1 FUN. OF.

COMP

NOTES

Unit – I
Introduction to Computers

Learning Objectives:

 Lesson 1 - Introduction to computers: Definition, Characteristics

and limitations of computers - Elements of Computers - Hardware
- CPU - Primary and Secondary memory.

1.1. Introduction to Computers

A computer is an electronic machine that accepts
information, stores it until the information is needed,
processes the information according to the instructions
provided by the user, and finally returns the results to
the user. The computer can store and manipulate large
quantities of data at very high speed, but a computer
cannot think. A computer makes decisions based on
simple comparisons such as one number being larger
than another. Although the computer can help solve a
tremendous variety of problems, it is simply a machine.
It cannot solve problems on its own.

1.2. Uses of computers

 Word Processing - Word Processing software

automatically corrects spelling and grammar mistakes. If
the content of a document repeats you don’t have to type
it each time. You can use the copy and paste features.
You can printout documents and make several copies. It
is easier to read a word-processed document than a
handwritten one. You can add images to your document.
 Internet - It is a network of almost all the computers in
the world. You can browse through much more
information than you could do in a library. That is
because computers can store enormous amounts of
information. You also have very fast and convenient
access to information. Through E-Mail you can
communicate with a person sitting thousands of miles
 2 FUN. OF. COMP

NOTES

away in seconds. There is chat software that enables one

to chat with another person on a real-time basis. Video
conferencing tools are becoming readily available to the
common man.
 Digital video or audio composition – Audio or video
composition and editing have been made much easier by
computers. It no longer costs thousands of dollars of
equipment to compose music or make a film. Graphics
engineers can use computers to generate short or full-
length films or even to create three-dimensional models.
Anybody owning a computer can now enter the field of
media production. Special effects in science fiction and
action movies are created using computers.
 Desktop publishing - With desktop publishing, you can
create page layouts for entire books on your personal
computer.
 Computers in Medicine - You can diagnose diseases.
You can learn the cures. Software is used in magnetic
resonance imaging to examine the internal organs of the
human body. Software is used for performing surgery.
Computers are used to store patient data.
 Mathematical Calculations - Thanks to computers,
which have computing speeds of over a million
calculations per second we can perform the biggest of
mathematical calculations.
 Banks - All financial transactions are done by computer
software. They provide security, speed and convenience.
 Travel - One can book air tickets or railway tickets and
make hotel reservations online.
 Telecommunications - Software is widely used here.
Also all mobile phones have software embedded in them.
 Defense - There is software embedded in almost every
weapon. Software is used for controlling the flight and
targeting in ballistic missiles. Software is used to control
access to atomic bombs.
 E-Learning – Instead of a book it is easier to learn from
an E-learning software.
 Gambling-You can gamble online instead of going to a
casino.
 Examinations-You can give online exams and get instant
results. You can check your examination results online.
 Computers in Business - Shops and supermarkets use
software, which calculate the bills. Taxes can be
calculated and paid online. Accounting is done using
 3 FUN. OF. COMP

NOTES

computers. One can predict future trends of business

using artificial intelligence software. Software is used in
major stock markets. One can do trading online. There
are fully automated factories running on software.
 Certificates - Different types of certificates can be
generated. It is very easy to create and change layouts.
 ATM machines - The computer software authenticates
the user and dispenses cash.
 Marriage - There are matrimonial sites through which
one can search for a suitable groom or bride.
 News-There are many websites through which you can
read the latest or old news.
 Classmates-There are many alumni websites through
which you can regain contact with your classmates.
 Robotics - Robots are controlled by software.
 Washing Machines - They operate using software.
 Microwave Oven - They are operated by software.
 Planning and Scheduling - Software can be used to store
contact information, generating plans, scheduling
appointments and deadlines.
 Plagiarism - Software can examine content for
plagiarism.
 Greeting Cards - You can send and receive greetings
pertaining to different occasions.
 Sports – Software is used for making umpiring decisions.
There are simulation software using which a
sportsperson can practice his skills. Computers are also
to identify flaws in techhnique.
 Aeroplanes – Pilots train on software, which simulates
flying.
 Weather analysis – Supercomputers are used to analyze
and predict weather.

