Basics of Computer

A computer is an electronic device that is used for computing and processing information
and data. It uses binary numbers to process data.
Some terms associated with computers are: computing system, abstracted complexity,
processing, and GIGO
Computing system: A computing system comprises of computers, and other computing
resources, such as servers, network, and the storage systems. It facilitates the use of
different applications that make use of these resources in best possible manner.
Concealed complexity: The complexity of processing the information is hidden from the end
user. You enter raw data through keyboard, it get processed in the computer, and finally
you get the output on your computer’s screen. The underlying complexity of where and how
the data is getting processed is hidden from the user
Processing: The Computer processes raw data using algorithms and logics. It can only
process the data for which it has processing information or algorithm. A computer cannot
create or invent data on its own.
Garbage In Garbage Out: Garbage In Garbage Out or (GIGO ) is the thumb rule that
dominates how data is processed in a computer. GIGO is a common term used in computing
world.
There are many advantages and disadvantages of using computers.

Advantages:  Makes information available in a geographical dispersed environment

without much hassles.  Can use various types of media to present a piece of information. 
Can store retrievable information for a long duration of time.  Can process large amount of
data in a very short time.

Disadvantages:  Changes in technology results in changes in existing processes. Updating

knowledge regularly could become expensive requirement.  Regular update of computing
resources can become expensive.  Copy write violations can happen if not checked
regularly.  Security of data can be challenging if appropriate measures are not taken.
Files and Folders
Computers are capable of storing, processing, and retrieving large volumes of data.
However, to use the data efficiently, you need to categorise and organise the data in such a
way that you can retrieve it without searching for it every time you want to work with it. In a
Computer, you can achieve this simplicity of easy retrieval of data using files and folders.
Files allow you to save data on a computer and folders allow you to store same type of files
at a common location.
Files are used to store information on a computer. Everything on a computer is represented
as a file 2 You can create files using any software application or through open office
applications, such as Impress, Writer, and Calc.
Once a file is created, you can then save, modify, copy, move, rename, and delete files.
Note: The Operating System (OS) is installed on the C drive by default. So, in the event of
any unexpected OS related issue, all data on drive C may be lost. Therefore, it is advisable to
save all the user files and folders on any drive other than drive C. This ensures that user data
that is stored on any other drive, such as drive D, is saved from getting lost.

Working with Folders Folders are used to arrange files and folders in different categories. 3
You can create a folder to save all the files of a particular file type. You do not require any
specialized application to create folders. You can modify, copy, move, rename, and delete
folders.
What is Computer?
A computer is an electronic device used for computing and processing information and data.
It uses binary numbers to process data.
The basic components that make up a Computer system are: Monitor, Central Processing
Unit, Keyboard, and mouse.
Visual Display Unit: Visual Display Unit or (VDU ) or Monitor is used to display the output on
the screen. Central Processing Unit: Central Processing Unit or (CPU ) contains processor to
perform all the processing in the computer. Keyboard: Keyboard is used to enter
alphanumeric or textual data into the computer.
Mouse: Mouse is used as pointing device to select graphical data.
The components of a computer are categorized according to their functionality. For
example:  Input Devices  Output Devices  Storage Devices and  Processing devices
Input devices are used to enter data into the computer. There are different types of input
devices for different categories of input data, such as textual input, audio input, video input,
and graphical input.
Output devices are used to generate output. There are different types of output devices for
different categories of output data, such as Print output, audio output, and video output.
The Central processing Unit or CPU is the processor or the processing device of the
computer. It is often called as heart of the computer. It is contained in the system unit. It is
required to process instructions and data, and to manage all the parts of a Computer.
A Computer stores instructions in three storage devices: Random Access Memory Read Only
Memory Hard Disk Drive
Random access memory: Random access memory or (RAM ) is the main ‘working’ memory
used by the computer. RAM is a temporary storage device and the information in RAM is
lost when you switch off the computer.
Read Only Memory: Read Only Memory or (ROM ) is a chip based memory and can only be
read. This is used for basic operative requirement when the computer switches on.
Hard Disk Drive: Hard Disk Drive or (HDD ) is used to save programs and data for long and
repeated usages. It is available as an internal part of the computer system and also as an
external storage medium.
All computers work on a binary numbering system, i.e. they process data in one’s or zero’s
or bits. Computers only understand the language of bits. However, the storage is denoted
as:  Byte, which is equal to 8 bits.  Kilobyte, which is equal to 1024 bytes.  Megabyte,
which is equal to 1024 Kilobytes.  Gigabyte, which is equal to 1024 Megabytes, and 
Terabyte, which is equal to 1024 Gigabytes.
Computer works based on instructions that we give to the computers. A set of instructions
that collectively completes a task or solves a problem is called a Program. Further, a set of
multiple programs that are ‘combined’ together for a specific objective are called
‘Software’.
System software is a set of programs required to manage the computer and its
functionalities. System software provides you an intuitive interface to use the computer
resources easily without having to convert every instruction in binary format. The different
examples of software are:
Operating System, which is an example of System software and Application software, which
is a customized software that performs tasks of a particular type. For example: Impress for
creating presentations, Writer for typing text, and Calc for complex spreadsheet based
calculations.
Operating System: An operating system, or OS as is commonly known, is a software that
provides an interface for user inputs.  It connects all the input and output devices to the
processing unit. When a data in entered for processing in a computer, the operating system
directs these requests to the right component.  The Operating System does not expose the
internal workings of a computer.  Few popular Operating systems are Windows, UNIX and
Linux. Application Software: Application software is a set of programs, which are written to
perform specific tasks.  These can be classified into ‘Generalized Applications’ or
‘Customized Applications’, depending upon the scope of usage and user base.

