COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

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INTRODUCTION: The General Studies Programme is designed to expose students to a variety
of knowledge across disciplines. It is aimed at enabling students appreciate the inter-relationship
among disciplines in an integrated world, which is fast becoming one big village. Advances in
science and technology are daily breaking down traditional boundaries in human knowledge and
communication. The computer is actively making obsolete the compartmentalization of human
knowledge. This course appreciation is the fundamental package is meant to introduce students
to the real application of what they suppose to have learnt before moving to any packages.

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COURSE CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER STUDIES 1
 DEFINITION AND MEANING OF THE COMPUTER
 DATA AND INFORMATION SCOPE
 BRIEF HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPUTER
 CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER
 BY SIZE (B) PURPOSE (C) CAPABILITY ETC.
 BASIC COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
 (A)HARDWARE & SOFTWARE
 DEVICE SYSTEM AND APPLICATION OF SOFTWARE

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Introduction to computer studies
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: By the end of the topic the learner should be able to: a) State the
different parts of a computer; b) Explain how computers have developed; c) Classify the various
types of computers; d) State the safety precautions and practices in a computer laboratory: e)
Demonstrate basic hands-on-skills on the use of a computer. Content a.) Definition of a computer
b.) Parts of a computer c.) Development of computers d.) Classification of computers • Physical
Size • Functionality • Purpose e.) Areas where computers are used f.) Definition of a computer
laboratory.

INTRODUCTION:
The term computer is derived from the word compute, which means to calculate. In simple
words, a computer is an electronic device, which takes input from the user in the form of data,
processes that data according to the instructions given by the user, and displays the output on the
screen. Computers are now used in almost all the domains including business, academics,
defense, budgeting, research, engineering, medicine, and space exploration. It operating under
the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, manipulate the data
according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use. or It is an
electronic device that transforms data to information.
Data Raw facts Information.
These manipulations may or may not be mathematical. Or more accurately a computer may be
defined as a device that operates upon data. Data can be anything like bio-data of various
applicants when the computer is used for recruiting personnel. or the marks obtained by
candidates in a competitive exams such as medical entrance, engineering entrance, civil service
examination etc. Data comes in various shapes depending upon the type of computer application.
A computer can store. process and retrieve data as and when required. Due to the fact that
computers process data is so fundamental that many people have started calling it a data
processor. Computers are so flexible that people feel comfortable and equally at home while
using them. A computer is programmable. It means computer depends upon the program which
is in use by it. No matter which program a computer is using, the machine-itself performs only
four basic operations.
(a) Input: A computer accepts data that is provided by means of an input device. such as a
keyboard, mouse, scanner, smart card etc.
(b) Processing: A computer performs operations on the data and transforms it in some way.
(c) Output: A computer gives an output on a device. such as a printer, a monitor or a plotter.
(d) Storage: A computer stores the results of processing operations for future use, such as floppy
disk. hard disk, optical disk, cartridge tape.
Computers processes data to create information. Data is a collection of raw unprocessed facts,
figures, and symbols. Information is data that is organized, meaningful, and useful.

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HISTORY OF COMPUTER
Charles Babbage, credited deservedly as Father of the Computer, the world renowned inventor of
Differential Engine and Analytical Engine, was born on the 26th of December, 1791. In 1822, he
designed and built a model called Difference Engine. His invention could perform calculations
without human intervention.
After that, in 1833, Babbage designed a machine called Analytic Engine. Technology of the
analytic engine provided base to the technology of modern computers. The Analytic Engine had
an arithmetic unit to perform calculations and mechanism to store results and instructions.
Abacus The term Abacus came from a calculating tool used in ancient days by the merchants of
Asian and African continents to perform arithmetic calculations.
ENIAC and EDVAC Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was the first
electronic computer introduced in February 19, 1946. It could perform 5,000 additions or
subtraction and 360 multiplications in just one second. Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic
Computer (EDVAC), was based on a new concept of storing information in a large internal
memory
IBM Personal Computer In late 1970s, IBM decided to provide computers to common people
and developed one in 1981 with considerable lesser size and cost than its predecessors. IBM
called it a PC
History of Computer The five generations of computers are: (a) First generation electronic
computers(1942-1955) (b) Second generation (1955-1964) (c)Third generation (1964-1975)
(d)Forth generation (1975-onwards) (e)Fifth generation
The Dark Ages (5000 BC 1890 AD) Abacus (5000 BC) As computer is primarily used for
calculating purposes and so as ABACUS therefore computer professionals relate computer with
this manual calculating device. Structurally, it consists of frame with beads strung on wire or
rods.
It was used to perform simple addition and subtraction can be carried out rapidly and efficiently
by positioning the beads appropriately. It consists of wooden beads and calculation were
performed by moving these beads properly.
Four different types of ABACUS were: 1. Roman ABACUS 2. The Chinese Swanpan. 3. The
Japanese Soroban 4. Russian Schotty. NAPIER’S BONES (1617……………17th century) It
was a cupboard multiplication calculator invented by john Napier. John Napier invented Napier
Bone for calculation of logarithmic values. It was used to perform difficult multiplication
operations to simple addition of entries in a table Another manual calculating device was
napier’s bones (or Cardboard multiplication calculator) developed by john Napier, a scottish
mathematician. It consists of a set of eleven rods with numbers marked on them in such a way
that by simply placing the roads side-by-side products and quotients of large numbers can be
obtained.
Pascaline or Pascal Calculator (17th century) It was invented by Blaise Pascal.  It was first
mechanical adding machine. It had a series of wheels with teeth which could be turned using
hands.

