of Supercomputers
• Supercomputers are the computers that are the fastest and they are also very expensive.
• It can calculate up to ten trillion individual calculations per second, this is also the
reason which makes it even faster.
• It is used in the stock market or big organizations for managing the online currency
world such as Bitcoin etc.
• It is used in scientific research areas for analyzing data obtained from exploring the
solar system, satellites, etc.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 2

Mainframe computer
Mainframe computers are designed in such a way that they can support hundreds or thousands
of users at the same time. It also supports multiple programs simultaneously. So, they can
execute different processes simultaneously. All these features make the mainframe computer
ideal for big organizations like banking, telecom sectors, etc., which process a high volume of
data in general.
Characteristics of Mainframe Computers
• It is also an expensive or costly computer.
• It has high storage capacity and great performance.
• It can process a huge amount of data (like data involved in the banking sector) very
quickly.
• It runs smoothly for a long time and has a long life.
Minicomputer
Minicomputer is a medium size multiprocessing computer. In this type of computer, there are
two or more processors, and it supports 4 to 200 users at one time. Minicomputer is similar to
Microcontroller. Minicomputers are used in places like institutes or departments for different
work like billing, accounting, inventory management, etc. It is smaller than a mainframe
computer but larger in comparison to the microcomputer.
Characteristics of Minicomputer
• Its weight is low.
• Because of its low weight, it is easy to carry anywhere.
• less expensive than a mainframe computer.
• It is fast.
Workstation Computer
A workstation computer is designed for technical or scientific applications. It consists of a fast
microprocessor, with a large amount of RAM and a high-speed graphic adapter. It is a single-
user computer. It is generally used to perform a specific task with great accuracy.
Characteristics of Workstation Computer
• It is expensive or high in cost.
• They are exclusively made for complex work purposes.
• It provides large storage capacity, better graphics, and a more powerful CPU when
compared to a PC.
• It is also used to handle animation, data analysis, CAD, audio and video creation, and
editing.
Personal Computer (PC)
Personal Computers is also known as a microcomputer. It is basically a general-purpose
computer designed for individual use. It consists of a microprocessor as a central processing
unit(CPU), memory, input unit, and output unit. This kind of computer is suitable for personal

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 3

work such as making an assignment, watching a movie, or at the office for office work, etc.
For example, Laptops and desktop computers.
Characteristics of Personal Computer (PC)
• In this limited number of software can be used.
• It is the smallest in size.
• It is designed for personal use.
• It is easy to use.
Server Computer
Server Computers are computers that are combined data and programs. Electronic data and
applications are stored and shared in the server computer. The working of a server computer is
that it does not solve a bigger problem like a supercomputer but it solves many smaller similar
ones. Examples of server computer are like Wikipedia, as when users put a request for any
page, it finds what the user is looking for and sends it to the user.
Analog Computer
Analog Computers are particularly designed to process analog data. Continuous data that
changes continuously and cannot have discrete values are called analog data. So, an analog
computer is used where we don’t need exact values or need approximate values such as speed,
temperature, pressure, etc. It can directly accept the data from the measuring device without
first converting it into numbers and codes. It measures the continuous changes in physical
quantity. It gives output as a reading on a dial or scale. For example speedometer, mercury
thermometer, etc.
Digital Computer
Digital computers are designed in such a way that they can easily perform calculations and
logical operations at high speed. It takes raw data as input and processes it with programs stored
in its memory to produce the final output. It only understands the binary input 0 and 1, so the
raw input data is converted to 0 and 1 by the computer and then it is processed by the computer
to produce the result or final output. All modern computers, like laptops, desktops including
smartphones are digital computers.
Hybrid Computer
As the name suggests hybrid, which means made by combining two different things. Similarly,
the hybrid computer is a combination of both analog and digital computers. Hybrid computers
are fast like analog computers and have memory and accuracy like digital computers. So, it has
the ability to process both continuous and discrete data. For working when it accepts analog
signals as input then it converts them into digital form before processing the input data. So, it
is widely used in specialized applications where both analog and digital data are required to be
processed. A processor which is used in petrol pumps that converts the measurements of fuel
flow into quantity and price is an example of a hybrid computer.
Tablet and Smartphones
Tablets and Smartphones are the types of computers that are pocket friendly and easy to carry
is these are handy. This is one of the best use of modern technology. These devices have better

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 4

hardware capabilities, extensive operating systems, and better multimedia functionality.
smartphones and tablets contain a number of sensors and are also able to provide wireless
communication protocols.

