Basics of Computer
Basics of Computer
Computer
Computer is an electronic machine that helps to process data. It is an information
processing and information accessing tool which processes to produce new information
History of Computer
Calculating device
In the beginning, animal bones and clay chalks were used to calculate
The first instrument made for calculation was “Abacus”
Abacus was developed by Chinese about 5000 years ago
History of Computer
Calculator
In 1884, Herman Hollerith, a German scientist developed Punched Card, which was
the first storage device.
Father of data processing structure - Herman Hollerith
History of Computer
Mark I
Mark I was the first mechanical computer invented by Howard Aiken and IBM in
1942.
First programs to run on the Mark I was initiated by John Von Neuman on 29
March 1944
Father of computer architecture - John Von Neuman
History of Computer
ENIAC
First electronic computer was invented by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert in
1945
E – Electronic
N – Numerical
I – Integrator
A – And
C – Computer
History of Computer
Micro Computer
Also known as PC or personal computer
Largely used for domestic and official purpose
Mini Computer
Comparatively larger than micro computer
5 to 50 times more powerful than micro computer
Types of Computer
Mainframe computer
More than 100 people can work at a time on different terminals by time
sharing and multi tasking techniques
Super computer
Very powerful, most expensive & fastest computer
Able to process most complex jobs with a very high speed
Types of Computer
Quantum computer
Development of these kind of computer is in final stage
In this type of computers, Q-bits will be used instead of binary bits
Important Facts
a. ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit
The actual operations specified in the instructions are carried in ALU
Performs calculations and logical operations such as comparisons and decision
making
CPU
b. CU
Control Unit
It invokes the other units to take charge of the operation they are associated
with
It is the central nervous system that manages and coordinates all other units of
the computer
c. Registers
Temporary storage elements that facilitate the functions of CPU
CPU
Important registers inside CPU:
Accumulator: used to store data to perform arithmetic and logical operation.
The result of an operation stored in accumulator
Memory Address Register (MAR): stores address of a memory location to
which data is either to be read or written by the processor
Memory Buffer Register (MBR): It holds the data, either to be written to or
read from the memory by processor
Instruction Register (IR): instructions to be executed by processor are stored
here
Program Counter: holds the address of the next instruction to be executed by
the processor
Units of Data Measurements
0 or 1 = 1 Bits
4 Bits = 1 Nibble
8 Bits = 1 Byte
1024 Bytes = 1 Kilo Byte (KB)
1024 KB = 1 Mega Byte (MB)
1024 MB = 1 Giga Byte (GB)
1024 GB = 1 Tera Byte (TB)
1024 TB = 1 Peta Byte (PB)
1024 PB = 1 Exa Byte (EB)
1024 EB = 1 Zeta Byte (ZB)
1024 ZB = 1 Yota Byte (YB)
1024 YB = 1 Bronto Byte (BB)
1024 BB = 1 Geop Byte
Storage Unit/Memory Unit
Primary Memory:
o It is often referred to as the working memory or the main memory of a
computer system.
o Access directly by the CPU
o It is capable of sending and receiving data at a very high speed.
o Mainly three types: RAM, ROM and Cache Memory
Random Access Memory (RAM)
It is a permanent memory that can perform only read operations and its
contents cannot be easily altered
Non volatile; contents are retained even after power is switched off
Used to hold boot up program known as BIOS
Slower than RAM
Modified types of ROM:
1. PROM – Programmable Read Only Memory, which can be programmed
only once
2. EPROM – Erasable Programmable ROM, can be erased using ultra violet
radiation and can be programmed using special electronic circuit
3. EEPROM – Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM, can be erased and
rewritten electrically
Cache Memory
Small and fastest memory between the processor and Main memory
Frequently accessed data, instructions, intermediate results etc. are stored in
cache memory for quick access.
If a processor wants to read from or write to RAM, if first check whether a copy
of that data is in the cache. If so, the processor immediately reads the cache,
which is much faster than reading from RAM
Secondary Memory
Data storage medium which uses low powered laser beam to read from and
write data into it
Consists of an aluminium foil sandwiched between two circular plastic disks
Eg: CD, DVD and Blu-ray
Semi Conductor Storage/Flash Memory
Input devices feed data and instructions into the computer and output devices
present information from a computer system
Keyboard
Allows user to enter alphabets, numbers and other characters
Keyboard detects the key pressed and generates the corresponding ASCII code
which can be recognised by the computer
The standard US keyboard introduced in 1986 has 101 keys. Its keyboard
layout called QWERTY design
Mouse
Input device that utilizes a light sensitive detector to select objects on a display
screen
Mainly used by engineers, artists or fashion designers for CAD and drawing
functions
Touch Screen
Input device that allows the user to operate by simply touching on the display
screen
It accepts the input through monitor
Touchpad
Output devices return processed data that is information, back to the user.
