Introduction to Computing

1. With a neat schematic block diagram of a digital computer describe its functional units. Central Processing

Arithmetic Arithmetic and and Logic Logic Unit Unit Input Unit Keyboard, mouse Output Unit Printer, Monitor

Control Unit

Memory Unit

Main memory: ROM, RAM Unit

Secondary memory: hard disk

Input Unit: The user can enter the data or program (instructions) to the computer system. It converts the data into a suitable form that can be understood by the Computer. The converted data is stored in the form of 0s and 1s and then sent to Central processing unit The user can also interact with other devices such as CPU, MU and output unit. Output unit: Accepts the result or data from memory which are in the form of 0s and 1s. Output the results or data to a form which is suitable for human understanding. Central Processing Unit;SSET

Introduction to Computing

The data received from the input device is processed in this unit. It consists of two functional units: 1. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) 2. Control Unit (CU) 1. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU);o An ALU consists of electronic circuitry which performs calculations with basic arithmetic operations such as addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), division (/). o It also consists of logic circuitry which performs logic operations like true or false, yes or no. 2. Control Unit (CU):o The unit controls and co-ordinates all parts of computer system. o It executes an instruction by signaling to carry out the necessary data transfers and manipulations. o Identifies what action to be taken. (decoding) Memory Unit (MU):This is the storage device where the data and instructions fed by the user are stored. The computer memory is classified into Main memory: This is the place where the data and instructions supplied by the input devices are stored. This is the temporary memory because the data and instructions are erased When the power goes off. It consists of RAM and ROM main memories. Secondary memory: This is the permanent memory and also called as back up memory. It stores a large about of information for a long time. Cache memory: This is the high speed memory and placed between the CPU and the main memory. Users cannot access it.

2. Explain the different types of computers.

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Digital Computer Based on technology Analog Computer Hybrid computer

TYPES OF COMPUTERS

Micro computer Mini computer Computers for organization Main frame computer Super computer

l. Computers based on technology Digital computer:-Computers accept and process data in terms of digital data such as 0s and 1s Series of 8 consecutive bits is called a byte Series of bytes represent data or instruction E.g. (Personal Digital Computer Assistant) Analog computer:-They accept data whose values keep changing with respect to time. Data may be in the form of continuous voltages, frequencies, temperature etc. Processing is done on continuously varying signals. E.g. Speedometer Hybrid Computer:-It is designed to handle digital and analog computers and hence also called analog-digital computer. Accepts analog signals and converts into digital form.

2. Computers for organization: Micro Computer:-It is powerful, easy maintenance, low cost, unporable. It is the most common type of PC and commonly called as desktop. They are small in size and do not have large storage capacities. The length of a microcomputer lines in the range 8-32 bits E.g.: IBM PC, PS/2

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Mini computer:-Computers with capabilities intermediate of that between main frame and micro computers. Hence called mid-range computers. Word length is 32 bits It is used by small and mid-size business organizations. Main frame computer:-It is more powerful than micro computers and their word length size is 48,60 or 64 bits They have high processing speeds and can store large amounts of data They are used in research organizations, large industries, and large business and government organizations They consume more electricity E.g.: IBM 3000 series, UNIVAC 1180 Super computers:-Computers that are used for scientific and engineering applications. Word length is 64-96 bit. They can handle very large data bases or a great amount of data computation. They can perform one trillion operations per second. Used in the field of science and defense, designing and launching missiles, weather forecasting, biomedical research Highest processing speed for at a given time. E.g: CRAY-3, HITAC S-300

4. What are the different kinds of memory used in computers? Explain with examples.

Cache memory Primary memory Secondary memory

CPU

Volatile memory-RAM Primary memory Non-volatile memory-ROM MEMORY Secondary memory Cache memory SSET

Introduction to Computing

Primary memory: The memory is accessible directly to the CPU of the computer. The memory is very fast. This allows the CPU to store and retrieve data quickly. Volatile memory: The memory that loses its contents when the computer is turned off. Since the CPU can read the data from the memory or can write the data into the memory they are also called as read-write memories. E g. RAM (Random Access Memory): It is possible to read and write the data into the memory. It is temporary memory. Non volatile memory: The memory that retains its contents even after the computer is turned off memory. They hold the data permanently. E.g. ROM (Read Only Memory): The information stored in it can be only be read. Secondary Memory: Its is the permanent memory which stores large amount of information for a long time Its also called back up memory or auxiliary memory. It is connected to CPU and is made of magnetic material. E.g. Floppy disc, hard disc Cache memory: Its a high speed memory and is placed between CPU and main memory. The data and instructions stored in it are accessed at a higher speed Users cannot access this memory It stores data and instructions that are currently to be executed 5. Discuss the applications, merits and demerits of a computer. Applications: Science:-Used by scientists to analyze large quantity of data to analyze the effect of earthquake on buildings and dams for satellite launching and remote controlling. Education:-E-Learning is becoming popular. Computers are used as teaching aid in majority of educational institutions. Medicine and Health:-Diagnosing the illness to monitoring the patients status till his complete recovery. Using the computer generated images and results; they can pin-point the cause of the disease Engineering/Architecture/Manufacturing:-Engineers and architects use the computers for planning, designing and drawing the layouts for house, roads, dams etc. Communication:-send and receive e-mails, e-shopping, e-banking, e-commerce, elearning etc. Business and banking:-For numerous administrative purposes, preparing salary bills Used in banking, insurance sectors and marketing for online payments and transactions, publishing etc. Online business Governments:-Used for weather forecasting, in military, satellite launching and controlling, communication, e-government etc. For police force to search for the information on criminals, crime scenes, driving

