Introduction to Computers

What is a Computer
The word computer comes from the word computewhich means to calculate A Computer is an electronic device that can accept, store and process data to produce results in user required format. A Computer is a tool or instrument that helps in computation A Computer process data to give information

A computer can be defined as IPOS cycle

I INPUT P PROCESS O OUTPUT S STORAGE System

Basic purpose : transform data into information. System A system is a set of related parts that operate together to perform a specific function.

Characteristics of a Computer

A very high speed Large storage and retrieval capacity Accuracy Automatic working capacity

Data and Information

Data consists of raw facts related to places, persons or thi

For example: a student entity could include his/her name, age , sex , address etc For example: Her name is Anamika

When the Data is described is called Information

She is 19 years old

Hence Data & Information are interchangeable

Functional block diagram of a computer

Generations of Computers

First Generation (1942 - 1955):

Computers produce between 1942-1955 are called as the first generation computers. Vaccum tubes are components used in this generation computers. Magnetic tape / drum are used & it was difficult to program. Language : Machine & assembly language

Disadvantages: Large in size Maintenance cost

Memory power (retrieval capacity was less) AC required Frequently hardware repair

Generation of Computers contd..

Second generation: (1955 - 1964) Vaccum tubes were replaced by transistors made from semi-conductors.These components were smaller in size easy to manufacture. Storage techniques was improved with the use of magnetic disks or cores.
Language : HLL (High Level Language) Advantages : Small in size comparatively with first generation of computers Less heat was generated Speed and memory power increased

Generation of Computers contd..

Disadvantages: Air Condition was required Frequent maintenance required Stored Program: The computers program is stored in internal memory
with the data, this concept was given by John Von Neuman (2nd father of computers)

Multi- programming:

capability to process many programs concurrently for many use

Multi Processing :

enables the computers to perform task simultaneously.

Generation of Computers contd..

Third generation : (1964 - 1975)

Component used : Integrated circuits Characteristics : Mini computer accessible by multiple users. Advantages : Small in size Low heat generated Reduce computational time Low maintenance cost Less power required Disadvantages: Manufacturing problem

Generation of Computers contd..

Fourth generation : (1975 - 1980)

Components used VLSI(Very Large scale Integration) This technology led to the development of microprocessor where entire CPU circutory is placed on a single Intel 4044 - First Microprocessor invented by Ted Hoff Advantages: Low Cost Small in size High Speed

Continued
Less power Large Memory Floppy disk are used as a storage device Hardware failure Cheapest among all generations

Characteristics: PC, user friendly programs GUI, very high level programs are used Fifth Generation : 1980

Artificial Intelligence are used as components

Classification of Computers

C D C o I G

A I T N A A L HL OY BG m C p o u m t eC p r o s u m t

DIGITAL Computers : Works with digits or numbers by the basic principle of counting

Usage's :Schools,Offices,Institutions etc

ANALOGUE Computers : Works on the principle of physical phenomenon like length, breadth, electrical effects etc

Usages : In hospitals etc

HYBRID Computers : When a computer uses digital method in some part and analogue method in the rest

Example: In NUTRINE factory the material flow is calculated by analogue and the value is converted by digital computers. On the basis of the size and capability , digital computers can be further classified as

D S C o u p Me m Cp

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r a i n f M a im n i e M r i c ou mt e C pr s ou mt e C pr s ou mt e

Super Computers : Computers which are very

large in size and have very high processing speed and multiple processing units in scientific applications

Example: Param 2000

Mainframe Computers :
A large computer system which supports powerful device ,High Processing speeds and stores large amount of data

Mini Computers:
These are small ,general purpose Computers. and have medium storage capacity

Micro Computers : Lowest category consisting of microprocessor and associated storage and input, output devices

Example: Home computers, Personal computers

Personal Computer

Personal computers are classified as:

Desktop

Laptops

Notebooks

palmtops

Slave CPU

Host CPU or Master CPU

Data

Slave CPU

Computing process

There are five elements of computing process

HARDWARE SOFTWARE DATA PEOPLE PROCEDURES

HARDWARE

Computer parts which you can feel, touch or see in other words the physical components of a computer is called Hardware PARTS:

keyboard: It is a set of keys like typewriter Monitor: It is a VDU (Visual Display Unit) or screen Disk Drive: It is located in system unit mainly used for storage of memory Printer: It is used to take hard copy

Continued

Mouse : used to click and to drag System Unit : which is called as CPU. This part serves as brain of the computer

It does all the mathematical operations It makes all the logical decisions Helps the computer to work together

