Introduction to Computer System

• Introduction to computer and computing: evolution of computing devices, components of a

Computer System and their inter connections, Input/output devices.

• Computer Memory: Units of memory, types of memory–primary and secondary, data deletion, its
recovery and related security concerns.

• Software: purpose and types – system and application software, generic and specific purpose
software
Computer: An electronic device that takes the input and processes it to provide desired output. Computer
System is consisting of hardware and software that works together to provide the expected computer
experience.
Computer Hardware
Computer hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, including the central
processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, input devices (keyboard, mouse), output devices (monitor,
printer), and other peripherals. It encompasses the tangible, electro-mechanical, and electronic elements that
constitute a computer and enable its functioning.

Integrated Circuit: An Integrated Circuit (IC) is a compact assembly of interconnected electronic

components, such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors, fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. This
miniaturized arrangement enables the creation of complex electronic circuits, forming the basis of modern
microprocessors, memory chips, and various electronic devices.

1. Central Processing Unit: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary component of a computer
responsible for executing instructions from programs. Acting as the "brain" of the system, it performs
arithmetic and logic operations, manages data, and coordinates the functioning of other hardware
components, crucial for overall computing functionality and speed. It consists of Arithmetic Logic Unit,
Control Unit & Registers
1.1.Arithmetic Logic Unit: The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is a fundamental component of a
computer's central processing unit (CPU) responsible for performing arithmetic and logical
operations on binary data. It executes tasks like addition, subtraction, AND, OR, and other
operations, crucial for processing and manipulating information within the computer system.

1.2.Control Unit: The Control Unit manages and coordinates the execution of instructions. It decodes
program instructions, directs data flow within the CPU and between other system components, and
controls the overall operation of the processor to execute tasks in a programmed sequence.

1.3.Registers: These are fast running memory blocks used by ALU for storing intermediate results. They
temporarily hold data and instructions that the CPU is actively processing.

2. Input Devices: Computer input devices are hardware components that allow users to provide data and
commands to a computer system. Examples include keyboards for typing, mice for pointing and
clicking, and scanners for converting physical documents into digital form. These devices enable users
to interact with and input information into the computer.
8
3. Output Devices: Computer output devices are hardware components that present or display processed
information from a computer to the user. Examples include monitors for visual output, printers for
producing hard copies of documents, and speakers for audio output. These devices convey the results of
computations and operations performed by the computer.

4. Memory: Computer memory refers to the electronic components that store data and instructions
temporarily or permanently for processing by a computer.
Units: bit is the smallest unit
Nibble- 4 bits Byte- 8 bits
KB-1024 Bytes PB- 1024 GB
MB- 1024 KB EB- 1024 PB
GB- 1024 MB ZB- 1024 EB
TB- 1024 GB YB- 1024 ZB

4.1.Primary Memory: Primary memory, also known as main memory, is of two types-RAM, ROM and
cache.

RAM ROM
Random Access Memory Read Only Memory
It is volatile in nature. It is non-volatile.
Also called the temporary memory It is also known as permanent memory
It is used to execute the programs and hold It has prewritten instructions used at the time
its data. of system startup.

4.2.Secondary Memory: Secondary memory refers to non-volatile storage devices in a computer system,
such as hard drives, solid-state drives, and external storage. Unlike primary memory, it retains data
even when the power is off. Secondary memory is used for long-term storage of files, applications,
and the operating system.

4.3.Cache Memory: Cache Memory is a high-speed volatile computer memory located between the
central processing unit (CPU) and main memory. It stores frequently accessed data and instructions
to expedite retrieval, enhancing overall system performance by reducing the time it takes for the CPU
to access frequently used information during program execution.

Evolution of Computer
1. Abacus (500 BC): Computing is attributed to the invention of ABACUS almost 3000 years ago. It
was a mechanical device capable of doing simple arithmetic calculations only.

2. Pascaline (1642): Blaize Pascal invented a mechanical calculator known as Pascal calculator or
Pascaline to do addition and subtraction of two numbers directly and multiplication and division
through repeated addition or subtraction.

3. Analytical Engine (1834): Charles Babbage invented analytical engine, a mechanical computing
device for inputting, processing, storing and displaying the output, which is considered to form the
basis of modern computers.

4. Tabulating Machine (1890): Herman Hollerith designed a tabulating machine for summarising the
data stored on the punched card. It is considered to be the first step towards programming.
9
 5. Turing Machine (1937): The Turing machine concept was a general purpose programmable
machine that was capable to solve any problem by executing the program stored on the punched
cards.

6. ENIAC (1945): Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer. John Von Neumann introduced the
concept of stored program computer which was capable of storing data as well as program in the
memory. The EDVAC and then the ENIAC computers were developed based on this concept.

