CHAPTER 1

FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTERS

Question and Answers:

One Mark Questions(It can be Objective Type questions with four options)
1. ________ is an automatic electronic machine that can store, recall and
process data.
Ans: Computer
2. Computers are electronic machines that perform tasks according to a set of
instructions called ______.
Ans: Programs
3. ______ is collection of unprocessed items, which can include text,
numbers, images, audio and video.
Ans: Data
4. The processed data is called _________.
Ans: Information
5. A _______ is any hardware component that allows you to enter data and
instructions into a computer.
Ans: Input device
6. A ______ is any hardware component that conveys information to one or
more people in user understandable form.
Ans: Output device
7. ____ invented Pascaline.
Ans: Blaise Pascal
8. ______ is the earliest computing machine/device.
Ans: Abacus
9. ENIAC stands for _______.
Ans: Electrical Numerical Integrator And Computer
10. The expansion of IC is _____.
Ans: Integrated circuits
11. Expansion of EDVAC is _______________
Ans: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
12. UNIVAC stands for _______.
Ans: Universal Automatic Computer
13. _______ is called as father of computers.
Ans: Charles Babbage
14. _______ is called as the first programmer.
Ans: Lady Ada Lovelace
15. _______ is considered as the first ever ROM (Read Only Memory)(.
Ans: The wooden punched card used in Jacquard’s loom.
16. _________ is the first mechanical calculator.
Ans: Pascaline (which is invented by Blaise Pascal)
17. ________is the basic electronic component in first generation computers.
Ans: Vacuum Tubes
18. _________ are used in second generation of computers for processing.
Ans: Transistors
19. _______ is the main component in third generation of computers.
Ans: Integrated circuits
20. ________ electronic component used for processing in fourth generation
of computers.
Ans: Microprocessor

5 marks questions
21. Explain any five features or characteristics of computer.
1. Speed:
Computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds for calculations that
we take hours to complete.
2. Storage:
Computer can store huge amount of data. It has an in-built memory where
it can store a large amount of data. You can also store data in storage
devices which can be kept outside your computer.
 3. Accuracy:
The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every calculation is
performed with the same accuracy. The errors in computer are due to
human and inaccurate data.
4. Versatility:
It means the capacity to perform completely different types of work. We
can use computer to perform completely different types of work at the
same time.
5. Diligence:
A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, etc. It can work for
hours without creating any error.
6. Cost effectiveness:
Computers reduce the amount of paper work and human effort. Thus, it
reduces cost in the long run.

22. Explain functional units of a computer with neat block diagram. / Explain
functional components of a computer.

Input Unit: It include all input devices connected to the computer. It is

used to give data and instructions to the computer
 Storage: There are primary and secondary storage. Secondary
storage is permanent.
CPU: It is called as the brain of the computer. It has got Control
Unit and Arithmetic and Logic Unit in it.
Output Unit:It includes all the output devices connected to the system.
It helps to take output from the computer.

23. Briefly explain the history of computers.

1) 2500 BC – The Abacus
It is the first computing device.
2) 1614 AD Napier’s bones ( John Napier)
It was a device that is created as an aid for multiplication.
3) 1633 - Slide Rule (William Oughtred )
It was able to perform addition and subtraction.
4) 1642 - Pascaline (Blaise Pascal)
It was the first adding calculator
5) 1650 - Leibniz calculator (Gottfried Leibniz)
It was an improvement to Pascaline which could perform
multiplication and division too.
6) 1801 – Jacquard’s Loom (Joseph Mary Jacquard)
Punched wooden cards used in Jacquard’s loom are considered as
the first ever Read Only Memory (ROM).
7) 1822 – Charles Babbage era
i. The Difference Engine - It was a machine that could
perform differential equations.
ii. The Analytical engine - This machine had five units, which
became the basic principles for the development of modern
computer.
8) 1890 AD – Hollerith Tabulating Machine (Herman
Hollerith)
It was an electronic machine that could read input from a punched
card.

