COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

& BASICS OF PC HARDWARE

 MODULE I
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
Introduction to Computers-

○ Computer and its evolution

○ Major functionalities of a computer system
○ Basic Organization of computer system
○ Pros and Cons of using a computer
At the end of the session you will be
able to

● Define a computer system and its evolution

● Explain the major functionalities of a computer
system.
● Describe the basic organization of a computer system.
● Explain the basic pros(characteristics) and cons of
using a computer.
 Evolution of Computers
● The idea of computer began in 19th century by an English
Mathematician named Charles Babbage.

● He designed Analytical Engine which was the basic framework for

the design of today’s computers.
What is a Computer?
● The word ‘computer’ derived from the word ‘compute’
which means ‘to calculate’.
● The original objective of inventing a computer - was to
create a fast calculating device.
● Today computer’s main purpose is - data processing.
● Also referred to as data processor in the sense that it
o gather data from various sources
o merge them all
o sort them in desired order
o print in desired format
● Activity of processing data using a computer is called
data processing.
 What is a Computer?
Computer accept and processes data and produces
information.

What is Data?
Data is defined as raw facts or figures which do not carry any
specific meaning.

What is Information?
Information is processed data that has been converted into more
useful or meaningful form.
What is a Computer?
● An electronic data processing device.
● Accepts data, stores data, process data and
generates output in required format.
● Data can be numbers, text, sound, images, animations,
videos etc.
● A computer performs
○ Mathematical Operations.
○ Logical Operations.
○ Graphical operations.
 What is a Computer?
Computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts raw
data as input from the user and processes it under the control of
a set of instructions (called program) to produce the desired
result amd to output it or saves it for future use.
 Functionalities of a Computer

2. Storing Data 3. Processing Data

1. Inputting
Data

5.Controlling the
operations

4. Outputting Data
The 5 basic functions for converting raw input data into useful information and
presenting it to the user includes:
1). Inputting ⇒ Process of entering data and instructions into the computer
system.
2). Storing ⇒ Process of saving data and instructions to make them available
as & when required.
3). Processing ⇒ Performing arithmetic or logical operations on data to
convert into useful information.
4). Outputting ⇒ Generating useful information for the users(visual
display/printed output).
5). Controlling ⇒ Directing the manner and sequence in which the above
operations are performed.
Basic Organization of a Computer-
Neumann’s Architecture

John Von Neumann

1. Input Unit
● Accepts or read data and instructions from the
outside world.
● Input interfaces convert these data and instructions
into machine readable form (binary codes).
● It supplies these converted data and instructions to
the storage unit for storage and further processing.
● Keyboard and Mouse are most popularly used input
devices.

● Other devices like scanner, microphone, trackball,

joystick, webcam, light pen, electronic card reader
are also used.
Input Devices
2. Output Unit

● It accepts the results produced by the computer

which are in machine readable form.
● Output interfaces convert these coded results into
human readable form.
● It then supplies the converted results to outside
world.
● Monitor, Printer, Speaker, Screen Projectors are
the various types of output devices.
Output Devices
3. Storage Unit

It stores
● The data and instructions required for processing.
● Intermediate results of processing.
● Final results of processing, before transferring them to the output
unit.

Two types of Storage:

1). Primary Storage
2). Secondary Storage
● Primary Storage or Primary ● Secondary Storage or Secondary
Memory- Memory-
o Also known as auxiliary storage.
○ Also known as main memory.
o Used to save the data permanently.
○ Stores the data and instructions. o Non-volatile - Retains the data and
○ Intermediate and final results information even after the computer is
of currently working jobs in the switched off.
computer. o Cheaper than primary memory; thus,
○ CPU can access these data directly the storage capacity is high.
and at very fast speed. o The speed of secondary memory is low
○ Made up of semiconductor devices. compared to primary memory.
○ Very expensive. o There are several types of
secondary memory.
○ Limited storage capacity.
▪ Magnetic Tape, Magnetic Disk,
○ Volatile- The information stored in
Optical Disks- CD, DVD, HVD,
the computer will be erased as
Blu-Ray Disks, Removable
soon as the system is switched
OFF. Storage- Pen Drives
Storage Devices
4. Central Processing Unit
● Refers to the microprocessor in the computer system.
● Act as brain of the computer system.

● The ALU and Control Unit together forms the CPU.

● All the major decisions are taken by the CPU.

● CPU performs all major calculations, and also activates and

controls the operations of other units of the computer system.

● A small portion of the primary memory is also there in the CPU.

5. Control Unit
● Act as the Central Nervous System of a computer.
● Does not perform actual processing of data.

● It controls and coordinates the working of all other components.

