Fundamentals Of Computer |Unit – I|

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER

1. High Speed

If a human takes an hour to do a complex calculation, then the computer can complete the same calculation in a few
seconds. That is because computer is a very super-fast machine and this is its biggest feature. Computer speed is
measured in MIPS (Millions of Instructions per Second).

A computer has the ability to execute millions of instructions per second. This means that a computer can complete a
general mathematical calculation in just a few microseconds and nanoseconds. So computer performs any task very fast
which is also one of its main features.

2. Accuracy

The second biggest feature of computer is accuracy. Every calculation done by it is 100% correct. Man cannot do any
work with complete accuracy. Some mistakes are easily made by humans. On the contrary, no error is found in the work
performed by the computer. Even if any error is found in the result, it is because of wrong input fed by the user.

3. Storage Capacity

Computers have high storage capacity, due to which they can store a large amount of different types of data. Generally,
SSD (Solid-state drive) and Hard Drive are used to store data in computers. These are called secondary storage devices. It
stores data permanently which can be easily retrieved when needed.

The storage capacity of a computer is measured in Kilobytes (KB), Megabytes (MB), Gigabytes (GB), and Terabytes (TB).
Today the maximum storage space of a desktop drive is up to 4TB. So just imagine, if computers were not capable of
storing data, would we be able to get them to do any work other than calculations?

4. Reliability

Computer is a reliable machine, which can be trusted for a long time. This is the reason that today big organizations,
institutions and companies are dependent on computers for their work. The main reason for trust on it is that the
computer performs its functions continuously without any failure or error. That is, the quality of the output displayed
remains consistent. For this reason the computer is called a reliable machine.

5. Versatility

We all know that computers can do different types of work. Therefore it is called Versatile Machine. That means
computers can be used to solve problems related to various fields. They are used in schools, hospitals, businesses,
government organizations, railway stations, airports and homes for different purposes. Not only can they solve complex
mathematical problems related to science and engineering, but in the next moment they can be used for entertainment,
which they do with the same accuracy.
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6. Diligence

We humans cannot do any work for a long time because after some time we start feeling tired and lack of
concentration. Therefore, it becomes necessary for us to take breaks in between. Since computer is a machine, it has
nothing to do with fatigue or boredom, due to which it can work with the same speed and accuracy 24 hours a day. This
is the reason that today humans depend on computers for many tasks.

7. Automation

Computer is an automatic machine, which is capable of performing a given task automatically. Once the user feeds the
instructions into the computer, the process till displaying the output is automatic and does not require human
intervention. This means that the computer is not completely dependent on the user for the operation of any task.

8. Multitasking

This is a great feature of computers that they can do many tasks at a time, this process is called multitasking. For
example, you can play music while surfing the Internet or many other applications can be operated on the computer at
the same time. Although the computer can execute only one process at a time, it can change tasks rapidly. Because of
which we can use many applications at the same time.

9. Remembrance Power

We all know that computers can store a large amount of different types of data. Apart from this, a special feature of
them is that computers can store that data safely for many years. Which can be retrieved anytime if needed because of
remembrance power, you can get back the stored data anytime.

10. Quick Decision

The computer takes immediate decisions on the instructions given by the user. For example, when you plug the Flash
Drive into the USB port on the computer, immediately you see a pop-up on the monitor screen. It is so fast in decision
making that as soon as a command is given to it by the user, it can respond to it within a few nanoseconds.

11. Efficiency

Computer efficiency does not decrease with time. They can perform each task with the same efficiency. Even if they are
given millions of instructions to execute, they are still able to execute them all with the same speed and efficiency. All
this is possible because of the Computer Processor (CPU), which does not discriminate in executing any process.

12. Secrecy

If you want to keep your data away from the reach of others, then computer helps you in keeping that data secret or
hidden. In which you can keep your data safe with the help of Password. Apart from this, you can use Anti-malware
Protection, which protects your data from various types of computer viruses.
 Fundamentals Of Computer |Unit – I|

COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER
Computer components are those parts of the computer with the help of which the computer does all its work. Just as
humans use their body parts to do their work, in the same way a computer also uses its components to complete its
work. There are mainly 5 components of a computer, which are given below: –

a. Input Unit | b. Output Unit | c. Memory Unit | d. Control Unit | e. ALU

1. Input Unit

- Input unit is the unit which is used by the user to give data and instructions to the computer.

- Input units include input devices through which the user gives commands or inputs to the computer and receives
outputs in return.

- With the help of input devices, the user directly interacts with the computer and controls the computer. Some popular
examples of input devices are keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner etc.

- Without an input unit, the user cannot receive output from the computer. Input Unit acts as a medium between the
user and the computer.

2. Output Unit

- Output unit is the unit which displays the input given by the user.

- Output units include output devices using which the user receives output data from the computer.

- The function of an output device is to display the output data in front of the user.

- Output devices receive data from the computer and convert that data into the formats of text, video and audio. Some
popular examples of output devices are monitors, printers, speakers, projectors, and plotters.

3. Control Unit

- The control unit controls all the devices connected to the computer and their functions so that all the functions of the
computer can be done correctly.

- The control unit helps to execute and control all the processes of the computer.

- The control unit is an important part of the CPU which receives the instructions from the main memory and decodes
them and then executes all these instructions.

- The control unit is called CU in short form.

- There are two types of control unit – first Hardwire CU and second Micro-programmable CU.
 Fundamentals Of Computer |Unit – I|

4. Memory Unit

- Memory units are used to store data and instructions in a computer. It helps to store the data of the computer.

- The memory unit provides data to other units as per their requirements.

- The memory unit is also known as primary storage, main memory, or internal storage.

- There are two types of memory in a computer, first primary memory and second secondary memory.

Primary Memory: Primary memory is the memory that the CPU can access directly. Primary memory is also called
internal memory because it is present inside the CPU.

- Primary memory is the main memory of the computer which is used to store the data and instructions
processed by the CPU.
- The storage capacity of primary memory is very less due to which it can store very small amount of data.

There are four types of primary memory-

RAM | ROM | Flash memory | Cache memory | Secondary Memory

Secondary memory: is the memory that the CPU cannot access directly. The storage capacity of secondary memory is
more due to which it can store more amount of data. It stores videos, images, audio, and files etc. Secondary memory is
also called external memory because it is added separately to the computer.

Following are the types of secondary memory:-

Hard Disk | Magnetic Disk | Memory Card | Pen Drive | Floppy Disk | DVD | CD | Flash drive

5. ALU

- The full name of ALU is Arithmetic Logic Unit. It is used to perform arithmetic and logical operations.

- Arithmetic operations include multiplication (×), division (/), addition (+), subtraction (-) and logic operations include
selection of data, comparison of two numbers, etc.

- ALU is capable of solving the most difficult calculations. A CPU can have more than one ALU.

- ALU is also called the mathematical brain of the computer because it can easily complete mathematical calculations.