Computer Hardware
Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as a case, central processing
unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), monitor, and mouse which processes the input
according to the set of instructions provided to it by the user and gives the desired output.
The computer has mainly has two major components:
1. Hardware
2. Software
In this article, we only discuss computer hardware.
What is Computer Hardware?
Computer hardware is a physical device of computers that we can see and touch. For
e.g. Monitor, Central Processing Unit, Mouse, Joystick, etc. Using these devices, we can
control computer operations like input and output.

Computer Hardware Parts

These hardware components are further divided into the following categories, which are:
1. Input Devices
2. Output Devices
3. Storage Devices
4. Internal Components
1. Input Devices
Input devices are those devices with the help of which the user interacts with the computer. Or,
in other words, with the help of input devices, the user enters the data or information into the
computer. This information or data is accepted by the input devices and converted into a
computer-acceptable format, which is further sent to the computer system for processing.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 5

Now we discuss some input devices:
• Keyboard: It is the most common and main input device for computers. The data is
inputted by typing on the keyboard. It consists of 104 keys in total. It contains numeric
keys, alphabet keys, and different function keys as well. Earlier, it was connected to the
computer via cable, now as technology has advanced, you can connect a keyboard using
Bluetooth.
• Mouse: A mouse is a kind of pointing device which is rolled over to control the cursor
on the screen and it has functional keys like left, middle, and right buttons. Using these
functional keys, on by the click of which an object is selected or to open a file by just a
click of a mouse. It also consists of a sensor inside which notifies its speed to the
computer and according to which the cursor is moved on the screen.
• Scanner: As the name suggests, it scans images, documents, etc., and converts them
into digital form and that can be further edited and used. It works just like a Xerox
machine.
• Track Ball: It is a device much like an upside-down mouse. It does not use much space
for movement like a mouse. As the trackball remains stationary and the user moves the
ball in various directions, it affects the screen movements directly.
• Light Pen: It is a light-sensitive device and it is touched to the CRT screen where it can
detect, a raster on the screen as it passes by and, with the help of this user can draw
anything like lines, figures, or any objects.
• Microphone: It is a kind of voice input system that can be attached to a computer
system to record sounds. It converts human speech or voice into electrical signals. This
electrical signal is processed by the computer and the word is recognized.
• Optical Character Reader: It is used to detect alphanumeric characters that are
written or printed on paper using a low-frequency light source. This light is absorbed
by the dark areas and reflected by the light areas, now this reflected light is received by
the photocells. It is like a scanner.
• Bar Code Reader: It is used to read bar codes and convert them into electric pulse
which will further processed by the computer. Here, the barcode is data that is coded
into white and black lines(or light and dark lines).
2. Output Devices
These are the devices that are used to display the output of any task given to the computer in
human-readable form. Now we discuss some output devices:
• Monitor: The monitor is the main output device. It is also called VDU (visual display
unit) and it looks like a TV screen. The Monitor displays the information from the
computer. It is used to display text, video, images, etc.
• Printer: A printer is an output device that transfers data from the computer in a printed
format by using text or images on paper. There are both colored and black & white
printers. Further, there are also different types of printers, like Laser Printer, Dot-
matrix printers, and Inkjet printers.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 6

