Basic Of

Computer
FOR GRADE : IX (AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY
EXAMINATION BOARD)
PREPARED BY : SIR AHSAN IQBAL
STUDENT’S LEARNING OUTCOMES
(AKUEB)
EXAM SPECIFICATION
SLO 1.1: INTRODUCTION TO THE
COMPUTERS (COGNITIVE LEVEL:
UNDERSTANDING BASED)
SLO # 1.1.1: COMPARE THE FIVE
GENERATIONS OF THE COMPUTER
 SLO # 1.1.2 DESCRIBE THE TYPES OF COMPUTER ON THE
BASIS OF:
A. PURPOSE (GENERAL AND SPECIAL)
B. TECHNOLOGY (ANALOG, DIGITAL AND HYBRID);

• a) Purpose:
1) General Purpose: These computers can store different programs and can thus
be used in countless applications. A General purpose computer can perform any
kind of jobs with equal efficiency simply by changing the application program
stored in main memory.
E.g: Micro computers
2) Special Purpose: A Special purpose computer is the one that is designed to
perform only one special task. The program or instructions set is permanently
stored in such a machine. It does its single task very quickly and it cannot be used
for another purpose. These computers are often used to perform specific functions
such as controlling a manufacturing process or directing communications.
E.g: Super Computers, ATM( Automated teller machine)
• b) Technology:
1) Analog computers: Analog computers are designed to process analog data.
Analog data is continuous data that changes continuously and cannot have
discrete values. We can say that analog computers are used where we don’t
need exact values always such as speed, temperature, pressure and current.
Analog computers directly accept the data from the measuring device without
first converting it into numbers and codes. They measure the continuous changes
in physical quantity and generally render output as a reading on a dial or scale.
Speedometer and mercury thermometer are examples of analog computers.

2) Digital computers: Digital computers are designed to perform calculations

and logical operations at high-speed. It accepts the raw data as input in the form
of digits or binary numbers (0 and 1) and processes it with programs stored in its
memory to produce the output. All modern computers like laptops, desktops,
palmtops that we use at home or offices are digital computers
• 3) Hybrid computers: Hybrid computers has features of both analog
and digital computers. It is fast like an analog computer and has memory
and accuracy like digital computers. It can process both continuous and
discrete data. It accepts analog signals and convert them into digital
form before processing. So, it is widely used in specialized applications
where both analog and digital data is processed.
For E.g: A processor is used in petrol pumps that converts that measurements of fuel
flow into quantity and price. Similarly, they are used in hospitals, airplanes, and
scientific applications.
SLO #1.1.3: Describe the conventional
classification of digital computers i.e. Super
computers, Mainframe computers, Mini
computers, and Micro computers.
THIS IS NOT IN YOUR SYLLABUS BECAUSE
IT IS CLASS ACTIVITY
SLO # 1.2.2 : DESCRIBE THE SCOPE OF
FOLLOWING CAREERS IN INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY(IT):
SLO 1.3 COMPUTER
HARDWARE( COGNITIVE LEVEL:
UNDERSTANDING)
SLO # 1.3.1: COMPARE INPUT DEVICES, I.E. KEY BOARD,
MOUSE, LIGHT PEN, JOYSTICK, TRACK BALL, TOUCHPAD,
SCANNER, SENSORS, MAGNETIC INK CHARACTER READER
(MICR), BARCODE READER (BCR), OPTICAL MARK READER
(OMR), OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION (OCR) READER,
MICROPHONE, AND DIGITAL CAMERA;
• Moreover, we have more input devices that are also known as readers. They read text from a
paper or hardcopy but each in a different manner and mechanism, lets discuss each one of them
in detail.

1) Optical character reader(OCR): An optical character reader is a technology, an optical device or a

software that converts hardcopy into a softcopy. The converted file saved on a computer may be
editable depending upon the format it’s been converted.

2) Optical Mark reader(OMR): It is an optical technology that is most commonly used in surveys and
examinations to check MCQs. It reads and recognizes the filled or a marked option or circle and also
has the ability to mark the right or a wrong answer.

3) Magnetic ink character reader(MICR): It uses a special ink to recognize text and codes. MICR
reader reads the text written with a special magnetic ink and it is used to detect whether the
document is original or xerox copy. It is most commonly used in cheques to read and recognize and
to do the transaction by fair means.

