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BASICS OF COMPUTER & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

What is Computer: 1. Computer is an electronic device, which store data & information and gives a particular result under program control. 2. Computer is an electronic device, which converts Data into meaningful information. What is the full form of the word COMPUTER? C - Commonly O - Operated M - Machine which is P - Particularly U - Used for T - Trade E - Education and R Research Describe the History of Computers. The first device that qualifies as a digital computer is the ABACUS. Charles Babbage, (19th Century) professor at Cambridge University is considered to be the father of the Modern Digital Computers. In 1822 he developed a machine called Differential Engine, which was designed to perform a variety of calculation based on instructions given by the computer. Babbage's device used punched cards to input instruction. MARK-1 (1937-1944) The first Electro mechanical computer, so named because both mechanical and electronic components were used in its design. it used electromagnetic relays for controlling internal operations. Its weight was 35 tons. ENIAC (1943-1946) The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC) was the first all electronic computer. It was the first large-scale general-purpose computer. It used 18000 vacuum tubes the addition of two numbers was achieved in 200 microseconds. It took up the wall space in a 20 x 40 square feet room. EDVAC (1946-1952) Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC) was developed by Dr. John Von Neumann who gave the concept of Stored Program. UNIVAC-1 (1951) Universal Automatic Computer was first digital computer, which was not "one of a kind". In 1952 the International Business Machine (IBM) Corporation introduced the 701 commercial computers. They could be used for business & scientific applications. Generations of Computer: Development of Computer took place in different phases and each phase can be viewed as a distinct generation. 1. First Generation of Computers: Silent features of First Generation of Computer: * Time Period : 1951 to 1959. * Technology used : Vacuum Tubes/Thermonic Valve * Memory Capacity : 10,000 to 20,000 characters

* Execution Speed * Languages

Few thousand instructions per second. Machine Code (Low Level Language) and Electric wired boards. Important Computers in first generation: ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC-I and II and IBM170 and 650. . 2. Second Generation of Computers: Silent features of Second Generation of Computer: * Time Period : 1956 to 1965 * Technology used : Transistors & Diodes * Memory Capacity : 4,000 to 64,000 characters * Execution Speed : Upto1 million instructions per second. * Languages : Assembly and High Level Language is used like COBOL, ALGOL and FORTRAN. 3. Third Generation of Computers: Silent features of Third Generation of Computer: * Time Period : 1965 to 1975 * Technology used : Integrated Circuits (ICs). * Memory Capacity : 32,000 to 4 million characters * Execution Speed : Upto10 million instructions per second. * Language used : High Level Language E.g.COBOL, ALGOL, BASIC and FORTRAN. 4. Fourth Generation of Computers: Silent features of Fourth Generation of Computer: * Time Period : 1975 to till date * Technology used : Microprocessor using VLSI. * Memory Capacity : 512 thousand to 32 million characters * Execution Speed : Upto100 million instructions per second. * Language used : All High Level Language. 5. Fifth Generation of Computers: Many scientists of many countries are working on this generation. Japan initiated the fifth generation computers to becoming a leader in the computer field. Technologies used in this generation would be Very-Very Large Scale Integration. * Natural language processing system. * Process non-numeric pictures and graphs. * Technology used parallel processing and VVLSI. * Incorporated Artificial Intelligence (AI). A few important technical terms Data: Data are raw facts & figures such as names and numbers. Examples of Data are weights, prices, costs, marks, age etc. Information: Information is the behaviour between sender & receiver. Data are raw facts & figures that are processed or manipulated into information. Difference between Data & Information: Data is raw fact and information is the one obtained after manipulating the raw facts. Computer technologies:

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In Computer market there are two types of Computer technologies: 1. Hardware 2. Software Hardware: 1. Physically parts of Computer are related to the Hardware. 2. Hardware is not flexible. 3. We can touch the Hardware. 4. Hardware can be broken by hammer. Software: 1. Software is a Computer Program. 2. Software is flexible 3. We cannot touch the Software. 4. Software cannot be broken by hammer.

