Introduction to Computer

Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw

data as input from the user and processes these data under
the control of set of instructions (called program) and gives
the result (output) and saves output for the future use.
A computer is a combination of hardware and
software resources which integrate together and provides
various functionalities to the user. Hardware are the physical
components of a computer like the processor, memory
devices, monitor, keyboard etc. while software is the set of
programs or instructions that are required by the hardware
resources to perform various operations as per the
requirement of users.
Introduction to Computer
EVOLUTION OF COMPUTING
DEVICE
First Generation (1940-56):
The first generation computers used vacuum tubes &
machine language was used for giving the instructions. These
computers were large in size & their programming was difficult task.
The electricity consumption was very high. Some computers of this
generation are ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC & UNIVAC-1.
In this generation, mainly batch processing
operating system was used. Punch cards, paper tape, and magnetic
tape was used as input and output devices. The computers in this
generation used machine code as the programming language.
Second Generation (1956-63):
In 2nd generation computers, vacuum tubes were replaced by
transistors. They required only 1/10 of power required by
tubes. This generation computers generated less heat & were
reliable. The first operating system developed in this
generation. IBM 1620, IBM 7094, CDC 1604 are the examples
of this generations computers.
In 2nd generation, magnetic cores were used
as the primary memory and magnetic tape and magnetic disks
as secondary storage devices.
In this generation, assembly language and high-level
programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The
computers used batch processing and multiprogramming
operating system.
Third Generation (1964-71):
The 3rd generation computers replaced transistors with
Integrated circuit known as chip. From Small scale integrated
circuits which had 10 transistors per chip, technology
developed to MSI circuits with 100 transistors per chip. These
computers were smaller, faster & more reliable. High level
languages invented in this generation.
The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. This
development made computers smaller in size, reliable, and
efficient. In this generation remote processing, time-sharing,
multiprogramming operating system were used. High-level
languages (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC,
ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this
generation. IBM-360 series, Honeywell-6000 are some
examples of computers in 3rd
generation. .
Fourth Generation (1972- 1980):
LSI & VLSI were used in this generation. As a result
microprocessors came into existence. The computers using this
technology known to be Micro Computer. High capacity hard
disk were invented. There is great development in data
communication.
Fourth generation computers became
more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable. As a result, it
gave rise to Personal Computer (PC) revolution. In this
generation, time sharing, real time networks, distributed
operating system were used. All the high-level languages like
C, C++, DBASE etc., were used in this generation.
Fifth Generation (1980-Present & Beyond):
Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial
intelligence, are still in development, though there are some
applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used
today. The use of parallel processing and superconductors is
helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum
computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically
change the face of computers in years to come.
Some computer types of this generation are −
Desktop
Laptop
Note Book
Ultra Book
COMPONENT OF A COMPUTER
SYSTEM
In the above diagram, both control (control unit or
CU) and arithmetic & logic unit (ALU) combinely called
as Central Processing Unit (CPU).
Let's describe about all the parts as included in the above
diagram one by one.

The Processor Unit (CPU)

It is the brain of the computer system. All major calculation
and comparisons are made inside the CPU and it is also
responsible for activation and controlling the operation of
other unit.
This unit consists of two major components, that are arithmetic
logic unit (ALU) and control unit (CU).
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Arithmetic logic unit performs all arithmetic operations such as
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It also uses
logic operation for comparison like comparison or decision
making (>, <, <=, >=, = etc.).
Control Unit (CU)
The control unit of a CPU controls the entire operation of the
computer. It also controls all devices such as memory,
input/output devices connected to the CPU.
CU fetches instructions from memory, decodes the instruction,
interprets the instruction to know what the task are to be
performed and sends suitable control signals to the other
components to perform for the necessary steps to execute the
instruction.
Input/Output Unit
The input/output unit consists of devices used to transmit
information between the external world and computer
memory.
The information fed through the input unit is stored in
computer's memory for processing and the final result stored
in memory can be recorded or display on the output medium.
Memory unit
It is an essential component of a digital computer. It is where
all data intermediate and find results are stored. The data read
from the main storage or an input unit are transferred to
the computer's memory where they are available for
processing. This memory unit is used to hold the instructions
to be executed and data to be processes.
Primary Memory:
Primary memory has direct link with input unit and output
unit. It stores the input data, intermediate calculation, result.