24. Explain any five features of the first generation of computers.

1) The period of first generation was from 1940 to 1956
2) First generation computers used vacuum tubes for processing.
3) They were huge in size.
 4) They were very slow and gave less reliable output.
5) It consumed lot of electricity.
6) It was producing lot of heat.

25. Explain the features of second-generation computers.

1) The period of second generation was from 1956 to 1963.
2) The second-generation computers used Transistors for processing.
3) The second-generation computers were smaller and faster.
4) It was more efficient and gave more reliable output than first
generation computer.
5) This generation computers used punched cards for input and output
6) Assembly language started in this generation.
7) High level languages COBOL and FORTRAN got introduced in this
generation.

26. Explain any five features of the third generation of computers.

1) The period of third generation was from 1964 to 1971.
2) The third-generation computers used Integrated Circuits.
3) In this generation, keyboard and monitors were used for input and
output.
4) The computers were interfaced with an Operating System
5) These computers were smaller in size.
6) Speed was higher while comparing to first as well as second
generation computers.

27. Explain any five features of the fourth generation of computers.

1) The period of fourth generation is from 1971 to the present.
2) The fourth-generation computers came up with microprocessors.
3) These computers were smaller in size.
4) Computers became faster and more efficient.
5) Networking started at this generation.
6) These computers have Graphical User Interface(GUI).
7) Usage of mouse started along with this generation computers.
28. Explain the features of ENIAC.
1) The full name is Electrical Numerical Integrator And Computer
2) It is the first fully electronic computer developed by J. P. Eckert and J
Mauchly.
3) This was the first machine to use more than 2000 vacuum tubes and
nearly 18000 Kms of wires.
4) This computer occupied up more than 167 square meters of floor.
5) It was very huge and produced lot of heat.
6) It consumed too much of electricity.

29. Explain classification of computers based on Principle of working and based

on usage.
Based on working principle:
1. Analog Computers
Analog computer is a computing device that works on continuously
changeable aspects of physical phenomena such as electrical,
mechanical, or hydraulic quantities of values.
2. Digital Computers
The digital computer work upon discontinuous data and process data
into a digital value (in 0s and 1s).
3. Hybrid Computers.
These computers exhibit the features of both Analog and Digital
computers.

Based on Purpose (Usage)

1. Special purpose computer or Specific purpose computers:
Special purpose computer is one that is built for a specific
application.
2. General purpose computer
General purpose computers are used for any type of applications.

30. Define computer. Explain classification of computers based on size and

performance.
 Ans: Computer is an electronic machine that can take input, store it,
process it and give required output according to the instructions given by
the user.
Based on Configuration (size and performance wise):
1. Micro computer are computers that has microprocessor as its central
processor.
2. Mini computers are a miniature of mainframe computer.
3. Mainframe computer is a powerful computer consists of multiple
processors and it performs multiple tasks for multiple users at the
same time.
4. A super computer is a computer that performs at the highest
operational rate for computers. These are the fastest computers.
31. What is a super computer? Which are the fields it can be used
(Applications)?
A super computer is a computer that performs at the highest
operational rate for computers. They are the fastest computers.
Uses of super computer:
a) Weather forecasting
b) Animated graphics
c) Nuclear energy research
d) Space science
e) Weapon and missile design
f) Petroleum exploration etc

32. Explain any 5 fields where computer can be used.

1. Schools and Colleges:
Computers are used in colleges and schools to maintain students’
details. It can be used as a teaching aid by teachers.
2. Banks:
Computers are used in banks for maintaining customers’ data. It is used
to perform and record transactions.
3. Hospitals:
In hospitals computers are used to maintain patients’ data. Different
diagnosing machine work with the help of computers.
4. Communication:
 Computers help a lot in communication. Chatting messaging, email etc.,
are examples. Internet facilitate wide variety of communication media.
5. Entertainment:
Computers are used for gaming purpose. We can watch videos and can
listen to music using computers.

33. Briefly explain the application of Computers in education.

Education:
a) Computer can be used as a teaching aid by teachers.
b) Computers can be used to support student’s learning process.
c) Computers can be used in educational institutions for managing
student data.
d) Computers can be used to conduct online exams.
e) Computers can help in student evaluation process.

