Computer fundamental

UNIT: 1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER

1. WHAT IS COMPUTER?
 The word “computer” is comes from the word “TO COMPUTE” means to
calculate.
 A computer is normally considered to be a calculation device which can perform
the arithmetic operations very speedily.
 A computer may be defined as a device which operates upon the data.
 Data can be in the form of numbers, letters, symbols, size etc. And it comes in
various shapes & sizes depending upon the type of computer application.
 A computer can store, process & retrieve data as and when we desired.
 The fact that computer process data is so fundamental that many people have
started calling as “Data Processor”.
 A computer first it gets the Data, does Process on it and then produces
Information.

DATA PROCESS INFORMATION

 DEFINATION OF COMPUTER
o A computer is an electronic device which takes input from the user,
processes it and gives the output as per user’s requirement.
o So the main tasks of performed by the computer are:
 Input
 Process
 Output

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER:

Some important characteristics of the computer are as follow:

 Automatic:
o Computers are automatic machines because it works by itself without
human intervention.
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o Once it started on a job they carry on until the job is finished.
o Computer cannot start themselves.

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 o They can works from the instructions which are stored inside the system in
the form of programs which specify how a particular job is to be done.
 Accuracy:
o The accuracy of a computer is very high.
o The degree of accuracy of a particular computer depends upon its design.
o Errors can occur by the computer. But these are due to human weakness,
due to incorrect data, but not due to the technological weakness.
 Speed:
o Computer is a very fact device. It can perform the amount of work in few
seconds for which a human can take an entire year.
o While talking about computer speed we do not talk in terms of seconds
and milliseconds but in microseconds.
o A powerful computer is capable of performing several billion (109) simple
arithmetic operations per second.
 Diligence:
o Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness & lack
of concentration.
o It can continuously work for hours without creating any error & without
grumbling.
o If you give ten million calculations to performed, it will perform with
exactly the same accuracy & speed as the first one.
 Versatility:
o It is one of the most wonderful features about the computer.
o One moment it is preparing the results of a particular examination, the
next moment it is busy with preparing electricity bills and in between it
may be helping an office secretary to trace an important letter in seconds.
 Power of remembering:
o Computer can store and recall any amount of data because of its high
storage capacity of its storage devices.
o Every piece of information can be retained as long as desired by the user
and can be recalled as and when required.
o Even after several years, if the information recalled, it will be as accurate
as on the day when it was filled to the computers.
 No I.Q.
o A computer is not a magical device; it processes no intelligence of its own.
o Its I.Q. is zero.
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 o It has to be told what to do & in what sequence.
o It cannot take its own decision.

 No Fallings:
o A Computer has no feelings because they are machines.
o Based on our feelings, task, knowledge and experience we often make
certain judgments in our day today life.
o But Computer goes exactly the way which we have given the instructions.
2. EXPLAIN THE DATA PROCESSING CYCLE OF
COMPUTER.
 The computer Data Processing is any process that a computer program does to
enter data & summarise, analyse or convert data into useable information.
 The process may be automated & run on a computer.
 It involves recording, analysing, storing, summarising & storing data.
 Because data are most useful when it is well presented & informative.
The Data Processing Cycle:
 Data Processing cycle described all activities which are common to all data
processing systems from manual to electronic systems.
 These activities can be grouped in four functional categories, viz., data input,
data processing, data output and storage, constituting what is known as a data
processing cycle.
 The main aim of data processing cycle is to convert the data into meaningful
information.
 Data processing system are often referred to as Information System.
 The Information System typically take raw Data as Input to produce Information
as Output.

INPUT OUTPUT
DATA PROCESS INFORMATION

STORAGE

 The data processing cycle contains main four functions:

o Data input
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 o Data process
o Data storage
o Data output
 DATA INPUT
o The term input refers to the activities required to record data.
o It’s a process to entered data in to computer system.
o So before we input any data, it is necessary to check or verify the data
context.
 DATA PROCESSING
o The term processing includes the activities like classifying, storing,
calculating, comparing or summarising the data.
o The processing means to use techniques to convert the data into
meaningful information.
 DATA OUTPUT
o It’s a communication function which transmits the information to the
outside world.
o After completed the process the data are converted into the meaningful in
o Sometimes the output also includes the decoding activity which converts
the electronically generated information into human readable form.
 DATA STORAGE
o It involves the filling of data & information for future use.

