Introduction to Computer

1.1 What is a Computer?

A computer is an electronic machine that performs a specified sequence of
operations as per the set of instructions (programs) given on a set of data
(input) to generate desired information (output). It is based on a complex
technology, but works on a simple principle. Charles Babbage is called the
"Grand Father" of the computer.

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1. Characteristics of a Computer

Speed: Computers provide the processing speed essential to our fast-

paced society. The execution of an instruction, such as multiplying pay-rate
with number of hours worked – are measured in milliseconds,
microseconds, nanoseconds and Pico seconds. A computer speed is
generally expressed in megahertz (MHz).

Accuracy: Results given by computer are accurate and consistent. Often

mistakes attributed to computers are human errors.

Storage and Retrieval: Computer systems can store tremendous amounts

of data, which can be located and retrieved efficiently. A typical mainframe
computer system will have many billions of characters stored and available
for instant recall. High - end PCs have access to about a billion characters
of data.

Reliability: Computers are extremely reliable. Where reliability is the

measure of the performance of a computer, it is measured against some
predetermined standard for operation without failure.

Flexibility: Above all, the computer provides fast access to information,

process data, text, signals and generates reports in no time.

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 Generations of Computer

BASICS OF COMPUTER

1.2 Components of Computer System

The two components that constitute a Computer System are:

 Hardware
 Software

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Hardware

Computer Hardware is the physical equipment that we can see and touch.
A full computer system is made up of Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, System
unit and Printer. The System unit houses the disk drives, central processing
unit (CPU), and memory.

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

It is called as brain of computer system.

2. VDU, Keyboard and Mouse

Monitor: Monitor is perhaps the most important, because it is the output
device that users interact with most intensively. Computer information is
displayed visually with a video adapter card and monitor. Information
processed within the CPU that needs to be visually displayed is sent to
video adapter. The video adapter converts information from the format
used, in the same manner as a television displays information sent to it by
a cable service.

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Mouse: It is an electro – mechanical device used as a pointer. The most
common mouse uses a magnetically coated ball, to detect the movement of
the mouse across a flat surface, usually a desktop. Many programs today
are designed to work with a mouse. However, it is not a substitute, but
an add-on to the keyboard.

3. Other input/ output Devices

Input Unit: It is that unit which passes data or instructions given by the
user to the computer system in computer’s acceptable form. Some input
devices are Key Board, Mouse, Light pen, Speaker, Scanner, etc.

Output Unit: It is that unit which gives the output of the data processing to
the user in user’s readable form. Some output devices are Monitor, Printer,
Speaker, etc.

4. Computer Memory
Memory Unit: It stores data and instructions. It is also called as Main
memory or Internal Memory. It is further divided into two parts:

1. RAM (Random Access Memory): It is temporary memory. The

data stored in this memory can be washed out if program is
closed or computer is switched off. RAM stands for Random
Access Memory. It is the internal memory of the CPU in the form
of a hardware device located on the motherboard of a computer. It
is designed to store data, programs, and results of a program
when a computer is switched on. RAM is a volatile memory as it
can’t store data and instructions permanently. For example, when
we switch on a computer, the instructions from the hard disk are
stored in the RAM. These instructions include the operating
system (OS) and other programs which are needed to run a
computer. CPU uses these instructions to perform the tasks
required to run the computer. This data is retained by the RAM as
long as the computer is on, the moment you shut it down, the
RAM loses the data. The reason for transferring the data to RAM
is that it is easy and fast to read data from RAM as compared to
reading it from the hard drive.

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 2. ROM (Read Only Memory): It is permanent memory. The
instructions stored in it cannot be washed out or changed even if
computer is switched off. It can’t store data. ROM stands for read
only memory. It is a non-volatile memory that stores information
permanently, even when the power is turned off. Like RAM, it is
also the primary memory of a computer. It is called read only
memory as the programs and data stored in it can be read but
cannot be written on it. At the time of manufacturing, the
manufacturer fills the ROM with programs that can’t be altered
later. So, you cannot reprogram, rewrite, or erase its data after it
is manufactured. Some common examples of ROM include
cartridge used in video game consoles, the data stored
permanently on personal computers, and other electronic devices
like smartphones, tablets, TV, AC, etc.

Software
Software is a set of instructions that direct the operation of the hardware.
S/W is used to describe program steps needed to operate an information
processing system. It consists of a sequence of instructions and decision
rules that direct the computer for executing a given task. (eg. Railway
Reservation System). Taking example of TV, we can say its screen, or its
switches are hardware, but the movie or programme running on TV is
software. Therefore, the programs or data stored in the computer is called
software of computer. There is a vital relationship between software and
hardware of computer. Software cannot be stored if there is no hardware
and Hardware is useless or meaningless if there is no software to run in it.

WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It

has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You may already know
that you can use a computer to type documents, send email, play
games, and browse the Web. You can also use it to edit or
create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos.

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 WORKING OF COMPUTER

A computer works by combining input, storage, processing, and output. All

the main parts of a computer system are involved in one of these four
processes.

 Input: Your keyboard and mouse, for example, are just input units—
ways of getting information into your computer that it can process. If
you use a microphone, that's another form of input.
 Memory/storage: Your computer probably stores all your documents
and files on a hard drive, but smaller, computer-based devices
like digital cameras and cellphones use other kinds of storage such
as flash memory cards.
 Processing: Your computer's processor (sometimes known as
the central processing unit) is a microchip buried deep inside. It
works amazingly hard and gets incredibly hot in the process. That's
why your computer has a little fan blowing away—to stop its brain
from overheating.
 Output: Your computer probably has an LCD screen capable of
displaying high-resolution (very detailed) graphics, and probably also
stereo loudspeakers. You may have an inkjet printer on your desk too
to make a more permanent form of output.