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JACQUARD’S LOOM (1801) Punched cards . Joseph Marie jacquard, a French textile
manufacturer, invented the first punched cards machine. This machine was designed for
automatically creating weaving patterns on cloths. They were able to read information that
which have been punched into the cards automatically DIFFERENCE ENGINE (1822) in 1822
Charles Babbage, a British scientist and mathematician at Cambridge University, invented a
huge mechanical machine called difference engine. It is based on the principle of difference of
the squares of number . Babbage is considered to the father for modern digital computers.
ANALYTICAL ENGINE(1833) In 1833, Babbage came out with a new idea of Analytical
engine, the first programmable machine. Which was intended to be completely automatic
machine having punched card input,storage unit, arithmetitc,printing unitand control by a

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sequential program. Unfortunately, Babbage could not produce a working model of this machine
mainly because the standard of engineering technology was not so high at that time. However his
research laid down principles for the development of computers and is truly considered to be the
father of modern digital computer,
The modern ages (1944 onwards) MARK 1. The first fully automatic calculating machine was
developed by Howard G Aiken, a mathematician at Harvard University, in collaboration with
IBM(International Business Machines) corporation and was named as Mark 1. it is also known
as automatic sequence controlled calculator (ASCC). it was basically an Electro Mechanical
( relay)device since both electrical and mechanical components were used in its design
subsequent computers were all electronic. The Mark 1, capable of performing both arithmetic
and logical operation was 50 feet long, 8feet high, contained 3000 electrically actuated switches
to control its operations, used 500 miles long wires and weighed about 5 tons. 51 feet long and
weighed over 5 tons 1943
The ENIAC 1946( Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator) • The first all electronic
computer ENIAC ( Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator)was completed in 1946 by
professor J.Presper Eckert and john Mouchly at the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at
the University of Pennsylvania. • ENIAC was a comparatively fast and huge computer which
occupied 20x40 square feet room and used 18,000 vacuum tubes that is why it is called large-
scale vacuum tube computer. • The ENIAC had two major problems, it could store and
manipulate only a very limited amount of information and its programs were wired on boards.
These limitations made it difficult to detect errors and to change the programs. 1946
9. • THE EDVAC (1949) • To overcome the problems faced with ENIAC, john von Neumann
developed the idea of “stored program”. The first computer designed on the stored program
conept was EDVAC (electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer),introduced by john von
neumann. • UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Calculator) forty of these computers were sold to
businesses. General Electric was the first company to acquire a UNIVAC. • The first UNIVACs
were used in the US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Atomic Energy Commission.
First generation Electronic computers (1942-1955) Major development: vacuum tubes were
introduced in place of relays, stored programs concept. vacuum tube computer are known as
“The 1st Generation” machine. A computers developed in the initial phase of computer
development (ENIAC,EDVAC,EDSAC,UNIVAC AND MARK-1) belong to the 1st generation
of computers. These generation computer used the electronic devices like vacuum tubes,
capacitor and resistors. A vacuum tube could control and amplify electronic signals. 
Advantages 1. These computers were fastest calculating devices of their time which cloud
perform computations in milliseconds. 2. Magnetic tape, Drums and Punched Cards were
Developed. Disadvantages 1. Their memory size was very limited. 2. Unreliable 3. They were
too bulky in size and non –portable 4. Very expensive 5. Air conditioning requried 6. No
operating system was available. 7. Slow operating speed
Second Generation (1955-1964) Major Development: Transistors were used in place of vacuum
tubes. Efforts were made of reduce the size and cost of computers and also to increase the speed
and reliabilitof computers. Hence and electronic device called transistor was invented.
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and gave birth to 2nd generations computers. 2nd Generation
computers are: UNIACIII, IBM-1401, CDC 1604 AND IBM 7070:1400 Series;1600 series etc..