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Introduction to Computing

licenses etc. Entertainment:-Used in music industry, games etc. Computer animation and colorful graphics with multimedia effect.

Merits: Speed:-The computers can process data at very high speed. Speed is measured in terms in terms of MIPS and BIPS. Accuracy:-The results produced by the computer are very accurate. Reliability:-It gives correct and consistent result always even if they are used in adverse conditions. Storage capability:-They can store large amounts of data and can be retrieved at any time in fraction of a second. Versatility:-They can do variety of jobs based on the instructions given to them. Diligence:-They can perform complicated work without any break for days together; even year together without committing any error. De-merits: Non-Intelligent:-It just performs the specified operations. It does not think whenever it finds a command, instead it works accordingly. It does not possess any intelligent for analyzing the problem. Inactive:-If the power supply is stopped then the computer ceases to work. 6. What are editors, assembler, compilers, interpreters? Editors It allows the user to enter program and edit it Assembler The process of converting assembly language instructions to machine readable form is carried out by a programmable assembler Debugging is easy E.g,: TASM Compiler It takes entire high level language program as input and translates it into machine language Interpreter It takes one statement of a high level language program as input and translates it into machine language and executes it. Debugging is slow Eg: BASIC

Debugging is easy E.g.: Turbo C

Debugging is faster E.g. TC computer

7. What are the 4 primary functions that an operating system performs? a. Memory Management:-Allocating memory to the running program and reallocating when they are terminated b. Processor Management:-Processing of jobs, deciding on the job scheduling technique and how a job to be processed longs. Releasing the processor when the jobs are terminated. c. Device Management:-Allocating the input and output devices to the running processes and reallocating them when processes are terminated.

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d. File Mnagement: - Manging the file systems in terms of where the files are stored, their status and memory locations, opening and closing the files, providing access permission to the files. E.g. of operating system are DOS, UNIX, WINDOWS NT, LINUX 8. Differentiate between WINDOWS and LINUX operating systems. WINDOWS LINUX It is not free of cost It is available free of cost It supports GUI(Graphical User Interface) It does not support GUI(Graphical User Interface) Networking is possible Networking is not possible Requires very high configuration High configuration is not required Multi-media facility available Multi-media support not available Mobile computing is possible Mobile computing is not possible User friendly Not user friendly

9. What is software? What are the different types of software? Software is a set of programs which direct the various hardware components.

Application software SOFTWARE System software Application software; It tells the computer how to accomplish specific tasks, such as word processing or drawing for the user. Word processing software for creating text based documents Spreadsheet for creating numeric based documents such as budgets Database management software for building and manipulating large sets of data Presentation program for creating and presenting electronic slide shows Graphics program for designing illustrations or manipulating photographs, movies or animation Web design tools and web browsers Entertainment and education software Games System software: It is any program that controls the computer hardware or that can be used to maintain the computer in some way so that it runs more effectively It has 3 basic types -Operating system tells the computer how to use its own components.

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It acts as an interrupt between the hardware application programs and the user -A network operating system allows computer to communicate and share data across a network while controlling network operations and overseeing the networks security -A utility is a program that makes the computer system easier to use or perform highly specified functions 10. Brief history of computers Year 1791-1871 1823 1939 1939 1943 1944 1945 1946 Invented by Charles Babbage Lady Lovelace Augusta Ada King Konrad Zuse John Atanasoff Alan Turing and his team Aiken Von Neumann Mauchly & Eckert Name of the computer Analytical Engine- Father of computers Punch cards Mother of computers First computer programmer General Purpose digital computer Atanasoff- Berry computer (ABC) Colossus Mark I Stored Program concept ENIAC

Types of computers

Main frames

Super computers

Servers

Workstations

PCs

Portable computers

Notebooks Laptop

Handheld computers PDAs

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Introduction to Computing

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