Basics of Computer and its

Operations
Introduction :

• A computer is an electronic device that can receive, store, process,

and output data.
• It is a machine that can perform a variety of tasks and operations,
ranging from simple calculations to complex simulations and artificial
intelligence.
• Computers consist of hardware components such as the central
processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, input/output
devices, and peripherals, as well as software components such as the
operating system and applications.
• Computer is a device that transforms data into meaningful
information.
• It processes the input according to the set of instructions provided to
it by the user and gives the desired output quickly.
• A Computer can perform the following set of functions:
• Accept data
• Store data
• Process data as desired
• Retrieve the stored data as and when required
• Print the result in desired format.
Data and Information:
• Data: It is the term used for raw facts and figures fed into the
computer and along with the set of instructions which enables the
computer to convert this raw data into the refined and useful
information.
• Information: Data represented in useful and meaningful form is
information.
• Data and information are related concepts, but they have different
meanings. Data refers to raw facts and figures that are unorganized
and have no meaning on their own. Information, on the other hand,
is data that has been processed, organized, and given context to make
it meaningful and useful.
Classification of Computers:
• Computers can be classified based on the technology being used and
the way they are designed to perform the various tasks.
• Computers can be categorized into Digital, Analog and Hybrid based
on their design and working:
• Digital Computers : These are the modern computers which are
capable of processing information in discrete form.
• In digital technology data which can be in the form of letters, symbols
or numbers is represented in binary form i.e. 0s and 1s. The digital
computers are used in industrial, business and scientific
applications. They are quite suitable for large volume data
processing.
• Analog Computers : These computers are used to process data
generated by ongoing physical processes.
• A thermometer is an example of an analog computer since it
measures the change in mercury level continuously.
• Analog computers are well suited to simulating systems.
• A simulator helps to conduct experiments repeatedly in real time
environment. Some of the common examples are simulations in
aircrafts, nuclear power plants, hydraulic and electronic networks.

