SBE – COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

characteristics of computer
 Speed
 Accuracy
 Diligence
 Reliability
 Storage capability
 Versatility
 Resource sharing

Characteristics of computer:
 Speed:
Computers process data at extremely fast rate-millions of instructions per second. In few
seconds, a computer can perform a huge task that a normal human being may take days
or even years to complete.
The speed of a computer is calculated in MHZ.
 Accuracy:
Besides efficiency, computers are accurate as well. The level of accuracy depends on the
instructions and the type of machine being used.
 Diligence:
Computer, being a machine, does not suffer from the human traits of tiredness and lack of
concentration.
 Reliability:
Reliability is the measurement of performance of a computer, which is measured against
some predetermined standard for operation without any failure.
 Storage capability:
The main memory of the computer is relatively small and it can hold only a certain
amount of information, therefore, the data is stored on secondary storage devices such as
magnetic tape or disks.
 Versatility:
It can perform multiple tasks simultaneously with great ease. For example, at one
moment it can be used to draft a letter, another moment it can be used to play music and
in between, one can print a document as well. All this work is possible by changing the
program.
 Resource sharing:
It made the sharing of costly resources like printers possible. Apart from device sharing,
data and information can also be shared among groups of computers, thus creating a large
information and knowledge base.
short note on a) Input b) Output c) CPU

a.) INPUT
 Accept data and instructions from the outside world.
 Convert it to a form that the computer can understand.
 Supply the converted data to the computer system for further processing.
The input unit is used to send information or instructions or commands to the
computer. The data received from the input unit is immediately stored in main
memory and then processed.
Following are the some of the input devices.
i. Keyboard
ii. Mouse
iii. Light pen
b.) Output Unit
Devices used to get the response or result of a process from the computer is
called output. Output unit is the communication between the user and the computer.
The output unit of a computer provides the information and results of a computation
to the outside world.
Commonly used output devices are:
 Visual Display Unit (VDU) or Monitor
 Printer
c.) Central processing unit (CPU):
 It performs all calculations and all decisions.
 It controls and co-ordinates all units of the computer.
 It interprets instructions of a program.
 It stores data temporarily and monitors external requests
 Basic computer organization:
The block diagram of the computer system has the following three units; each
functional unit corresponds to their basic operations performed as described in details.
1. Input unit
2. Central processing unit
3. Output unit

1. Input unit:
 Accept data and instructions from the outside world.
 Convert it to a form that the computer can understand.
 Supply the converted data to the computer system for further processing.
The input unit is used to send information or instructions or commands to the
computer. The data received from the input unit is immediately stored in main
memory and then processed.
Following are the some of the input devices.
iv. Keyboard
v. Mouse
vi. Light pen
vii. Joystick
viii. OCR (optical character recognizer)
ix. MICR(magnetic ink character recognizer)
x. OMR (optical mark recognizer)
2. Central processing unit (CPU):
 It performs all calculations and all decisions.
 It controls and co-ordinates all units of the computer.
 It interprets instructions of a program.
 It stores data temporarily and monitors external requests.

The CPU is sub-divided into the following sub-system.

1) Control unit
2) Arithmetic and logical unit
3) Memory unit
a) Primary storage
b) Secondary storage.
1) Control unit:
The control unit instructs the computer how to carry out program instructions. It
directs the flow of data and between memory and arithmetic logical unit. The input unit
does not know when to receive data and where to put the data in the storage unit after
receiving it. Similarly, the control unit instructs the input unit where to store the data after
receiving it from the user.
 In the same way, it controls the flow of data and instructions from the storage unit to
ALU. During program execution the control unit fetches instructions from the primary
memory, decodes them to determine the operation required, and then set up instruction
execution.
Example: to add two numbers or to read a character from a keyboard. A number registers
are associated with the control unit.
2) Arithmetic and Logical unit:
Arithmetic and logical unit performs all the arithmetic and logical operations.
Arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and logical operations,
such as comparisons are performed in ALU.
All calculations are performed in the Arithmetic and Logical Unit of the
computer. ALU also does comparisons and take decision.
Example:
It can check if the number A is less than, equal to or greater than the number B.
once the calculation or the logical operation is performed by ALU, then the result is
transferred to the storage unit.
3) Memory unit:
Memory is the part of computer which holds data for processing and other
information. It is also called as Main Memory or Primary Memory.
 A device that stores program instructions or data used by the CPU when
performing a given function.
 Memory is a device, which is used to store information temporarily/ permanently,
it is the place where the information is safekeeped.
 Secondary memory, such as disk storages, is functionally considered I/O because
it is accessed through the I/O system.
a) Primary storage:
The primary storage is also called as “main memory”, stores and access information
very fastly. This is generally used to hold the program being currently executed in
the computer, the data being received from the input unit, the intermediate and final
results of the program. Primary storage is also known as system memory, internal,
temporary and “RAM”.
 Installed on the main computer board(Motherboard)
 Typically comprised of ICs(Integrated Circuits)
 Fast access- usually in the order of nanoseconds.
b) Secondary storage:
The secondary storage is also known as Auxiliary storage. It may store several
programs, documents, database, etc. The program that we want to run on the
computer is first transferred to the primary memory before it can run. Similarly , after
running the program, if we need to save the results, we will transfer them to the
secondary storage.
 The secondary memory is slower and cheaper than the primary memory. Some of the
commonly used secondary memory devices are Floppy diskette, Zip diskette, Hard
disk and Magnetic disks and tapes etc.
3. Output Unit:
Devices used to get the response or result of a process from the computer is
called output. Output unit is the communication between the user and the computer.
The output unit of a computer provides the information and results of a computation
to the outside world.
Computers do not work in the decimal system; they work in the binary system.
Therefore if required, the output unit also converts the binary data into a form that
users can understand.
Commonly used output devices are:
 Visual Display Unit (VDU) or Monitor
 Printer
 Computer output Microfilm
 Plotter.
 System Software:

 Computer user

System software

Application
Computer user
 software
 System software consists of several programs, which are directly
responsible for controlling, integrating and managing the individual hardware
components of a computer system. This software provides a programming
environment in which programmers can create applications to accommodate
their needs. System software acts an interface between the hardware of the
computer and the software applications.
 System software makes the computer functional. They provide basic
functionality like file management, visual display, and keyboard input and are
used by application software to accomplish these functions.
 Some examples of system software are operating systems, device
drivers, language translators and system utilities.

Language translators Description

Compiler The programs written in any high-level programming

language(c or
 Pascal) are converted into machine language using a
compiler.

Interpreter An interpreter analyses and executes the source code in line-

by-line
Manner, without looking at the entire program.

Assembler compared to all the types of programming languages,

assembly
Language is closest to the machine code. An assembler
converts the
Assembly codes, making the assembly program ready for
execution
 System utility:
System utility programs perform day-to-day tasks related to the maintenance of the
computer system. They are used to support, enhance, and secure existing programs and data in
the computer system.

Application software:

Application software may consist of a single program, such as Microsoft’s Notepad. It

may also consist of a collection of programs, often called a software package, which work
together to accomplish a task, such as database management software.

Application software ranges from games, calculators and word processors (document
creating programs), to programs that “paint” images on screen (image editors). Some of the most
commonly used application software is discussed below.

 Word processors:
 A word processor is software used to compose, format, edit, and print electronic
documents. It involves not only typing, but also checking the spelling and grammar of the text
and arranging it correctly on a page. It is possible to include pictures, graphics, charts and fonts
and color. Nowadays, virtually all personal computers are equipped with a word or other
documents and printing.

Examples of some well-known word processors are Microsoft word and word perfect.

 Spreadsheets:

One of the first commercial uses of computers was in processing payroll and other
financial records. A spreadsheet application is a rectangular grid, which allows text, numbers and
complex functions to be entered into a matrix of thousands of individual cells. The spreadsheet
provides sheets containing cells each of which may contain text and / or number.

Cells may also contain equations that calculate results from data placed in other cells or series of
cells.

Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1-2-3 are examples of spreadsheet applications.

 Image Editors:
 Image editor programs are designed specifically for capturing, creating, editing and
manipulating images. These graphics programs provides for creating and altering images.
In addition to offering a host of filters and image transformation algorithms, some editors
also enable the user to create and superimpose layers.
With image editing software, one can darken or lighten an image, rotate it, adjust its
contrast, crop out extraneous detail, and much more. Examples of these programs are
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw.
 Database Management Systems:

Database management software is a collection of computer programs that allow storage,

modification and extraction of information from a database in an efficient manner. It provides
tools for data input, verification, storage, retrieval, query and manipulation.

New categories of data can be added to the database without disrupting the existing system.
FoxPro and Oracle are database management systems.
  Presentation Application:

A presentation is a means of assessment, which requires presentation providers to

present their work orally in the presence of an audience. It combines both visual and verbal
elements presentation software allows the user to create presentations by producing slides or
handouts for presentation of projects.

Microsoft Power point is one of the most famous presentation applications.

 Desktop publishing software:

The term desktop publishing is usually used to describe the creation of printed
documents using a desktop computer. It is a technique of using a personal computer to design
images and pages, and assemble type and graphics, then using a laser printer or image-setter to
output the assembled pages onto paper, film or printing plate.