Main Parts of a Computer System:

There are many parts of a Computer system, such as: 1. CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2. Input devices 3. Output devices

1) Central Processing Unit: CPU is the main part of Computer. We can say that this is the brain of Computer. Every instruction that is executed first gets stored in the memory unit and then it is processed by the CPU. CPU has three Parts: 1. Arithmetic logic Unit (ALU) 2. Control Unit 3. Memory Unit Components of CPU: 1. Control Unit The most critical part of the CPU is Control Unit. It generates the control signals to control the functioning of the CPU and other units. The signals generated by the CPU are placed on the control bus. 2. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) This unit performs a number of calculations and computation. The logic unit is used to apply logic that is used for comparisons and take decision. Logical operations are done in this unit. 3. Memory Unit It is an essential component of a digital computer for storing programs, data, and result etc. Mainly two types of Memory is used in modern computers: Capacity of Memory It is measured in terms of Bytes. Byte is the smaller unit i.e. a set of 8 bits. Higher units are Kilobytes (KB), Megabytes (MB), Gigabytes (GB), and Terabytes (TB). 8 bits = 1 byte 1 character = 1 byte = 8 bits 1 Kilo bytes (KB) = 1024 bytes 1 Megabytes (MB) = 1024 KB 1 Gigabytes (GB) = 1024 MB 1 Terabytes (TB) = 1024 GB 1 Petabyte [PB] = 1024 TB

1 Exa Byte [EB] 1 Zeta Byte [ZB] 1 Votta Byte

= 1024 PB = 1024 EB [VB] = 2014 ZB

Memory Unit It is a collection of Storage cells together with associated circuits needed to transfer information in and out of storage. The memory stores binary information in-groups of bits called Words. Types of Memory: 1. Primary Memory The size of Primary (main) Memory is much smaller than that of the Auxiliary Memory. CPU directly communicates with the Primary Memory. Matching speed of the Primary memory must match the speed of CPU. RAM and ROM are used for Main Memory. Types of Primary Memory: a) RAM (Random Access Memory) RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is a read-write memory of a computer. RAM is Volatile in nature; means the contents of the memory get erased when power goes off. RAM may be 1 MB to ...... RAM is of two types: 1) Static RAM 2) Dynamic RAM b) ROM (Read Only Memory) ROM stands for Read Only Memory. Nothing can be written on it. It is non-volatile. The information stored in it is not loss when power goes off. ROM is used for storing the bulk of the programs that are permanently resides in the computer. Hardware manufacturer decides the contents of ROM. There is BIOS in ROM. BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. 2. Cache Memory This memory is placed between the CPU (central processing unit) and Main Memory. It is a fast speed memory and expensive memory. It is used to store the frequently accessed data of Main Memory. The instructions that are less used by the CPU are stored in Cache Memory. This memory is used to increase the speed of the system. It improves its performance.

3. Secondary Memory It is used to store the very large amount of data and other information. This memory storage is permanent in nature, means it stores the information permanently. Magnetic memory has this property. Magnetic memories like hard disks, floppy disks are commonly used as secondary memories.
2) INPUT DEVICES Input device is a unit of the computer, which is used to feed date instruction into the main memory of CPU for processing. They accept data for or commands in a form that a computer can use; they send the date or commands to the processing unit. e.g. Keyboard, Mouse, Punched Cards, Light Pen, Magnetic Tapes and Magnetic Disks and so on.
(a)

KEY BOARD: This is in input device and closely resemble a typewriter with some different. It is detachable device with 104 or 108 keys that can generate all 128 ASCII (American Codes for Information Interchange) characters. It can cause the machine to generate and display of print 256 characters. Shape or symbols. The keyboard has following keys (Figure 2.2).

1.

Functions Keys: There are 12 special keys labels as F1, F2, F3, -------------- F12 each of the function keys is assigned with a standard command which is different software programs (perform special

functions which depends on the software being used) these keys are programmable. The software designer can program the action of function key. 2. Alphanumeric Keys:

The alphanumeric keypad is basically the Typewriter keyboard and it contains all the characters as well as number and graphic symbol like (A to Z or a to z) digit (0-9) and symbols like +, -, *, \, ?, <, >, ^, %, $, #, @, (, ), {, }, [, ], etc.
3.

Numeric Keypad: The numeric keypad available on the right hand side of keyboard. Basically this keyboard is given for typing convenient only. This keyboard used for entering digits (as alternative digit keys). By enabling (on) num key we can use digits if this is disable (off) use as can use cursor movement keys labeled on keys.

4.