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Advantages: 1. Smaller in size 2. More reliable 3. Bette portability 4. Less heat generated 5.
Magnetic core used as primary memory (IBM 1401) Disadvantages: 1. Commercial production
was difficult and costly. 2. Air Conditioning required
Third Generation (1964-1975) Major developments: integrated solid state circuitry, improved
secondary storage devices, new input/output devices. This generation computers also contained
secondary storage devices for large data storage. Some third generation computers are: IBM
system/360series, PDP-8Series, PDP-11Series, NCR century series etc. Advantages : 1. Smaller
in sixe than the previous generations computers. 2. Evan more reliable 3. Best portability 4.
Lesser heat generated than the second generations computers 5. Less electrical consumption
Disadvantages : 1. Highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacture of IC chips 2.
Air conditioning required.
Fourth generation (1975-0NWARDS) Major Development : Microprocessor, fourth
improvement in input. Output devices. Microprocessors were introduced as CPU Improvements
to IC technology made it possible to integrate more and more transistors in a single chip. SSI,
MSI, LSI and VLSI circuits were used at the place of IC’s. They are also a single silicon chips.
SSI (Small Scale Integration): 10-100 MSI (Medium Scale Integration): 100-1,000 LSI (Large
Scale Integration): 1,000-10,000 VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration): >10,000 . CRT screen,
laser & ink jet printers, scanners etc were developed.  Secondary memory was composed of
hard disks – Floppy disks & magnetic tapes were used for backup memory.
Advantages : 1. Small in size because of high component density. 2. Very much reliable 3. Disks
were used as secondary storage devices 4. Greate versatility in software 5. Introduction of micro
and super computer
Disadvantages : 1. Highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacture of chips . Forth
generation (1972-1984) 2.Parallelism, cache memory and virtual memory were applied in a
better way 3.LAN and WANS were developed (where desktop computers were interconnected)
4.Introduced C language and Unix OS 5.Introduced Graphical User Interface 6. Less power
consumption. 7. High performance, lower cost and very compact 8.Much increase in the speed
of operation Examples are Apple Macintosh and IBM PC
15. Fifth Generation Scientists are now working on the fifth generations computers. A promise,
but not yet a reality. They aim to bring us machines with genuine I.Q. thus, unlike the last
generations which naturally followed its growth. The fifth generation will be totally new and
totally novel. These computers will have the following capabilities: 1. These computer will be
equipped with, thinking power capabilities of reasoning, learning, drawing inferences and
making decisions like human beings. 2. These machines will be equipped with VLSI(very large
scale integration techniques. 3. This generations of computers will depend on major advance in
yartificial intelligence. 4. Highly sophisticated operating systems. 5. Introduction of parallel
processing 6. Robotics 7. Super speed. Fifth Generation (1983-1990) Portable note book
computers introduced Storage technology advanced – large main memory and disk storage
available Introduced World Wide Web. (and other existing applications like e-mail, e
Commerce, Virtual libraries/Classrooms, multimedia applications etc.) New operating systems
developed – Windows 95/98/XP/…, LINUX, etc. Got hot pluggable features – which enable a
failed component to be replaced with a new one without the need to shutdown the system,
allowing the uptime of the system to be very high.
Classification of Computers 1. Size and Memory 2. Purpose 3. Functionality

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Classification according to Size and Memory i. Supercomputer ii. Mainframe iii. Minicomputer
iv. Microcomputer v. Desktop vi. Laptop vii. Palmtops Advantages of laptops Portable
Ruggedness: Designed to withstand travelers Display active color screen Power batteries serve as
ups Disadvantages Less expansion options
2.They are easily stolen Classification according Purpose
A.General computers This computer can do or handle a variety of tasks when loaded with
appropriate programs.
B. Special computers They are designed to serve a specific purpose or to accomplish one
particular task. C. Dedicated Computers They can handle any task but it is a dedicated to one
task.
3.Classification according to Functionality 1.Digital computers: They handle discrete data.
2.Analog computers: Deals with data that keeps on changing in time (Continuous data). 3.Hybrid
computers: The computers can handle both analog and digital data. Elements of a Computer
System 1. Input: Data or raw facts. 2. Processing: Act of transferring raw facts into
meaningful output or information. 3. Output: Processed data or information. 4. Storage:
TYPES OF COMPUTERS Digital Computer Analog Computer Hybrid Computer
MICROCOMPUTER MAINFRAMEMINICOMPUTER SUPERCOMPUTER
Microcomputer: Microcomputer is at the lowest end of the computer range in terms of speed and
storage capacity. Its CPU is a microprocessor. The first microcomputers were built of 8-bit
microprocessor chips. The most common application of personal computers (PC) is in this
category. The PC supports a number of input and output devices. An improvement of 8-bit chip
is 16-bit and 32-bit chips. Examples of microcomputer are IBM PC, PC-AT .
Mini Computer: This is designed to support more than one user at a time. It possesses large
storage capacity and operates at a higher speed. The mini computer is used in multi-user system
in which various users can work at the same time. This type of computer is generally used for
processing large volume of data in an organization. They are also used as servers in Local Area
Networks (LAN). Mainframes: These types of computers are generally 32-bit microprocessors.
They operate at very high speed, have very large storage capacity and can handle the work load
of many users. They are generally used in centralised databases. They are also used as
controlling nodes in Wide Area Networks (WAN). Example of mainframes are DEC, ICL and
IBM 3000 series.
Supercomputer: They are the fastest and most expensive machines. They have high processing
speed compared to other computers. They have also multiprocessing technique. One of the ways
in which supercomputers are built is by interconnecting hundreds of microprocessors.
Supercomputers are mainly being used for whether forecasting, biomedical research, remote
sensing, aircraft design and other areas of science and technology. Examples of supercomputers
are CRAY YMP and PARAM from Indian.
Characteristics of computer:
Speed: Computers are very fast. They can process millions of instructions per second. Computers
can perform in minutes, tasks that would take a person year to complete. Today, computers can
perform 1000 million computations in I second. The speed of computer is closely related to the
amount of data it processes. The terms used to describe the amount of data handled by a
computer system are volume and frequency. Volume represents the overall quantity of data and
frequency describes how often a specific data item is used in processing. Railway or Airline
reservation system illustrates frequency.

