1 Computer Literacy

COMPUTER LITERACY

BS-English (honours)

GCUF

Instructor:

Irzam Zia
Irzamziakhan11@gmail.com

Department of Computer Science:

Punjab College Pattoki
2 Computer Literacy

Computer:

A computer is a device that accepts information (in the form of digitalized data) and
manipulates it for some result based on a program, software, or sequence of instructions on
how the data is to be processed.

Literacy:

Literacy is the ability to use written language actively and passively;

one definition of literacy is the ability to "read, write, spell, listen, and speak"

Computer Literacy:

Computer Literacy is the knowledge and understanding of computer concepts, limitations

and ability to use computers and technology efficiently. ... The use of computers has
become a way of life in the modern world, making it important for just about everyone to
learn basic computer skills.
3 Computer Literacy

Q#1: Classification of computer:

Classification of Computers
The computer systems can be classified on the following basis:
1. On the basis of size.
2. On the basis of functionality.
3. On the basis of data handling.
Classification on the basis of size
1. Super computers: The super computers are the most high performing system. A
supercomputer is a computer with a high level of performance compared to a general-
purpose computer. The actual Performance of a supercomputer is measured in FLOPS
instead of MIPS. All of the world’s fastest 500 supercomputers run Linux-based operating
systems. Additional research is being conducted in China, the US, the EU, Taiwan and
Japan to build even faster, higher performing and more technologically superior
supercomputers. Supercomputers actually play an important role in the field of
computation, and are used for intensive computation tasks in various fields, including
quantum mechanics, weather forecasting, climate research, oil and gas exploration,
molecular modeling, and physical simulations. and also Throughout the history,
supercomputers have been essential in the field of the cryptanalysis.
e.g.: PARAM, jaguar, roadrunner.
4 Computer Literacy

2. Mainframe computers : These are commonly called as big iron, they are usually used by
big organizations for bulk data processing such as statics, census data processing,
transaction processing and are widely used as the severs as these systems has a higher
processing capability as compared to the other classes of computers, most of these
mainframe architectures were established in 1960s, the research and development worked
continuously over the years and the mainframes of today are far more better than the earlier
ones, in size, capacity and efficiency.
E.g.: IBM z Series, System z9 and System z10 servers.
3. Mini computers : These computers came into the market in mid 1960s and were sold at a
much cheaper price than the main frames, they were actually designed for control,
instrumentation, human interaction, and communication switching as distinct from
calculation and record keeping, later they became very popular for personal uses with
evolution.
In the 60s to describe the smaller computers that became possible with the use of transistors
and core memory technologies, minimal instructions sets and less expensive peripherals
such as the ubiquitous Teletype Model 33 ASR.They usually took up one or a few inch
rack cabinets, compared with the large mainframes that could fill a room, there was a new
term “MINICOMPUTERS” coined
E.g.: Personal Laptop, PC etc.
4. Microcomputers: A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a
microprocessor as its CPU. It includes a microprocessor, memory, and minimal I/O
circuitry mounted on a single printed circuit board. The previous to these computers,
mainframes and minicomputers, were comparatively much larger, hard to maintain and
more expensive. They actually formed the foundation for present day microcomputers and
smart gadgets that we use in day to day life.
E.g.: Tablets, Smart watches.
• Desktop Computer: a personal or micro-mini computer sufficient to fit on a desk.
• Laptop Computer: a portable computer complete with an integrated screen and keyboard. It is
generally smaller in size than a desktop computer and larger than a notebook computer.
• Palmtop Computer/Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs: a hand-sized computer. Palmtops have
no keyboard but the screen serves both as an input and output device.

