Computer

Fundamental

Compiled by: Amit Kushwaha

Computer Fundamentals

What is Computer?
Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user and
processes these data under the control of set of instructions (called program) and gives
the result (output) and saves output for the future use. It can process both numerical and
non-numerical (arithmetic and logical) calculations.
A computer has four functions:
a. accepts data Input
b. processes data Processing
c. produces output Output
d. stores results Storage

Input (Data):
Input is the raw information entered into a computer from the input devices. It is the
collection of letters, numbers, images etc.

Process:
Process is the operation of data as per given instruction. It is totally internal process of
the computer system.

Output:
Output is the processed data given by computer after data processing. Output is also
called as Result. We can save these results in the storage devices for the future use.

Computer System
All of the components of a computer system can be summarized with the simple
equations.

COMPUTER SYSTEM = HARDWARE + SOFTWARE+ USER

• Hardware = Internal Devices + Peripheral Devices

All physical parts of the computer (or everything that we can touch) are known as
Hardware.

• Software = Programs
Software gives "intelligence" to the computer.

• USER = Person, who operates computer.

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Major parts of the Computer
Input Devices

2. Keyboard
1. Mouse

4. Digital
3. Scanner
Camera

5. Web 6. Joysticks
Camera

8. Touch
Pad/
7. Track Ball
Screen

10. Bar Code

9. Light Pen
Reader

12. Graphics
11. Microphone
Tablets

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 14. Optical
13. Magnetic Mark
Ink Reader
Character (Used for
Reader Answer-
(Used in Sheet
Bank) Marking
Purpose)

15. Magnetic
Card
Reader
16. Biometric
(Used in
Devices
Shops,
Colleges,
Stations etc)

17. Bluetooth

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Processor
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

The main unit inside the computer is the CPU. This unit is responsible for all events
inside the computer. It controls all internal and external devices, performs arithmetic and
logic operations. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the device that interprets and
executes instructions.

Output Devices

2. Printer
1. Monitor (Dot
Matrix)

3. Projector InkJet

4. Plotter Laser

5. Speaker

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Storage Devices
1. Primary memory (main memory)
A. RAM (Random Access Memory/Read-Write Memory)

B. ROM (Read-only-memory)

2. Secondary memory (storage devices)

A. Hard Disk (Local Disk)
B. Optical Disks: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW
C. Pen Drive
D. Zip Drive
E. Floppy Disks
F. Memory Cards
G. External Hard Disk

A. Hard
Disk

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B. Optical
C. Pen Drive
disk

D. Zip
Disk
E. Floppy Disk
(super
disk)

F. Memory G. External
Cards Hard Disk

Peripheral Devices

1. The
Modem/ 2. Switches/H
Internet ub
Adapter

4. TV Tuner
3. Router
Card

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Internal Components

1. The Mother 2. Expansion

Board Slots

3. CMOS 4. Cooling
Battery Fan

5. Network 6. Graphics
Card Card

7. Power Supply 8. Memory

Unit (SMPS) Slots

Software
Software, simply are the computer programs. The instructions given to the computer in
the form of a program is called Software. Software is the set of programs, which are used
for different purposes. All the programs used in computer to perform specific task is
called Software.

Types of software
1. System software:
a) Operating System Software
DOS, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Unix/Linux, MAC/OS X etc.
b) Utility Software
Windows Explorer (File/Folder Management), Windows Media Player, Anti-
Virus Utilities, Disk Defragmentation, Disk Clean, BackUp, WinZip, WinRAR
etc…

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2. Application software:
a) Package Software
Ms. Office 2003, Ms. Office 2007, Macromedia (Dreamweaver, Flash,
Freehand), Adobe (PageMaker, PhotoShop)
b) Tailored or Custom Software
SAGE (Accounting), Galileo/Worldspan (Travel) etc.

3. Computer Languages & Scripting:

a) Low Level Language
i) Machine Level Language
ii) Assembly Language

Machine language: These language instructions are directly executed by CPU

Assembly language: The endeavor of giving machine language instructions a

name structure that means bit strings of instructions of machine language are
given name here

High Level Language: The user friendly language ...more natural language
than assembly language.

Assembler is needed to convert assembly language into machine language

Complier is needed to convert high level to machine language

b) High Level Language

COBOL (COmmon Business Oriented Language), FORTRAN (FORmula
TRANslation), BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code), C,
C++ etc. are the examples of High Level Language.