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 Accuracy: Computers are accurate. They do not make mistakes in calculations. The probability
of computer error is quite small and often traceable to faulty data. Computer can perform all
kinds of complex calculations -accurately.
. The degree of accuracy of computers depends upon their design. But, for a particular computer,
each and every calculation is performed with the same accuracy. Errors in computers are not of
technological nature but are mostly due imprecise thinking of the programmer. The main
examples in front of us are: (a) Space shuttles (b) Nuclear simulation reactions. Storage:
Computers are having enormous storage capacity. Computers can store a vast amount of
information, which can be recalled at any time in fraction of seconds. The information is stored
in the form of files, but on disks and tapes. This helps in easy and speedy retrieval of
information. This storage is known as electronic storage system. This system removes the
duplication of information being stored. For example, in a company or an organization the details
of employees are given such as name. address. basic salary, unique code number etc., that may
be required by accounts department as well as personnel department. In case, an employee
resigns or is promoted, then the updation of the information is required only once and at one
place. Now a days standard storage capacity of a computer is in the range of 20 GB- I 00 GB.
Versatility: This is one of the most wonderful things about the computer. Computers can do a
variety of jobs depending upon the instructions fed to them and their hardware characteristics.
Modern computers can be used in railways. air reservations systems, process controls, nuclear
reactors. manufacturing plants, scientific laboratories, hospitals and hotels etc. They can also act
as controlling

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carelessness, boredom or tiredness. Moreover. their efficiency does not decrease with age

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Basic components
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: at the end of the lesson the learner should be able to:1.Learn about
computer and its features 2.Explore the evolution of computer 3. Know about the basic parts of a
computer 4. Learn about the different types of computers 5.Explore about computer hardware
and software components
A computer system is made up of two parts: Hardware and Software. Hardware : These are the
physical parts of the computer e.g printers, keyboard etc. Software: These are the programs (sets
of instructions) that are used to run the computer e.g. Word processor, spreadsheet, database,
presentation software etc. Parts of hardware. Hardware consist of three parts as follows. Input
Devices These are devices that are used to feed the computer with data for processing within.
Examples include: Keyboard, mouse, scanners, digital cameras etc. Output Devices:These are
devices that are used to give out information (processed data) from the computer to the user.
Examples include: Monitors, Plotters, speakers etc. The output could take any of the following
forms: Soft copy-this is output that is shown on the screen. ◦ Hardcopy-this is information
printed on paper e.g. from a plotter, printer. Machine readable form- this is output that can only
be read using the computer e.g. information stored on disks. Central processing Unit: The
Central Processing Unit (CPU), motherboard, storage devices and other peripheral devices.
Peripheral Devices:Devices connected directly or indirectly to the mother board. Parts of the
CPU. :CPU is made up of three parts, namely: Arithmetic Logic Unit  The work of the ALU is
to perform mathematical functions as well as do comparisons between units of data presented to
it. Control Unit The work of the CU is to take data from an input device, to the
processor/memory, then to an output device. Memory: The work of memory is to store data
before, during and after processing.
1. COMPUTER SOFTWARES Software is a set of computer programs and related data that
are used to provide instructions to a computer to perform a specific task.  System software The
system software consists of programs, languages, and documentation supplied to the end user by
the manufacturer of the computer.: Application software An application software mainly focuses
on executing a particular set of functions or instructions provided by the user.
2. DESCRIBING COMPUTER HARDWARE: The input devices are those devices (hardware
equipment) that are used to enter data, commands, programs, and various user responses into the
computer system. There are different types of input devices, such as keyboard, mic to input voice
data, web-camera for video input, and mouse as a pointing device, all of which together are
referred as an input unit. The output device is an electronic equipment connected to a computer
and is used to communicate the results of the data processing. The different output devices are
monitor, plotters, printer, and speakers. A computer system also consists of some other hardware
devices that you can use to communicate with other people over the Internet. These include
mode, web camera, Headphone, and Mike.