Computers have leapfrogged the human society into another

league. It is used in each and every aspect of human life. They
will spearhead the human quest of eradicating social problems
like illiteracy and poverty. It is difficult to imagine a world bereft
of computers. This revolutionary technology is indeed a boon to
the human race. May computers continue to shower their
blessings to us.
 4 FUN. OF. COMP

NOTES

1.3 Elements of Computers

Input
Storage
Processing
Output

When a computer is asked to do a job, it handles the task in a

very special way.
1. It accepts the information from the user. This is called
input.
2. It stored the information until it is ready for use. The
computer has memory chips, which are designed to hold
information until it is needed.
3. It processes the information. The computer has an
electronic brain called the Central Processing Unit, which is
responsible for processing all data and instructions given to
the computer.
4. It then returns the processed information to the user. This
is called output.

Every computer has special parts to do each of the jobs listed

above. Whether it is a multimillion dollar mainframe or a
thousand dollar personal computer, it has the following four
components, Input, Memory, Central Processing, and Output.

1.3.1 Four Components of a Computer

A computer processes information. A toaster processes bread.

Although it's a simpler device, a toaster is a good way to
demonstrate the four components of computer processing:
input, storage, processing, and output. Just watch the
animation on this page for a moment.
 5 FUN. OF. COMP

NOTES

Both a toaster and a computer have physical parts you can

touch such as the keyboard and mouse. We call these parts
hardware.

Here the similiarites between toaster and computer end and the
differences begin. Only the computer has something called
software that enables it to figure out what to do with the input
you give it. You can't touch software. Software gives the
computer the ability to process many kinds of information. In
contrast, all a toaster can process is bread (and the occasional
waffle).

Another difference is a computer has a microprocessor. The

microprocessor is the device in the computer that performs
most of the tasks we ask the computer to do—from playing
computer games to graphing the number of people who prefer
cricket to curling. The microprocessor reads and performs
different tasks according to the software that instructs it. This
ability is what makes the computer such a versatile machine.

The key thing to remember is this: both computer and toaster

have four basic components to how they operate (input,
storage, processing, and output.) Unlike the toaster, the
computer is unlimited in the things it can do.

1.3.2 How Computers Get Input

Input Devices

A computer would be useless without some way for you to

interact with it because the machine must be able to receive
your instructions and deliver the results of these instructions to
you. Input devices accept instructions and data from you the
user. Some popular input devices are listed below.
Keyboard
Mouse
Scanner
Microphone
CD-ROM
Joystick

Computers are information processing machines. That means

 6 FUN. OF. COMP

NOTES

that you can use them to access and change information like
numbers, text, pictures, and even music. Think of what you
can do to modify a single sentence. Using the computer, it's
easy to add, delete, or rearrange words. To change a sentence
with your computer, though, first you have to get the sentence
into your computer.

Input devices are used to put information in your computer.

You type a sentence on your keyboard and it goes into the
computer. You speak into a microphone and your computer
records your words. You make funny faces at the video camera
and your computer records every one of them.

1.3.3 How Computers Store Information

When you use a telephone, it does not store information. You
speak into the phone, the person on the other end hears what
you say and then your words are gone. An answering machine
is different. It answers the phone and stores the information
given by the caller.

To process information, computers need to be able to store it.

Otherwise, like the phone, information would come and go
before anything could be done with it.

Computers store all kinds of information. They store the

information you give them, instructions from the software
you're using, plus the instructions they need to operate. To
store all this, they use two basic kinds of storage. Temporary
storage is for information actively being used for
processing. Random Access Memory (RAM) accepts new
infomation for temporary storage. Long-term storage is for
information computers use again and again, such as the
instructions the computer prepares itself with every time you
turn it on. These instructions are stored in read only memory
 7 FUN. OF. COMP

NOTES

(ROM), a type of memory that does not accept new information.

Computers also use a variety of devices to store information

that isn't actively being used for processing. Hard drives,
Optical Discs, storage, and Removable Media

1.3.4 Computers Need to Remember, Too

Just as you need to remember how to add when you face an
addition problem, computers also rely on memory. A computer
needs an addition program in its Random Access Memory
(RAM) to "remember" how to perform addition. When the user
switches to a word-processing program, the computer can
check spelling because the word-processing program is now in
RAM.

Some things come automatically to humans. When you breathe

or move your arm, you do so without having to remember how
your muscles work. Computers have a kind of built-in memory,
too. It is called read only memory (ROM). ROM remembers only
what it has been programmed to remember at the time the
ROM chip was manufactured. "Read only" means it can never
be told to do something different after it has left the factory.
That would be like trying to reprogram you to breathe water
instead of air.