Lecture 01

• In today's world, we use computers for all our tasks. Our day-to-day activities: paying bills,
buying groceries, using social media, seeking entertainment, working from home,
communicating with a friend, etc., can all be done using a computer. So it is important not
only to know how to use a computer, but also to understand the components of a
computer and what they do.
What is a Computer?
Computer
• Is an electronic device that accepts data from the user, processes it, produces results,
displays them to the users, and stores the results for future usage.

The Computer...
• 1.Takes in the INPUT data, then.
• 2.PROCESS the data, and then.
• 3.Displays the OUTPUT information/results.

Data
• Is a collection of unorganized facts & figures and does not provide any further
information regarding patterns, context, etc. Hence data means "unstructured facts
and figures".

Information
• Is a structured data i.e. organized meaningful and processed data. To process the data
and convert into information, a computer is used.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMPUTER
Let us identify the major characteristics of a computer.

Speed
• As you know computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds for calculations that we
take hours to complete. You will be surprised to know that computer can perform several
million (1,000,000) of instructions and even more per second.

Accuracy
• Computer provides very high level of accuracy or correctness in computing.

Diligence
• A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can work for hours or
days together very attentively without creating any error. Due to this capability it is better
than human being in routine and repetitive types of work.

Versatility
• It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work. You may use your
computer to prepare payroll slips. Next moment you may use it for inventory management or
to prepare electricity bills or prepare accounts, etc. Therefore computer is highly versatile.
Multi-tasking
• A human being cannot do more than one task at the same time without losing his
concentration or with his full efficiency. But for a computer, it is a normal thing to
do many tasks simultaneously without compromising in its efficiency.

No IQ
• Computer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work without instructions from
the user. Computer has to be guided as to what you want to do and in what
sequence. So a computer cannot take its own decision as you can.
COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER

• Computer consist of three components as shown in below image: Central

Processing Unit, Input devices and Output devices. Input devices provide data
input to processor, which processes data and generates useful information
that’s displayed to the user through output devices. This is stored in computer’s
memory.
Central Processing Unit
• The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is called "the brain of computer" as it controls
operation of all parts of computer. It consists of two components: Arithmetic Logic Unit
(ALU), and Control Unit.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
• Data entered into computer is sent to RAM, from where it is then sent to ALU, where
rest of data processing takes place. All types of processing, such as comparisons,
decision-making and processing of non-numeric information takes place here and
once again data is moved to RAM.

• This unit consists of two subsections namely,

 Arithmetic Section
 Logic Section

Arithmetic Section
• Function of arithmetic section is to perform arithmetic operations like addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division. All complex operations are done by making
repetitive use of the above operations.

Logic Section
• Function of logic section is to perform logic operations such as comparing, selecting,
matching, and merging of data.
Control Unit
• This unit controls the operations of all parts of the computer but does not carry out
any actual data processing operations.
• It extracts instructions, performs execution, maintains and directs operations of
entire system.

Functions of Control Unit

• It controls all activities of computer

• Supervises flow of data within CPU
• Directs flow of data within CPU
• Transfers data to Arithmetic and Logic Unit
• Transfers results to memory
• Fetches results from memory to output devices
Memory
• Computer memory is the storage space in the computer, where data is to be
processed and instructions required for processing are stored. This unit can store
instructions, data, and intermediate results. This unit supplies information to
other units of the computer when needed. It is also known as internal storage
unit or the main memory or the primary storage or Random Access Memory
(RAM).
• Its size affects speed, power, and capability. Primary memory and secondary
memory are two types of memories in the computer.

Memory is primarily of three types −

• Cache Memory
• Primary Memory/Main Memory
• Secondary Memory
Cache Memory
• Cache memory is a very high speed semiconductor memory which can speed up the CPU. It
acts as a buffer between the CPU and the main memory. It is used to hold those parts of
data and program which are most frequently used by the CPU. The parts of data and
programs are transferred from the disk to cache memory by the operating system, from
where the CPU can access them.

Advantages
• Cache memory is faster than main memory.
• It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.
• It stores the program that can be executed within a short period of time.
• It stores data for temporary use.
Disadvantages
• Cache memory has limited capacity.
• It is very expensive.
Primary Memory (Main Memory)
• Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on which the computer is
currently working. It has a limited capacity and data is lost when power is switched off. It
is generally made up of semiconductor device. These memories are not as fast as
registers. The data and instruction required to be processed resides in the main memory.
It is divided into two subcategories RAM and ROM.
Functions of the memory unit
• It stores all the data and the instructions required for processing.
• It stores intermediate results of processing.
• It stores the final results of processing before these results are released to an output
device.
• All inputs and outputs are transmitted through the main memory.
Input Devices

Input devices help to get input or data from user. Some of input devices are

• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Microphone
• Optical Character Reader(OCR)
• Bar Code Reader
• Optical Mark Reader(OMR)

Assignment 01:
Outline more input device apart from the ones mentioned and explain their functions the
mentioned ones inclusive.
Output Devices

Output devices help to display output to user. Some of output devices are
• Monitor
• Printer
• Speaker

Assignment 02
Outline other output devices and explain their function the mentioned inclusive
MAIN FUNCTIONS OF A COMPUTER

Receiving Input/data
• Data is fed into computer through various input devices like keyboard, mouse, digital pens,
etc. Input can also be fed through devices like CD-ROM, pen drive, scanner, etc.

Processing the data

• Operations on the input data are carried out based on the instructions provided in the
programs.

Storing the information

• After processing, the information gets stored in the primary or secondary storage area.

Producing output
• The processed information and other details are communicated to the outside world through
output devices like monitor, printer, etc.
Basic application of computer

Home
Computers are used at homes for several purposes like online bill payment, watching movies or
shows at home, home tutoring, social media access, playing games, internet access, etc. They
provide communication through electronic mail. They help to avail work from home facility for
corporate employees. Computers help the student community to avail online educational
support.

Medical Field
Computers are used in hospitals to maintain a database of patients’ history, diagnosis, X-rays, live
monitoring of patients, etc. Surgeons nowadays use robotic surgical devices to perform delicate
operations, and conduct surgeries remotely. Virtual reality technologies are also used for training
purposes. It also helps to monitor the fetus inside the mother’s womb.

Education
Computers are used in education sector through online classes, online examinations, referring e-
books, online tutoring, etc.

Banking
In the banking sector, computers are used to store details of customers and conduct
transactions, such as withdrawal and deposit of money through ATMs. Banks have reduced
manual errors and expenses to a great extent through extensive use of computers.
Government
In government sectors, computers are used in data processing, maintaining a database of
citizens and supporting a paperless environment.

Industry
Computers are used to perform several tasks in industries like managing inventory, designing
purpose, creating virtual sample products, interior designing, video conferencing, etc.

Engineering Design
Computers are widely used for Engineering purpose.
One of the major areas is CAD (Computer Aided Design) that provides creation and modification
of images. Some of the fields are:
• Structural Engineering − Requires stress and strain analysis for design of ships, buildings,
budgets, airplanes, etc.
• Architectural Engineering − Computers help in planning towns, designing buildings,
determining a range of buildings on a site using both 2D and 3D drawings.
The End