Types of Computer
On the basis of working principle
a) Analog Computer
An analog computer (spelt analogue in British English) is a form of computer that uses
continuous physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to
model the problem being solved.

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1. Thermometer 2. Speedometer

3. Petrol Pump
4. Multimeter
Indicator

b) Digital Computer
A computer that performs calculations and logical operations with quantities represented
as digits, usually in the binary number system.

c) Hybrid Computer (Analog + Digital)

A combination of computers those are capable of inputting and outputting in both digital
and analog signals. A hybrid computer system setup offers a cost effective method of
performing complex simulations.

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On the basis of Size
a) Super Computer
The fastest type of computer. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for
specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations. For
example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other uses of supercomputers
include animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, and
petroleum exploration.
The chief difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that a supercomputer
channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast as possible, whereas a
mainframe uses its power to execute many programs concurrently.

b) Mainframe Computer
A very large and expensive computer capable of supporting hundreds, or even
thousands, of users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simple
microprocessor (in watches, for example) at the bottom and moves to supercomputers at
the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some ways, mainframes are more
powerful than supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs. But
supercomputers can execute a single program faster than a mainframe.

c) Mini Computer
A midsized computer. In size and power, minicomputers lie between workstations and
mainframes. In the past decade, the distinction between large minicomputers and small
mainframes has blurred, however, as has the distinction between small minicomputers
and workstations. But in general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable of
supporting from 4 to about 200 users simultaneously.

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d) Micro Computer
i. Desktop Computer: a personal or micro-mini computer sufficient to fit on a
desk.

ii. 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.

iii. 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.

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e) Workstations
A terminal or desktop computer in a network. In this context, workstation is just a
generic term for a user's machine (client machine) in contrast to a "server" or
"mainframe."

On the basis of Brand

a) IBM/IBM Compatible Computers

c) Apple/Macintosh

Booting
The process of loading the system files of the operating system from the disk into the
computer memory to complete the circuitry requirement of the computer system is called
booting. The system files of MS. DOS are:

Types of Booting:
There are two types of booting:
• Cold Booting: If the computer is in off state and we boot the
computer by pressing the power switch ‘ON’ from the CPU box
then it is called as cold booting.

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 • Warm Booting: If the computer is already ‘ON’ and we restart it by pressing
the ‘RESET’ button from the CPU box or CTRL, ALT and DEL key
simultaneously from the keyboard then it is called warm booting.

How to start the Computer in Ms. Windows mode?

There is nothing special you need to start this system. Just,
1. Switch ON the Power Supply.
2. Switch ON the CPU and,
3. Switch ON the Screen (Monitor).

How to Shutdown (Turn Off) the Computer?

Before shutting down the Computer, close all opened windows at first. Then,
1. Click on Start button.
2. Click on Shutdown (Turn Off Computer).
Then, Computer asks you:
What do you want the Computer to do?
• Standby
• Shutdown (Turn Off)
• Restart
• Restart in MS-DOS mode.

Note: The options will be different from one OS to another.

3. Choose 2nd option (i.e. Shutdown/Turn Off).

4. Click on OK.
Then, wait until the message “It’s now safe to turn off your Computer”.
5. Then, Switch Off the screen.
6. Switch Off the CPU.
7. At last, Switch Off the power supply.

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Basic Computer Literacy
Quiz One

1. Which one is not an output device?

o Printer
o Monitor
o Keyboard
o Modem

2. Which one works as an output and input device?

o Modem
o Scanner
o Mouse
o Monitor

3. All computers must have:

o Word processing software
o An operating system
o A printer attached
o A virus checking program

4. The brain of the computer is called:

o Random Access Memory or RAM
o Central Processing Unit or CPU
o Read Only Memory or ROM
o BIOS

5. An operating system is:

o Integrated software
o CD-ROM software
o Application software
o System software

6. Software is:
o A computer program
o A set of instructions
o All of the above
o Only in operating systems

7. One MB is equal to:

o The amount of RAM in every computer
o 1 billion bytes
o 1024KB
o 1 thousand bytes

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 8. The resolution of a printer is measured in:
o Megabits
o Hz
o Dots per inch (DPI)
o Inches (diagonal)

9. Windows and Macintosh computers:

o Are both manufactured by Motorola
o Both use Intel microprocessors
o Use the same operating system
o Are not compatible

10. A computer port is used to:

o Communicate with other computer peripherals
o Download files from the web
o Communicate with all hard drives
o Connect computers together