Practical working / Introduction to Windows

What is an operating system and basic of windows?
Operating system is system software, which controls and coordinates the
schedule of working of the computer and various resources. If performs the
function of scheduling, loading, initiating and supervising the execution of
programs. It allocates storage and controls input/output operations. It
makes the communication bridge between user and computer system.
Some examples of the operating system are:
MS-DOS Windows 95
Unix Windows 98
Windows 2000 Windows XP
Windows Vista Windows 2007
Windows 2008 Windows 2010

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Windows is system software, which is based on the GUI environment. It is
a product of Microsoft Corporation. It is user-friendly software and easy-to-
use. It provides the multitasking facility to the user. It has been developed
with different versions:
MS-Windows 3.1
MS-Windows 95
MS-Windows 98
MS-Windows 2000
MS-Windows ME
MS-Windows XP
MS-Windows 7
MS-Windows 8
MS-Windows 10

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 Introduction and working of Desktop
The desktop is the primary user interface of a computer. When you boot
up your computer, the desktop is displayed once the startup process is
complete. It includes the desktop background (or wallpaper) and icons of
files and folders you may have saved to the desktop. In Windows, the
desktop includes a task bar, which is located at the bottom of the screen
by default. You can drag items to and from the desktop, just like a folder.
Since the desktop is always present, items on the desktop can be
accessed quickly. Therefore, it may be helpful to store commonly used
files, folders, and application shortcuts on your desktop. Windows
operating systems allow you to customize the appearance of your
desktop. In Windows, you can change the desktop background and
select the default desktop icons within the "Personalization" control
panel.

Icons: Icons are small pictures, which represent programs or files

available on the computer system. Press and hold the mouse left button
and drag the mouse. When you reached the place where you want, left
the button. Icon move on the screen.

TASKBAR
The taskbar is an element of an operating system located at the bottom
of the screen. It allows you to locate and launch programs
through Start and the Start menu or view any program that's currently
open. On the right side of the taskbar is the Notification Area that allows
you to check the date and time, items running in the background. The
taskbar was first introduced with Microsoft Windows 95 and is found in
all subsequent versions of Windows.

The Start or Start button was first introduced with the release
of Microsoft Windows 95 and is found in all releases of Windows
since. Start allows you to access your computer programs and
configure Microsoft Windows easily by accessing the Start menu.

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 What is Internet?
Internet is the world's largest computer network, the network of
networks, scattered all over the world. It was created nearly 25 years ago
as a project for the U.S. Department of Defense. Its goal was to create a
method for widely separated computers to transfer data efficiently even in
the event of a nuclear attack. From a handful of computer and users in
the 1960s, today the Internet has grown to thousands of regional
networks that can connect millions of users.

Web Browsers

Web Browsing software

1. Internet Explorer

Internet explorer is a Web browser. Internet browser is a

software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing
information resources on the World Wide Web. Netscape
communicator

1. Downloading

Click your favourite video clip; you can see the URL in your
browser. When the download link shows, you should right-click
-> "Save Target As" OR copy and paste the link into your
download manager

BASIC OF ELECTRONIC MAIL

1. What is electronic mail?

The transmission of message and files via a computer

network is known as electronic mail. Using an email
program, like Outlook express, hotmail or gmail, you can
create, send, receive, forward, print and delete messages.
The message can be simple text or can include attachment
such as word processing document, a graphical image or an
audio or video clip.

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 2. Email addressing

A mail address is a combination of a user name and a

domain name that identifies the user so he or she receive
message.

3. Mailbox: inbox and outbox

In inbox those emails are saved which are received or

received emails are saved in inbox. And which mails are not
send those emails are saved in the outbox / drafts.

CCTNS

1. Question. What is full form of CCTNS

Answer. Crime & Criminal Tracking Network & System.

2. Question. What are two Modes of CCTNS

Answer. Online & offline

3. Question. What is full form of FIR?

Answer. First Information Report

4. Question. What is full form of DDR

Answer. Daily Diary Report

5. Question. What is full form of CAS?

Answer. Core Application Software.

6. Question. How many forms are IIF?

Answer. 7 (Seven)
7. Question. What is full form of IIF?

Answer. Integrated Investigation Forms

8. Question. Names of all seven IIF?

Answer. FIR, Crime Detail Form, Arrest Surrender Form, Property

Seizure Form, Final Form, Court Disposal Form, Result of
Appeal Form
9. Question. What is CAS?

Answer. Software
10. Question. What is full form of NDC?

Answer. National Data Center

11. Question. Where is NDC situated?

Answer. New Delhi

12. Question. What is full form of SDC?

Answer. State Data Center

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13. Question. Where is SDC situated?

Answer. Chandigarh
14. Question. What is full form of DRC?

Answer. Data Recovery Center

15. Question. Where is DRC situated?

Answer. Pune
16. Question. What is full form of NCRB

Answer. National Crime Record Bureau

17. Question. Where is NCRB situated?

Answer. New Delhi

18. Question. What is full form of SCRB

Answer. State Crime Record Bureau

19. Question. Where is SCRB situated?

Answer. Chandigarh
20. Question. What is NCR?
Answer. Non-Cognizable Report

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