• Hybrid Computers : These use both analog and digital technology. It

has the speed of analog computer and the accuracy of a digital
computer.
• Hybrid Computers are used as a cost effective means for complex
simulations.
• Supercomputers: These are the most powerful and expensive
computers that are used for complex scientific calculations,
simulations, and research. They are used in fields such as weather
forecasting, cryptography, and nuclear research.
• Mainframe Computers: These are large and powerful computers that
are used by large organizations such as banks, airlines, and
government agencies to process massive amounts of data and handle
multiple users simultaneously.
• Mini Computers: These are smaller and less powerful than
mainframe computers, but they are still capable of handling multiple
users and processing large amounts of data. They are commonly used
by small to medium-sized businesses for accounting, inventory
management, and other data-intensive tasks.
• Personal Computers: These are small and affordable computers that
are designed for individual users. They are commonly used for
personal productivity, entertainment, and communication.
• Workstations: These are high-performance computers that are used
by professionals such as architects, engineers, and designers to run
complex software applications for tasks such as 3D modeling,
animation, and scientific visualization.
• Embedded Systems: These are specialized computers that are built
into other devices such as cars, appliances, and medical equipment to
control their operations and perform specific functions.
• Mobile Devices: These are small and portable computers that are
designed for on-the-go use, such as smartphones, tablets, and
laptops
Classification of Digital Computers
• Micro Computers :These are also known as Personal Computers.
These type of digital computer uses a microprocessor (a CPU on a
single chip) and include both desktops and laptops. These computers
can work on small volume of data, are very versatile and can handle
variety of applications.
• Mini Computers :These computers can support multiple users
working simultaneously on the same machine. These are mainly used
in an organization where computers installed in various departments
are interconnected. These computers are useful for small business
organizations.
Peripheral Devices
• These devices are used for performing the specific functions and are
connected to the computer externally. These peripheral devices
enable the computer to operate according to the user requirements
by feeding data in and out of the computer. Peripheral devices are as
follows:
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Optical/magnetic Scanner
• Touch Screen
• Monitor (Visual Display Unit)
• Printers
• Speaker
Types of Software
• Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-
defined function.
• There are two types of software −
• System Software
• Application Software
• System Software: These are those software,without which our
PC,laptop won’t run, i.e it is must for a device to be operating. For
Example: Linux,Unix,Windows,etc.
• Application Software: These are those software,without which our
PC,laptop can run, i.e these software are not necessary for a device to
be operating. For Example: Facebook,What’s App,Games.
Difference between Hacker and Cracker
• Hacker : They will just warn you something about malicious activity going
around in your computer.It will not steal your information.
• Cracker : They will try to steal your Information without informing you.
• Basic computer operation :
• Booting up: This is the process of starting up the computer by loading the
operating system (OS) into memory. The computer runs a series of checks
to ensure all hardware is working correctly before loading the OS.
• Logging in: After booting up, you will need to log in to access your user
account. This requires entering your username and password.
• Running programs: Once you have logged in, you can run programs on
your computer. Programs can include web browsers, office applications,
media players, and more.
• Accessing data: You can access data stored on your computer or
other connected devices, such as external hard drives or cloud
storage services. This can include files, documents, photos, and other
media.
• Connecting to the internet: You can connect to the internet to access
websites, download files, and communicate with others online. This
typically involves using a web browser to access websites and other
online services.
• Communicating with other devices: You can communicate with other
devices connected to your computer, such as printers, scanners, or
other peripherals. This allows you to print documents, scan images,
and perform other tasks.
• Saving and backing up data: It’s important to save and back up your
data regularly to avoid data loss. You can save data to your local hard
drive, external hard drives, or cloud storage services.
• Shutting down: When you’re finished using your computer, you
should shut it down properly. This involves closing all programs and
files, saving any changes, and shutting down the OS.
• Troubleshooting: If you experience issues with your computer, you
may need to troubleshoot the problem. This can involve diagnosing
hardware or software issues, performing updates, or reinstalling
drivers.
• Security: It’s important to keep your computer secure by using
antivirus software, firewalls, and other security measures. This helps
protect your data and prevent unauthorized access to your system.
• Assignment: Issues of basic computers and computer operations
?
• Characteristics of Computer System:
• Speed, Accuracy, Diligence, Versatility, Reliability, Consistency,
Memory, Storage Capacity, Remembrance Power, and Automation.
What is an Operating System?
• Operating System lies in the category of system software. It basically
manages all the resources of the computer.
• An operating system acts as an interface between the software and
different parts of the computer or the computer hardware.
• Operating System is a fully integrated set of specialized programs that
handle all the operations of the computer. It controls and monitors
the execution of all other programs that reside in the computer,
which also includes application programs and other system software
of the computer. Examples of Operating Systems are Windows, Linux,
Mac OS, etc.
Functions of the Operating System
• Resource Management: The operating system manages and allocates
memory, CPU time, and other hardware resources among the various
programs and processes running on the computer.
• Process Management: The operating system is responsible for
starting, stopping, and managing processes and programs. It also
controls the scheduling of processes and allocates resources to them.
• Memory Management: The operating system manages the
computer’s primary memory and provides mechanisms for optimizing
memory usage.
• Security: The operating system provides a secure environment for the
user, applications, and data by implementing security policies and
mechanisms such as access controls and encryption.
• Types of Operating Systems
• Batch Operating System: A Batch Operating System is a type of operating
system that does not interact with the computer directly. There is an
operator who takes similar jobs having the same requirements and groups
them into batches.
• Time-sharing Operating System: Time-sharing Operating System is a type
of operating system that allows many users to share computer resources
(maximum utilization of the resources).
• Distributed Operating System: Distributed Operating System is a type of
operating system that manages a group of different computers and makes
appear to be a single computer. These operating systems are designed to
operate on a network of computers. They allow multiple users to access
shared resources and communicate with each other over the network.
Examples include Microsoft Windows Server and various distributions of
Linux designed for servers.
• Network Operating System: Network Operating System is a type of
operating system that runs on a server and provides the capability to
manage data, users, groups, security, applications, and other networking
functions.
• Question: Which of the following is not an example of an Operating
System?
• (A) Windows
• (B) Linux
• (C) Mac OS
• (D) MS-Word
Difference between Word Processor and Text Editor
• . Word Processor :
Word Processor processes the words with pages and paragraphs. It is
a processor that provides the basic editing, input, formatting, and
output of the text with some additional features. It is a fully
functioned desktop publishing program that produces error-free
documents.
• 2. Text Editor :
It is a type of computer program which helps in editing plain text. The
best example of this is Notepad. Text editor helps in or provides the
ability to add, remove, and change the characters or words from the
given file or document. It is a type of tool for working with plain text.
Word Processor Text Editor