Secondary Memory:
The primary storage is not able to store data permanently for
future use. So some other types of storage technology is
required to store the data permanently for long time, it is
called secondary or auxiliary memory.
 Input & Output Device
Input Device:
Input devices are those devices which help to enter data into
computer system. E.g. Keyboad, Mouse, Touchscreen, Barcode
Reader, Scanner, MICR, OMR etc.

Bar Code Reader MICR used in Bank OMR

KEYBOARD: This is the most common input device which uses
an arrangement of buttons or keys. In a keyboard each press of a
key typically corresponds to a single written symbol. However some
symbols require pressing and holding several keys simultaneously or in
sequence. While most keyboard keys produce letters, numbers or
characters, other keys or simultaneous key presses can produce
actions or computer commands.
Mouse:
A computer mouse (plural mice or mouses) is a hand-
held pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion
relative to a surface. This motion is typically translated into the
motion of a pointer on a display, which allows a smooth
control of the graphical user interface of a computer.
Scanner:
Scannerisa device that optically scans
images, printed text, handwriting, or
an object, and converts it to digital
image.
JOYSTICK:
A joystick isan input device consistingof a
stick that pivots ona base and reports its
angle or direction to the device it is
controlling.
Many people usejoysticks on computer
games involving flight suchas
flight simulator.
Joysticks are often used to control video games, and usually have
Output Device:
Output devices are those devices which help to display the
processed information. Eg. Monitor, Printer, Plotter, Projector
etc.
PRINTER:
 Printer produces result on the paper.
 There are various types of printers available in the market:
DOT MATRIX PRINTER:
 Uses ribbon and hammer technology.
 Its quality is not very good. It prints by making the object
using
small dots.
INKJET PRINTER:
It creates a digital image by propelling
droplets of ink onto the paper.

LASERJET PRINTER:
They uses laser technology to print documents. It produce high quality
printing at very high speed.
MONITOR
 It is the primary output device where we

see the output. It looks like TV.

 It is also known as VDU(Visual Display
Unit).
 Its display may be in the form of CRT