VDU
Output device that visually conveys text, graphics and video information.
Information shown on a display device is called softcopy because the
information exists electronically and is displayed for a temporary period of
time
CRT Monitor
Cathode Ray Tube Monitor
Two types are monochrome and color
Another variant of monochrome monitor is grey scale monitor
Flat Panel Monitor
They are thinner, lighter in weight, consume less power and emit less heat
compared to CRT monitors
Types of flat panel monitors are
LCD Monitors: Consists of liquid crystals sandwiched
between two plastic plates
LED Monitors: Use LED directly behind the liquid
crystal display
Plasma Monitors: A flat panel display consists of
sandwiching neon/xenon gas between two sealed glass
plates with parallel electrodes deposited on the surface
OLED Monitors: The panel of OLED is made up of millions of tiny LEDs. O stands
for organic which means there is carbon in the light emitting layer of the panel
LCD Projector
Type of video projector for displaying video, images or computer data, on a
large screen or other flat surface
Printer
Output device used to produce hardcopies of graphs and designs on the paper
Typically used to print large format of graphs or maps
Flatbed/Table plotter
Drum plotter/Roller plotter
3D Printer
Used to print 3D objects
Software
Set of programs that help us to use computer system and other electronic
devices efficiently and effectively
Two types of software are
I. System software
II. Application software
System Software
Set of one or more programs designed to control the operations of a computer
System software supports the running of other software, its communication
with other peripheral devices
It helps to manage resources of the computer
Components of system software are:
a) Operating System
b) Language processors
c) Utility software
Operating System
Set of programs that acts as an interface between the user and computer
hardware
Controls and co-ordinates the operations of a computer
Acts as resource manager of the computer system
It is the first program to be loaded from hard disk in the computer and it resides
in the memory till the system is shutdown
Functions Of Operating System :-
i. Process Management
ii. Memory Management
iii. Input/Output Management
iv. File and Disk Management
v. User Interface
Operating System
Set of programs that acts as an interface between the user and computer
hardware
Controls and co-ordinates the operations of a computer
Acts as resource manager of the computer system
It is the first program to be loaded from hard disk in the computer and it resides
in the memory till the system is shutdown
Functions Of Operating System :-
i. Process Management
ii. Memory Management
iii. Input/Output Management
iv. File and Disk Management
v. User Interface
Language processors
Computer languages are the languages used by user to communicate with the
computer
Computer languages maybe broadly classified into low level languages and
high level languages
Low level languages are machine oriented languages which are written using
the memory and registers available on the computer
Machine languages and Assembly languages are different low level languages
Language processors
Language processors are the system software that translate programs written
in high level language or assembly language equivalent machine language
Types of language processors:
• Assembler: Translator for assembly languages. They are highly machine
dependent
• Interpreter: Converts high level languages to machine languages line by
line. BASIC is a interpreted language
• Compilers: Translate high level languages to machine languages by
scanning the entire program in single run. Compiler using languages are
C,C++,Pascal etc.
Utility processors
Set of programs which help users in system maintenance tasks and in performing
tasks of routine nature
• Compression tool: Large files can be compressed so that they take less storage
area. Compression of files is known as Zipping and decompression is called
Unzipping. Eg: WinZip, WinRAR
• Disk defragmenter: Program that rearranges files on a computer hard disk.
This enables the computer to work faster and more efficiently
• Backup software: It facilitates the duplication and storage of disk information
so that in an event of disk failure, this backup may be used
• Antivirus software: Scans the computer system for viruses and removes them.
Eg: Norton, Kaspersky, etc.
Application Software
Application Software
Designed and developed for users to perform some specific tasks like writing a
letter, listening to music or watching video
Word processors: MS Word, Word pad, Word star, Corel Word Perfect, Google
docs.