• Microphone: A microphone is an input device that is used to take sound waves or audio as an
input and then convert it into electrical signals, which then be transmitted or recorded. You can
listen to those audio signals using a speaker (later will be discussed in output devices).

• Digital camera: Well, have you seen a digital camera? Almost every person has seen a digital
camera before. You might still be confused if it’s an output or an input device because it has a
screen that displays a picture and also a lens that captures it. So the answer to this confusion is
simple that a digital camera comes under the category of both input and output devices, in
 SLO # 1.3.2: IDENTIFY THE USE OF TYPES OF SENSORS,
I.E. TEMPERATURE, MOISTURE, LIGHT, INFRA-RED,
• PRESSURE,
Sensors: A sensor is an SOUND/
input device ACOUSTIC, GAS,
that takes a physical inputPH;
and responds to it or otherwise record
the reading. A sensor typically sense physical quantities from the environment. For e.g A temperature
sensor sense temperature from the physical environment and takes it as an input and then record it or
otherwise responds to it. There are several types of sensors which are discussed below in detail:
1)Temperature sensor: A temperature sensor is an electronic device that reads, record, and monitor temperature from environment and
convert it into electronic data. It measures the degree of hotness or coldness of an object. It is widely used in cars, fire alarms etc.
2) Moisture sensor: A moisture sensor is an electronic device that reads, record, and monitor moisture level from environment and convert it into electronic data. It measures the
degree of hotness or coldness of an object.

3) Light sensor: A light sensor usually detects the presence of light in a specific or targeted area. This measures the intensity of light after
detecting the presence of light. This can be seen in street lights as they automatically turnoff at the day time when the sunlight is detected
by a sensor present in them.

4) Infrared sensor: An infrared (IR) sensor is an electronic device that measures and detects infrared radiation in its surrounding environment.

5) Pressure sensor: To measure the pressure of liquids or gases, a pressure sensor is used. It detects the amount of pressure of liquids or
gases in a specific area and convert it to electronic signals.

6) Sound Sensor: A sound sensor detects sound waves and it’s intensity and convert it into electricalsignals.

7) Gas sensor: A gas sensor is a device which detects the presence or concentration of gases in the atmosphere.