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FUNCTIONS OF A COMPUTER
INPUT: Receiving information from outside sources is the main function of input. The most
common way of performing this function is through the information entered through the any data
or instructions entered into the memory of a computer: Any hardware component allows user to
enter data and instructions in to a computer.
Ball Mouse An input device operated by rolling its ball across a flat surface. The mouse is used
to control the on- screen pointer by pointing and clicking, double- clicking, or dragging objects
on the screen.
Optical Mouse. It is an advanced computer pointing device. It uses Light-Emitting Diode(LED)
in place of the traditional mouse ball.  Movement is detected by sensing changes in reflected
light.
Keyboard Layout 1. Keyboard : Used to enter information into the computer and for giving
commands. A standard computer keyboard is called a QWERTY keyboard Alphanumeric Keys
Comprises of numbers and all alphabets, symbols like @,!,$,%,^,&,*,(,),?,>,< e.t.c. Other keys
include Caps lock, Enter key, Tab, Spacebar, Back space. a) Caps Lock: When on letters typed
appear in uppercase and when of letters appear in lowercase. b) Enter keys: When pressed it
forces the cursor to move to the beginning of the next line. c) Tab keys: Used to move the cursor
at set intervals. d) Back space: Deletes characters to the left from the cursor position. 2. Function
keys They are always located along the top of the keyboard.
They are labeled F1, F2 to F12. 3. Cursor Movement and Editing Keys Cursor Movement Keys
a) Arrow Keys: Used to move the cursor up, down, left and right. b) Page up and page down
keys: Moves the cursor one page up or down. c) Home and End keys: Pressing Home key moves
the cursor to the beginning of the current line. End key moves the cursor to the end of the current
line. Editing Keys a) Insert key: It helps the user to insert or replace a character at the cursor
position. b) Delete (Del) key: This key deletes characters at the cursor position from left to right.
4. Special PC Operation Keys They are rarely used singly but in combination with other keys to
give special instructions to the computer. They include SHIFT, CTRL, ALT and ESC. 5.
Numeric Keypad Consist of a set of numbers 0 to 9 and the arithmetic signs +,-, *, / and are
located on the right side of the keyboard.
Digital Computer A Digital computer works with data in term of discrete number or digit. These
number are used to perform, arithmetic calculations and also make logical decision to reach a
conclusion depending on the data they receive from the user. All the expressions are coded into
binary digits (0 and 1) inside the computer and it manipulates them at very fast speed.
OutputUnit: The job of output unit is just the reverse of that of an Input Unit. It supplies
information and results of computation to the outside world. Monitor and Printer are the most
common Output Devices which are used. used .Output from a computer in binary coded form
and converts it into human understandable language. Finally the data is received by the user in
desired format say printer, speaker, mocomponents
Monitor A display screen is used to provide “output” to the user. It is where you can view the
information you are working on.

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Printer An output device that produces a hard of the information. Information to the user is in
printed form.
STORAGE DEVICES
STORAGE DEVICES HARD DISK - is inside the cpu box - it can stored huge amount of data.
DISKETTE - can store a limited amount of data. Because it is handy , it can be used in different
computers. The Diskette fits into a slot called a “DISK DRIVE” - it is also called “FLOPPY
DISKS” STORAGE DEVICES COMPACT DISC (CD) - holds more data than a diskette. It can
store thousands of laid-out pages of books. It can also store songs and movies. CDs are inserted
into a CD drive.
. Memory / Storage Devices All computer need to store data. Data is stored temporally while
program is running – Main Memory. To store data for long-term, to preserve programs and data
while not in use – Backing Storage. Primary Memory and Secondary Memory
. Primary Memory Temporary area for holding data. To store the program currently being
executed To hold data produced while the programe is running. Primary Memory are of two
types 1. RAM & 2. ROM
RAM(Random Access Memory) Major portion of the Primary Memory Memory that is used by
the program in execution If the computer gets turned off, RAM will lose all the data. Static RAM
& Dynamic RAM
. Static RAM The memory retains as long as power remains applied. Uses Flip Flop circuitory. Is
more faster.
. Dynamic RAM Need continues Refreshing in order to maintain the data. It uses transistors and
capacitors in circuits Slow and consumes more power
ROM (Read Only Memory) Memory which we can only read but cannot write on. Non-volatile.
Used to store some firmware programs. PROM – Programmable Read Only Memory EPROM –
Erasable and Programmable read Only Memory. EEPROM – Electrically Erasable and
Programmable read Only Memory.
. Secondary Memory Permanent memory of the system. More storage capacity. It is the
Backing Store. Magnetic Disk & Optical DiskDis
. Magnetic Disc Stored data in the form of Magnetic directions. Hard Disk & Floppy Disk
Hard Disk Access to data is far faster than access to data in floppy disks. Read/Write Head is
positioned close to the disk. Disk is attached to a spindle. Spindle is rotated by a motor. Speed
of disk depends on the speed of motor.
. Floppy Disk • Consists of a plastic disk coated with iron oxide. • Disk access mechanism is
arranged as a hardware unit called disk drive. • Drive contains motor, Read/Write Head etc. •
Head comes in contact with the disk through the data access area. • Disk is rotated to pass the
sectors through the head.

