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Fundamentals of Computers and IT

Paper Code 105
UNIT – 1

Introduction to Computer
(Chapter 1: P. K. Sinha)
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Fundamentals of Computers and IT

UNIT – 1
Fundamentals of Computers:

Definition and Characteristics of Computer System, Computer Generation from First Generation to Fifth
Generation. Classifications of Computers: Micro, Mini, Mainframe and super computers.

Computer Hardware: Major Components of a digital computer, Block Diagram of a computer, Input-
output devices, Description of Computer Input Units, Output Units, CPU.

Computer Memory: Memory Hierarchy, Primary Memory - RAM and its types, ROM and its types,
Secondary Memory, Cache Memory, Secondary Storage Devices- Hard disk, Compact Disk, DVD, Flash
memory.
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TEXT BOOKS

[TB1] P. K. Sinha & Priti Sinha , “Computer Fundamentals”, BPB Publications, 1992.
[TB2] Anita Goel “Computer Fundamentals”, Pearson.

REFERENCE BOOKS

[RB1] B. Ram Computer fundamentals Architecture and Organization, New Age Intl.
[RB2] Alex Leon & Mathews Leon, “Introduction to Computers”, Vikas Publishing .
[RB3] Norton Peter, “Introduction to computers”, 4th Ed., TMH, 2001.
[RB4] Vikas Gupta, “Comdex Computer Kit”, Wiley Dreamtech, Delhi, 2004.

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 Learning Objectives
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In this unit you will learn about:

 Introduction to Computer/Definition of Computer

 Data processing
 Characteristic features of computers
 Introduction to Computer
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 The word Computer comes from the word “Compute”, which means, “to
calculate”.
 Thereby, a Computer in simple terms, can be defined as an electronic device
that is designed to accept data from the user, perform the required
mathematical and logical operations on the given data at very high speed,
and output the results in the form of information.
 A Computer is also called a Data Processor/Data Processing machine
because it can store, process, and retrieve data whenever desired.
 Data means the raw facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner
which can be represented with the help of characters such as alphabets (A-Z,
a-z), digits (0-9) or special characters (+,-,/,*,<,>,= etc.).
 Data can be of any types such as text, numeric, alphanumeric, audio, video,
google map data, GIS data, healthcare, multimedia data etc.
 Whereas, Information is processed data which is organized into some
meaningful order or values.
 Introduction to Computer
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Computer as a Data Processor
Why?

Data
(Raw materials,
facts, observations
etc. which by
themselves have Computer Information
no much (Data Processor) (Processed Data)
significance), is
provided as input
to the computer
system

Figure 1: A Computer (Data Processor) converts data into information.

 Introduction to Computer
7 Example: Data Vs Information

10012001
DATA :
(collection of text, 101
numbers or symbols
RAHUL
85
in raw or unorganized form)
DELHI

PROCESSING

STUDENTS RECORD ( INFORMATION i.e processed data / meaningful data / organised data)
ROLLNO NAME DOB MARKS(%) CITY
101 RAHUL 10/01/2001 85 DELHI
 Basic Definitions
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 Data: -
▪ Data can be defined as the facts that can be collected through observation & measurement
such as amount, roll no, name, marks, telephone no etc. and can be recorded which have
some implicit meaning. The data are organized in the form of characters, fields, record, files
and databases.
▪ In other ways, data can also be defined as known facts that can be recorded and have an
implicit meaning
 Information: It refers to the processed data.
 Knowledge: It refers to the ability to use information to achieve the desired needs/results.
 Wisdom: The ability to make correct decision based on the previous knowledge and
experience.
9 What is Data Processing?
• The activity of processing data using a Computer is called Data Processing
• It consists of 3 sub-activities:
▪ Capturing/inputting input data
▪ Manipulating the data
▪ And managing output results.

Where, Data is raw material used as input and

information is processed data obtained as output for data
processing
10 Characteristics of Computers
 1. Automatic
• Computer is an automatic machine.
• Automation means ability to perform the given task automatically.
• Once a program is given to computer i.e. stored in computer memory, the program
and instruction can control the program execution without human interaction

 2. High Speed
• Computer is a very fast device.
• It can perform data processing tasks at very high speed usually measured in
microseconds (10-6), nanoseconds (10-9) and picoseconds (10-12)
• It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared to man who will
spend many months for doing the same task.
 Characteristics of Computers
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 3. Accuracy
• In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate
• Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that correct input has been
given.
• The degree of its accuracy depends upon its design.
• Computer errors caused due to incorrect input data or unreliable programs are often
referred to as Garbage-In-Garbage-Out (GIGO)
 4. Diligence:
• Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness and lack of
concentration
• It can work continuously without any error
• It can do repeated work with same speed and accuracy

 5. Versatility
• Computer is capable of performing almost any task, if the task can be reduced to a
finite series of logical steps
• At one instance, it may be solving a complex scientific problem and the very next
moment it may be playing a card game
12 Characteristics of Computers

 6. Power of Remembering

• Computer can store and recall any amount of information because of its
secondary storage capability.

 7. No I.Q.

• A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform any task, although

the trend today is to make computers intelligent by introducing AI (Artificial
Intelligence) in them.
• Each instruction has to be given to computer.
• A computer cannot take any decision on its own.
 8. No Feelings
• Computers are devoid of emotions. Their judgement is based on the instructions
given to them in the form of programs that are written by us (human beings)
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THANKS