Computer Fundamental 1 33 (1)
Computer Fundamental 1 33 (1)
1. WHAT IS COMPUTER?
The word “computer” is comes from the word “TO COMPUTE” means to
calculate.
A computer is normally considered to be a calculation device which can perform
the arithmetic operations very speedily.
A computer may be defined as a device which operates upon the data.
Data can be in the form of numbers, letters, symbols, size etc. And it comes in
various shapes & sizes depending upon the type of computer application.
A computer can store, process & retrieve data as and when we desired.
The fact that computer process data is so fundamental that many people have
started calling as “Data Processor”.
A computer first it gets the Data, does Process on it and then produces
Information.
DEFINATION OF COMPUTER
o A computer is an electronic device which takes input from the user,
processes it and gives the output as per user’s requirement.
o So the main tasks of performed by the computer are:
Input
Process
Output
2. WRITE DOWN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER
Some important characteristics of the computer are as follow:
Automatic:
o Computers are automatic machines because it works by itself without
human intervention.
o Once it started on a job they carry on until the job is finished.
o Computer cannot start themselves.
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o They can works from the instructions which are stored inside the system in
the form of programs which specify how a particular job is to be done.
Accuracy:
o The accuracy of a computer is very high.
o The degree of accuracy of a particular computer depends upon its design.
o Errors can occur by the computer. But these are due to human weakness,
due to incorrect data, but not due to the technological weakness.
Speed:
o Computer is a very fact device. It can perform the amount of work in few
seconds for which a human can take an entire year.
o While talking about computer speed we do not talk in terms of seconds
and milliseconds but in microseconds.
o A powerful computer is capable of performing several billion (109) simple
arithmetic operations per second.
Diligence:
o Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness & lack
of concentration.
o It can continuously work for hours without creating any error & without
grumbling.
o If you give ten million calculations to performed, it will perform with
exactly the same accuracy & speed as the first one.
Versatility:
o It is one of the most wonderful features about the computer.
o One moment it is preparing the results of a particular examination, the
next moment it is busy with preparing electricity bills and in between it
may be helping an office secretary to trace an important letter in seconds.
Power of remembering:
o Computer can store and recall any amount of data because of its high
storage capacity of its storage devices.
o Every piece of information can be retained as long as desired by the user
and can be recalled as and when required.
o Even after several years, if the information recalled, it will be as accurate
as on the day when it was filled to the computers .
No I.Q.
o A computer is not a magical device; it processes no intelligence of its own.
o Its I.Q. is zero.
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o It has to be told what to do & in what sequence.
o It cannot take its own decision.
No Fallings:
o A Computer has no feelings because they are machines.
o Based on our feelings, task, knowledge and experience we often make
certain judgments in our day today life.
o But Computer goes exactly the way which we have given the instructions .
3. EXPLAIN THE DATA PROCESSING CYCLE OF
COMPUTER.
The computer Data Processing is any process that a computer program does to
enter data & summarise, analyse or convert data into useable information.
The process may be automated & run on a computer.
It involves recording, analysing, storing, summarising & storing data.
Because data are most useful when it is well presented & informative.
The Data Processing Cycle:
Data Processing cycle described all activities which are common to all data
processing systems from manual to electronic systems.
These activities can be grouped in four functional categories, viz., data input,
data processing, data output and storage, constituting what is known as a data
processing cycle.
The main aim of data processing cycle is to convert the data into meaningful
information.
Data processing system are often referred to as Information System.
The Information System typically take raw Data as Input to produce Information
as Output.
INPUT OUTPUT
DATA PROCESS INFORMATION
STORAGE
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Voltage, temperature and pressure are measured using analog devices like
voltmeters, thermometers and barometers.
Digital Computers
The digit computer is a machine based on digital technology which represents
information by numerical digit.
In Digital Computers data is represented as discrete units of electrical pulses. The
data is measured in quantities represented as either the ‘on’ or ‘off’ state.
Therefore, the results obtained from a digital computer are accurate.
Virtually all of today’s computers are based on digital computers.
Hybrid Computers
It combines the good features of both analog & digital computers.
It has a speed of analog computer & accuracy of digital computer.
Hybrid Computers accept data in analog form and present output also in
digitally.
The data however is processed digitally.
