Course Title: 103 Introductions to Computers

UNIT-1: Introduction

Introduction of Computer

Applications of Computer

Types of Computers – Super Computers, Mainframes, Mini Computers,

Micro computers (Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Tablet, Smart Phones)

Block Diagram and functional units of computer

UNIT-2: Basic Computer Architecture

Concepts of Address Bus and Data Bus

Concept of virtual memory and cache memory

Hardware Components

Motherboard

Types of Processor (CPU and GPU)

Understanding processor speed

Memory – RAM(SRAM,DRAM, SDRAM), ROM, EPROM,

EEPROM

Storage Devices – Hard Disk, CD, DVD, USB flash memory

Introduction to Software

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 Purpose and significance of Operating System

Concept of System Software and Application Software

UNIT-3: Number System

3.1. Introduction of Decimal, Binary, Octal and Hexadecimal number

Systems.

Conversion of Decimal to Binary and Binary to Decimal

Binary addition & subtraction

ASCII and ANSI character code

Unit – 4: Input & Output Devices

Introduction of Input Devices

Pointing Devices – Mouse, Trackball, Joystick, Touch Screen,

Light Pen

Keyboard

RFID concepts and application in FastTag

Introduction and purpose of Scanning Devices

Optical Scanner

Bar Code Reader

Web Camera

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 Introduction and comparisons of Output Devices

Monitors – LED, LCD,TFT, OLED, TouchScreen Monitor

Printers – Dot Matrix Printer, Laser Printer, Inkjet Printer

Unit - 5: Concepts of Internet

Concepts of Internet and WWW

Types of Internet Services

Hardware – Modem, Router, Blue tooth, Fire-Stick

Internet connections using Hotspot, WiFi, cable

Introduction of Cloud

Concepts of cloud

Purpose and application of Cloud ( Example of GoogleDoc)

Concepts of Online Data Backup

Introduction of Web Browser and relevant terminologies:

URL, Address bar, Domain, Links, Navigation Buttons

Tabbed browsing, Bookmarks, History

Reference Books: 1. How computer work: Ron White – Tech media

2. Introduction to computers: 4th Edition – Peter Norton

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3. Fundamentals of Computers: V. Rajaraman

4. Computer Fundamentals: Pradeep K. Sinha & Priti Sinha (BPB)

5. Introduction to Networking RechardMcMohan Tata McGraw Hill Publication

6. HTML Black Book – Steven Holzner – Dreamtech Press

7. Computer Network Fundamentals and application – R S Rajesh Vikas

Publication

8. HTML for the World Wide Web, Fifth Edition, with XHTML and CSS-
Peachpit Press

Teaching Methodology:

Class Work, Discussion, Self-Study, Seminars and/or Assignments

Evaluation Method: 30% internal assessment. 70% External assessment

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 UNIT-1: Introduction

Introduction of Computer
Applications of Computer
Types of Computers – Super Computers, Mainframes, Mini Computers, Micro
computers (Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Tablet, Smart Phones)
Block Diagram and functional units of computer

Introduction of Computer

What is Computer?

• A word ‘computer’ comes from word ‘compute’ which means ‘to calculate’.
• Computer is an electronic device, which can accept and store input data,
process them and produce output according to the instructions given by the
programmer or user.
• Activity of processing data using computer is known as data processing.

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Explain different types of characteristics of computer in detail.

1. Automatic -

• It carries a job without interaction of any human.

2. Speed –

• It is very fast device.

• It performs the task in few milliseconds for which a normal human being
may takes a year to complete.

3. Accuracy –

• Its accuracy is very high.

• The errors are due to human factors rather than technological factors.
• For example, errors due to improper thinking of programmer or incorrect
input data.

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4. Diligence –

• It is free from monotony (bored from repetitiveness), tiredness and lack of

concentration.
• It never gets bored. For example, if 10 million calculations have to be
performed, a computer will perform 10millionth calculation with same
accuracy as 1st one.