 • Plotter: It is similar to a printer but potters are large in size. A plotter is used to generate
large drawings, architectural blueprints, etc. on paper and these are high-quality images
and drawings and large in size.
• Speakers: It is a very common output device and it gives sound as an output. Speaker
is generally used to play music or anything having sound.
3. Storage Devices
There are some devices that are used for storage purposes and are known as secondary storage
devices. Some of them were discussed below:
1. CD (Compact disc): A CD is circular in shape and made up of thin platted glass and plastic
polycarbonate material. It has a storage capacity of 600 MB to 700 MB of data. It has a
standard size of 12 cm with a hole in the center of about 1.5 cm and 1.2 mm in thickness.
There are basically 3 types of CDs, which are:
• CD-ROM (CD – Read Only Memory): Contents of this type of CD cannot be erased
by the user. Only the publisher is allowed to access the data imprinted on this CD. CD-
ROM is basically used for commercial purposes like for a music album or any
application package by a software company.
• CD-R (CD-Recordable): In this, content or data can be stored once. After that, they
can be read many times but the data or content cannot be rewritten or erased. (Kind of
one-time use)
• CD-RW(CD-Rewritable): As the name suggests, this type of CD is used to rewrite the
content or erase previous content and again write new content many times.
2. DVD (Digital Video/Versatile Disc): A DVD is the same as a CD but with some more
features. A DVD comes in single and dual-layer formats. It has much greater storage
capacity in comparison to CD. The storage capacity of a DVD with one-sided single layer
is – 4.7 GB, one-sided double layer – 8.5 GB, double-sided single layer – 9.4 GB, and
double-sided double layer – 17 GB. There are also some types in DVDs, which are:
• DVD-ROM: In this type, the contents of the DVD cannot be written on or erased by
the user. DVD ROM is used for applications and database for distributing them in large
amounts.
• DVD-R / DVD+R: DVD-R (DVD minus R) and DVD+R (DVD plus R) are two
different kinds of discs and they are once recordable format. Also, they have no
difference virtually.
• DVD-RW / DVD+RW: This is a kind of rewritable disc and it allows up to 1,000
rewrites.
• DVD-RAM: DVD RAM is accessed like a hard disk. It provides high data security and
storage capacity. This is a kind of rewritable disc and it allows up to 1,00,000 rewrites.
Hardware Components:
Some important hardware devices known as the internal components are discussed below:

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 7

1. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU is also known as the heart of the computer. It consists of three units, generally known
as the control unit, Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU), and the memory unit. Below is the block
diagram of the CPU is given:

As shown in the diagram input is given to the CPU through input devices. This input goes to
memory and the control unit gets instructions from memory. The control unit now decides what
to do with the input or instructions and transfers it to ALU. Now, ALU performs various
operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, logical operations, etc. After that,
the final result gets stored in memory and finally passed to output devices to give the output.
So, this is how the CPU works.
2. Motherboard
It is the main circuit board inside a computer and it contains most of the electronic components
together. All the components of the computer are directly or indirectly connected to
the motherboard. It includes RAM slots, controllers, system chipsets, etc.
3. RAM (Random Access Memory)
It is also known as temporary or volatile memory. It holds the program and data, which are
currently in process or processing. All the data is erased as soon as the computer is turned off
or in case of a power failure. Data stored in this memory can be changed. There are two types
of RAM:
1. SRAM (Static RAM): SRAM basically consists of a flip-flop using a transistor or
Mosfet (MOS). It is fast and has less access time. In this refreshing circuits are not
required. But it is costly and requires more space. For e.g. cache memory.
2. DRAM (Dynamic RAM): DRAM consists of capacitors and the data is stored in the
form of capacitors. Capacitors charge when data is 1 and don’t charge if data is 0. It
requires refreshing circuits, as leakage of current in the capacitor can occur, so they
need to be refreshed to the data. It is slower and has a higher access time. It is cheaper
in comparison with SRAM. For e.g. Main memory.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 8