Classification on the basis of functionality

1. Servers: Servers are nothing but dedicated computers which are set-up to offer some
services to the clients. They are named depending on the type of service they offered. E.g.:
security server, database server.
2. Workstation: Those are the computers designed to primarily to be used by single user at a
time. They run multi-user operating systems. They are the ones which we use for our day to
day personal / commercial work.
3. Information Appliances: They are the portable devices which are designed to perform a
limited set of tasks like basic calculations, playing multimedia, browsing internet etc. They
are generally referred as the mobile devices. They have very limited memory and flexibility
and generally run on “as-is” basis.
4. Embedded computers: They are the computing devices which are used in other machines
to serve limited set of requirements. They follow instructions from the non-volatile
5 Computer Literacy

memory and they are not required to execute reboot or reset. The processing units used in
such device work to those basic requirements only and are different from the ones that are
used in personal computers- better known as workstations.

Classification on the basis of data handling

(a) Digital Computers – Digital Computers take input in the form of numbers, letters and
special characters, store it and process it and give the output in the form of numbers letters and
special characters. Such computers always process data (including text, sound, graphics and
video) into a digital value (in O’s and 1’s) data flows in the form of pulses.
Digital Computers have the capabilities of adding, subtracting, multiplying. dividing and
comparing. These computers provide highly accurate result. For example: (i) Desk Calculators,
(ii) Electronic Computers

(b) Analog Computers – Analog Computers do not operate on digital data. Instead they operate
on data presented to them in the form of continuously variable quantities like temperature,
pressure, revolutions and the like.
They react in a pre-defined way to changes in the specified quantities. Analog computer is faster
than the digit computer but can give a accuracy of not more than 99 %. These computers are
suitable for use as controlling devices in factories, military weaponry, aerospace systems and the
like. For example: (i) Speedometer (ii) Voltmeters (ii) Pressure Gauges (iv) Slide Rules (v)
Flight Simulators for training pilots (vi) Wall Clock.

(c) Hybrid Computers – Hybrid Computers combine the features (capabilities) of both the
digital and analog computers. They are suitable where digital processing is necessary in respect
of data collected in the analog form. Both analog &hybrid are special purpose computers. For
example, in a hospital intensive care unit (I.C.U) measures a patient’s heart function, temperature
& other vital signs. These measurements are in analog form. These measurements may then be
converted into number (Digital form) & supplied to a digital device which may send as
immediate signal to a nurse’s station if any abnormal reading is detected.

According To Purpose

(a) General Purpose – General purpose computers are the computers that can be used for all
general needs of all environments and users. These computers can be used for various
applications, ranging from scientific as well as business purpose applications. Even though such
computers are versatile, they generally lack in speed and efficiency. For example, the computer
that you use in your schools, colleges offices and homes are general purpose computers.

(b) Specific Purpose – This is the second types of computer as per purpose. These computers
are designed to handle a specific problem or to perform a single specific task. A set of
instructions for the specific task is built into the machine. Hence, these computers are not
versatile. However, being designed for specific tasks, they can provide the result very quickly
and efficiently. For example, airline reservations, satellite tracking, air traffic control, medical
diagnostics, weather forecasting etc. are special purpose of computers.
6 Computer Literacy

Q#2: Components of computer:

Computers internal architectural design comes in different types and sizes, but the basic
structure remains same of all computer systems.
The term 'computer hardware' or 'computer parts' is used to describe computer components that
can be seen and touched. The major components of general-purpose computer system are Input
Unit, main/internal Memory or Storage Unit, Output Unit, Central Processing unit. The CPU is
further includes Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control unit (CU). All the units also referred to
as "The functional units”. Devices that are not integral part of CPU referred to as peripherals

The below section describe briefly all the computer components in a computer system

Input Unit
Input unit is used for transfers’ raw Data and control signals into the information processing
system by the user before processing and computation. All the input unit devices provide the
instructions and data are transformed into binary codes that is the primary memory acceptable
format.
Example of Input unit devices: keyboard, mouse, scanner, joystick, MICR, Punched cards,
Punched paper tape, Magnetic tape etc.
7 Computer Literacy

Memory or Storage Unit

Memory or Storage unit is used for storing Data during before and after processing. The capacity
of storage is expressed in terms of Bytes.
The two terms Memory or Storage unit are used interchangeably, so it is important to understand
what is the difference between memory and storage?
Memory
This unit retains temporarily results till further processing, For example, Random Access
Memory (RAM).This memory is volatile, which means data is disappears when the power is lost.
Storage
The storage or "secondary storage" is used for retain digital data after processing for
permanently. For example hard drive. The Storage is non-volatile in nature. CPU does not access
directly to secondary storage memories, instead they accessed via input-output unit. The contents
of secondary storage memories are first transferred to the main memory (RAM) and then CPU
access it.

