Basics of Computers – Introduction

Computer is an electronic device that receives input, stores or processes the input as per user
instructions and provides output in desired format.

Input-Process-Output Model
Computer input is called data and the output obtained after processing it, based on user’s instructions is
called information. Raw facts and figures which can be processed using arithmetic and logical operations to
obtain information are called data.

The processes that can be applied to data are of two types −

 Arithmetic operations − Examples include calculations like addition, subtraction, differentials, square
root, etc.
 Logical operations − Examples include comparison operations like greater than, less than, equal to, opposite,
etc.

The corresponding figure for an actual computer looks something like this −

The basic parts of a computer are as follows −

 Input Unit − Devices like keyboard and mouse that are used to input data and instructions to the computer
are called input unit.
 Output Unit − Devices like printer and visual display unit that are used to provide information to the user
in desired format are called output unit.
 Control Unit − As the name suggests, this unit controls all the functions of the computer. All devices or
parts of computer interact through the control unit.
 Arithmetic Logic Unit − This is the brain of the computer where all arithmetic operations and logical
operations take place.
 Memory − All input data, instructions and data interim to the processes are stored in the memory. Memory
is of two types – primary memory and secondary memory. Primary memory resides within the
CPU whereas secondary memory is external to it.
Control unit, arithmetic logic unit and memory are together called the central processing unit or CPU.
Computer devices like keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. that we can see and touch are the hardware components of a
computer. The set of instructions or programs that make the computer function using these hardware parts are
called software. We cannot see or touch software. Both hardware and software are necessary for working of a
computer.
Characteristics of Computer

To understand why computers are such an important part of our lives, let us look at some of
its characteristics −

 Speed − typically, a computer can carry out 3-4 million instructions per second.
 Accuracy − Computers exhibit a very high degree of accuracy. Errors that may occur
are usually due to inaccurate data, wrong instructions or bug in chips – all human errors.
 Reliability − Computers can carry out same type of work repeatedly without throwing
up errors due to tiredness or boredom, which are very common among humans.
 Versatility − Computers can carry out a wide range of work from data entry and ticket
booking to complex mathematical calculations and continuous astronomical
observations. If you can input the necessary data with correct instructions, computer
will do the processing.
 Storage Capacity − Computers can store a very large amount of data at a fraction of
cost of traditional storage of files. Also, data is safe from normal wear and tear
associated with paper.
Advantages of Using Computer

Now that we know the characteristics of computers, we can see the advantages that
computers offer−

 Computers can do the same task repetitively with same accuracy.

 Computers do not get tired or bored.
 Computers can take up routine tasks while releasing human resource for more
intelligent functions.

Disadvantages of Using Computer

Despite so many advantages, computers have some disadvantages of their own −

 Computers have no intelligence; they follow the instructions blindly without considering
the outcome.
 Regular electric supply is necessary to make computers work, which could prove
difficult everywhere especially in developing nations.

Booting
Starting a computer or a computer-embedded device is called booting. Booting takes place in
two steps −
 Switching on power supply
 Loading operating system into computer’s main memory
 Keeping all applications in a state of readiness in case needed by the user
The first program or set of instructions that run when the computer is switched on is
called BIOS or Basic Input Output System. BIOS is a firmware, i.e. a piece of software
permanently programmed into the hardware.
If a system is already running but needs to be restarted, it is called rebooting. Rebooting
may be required if a software or hardware has been installed or system is unusually slow.

There are two types of booting −

 Cold Booting − When the system is started by switching on the power supply it is
called cold booting. The next step in cold booting is loading of BIOS.
 Warm Booting − When the system is already running and needs to be restarted or
rebooted, it is called warm booting. Warm booting is faster than cold booting because
BIOS is not reloaded.

Basics of Computers - Classification

All modern computers and computing devices use microprocessors whose speeds and storage
capacities are skyrocketing day by day. The developmental benchmark for computers is now their size.
Computers are now classified on the basis of their use or size –

 Desktop
 Laptop
 Tablet
 Server
 Mainframe
 Supercomputer
Desktop
Desktop computers are personal computers (PCs) designed for use by an individual at a
fixed location. IBM was the first computer to introduce and popularize use of desktops. A
desktop unit typically has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Introduction of desktops popularized use of computers among common people as it was
compact and affordable.

