1.Explain in brief the basic architecture of a computer.

Input Unit:-
The input unit is formed by the input devices attached to the
computer. Examples of input devices and media are: keyboard,
mouse, magnetic ink character reader (MICR), optical mark reader
(OMR), optical character reader (OCR), joystick etc.

The input unit is responsible for taking input and converting it into
computer understandable form (the binary code). Since a computer
operates on electricity, it can understand only the language of
electricity i.e., either ON or OFF or high voltage or low voltage. That
means a computer can understand two stages ON/OFF or
High/Low voltage or the binary language that uses just two symbols
: 1 for ON and 0 for OFF.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit):-

The CPU or the Central Processing Unit is the main control centre
and processing unit. It is also called brain of the computer as it
guides, directs, controls and governs the performance of a
computer. The CPU has some sub-components that help in carrying
out the processing of a task. These are:

(i) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

(ii) Control Unit (CU)
(iii) Registers

Output Unit :-
The output unit is formed by the output devices attached to the
computer. The output coming from the CPU is in the form of
electronic binary signals which needs conversion in some form
which can be easily understood by human beings i.e., characters,
graphical or audio visual form.

Example:-

• Monitor
• Printer
• Speaker
What is an input unit? Give its significance.

Answer :-

The input unit is formed by the input devices attached to the

computer. Examples of input devices and media are: keyboard,
mouse, magnetic ink character reader (MICR), optical mark reader
(OMR), optical character reader (OCR), joystick etc.

The input unit is responsible for taking input and converting it into
computer understandable form (the binary code). Since a computer
operates on electricity, it can understand only the language of
electricity i.e., either ON or OFF or high voltage or low voltage. That
means a computer can understand two stages ON/OFF or
High/Low voltage or the binary language that uses just two symbols
: 1 for ON and 0 for OFF.

• All the inputs consisted of data (on which the action was to be
performed) as well as the instruction (the action to be taken).

Q. What is the function of CPU in a computer system? What are its

sub-units?

Answer :-

The CPU or the Central Processing Unit is the main control center
and processing unit. It is also called brain of the computer as it
guides, directs, controls and governs the performance of a
computer.

The CPU has some sub-components that help in carrying out the
processing of a task. These are :

(i) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

(ii) Control Unit (CU)
(iii) Registers
Q. What functions are performed by the control unit ? Can we call it
the control center of computer system? Why ?

Answer :-

The CU controls and guides the interpretation, flow and

manipulation of all data and information. The CU sends control
signals until the required operations are done properly by ALU and
memory. Another important function of CU is the program
execution i.e., carrying out all the instructions stored in the
program. The CU gets program instructions from memory and
executes them one after the other. After getting the instructions
from memory in CU, the instruction is decoded and interpreted i.e.,
which operation is to be performed. Then the asked operation is
carried out. After the work of this instruction is completed, control
unit sends signal to memory to send the next instruction in
sequence to CU.

We can call it the control center of computer system because

control unit acts as a supervisor by controlling and guiding the
operation taking place.

Q. What functions are performed by the ALU ? Is it an independent

unit ? If not, which unit does ALU work in coordination with ?

Answer :-

The ALU performs all the four arithmetic (+, -, *, /) and some logical
(<, >, =, <=, >=, !=) operations. When two numbers are required to
be added, these numbers are sent from memory to ALU where
addition takes place and the result is put back in the memory. In
the same way, other arithmetic operations are performed (through
ALU only).

For logical operations also, the numbers to be compared are sent

from memory to ALU where the comparison takes place and the
result is returned to the memory. The result of a logical operation is
either TRUE or FALSE. These operations provide the capability of
decision-making to the computer.

Yes, It is an independent unit.

Q. Distinguish between CPU and ALU.

Answer :-

CPU :-
• CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.
• CPU guide, directs, control and governs the performance of
computer.
• CPU is brain of computer.

ALU :-
• ALU stands for Arithmetic Logic Unit.
• ALU performs arithmetic (+, -, *, /) and logic operations.
• ALU is a part of CPU.

Q. How does an output unit work? Give examples of some output

devices.

Answer :-

Output Unit:-

The output unit is formed by the output devices attached to the

computer. The output coming from the CPU is in the form of
electronic binary signals which needs conversion in some form
which can be easily understood by human beings i.e., characters,
graphical or audio visual form. This function of conversion is
performed by output units.

Example:-

• Monitor
• Printer
• Speaker
Q. What is the role of memory in the functioning of a computer?
What types of memory does the computer work with ?

Answer :-

• The memory holds the data and information during processing.

• Computer work with Primary memory(RAM and ROM) and

Secondary memory (hard drive, CD, etc.)

Q. Define each of the following: (a) byte (b) kilobyte (c) megabyte (d)
gigabyte (e) terabyte.

Answer :-

Unit Short Name Full Name

1 Bit Bit Binary Digit

8 Bits 1 Byte Byte

1024 Bytes 1 KB Kilo Byte

1024 KB 1 MB Mega Byte

1024 MB 1 GB Giga Byte

1024 GB 1 TB Terra Byte

1024 TB 1 PB Peta Byte

1024 PB 1 EB Exa Byte

1024 EB 1 ZB Zetta Byte

Q. What is the meaning of the term volatile primary memory? What

can be done to overcome the problems of volatility ?