LED, LCD.
1. CRT(CATHODE RAY TUBE)
2. LCD(LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY)
3. LED(LIGHT EMITTING DIODE)
MEMORY UNITS: Memory is used to store the data for later
reference. The smallest unit is bit, which mean either 0 or 1.
 1 bit = 0 or 1
 1 Byte = 8 bits
 1 Nibble = 4 bits
 1 Kilo Byte = 1024 Byte= 210 Byte
 1 Mega Byte = 1024 KB= 210 KB
 1 Giga Byte = 1024 MB= 210 MB
 1 Tera Byte = 1024 GB= 210 GB
 1 Peta Byte =1024 TB= 210 TB
 1 Exa Byte =1024 PB= 210 PB
 1 Zetta Byte = 1024 EB= 210 EB
 1 Yotta Byte = 1024 ZB= 210 ZB
PRIMARY MEMORY
 SECONDARY MEMORY
The primary storage is not able to store data permanently for
future use. So some other types of storage technology is
required to store the data permanently for long time, it is
called secondary or auxiliary storage.
EXAMPLES OF SECONDARY STORAGE
 DATA DELETION AND ITS RECOVERY ,
SECURITY CONCERN
You can conveniently delete personal data stored in computer
system, survey responses, tickets, and contacts, no matter
where the data originated.
Examples of reasons for deleting the data are:
 Freeing the disk space
 Removing duplicate or unnecessary data to avoid confusion
 Making sensitive information unavailable to others
 Removing an operating system or blanking a hard drive
 DATA RECOVERY
 in computing, data recovery is a process of salvaging
(retrieving) inaccessible, lost, corrupted, damaged
or formatted data from secondary storage and
removable media or files, when the data stored in
them cannot be accessed in a normal way.
 The most common data recovery scenario involves an
operating system failure, malfunction of a storage
device, logical failure of storage devices, accidental
damage or deletion, etc. (typically, on a single-drive,
single-partition, single-OS system), in which case the
ultimate goal is simply to copy all important files from
the damaged media to another new drive.
 COMPUTER
 It is also SECURITY
known as IT security, is the protection of
information systems from theft or damage to the
hardware, the software, and to the information on
them, as well as from disruption or misdirection of
the services they provide.
 It includes controlling physical access to the hardware, as
well as protecting against harm that may come via
network access, data and code injection, and due
to malpractice by operators, whether intentional,
accidental, or due to them being tricked into
 CONCERNS OF COMPUTER SECURITY
Computer Security is concerned with four main areas:
1.Confidentiality:- Only authorized users can access the data
resources and information.
2. Integrity:- Only authorized users should be able to modify the data
when needed.
3. Availability:- Data should be available to users when needed.
4. Authentication:- are you really communicating with whom you think
you are communicating with
 SOFTWARE AND ITS TYPE
SOFTWARE: Software, simply are the computer programs. The
instructions given to the computer in the form of a program is
called Software. Software is the set of programs, which are
used for different purposes. All the programs used in computer
to perform specific task is called Software.
TYPES OF
SOFTWARE
 1. SYSTEM SOFTWARE
The system software is a collection of programs designed to
operate, control, and extend the processing capabilities of the
computer itself.
These software products comprise of programs
written in low-level languages, which interact with the
hardware at a very basic level. System software serves as the
interface between the hardware and the end users.
Some examples of system software are Operating
System, Compilers, Interpreter, Assemblers, etc.
OPERATING SYSTEM
OPERATING SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
FUNCTIONS OF OPERATING
SYSTEM
TYPES OF OPERATING
SYSTEM
SINGLE USER OS: As the name implies, this operating
system is designed to manage the computer so that one user
can effectively do one thing at a time.
MULTI USER OS: A multi-user operating system (OS) is a
computer system that allows multiple users that are on different
computers to access a single system's OS resources
simultaneously.
MULTI TASKING OS: Multitasking, is an operating system,
that allows a user to perform more than one
computer task (such as the multiple operation of an application
program) at a time. The operating system is able to keep track
of where you are in these tasks and go from one to the other
without losing information.
MULTI PROCESSING OS: Multiprocessing is
sometimes used to refer to the execution
of multiple concurrent processes in a system. A program in
execution is called process.

EMBEDDED OS: Embedded Operating System is an

Embedded System’s Operating System. Embedded Systems
are a specially designed computer system that essentially
contains software and hardware for performing specific
tasks. Mobile Phones, Laptops, Cameras, Washing Machines,
ATMS, and Hair Straightener etc are examples of embedded
operating sytem.
REAL TIME OS: It is used to control machinery, industrial
systems, scientific instruments ,tasks where time deadlines may
be forced to execute a task.
 LANGUAGE
We generallyPROCESSOR
write a computer program using a high-level
language. A high-level language is one that is understandable
by us, humans. This is called source code.
However, a computer does not understand
high-level language. It only understands the program written
in 0's and 1's in binary, called the machine code.

To convert source code into machine code, we use either

a compiler or an interpreter. Compiler, Interpreter are known
as language processor. Both compilers and interpreters are
used to convert a program written in a high-level language
into machine code understood by computers. However, there
are differences between how an interpreter and a compiler
works.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMPILER AND
INTERPRETER
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application software products are designed to satisfy a
particular need of a particular environment. All software
prepared in the computer lab may come under the category of
Application software.
Examples of Application software are the following −
 Payroll Software
 Student Record Software
 Inventory Management Software
 Income Tax Software
 Railways Reservation Software
 Microsoft Office Suite Software
 Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel
 UTILITY SOFTWARE
Utility software is designed to aid in analyzing, optimizing,
configuring and maintaining a computer system. It supports
the computer infrastructure. This software focuses on how an
OS functions and then accordingly it decides its trajectory to
smoothen the functioning of the system. Software’s like
antiviruses, disk cleanup & management tools, compression
tools, defragmenters, etc are all utility tools. Some examples of
utility tools are:
K7 Antivirus, WinRAR, WinZip etc.