Laptop
Despite its huge popularity, desktops gave way to a more compact and portable personal
computer called laptop in 2000s. Laptops are also called notebook computers or
simply notebooks. Laptops run using batteries and connect to networks using Wi-Fi (Wireless
Fidelity) chips. They also have chips for energy efficiency so that they can conserve power
whenever possible and have a longer life.
Tablet

After laptops computers were further miniaturized to develop machines that have processing
power of a desktop but are small enough to be held in one’s palm. Tablets have touch
sensitive screen of typically 5 to 10 inches where one finger is used to touch icons and invoke
applications.

Server
Servers are computers with high processing speeds that provide one or more services to other
systems on the network. They may or may not have screens attached to them. A group of
computers or digital devices connected together to share resources is called a network.

Mainframe
Mainframes are computers used by organizations like banks, airlines and railways to handle
millions and trillions of online transactions per second. Important features of mainframes are
−
 Big in size
 Hundreds times Faster than servers, typically hundred megabytes per second
 Very expensive
 Use proprietary OS provided by the manufacturers
 In-built hardware, software and firmware security features

Supercomputer
Supercomputers are the fastest computers on Earth. They are used for carrying out
complex, fast and time intensive calculations for scientific and engineering applications.
Supercomputer speed or performance is measured in teraflops, i.e. 1012 floating point
operations per second.

Chinese supercomputer Sunway TaihuLight is the world’s fastest supercomputer with a

rating of 93 petaflops per second, i.e. 93 quadrillion floating point operations per second.

Most common uses of supercomputers include −

 Molecular mapping and research

 Weather forecasting
 Environmental research
 Oil and gas exploration
 Basics of Computers - Software Concepts
The hardware devices need user instructions to function. A set of instructions that achieve a
single outcome are called program or procedure. Many programs functioning together to do a
task make a software?

For example, a word-processing software enables the user to create, edit and save
documents. A web browser enables the user to view and share web pages and multimedia
files. There are two categories of software −

 System Software
 Application Software
 Utility Software

System Software
Software required to run the hardware parts of the computer and other application software
are called system software. System software acts as interface between hardware and user
applications. An interface is needed because hardware devices or machines and humans
speak in different languages. Machines understand only binary language i.e. 0 (absence of
electric signal) and 1 (presence of electric signal) while humans speak in English, French,
German, Tamil, Hindi and many other languages.

Operating System
System software that is responsible for functioning of all hardware parts and their
interoperability to carry out tasks successfully is called operating system (OS). OS is the
first software to be loaded into computer memory when the computer is switched on and this
is called booting. OS manages a computer’s basic functions like storing data in memory,
retrieving files from storage devices, scheduling tasks based on priority, etc.
Operating System
Operating system (OS) is the lifeline of computer. You connect all the basic devices like
CPU, monitor, keyboard and mouse; plug in the power supply and switch it on thinking you
have everything in place. But the computer will not start or come to life unless it has an
operating system installed in it because OS −
 Keeps all hardware parts in a state of readiness to follow user instructions
 Co-ordinates between different devices
 Schedules multiple tasks as per priority
 Allocates resource to each task
 Enables computer to access network
 Enables users to access and use application software
GUI OS
GUI is the acronym for Graphical User Interface. An operating system that presents an
interface comprising graphics and icons is called a GUI OS. GUI OS is very easy to navigate
and use as users need not remember commands to be given to accomplish each task.
Examples of GUI OS includes Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, etc.
Application Software
A software that performs a single task and nothing else is called application software.
Application software are very specialized in their function and approach to solving a problem.
So a spreadsheet software can only do operations with numbers and nothing else. A hospital
management software will manage hospital activities and nothing else. Here are some
commonly used application software −
 Word processing
 Spreadsheet
 Presentation
 Database management
 Multimedia tool

The technique to represent and work with numbers is called number system. Decimal
number system is the most common number system. Other popular number systems
include binary number system, octal number system, hexadecimal number
system, etc.
Decimal Number System
Decimal number system is a base 10 number system having 10 digits from 0 to 9. This
means that any numerical quantity can be represented using these 10 digits. Decimal number
system is also a positional value system. This means that the value of digits will depend on
its position. Let us take an example to understand this.