Output Unit
Output Unit receives information from the CPU and then delivers it the external storage or
device in the soft or hard processed form. The devices which are used to display output to the
user are called output devices. The Monitor or printer is common output device.

Central Processing Unit

The main chip in a computer is the microprocessor chip, which is also known as the CPU
(central processing unit). The CPU is mounted on a printed circuit board called the main board or
mother board. This chip is considered to be the controlling chip of a computer system since it
controls the activities of other chips as well as outside devices connected to the computer, such
as monitor and printer. In addition, it can also perform logical and computational tasks.
Microprocessors work on a parallel system. Figure shows a typical structure of one of the first-
generation microprocessors. The recent ones possess greater complexity, although the basic
design concept has not changed much.
The various activities that a microprocessor performs, such as storing data, doing arithmetic
calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.), are the result of instructions
given to the CPU in the form of sequences of 0s and 1s. Microprocessors are designed to carry
out a large number of instructions and all the instructions may be represented by different
sequences of 0s and 1s. Each instruction is represented by a unique set of 0s and 1s.
The internal structure of a typical CPU consists of circuits which form a number of registers (the
typical number is 16), an arithmetic unit for carrying out arithmetic operations, a logic unit, and a
control unit.
Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
Arithmetic Logical Unit is used for processing data after inputting data is stored into primary
unit. The major operations of Arithmetic Logical Unit are addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, logic and comparison.
8 Computer Literacy

Control unit (CU)

It is like a supervisor, that checks ordaining operations or check sequence in which instructions
are executed.

Q#3: Hardware and Software:

Hardware and Software

Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical elements of a computer. This is also sometime called
the machinery or the equipment of the computer. Examples of hardware in a computer
are the keyboard, the monitor, the mouse and the central processing unit. However,
most of a computer's hardware cannot be seen; in other words, it is not an external
element of the computer, but rather an internal one, surrounded by the computer's
casing (tower). A computer's hardware is comprised of many different parts, but
perhaps the most important of these is the motherboard. The motherboard is made up
of even more parts that power and control the computer.
In contrast to software, hardware is a physical entity. Hardware and software are
interconnected, without software; the hardware of a computer would have no function.
However, without the creation of hardware to perform tasks directed by software via
the central processing unit, software would be useless.
Hardware is limited to specifically designed tasks that are, taken independently, very
simple. Software implements algorithms (problem solutions) that allow the computer
to complete much more complex tasks.

Software
Software, commonly known as programs or apps, consists of all the instructions that
tell the hardware how to perform a task. These instructions come from a software
9 Computer Literacy

developer in the form that will be accepted by the platform (operating system + CPU)
that they are based on. For example, a program that is designed for the Windows
operating system will only work for that specific operating system. Compatibility of
software will vary as the design of the software and the operating system differ.
Software that is designed for Windows XP may experience a compatibility issue when
running under Windows 2000 or NT.
Software is capable of performing many tasks, as opposed to hardware which can only
perform mechanical tasks that they are designed for. Software provides the means for
accomplishing many different tasks with the same basic hardware. Practical computer
systems divide software systems into two major classes:

 System software: Helps to run the computer hardware and computer system
itself. System software includes operating systems, device drivers, diagnostic
tools and more. System software is almost always pre-installed on your
computer.
 Application software: Allows users to accomplish one or more tasks. It
includes word processing, web browsing and almost any other task for which
you might install software. (Some application software is pre-installed on most
computer systems.)

Software is generally created (written) in a high-level programming language, one that

is (more or less) readable by people. These high-level instructions are converted into
"machine language" instructions, represented in binary code, before the hardware can
"run the code". When you install software, it is generally already in this machine
language, binary form.