I.

Computers
 Computer in simple terms, is an electronic device machine that can be instructed to
accept, process, store and present data and information
 Computer is a device which is used for creating, storing, processing, sending, and
receiving information automatically.
 Computer is an electronic machine which is guided by an internally stored program so as
to perform different kind of operation as per the instruction which resides in the system.
Data processing life cycle
Data processing life cycle shows the steps involved while processing data in to information.
Information processing (manual or computerized) requires
1. Input data
2. Processing
3. Output and
4. Storage and retrieval
The figure below shows the information processing cycle.
1. Input
 Input/ Output (I/O) devices are the part of the hardware through which
the users communicate with the machine.
Input device are electro mechanical devices that use to feed
information to the computer. These devices enable a computer user to
enter data, commands, and program instruction into the computer
system.
Examples of common input devices include:
 Keyboard
 Pointing devices
o Mice, trackballs, joysticks, touch pads, and Light pens
 microphones
 Scanning devices
 Digital cameras
 Optical data reader
2. Output Devices
Are devices which used to convert a machine readable code in to human
readable by processing (converting) in to graphical, alphanumeric, or
audiovisual form. In general they are a kind of peripheral device that enables
a computer to communicate (send out) information to the user. Common
types of output devices are:
Monitor (visual displaying unit)
Printer
Speaker, Ear/head phone
LCD Projector
Fax Machine
3. Process
Processing includes different operations which are used to convert the input data to information.
The operations include:-
 Calculating operations: - arithmetic or logical operations
 Summarizing:- reducing the volume of data
 Sorting: - putting in a definite order (either in ascending or descending)
 Merging: - combining a data.
4. Storing and retrieving
Storing: - saving data for future use.
Retrieving: - searching for & finding data which resides in the storage device

Basically the computer system is categorized into two components:

 Hardware component
 Software component

Computer Hardware
The computer hardware is the physical part of the computer that you see, you
use to and the parts you can touch. It includes electronic devices, which have
the potential for performing the task of solving a problem. The computer
hardware is composed of three main components namely:
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 Memory unit (Storage devices)
 Input /Output devices

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is the collection of electronic circuits made up of millions of
transistors placed onto integrated circuits (chip) that performs Arithmetic
and Logical operations and controls the operations of the other elements of
the system. The CPU may be a single chip or a series of chips The CPU
follows the instructions of the software to manipulate data into information.
CPU also called as microprocessor, executes program instructions and
performs the computer’s processing activity. The computer CPU Clock speed
is measured in MHz (megahertz) millions of instructions per second. Clock
speed is the rate at which the processor processes information
 It is the part of a computer hardware that executes program
instructions.
 It is the result of VLSI technology.
In general the CPU has two major functions
 Performing arithmetic and logical operation and
 Controlling every activity of the computer like:-
 Controlling internal and external devices
 Controlling memory usage for storing data and instruction.
 Controlling sequence of operation.
Storage devices
Computer systems need to store data and instruction internally or external
to the system.
Memory size (Storage capacity)
In a digital system, every piece of information is stored in a bit (or multiple
collections of bits).
 Data represented as a combination of on or off circuit states (bits), to
be stored in the memory.
 The size of memory is measured by the number of storage locations it
contains. Each storage location or byte has a predetermined capacity
 A bit is a basic unit of memory. It is also a variable that can have only
one of two values: it can either be a 1, or be a 0. A byte is the amount
of memory required to store one digit, letter or character. A byte is
equal to eight bits.
 Unit Symb Bytes
ol
Byte B 23= 1 byte
Kilobyte KB 210= 1024 byte
Megabyt MB 220 = 1.048,576 byte / 1024 KB
e
Gigabyte GB 230=1,073,741,824 byte / 1024 MB
Terabyte TB 240=1,099,511,627,776 byte / 1024
GB
Petta PB 250=1,125,899,906,842,624
Byte byte/1020 TB
Exa Byte EB 260=1,152,921,504,606,846,976
byte/1020 PB
Zetta ZB 270=1,180,591,620,717,411,303,424
Byte byte/ ZB

Main Memory is divided into two:

 Read Only Memory (ROM)
 Random Access Memory (RAM).

a) Read-Only Memory (ROM)

ROM is a kind of read only memory which is used to store initial start-up
instruction and routines in BIOS (basic input/output system), which can only
read by the CPU, each time switched on. The contents of ROM are not lost
even in case of sudden power failure, thus making it non-volatile in nature.
One important reason that a computer needs ROM is that it must know what
to do when the power is first turned on. ROM is random access in nature
which means the CPU can randomly access the any location within ROM.
Improvement in technology for constructing flexible ROM comes in various
types, namely, PROM (programmable read only memory), EPROM
(electrically programmable read only memory), EEPROM (electrically
erasable programmable read only memory).