4. Video Graphics Array Port
A video input commonly used on computer monitors is called a video graphics array (VGA)
port. Verifying that there isn’t a loose connection, a damaged cable, or a broken display is one
step in troubleshooting a VGA port. Compressed air can also be sprayed inside the VGA port
by a computer expert to make sure it’s dust-free.
5. Power Supply
All of a computer system’s parts are powered by a power source. Typically, a power cord is
used to connect a computer tower to an electrical outlet. By turning off the computer,
unplugging and separating the power supply cord, or trying a different cord or socket, a
technician can diagnose the power supply.
6. Cooling Fan
A computer’s system to prevent overheating uses cooling fans. To aid customers who use their
computers intensively, such as when streaming video or playing games, many computers
contain more than one cooling fan. If a user detects their computer overheating, a computer
expert might need to repair the cooling fan. The blades may be examined for any damage and
cleared of any foreign objects. A technician’s standard method of troubleshooting may involve
replacing computer fans.
7. Hard Drive
On a computer system, files, programs, and other types of information are stored on hard drives,
which are data storage devices. They utilise hard drives, which are magnetically coated discs
used to store digital versions of information. A computer technician can suspect a corrupt hard
disk when a hard drive dies.
Memory Hierarchy Design and its Characteristics
In the Computer System Design, Memory Hierarchy is an enhancement to organize the memory
such that it can minimize the access time. The Memory Hierarchy was developed based on a
program behavior known as locality of references. The figure below clearly demonstrates the
different levels of the memory hierarchy.
Why Memory Hierarchy is Required in the System?
Memory Hierarchy is one of the most required things in Computer Memory as it helps in
optimizing the memory available in the computer. There are multiple levels present in the
memory, each one having a different size, different cost, etc. Some types of memory like cache,
and main memory are faster as compared to other types of memory but they are having a little
less size and are also costly whereas some memory has a little higher storage value, but they
are a little slower. Accessing of data is not similar in all types of memory, some have faster
access whereas some have slower access.
Types of Memory Hierarchy
This Memory Hierarchy Design is divided into 2 main types:

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 9

 • External Memory or Secondary Memory: Comprising of Magnetic Disk, Optical
Disk, and Magnetic Tape i.e. peripheral storage devices which are accessible by the
processor via an I/O Module.
• Internal Memory or Primary Memory: Comprising of Main Memory, Cache
Memory & CPU registers. This is directly accessible by the processor.

Memory Hierarchy Design

1. Registers
Registers are small, high-speed memory units located in the CPU. They are used to store the
most frequently used data and instructions. Registers have the fastest access time and the
smallest storage capacity, typically ranging from 16 to 64 bits.
There are different types of registers listed below:
• Accumulator Register
• Program Counter (PC) Register
• General-Purpose Registers
• Instruction Register (IR)
• Memory Address Register (MAR)
• Memory Data Register (MDR)
• Stack Pointer (SP)
• Floating-Point Registers
2. Cache Memory
Cache memory is a small, fast memory unit located close to the CPU. It stores frequently used
data and instructions that have been recently accessed from the main memory. Cache memory
is designed to minimize the time it takes to access data by providing the CPU with quick access
to frequently used data.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 10

3. Main Memory
Main memory, also known as RAM (Random Access Memory), is the primary memory of a
computer system. It has a larger storage capacity than cache memory, but it is slower. Main
memory is used to store data and instructions that are currently in use by the CPU.
Types of Main Memory
• Static RAM: Static RAM stores the binary information in flip flops and information
remains valid until power is supplied. It has a faster access time and is used in
implementing cache memory.
• Dynamic RAM: It stores the binary information as a charge on the capacitor. It requires
refreshing circuitry to maintain the charge on the capacitors after a few milliseconds. It
contains more memory cells per unit area as compared to SRAM.
4. Secondary Storage
Secondary storage, such as hard disk drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD), is a non-
volatile memory unit that has a larger storage capacity than main memory. It is used to store
data and instructions that are not currently in use by the CPU. Secondary storage has the slowest
access time and is typically the least expensive type of memory in the memory hierarchy.
5. Magnetic Disk
Magnetic Disks are simply circular plates that are fabricated with either a metal or a plastic or
a magnetized material. The Magnetic disks work at a high speed inside the computer and these
are frequently used.
6. Magnetic Tape
Magnetic Tape is simply a magnetic recording device that is covered with a plastic film. It is
generally used for the backup of data. In the case of a magnetic tape, the access time for a
computer is a little slower and therefore, it requires some amount of time for accessing the
strip.
Characteristics of Memory Hierarchy
• Capacity: It is the global volume of information the memory can store. As we move
from top to bottom in the Hierarchy, the capacity increases.
• Access Time: It is the time interval between the read/write request and the availability
of the data. As we move from top to bottom in the Hierarchy, the access time increases.
• Performance: Earlier when the computer system was designed without a Memory
Hierarchy design, the speed gap increased between the CPU registers and Main
Memory due to a large difference in access time. This results in lower performance of
the system and thus, enhancement was required. This enhancement was made in the
form of Memory Hierarchy Design because of which the performance of the system
increases. One of the most significant ways to increase system performance is
minimizing how far down the memory hierarchy one has to go to manipulate data.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 11

 • Cost Per Bit: As we move from bottom to top in the Hierarchy, the cost per bit
increases i.e. Internal Memory is costlier than External Memory.
Advantages of Memory Hierarchy
• It helps in removing some destruction, and managing the memory in a better way.
• It helps in spreading the data all over the computer system.