Database software: MS access, file maker, dBase, Clipper, MySQL, FoxPro
Web browser: Google chrome, Mozilla fire fox, Internet explorer, opera
Multimedia software: Adobe photoshop, Picasa, VLC media, Windows media
player
Mailing software: MS outlook, Gmail
Presentation software: MS power point
Spreadsheet software: MS Excel, Lotus 123
Free and open source software
Free and open source software gives the user the freedom to use, copy, distribute,
examine, change and improve the software. The Free Software Foundation (FSF)
defines the four freedoms for free and open source software
MS Word
Word processor developed by Microsoft
Used for creating, editing, formatting, storing, retrieving and printing of a
text document
Native file formats are denoted by either a .doc or .docx extension
Tabs of MS Word
HOME: Clipboard, Font, Paragraph, Styles and Editing
Tabs of MS Word
HOME: Clipboard, Font, Paragraph, Styles and Editing
INSERT: Pages, Table, Illustrations, Add-ins, Media, Links, Comments,
Header and Footer, Texts, Symbols
DESIGN: Document Formatting, Page background
LAYOUT: Page setup, Paragraph, Arrange
Mailings: Create, Start mail merge, Write and insert fields, Preview results,
Finish
View: View, Page movement, Show, Zoom, Window, Macros
Page Orientation: Portrait and Landscape
Tabs of MS Word
HOME: Clipboard, Font, Paragraph, Styles and Editing
INSERT: Pages, Table, Illustrations, Add-ins, Media, Links, Comments,
Header and Footer, Texts, Symbols
DESIGN: Document Formatting, Page background
LAYOUT: Page setup, Paragraph, Arrange
Mailings: Create, Start mail merge, Write and insert fields, Preview results,
Finish
View: View, Page movement, Show, Zoom, Window, Macros
Page Orientation: Portrait and Landscape
Tabs of MS Word
HOME: Clipboard, Font, Paragraph, Styles and Editing
INSERT: Pages, Table, Illustrations, Add-ins, Media, Links, Comments,
Header and Footer, Texts, Symbols
DESIGN: Document Formatting, Page background
LAYOUT: Page setup, Paragraph, Arrange
Mailings: Create, Start mail merge, Write and insert fields, Preview results,
Finish
View: View, Page movement, Show, Zoom, Window, Macros
Page Orientation: Portrait and Landscape
Tabs of MS Word
HOME: Clipboard, Font, Paragraph, Styles and Editing
INSERT: Pages, Table, Illustrations, Add-ins, Media, Links, Comments,
Header and Footer, Texts, Symbols
DESIGN: Document Formatting, Page background
LAYOUT: Page setup, Paragraph, Arrange
Mailings: Create, Start mail merge, Write and insert fields, Preview results,
Finish
View: View, Page movement, Show, Zoom, Window, Macros
Page Orientation: Portrait and Landscape
Tabs of MS Word
HOME: Clipboard, Font, Paragraph, Styles and Editing
INSERT: Pages, Table, Illustrations, Add-ins, Media, Links, Comments,
Header and Footer, Texts, Symbols
DESIGN: Document Formatting, Page background
LAYOUT: Page setup, Paragraph, Arrange
Mailings: Create, Start mail merge, Write and insert fields, Preview results,
Finish
View: View, Page movement, Show, Zoom, Window, Macros
Page Orientation: Portrait and Landscape
Alignments: Left aligned, Right aligned, Centre aligned and Justify
Header & Footer: Display information such as title and page number of the
document
Title bar: Bar at the top of the window bearing the name of the window
Menu bar/Tab Row: Located below the title bar that provides categorized
option.
Editing: To change the value of data
Formatting: To change the look and appearance of the data
Water mark: Faded background image that displays behind the text in a
document
Mail merge: Produces multiple letters, labels, envelopes, name tags, and more
using information stored in a list, database or spreadsheet
Hyperlink: Word, phrase or image that we can click on to jump to a new
document or new section within the current document
Macros: A series of commands (shortcuts and recordings) that is recorded so
that it can be played back at a later time
Thesaurus: For finding the synonym for a word in the document
Shortcuts in MS Word
Ctrl+O – open an existing file
Ctrl+N – creating a new document
Ctrl+A – select all
Ctrl+X – cut
Ctrl+V – paste
Ctrl+F – find
Ctrl+I – make the text italic
Ctrl+B – make the text bold
Ctrl+U – make the text underline
Ctrl+S – save the document
Ctrl+P – opens the print window
Ctrl+Z – undo last action
Ctrl+Y – redo last action
MS Excel