5. Versatility –

• It is capable to perform any task.

• It can also perform multiple tasks at the same time.
• For example, create bio data in word, at the same time print document and
surfing the internet.

6. Memory / Power of Remembering –

• It can store and retrieve amount of information.

• The information is retained accurately as long as required by the user.

Storage –

• It has built in memory where it can store large amount of data.

• You can also store data in secondary storage device such as floppy disk, CD,
DVD, etc. which can carried to other computer.

7. No I.Q. –

• It has no intelligence.
• It has to be told what to do and in which sequence.

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 • It can’t take decision on its own.

8. No feelings –

• It has no natural feelings.

• Their feelings are based on the instructions given to them in the form of
programs written by the programmer.

Give limitations of computer.

Common Sense –

• It doesn’t have common sense like human being has.

• It carries out instructions as given in program even if the instructions lack
quality of common sense.

Intelligence –

• It doesn’t have intelligence of its own.

• It operates on the instructions, which may lack this quality.

Decision Making –

• It lacks the quality of decision making.

• It does only those tasks which are already instructed to it.

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Write a note on History of Computers.

The word “Computer” is announced in 1613 and used to describe human who
perform calculations and computations.

This definition retains same until the end of 19th century, when the industrial
revolution gave rise to machines whose primary purpose was calculating.

• ABACUS is the first counting machine invented by Cranmer abacus, which

is also known as SOROBAN. In this, numbers are represented by position
of beads on wire. Its upper part contains 2 beads and lower part contains 5
beads per wire.

• Another manual calculating device was Jhon Napier’s Bone (1614) or

Cardboard Multiplication calculator (CMC).

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 • 1st mechanical adding machine was invented by Blaize Pascal in 1642

• Gottfried Wilhem Von Leibniz of Germany invented the first calculator

for multiplication, division, addition, subtraction in 1671. (stepped reckoner)

• In 1822, Charles Babbage, professor at Cambridge University, began

developing the first automatic computing machine, known as difference
engine.

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 He is known as father of the modern digital computers.

In 1837, Charles Babbage proposed the first general mechanical

computer, the Analytical Engine. It contained ALU, basic flow control and
integrated memory.

• The Turing machine was first proposed by Alan Turing in 1936 which
became foundation for theory about computing and computers.

Other computers are:

1. Z1 (1936 – 1938) –

• 1st electro – mechanical binary programmable computer

• Developed by German developer Konrad Zuse

2. Colossus (1943) –

• 1st electronic programmable computer

• Developed by Tommy Flowers

3. Mark 1 Computer (1937-1944) –

• The IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (ASCC), called Mark

I by Harvard University's staff, was a general purpose
electromechanical computer that was used in the war effort during the last
part of World War II
• 1st fully automatic calculating machine
• 50 feet long and 8 feet high based on a punch card
• 3000 electrically actuated switches to control its operations

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 • Electro Mechanical device

4. Atansoff Barry Computer (ABC) (1939–1942) –

• Electrical computer that solve mathematical equations

• Developed by Johan Atanasoff and Cliff Barry
• Contains 45 vacuum tubes for internal logic and capacitors for storage
• No CPU

5. ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator) (1943-1946)

• 1st operational electronic digital computer

• Developed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly at USA
• Invented for satisfying Military needs
• Occupies 1800 square feet space
• Contains 18000 vacuum tubes and weighing almost 50 tones

6. UNIVAC 1 (Universal Automatic Computer )(1951) –

• 1st digital computer (commercial)

• Developed by J. Presper Eckert and Johan Mauchly
• 25 by 50 feet in length
• 5600 tubes, 18000 crystal diodes
• First computer with magnetic tape and buffer memory

7. EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer) (1946-1952)

• Designed for stored program concept

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 • Von Neumann introduced the concept of storing both instruction and data in
binary form

8. EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator) (1947-1949)

• Britishers simultaneously developed EDSAC with EDVAC of USA

• Ran the first graphical computer game that is “Baby”

Explain Generations of Computer in detail.
• The development of computers can be divided into five generations
depending on the technologies used.