8) PH Sensor: PH is termed as power of hydrogen and PH sensor is used to detect the intensity of acidity or basicity of any liquid. PH has
usually the value ranges from 0-14, being 0 the most acidic and 14 the most basic liquid.
SLO 1.3.3: EXPLAIN DIAGRAMMATICALLY (BLOCK DIAGRAM) THE COMPONENTS OF
THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, I.E. INPUT UNIT, OUTPUT UNIT,STORAGE UNIT/ MEMORY
UNIT, CONTROL UNIT AND ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT.
 SLO # 1.3.4: DESCRIBE THE FUNCTION OF
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM
MENTIONED IN SLO 1.3.3;
1) Input Unit: As the name suggests, data is being input by the user and the unit which takes input from the user
is known as an Input unit. Keyboard, pointing devices, OMR, OCR and more are some input devices by which a
user gives input to the computer in the form of data.
2) Output Unit: Information is presented to the user and the unit that manages all the output that is being shown
to the user is known as output unit. This unit is responsible to present output to the user based on the assigned
input. Some of the major output devices are Monitor, LCD, Printer, etc.
3) Control unit: It delegates tasks to all the other units or components of a computer system. It acts as a
manager of the whole system which let other units know how to act on the operations. It instructs the memory,
logic unit, and both output and input devices of the computer on how to respond to the program's instructions.
CPU and GPU are the two devices that uses control unit.
4) Arithmetic Logic Unit(ALU): As the name suggests, it performs all the arithmetic and logical operations of a
computer system. In other words, it performs all the arithmetic and logical operations in the computer language
on the operands given by the user. Arithmetic and logical operations includes addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division. Whereas the logical operations includes comparison between two or more values.
5) Memory Unit(MU): Memory Unit usually two types of memory chips those are RAM and ROM. Memory unit
stores all the data, processes, instruction and information of a computer system, it is usually the work area of a
computer system.
SLO # 1.3.5: COMPARE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES ON
THE BASIS OF LOCATION WITH RESPECT TO CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
(CPU), COST, STORAGE CAPACITY, AVERAGE ACCESS TIME, DIRECT/
INDIRECT DATA PROCESSING, MEANS OF STORING INFORMATION SUCH AS
SEMICONDUCTOR, MAGNETIC DISKS, MAGNETIC TAPE AND OPTICAL DISCS;
SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES: THE DEVICES THAT ARE USED TO
EXTEND THE STORAGE CAPACITY OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM BY CONNECTING
THEM EXTERNALLY IS KNOWN AS SECONDARY OR EXTERNAL STORAGE
DEVICES. THESE DEVICES ARE ALSO USED TO CREATE A BACKUP OF DATA
AND INFORMATION PERMANENTLY FOR A LONG DURATION STORED ON
YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM. SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF SECONDARY
STORAGE DEVICES ARE USB, HARD DISK DRIVE, FLOPPY DISK ETC.
SLO 1.3.6: DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE TYPES
OF PRIMARY MEMORY, I.E. RANDOM ACCESS
MEMORY (RAM) AND READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM);
• RAM and ROM comes under the category of primary memory.
There are various differences between RAM and ROM, which
are elaborated below.
SLO #1.3.7 DESCRIBE CACHE MEMORY
AND ITS THREE TYPES
DIAGRAMMATICALLY;
• Cache Memory is the fastest memory among all because it resides
inside the CPU or the processor of a computer. It is a volatile
(Temporary) memory and it acts as a bridge between Main memory
and Processor. It stores all the frequent instructions and processes
occurring in a computer system. It makes retrieving data from the
computer’s memory more fast and efficient as it acts as a bridge
between them. Cache memory typically has 3 Levels L1, L2, and L3
cache memory. Below you can check out the diagram and all the
differences among all the levels of cache memory.
SLO # 1.3.8: DESCRIBE THE TWO TYPES OF
SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES, I.E. HARD DISK DRIVE
AND UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB) FLASH DRIVE;
• Secondary Storage devices: Lets recap the concept of what secondary storage devices are,
the devices that are used to extend the storage capacity of a computer system by
connecting them externally is known as Secondary or external storage devices. These
devices are also used to create a backup of data and information permanently for a long
duration stored on your computer system. Some of the examples of secondary storage
devices are USB, hard disk drive, Floppy disk etc.
• Hard Disk Drive: Hard disk drive (HDD) is a magnetic storage device that is used to store
files and information of a computer system. All Applications and software are also installed
in Hard disk drive. It is a Non-volatile storage as itstores data and information permanently.
• USB: USB or Universal serial bus comes under the category of flash drives. It is connected
externally to a computer system to create a backup of you important files and data. It
makes travelling of data easier as its pocket friendly and can save data up to 1 terabyte.
SLO 1.3.9: COMPARE THE TYPES OF OUTPUT DEVICES, I.E.
SPEAKER, LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY (LCD), LIGHT EMITTING
DIODE (LED) DISPLAY, PRINTERS AND THEIR TYPES, PLOTTER,
ACTUATORS AND THEIR TYPES, CUTTERS.
• Output devices: The raw data that has been processed is being displayed using the output
devices. In other words, an output devices displays orshows the information to a user. An
output device is a type of peripheral or hardware that receives data from computer, usually
for the purpose of display or physical production (Hardcopy). Some examples of output
devices are Monitor, printer, plotter etc.

1) Speaker: The main purpose is to give the audio output for the listener. It is the output
device that connects with the computer to generate sounds.

2) Plotter: It works on the same principle of a printer but on a large scale. It converts soft copy
into hard copy typically for banners, Panaflexes etc. It is used for large scale printing or
printing on large sheets of papers, cloths etc. Some types of Plotter are Drum plotter and
flatbed plotter
3)
4)
• 4) Plotter: It works on the same principle of a printer but on a large scale. It converts
soft copy into hard copy typically for banners, Panaflexes etc. It is used for large scale
printing or printing on large sheets of papers, cloths etc. Some types of Plotter are
Drum plotter and flatbed plotter
• 5) Actuators and their types: An output device that converts energy into motion is
known as an actuator. The energy that is been converted could be of any type either
electrical, mechanical, or fluid. The motion could be linear or rotary motion.