34. Explain any five business applications in computer.

a) Computer can be used for recording business transactions.
b) Computers can be used to support billing process.
c) Computers can be used in inventory(stock) control.
d) Using computer, customer details can store easily.
e) With the help of computers, managing employee details of a concern
becomes easier.

35. How are computers important in communication?

a) Computers are used to send and receive email.
b) Chatting and messaging is another method of communication using
computers.
c) Online video conferencing is possible with internet and computers.
d) Communication satellites are completely controlled by computers.
e) Social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter etc., allow users to
rapidly generate content for people in their network to view.

2 marks Questions:
36. Explain any two features of a computer. ( Answer is there in 5 mark set)
37. Define Computer. Give any one characteristic of it.
38. Differentiate between Data and Information.
Data are unprocessed facts and figures that can be processed.
Information are the processed data with definite meaning.
39. Explain Hardware with example.
The physical components of the computer are called hardware.
Example: Keyboard, CPU, Monitor etc.
40. Explain Software with example.
The instructions or programs that make the computer work are called
software.
Example: Windows 10, Tally, Microsoft Word etc.
41. Differentiate between Soft copy and Hard copy.
The data present in computer memory is called soft copy.
The data present in printed form is called hard copy.
42. Explain System software with example.
System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the
operations of the computer and its devices.
Example: Operating System (OS)
43. Explain Application software with example.
Application software consists of program designed to make the user
more productive. It assists the user to perform some tasks.
Example: Microsoft Excel, Tally etc.
44. Mention any two features of ENIAC.
45. Mention any two features of EDVAC.
a) Its full name is Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
b) It was a vast improvement upon ENIAC.
46. Right a note on UNIVAC.
a) Its full name is Universal Automatic Computer
b) It was the first commercial computer produced in the United States.
47. Write a note on Abacus.
 a) The Abacus is a calculating tool which has been used since ancient
time.
b) It is the first known calculating machine used for counting.
c) The device allows users to make computations using a system of
sliding beads arranged on a frame. (any 2)
48. Write the important features of second-generation computers.
49. Explain any two types of microcomputers.
a) Desktop computers: Desktop computers are designed to fit on top of
a desk or table.
b) Laptop computers: These are portable personal computers which are
small in size.
50. How are computers important in communication?
51. Explain any two applications of computers in industry.
a) Computer Aided Design (CAD) is the process of designing products
with the help of computers
b) Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) is the process of
manufacturing products with the help of computers.
52. What are the uses of computer in banks.
c) Computers are used to maintain Customer data.
d) Computers are used to perform and record transactions.
53. How computers can be used in an office?
a) It can be used for sending and receiving emails.
b) Computers can be used for scheduling meetings and appointments.
54. Explain the role of Computers in Education.
55. What is the use of computers in stock market?
a) Buying and selling the stocks happens with the help of computers.
b) Sitting at home we can perform online trading in stocks.
56. How computers are useful in research and development?
a) Computers help the researchers in collecting and storing data
b) It helps in analyzing and presenting their findings.
57. Write a short note on applications of computers in entertainment.
 a) Computer are used for watching videos and to listen to music.
b) Computers are used for gaming purpose.
58. What is the use of computer in publishing?
a) Special software is used for developing pages include text, graphics
and photos.
b) Computers are great help in editing work.
59. Explain how computers help travelling.
a) We can book our air tickets, railway tickets or bus tickets by using
computer.
b) We can make our hotel reservation online.
60. What is the concept of e-governance?
c) Electronic governance or e-governance is the application of
Information Technology for delivering government services with the
help of computers and internet.
d) Citizens are applying for various documents like passport, Aadhar card
etc., using internet.
e) Computer databases are used to keep information about the citizen.
61. Mention any two features of third generation of Computers.
62. Write any two uses of super computers.
63. Compare Super computers and mainframe computers.
a) Super computers basically focus on fast computing and these are the
fastest computers.
Mainframe computers are slower while comparing to super
computers.
b) Super computers are usually built to perform some operation at
maximum speed.
Mainframe computers act as Servers and able to support several
thousands of terminals at a time.