Therefore, hybrid computers require analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog
converters for output.
5. EXPLAIN THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE COMPUTER BY
DATA PROCESSING:
The computers are classified in four types on the based on data processing.
Micro computer
Mini computer
Mainframe computer
Super computer
Micro Computer:
Micro computers are the computers with having a microprocessor chip as it
central processing unit.
Originated in late 1970s.
First micro computer was built with 8 bit processor.
Microcomputer is known as personal computer.
Designed to use by individual whether in the form of pc’s, workstation or
notebook computers.
Small in size and affordable for general people.
Ex: IBM PC, IBM PC/XT, IBM PC/AT
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Micro Computer:
Mini computers are originated in 1960s.
Small mainframes that perform limited tasks.
Less expensive than mainframe computer.
Mini computers are Lower mainframe in the terms of processing capabilities.
Capable of supporting 10 to 100 users simultaneously.
In 1970s it contains 8 bit or 12 bit processor.
Gradually the architecture requirement is grown and 16 and 32 bit.
Minicomputers are invented which are known as supermini computers.
Ex: IBM AS400
Mainframe Computer:
A very powerful computer which capable of supporting thousands of user
simultaneously.
It contains powerful data processing system.
It is capable to run multiple operating systems.
It is capable to process 100 million instructions per second.
Mainframes are very large & expensive computers with having larger internal
storage capacity & high processing speed.
Mainframes are used in the organization that need to process large number of
transaction online & required a computer system having massive storage &
processing capabilities.
Mainly used to handle bulk of data & information for processing.
Mainframe system is housed in a central location with several user terminal
connected to it.
Much bigger in size & needs a large rooms with closely humidity &
temperature.
IBM & DEC are major vendors of mainframes.
Ex : MEDHA, SPERRY, IBM, DEC, HP, HCL
Super Computer:
Most powerful & most expensive computer.
Used for complex scientific application that requires huge processing power.
Used multiprocessor technology to perform the calculation very speedy.
They are special purpose computers that are designed to perform some
specific task.
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The cost of the super computer is depended on its processing capabilities &
configuration.
The speed of modern computer is measured in gigaflops, teraflops and
petaflops.
o Gigaflops= 109 arithmetic operation per second.
o Teraflops=1012 arithmetic operation per second.
o Petaflops=1015 arithmetic operation per second.
Ex: PARAM , EKA, BLUE GENE/P
Second Generation:
Duration: 1955-1964
Technology: transistor
o 10 times Smaller in size than 1st generation system.
o Less heat than 1st generation computers.
o Consumed less power than 1st generation system.
o Computers were done calculations in microseconds.
o Air-conditioner is also required.
o Easy to configure than 1st generation computers.
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o More reliable in information.
o Wider commercial use.
o Large & fast primary/secondary storage than 1st generation computers.
Third Generation:
Duration: 1965-1975
Technology: IC chip
o Smaller in size than 1st & 2nd generation computers.
o Perform more fast calculations than 2nd generation systems.
o Large & fast primary/secondary storage than 2nd generation computers.
o Air –conditioner is required.
o Widely used for commercial applications.
o General purpose computers.
o High level languages like COBOL & FORTAN are allowed to write programs.
o Generate less heat & consumed less power than 2nd generation computer.
Fourth Generation:
Duration: 1975-1989
Technology: Microprocessor chip
o Based on LSI & VLSI microprocessor chip.
o Smaller in size.
o Much faster than previous generations.
o Minimum hardware maintenance is required.
o Very reliable as computer to previous generation computers.
o Totally general purpose computer.
o Easy to configure.
o Possible to use network concept to connect the computer together.
o NO requirement of air-conditioners.
o Cheapest in price.
Fifth Generation:
Duration: 1989 to Present
Technology: ULSI microprocessor chip
o Much smaller & handy.
o Based on the ULSI chip which contains 100 million electronic components.
o The speed of the operations is increased.
o Consumed less power.
o Air-conditioner is not required.
o More user friendly interface with multi-media features.
o High level languages are allowed to write programs.
o Larger & faster primary/secondary storage than previous generations.
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o Notebook computers are the example of 5th generation computers.
Input Devices:
o The devices which are used to entered data in the computer systems are
known as input devices.
o Keyboard, mouse, scanner, mike, light pen etc are example of input devices.
