INTRODUCTION

OF
COMPUTER
Hardware Software

Hardware is a physical component of Software is a program that enables users to interact

computers that executes the instruction. with the computer, its hardware.

Hardware is further divided into four Software is further divided into two main categories:
main categories:  Application Software
 Input Devices  System Software
 Output Devices
 Secondary Storage Devices
 Internal Components

It is manufactured in factories. It is developed by software programmers or software

development companies.

Hardware can be seen and touch as it is a The software can be seen but cannot be touched as it
physical, electronic device. is virtual, not physical.

Computer viruses cannot affect Computer viruses can affect software.

hardware.
Hardware can be replaced with a new one The software is reinstalled if it gets damaged.
if it is damaged.

Examples of hardware are RAM, ROM, Examples of software are Google Chrome, MySQL,
Printer, Monitor, Mouse, Hard disk and MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Notepad, Photoshop and
more. more.
 System Software Application software

The programs that allow a computer to Software is the type of software which runs as per
operate are collectively referred to as system user request. It runs on the platform which is
software provide by system software.

Low level languages are used to write the High level languages are used to write the
system software. application software.

The main system software is the operating There are also application programs that help
system, which starts up the computer and users write their own programs in a form the
controls its operation. Windows, Mac OS, and computer can understand using a programming
Linux language like BASIC, Visual Basic, COBOL, C++,
Java, or Python.
 Operating System
 An Operating System (OS) is a software that acts as an interface between computer hardware
components and the user.

 Example: Windows, Unix, Linux, Mac OS

Functions of Operating System
 Functions of Operating System
 Process management:- Process management helps OS to create and delete processes. It also

provides mechanisms for synchronization and communication among processes.

 Memory management:- Memory management module performs the task of allocation and de-

allocation of memory space to programs in need of this resources.

 File management:- It manages all the file-related activities such as organization storage, retrieval,

naming, sharing, and protection of files.

 Device Management: Device management keeps tracks of all devices. This module also

responsible for this task is known as the I/O controller. It also performs the task of allocation and

de-allocation of the devices.

 I/O System Management: One of the main objects of any OS is to hide the feature of that

hardware devices from the user.

 Secondary-Storage Management: Systems have several levels of storage which includes

primary storage, secondary storage, and cache storage. Instructions and data must be stored in

primary storage or cache so that a running program can reference it.

 Security:- Security module protects the data and information of a computer system against

malware threat and authorized access.

 Command interpretation: This module is interpreting commands given by the and acting system

resources to process that commands.

 Networking: A distributed system is a group of processors which do not share memory, hardware

devices, or a clock. The processors communicate with one another through the network.

 Job accounting: Keeping track of time & resource used by various job and users.

 Communication management: Coordination and assignment of compilers, interpreters, and

another software resource of the various users of the computer systems.

Classification of Operating
System
 Single user operating system

 Multiuser operating system

 Graphical user interface operating system

 Multiprocessing operating system

 Multitasking operating system

 Multithreading operating system

 Single user operating system: This operating system controls only one user at a time. This operating

system is used in personal computers. Example for this type of operating system is DOS.

 Multiuser operating system: This operating system controls more than one user at a time. This operating

system is used in networking environment. Example for this type of operating system is UNIX and Window

NT.

 Graphical user interface operating system: It has the capability of using graphical devices such as mouse.

Examples for this type of operating system are Windows XP and Windows 2000.

 Multiprocessing operating system: It allows more than one processor for simultaneous processing.

Examples for this type of operating system are UNIX and Windows NT.

 Multitasking Operating System: It allows multiple software processes to be run at the same time. Examples

for this type of operating system are Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

 Multithreading operating system: It allows different part of a software program to run in parallel. Examples

for this type of operating system are Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows NT.
Components of Computer System
 Input Unit: These components help users enter data and commands into a computer system.
Data can be in the form of numbers, words, actions, commands, etc. The main function of input
devices is to direct commands and data into computers. Computers then use their CPU to
process this data and produce output. For example, Keyboard, Mouse etc.