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 1. First Generation Computer ( 1942 – 1955 ) :–

• Use Vacuum tube technology

• Generated lot of heat
• Need of A.C.
• Consumed lots of electricity
• Very costly
• Huge in size
• Non portable
• Unreliable
• Punched cards, paper tape and magnetic tape used for input and output slow
input and output devices Supported machine language only. Batch
processing was use.
• Examples : ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC, IBM 701, IBM 650

2. Second Generation Computer (1956 – 1964):–

• Use of transistors

• Smaller size as compared to 1st generation computers

• Faster than 1st generation computers

• Generated less heat as compared to 1st generation computers

• A.C. needed

• Consumed less electricity as compared to 1st generation computers

• Still very costly

• Magnetic core as primary memory

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 • Magnetic tape and magnetic disks as secondary storage device

• Batch operating system

• Reliable in comparison to 1st generation computers

• Supported assembly languages and high level programming languages like

FORTRAN, COBOL. Examples : IBM 1620, IBM 7094, CDC 1604, CDC
3600, UNIVAC 1108, LARC

3. Third Generation Computer (1965 – 1974):–

• ICs (Integrated Circuits) with SSI(Small Scale Integration means

microchip containing tens of transistors) and MSI (Medium Scale
Integration means microchip containing hundreds of transistors) used
• Smaller size
• Faster
• Less maintenance
• Generated less heat
• A.C. needed
• Consumed less electricity
• Still costly
• More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
• Larger capacity disk and magnetic taps as secondary storage
• Time sharing OS
• Supported high level language
• Examples : IBM 360 series, Honeywell 6000 series, PDP, IBM 370/168,
TDC 316

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 4. Fourth Generation Computer (1975 – 1989): –

• ICs with VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration means microchip containing
hundreds of thousands of transistors) technology used
• Very cheap
• Very small size
• Portable and reliable
• No A.C. needed
• Magnetic tapes and floppy disks as portable storage media
• Use of PC’s OS and UNIX OS
• Pipeline processing
• Concept of internet was introduced
• Great development in the fields of networks
• Computers became easily available
• Examples : DEC 10, STAR 1000, PDP 11,CRAY 1 (super computer),
CRAY-X-MP ( Super Computer)

5. Fifth Generation Computer (1989 – Present ) :–

• ICs with ULSI (Ultra LSI means microchip containing millions of

transistors) technology used
• Larger capacity main memory and hard disk
• Optical disk as portable storage media
• Development of true artificial intelligence
• Development of natural language processing
• Advancement in parallel processing
• Advancement in superconductor technology
• More user friendly interfaces with multimedia features
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 • Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates
• Examples : Desktop, Laptop, NoteBook, UltraBook, ChromeBook

Application of Computer
Computers have become important tools in our day-to-day’s operations. Some of
the areas computers are used are in:

• Education and research -

Computers are used in educational institution as teaching aid, online
teaching
especially in open and distance learning and to enhance management.
Internet contains a lot of information for researchers, scholars and
teachers/lecturers.

• Science and Engineering –

In engineering computers are used for designing using computer aided
design (CAD) software. Modelling and testing processes etc. In Biosystems
engineering,
computers are being used for biometric analysis, genetic engineering and
cloning etc.

• Manufacturing -
Computers have made industrial processes more efficient through
optimization
scheduling, process control, and using robots to perform automated
manufacturing

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 process control which are otherwise dangerous to human beings.
• Banking – To keep client accounts details and issue cash transaction
services at the automated teller machines (ATM).

• Communication –
Using your computer system for the purpose of communication gives you a
lot of benefits. For example, if you will use email to send message or
anything to your friends or any of your contacts, then you don't have to use
pen and paper to write and take that paper to post office and then postman
will deliver that later after some or few days that will not good if you want
to send any urgent information to the same person.
Therefore, using email, you can also saves your time and cost to deliver any
information very fast. You only need a computer and internet connectivity.