Types of Actuators(on the basis of motion):

• 1) Linear actuator: As the name suggests, the type of an actuator that produces the
motion within a straight path is known as a linear actuator. Have you ever visited a
shopping mall or a supermarket where you have noticed automatic doors, as you get
closer to them they automatically gets open. That is the perfect example of linear
actuator. That door uses a sensor which sense the existence of a person and opens up
on getting closer to them. Other examples are powered seats in high-end cars. In both
examples electrical energy is converted into motion.
2) Rotary actuator: It performs the motion in circular motion. The term “Rotary” tell us, the most
machines uses rotating parts to complete a turning movement. They are often used with
conjunction to a linear actuator, if a machine moves UP, Down, Back, and Forth. The most common
example of a rotary actuator is an electric fan that uses electrical energy to produce motion.
Another examples could be blenders, windshield wipers in cars.
Types of actuators(on the basis of energy sources):
1) Hydraulic actuators: Hydraulic means fluid, these actuators uses fluid-filled cylinder with a piston
suspended at the center to produce motion. These actuators are most commonly used in exercise
machines such as steppers.
2) Pneumatic actuators: These types of actuators uses pressurized gases to produce mechanical
movement or motion. They are widely used in vane motors, bus brakes etc.
3) Electric actuators: Those actuators that uses electrical energy to produce linear or rotary
movement or motion is known as electric actuators. As the flow to electrical power is constant thus,
it produces precise motion. Some of the examples are powered doors, powered windows, blenders,
electric fans etc.
4) Mechanical actuators: Some of the actuators are mechanical, they uses mechanical energy or
push or pull to produce motion. Pulleys or Rack and pinion systems (Mostly used in car steering for
movement) are some of the examples.
Cutters: A 2d and 3d cutter is a high powered laser that cuts material such
as thin metals or woods, used mostly for industrial purposes. They make
precise and clean cuts, it is also is very fast which makes it efficient. It is
first designed through a computer and then sent through a laser cutter to
give you the design. There are typically 2 types of cutters: 2D Cutters and
3D cutters.
1) 2D Cutters: 2D cutting is the process of taking a two dimensional digital
design and using a cutting machine to create a physical version of the
design out of a selected medium (such as paper, cardstock, vinyl, etc.).
2) 2) 3D Cutters: 3D cutting is the process of taking a three dimensional
digital design and using a cutting machine to create a physical version
of the design out of a selected medium such as brick or box.
SLO # 1.3.10: DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN
SERIAL AND PARALLEL PORTS.
SLO # 1.4: WORKING OF A COMPUTER.
(COGNITIVE LEVEL: UNDERSTANDING)
SLO # 1.4.1: DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN DATA
AND INFORMATION.
• Data: Data is the collection of Raw, facts and figures which are in
unorganized form, usually meaning less. It is independent of
information. It is usually in numbers or simple figures which are mostly
difficult to fully understand. For E.g. List of temperatures.
• Information: The processed form of data is known as information which
in always meaning full and in organized manner. It always depends on
data. It is mostly in sentences, words and ideas which are
understandable. For E.g. List of temperature of a particular city, for a
particular season or time
SLO 1.4.2: DESCRIBE THE BASIC
OPERATIONS OF THE DATA PROCESSING
CYCLE USING BLOCK DIAGRAM:
• a. Input operation
• b. Processing operation
• c. Storage operation
• d. Output operation
• 1) Input: When the Raw, facts and figures or precisely data is given as an input
by the use to the computer system or specifically processing unit is known as
input operation. As we all know that input devices such as keyboard, pointing
devices, scanner etc are used to feed data into the computer system.
• 2) Process: Now, it comes the other most important operation of a computer
system that is process. The data that has been given by the user is processed
or converted into a meaningful piece of content in process operation. Process
operation understands what instructions has been assigned to a computer
system and act on those operations according. The data is converted into
information which is then presented to the user in understandable format.
• 3) Output: The processed form of data or information is been presented to the
user using output devices that are monitor, printer etc.
• 4) Storage: As the name suggests, this store all the processes before they
actually starts and the result that is been presented to the user using output
devices must be stored somewhere to be presented to the user. Storage
consists of RAM and ROM which actually store all the processes and final results
respectively.
SLO # 1.5: COMPUTER SOFTWARE: (COGNITIVE
LEVEL: UNDERSTANDING)
SLO 1.5.1: DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE
TYPES OF SOFTWARE, I.E. SYSTEM
SOFTWARE AND APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• Software: The Intangible (Cannot be touched) part of a computer system is known as a
computer system. Software is a set of instructions given to a computersystem to perform some
specific tasks and operations. Software initially consists of two types that are System software
and application software.