 Central processing unit : After receiving data and commands from users, a computer system
now has to process it according to the instructions provided.

 Memory unit

 Arithmetic and logic unit

 Control Unit

 Output unit : After processing of data, it is converted into a format which humans can
understand. After conversion, the output units display this data to users. Examples of output
devices include monitors, screens, printers and speakers.
 Input Devices: An input device is any device that provides input to a computer.
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Joy Stick
 Light pen
 Track Ball
 Scanner
 Graphic Tablet
 Microphone
 Magnetic Ink Card Reader(MICR)
 Bar Code Reader
 Output devices: Bring information OUT of a computer system.
 Monitors
 Graphic Plotter
 Printer
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 Memory Unit: Once a user enters data using input devices, the computer system stores this data in its

memory unit. This data will now remain here until other components of CPU process it. The memory unit

uses a set of pre-programmed instructions to further transmit this data to other parts of the CPU.

 Arithmetic and Logic Unit: Actual data processing occurs in this unit. All arithmetic and logical operations

such as addition, subtraction, comparison, etc. are performed here. It has many sub units. They are

 Registers: It is used for temporary storage. Some of the registers are instruction registers,

address registers, etc.

 Program Counter: It is used to store the address of the instruction that is to be executed.

 Adders: It is used to perform arithmetic and logical operations

 Control Unit: This unit is the backbone of computers. It is responsible for coordinating tasks between all

components of a computer system. The control unit collects data from input units and sends it to processing

units depending on its nature. Finally, it also further transmits processed data to output units for users.
BASIS FOR COMPARISON PRIMARY MEMORY SECONDARY MEMORY

Basic Primary memory is directly Secondary memory is not directly

accessible by Processor/CPU. accessible by CPU.

Altered Name Main memory. Auxiliary memory.

Data You can lose data in case power is Data is stored permanently even
switched off when the power of the computer is
switched off

Volatility Primary memory is usually volatile. Secondary memory is non-volatile.

Formation Primary memories are made of Secondary memories are made of

semiconductors. magnetic and optical material.

Access Speed Accessing data from primary memory Accessing data from secondary
is faster. memory is slower.

Access Primary memory is accessed by the Secondary memory is accessed by

data bus. input-output channels.

Size The computer has a small primary The computer has a larger secondary
memory. memory.

Expense Primary memory is costlier than Secondary memory is cheaper than

secondary memory. primary memory

Example Random-Access Memory (RAM) Examples: Hard Disk, Floppy Disk,

Magnetic Tapes, etc.
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
Sr. No. Key RAM ROM

Definition RAM stands for Random Access Memory. ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
1

Data Retention RAM data is volatile. Data is present till power supply ROM data is permanent. Data remains even after
2
is present. power supply is not present.

Data Access RAM data can be read, erased or modified. ROM data is readonly.
3

Usage RAM is used to store data that CPU needs for current ROM is used to store data that in needed to bootstrap
4 instruction processing. the computer.

5 Speed RAM speed is quite high. ROM speed is slower than RAM.

CPU Access CPU can access data stored on RAM. Data to be copied from ROM to RAM so that CPU can
6
access its data.

Capacity RAM memory is large and high capacity. ROM is generally small and of low capacity.
7

Usage RAM is used as CPU Cache, Primary Memory. ROM is used as firmware by microcontrollers.
8

9 Cost RAM is costly. ROM is cheap.

Types of Read Only Memory
(ROM)
 PROM (Programmable read-only memory) – It can be programmed by user.
Once programmed, the data and instructions in it cannot be changed.

 EPROM (Erasable Programmable read only memory) – It can be

reprogrammed. To erase data from it, expose it to ultra violet light. To reprogram it,
erase all the previous data.

 EEPROM (Electrically erasable programmable read only memory) – The data

can be erased by applying electric field, no need of ultra violet light. We can erase
only portions of the chip.