• It saves the consumer’s price and time. ory

Secondary Memory

Secondary memory is computer memory that is non-volatile, persistent and not immediately
accessible by a computer or processor. It allows users to store data and information that can
be retrieved, transmitted, and used by apps and services quickly and easily. Secondary
storage is another name for secondary memory

Types of Secondary Memory

There are two types of secondary memory:
1. Fixed Storage
A fixed storage device in secondary memory is an internal media device used to store data in a
computer system. Fixed storage is sometimes known as hard drives or the fixed disc drives.
Here are the different types of fixed storage:
• Hard disk drives (HDD)
• SSD (solid-state disk)
• Internal flash memory (rare)
2. Removable Storage
Removable storage refers to an external media device that is mainly used to store data on a
computer system in secondary memory. The disk drives or the external drives are common
names for removable storage. It’s a removable storage device that can be inserted or withdrawn
from the computer as needed.
Here are the types of removable storage:
• Optical discs (such as DVDs, CDs, Blu-ray discs, etc.)
• Floppy disks
• Memory cards
• Disk packs
• Magnetic tapes
• Paper storage (such as punched cards, punched tapes, etc.)

Software
In a computer system, the software is basically a set of instructions or commands that tell a
computer what to do. In other words, the software is a computer program that provides a set of

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 12

instructions to execute a user’s commands and tell the computer what to do. For example
like MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
Types of Software
It is a collection of data that is given to the computer to complete a particular task. The chart
below describes the types of software:

Above is the diagram of types of software. Now we will briefly describe each type and its
subtypes:
1. System Software
Operating System
•
Language Processor
•
Device Driver
•
2. Application Software
• General Purpose Software
• Customize Software
• Utility Software
System Software
System software is software that directly operates the computer hardware and provides the
basic functionality to the users as well as to the other software to operate smoothly. Or in other
words, system software basically controls a computer’s internal functioning and also controls
hardware devices such as monitors, printers, and storage devices, etc. It is like an interface
between hardware and user applications, it helps them to communicate with each other because
hardware understands machine language (i.e. 1 or 0) whereas user applications are work in
human-readable languages like English, Hindi, German, etc. so system software converts the
human-readable language into machine language and vice versa.
Types of System Software
It has two subtypes which are:
1. Operating System: It is the main program of a computer system. When the computer
system ON it is the first software that loads into the computer’s memory. Basically, it

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 manages all the resources such as computer memory, CPU, printer, hard disk, etc., and
provides an interface to the user, which helps the user to interact with the computer
system. It also provides various services to other computer software. Examples of
operating systems are Linux, Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows, etc.
2. Language Processor: As we know that system software converts the human-readable
language into a machine language and vice versa. So, the conversion is done by the
language processor. It converts programs written in high-level programming
languages like Java, C, C++, Python, etc(known as source code), into sets of
instructions that are easily readable by machines(known as object code or machine
code).
3. Device Driver: A device driver is a program or software that controls a device and
helps that device to perform its functions. Every device like a printer, mouse, modem,
etc. needs a driver to connect with the computer system eternally. So, when you connect
a new device with your computer system, first you need to install the driver of that
device so that your operating system knows how to control or manage that device.
Features of System Software
Let us discuss some of the features of System Software:
• System Software is closer to the computer system.
• System Software is written in a low-level language in general.
• System software is difficult to design and understand.
• System software is fast in speed (working speed).
• System software is less interactive for the users in comparison to application software.
Application Software
Software that performs special functions or provides functions that are much more than the
basic operation of the computer is known as application software. Or in other words,
application software is designed to perform a specific task for end-users. It is a product or a
program that is designed only to fulfill end-users’ requirements. It includes word
processors, spreadsheets, database management, inventory, payroll programs, etc.
Types of Application Software: There are different types of application software and those
are:
1. General Purpose Software: This type of application software is used for a variety of
tasks and it is not limited to performing a specific task only. For example, MS-Word,
MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
2. Customized Software: This type of application software is used or designed to
perform specific tasks or functions or designed for specific organizations. For
example, railway reservation system, airline reservation system, invoice management
system, etc.
3. Utility Software: This type of application software is used to support the computer
infrastructure. It is designed to analyze, configure, optimize and maintains the system,
and take care of its requirements as well. For example, antivirus, disk fragmenter,
memory tester, disk repair, disk cleaners, registry cleaners, disk space analyzer, etc.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 14