GENERATION OF THE COMPUTERS

In Computer language, “Generation” is a set of Technology. It provides a framework

for the growth of the computer technology. There are totally Five Computer Generations
till today. Discussed as following.
First Generation:
 Duration: 1940-1956
 Technology: vacuum tube
o Used as a calculating device.
o Performed calculations in milliseconds.
o To bulky in size & complex design.
o Required large room to place it.
o Generates too much heat & burnt.
o Required continuously hardware maintenance.
o Generates much heat so must air-conditioner rooms are required.
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 o Commercial production is difficult & costly.
o Difficult to configure.
o Limited commercial use.
o ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC are example of 1st generation computer.

Second Generation:
 Duration: 1956-1963
 Technology: transistor
o 10 times Smaller in size than 1st generation system.
o Less heat than 1st generation computers.
o Consumed less power than 1st generation system.
o Computers were done calculations in microseconds.
o Air-conditioner is also required.
o Easy to configure than 1st generation computers.

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 o More reliable in information.
o Wider commercial use.
o Large & fast primary/secondary storage than 1st generation computers.

Third Generation:
 Duration: 1963-1971
 Technology: IC chip
o Smaller in size than 1st & 2nd generation computers.
o Perform more fast calculations than 2nd generation systems.
o Large & fast primary/secondary storage than 2nd generation computers.
o Air –conditioner is required.
o Widely used for commercial applications.
o General purpose computers.
o High level languages like COBOL & FORTAN are allowed to write programs.
o Generate less heat & consumed less power than 2nd generation computer.

Fourth Generation:
 Duration: 1971-1980
 Technology: Microprocessor chip
o Based on LSI & VLSI microprocessor chip.
o Smaller in size.
o Much faster than previous generations.
o Minimum hardware maintenance is required.
o Very reliable as computer to previous generation computers.
o Totally general purpose computer.
o Easy to configure.
o Possible to use network concept to connect the computer together.
o NO requirement of air-conditioners.
o Cheapest in price.

Fifth Generation:
 Duration: 1980 to Present
 Technology: ULSI microprocessor chip
o Much smaller & handy.
o Based on the ULSI chip which contains 100 million electronic components.
o The speed of the operations is increased.
o Consumed less power.
o Air-conditioner is not required.
o More user friendly interface with multi-media features.
o High level languages are allowed to write programs.
o Larger & faster primary/secondary storage than previous generations.
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o Notebook computers are the example of 5th generation computers.

BLOCK DIAGRAM OF COMPUTER

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 Input Devices:
o The devices which are used to entered data in the computer systems are
known as input devices.
o Keyboard, mouse, scanner, mike, light pen etc are example of input devices.
FUNCTION OF INPUT DEVICES
o Accept the data from the outside worlds.
o Convert that data into computer coded information.
o Supply this data to CPU for further processing.
 Output Devices:
o The devices which display the result generated by the computer are known as
output devices.
o Monitor, printer, plotter, speaker etc are the example of output devices.

FUNCTIONS OF OUTPUT DEVICES

o Accept the result form the CPU.
o Convert that result into human readable form.

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 o Display the result on the output device.

 Memory Unit:
o The data & instruction have to store inside the
computer before the actual processing start.
o Same way the result of the computer must be stored
before passed to the output devices. This tasks
performed by memory unit.

FUNCTIONS OF MEMORY UNIT

o Store data & instruction received from input devices.
o Store the intermediate results generated by CPU.
o Store the final result generated by CPU.

 Arithmetical & Logical Unit:

o The ALU is the place where actual data & instruction are
processed.
o All the calculations are performed & all comparisons are made
in ALU.
o Performs all arithmetical & logical operations.
o An arithmetic operation contains basic operations like
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.
o Logical operations contains comparison such as less
than, greater than, less than equal to, greater than equal
to, equal to, not equal to.

 Control Unit:
o It controls the movement of data and program
instructions into and out of the CPU, and to control the
operations of the ALU.
o In sort, its main function is to manage all the activities
within the computer system.
o Controls the internal parts as well as the external
parts related with the computer.
 CPU:
o The Unit where all the processing is done is called as Central
Processing Unit.
o It contains many other units under it.
o Main of them are:- Control Unit And ALU (Arithmetic & Logic
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