FUNCTION OF INPUT DEVICES
o Accept the data from the outside worlds.
o Convert that data into computer coded information.
o Supply this data to CPU for further processing.
Output Devices:
o The devices which display the result generated by the computer are known as
output devices.
o Monitor, printer, plotter, speaker etc are the example of output devices.
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o Display the result on the output device.
Memory Unit:
o The data & instruction have to store inside the computer before the actual
processing start.
o Same way the result of the computer must be stored before passed to the
output devices. This tasks performed by memory unit.
Control Unit:
o It controls the movement of data and program instructions into and out of
the CPU, and to control the operations of the ALU.
o In sort, its main function is to manage all the activities within the computer
system.
o Controls the internal parts as well as the external parts related with the
computer.
CPU:
o The Unit where all the processing is done is called as Central Processing Unit.
o It contains many other units under it.
o Main of them are:- Control Unit And ALU (Arithmetic & Logic Unit)
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UNIT: 2 INPUT DEVICES
INPUT DEVICES
2. TRACK BALL
3. JOYSTICK
Joystick is a pointing device which is works on the same principle of track ball.
It contains a stick which is placed on the spherical ball.
The stick is used to move the cursor at desired position left or right or backward
or forward.
It also contain button that is clicked to make selection of currently pointed item.
A joystick is similar to a mouse, except that with a mouse the cursor stops
moving as soon as you stop moving the mouse.
With a joystick, the pointer continues moving in the direction the joystick is
pointing.
To stop the pointer, you must return the joystick to its upright position.
Some of the systems using joysticks are
o Aircrafts, UAVs for flight control
o Motorized Wheelchairs as input device
o Microscopes
o Submarines
o Security Systems
o Video Games
Joysticks are widely used for video games
Advantages of joystick
It is very easy to learn to use.
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Very simple design so they can be inexpensive.
It has a big analogue stick in the middle so it’s easier to control.
4. LIGHT PEN
Light pen is a pointing device which is used to draw directly draw on the screen.
It is called light pen because it is similar to a pen & senses light.
It’s an input device in the form of light-sensitive stick used in conjunction with a
CRT display.
The light pen allows the user to point out or draw any object on the screen.
The user brings the pen to the desired point on screen and presses the pen
button to make contact.
It has a switch on its top which allows the user to make contact with screen.
It is useful for drawing or graphics in the program such as CAD (computer aided
design).
An engineer, architect or fashion designer can draw directly on screen.
Used in application such as gaming, graphic arts, healthcare applications etc.
Light pen cannot scratch or damage a screen.
Advantages of light pen;
o Less expensive than touch screen.
o give the user the full range of mouse capabilities, without the use of a pad
or any horizontal surface
o Cannot scratch or damage screen.
o Works on any size screen.
5. TOUCH SCREEN
Touch screen is a pointing device.
It is most simple & easiest to learn of all input devices.
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It allows the user to choose from available options by simply touching with their
figure to the desired icon or menu item displayed on the computer screen.
A touch screen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and
location of a touch within the display area.
The term generally refers to touching the display of the device with a finger or
hand.
Touch screens are common in devices such as computers, tablet computers &
Smartphone.
The touch screen has two main attributes::
o First, it enables one to interact directly with what is displayed.
o Secondly, it lets one do so without requiring any intermediate device that
would need to be held in the hand
It’s a very easy to operate device which users can use the system without any
formal training.
Uses optical sensors that detect the touch of the finger on screen.
Sensors communicate the position of touch to the computer which interprets the
input made by the users.
It contains pressure sensitive monitors which are placed inside the base of
computer screen.
Pressure sensitive monitors contain sensors to measure the monitor’s weight at
many points.
When user touches the screen, the changes on weights & forces transferred
down to sensor which allows the device to detect the location of the touch.
This type of monitors required little pressure to transmit the desired input.
Touch screen are commonly used in following places.
o An airport or railway station.
o Large departmental stores.
o In large museums or zoos to guide visitors to the locations of various
attractions.
o Self service check out
o In ATM machines
o In I-phones or PDA’s
o Computer based training
Any type of touch screen contains Three main components:
A touch screen sensor panel:
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o Which sits above the display & generate appropriate voltage according to
where precisely it is touched?