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. Optical disk It is an electronic storage medium. Read operation is done using low powered laser
beam. A laser read the dots and then the data is converted to an electrical signal . The output
form of this devise is in audio and visual format CD-ROM – Compact Disk-Read Only Memory.
CD – R – Compact Disk – Recordable. CD-RW – Compact Disk – Rewritable DVD – ROM –
Digital Versatile Disk – Read Only Memory DVD – RAM - Digital Versatile Disk – Random
Access Memory
.Processor Or CPU The CU and ALU are jointly known as CPU. Brain of the computer.
Perform data processing operations. Control the working of the entire system. Arithmetic and
Logic Unit (ALU) & Control Unit(CU) PROCESSING : When a computer receives data from
input device the data must go through an intermediate stage before it can be sent to an output
device, like a monitor, speaker etc. Therefore this function handles the intermediate stage being
responsible for controlling the storage and retrieval of data .
Arithmetic and Logic Unit ( ALU ) Place where the actual execution of the instructions take
place during the processing operations. All calculations are performed here. It consists of circuits
that perform arithmetic as well as logical operations.
. Control Unit It act as a central nervous system for the other components of the computer. It
manages and coordinates the entire computer system. It get information from the main memory
It issues signal to control every other units of the system.

Device System software and Application software

1.What is software?

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Software allows the hardware to do something useful; without software, the hardware wouldn't
know what it was supposed to do. So software depends on hardware and hardware depends on
software. Together they form a computer system. Software programs are stored as files on a
storage device such as the hard disk, DVD or memory sticks.When they need to run, they are
loaded into the computer's memory (RAM).
.2. MS APPLICATION SOFTWARE
INTRODUCTION COMPUTER SOFTWARES SYSTEM APPLICATION SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE
DEFINITION SYSTEM SOFTWARE Programs that manage and support the resources and
operations of a computer systems as it performs various information processing tasks. Systems
software is designed to synchronize the functions of an organization's network of computer
hardware and software. Learn more about the purpose and different types of systems software,
such, including utility software, device drivers, and System Software is a generic term for an
organized collection of computer data and instructions. There are two types of software:
application software and system software. Application software helps users solve a particular
problem or carry out a specific task. A word processor is an example of application software.
System software coordinates the activities and functions of hardware and software, and it
controls the operations of computer hardware. A computer's operating system is an example of
system software. Operating systems control the computer hardware and act as an interface with
application programs. System software also includes utility software, device drivers and
firmware, which we will be looking at in this lesson.
Utility Software
Utility software helps to manage, maintain and control computer resources. Operating systems
typically contain the necessary tools for this, but separate utility programs can provide improved
functionality. Utility software is often somewhat technical and targeted at users with a solid
knowledge of computers. If you use a computer mostly for e-mail, some Internet browsing and
typing up a report, you may not have much need for these utilities. However, if you are an avid
computer user, these utilities can help make sure your computer stays in tip-top shape.
Examples of utility programs are antivirus software, backup software and disk tools. Let's look at
each of these in a bit more detail.
Antivirus software, as the name suggests, helps to protect a computer system from viruses and
other harmful programs. A computer virus is a computer program that can cause damage to a
computer's software, hardware or data. It is referred to as a virus because it has the capability to
replicate itself and hide inside other computer files.
One of the most common ways to get a virus is to download a file from the Internet. Antivirus
software scans your online activity to make sure you are not downloading infected files. New
viruses are coming out all the time, so antivirus software needs to be updated very frequently.
Backup software helps in the creation of a backup of the files on your computer. Most computer
systems use a hard disk drive for storage. While these are generally very robust, they can fail or