7. Transistor (1947): Vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors developed at Bell Labs, using
semiconductor materials.

8. Integrated Circuit (1970): An Integrated Circuit (IC) is a silicon chip which contains entire
electronic circuit on a very small area. The size of computer has drastically reduced because of ICs.

9. Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) (1980): the processing power of computers increased
exponentially by integrating around 3 million components on a small-sized chip

10. Super Large Scale Integration (SLSI): fabricate high density of transistors and other components
(approx. 106 components) on a single IC

Data Capturing, Storage, and Retrieval

Data Capturing: It involves the process of gathering data from different sources in digital form. Data may
be captured using, keyboard bar code readers.

Data Storage: It is the process of storing the captured data for processing later.

Data Retrieval: It involves fetching data from the storage devices, for its processing as per the user
requirement.

Data Deletion: It is the simple process of deleting a file and placing it into the Recycle Bin or Trash.
Data recovery: It is a process of retrieving deleted, inaccessible, lost, corrupted, damaged, or formatted data
from secondary storage/ removable media.

Data security: It is the process of protecting corporate data and preventing data loss through unauthorized
access.
Software
1. System Software-It is a program designed to run a computer's hardware and applications and manage
its resources, such as its memory, processors, and devices.

1.1.Operating System: The operating system manages other application programs and provides access
and security to the users of the system. Some of the popular operating systems are Windows, Linux,
Macintosh, Ubuntu, Fedora, Android, iOS, etc.
1.2.System Utilities: Used for maintenance and configuration of the computer system, for example disk
defragmentation tool, formatting utility, system restore utility, etc. Another set of utilities are those
which are not shipped with the operating system but are required to improve the performance of the
system, for example, anti-virus software, disk cleaner tool, disk compression software, etc.
1.3.Device Drivers: The purpose of a device driver is to ensure proper functioning of a particular device.

2. Application Software: It is a type of computer program that performs a specific personal, educational,
and business function.
10
2.1.Generic software- Generic software is off-the-shelf software available for use.

It is designed to be used widely by people across different industries, Generic software is a system
designed for general public usage.
Some examples of generic software are:
Word processor – e.g. Word, WordPerfect
Spread sheet – e.g. Excel, Lotus 1-2-3
Database applications – e.g. Access, Approach
Presentation – e.g. PowerPoint, Impress
Electronic Mail & Diary – e.g. Outlook, Notes
Generic software is a system designed for general public usage.

2.2.Specific software-It is software that is created for a specific purpose, organization, or individual.

TIME TO PRACTICE
Objective Question (1 Mark)
1. A computer is a/an ............ device.
a) Mechanical, b) Electrical, c) Electronic, d) Telecommunication
2. The physical components of the computer are known as
a) Software, b) Program, c) Hardware, d) Both a) and c)
3. Which of the following is not related to a personal computer:
a) Processor, b) On-board, c) Motherboard, d) Keyboard
4. Which of the following is not a type of computer:
a) Smart Phone, b) Smart Watch, c) Biometric Attendance machine, d) Tablet PC
5. Which type of PC is available in your school computer laboratory?
a) IBM PC, b) MacBook, c) Chrome Book, d) Tablet PC
6. Full form of ALU is:
a) Abacus Logarithmic Unit, b) Arithmetic Logic Unit, c) Abacus Language Unit, d)
Arithmetic Language Unit
7. Which of the following is a part of ALU?
a) Arithmetic Unit, b) Control Unit, c) Logic Unit, d) Both a) and c)
8. First binary programmable computer based on Von Neumann architecture is:
a) UNIVAC, b) EDVAC, c) ENIAC, d) Mark I
9. Arrange the following in increasing order of no of transistors on a single chip: i) SLSI
ii) IC iii) VLSI iv) LSI
a) i) SLSI ii) IC iii) VLSI iv) LSI,
b) ii) IC iii) VLSI iv) LSI i) SLSI,
c) ii) IC iv) LSI iii) VLSI i) SLSI,
d) iii) VLSI iv) LSI i) SLSI ii) IC.
10. Which of the following is the fastest memory?
a) RAM, b) Cache, c) ROM, d) Hard Disk
11. Binary number system comprises of the digits:
a) 1, 2 b) 0, 1 c) a, b d) i, ii
12. ______ is volatile memory i.e. as long as the power is supplied to the computer, it
retains the data in it
a) RAM, b) CD, c) ROM, d) Hard Disk
13. Arrange the following units of memory in decreasing order of storage i) KB (Kilobyte)
ii) GB (Gigabyte) iii) MB (Megabyte) iv) TB (Terabyte)
a) iv) TB ii) GB i) KB iii) MB,
b) ii) GB iv) TB i) KB iii) MB,

11