Software
A program written for a specific job/task is called Software Software consists of sequence of instructions, in the form of programs A program is nothing but set of instructions to solve a problem using a computer

Categories of Software
S o f t w a r e A S p o p l i c a t Si o y n s t e m U f t w a rS e o f t w a r e L a n g u a t i l i t i e

gS e y s t e m U t i l i t i e s L o w l e v e l ub

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l i Ie n r t eb ra p s r e e M d t e a r c b h a i n s A e e s d l sa en mg

System Software: Which makes the computer to run. It consists of Operating system, translators, compilers etc Application Software: When a program is developed to serve a particular task like Payroll system, Video Library etc

General Purpose(WORD, Excel) Specific (Payroll, Video Library)

Utilities: This is used to design application software provides tools for good and efficient programs

Continued

Languages: A language consists of all the verbal written symbols and expressions that are used to exchange ideas and information.
Low level Language: computer can understand in a better manner i.e 0s and 1s. For us it is very difficult to understand. It was before 1952 High Level language: looks similar to English language. In 1952. Eg: BASIC,C,COBOL etc

High Level Language

Low level Language

Machine Code

Machine code: is one of the form of LLL, is the lowest form of computer language.Since HLL can understand only machine language, thus programs (written in HLLs) are translated to machine level languages using a Translator : Compilers or Interpreters Translators: A digital computer accepts digits and alphabets as input.This is not directly understood by computers. This is Translated to machine language to make
computer to understand

Compilers: that which reads the full program, locates errors etc and translates into machine code. The program gets executed after it has been complied Eg: COBOL,C, FORTRAN etc

Interpreters: Takes one statement of the program at

a time and translates the same into machine code. The program execution and Interpretation of each statement line goes sequentially Eg: BASIC,dBASE,FoxPro

Assembler: In this programmers use short letter codes, this was facilitated by a assembler. Converting again to machine language so that PC can carried out instructions given by the user.

Input And Output Devices

Input Devices: Data and Instructions must be

entered into the memory of the computer to perform computation functions
It accepts the data from outside It converts the data in a form acceptable language by the PC It sends the data in binary form to the computer for further processing E.g.: Keyboard, Joystick, Mouse etc

Keyboard

A keyboard is the most common input device. It is used to input data manually by typing. The computer keyboard is like a typewriter keyboard with some extra special keys called function keys and control keys which can be programmed by the user according to his needs.

Mouse
Mouse is basically a pointing device. This is also an input device but instead of sending characters it send the coordinates of the point on the screen on which the associated cursor is placed. A mouse is useful for executing GUI based softwares. Scanner : The scanner captures the entire information of an image directly from the source (generally a page) stores it in graphic format for displaying back on the screen.

Joystick And Trackball

Both of these are again pointing devices and are used for the same purpose as a mouse.

Joystick

Trackball

Output Devices
Video display unit(VDU): A TV like screen connected to the computer. It is also Called as raster scan device. Speakers: A speaker gives you sound output from your computer. Some speakers are built into the computer and some are separate.

Computer Monitor

Speakers

Every Computer system has three major components: CPU(Central Processing Unit) Memory Unit Input and Output Devices CPU It is abrain of computer.It is also called as Processor It is place where all kinda of processuing are done The basic information of cpu is to control the operation of computer and perform its data processing functions It has three parts:

ALU(Arithmatic logical unit):

It is responsible for carrying out arithmatic operations like addition,subtraction,multiplication,division, and logical opearations by using AND,OR CONTROL UNIT: It is used for generation the electronic and timing signals for programme execution .It controls all operations of computer. MEMORY UNIT: It is a storage unit to hold data.The function of memory unit data used by programme is loaded into memory for fast access

About CPU

The CPU chip is attached to the main circuit board called the MOTHER BOARD where all the computers devices are attached in it.

In a Micro computer control unit & ALU is mounted on a silicon chip. Multiple CPUs enable the computer to execute more than one instructions, process at a single time i.e Multi Processing

Software must be written in accordance with a particular CPUs requirement that is compatibility. Compatibility means every processors has its own unique instruction sets. A instruction set is a list of specific instructions that tell the CPU what to do. The machine language designed for a specific CPU must be designed to work with the CPU instructions set. Because each processor has unique instructions set programs designed for one computer will not work on the other computer. For eg: A program written for APPLE Macintosh cant run on IBM Some CPUs process data much more quickly than the others. To evaluate the processors speed one should understand how the data bus width & system clock speed affects the performance. The width of a CPUs address bus determinants the max. amount of memory it can use.

How the Memory works?