• 1) System Software: This type of software performs variety of tasks of a computer system.
System software is designed to manage all the hardware and other software applications of a
computer system. Precisely, application software is dependent upon system software. System
software also manages all the resources of a computer system such as memory management
and user management. There are 4 types of system software 1) Utility software, 2) Device
drivers, 3) operating system, and 4)Language processors.

• 2) Application software: Application software is one of the types of a software that is designed
to meet end-user requirements and perform some specific task or set of specific tasks such as
MS Excel is an application software that performs only the tasks related to data and analysis.
• Now, let’s discuss the types of system software:
• 1) Utility software: A type of a system software that maintains the functionality of a
computer system. It assists the operating system to maintain, optimize and manage how it
works. It manages the operations of an operating systems such as antivirus or task
manager.
• 2) Operating system: An operating system manages all the hardware and software of a
computer system. The major tasks performed by an operating system are
1) Memory management
2) User management
3) Files management
4) Resource management ETC (Will be discussed further in 2nd Chapter).
• 3) Device drivers: A tool that manages all the Input and output devices and maintains its
operations is known as device drivers. There is a separate device driver for each hardware
component such as mouse or keyboard has separate drivers installed in computer system
that controls those devices and helps them to connect to your computer
4) Language processors: A language processor or translator is a tool or a
software that translates code written in a one programming language to
another language. For E.G High level language to low level language.
There are 3 major types of language processors. 1) Compiler: It
translates source code from high-level language into machine language
or binary code. It translates whole program at a time so it’s faster than
interpreter and less accurate. 2) Interpreter: It also translates source
code from high-level language into machine language or binary code but
it translates line-by-line. It’s slow in speed and more accurate as
compared to compiler having less chances of errors. 3) Assembler: It
translates sources code written in assembly language into machine
language.
Point to ponder: As you can observe, in all types of language translators
the outcome is in machine language so it’s easy to remember.
SLO # 1.5.3: DESCRIBE THE USE OF THE
FOLLOWING APPLICATION SOFTWARE:
(COGNITIVE LEVEL: CA)
A. Word processor: An application software that is use to create, edit, and modify
documents. Most common example of a word processing software is “MS Word”.
B. Spreadsheet Software: A software that contains rows and columns in which data
is arranged and are used for data sorting, analysis and creating graphs or charts.
The most common Spreadsheet software is MS Excel.
C. Database management: Database is a where data is stored and can be retrieved
when needed, every organization use database to store data of their employees,
clients etc. Database management is a software is used to insert, delete and
modify data in a database. The most common Database
managementsoftware/Tools are MS Access and SQL.
• D. Presentation/ desktop publication: We all have presented some
content or delivered some kind of knowledge in front of an audience, we
create slides or enticing slides to engage our audience. The software
that is used to create those slides or presentation is known as
presentation software. The most common example of a presentation
software is MS PowerPoint.
• E. Communication: Communication software enables one to exchange
information, text, audio, and video via cloud or local networks.
Messaging apps, Whatsapp are the day-to-day examples of
communication software.
• F. Entertainment: These software is defined as video games, software on
which we usually watch movies, watch videos, or listen to entertainment
content such as songs. Netflix, YouTube are the examples of
entertainmentsoftware.
SLO # 1.5.4: DIFFERENTIATE AMONG
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE, SHAREWARE
AND FREEWARE.
1)Open-Source Software: A type of a software of which source code is available publically
or to a particular set of audience or clients. These software’s can easily be modified
based on the user to user requirements. Linux OS comes under the category of open-
source software.
2)Shareware Software: Have you ever used a software with a 7-day or 30-day trial period
after which it asks for payment else you can’t use that software. This software comes
under the category of shareware software is available free for a limited tenure. For E.G.
Adobe Photoshop.
3) Freeware Software: A Software that is available for free for unlimited time period and
you can use it without spending a single penny comes under the category of Freeware
software for E.G. YouTube.