Quark Express and Adobe Page Maker are desktop publishing software.
 Classification of computer according to size:

Four major categories: micro, mini, mainframe and super computers.

Micro Computers:

A microcomputer is a small, low cost digital computer, which usually consists of a

microprocessor, storage unit, an input channel, and a one chip inserted into one or several PC
boards.

IBM-PC PENTIUM100, IBM-PC PENTIUM 200 and Apple Macintosh are some of the
examples of micro models such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants).

Desktop computer:

Desktop computer, also known as personal computer (PC), is principally intended for standalone
use by an individual. Micro computer typically consist of a system unit, a display monitor, a
keyboard, internal hard disk storage, and other peripheral devices.

Some of the major personal computer, manufactures are APPLE, IBM, DELL and Hewlett-
Packard.

Laptop:

A laptop is a portable computer, that is, a user can carry it around weighing 3-5 kg. Laptops are
small computers enclosing all the basic features of a normal desktop computer. The biggest
advantage of this computer is that one can use this computer anywhere and at anytime, especially
when one is travelling.

Hand-held computers (palmtop):

A hand-held, also called Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), is a computer that can conveniently
be stored in a pocket and used while the user is holding it. PDAs are essentially small portable
computers and are slightly bigger than the common calculators.

Some examples of PDAs are Apple Newton, Casio Cassiopeia and Franklin eBook Man.

Notebook:

Notebook is more powerful than laptop but size is smaller than laptop and desktop weighing 2-
3kg.

Wearable computer:

A wearable computer is much smaller which can be worn on bodythat requires smaller
processing power.It is used in medicine to measure heart beat.
Mini Computer:

The mini computer is a small digital computer whose process and storage capacity is lesser than
that of micro computer. Its speed of processing data is in between that of a mainframe and a
micro computer. Generally, it is used as desktop device that is often connected to a mainframe in
order to perform the auxiliary operations. Mini computers are usually multi-user systems, so
these are used in interactive applications in industries, research organizations, colleges and
universities.

High – performance workstations with graphics I/O capability use minicomputer. Some of the
widely used mini computers are PDP 11, IBM (8000 series) and VAX 7500.

Mainframe computer:

A mainframe is an ultra-high performance computer made for high-volume, processor-intensive

computing. It consists of a high-end computer processor, with related peripheral devices, capable
of supporting large volumes of data processing systems, and extensive data storage and retrieval.

Mainframes are the second largest of the computer family, the largest being super computers.
Mainframe allows its user to maintain large information storage at a centralized location and be
able to access and process this data from different computers located at different locations.

It is typically used by large businesses and for scientific purposes. Examples of mainframe
computers are IBM’s ES000, VAX 8000 and CDC6600.

Super Computer:

Super computers are the special purpose machines, which are specially designed to maximize the
numbers of FLOPS (Floating Point Operation per Second). Any computer below one
gigaflop/sec is not considered a super computer. A super computer has the highest processing
speed at a given time for solving scientific and engineering problems.

Essentially, it contains a number of CPUs that operate in parallel to make it faster. Its processing
speed lies in the range of 400-10,000 MFLOPS (Millions of Floating Point Operation per
Second). Super computers are used to solve multi-variant mathematical problems of existent
physical processes, such as aerodynamics, metrology, and plasma physics.

The largest commercial use of super computers is in the entertainment/advertising industry;

CRAY-3, CYBER 205, and PARAM are some well known super computers.
Types of RAM and ROM

RAM (Random Access Memory)

The time taken to access a word in memory is independent of the address of the word and hence
its referred to as RAM.,which forms the major part of memory. The contents of RAM can be
changed enabling read/write option. The contents of RAM is highly volatile iedatas are lost onc
power is turned off. RAM can ber broadly classified into

 Static RAM
 Dynamic RAM

Static RAM:

SRAM is a type of physical read/write memory used in PC. It holds data as long as power is
supplied to the circuit. SRAM is bulky in size and expensive that need not be refreshed, which
makes memory to access faster. Hence it’s used in small quantities.

Dynamic RAM:

It is also a type of physical read/write memory that holds data only if it’s refreshed or it will lose
its contents. DRAM are slower than SRAM, cheap that requires overhead of the refresh circuitry.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

It is a non-volatile memory.ROM is used to store a small number of instructions. The contents of

ROM cannot be changed in which the contents can only be read and cannot be used to write any
information on it. Types of ROM are

PROM

EPROM

EEPROM

PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)

A PROM is a ROM that can be programmed only once where the information can be written
only once and then onwards it can only be read.A special device called PROM programmer is
used to store information that needs no updating.

EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)

An EPROM is a ROM that can be erased and reprogrammed where the information written can
be erased by exposing to high intensity UV rays for 5-10 minutes. A special device known is
EPROM programmer is used for storing information. Erasing is not so easy, since EPROM
should be removed from the computer.

EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)

This ROM can be erased using electrical pulses and reprogrammed byte by byte. In EEPROM
memory parts can be erased in parts and written separately I a short time.

HISTORY OF COMPUTERS

Computer Generation:

First Generation (1940-56): Vacuum Tubes

First generation computers were vacuum tubes/ thermionic valve based
machines. These computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for
memory. A magnetic drum is a metal cylinder coated with magnetic iron – oxide material
on which data and programs can be stored. Input was based on punched cards and paper
tape and output was in the form of printouts.
For example: ENIAC, EDVAC and UNIVAC.

Characteristics of first generation computer:

o These computers were based on vacuum tube technology.

o These were the fastest computing devices of their time.
o These computers were very large, and required a lot of space for installation.
o These were non-portable and very slow equipments.

Second Generation (1956-63): Transistors

Invented by J.Bardeen,HW Brattain &W.Shockley.A transistor is made up of

semiconductor material like germanium and silicon. It usually had three leads and
performed electrical functions such as voltage, current or power amplification with low
power requirement. Since transistor is a small device, the physical size of computers was
greatly reduced. Computers became smaller, faster, cheaper, energy-efficient and more
reliable than their predecessors. Magnetic cores were used as primary memory and
magnetic disks as secondary storage devices. However, they still relied on punched cards
for input and printouts for output.

For example: PDP-8, IBM 1401 and IBM 7090.

Characteristics of second generation computers:

 These machines were based on transistor technology.

  These were smaller as compared to the first generation computers.
 These were more portable and generated less amount of heat.

Third Generation (1964-Early 1970’s): Integrated Circuits

Invented by Jack Kilby ,The development of the integrated circuit was the trait of
the third generation of computer also called an IC, an integrated circuit consists of a
single chip with many components such as transistors and resistors fabricated on it.
Integrated circuits replaced several individually wired transistors. This development
made computers smaller in size, reliable, and efficient. Instead of punched cards and
printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and
monitors and interfaced with operating system.

For example: NCR395 andB6500.

Characteristic of third generation computers:e computers used are DEC 10,STAR 1000,PDP
1000

 These computers were based on Integrated Circuit(IC) Technology.

 They were able to reduce computational time from microseconds to nanoseconds.
 Extensive use of high-level languages became possible.
 Commercial production became easier and cheaper.

Fourth Generation(1971-1980)

Invented by Ted Hoff It uses VLSI(Very Lasrge Scale Integration) comprising of

5000 transistors and other circuit elements which gave rise to PC because of time
sharing,real time network distributed OS. Some of th.

Fifth Generation(1982-present)

Fifth generation computers invented by Ehud Shapiro will use Super Large
Scale Integration (SLSI) chips, which will result in the production of microprocessor
having millions of electronic components on a single chip.

Parallel Processing:

A computer using parallel processing access several instructions at once and

works on them at the same time through use of multiple central processing units.

Artificial Intelligence: (AI)

AI comprises a group of related technology: expert systems (ES), natural

language processing (NLP), speech recognition, vision recognition and robotics.
Compiler: It is a program which is used to convert the high level language program into
machine language.
Assembler: It is a program which is used to convert the assembly level language
program into machine language.
Interpreter: It is a program; it takes one statement of a high level language program,
translates it into machine language instruction and then immediately executes the
resulting machine language instruction.

Operating System
An OS is an interface between the computer user and the computer hardware.
types of operating system
Single user operating system, Multi-user operating system, Time sharing operating
system, Virtual storage operating system, Real time operating system, Multiprocessing
operating system, Virtual machine operating system.

Installation and Assembling?

Installation –It is the process of loading the software package into the computer.
Assembling – It is the process of mounting different computer peripherals into one, to
make the computer to function properly.

Operating system:

Operating system is the first layer of software loaded into computer memory when it
starts up. As the first software layer, all other software that gets loaded after it depends on
it for various common core services. These common core services include disk access,
memory management, task scheduling, and user interfacing.
The operating systems are windows XP, UNIX, and LINUX..
TCP/IP, ARPANET, WWW, CERN, GUI, and HTTP

TCP/IP :Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol

ARPANET : Advanced Research Projects Agency Network

WWW :World Wide Web.

CERN : European Council for Nuclear Research

GUI :Graphical User Interface

HTTP :Hyper Text Transfer Protocol.

FTP: File Transfer Protocol.