BSc(DA)1st Fundaments of Computer and IT
(UGCA1902)
What is a Computer System?
A computer system is a setup that includes both the physical components (hardware)
and the programs or instructions (software) necessary for performing a variety of tasks,
such as processing data, storing information, and communicating. It is designed to
receive input, process it, and produce output in an efficient manner.
Benefits of Computer system
o Increased Productivity: Computer systems enable users to do jobs more quickly and
effectively, and it boosts productivity at work.
o Better Data Management: Computer systems make it possible to store, organize, and
analyse huge volumes of data, which makes it simpler to make defensible decisions.
o Improved Communication: Computer systems make interacting with co-workers and
clients simpler by enabling quick and effective communication through email, instant
messaging, and video conferencing.
o Increased Information Access: Internet-based computer systems allow users access
to a wealth of data and resources, making it simpler to conduct research and learn new
things.
o Task Automation: Computer systems can automate time-consuming operations like
data entry to save time for more crucial duties.
o Accuracy Gain: Computer systems can improve accuracy and decrease human error
in data entry and calculations.
o Improved Entertainment: Computer systems allow access to various entertainment
alternatives, such as music, movies, and video games.
o Better Education: Accessing educational resources and enrolling in online courses is
made simpler by computer technology.
o Healthcare Improvement: Computer systems can help with medical research,
diagnosis, and therapy, benefiting patients.
o Improvements in Transportation: Computer systems can make transportation more
efficient by giving drivers real-time traffic updates, directions, and schedules for public
transportation.
o Increased Safety: Computer systems can increase safety by providing security systems
and real-time information to emergency services.
o Better Energy Management: Computer systems can monitor and regulate energy use,
which lowers costs and enhances sustainability.
o Improved Accessibility: Computer systems, such as assistive technology, can make
technology more accessible for persons with impairments.
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BSc(DA)1st Fundaments of Computer and IT
(UGCA1902)
o Financial Management Can Be Improved: Computer systems can help with financial
management by offering tools for budgeting, tracking investments, and online banking.
Demerits of Computer systems
o Cybersecurity Risks: Computer systems are susceptible to a range of
cyberattacks, including malware, phishing, and hacking, which can result in
the loss of confidential data and financial loss.
o Dependence on Technology: Although computer systems have simplified
many jobs, they have also made us more reliant on technology. A system failure
can seriously disrupt our daily lives.
o Privacy Worries: Computer systems capture and retain vast amounts of
personal information, generating concerns about data privacy and the potential
misuse of that information.
o Health Risks: Prolonged computer use can cause eye strain, back pain, and
carpal tunnel syndrome, among other health issues.
o Social Isolation: Because people spend more time online and less time
connecting with others in person, computer systems can cause social isolation.
o Job Loss: Automating numerous tasks by computer systems has led to job loss
for certain workers.
o Digital Divide: There is a digital divide among socioeconomic classes due to
unequal access to computer systems and the internet.
o Environmental Issues: Computer systems use energy to run, and their disposal
can produce electronic trash, polluting the environment.
o Limited Interaction with the Real World: As people spend more time in front
of screens, computer systems may reduce people's interaction with the real
world.
o Lack of exercise: Prolonged computer use can result in a lack of exercise, which
can aggravate health issues, including obesity.
o Limited creativity: People who use computer systems more frequently rely on
pre-programmed templates and software rather than coming up with new
ideas.
o Limited ability to conduct operations without electricity: Because most
computer systems rely on electricity, power interruptions render these systems
unusable.
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BSc(DA)1st Fundaments of Computer and IT
(UGCA1902)
o Limited capacity to complete tasks without an internet
connection: Because most computer systems depend on it, they could be more
effective.
o Limited ability to do tasks in the absence of specific software: Certain
computer systems rely on specific software, and these systems fail in the
absence of software.
Computer Parts or Components
Computer components are the essential building parts of developing a functional computer
system. The components that make up a computer are called computer components.
Computer Hardware:-Hardware refers to the physical components of a
computer. Computer Hardware is any part of the computer that we can touch these parts. These are
the primary electronic devices used to build up the computer. Examples of hardware in a computer
are the Processor, Memory Devices, Monitor, Printer, Keyboard, Mouse, and Central Processing Unit.
Types of Computer Hardware:-
1. Input Device
2. Output Devices
3. Storage Devices
4. Internal Component
1. Input Devices: Input Devices are those devices through which a user enters data and
information into the Computer or simply, User interacts with the Computer. Examples of
Input Devices are Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, etc.
2. Output Devices: Output Devices are devices that are used to show the result of the
task performed by the user. Examples of Output Devices are Monitors, Printers, Speakers,
etc.
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BSc(DA)1st Fundaments of Computer and IT
(UGCA1902)
3. Storage Devices: Storage Devices are devices that are used for storing data and they
are also known as Secondary Storage Data. Examples of Storage Devices are CDs,
DVDs, Hard Disk, etc.
4. Internal Component: Internal Components consists of important hardware devices
present in the System. Examples of Internal Components are the CPU, Motherboard, etc.