Say we have three numbers – 734, 971 and 207. The value of 7 in all three numbers is
different−

 In 734, value of 7 is 7 hundreds or 700 or 7 × 100 or 7 × 10 2

 In 971, value of 7 is 7 tens or 70 or 7 × 10 or 7 × 10 1
 In 207, value 0f 7 is 7 units or 7 or 7 × 1 or 7 × 10 0

The weightage of each position can be represented as follows −

In digital systems, instructions are given through electric signals; variation is done by varying
the voltage of the signal. Having 10 different voltages to implement decimal number system
in digital equipment is difficult. So, many number systems that are easier to implement
digitally have been developed. Let’s look at them in detail.

Binary Number System

The easiest way to vary instructions through electric signals is two-state system – on and off.
On is represented as 1 and off as 0, though 0 is not actually no signal but signal at a lower
voltage. The number system having just these two digits – 0 and 1 – is called binary number
system.
Each binary digit is also called a bit. Binary number system is also positional value system,
where each digit has a value expressed in powers of 2, as displayed here.
In any binary number, the rightmost digit is called least significant bit (LSB) and leftmost
digit is called most significant bit (MSB).

And decimal equivalent of this number is sum of product of each digit with its positional value.

110102 = 1×24 + 1×23 + 0×22 + 1×21 + 0×20

= 16 + 8 + 0 + 2 + 0

= 2610

Computer memory is measured in terms of how many bits it can store. Here is a chart for
memory capacity conversion.

 1 byte (B) = 8 bits

 1 Kilobytes (KB) = 1024 bytes
 1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024 KB
 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB
 1 Terabyte (TB) = 1024 GB
 1 Exabyte (EB) = 1024 PB
 1 Zettabyte = 1024 EB
 1 Yottabyte (YB) = 1024 ZB

Octal Number System

Octal number system has eight digits – 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Octal number system is also
a positional value system with where each digit has its value expressed in powers of 8, as
shown here −

Decimal equivalent of any octal number is sum of product of each digit with its positional
value.

7268 = 7×82 + 2×81 + 6×80

= 448 + 16 + 6

= 47010
Hexadecimal Number System
Octal number system has 16 symbols – 0 to 9 and A to F where A is equal to 10, B is equal
to 11 and so on till F. Hexadecimal number system is also a positional value system with
where each digit has its value expressed in powers of 16, as shown here −

Decimal equivalent of any hexadecimal number is sum of product of each digit with its
positional value.

27FB16 = 2×163 + 7×162 + 15×161 + 10×160

= 8192 + 1792 + 240 +10

= 1023410
Number System Relationship

The following table depicts the relationship between decimal, binary, octal and hexadecimal
number systems.

HEXADECIMAL DECIMAL OCTAL BINARY

0 0 0 0000

1 1 1 0001

2 2 2 0010

3 3 3 0011

4 4 4 0100

5 5 5 0101

6 6 6 0110

7 7 7 0111

8 8 10 1000

9 9 11 1001

A 10 12 1010
B 11 13 1011

C 12 14 1100

D 13 15 1101

E 14 16 1110

F 15 17 1111

ASCII

Besides numerical data, computer must be able to handle alphabets, punctuation marks,
mathematical operators, special symbols, etc. that form the complete character set of English
language. The complete set of characters or symbols are called alphanumeric codes. The
complete alphanumeric code typically includes −

 26 upper case letters

 26 lower case letters
 10 digits
 7 punctuation marks
 20 to 40 special characters

Now a computer understands only numeric values, whatever the number system used. So all
characters must have a numeric equivalent called the alphanumeric code. The most widely
used alphanumeric code is American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). ASCII
is a 7-bit code that has 128 (27) possible codes.

ISCII
ISCII stands for Indian Script Code for Information Interchange. IISCII was developed to
support Indian languages on computer. Language supported by IISCI include Devanagari,
Tamil, Bangla, Gujarati, Gurmukhi, Tamil, Telugu, etc. IISCI is mostly used by government
departments and before it could catch on, a new universal encoding standard
called Unicode was introduced.
Unicode

Unicode is an international coding system designed to be used with different language scripts.
Each character or symbol is assigned a unique numeric value, largely within the framework of
ASCII.