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crash, resulting in costly data loss. Backup software helps you copy the most important files to
another storage device, such as an external hard disk. You can also make an exact copy of your
hard disk.
Increasingly, backup software uses cloud storage to create backups. This typically means you
pay a fee to use the storage space of a third party and use their backup software to manage which
files are going to be backed up.
Disk tools include a range of different tools to manage hard disk drives and other storage
devices. This includes utilities to scan the hard disks for any potential problems, disk cleaners to
remove any unnecessary files, and disk defragmenters to re-organize file fragments on a hard
disk drive to increase performance. Disk tools are important because a failure of a hard disk
drive can have disastrous consequences. Keeping disks running efficiently is an important part of
overall computer maintenance.
Device Drivers
A device driver is a computer program that controls a particular device that is connected to your
computer. Typical devices are keyboards, printers, scanners, digital cameras and external storage
devices. Each of these need a driver in order to work properly.
Device drivers act as a translator between the operating system of the computer and the device
connected to it. For many types of devices, the necessary drivers are built into the operating
system. When you plug in a device, the operating system starts looking for the right driver,
installs it and you are ready to start using the device. This is referred to as plug-and-play and is
much preferred over having to manually install the correct drivers.
There are so many different devices, however, that not all of them are built into the operating
system. Drivers A driver is another essential piece of system software
A driver is a specially written program which translates the commands from the operating system
into commands that the hardware will understand.
Each piece of hardware e.g. printer, monitor, scanner, keyboard etc will have its own driver.
Printers from different manufacturers work in different ways, so a printer from manufacturer A
will need a different driver than printer from manufacturer B.
If you try to use a device without the correct driver, then it probably won’t work. If you do
manage to get your new printer working without installing its driver, it will probably just print.
When a new operating system such as Windows 10 is first released, the software developers will
have been working closely with the hardware manufacturers and so the operating system will
contain all of the drivers needed for the hardware currently on the market.
However, operating systems are only released every 3-4 years and so the operating system will
not contain the drivers for any new hardware developed after its release.
When you buy a new piece of hardware, it will usually come with an installation disk which will
load the new drivers into the operating system. Very often, you can also download the drivers
from the internet.

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Drivers also need to be updated on a regular basis because bugs can be found in the software and
as they are found, the developers release a patch or fix. Also, they might release patches which
optimise the way the driver works.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE Programs that direct the performance of a particular use, or
application, of computers to software information processing needs of end users. Application
software and system software Device Driver • A Device Driver is a computer program that
operates or controls a particular type of device that is attached to a computer.
GENERAL PURPOSE APPLICATION SOFTWARE • General purpose application programs
are programs that perform common information processing for end users • They significantly
increases the productivity of end users • They are also known as productivity packages For
example • WORD PROCESSING • ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEET • DATABASE
MANAGEMENT • GRAPHICS • INTEGRATED PACKAGES • DESKTOP ACCESSORIES •
PRESENTATION SOFTWARE • PROJECT MANAGEMENT • DOCUMENT
MANAGEMENT
WORD PROCESSING SOFTWARE • Word processing software, sometimes called a word
processor, allows users to create and manipulate documents containing mostly text and
sometimes Graphics • Millions of people use word processing software every day to develop
documents such as letters, memos, reports, mailing labels, newsletters, and Web pages.
EXAMPLES : MS-Word, WordPad, Notepad and some other text editors.
DATABASE SOFTWARE • A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows
access, retrieval, and use of that data. In a manual database, you might record data on paper and
store it in a filing cabinet. • Database software is application software that allows users to create,
access, and manage a database. Using database software, you can add, change, and delete data in
a database; sort and retrieve data from the database; and create forms and reports using the data
in the database. EXAMPLE : Oracle, MS Access, etc.
Electronic Spreadsheet • Helps in compilation of tabular data • Displayed in columns and rows •
format stored in the secondary storage to avoid re entering permanent information • It contains
Data entered directly by the user or computed with Formulae. • Helps the manager in improving
decision making process EXAMPLES : Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers .
SEVERAL BUSINESS APPLICATIONS OF ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEET • Business
ledgers • Preparation of Sales/Purchase registers • Invoices • Budgets Also used for • Sales
forecasting • Sales Analysis
INTEGRATED PACKAGE DEFINITION • An integrated package is a huge program that
contains a word processor, a spreadsheet, a database tool, and other software applications in the
same program. • An integrated application package is kind of like a "Swiss army knife" of
software.
ADVANTAGES OF INTEGRATED PACKAGES • Software Packages offer the conventience
of purchasing several programs that should work seemlessly together at a price that is much less
than purchasing each of the Package programs. • Purchasing individual programs to make up
your own package will almost certainly be more expensive than the package of programs unless