Features of Application Software
Let us discuss some of the features of Application Software:
• An important feature of application software is it performs more specialized tasks like
word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc.
• Mostly, the size of the software is big, so it requires more storage space.
• Application software is more interactive for the users, so it is easy to use and design.
• The application software is easy to design and understand.
• Application software is written in a high-level language in general.
Difference Between System Software and Application Software
Now, let us discuss some difference between system software and application software:

System Software Application Software

It is designed to manage the resources of the

It is designed to fulfill the requirements of
computer system, like memory and process
the user for performing specific tasks.
management, etc.

Written in a low-level language. Written in a high-level language.

Less interactive for the users. More interactive for the users.

Application software is not so important

System software plays vital role for the
for the functioning of the system, as it is
effective functioning of a system.
task specific.

It is independent of the application software to

It needs system software to run.
run.

Relationship Between Computer Hardware and Software

• Both the Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Each should
function properly so that the computer produces an output.
• Software utilization cannot be done without supporting of the hardware.
• Relevant software should be loaded into the hardware to get the latest software.
• Hardware is a one-time expense while software is not.
• Software development is very expensive while hardware cant be developed if in use
once.
• Many software applications and their sub-applications can be loaded on hardware to
run different jobs.
• The software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 15

Programming Languages
A programming language is a formal language that specifies a set of instructions for a computer
to perform specific tasks. It’s used to write software programs and applications, and to control
and manipulate computer systems. There are many different programming languages, each
with its own syntax, structure, and set of commands. Programming languages continue to
evolve and change over time, with new languages being developed and older ones being
updated to meet changing needs.
Some of the key features of programming languages include:
1. Syntax: The specific rules and structure used to write code in a programming language.
2. Data Types: The type of values that can be stored in a program, such as numbers,
strings, and booleans.
3. Variables: Named memory locations that can store values.
4. Operators: Symbols used to perform operations on values, such as addition,
subtraction, and comparison.
5. Control Structures: Statements used to control the flow of a program, such as if-else
statements, loops, and function calls.
6. Libraries and Frameworks: Collections of pre-written code that can be used to perform
common tasks and speed up development.
7. Paradigms: The programming style or philosophy used in the language, such as
procedural, object-oriented, or functional.
Examples of popular programming languages include Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, and
Ruby. Each language has its own strengths and weaknesses and is suited for different types of
projects.
A program is a set of instructions given to a computer to perform a specific operation. or
computer is a computational device that is used to process the data under the control of a
computer program. While executing the program, raw data is processed into the desired output
format. These computer programs are written in a programming language which are high-level
languages.
High level languages are nearly human languages that are more complex than the computer
understandable language which are called machine language, or low-level language. So, after
knowing the basics, we are ready to create a very simple and basic program. Like we have
different languages to communicate with each other, likewise, we have different languages like
C, C++, C#, Java, python, etc to communicate with the computers. The computer only
understands binary language (the language of 0’s and 1’s) also called machine-understandable
language or low-level language but the programs we are going to write are in a high-level
language which is almost similar to human language.
Between high-level language and machine language, there are assembly languages also called
symbolic machine code. Assembly languages are particularly computer architecture specific.
Utility program (Assembler) is used to convert assembly code into executable machine code.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 16

Hierarchy of Computer language –

Basic Terminologies in Programming Languages:

• Algorithm: A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or performing a task.
• Variable: A named storage location in memory that holds a value or data.
• Data Type: A classification that specifies what type of data a variable can hold, such as
integer, string, or boolean.
• Function: A self-contained block of code that performs a specific task and can be called
from other parts of the program.
• Control Flow: The order in which statements are executed in a program, including
loops and conditional statements.
• Syntax: The set of rules that govern the structure and format of a programming
language.
• Comment: A piece of text in a program that is ignored by the compiler or interpreter,
used to add notes or explanations to the code.
• Debugging: The process of finding and fixing errors or bugs in a program.
• IDE: Integrated Development Environment, a software application that provides a
comprehensive development environment for coding, debugging, and testing.
• Operator: A symbol or keyword that represents an action or operation to be performed
on one or more values or variables, such as + (addition), – (subtraction), *
(multiplication), and / (division).
• Statement: A single line or instruction in a program that performs a specific action or
operation.
Language Processors: Assembler, Compiler and Interpreter
A language processor, or language translator, is a computer program that convert source code
from one programming language to another language or to machine code (also known as object
code). They also find errors during translation.
Types of Language Processors:
The language processors can be any of the following three types:

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 17

1. Compiler
The language processor that reads the complete source program written in high-level
language as a whole in one go and translates it into an equivalent program in machine language
is called a Compiler. Example: C, C++, C#.
In a compiler, the source code is translated to object code successfully if it is free of errors. The
compiler specifies the errors at the end of the compilation with line numbers when there are
any errors in the source code. The errors must be removed before the compiler can successfully
recompile the source code again the object program can be executed number of times without
translating it again.

2. Assembler
The Assembler is used to translate the program written in Assembly language into machine
code. The source program is an input of an assembler that contains assembly language
instructions. The output generated by the assembler is the object code or machine code
understandable by the computer. We need an assembler to fill the gap between human and
machine so that they can communicate with each other. code written in assembly language is
some sort of mnemonics(instructions) like ADD, MUL, MUX, SUB, DIV, MOV and so on.
and the assembler is basically able to convert these mnemonics in binary code. Here, these
mnemonics also depend upon the architecture of the machine.

3. Interpreter
The translation of a single statement of the source program into machine code is done by a
language processor and executes immediately before moving on to the next line is called an
interpreter. If there is an error in the statement, the interpreter terminates its translating process
at that statement and displays an error message. The interpreter moves on to the next line for
execution only after the removal of the error. An Interpreter directly executes instructions
written in a programming or scripting language without previously converting them to an
object code or machine code. An interpreter translates one line at a time and then executes
it. Example: Perl, Python and Matlab.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 18

Difference Between Compiler and Interpreter

Compiler Interpreter

A compiler is a program that converts the

An interpreter takes a source program and
entire source code of a programming
runs it line by line, translating each line as it
language into executable machine code for
comes to it.
a CPU.

The compiler takes a large amount of time

An interpreter takes less amount of time to
to analyze the entire source code but the
analyze the source code but the overall
overall execution time of the program is
execution time of the program is slower.
comparatively faster.

The compiler generates the error message

only after scanning the whole program, so
Its Debugging is easier as it continues
debugging is comparatively hard as the
translating the program until the error is met.
error can be present anywhere in the
program.

The compiler requires a lot of memory for It requires less memory than a compiler
generating object codes. because no object code is generated.

Generates intermediate object code. No intermediate object code is generated.

For Security purpose compiler is more The interpreter is a little vulnerable in case
useful. of security.

Examples: C, C++, C# Examples: Python, Perl, JavaScript, Ruby.

Operating System
An Operating System (OS) is software that manages and handles the hardware and software
resources of a computer system. It provides interaction between users of computers and
computer hardware. An operating system is responsible for managing and controlling all the
activities and sharing of computer resources. An operating system is a low-level Software that