Others Keys: There are several keys available on keyboard used for various purposes which are given below:Shift keys: This key is used to type characters, which are printed one over the other. And if pressed simultaneously with a character key (In case of caps lock off), a capitalized alphabet typed. Alt and Ctrl: If any of these Alt or Ctrl is used in conjunction with any key. It has a special meaning, which depends upon the software being used. Use Alt key with another key produces ASCII code character. Caps Lock: This is toggle key with dual functions that is on or off when is on all the alphabets come in upper case (capital letters) if it is off the alphabets come in lower case (small letters). Return Key: as enter. This is the most important key on the keyboard also called

Key: Alter pressing it tells computer memory that the data or instruction typed It also moves the cursor to the next line. Back Space: position. Num Lock: Cursor keys: Used to erase the character to the left of the cursor Used to activate the numeric keys on the Numeric keypad. Used to move the cursor in the direction indicated.

Home, End, Pg, Up, Pg, Dn. Keys Used to perform special functions. Home key, to move cursor beginning of document or beginning of the current line. End key, move cursor at end of the current line or end of the current Page or document (depending upon software being used). Ins Key: is used to insert characters at the current cursor position. Del key: used to delete characters at the current cursor position.

Esc key: Escape key is used for either cancel a command or return to previous menu, depending upon application software being used. Scroll Lock: Used to activate scrolling of text on the screen. Print Screen: used to take hard copy of whatever is displayed on the screen. Sys Rq: The use system required is depends upon the software being used. Pause/Break: This key is used to pause scrolling text on the screen or terminate command execution. Space Bar: Provide space between characters or take cursor one character forward. 2. Mouse:Mouse is an input device. A mouse is also a pointing device. If we want to create a design then we shall use mouse. We can drag any shape with the help of mouse. There are two or three buttons on a mouse. Left Button: It behaves like Enter Key. Right Button: It is also known as Undo button Center Button: Acts like up and down arrow key.

3. Scanner:

Scanner is an Input device. It is used to scan any picture or image to make its Duplicate copy. The scanner acts like a colored Photostat machine.

Output Devices: The function of output unit is just the reverse of the input unit. It provides an interface between the user and the machine. The output unit converts the binary signals that come from the CPU into understandable form. Example- monitor, printers etc. 1. Monitor:Monitor is an output device. It is also known as Display unit. All the data and information are displayed on the monitor. There are three types of monitor in computer field: 1. Black & White Monitor 2. Monochrome Monitor 1. Color Monitor 2. Printer: Printer is an output device. If we want to take a printout on paper or make a hard copy of the contents then we shall use Printer.

Printer Categories
Printers

Impact Printer

Non Impact Printer

Character Printer

Line Printer

Inkjet Printer

Laser Printer

Dot Matrix Printer

Daisy Printer

Chain Printer

Drum Printer

Impact Printer i Character Printers:There printers are having standard set of character, size and standard font. e.g. Dot Matrix, Daisy Printer. ii Line Printers:Line printer are also impact printers these printers are print one line at a time. There are two types af line printer. a. Drum/ Barrel Printer b. Chain Printer Non- Impact Printers Non Impact Printers are also called page printers.

Classification of Computers
Computer

Analog Computer

Digital Computer

Hybrid Computer

Micro Computer

Mini Computer

Mainframe Computer

Super Computer

1.

2.

a. b. c. d

3.

Analog Computer:Analog Computers are used to measure some actual property, such as length of an object, an angle created by two lines, or the amount of voltage passing through a paint in an electric circuit. Digital Computer:Digital computers are generally used for business and scientific data processing and also had a unique ability, and that is storing large quantities of data. There are the following types of digital computer. Micro Computers (PCs):These computers are slow, Cheap, Significant computing power, use of intel chips. e.g. PENTIM ( P-I, II, III, IV) etc. Mini Computer:Relatively faster and higher then, PC. e.g. IBM17, HP 3000 etc. Mainframe Computer:Faster than Mini Computers, have larger memory used in CPU intensive or Input/Output intensive jobs. e.g. IMB 370, CPC 7600, UNIVAC 1110 etc. Super Computer:Large in size and large memory compared to all other computers. These computers are designed for ultra high performance tasks such as Encryption cracking, Creation of animation and for designing AI ( Artificial Intelligence) Knowledge based systems. Hybrid Computers:Hybrid Computers combine the most desirable features of both analog and digital computers. They have the speed of the analog computer and the accuracy of digital computers.

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