Quiz Two

11. Which computer is the fastest?

o PII 600MHz
o PIII 600MHz
o Pentium 600MHz
o 486 Turbo

12. Which hard disk will be able to store more information?

o 24MB
o 2400KB
o 24Gig
o 240MB

13. In order for your computer to play music you need:

o A network card and speakers
o A sound card and speakers
o Nothing more than the internal speaker
o A CD-ROM drive

14. In order to access the World Wide Web you need:

o An Internet connection, an Internet Service Provider and browser software
o Only Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator
o A modem and a browser
o Nothing. All computers can access the Internet

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 15. If you have two different printers attached to your computer:
o It is not possible to have two printers attached to a single computer
o You need to install a single printer driver
o You need to use application software that can recognize both printers
o You need to install two different printer drivers in order to be able to print to
either printer

16. Which file extensions indicate only graphics files?

o BMP and DOC
o JPEG and TXT
o TXT and STK
o BMP and GIF

17. Which Windows program do you use to manage folders and files?
o Windows Explorer
o Windows Accessories
o Microsoft Office
o Windows Control Panel

18. What is a URL:

o An email address
o The title of a web site
o The address of a page on the World Wide Web
o A communication method between computers and printers

19. Which media holds more information?

o Floppy diskette
o DVD
o CD-ROM
o Zip drive

20. Which one is an email address:

o http://vianet.com/index.htm
o D:\\Email\Standard
o joesmart@billme.com
o Chaminade.org/teachers/mailaddresses

Quiz Three

21. CPU means (1 point)

o Central Processing Unit
o Controlled Program Utilization
o Computer Programming Unit
o Computerized Processing Unit

22. Computers use a special code for representing letters and numbers, known as the
(1 point)

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 o processing code
o binary code
o CRX code
o integrated code

23. The main circuit board in the computer that connects the parts of the computer
is the (1 point)
o hard drive
o motherboard
o fatherboard
o main board

24. The part of the computer that processes the information is the (1 point)
o floppy disk
o CD-ROM drive
o monitor
o microprocessor

25. Which of these is not an example of an input device? (1 point)

o keyboard
o mouse
o hard drive
o scanner

26. Processing speed in computers is measured in (1 point)

o millivolts (mV)
o hertz (Hz)
o megahertz (MHz)
o rpm's

27. External devices such as printers and scanners plug into ___ in the back of the
computer. (1 point)
o RX-5's
o expansion slots
o outlets
o ports

28. Windows is (1 point)

o a kind of operating system.
o a graphics display device.
o a monitor display system.
o a video game.

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 29. To "boot a computer" means to (1 point)
o add extra drives.
o turn on the sound.
o turn it on.
o throw it out - it's outdated.

30. The hard drive in the computer is usually (1 point)

o Drive A.
o Drive B.
o Drive C.
o Drive H.

31. A "byte" is (1 point)

o found in the upper right corner of a window screen.
o a group of 8 bits of code.
o the capacity of a sound card.
o the part that moves on a disk drive.

32. When you click SAVE on the monitor, and there is no floppy disk in a drive, the
document or application you're using is stored (1 point)
o on the RAM chips.
o on the CD-ROM drive.
o in ROM memory.
o on the hard drive.

33. Pictures on the display screen (monitor) are made up of (1 point)

o pixels.
o layers of color.
o bits.
o video "packets"

34. Temporary memory is called (1 point)

o RAM
o CAD
o DOS
o ROM

35. Which of these is not one of the three main functions of a microprocessor? (1
point)
o fetch
o store
o decode
o execute

36. Which of these is not an example of computer hardware? (1 point)

o video card
o mouse
o CD-ROM drive
o Windows

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 37. To "debug" the system means to (1 point)
o clean it.
o find and correct errors.
o decode it.
o set up icons.

38. A megabyte is (1 point)

o 1,000 bytes
o 1 byte
o 1 million bytes
o 1 trillion bytes

39. Formatting a disk means (1 point)

o installing an operating system on it.
o setting up sections on the disk to store the files in.
o cleaning the disk from any dust contaminates.
o programming the disk so data on it can't be erased.

40. A system that connects individual computers together is a(n) (1 point)

o operating system.
o network.
o tape drive system.
o partnered path.

41. When you use a PC, you are using a (1 point)

o programmable console.
o powered calculating machine.
o personal computer.
o processing contraption.

42. VDU stands for:

o Video Display Unit
o Visible Display Unit
o Visual Display Unit
o Video Diode Unit

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