b) Random-Access Memory (RAM)

A kind of memory that can be instantly changed is called read-write memory

or random-access memory (RAM). RAM is a computers temporary data
storage area and can be defined as a block of sequential memory location,
each of which has a unique address determining the location and those
locations containing the data element.
A memory address is a number that indicates a location on the memory
chips, just as a post office box number indicates a slot into which mail is
placed. This type of memory is referred to as random-access memory
because of its ability to access every byte of data directly.

Remember that the data in ROM is permanent while the data in RAM
changes constantly (i.e. it is volatile in nature). The electronic circuits used
to construct RAM can be classified as dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronized
dynamic RAM (SDRAM), or static RAM (SRAM). DRAM, SDRAM, and SRAM all
involve different ways of using transistors and capacitors to store data.

Computer Software
Software is a generic term given for an organized collection of computer data
and instruction. It is a finite set of instructions (steps) that the computer
follow to perform a given job. The set of instruction is also known as
programs. Software is a collection of programs and routines that support
the operations of performing a task using a computer.
Software also includes documentations, rules and operational procedures.
Software makes the interface between the user and the electronic
components of the computer.
Generally Computer software is classified into two:
 System software and
 Application software
Based on ownership software’s are classified into two
Proprietary/commercial software: - is computer software licensed under
exclusive legal right of the copy right holder.
E.g.:- Window family OS, Microsoft office Packages, AVG antivirus.
Free and open source software: - is a software that have partially or fully
freedom of usage, making copies, and modifying some or all of the
components.

 System software
System software consist several programs which are directly responsible for
controlling, integrating, and managing the individual hardware component of
the computer system.

System software is a generic term for referring to any computer program

whose purpose is to help the user to run the computer and able to make the
computer functional.
Function of system software
 It organizes and manages the machine’s resources
 It handles the input/output devices.
 It controls the hardware
 It makes complex hardware more users friendly.
 It acts as intermediate between the user and the hardware.
In general, system software is classified in to:
 Operating system
 Language software

Operating system
It’s a program that acts as an interface between the user, the computer
software and the hardware resources. It provides a software platform on top
of which other program can run. Operating system is the first layer of
software loaded in to the computer working memory.
Basic function of the operating system is
 Process management
 Memory management
 Device management
 File management
 Security management
 User interfacing
 Coordination of communication on the network.

Examples: - Windows filmily OS (Window XP, vista, 7), Linux, Mac OS,
UNIX, Ms-DOS

Language software
Language software is also called as programming software (development
software). Language software enables to develop an application or even the
operating system software. These categories of software enable to write a
set of instruction so as to develop software.
Examples includes
• Software testing tools and testing software
• Program development tools
• Programming languages software

 Application Software
Is software program that performs a specific function directly for the end user.
It is developed using language software and includes a set of related
programs designed to carry certain task. It usually called as an application
packages as they may include a number of programs along with operating
instruction, documentation and so forth. Depending on their function or task
they are categorized in to the following.

Examples: - Microsoft office (word, excel, access…..), Calculator.

Practical session
Customization desktop for Windows 7
Desktop:

A view on computer screen that contains icons (small symbols or pictures) representing
files, programs, and other features of the computer:

Desktop background

 Right Click at the blank space area and click Personalize

 Control panel Dialog box will be displayed
 Click Desktop Background

 In picture location tab choose you want

 Then click save changes.

Creating Screen Saver

 Right Click at the blank space area and click Personalize

 Control panel Dialog box will be displayed
 Click Screen Saver
 Screen Saver settings dialog box will be displayed
  On screen saver button click the drop down arrow
 Select 3D text then click settings button
 3D text settings dialog box will be displayed
 Choose custom text options and change the font style you want to add
 On motion tab click the rotation type button choose you want to add
 Change the Resolution, Size and Rotation Speed
 Click Ok.

Creating Folder for Windows 7

A folder is the virtual location for applications, documents, data or other sub-folders. Folders
help in storing and organizing files and data in the computer. The term is most common used
with graphical user interface operating systems.

 Right Click at the blank space area and click New

 New property will be displayed
 Choose Folder your folder displayed in your desktop : Note (Rename you folder)
Deleting Folder

 Right Click on you folder click Delete

 New property will be displayed

Rename Folder

 Right Click on you folder click Delete

New property will be displayed