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you are using free programs. You may like each individual program that you purchase but the
programs themselves may or may not be compatible with each other.
DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE • Document management software provides a
means for sharing, distributing, and searching through documents by converting them into a
format that can be viewed by any user. • A popular file format that document management
software uses to save converted documents is PDF (Portable Document Format), developed by
Adobe Systems.
GRAPHICS AND MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE • This software includes computer aided
design, desktop publishing, paint/image editing, photo editing, video and audio editing,
multimedia authoring, and Web page authoring. • Power users such as engineers, architects,
desktop publishers, and graphic artists often use sophisticated software that allows them to work
with graphics and multimedia. EXAMPLES : Real Player and Media Player.
PRESENTATION SOFTWARE • Presentation software is application software that allows users
to create visual aids for Presentations to communicate ideas, messages, and other information to
a group. • The presentations can be viewed as slides, sometimes called a slide show, that are
displayed on a large monitor or on a projection screen. EXAMPLE : Microsoft PowerPoint.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE • Project management software allows a user to
plan, schedule, track, and analyze the events, resources, and costs of a project. • Project
management software helps users manage project variables, allowing them to complete a project
on time and within budget.
DESKTOP ACCESSORIES • Keyboard • Mouse • Printer • Scanner • UPS • Speaker • Webcam
• Microphone • Pen drive • CD • Joystick
APPLICATION SPECIFIC PROGRAMS • Definition: An application specific package is
produced to perform one specific task. • Example a program written to produce invoices and
manage stock levels for a garage. web browsers, calculators, media players, calendar programs
APPLICATION SPECIFIC PROGRAMS SPECIAL PROGRAMS • Thousands of application
software packages are available to support specific application of end users. • Major categories
of such application -specific programs are (a)BUSINESS APPLICATION PROGRAMS
(b)SCIENTIFIC (c)APPLICATION PROGRAMS
TYPES OF APPLICATION SPECIFIC PROGRAMS • Accounting general ledger , etc. •
Marketing-sales analysis ,etc. • Manufacturing – production control ,etc. • Finance –capital
budgeting , etc. • Engineering-computer aided design, etc. • Education – computer aided
instruction ,etc. • Entertainment-music, video games, etc.
ISSUES TO CONSIDER WHEN ACQUIRING SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE.
It is better to buy proprietary software or open-source software? Operating systems The
operating system is part of the system software. All computers and devices have an operating
system, they cannot function without one. The operating system is a program that allows
applications software to communicate with the hardware.

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Examples of operating systems are
Windows Vista,
Windows 7,
Unix,
Linux
MacOS.
Application software
Hardware

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excerices questions
1.A teletypewriter terminal is an example of __________. a) input devices b) output devices c)
input/output devices d) storage devices Q2) Devices that accept data from outside computer and
transfer into CPU are called ____________. a) input devices b) digital devices c) analogue
devices d) output devices
2. Why we need to have secondary storage ? a) Store large volume of data that exceed the
capacity of main memory b) Perform arithmatic and logical operations c) To give power to the
system too d) To help processor in processing Q4) Which among following is Volatile ? a) ROM
b) EPROM c) DROM d) RAM
3. What is the size of processor of first Microcomputer? a) 16 bit b) 32 bit c) 8 bit d) 64 bit Q6)
Which type of computer has maximum storage capacity? a) Minicomputer b) Microcomputer c)
Supercomputer d) Mainframe Computer
4. Speed of a computer is determined in microseconds as ______? a) 10-7 b) 10-6 c) 10-9 d) 10-
10 Q8) Which of the following created the base of modern day computer technology? a)
Difference Engine b) Analytic Engine c) None of the above d) Both a & b
5. Who developed the Third Generation Computers? a) J. P. Eckert b) J. W. Mauchy c) T.S.
Kilby d) Ted Hoff Q10) What was the electronic component used in Second Generation
Computers? a) Transistors b) Vaccum Tubes c) Integrated Circuits d) Microprocessors

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SUMMARY
A computer is a machine that accepts the input in form of data or information, and processes it
according to the instructions provided by the user to produce the desired output. A computer
consists of various components, such as CPU, monitor, mouse, and keyboard. The system unit is
the most important part of a computer system. It resembles a rectangular box containing some
buttons and disk drives at the front side, and sockets of different shapes and sizes at the back
side. BIOS is a built-in software, which keeps track of all devices, such as keyboard, monitor,
and disk drives attached to a computer and provides an intercommunication channel between
them. The physical components of a computer are known as computer hardware. Some hardware
components are already attached to a computer, such as monitor and keyboard; however,
depending upon your requirements, you can also install additional hardware components, such as
scanner or printer. A device that lets you enter data or instructions in a computer is known as an
input device. The output device is an electronic equipment connected to a computer and is used
to communicate the results of the data processing. A computer understands only the instructions
given by a programmer in a predefined format, known as the programming language.

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