It allows you to edit the text with multiple A text editor is used to writing and edits
other functions like formatting of text. text.

It is a more extensive type of text editor. It is used to edit plain text files.

It helps in functioning the automatic In this, You can also cut, copy, paste, undo
grammar and spelling checks. and redo your text.

It comes in with some predefined themes

Text formatting is not available in this
and templates into it which makes it
editor.
easier.

The famous word processors are

It includes CSS, PHP, HTML, JavaScript, and
WordPad, NotePad, AppleWorks,
other languages.
Microsoft.
Introduction to Microsoft Word
• Microsoft word is a word processor software developed by Microsoft
in 1983. It is the most commonly used word processor software.
• It is used to create professional quality documents, letters, reports,
resumes, etc and also allows you to edit or modify your new or
existing document. The file saved in Ms Word has .docx extension.
• It is a component of the Microsoft Office suite, but you can buy it
separately and is available for both Windows and macOS.
• The latest version of Ms Word is 2019. In this article we will learn
the features of Ms Word, but first we learn how to open Ms Word?
• How to open MS Word?
• The following step shows how to open MS words:
• Step 1: Type Ms Word in the search bar.
• Step 2: Select Ms Word application.
• Step 3: Select a blank document and press create button.
• Then you will get a window like in the image below where you can
write your content and perform different types of operations on that
content, like font type, style, bold, italic, etc. You can also add images,
tables, charts to your document.
• Features of MS Word
• Now let us discuss the features or components of the Ms Word. Using
these features, you can perform different types of operations on your
documents, like you can create, delete, style, modify, or view the
content of your document.
• 1. File
• It contains options related to the file, like New(used to create a new
document), Open(used to open an existing document), Save(used to
save document), Save As(used to save documents), History,
Print, Share, Export, Info, etc.
• Home
• It is the default tab of Ms Word and it is generally divided into five
groups, i.e., Clipboard, Font, Paragraph, Style and Editing. It allows
you to select the color, font, emphasis, bullets, position of your text. It
also contains options like cut, copy, and paste. After selecting the
home tab you will get below options:
• 3. Insert
• It is the second tab present on the menu bar or ribbon. It contains
various items that you may want to insert into a Microsoft word. It
includes options like tables, word art, hyperlinks, symbols, charts,
signature line, date and time, shapes, header, footer, text boxes, links,
boxes, equations, etc., as shown in the below image:

•
• 6. Layout
• It is the fifth tab present on the menu bar or ribbon. It holds all the
options that allow you to arrange your Microsoft Word document
pages just the way you want them. It includes options like set
margins, display line numbers, set paragraph indentation, and lines
apply themes, control page orientation and size, line breaks, etc., as
shown in the below image:
Introduction to MS Excel

• MS-EXCEL is a part of Microsoft Office suite software. It is an

electronic spreadsheet with numerous rows and columns, used for
organizing data, graphically representing data(s), and performing
different calculations.
• It consists of 1048576 rows and 16384 columns, a row and column
together make a cell. Each cell has an address defined by column
name and row number example A1, D2, etc. This is also known as a
cell reference.
What is MS Excel
• Microsoft Excel is a software application designed for creating tables
to input and organize data. It provides a user-friendly way to analyze
and work with data. The image below provides a visual representation
of what an Excel spreadsheet typically appears like