A Computer memory is often called its Internal Storage Two kinds of memory chips:

RAM (for temporary memory storage) ROM (for permanent memory storage)

RAM This is also known as Removable at any minute. RAM chips can store information only when PC is switched on as soon as you switch off, RAM forgets everything i.e the data stored in it. RAM may be two types - Static and Dynamic. Both of these are volatile i.e the moment power goes off all contents of RAM are lost

memory till the power is on. They are costly and have a fast access. Dynamic RAM: The memory elements have less retention period and looses its value unless it is refreshed. Refreshing is a process where the RAM is read and rewritten. This kind of RAM requires extra circuits for refreshing. These are relatively slow but less costly compared to Static RAMs ROM These chips have program already loaded into them beside they are put into any PC. This program a PC uses frequently and reads to have on hand of that program and any software Programmable ROM or PROM: are those in which the user can insert the contents of choice only once. Once the PROM is written it can only be read and never be rewritten. Erasable Programmable ROMs or EPROM: It can written many times by a special process.These are very useful for design and development

Static RAM: Once value is stored, it will remain in the main

Memory measured in Bytes BYTE: A piece of data that represents one character, a number or a symbol

1 Byte = 8 Bits 1024 Bytes = 1 KB (Kilo Bytes) 1024 KB = 1 MB (Mega Bytes) 1024 MB = 1 GB (Giga Bytes) 1024 GB = 1 TB (Terra Bytes)

Speed of Memory : The fastness of main memory is expressed by memory access time.Speed is expressed in NANO or Micro Seconds

Other memory elements

1.

Different memory elements used in different parts of computers CACHE memory : It is a very fast memory placed in between the main memory and the CPU. Main Memory is comparatively slower than the CPU. Cache memory acts as a buffer fetches & rectifies the contents from main memory to be used by CPU. Cache memory is very fast and very costly, so amount of cache memory in a system is usually much less than that of the main memory

2.

Registers: They are temporary storage places and holds data, address etc for doing operations onthem or for data transfer. They are spread through the PC.

3. Secondary Storage: The main memory is temporary as the contents are lost as soon as power is switched off for retrieving data and program it is necessary to store them in Input and Output (I/O) devices for this purpose Devices are Floppy disks, Hard Disks, Magnetic tapes Traditional Storage:

Magnetic tape: used in 1st and 2nd generation Reel to reel tape (used in mainframe PCs) Cartridges (VCR) used in mini PCs Cassettes (used in micro computers)

Data representation

PC can operate On and Off On 1 Off 0 There are two competing coding standards: EBCDIC Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. i.e 6 bits. Mainly this coding is used in super computers and mainframes computers. ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange i.e 7 bits Later EBCDIC and ASCII used 8 bits Most computers are designated to add a 9th bit. To each characters code. This extra bit is known as PARITY BIT. Provides a way to check for memory or data communication errors.

Two Types:
ODD PARITY (counting of no. of 1s) Even Parity (No. of 1s in even format)

NUMBER SYSTEM Decimal to Binary conversion: 2 15 2 7 -1 2 3 -1 1 - 1 Binary to Decimal conversion: 1111 = 1* 23 + 1* 22 + 1*21+ 1*20 =8+4+2+1 = 15 Decimal to Octal conversion: 23 27 8 23 8 2 - 7 Octal to Decimal Conversion: 23 = 2*81 + 7*80 = 16 + 7 = 23

Decimal to Hexa Decimal:

16 1000 16 62 3 8 14 1000-3148-3E8

Note:

In Hexa Decimal whenever you get remainder more than 9 you can code as shown below: 10 A 11 B 12 C 13 D 14 E

Addition
Rules: 0+1=1 1 +0=1 1 + 1 = 0 with a carry of 1 0+0=0 Add two numbers given below 10011 +1 1 1 0 1

Subtraction
Rules:

0-0=0 1-0=1 1-1=0 0 - 1 = 1 with a borrow of 1 from next higher column 1 0 0 11 11101

Subtract

Information Technology

This use of computers for processing information has given rise to a field, known as Information Technology Information Technology (IT) as the name suggests deals with the technology that is used to handle information It concerns with the storage, communication and processing of information Information has been a significant element in the life of all societies

Areas where IT has changed - lives

Computers today are affecting our lives in more ways than we are probably aware of Airlines, railway reservations, weather forecasting, medical diagnosis, entertainment, banking the list is endless All these applications require processing of Information by computer

Computer plays the central role in IT.

The computer gives the requisite output. Along with the instructions, data must also be given. Areas
Business Science Medicine Education Home Entertainment