• Entertainment-
Most of the persons are using computer for entertainment purposes such as:
• Watching movies
• Watching videos
• Listening songs
• Photos
• Animations, games etc.
Computer can be used to create these things in an attractive manner so that
user loves to enjoy the things.

• Others-
Online bill payment, Weather forecasting, library, hotel management,
hospital and many more.
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 Types of Computers – Super Computers, Mainframes, Mini Computers,
Micro computers (Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Tablet, Smart Phones)

According to computational method type/ functionality or Technology:

1. Analog Computers –

• Analog computer is a computer that operates on data in the form of

continuously variable physical quantities such as electrical current.
• They are specially designed for storing physical quantities such as
current, voltage or frequency.
• Used for measuring pressure, temperature, speed, etc.
• E.g. Thermometer, Speedometer

2. Digital Computers –

• Digital Computer is a computer that works with discrete quantities. It

uses numbers to simulate real time processes.

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 • They are general purpose computers.
• In this type of computer, the data inputted by the user is in the form of
character or number which is converted into binary form to store.
• E.g. Desktop, Laptop, etc.

3. Hybrid Computers (Analog + Digital) –

• The computers which combines the technology of Analog and Digital

computers, is known as Hybrid Computers.
• Used in Oil Refineries, Robotics, Nuclear Power Plants, Mines, ICU of
Hospitals, etc.

According to size & capability:

1. Super Computer –

• Computers characterized by very high processing speed are called Super

Computers.

• Fastest and expensive.

• Used for scientific applications like weather forecasting, space

exploration, earthquake studies, medical, nuclear energy research, etc.

• E.g. CRAY3, PARAM 1000, etc.

2. Mainframe Computer –

• Computers with large storage capacities and very high processing speed
but less than super computers, are known as Mainframe Computers.

• Multi-user, multi-programming computers.

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 • Used when, large number of users need, to share common computing
facility such as research groups, educational institutions, engineering
firms, etc.

• Used for applications like Railway and Airline Reservation, Banking.

• E.g.. IBM3090, IBM4300, etc.

3. Mini Computer –

• Smaller and slower than mainframe computers.

• The cost is less compared to mainframe computers.

• They have many terminals connected to it, to support many users.

• Supports 4 – 200 users simultaneously.

• Used in Distributed Systems.

• E.g. PDP -1.

4. Micro Computer –

• Smallest category of computer which used microprocessor as its CPU.

• Its capacity is limited to only personal use.
• They further classified as:

Desktop -
• A desktop computer is designed for a single location, not for portability
purpose.
• Power consumption is not as critical as that in laptop. It is little bulky.
• It is used in workplace and household.

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 Laptop / Notebook -
• A computer that moved around is known as laptop computer.
• It is mainly used by the people who need, computing power where ever
they go.
• It is also known as notebook because you can carry this battery operated
device to classes or meetings and store notes in it.
• It integrates monitor, keyboard, pointing device, CPU, memory and hard
drive in one system.
• It can be used while traveling in train or plane because they operate with
chargeable battery.
• Normally, it is used for word processing, spreadsheet computing, data
entry and preparing presentation materials.
• Its weight is around 2 kg but it is more expensive than normal PC.
Netbook –
• Netbook is similar to a laptop, but it is smaller in size, which makes it
more portable.
• It is less expensive but its internal parts are not as powerful as desktop or
laptop.
Tablet –
• Tablets are mobile computers that are very handy to use.
• They use the touch screen technology.
• They come with an onscreen keyboard.
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) –

A PDA is small, highly integrated computer usually using flash memory for
storage instead of hard drive.

• It uses touch screen technology for both output and input.

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 • It is light weight, portable, has good battery life and fits within the palm.
• It can access the Internet by Bluetooth or WI FI communication.
• It is normally used to keep track of appointment calendars, to-do lists,
address books and talking notes.