Application software are categorized into: Generalized application and customized

application
Generalised Application: These are software written to cater to large number of users’
common needs such as: Creating documents Drawing pictures 6 Creating database to
manage data or information Creating presentations Play games and so on Few commonly
available generalized applications are: Word Processing Software(for preparing
documents): MS-Word, OpenOffice.org-Writer Spreadsheets (Data Analysis): Lotus Smart
suites, MS-Excel, OpenOffice.org-Calc. Presentations: MS-PowerPoint, OpenOffice.org-
Impress Database Management System: MS-Access, OpenOffice.org Base, MS-SQL Server,
ORACLE
Customized application: Applications may be developed or customized for specific user(s)
and or institutions. They may also serve only a specific purpose even within an organization.
Banks’ use a ‘Core Banking Solution’ to network all their branches and offices. This
application may not be useful for other industries. ICICI Bank uses ‘Finacle’ software to
manage customers’ accounts. Similarly, ‘My Money’ application allows you to view both,
your ICICI Bank as well as Non-ICICI Bank accounts online to help you comprehensively track
your expenses and plan your budgets
What is Internet? The Internet is a humongous network of computers all around the world.
You will now learn about the following benefits of the Internet:  Dissemination of
Information  Communication  Transaction  Access  Share
Benefits of Internet. 1 Dissemination of Information: It enables dissemination of
information on variety of topics to any and everybody connected to it. 2 Communication: It
enables communications between people. 3 Transaction: It enables commercial and
financial transactions in a virtual environment. 4 Access: It can be accessed from a variety of
platforms, such as laptops, desktops, mobiles, tablets; from office, from home; while
travelling or even when picnicking, across the world. 5 Share: It enables you to share text,
documents, databases, photos, movies, presentations or even your voice through internet.
What is World Wide Web? Now that you know what Internet is, you will now learn about
World Wide Web or WWW. World Wide Web or www or simply called as web is used to
connect to the Internet for accessing information or to connect to other computers.
So, how to connect to the WWW. To connect to the WWW, you need a specialized software
application called web browser, such as:  Internet Explorer  Google Chrome  Mozilla
Firefox, and  Apple Safari
What is Web Page? A web browser display information using web pages. This is an example
of a web page.
So, what is a web page? • A web page is a document or a set of documents hyperlinked
with each other. • A web page is stored with an address to locate it on the web. • This
address is called the Uniform Resource Locator or simply URL.
Web Page Layout? A web page consists of different elements as are highlighted on this web
page. For example: Address bar Home Favorites New tab
Web page layout consist of . 1 Address bar: You can enter the URL of the web page here. 2
Home: Click the Home button to return to the home page as saved in the browser settings. 3
Favorites: Click here to view the web sites saved as favourites. 4 New tab: Click the
highlighted area to open a new web page in the same window. Whenever you need to
access a website, you need to enter its Uniform Resource Locator (URL ).
The URL to access ICICI Bank website is: https://www.icicibank.com/ Enter the URL in the
address bar of the browser and press the Enter key. The ICICI Bank home Page appears
Accessing ICICI Bank Website On entering the website, you can either browse the web pages
for getting information or you can perform financial transactions. However, financial
transactions should be secure. The webpages that support financial transactions should be
secured using Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure or (HTTPS ), which is send and receives
the data on the web page in a secured manner. Therefore, before executing any financial
transaction, ensure that the URL starts with “https” -- as it denotes a secure webpage or
website. You can also look for the ‘padlock’ sign on the address bar to show a secure site.
What is an Email? Now that you know what internet is, you are ready to learn about email.
An email is a mail that is sent or received electronically over the Internet.

Email client  Software  Calendar address book  ICICI Bank’s email client 1 Email client: The
software used to send emails is called an ‘Email Client’. 2 Software: Few common email
clients are MS-Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, Eudora, and so on. 3 Calendar address book:
Email client is also used to manage your calendar and address book. ICICI Ban’s email client:
ICICI Bank uses the Mozilla Thunderbird email client
Mozilla Thunderbird User Interface Let us now learn about Mozilla Thunderbird’s user
interface. This is Mozilla Thunderbird User Interface.
Inbox: A folder in which all the emails received are stored. Write: To send an email to other
recipients. Sent: A folder in which all the sent emails are stored.
Mozilla Thunderbird Email-Options To compose a new mail, you need to click the Write
button. It will open a window that displays the interface to compose a new email.

From: The email ID of the person who is sending the email.  To: The email ID of the
recipient of the email.  CC: The email ID’s of all the recipients to whom the mail is copied to
other than the primary recipient.  Subject: The subject of the email.  Body: Enter the
content of the email using ICICI Bank Standards.  Attach: Use ‘Attach’ button to send
additional information in a document, presentation or a data file  Send: Click Send to send
the email to the recipient.  Reply: Send a reply to the sender of the email.  Reply All: Send
a reply to everybody copied in the email. Use this option judiciously.  Forward: Forward the
email with its content and attachments to another email ID.  Archive: Move the old emails
from the mail-server to some other location for reference.  Junk: Mark the email as spam
to move it to the spam folder.  Delete: Delete the email permanently from the email
server.