● It obtains instructions from a program stored in main memory, interprets the

instruction, and issues control signals to the other components.
○ to instruct ALU about what should be done with the received data.
○ to control the transfer of data and instructions among other components..
○ to enable input/output devices for transfer of data or results to /from storage.
6. ALU (Arithmetic and Logic Unit)
● Performs all calculations and comparison operations in ALU.
● During job processing data & instructions are transferred back and
forth between primary storage and ALU.
● ALU does the processing.
● Temporarily transfer the intermediate results generated back to the
primary storage.
● Designed to perform basic arithmetic operations (add, subtract,
multiply and divide) and logic operations such as less than, equal to
and greater than etc.
Characteristics /
Advantages of a
Computer
1. High Speed
● Very fast device.
● Capable of processing very large amount of data.
● Can perform millions or even trillions of calculations in a few seconds.
● Generally expressed in MegaHertz(MHz),millions of machine cycles per
second.
● Eg:- 100 Mhz ⇒ processor capable of processing 100 millions of machine
cycles per second.

2. Accuracy
● Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy, provided that the input is
correct.
● It is 100% error free.
● Computer errors are mainly due to
(i). incorrect input data or
(ii). unreliable programs or instructions.
● It is referred to as GIGO(Garbage In Garbage Out).
3. Diligence/Tirelessness
● Computer is free from monotony(lack of variety), tiredness, and lack of
concentration.
● It can work continuously without error and boredom.
● It never gets tired or board, it can do the same job again and again.
● It can perform repeated tasks with the same speed and accuracy.
● Computers output is very reliable.

4. Versatility
● Ability to adapt to many different activities.
● It is a versatile machine and is very flexible in performing the jobs to be
done.
● It is capable of performing almost any task, if the task can be reduced to a
finite series of logical steps.
● Eg:- At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the
very next moment it may be playing a card game.
5. Reliability
● Computer is a reliable machine subject to the condition that the input data
entered should be correct.
● Almost all electronic component have long lives.
● Designed to make maintenance easy.
Reliability of computer = Serviceable time/Serviceable time + Downtime

6. Automation
● Computer is an automatic machine.
● It has the ability to perform a given task automatically.
● It can perform repetitive tasks through programs.
● Once the computer receives a program, it is stored in the memory, then the
system can control the program execution without human interaction.
7. Storage Capability
● Memory(Secondary storage) is the very important characteristic of
computers.
● It can store and recall large amount of data and instructions.
● It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text and audio etc.
● All information is passed on to the memory in form of electric signals.
● They are called bits.
● Each letter of the alphabet, numbers and symbols are represented by a
group of 8 bits called a byte.
● Size of the memory is measured in KB,MB,TB etc.
1 KB = 1024 Bytes
8. Intangible benefits
● Many companies utilize computers for intangible benefits such as
flexibility, ability to accommodate growth and psychological factors for
attracting customers to buy their product and services.

9. Reduction in paperwork and cost

● The use of computers for data processing in an organization leads to
reduction in paperwork and results in speeding up the process.
● As the data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when required, the
problem of maintenance of large number of paper files gets reduced.
● Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high, it
substantially reduces the cost of each of its transactions.
Disadvantages of a
Computer
1. No IQ
● Computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task.
● Each instruction has to be given to the computer.
● A computer cannot take any decisions/judgements on its own.
● It has to be told what to do and in what sequence.
● It make judgements based on the instructions given to them in the form of
programs.

2. Dependency
● It functions as per the user’s instructions.
● Only a user determines what task a computer will perform.
● Thus it is fully dependent on humans.

3. Environment
● The operating environment of the computer should be dust free and suitable.
4. No Emotions
● Computers are devoid of emotions.
● It cannot make judgements based on feelings, taste, experience and
knowledge like humans.

5. Reliability of the program

● The common problems faced by the computers comes from the use of faulty
software.
● These softwares are usually called pirated softwares.

6. Logic of the program

● Computers works on logic.
● If our logic is wrong, it will give bad results.
● While writing a program, we has to look into all the possible situations.
Summary
● Computer is an electronic device, that takes input, stores it,
processes the data and gives output.
● Five main functionalities of a computer are -
Inputting,Outputting,Processing, Storing and controlling.
● Basic organization of a computer - Input Unit, Output Unit, Memory,
CPU, ALU & Control Unit.
● Characteristics/Advantages of a computer- Speed, Accuracy,
Diligence, Versatility, Reliability, Automation, Storage Capability,
Intangible benefits, Reduction in paperwork and cost.
● Disadvantages of a computer - No IQ, Dependency, Environment, No
emotion, Reliability of the program and Logic of the program.