Volatile memory is computer storage that only maintains its data

while the device is powered.

Most RAM (random access memory) used for primary storage in

personal computers is volatile memory. RAM is much faster to read
from and write to than the other kinds of storage in a computer,
such as the hard disk or removable media. However, the data in
RAM stays there only while the computer is running; when the
computer is shut off, RAM loses its data.

Q. Distinguish between internal and external memory.

Q. What is the role of memory in the functioning of a computer?

What types of memory does the computer work with ?

Answer :-
• The memory holds the data and information during processing.

• Computer work with Primary memory(RAM and ROM) and

Secondary memory (hard drive, CD, etc.)

Q. What are RAM and ROM? How are they alike? How are they
different? What are EEROM, PROM and EPROM?

Answer :-

RAM (Random Access Memory):-

It is a read/write memory as it is possible to both read from and

write to location within RAM. It is used for primary storage in
computers to hold active information of data and instructions. The
RAM is a volatile memory as it loses its contents when the power is
switched off or interrupted.

ROM (Read Only Memory):-

It is a read-only memory, i.e., the data and instructions are placed

in the ROM at the time of its manufacturing and can't be changed
thereafter.
ROM is slower than RAM and is used to hold certain essential
instructions to check basic hardware components such as booting,
procedures to load operating system, and frequently-needed
functions.

• They are alike because both RAM and ROM are parts of primary
memory.

PROM :-
Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) is a ROM that can be
programmed to record information using a facility known as PROM-
programmer. Once the chip has been programmed, the recorded
information cannot be changed i.e., PROM becomes same as ROM.
EPROM :-
Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) is another
type of ROM that can be erased and the chip can be reprogrammed
to record different information using a special PROM-program
facility. Erasure is achieved by exposing the chip to ultraviolet light.
When an EPROM is in use, information can only be "read" and the
information remains on the chip until it is erased. EPROM are of
two kinds - UPROM (ultraviolet PROM) and EA-PROM (Electrically
Alterable PROM).

EEPROM :-
Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM). This type of ROM can be
programmed and erased by electrical signals. Information loaded in
this memory can be retained for many years without any power
supplied; one of its new applications is as a back-up to RAM
memory whose contents are lost in a power failure. When power is
returned, the EEPROM memory can be used to replace the lost
contents of the RAM memory and the microcomputer can continue
working just as if nothing had happened. Even newer devices are
combining RAM and EEPROM memory in a single integrated circuit.

Q. What is system software? What role does it play in the

functioning of the computer?

Answer :-

The software that controls internal computer operations (viz.

reading data from input devices, transmitting processed information
to the output devices, checking system components, converting
data/instructions to computer understandable form etc.) is known
as system software.

Role :
Software interact with users and hardware.

Q. Discuss the role of utility software in the context of computer

performance.
Answer :-

Utilities are those helpful programs that ensure the smooth

functioning of the computer. Utility programs or simply Utilities are
meant to assist your computer.

UTILITIES :-
Utilities are those application programs that assist the computer by
performing housekeeping functions like backing up disk or
scanning / cleaning viruses or arranging information etc.

Q. What is the importance of an OS ?

Answer :-

Operating System controls and coordinates the use of the

hardware among the various application programs for the various
users.

Operating System :
An Operating System is a program which acts as an interface
between a user and the hardware (i.e., all computer resources).

Q. How are software libraries useful ? Name some software libraries

of Python.

Answer :-

A software library is a predefined and available to use, suite of data

and programming code in the form of pre-written
code/functions/scripts/ classes etc. that can be used in the
development of new software programs and applications.

Name of some software libraries of Python :-

1. NumPy (Numerical Python):- It provides an abundance of useful

features and functions
for operations on numeric arrays and matrices in Python.
2. SciPy (Scientific Python):- SciPy contains modules for linear
algebra, optimization, integration, and statistics.
3. Panda Library:- Pandas is a Python package designed to do work
with "labeled" and "relational" data. It is designed for quick and
easy data manipulation, aggregation, and visualization.

Q. What is the utility of these software ? (i) disk fragmentor (ii)

backup software.

(i) Disk Defragmentor :-

A file is fragmented when it becomes too large for your
computer to store in a single location on a disk. When this
happens, your computer splits the file up and stores it in
pieces. You can use fragmented files, but it takes your
computer longer to access them.

Disk Defragmentor utility program speeds up disk access by

rearranging the files and free space on your computer, so
that files are stored in contiguous units and free space is
consolidated in one contiguous block.

(ii) Backup Utility :-

This utility program facilitates the backing-up of disk.
Back-up means duplicating the disk information so that in
case of any damage or data-loss, this backed up data may
be used

How is System software different from Application software?

The system software is used for operating computer hardware. On the other hand
Application software are installed according to user's requirements.