A touch screen controller:
o Processes the signal received from the sensor & translates this touch event
data & passed to pc’s processor via serial or USB interface.
A soft ware driver:
o Provides an interface to the pc’s operating system & which translates the
touch event data into mouse event.
6. DIGITIZER
An input device.
Used for converting pictures, map & drawing into digital form.
Allows one to hand-draw images and graphics, similar to the way one draws
images with a pencil and paper.
Also be used to capture data or handwritten signatures.
The device consists of a flat surface upon which the user may "draw" an image
using an attached stylus, a pen-like drawing tool.
These devices are usually connected via a Serial port.
Placed on the desk n connected with the computer.
Digitizer consists of graphic tablets which are associated with a stylus.
The stylus is like a pen with a button.
Stylus connected with a tablet and can press down at a point on the tablet to
input (x, y) co-ordinates of point.
It contains hundreds of copper wires forming a grid that receives electric pulsed.
When stylus moves on tables the cursor on screen moves simultaneously.
Allows the user to draw sketches directly.
Commonly used in CAD by architects & engineers.
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Used in GIS (geographical information system) for digitizing maps.
7. MICROPHONE
It’s an input device.
Used to stores the voice data into the computer system.
Microphones are a type of transducer - a device which converts energy from one
form to another.
Microphones convert sound waves into electrical energy.
Different types of microphone have different ways of converting energy.
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o It’s like a zerox machine which consist of box having a glass plate on its top
and a lid to covers the glass plate.
o The document placed inside the glass plate & light source is situated blow
glass plate which moves horizontally from left to write & scanning
document line by line.
Handheld scanner
o It contains a set of light emitting diodes encased in small case which can be
conveniently held in hand.
o To scan a document the scanner is slowly dragged on the document.
o The scanner has to be dragged carefully & steadily otherwise the
document cannot scan properly.
o Used when higher accuracy is not required.
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OCR (OPTICAL CHARACTER READER) DEVICE
OCR capable of recognizing alphabets & numbers printed on paper.
It can also capable of recognise shape & identify character directly from source
document.
It is always used with character recognized software.
It converts bitmap images of character to equivalent ASCII code.
First it create bitmap image of document & OCR software translate into ASCII code
which computer interprets letter, symbol or number.
The type of document must be type using OCR fonts.
The software design to recognised the standard OCR-A(American standard) & OCR-
B(European standard)
ADVANTAGES
Speedy entered data.
Accept wide range of font using ordinary mark.
DISADVANTAGE
Expensive
Scanned properly only if the characters are standard size.
Dusty paper cant scanned properly.
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Speedy data entry.
Accurate output.
Folded or roughly handled cheques are also scanned with same accuracy.
DISADVANTAGE
MICR software is required.
Limited fonts are used so used in banking industries only.
BCR (BAR CODE READER) DEVICE
Data can be coded in the form of small lines which are known as Bar Codes.
Bar codes represent the alphanumeric data by combination of vertical lines which
contains different width & spacing between them.
Bar Code Reader is a device which are used to recognized bar code data.
It scanned the barcode image & converted into alphanumeric value & fed to
computer.
It uses laser-beam technology. Laser stroke across the pattern of bar which sensed
by light sensitive decoder & their reflection of light pattern are converted into
electrical pulse which converted it into alphanumeric value.
Various barcodes are available for different use.
Most common is UPC (UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE).
It contain 10 digit first 5 identify the manufacturer name & remaining identify a specific
product.
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UNIT: 3 OUTPUT DEVICES
1. WHAT IS OUTPUT DEVICE.
The output devices are the devices which are used to display the result
generated by the computer system.
Monitor, printer, plotter, speaker are the example of output devices.
FUNCTIONS OF INPUT DEVICES:
o Accept the result from the CPU.
o Convert that result into human readable form.
o Supply this result to output device.
2. EXPLAIN THE VISUAL DISPLAY UNIT
OR
EXPLAIN CRT (CATHOD RAY TUBE) MONITER.
The monitor is the common output device mostly used It is a softcopy output
device.
It can be thought of as a high resolution TV set.
The monitor can also determine if the display will be colour, black and white, or
include graphical objects (pictures).