Computer Software:-Software is a collection of instructions,
procedures, and documentation that performs different tasks on a computer system. we can
say also Computer Software is a programming code executed on a computer processor. The
code can be machine-level code or code written for an operating system. Examples of
software are MS- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Chrome, Photoshop, MySQL, etc.
Types of Computer Software :-
1. System Software
2. Application Software
3. Utility Software
1. System Software: System Software is a component of Computer Software that directly
operates with Computer Hardware which has the work to control the Computer’s Internal
Functioning and also takes responsibility for controlling Hardware Devices such as Printers,
Storage Devices, etc. Types of System Software include Operating systems, Language
processors, and Device Drivers.
2. Application Software: Application Software are the software that works the basic
operations of the computer. It performs a specific task for users. Application Software
basically includes Word Processors, Spreadsheets, etc. Types of Application software include
General Purpose Software, Customized Software, etc.
3. Utility Software : Utility software refers to programs that perform specific tasks to help
manage, maintain, and optimize the performance of a computer system. Unlike application
software, which is designed for end-user tasks like word processing or web browsing, utility
software focuses on the technical aspects of managing the system. Examples : System
monitoring tool, backup software, Disk cleanup tools, File management tool, Antivirus
programs.
Difference Between Hardware and Software
Parameters Hardware Software
Hardware is a
physical part of the
Basic Software is a set of instructions that tells a
computer that
Definition computer exactly what to do.
causes the
processing of data.
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BSc(DA)1st Fundaments of Computer and IT
(UGCA1902)
Parameters Hardware Software
Development It is manufactured. It is developed and engineered.
Hardware cannot
The software can not be executed without
Dependency perform any task
hardware.
without software.
Electronic and other
Process of Created by utilizing a computer language to write
materials are used to
creating instructions.
create hardware.
Hardware is
tangible as hardware
Software is intangible as we can see and also use
Tangible is a physical
the software but can’t touch them.
electronic device,
that can be touched.
Hardware typically The software does not wear out with time.
Durability
wears out over time. However, it may contain flaws and glitches.
It has four main
categories:
1. Input Devices It is mainly divided into
Types 2. Output Devices 1. System software
3. Storage Devices 2. Application software.
4. Internal
Components.
Hardware is not
Virus effect affected by Software is affected by computer viruses.
computer viruses.
It cannot be
transferred from one
Transfer place to another It can be transferred via a network means.
electrically through
the network.
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BSc(DA)1st Fundaments of Computer and IT
(UGCA1902)
Parameters Hardware Software
Only machine-level
Machine- The program accepts human-readable input,
language is known
Level interprets it in machine-level language, and sends
to be understood by
language it to hardware for additional processing.
hardware.
If the hardware is
damaged, it is If the software is damaged, its backup copy can
Replacement
replaced with a new be reinstalled.
one.
Dust, overheating,
humidity, and other
Overloading, systematic error, major-minor
factors are
Failures version error, and other factors are commonly
commonly
responsible for software failures.
responsible for
hardware failures.
Ex: Keyboard,
Mouse, Monitor, Ex: MS
Examples Printer, CPU, Hard Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, MySQL,
disk, RAM, ROM, etc.
etc.
Data:- Data is a raw and unorganized fact that is required to be processed to make it
meaningful. It can be considered as facts and statistics collected together for reference or
analysis.
Types of Data:-
1. Quantitative: Quantitative data refers to numerical information like weight, height,
etc.
2. Qualitative: Qualitative data refers to non-numeric information like opinions,
perceptions, etc.
Information:- Information is defined as structured, organized, and processed
data, presented within a context that makes it relevant and useful to the person who needs it.
Data suggests that raw facts and figures regarding individuals, places, or the other issue, that
is expressed within the type of numbers, letters or symbols.
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BSc(DA)1st Fundaments of Computer and IT
(UGCA1902)
Difference between Information and Data
S.NO DATA INFORMATION
Data is defined as Information refers to
unstructured information processed, organized, and
such as text, observations, structured data. It gives
images, symbols, and context for the facts and
descriptions. In other facilitates decision making.
words, data provides no In other words, information
specific function and has no is processed data that
Definition meaning on its own. makes sense to us.
Data are the variables that
Information is meaningful
help to develop
data.
Purpose ideas/conclusions.
Data are text and Information is refined form
Nature numerical values. of actual data.
Data doesn’t rely on While Information relies on
Dependence Information. Data.
Information is measured in
Bits and Bytes are the
meaningful units like time,
measuring unit of data.
Measurement quantity, etc.
As tabular data, graphs, Information can also be
and data trees can be structured as language,
Structure easily structured. ideas, and thoughts.
Information carries a
Data does not have any meaning that has been
specific purpose assigned by interpreting
Purposefulness data.
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BSc(DA)1st Fundaments of Computer and IT
(UGCA1902)
S.NO DATA INFORMATION
Knowledge It is the second level of
It is low-level knowledge.
Level knowledge.
Decision Data does not directly help Information directly helps
Making in decision making. in decision making.
Data is a collection of facts,
Information puts those
which itself has no
facts into context.
Meaning meaning.
Example of information is
Example of data is student
average score of class that
test scores.
Example is derived from given data.
