UNIT I

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
1. What is a computer?
A computer is a data processor that accepts the input data (alphanumeric) or
instructions or both and performs the operations and displays the results of the
operation.
2. What are the advantages of computer?
The main advantages offered by computers are as follows:
High Accuracy
Superior Speed of Operation
Large Storage Capacity
User friendly Features
Portability
Platform independence
Economical in the long term
3. Mention the applications of computer
Education
sports
Advertising
Medicine
Entertainment
Government
Home
Science & Engineering
4. State the characteristics of computers
Speed
Accuracy
Automatic
Endurance
Versatility
Reduction of cost
5. Mention any two recent input & output devices
Input devices:
Touch pad, touch screen
Output devices:
Printer, plotters
6. Give the classification of computers.
Computer Type
Mainframe

Year of Introduction
1945

Specific Computers
Mark1,B5000,IBM
s/360/370,CRAY-1,UNIVAC
1100,IBM 1401,ICL 1901,ICIM

Mini Computer

1965

Micro Computer

1972

Personal Computer

1975

Laptop

1983

Palmtop

1990

2900
PDP-8,PDP-11,HP 2100A,TDC
312,TDC 316,HCL s-2/s-4
ORG 2001,ORG 80,WIPRO
86,SUPERMAX
APPLE,ALTAIR
8800,SINCLAIR,IBM PC
TRS-80 Model 100,IBM
5155,Compaq SLT/286, Zenith
Minisport, Mactinosh PowerBook
100,ThinkPad 700

7. Write the full forms of ENIAC, ALU, CU, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, BIOS.
ENIAC Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator
ALU Arithmetic Logic Unit
CU Control Unit
RAM Random Access Memory
ROM Read Only Memory
EPROM Erasable Programmable ROM
EEPROM - Electrically Erasable PROM
BIOS Basic Input Output System
8. What is a CPU? What is its function?
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) takes data and instructions from the storage
unit and makes all sorts of calculations based on the instructions given and the
type of data provided. It is then sent back to the storage unit.
CPU, the brain of any computer system. It is just like brain that takes all major
decisions, makes all sorts of calculations and directs different parts of the
computer functions by activating and controlling the operations.
9. Define primary storage and secondary storage.
Primary storage is the main memory that holds running program instructions,
data, intermediate results, and results of ongoing processing of job(s). It is fast in
operation, Small Capacity, Expensive. It is Volatile (looses data on power
dissipation)
Secondary storage is the auxiliary memory that holds data and information of
stored jobs. It is slower than primary storage, Large Capacity, Lot cheaper that
primary storage. It is Non volatile (Retains data even without power)
10. What is the function of control unit?
It fetches program instruction from primary storage unit known as fetching,
interpret them and ensure correct execution of the program known as decoding.
The time required to fetch and decode an instruction is called instruction time, or
I-time.
11. What is the use of registers?
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To speed up processing, the ALU uses registers (temporary storage locations) to

hold instructions and data.
Once processing begins, an instruction register holds instructions currently
being executed. A data register holds the data items being acted upon. A storage
register hold the immediate and final results of processing.
12. Define system software.
It is a set of programs designed to control the input and output operations of the
computer, communicate with the operator and schedule the resources of the
computer for continuous operation.
Examples are loader, linker, operating system, compilers, and interpreters.
13. What is an operating system and what are the functions of operating
system?
The most important system program is the operating system(OS) that controls all
the computer resources and provides the base upon which the application program
can be written and it hides all complexity to the users.
The functions of the OS are
1.
Process management
2.
Memory Management
3.
File Management
4.
Protection.
14. Define program
A process is a program in execution that will need certain resources such as CPU
time, memory files, and I/O devices to accomplish its task.
15. Define Assembler.
It is a translator which takes the input in the form of assembly language and
produces machine language as output.
Assembly Language Instructions Consists Of
Opcode(operation code) indicates the operation performed by the instructions
Mode and operand conveys the address of the data to be found or stored.
16. What is Compiler?
Compiler takes the source code and produces the machine language code for the
machine on which it is to be executed as the output.
During the process of translation, compiler checks the syntax error and this action
is known as diagnosis.
17. Define Application software with example
It is a set of program designed to perform a specific task or operation. Examples are
Microsoft office word,Adobe reader, VLC media player
18. Differentiate RAM & ROM
RAM is used for accessing and modifying data stored in the memory.
RAM is volatile memory
ROM is used only to read the data stored in the memory. It does no allow any
modifications to data.
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 ROM is non-volatile
19. Mention the different types of RAM
SDRAM(Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
DDRRAM(Double Data Rate RAM)
RDRAM(Rambus Dynamic RAM)
20. Mention different types of secondary memory
Hard-Disk drive
Floppy disk drive
CD-ROM drive
21. Mention different ways of representing the numbers
Decimal number system
Binary number system
Octal number system
Hexa decimal number system
22. State the different types of ROM
Semiconductor Read only memory (SROM)
Programmable Semiconductor Read only memory (PROM)
Erasable Programmable Semiconductor Read only memory(EPROM)
23.Define firmware with example
In electronic systems and computing, firmware is the combination of persistent
hardware , program code and data stored in it. Typical examples of devices containing
firmware are embedded systems (such as traffic lights, consumer appliances, and digital
watches, computers, computer peripherals, mobile phones , and digital cameras)
15. What is an algorithm?
An algorithm is part of the plan for computer program. It is an effective procedure
for solving a problem is a finite number of steps.
It helps the programmer in breaking down the solution of a problem into number
of sequential steps.
16. What are the ways of representing an algorithm?
Three different ways such as
Pseudocode
Flow chart
Nassi-Scheiderman
17. Define flowchart.
A flowchart provides an appropriate step to be followed in order to arrive at the
solution to a problem.
It is a program design tool used before writing programs.
A flowchart comprises a set of various standard shaped boxes that are
interconnected by flowlines.
18. What are the limitations of flowchart?
Complex logical problem sometimes becomes difficult for flowchart.
Alterations and modifications redraw flowchart completely
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Reproduction of symbols becomes a problem

The essentials of what has to be done can easily be lost in the technical details of
how it is to be done.
19. Define a pseudocode.
Pseudocode, like step-form written statement of an algorithm using a restricted and
well defined vocabulary.
It is similar to a 3GL.
No standard but easy to read and use.
21. What is a sequence control structure?
Sequence means that each step or process in the algorithm is executed in the specify
order.
Eg. Algorithm to add any two numbers
Step 1 Accept the first integer as input from the user (integer1).
Step 2 Accept the second integer as input from the user (integer2).
Step 3 Calculate the sum of two integer (integer3= integer1+ integer2).
Step 4 Display the integer3 as the result
22. What is relocation?
It means adjustment of all address dependent locations such as address constant. It is
simpler in moving a program from one area to another in main memory.
23. What is a linker ?
Linking resolves symbolic references between the object programs.
References to build-in functions and global data requires linking in C eg. In
FORTRAN , COBOL are translated separately so subprogram cells and common
variables requires linking.
Linking makes the addresses of programs known to each other so that transfer of
control form one subprogram to another or a main program takes place during
execution.
24. What are the basic symbols used in flowchart?
Start or end of the program
Computational steps or processing function of a program
Input or output operation

Decision making and branching

Connector or joining of two parts of program
Magnetic Tape
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Magnetic Disk
Off-page connector
Flow line
Annotation

Display
25. Mention any four advantages of using flowchart.
Communication is better using flowcharts.
Effective analysis.
Proper documentation.
Efficient coding.
Proper debugging.
Efficient program maintenance.