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 19

includes all the basic functions like processor management, memory management, Error
detection, etc.
This Operating System tutorial will cover all the basic to advance operating system concepts
like System Structure, CPU Scheduling, Deadlock, file and disk management, and many more.
Types of Operating System
• Batch OS (e.g. Transactions Process, Payroll System, etc.)
• Multi-programmed OS (e.g. Windows, UNIX, macOS, etc.)
• Timesharing OS (e.g. Multics, Linux, etc.)
• Real-Time OS (e.g. PSOS, VRTX, etc.)
• Distributed OS (e.g. LOCUS, Solaris, etc.)
Operating System Functions
• Memory and processor Management
• Network Management
• Security Management
• File Management
• Error Detection
• Job Accounting
Computer Networking
Computer Networking is the practice of connecting computers together to enable
communication and data exchange between them. In general, Computer Network is a collection
of two or more computers. It helps users to communicate more easily. In this article, we are
going to discuss the basics which everyone must know before going deep into Computer
Networking.
Basic Terminologies of Computer Networks
• Network: A network is a collection of computers and devices that are connected
together to enable communication and data exchange.
• Nodes: Nodes are devices that are connected to a network. These can include
computers, Servers, Printers, Routers, Switches, and other devices.
• Protocol: A protocol is a set of rules and standards that govern how data is transmitted
over a network. Examples of protocols include TCP/IP, HTTP, and FTP.
• Topology: Network topology refers to the physical and logical arrangement of nodes
on a network. The common network topologies include bus, star, ring, mesh, and tree.
• Service Provider Networks: These types of Networks give permission to take
Network Capacity and Functionality on lease from the Provider. Service Provider
Networks include Wireless Communications, Data Carriers, etc.
• IP Address: An IP address is a unique numerical identifier that is assigned to every
device on a network. IP addresses are used to identify devices and enable
communication between them.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 20

 • DNS: The Domain Name System (DNS) is a protocol that is used to translate human-
readable domain names (such as www.google.com) into IP addresses that computers
can understand.
• Firewall: A firewall is a security device that is used to monitor and control incoming
and outgoing network traffic. Firewalls are used to protect networks from unauthorized
access and other security threats.
Types of Enterprise Computer Networks
• LAN: A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that covers a small area, such as an
office or a home. LANs are typically used to connect computers and other devices
within a building or a campus.
• WAN: A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network that covers a large geographic area,
such as a city, country, or even the entire world. WANs are used to connect LANs
together and are typically used for long-distance communication.
• Cloud Networks: Cloud Networks can be visualized with a Wide Area Network
(WAN) as they can be hosted on public or private cloud service providers and cloud
networks are available if there is a demand. Cloud Networks consist of Virtual Routers,
Firewalls, etc.
Types of Computer Network Architecture
Computer Network falls under these broad Categories:
• Client-Server Architecture: Client-Server Architecture is a type of Computer
Network Architecture in which Nodes can be Servers or Clients. Here, the server node
can manage the Client Node Behaviour.
• Peer-to-Peer Architecture: In P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Architecture, there is not any
concept of a Central Server. Each device is free for working as either client or server.
Network Devices
An interconnection of multiple devices, also known as hosts, that are connected using multiple
paths for the purpose of sending/receiving data or media. Computer networks can also include
multiple devices/mediums which help in the communication between two different devices;
these are known as Network devices and include things such as routers, switches, hubs, and
bridges.

Network Devices

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 21

Network Topology
The Network Topology is the layout arrangement of the different devices in a network.
Common examples include Bus, Star, Mesh, Ring, and Daisy chain.

Client-Server Model
The Client-server model is a distributed application structure that partitions tasks or workloads
between the providers of a resource or service, called servers, and service requesters called
clients. In the client-server architecture, when the client computer sends a request for data to
the server through the internet, the server accepts the requested process and delivers the data
packets requested back to the client. Clients do not share any of their resources. Examples of
the Client-Server Model are Email, World Wide Web, etc.
• Client: When we say the word Client, it means to talk of a person or an organization
using a particular service. Similarly in the digital world, a Client is a computer (Host)
i.e. capable of receiving information or using a particular service from the service
providers (Servers).
• Servers: Similarly, when we talk about the word Servers, It means a person or medium
that serves something. Similarly in this digital world, a Server is a remote computer
that provides information (data) or access to particular services.
So, it is the Client requesting something and the Server serving it as long as it is in the
database.
Advantages of Client-Server Model
• Centralized system with all data in a single place.
• Cost efficient requires less maintenance cost and Data recovery is possible.
• The capacity of the Client and Servers can be changed separately.
Disadvantages of Client-Server Model
• Clients are prone to viruses, Trojans, and worms if present in the Server or uploaded
into the Server.
• Servers are prone to Denial of Service (DOS) attacks.
• Data packets may be spoofed or modified during transmission.
• Phishing or capturing login credentials or other useful information of the user are
common and MITM (Man in the Middle) attacks are common.

Dr. MINI T V, Dept. of Computer Science, S H College (Autonomous), Chalakudy 22