Palmtops / Handheld PC

• A computer which is small enough to feet in pocket and operated by

keeping it on palm, is called palmtop computer.
• It sacrifices power for small size and portability.
• It is just look like tiny laptop, with a flip-up screen and small keyboard.

Smart Phones –

• Smart phones are high end mobile phones that typically run operating
systems similar to tablet computer.
• They combine the features of a mobile phone, PDA, camera, music
player, GPS device, etc.
• Many smart phones use a touch screen for input, but some include
physical keyboard.

Wearable computers –

• It is worn on the body like a watch and is used by military professionals

or doctors to track human actions if their hands are engaged in other
activities.
• It does not have to be turned on and off but remain in operation without
user intervention.
• For examples, fabric PCs, smart watches

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According to purpose:

1. General Purpose Computers –

• Computers used for general requirements like sales analysis, financial

accounting, invoicing, inventory management, etc. are called General
Purpose Computers.
• Used in commercial and educational applications.
2. Special Purpose Computers –

• Computers which are designed for special purpose like weather

forecasting, space applications, medical diagnostics, etc. are called
Special Purpose Computers.
• E.g. Chip in Washing Machine

Portable Devices :

1. Laptop

2. Notebook

3. Tablet

4. PDA

5. Palmtop

6. Smartphone

7. Wearable Computers

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 Block Diagram and functional units of computer

Functional block diagram consists of four basic units:

1. Input Unit

2. Output Unit

3. Storage Unit

• Primary storage
• Secondary storage

4. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Control unit
• Arithmetic unit

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 1. Input Unit:
• Computers need to receive data and instruction to solve any
problem. Therefore we need to input the data and instructions
into the computers.
• The input unit consists of input devices like keyboard, mouse,
etc.
• All input devices perform the following functions:
i. Accept the data and instructions from the outside world.
ii. Convert it to a form that the computer can understand.
iii. Supply the converted data to the computer system for
processing.
2. Output Unit:
• The output unit of a computer provides the information and results
of a computation to outside world.
• The output unit consists of output devices like printer, Visual
display unit(VDU), Speaker, etc.
• All output devices perform the following functions :
i. Accept the results produced by the computer, which are
in the coded form.
ii. Convert the coded results to human readable form.
iii. Supply the converted results to outside world.

3. Storage Unit:
• The process of saving data and instructions permanently is known as
storage.

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 • Data has to be stored into the system before the actual processing
starts.
• Storage unit divided into two types :
Primary Storage:
It consists of RAM, ROM and Cache memory. CPU can access the
content of RAM directly. It is volatile storage that is losses content if
power off.
Secondary Storage:
It consists of Hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. CPU cannot directly access
the content on Secondary storage. It is non volatile storage that is it
retains content if power off.
• The storage unit performs the following functions :
1. Storing all data and instructions before and after processing.
2. Storing intermediate results of the processing.

4. Central Processing Unit:

• The CPU is the brain of the computer.
• The CPU performs the following functions :
i. Performs all calculations.
ii. Takes all decisions.
iii. Controls all units of the computer.
• It consists of following parts :

1. Control Unit (CU)

• It is responsible for directing and coordinating most of the

computer system activities.

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 • It does not execute instructions by itself. It tells other parts of the
computer system what to do.
• It obtains instructions from the program stored in main memory,
interpret the instructions and issues signals that cause other units of
the system to execute them.

2. Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU)

• ALU is the place where the actual execution of the instructions

takes place.
• All calculations and comparisons are performed in ALU.
• ALU is designed to perform the four basic operations add, subtract,
multiply, divide and logic operations or comparison such as less
than or greater than.
• The ALU controls the speed of calculations.

3. Registers

• Registers are small temporary storage location within the CPU.

• Registers quickly accept, store and transfer data and instructions that
are being used immediately to execute an instruction.
• The control unit of the CPU retrieves data from main memory and
places it onto a register.

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