Two types of monitors are used.
o CRT monitors.
o Non CRT monitors.
Most computer monitors are based on Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) technology.
The basic operation of these tubes is similar to that in television sets.
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In CRT display CRT is a specialised vacuum tube in which images are produced
when electron beam strikes a phosphor surface.
CRT monitor contains cathode, control grid, acceleration anode, deflection plates
& phosphor coated screen.
Cathode: the cathode is heated by filament and produced high speed & large
amount of electrons.
Control Grid: used to control the brightness of the screen. It controls the number
of electrons.
Accelerating anodes: they are with focusing lens are applied with positive
electrons.
Horizontal deflection plate: moves electron side by side.
Vertical deflection: moves electrons up & down.
Screen: contains millions of tiny red, green, blue phosphor dot that glow when
struck by electron beam that travels across screen to create a visible image.
ADVANTAGES OF CRT DISPLAY
Produce more colours.
Price is lower than LCD & Plasma.
High contrast ratio.
Can easily increase brightness of monitor by reflecting the light.
DISADVANTAGES OF CRT DISPLAY
High power consumed.
Heavy to pick up and carry.
Large space required.
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Able to print a line at the same time.
Consist of a metallic chain on which all characters of character set are embossed.
Character set contains 48, 64 or 96 characters.
Characters are embossed several times.
Chain rotates at high speed when the desired characters in correct position the
hammer strikes & the characters are print on paper.
Capable to print 400 to 2500 lines per minutes.
ADVANTAGES:
o Low cost than non impact printer.
o Can make carbon copy of print out.
o Chain can be easily changed.
o Allowed to print different type font.
o Printing quality is similar to a type writer.
DISADVANTAGES:
o Slower than non impact printer.
o Very noisy.
o Large & heavy.
o Cannot print graphics.
o Only prints predefined set of characters.
7. EXPALAIN NON-IMPACT PRINTERS.
INK-JET PRINTER:
It’s non-impact printer.
It’s a character printer.
Forms characters and all kinds of images by spraying drops of ink on to the
paper.
Print head contains 64 tiny nozzles.
To print a character the printer the printer selectively heats the appropriate set
of nozzle as the print head moves horizontally.
Inkjet printer can either colour or monochrome.
Capable to print 30 to 400 characters per minutes.
ADVANTAGES:
o High quality output.
o Silent during the operation.
o Able to print graphics.
o Able to print any characters & graphics.
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o Able to generate colour & monochrome output.
DISADVANTAGES:
o Slower than dot matrix printer.
o Cannot make carbon copy of print out.
o Expensive than impact printer.
LASER PRINTER:
It’s non-impact printer.
It’s a page printer.
Three main components laser beam, a multi-sided mirror, a photoconductive
drum & toner.
To print page laser beam is focused on drum by spinning multisided mirror.
Drum is electric charged.
Toner which is composed of oppositely charged ink particles, stick to the drum.
Then toner focused on the paper with heat & pressure to generate output.
Low speed laser printer can print 4 to 12 page per minute while high speed laser
printer Capable to print 500 to 1000 pages per minutes.
ADVANTAGES:
o High quality output.
o Very faster in speed.
o Silent during the operation.
o Able to print graphics.
o Able to print any characters & graphics.
o Able to generate colour & monochrome output.
DISADVANTAGES:
o Very expensive.
o Cannot make carbon copy of print out.
Drum plotter:
In the case design has to be made is placed over a drum.
It consist one or more than penholders which are mounted to the drum surface.
The drum plotter both the paper and the pen move.
The paper is contained on two rollers and passes over a drum.
The pen is driven along fixed arm set across the length of the drum.
It is especially useful for plotting continuous line graph.
The accuracy of the drum type depends on the paper transport mechanism,
which in turn is dependent on the width of the paper and it can also produce
larger drawings.
Flatbed Plotter
The Flatbed Plotter is generally more expensive and can produce very detailed
and accurate drawings.
The paper is mounted on a stationary flatbed.
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The pen is mounted on a moveable arm.
Colour drawing can be produced by some plotters through interchangeable
pens.
Able to draw output in small size as A4 size or can able to generate very large
size can be up to 20ft by 50ft.
Specially used in the design of cars, ships, aircrafts, buildings, highways etc.
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