Computer Science Basics for Class VIII & IX

1. Internet
The Internet is a worldwide telecommunications system that provides connectivity for millions of other,
smaller networks; therefore, the Internet is often referred to as a network of networks. It allows computer
users to communicate with each other across distance and computer platforms.
2. TCP/IP protocols
The two most important protocols allowing computers to transmit data on the Internet are Transmission
Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP). With these protocols, virtually all computers can
communicate with each other.
3. Domain name system (DNS)
An Internet address has four fields with numbers that are separated by periods or dots. This type of address
is known as an IP address. Rather than have the user remember long strings of numbers, the Domain Name
System (DNS) was developed to translate the numerical addresses into words.
4. URLs
Addresses for web sites are called URLs (Uniform Resource Locators). Most of them begin with http
(Hypertext Transfer Protocol), followed by a colon and two slashes.
5. Broadband
Broadband internet connections provide high-speed internet that is always on and allows for more data to be
transmitted than the traditional dial-up connections. Unlike dial-up services, it does not block phone lines
and you do not have to reconnect to the network each time you log off.
6. Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a play on the term Hi-Fi and represents a wireless internet connection. More specifically, it is a
wireless local area network (WLAN) that allows devices to connect wirelessly to the internet. It utilizes 2.4
GHz and 5.0 GHz radio waves to connect Wi-Fi enabled gadgets.
7. WiMAX
WiMAX is a more advanced form of wireless internet technology than Wi-Fi. It aims to provide the high
speeds of broadband connections, the large coverage of phone networks, and the convenience of Wi-Fi into
one package.

8. Networking
Networking is the practice of linking multiple computing devices together in order to share resources. These
resources can be printers, CDs, files, or even electronic communications such as e-mails and instant
messages.

9. Switches
Switches are used in order to connect many devices on the same network. These devices are generally
within the same building, such as an office building or school and could consist of various computers,
printers, and other gadgets.

10. Routers
In addition to switches, networks generally employ routers as well. These essential tools connect different
networks to each other through the internet in order to allow for data exchange between networks.

11. Network Types

There are countless types of networks available, especially as networking technologies continue to advance.
Two of the most commonly employed networks are LAN and WAN.
Local Area Network (LAN): These networks are used to connect devices over relatively short distances,
such as within a building, school, or home. LANs generally
Wide Area Network (WAN): These networks are used to connect devices over much larger distances than
LANs. A WAN is established by using routers to connect various
Other Network Types: Various other types of networks exist, including wireless local area networks
(WLANs) that are LANs based on wireless network technology and metropolitan area networks (MANs)
that cover larger areas than LANs but smaller areas than WANs.

12. Network Topology

Bus: This topology utilizes a common backbone, generally a single cable, to connect all the devices on a
network.
Ring: Found in some offices and schools, ring topologies give each device two neighbors for
communication purposes. All data travels in a ring, and a failure of that ring can bring down the whole
network.
Star: Found in many homes, a central connection known as a hub is connected to all the objects on the
network. This hub could be a router or a switch.
Tree: A hybrid bus/star network, several star hubs are connected to the core cable of a bus in order to
vastly increase the number of computers able to connect to the network.
Mesh: The mesh topology employs the concept of routing, in which each piece of data sent on the network
has multiple paths it can take instead of one fixed route. The internet is a perfect example of this topology.

13. Operating System

An operating System (OS) is an intermediary between users and computer hardware. It provides users an
environment in which a user can execute programs conveniently and efficiently.

14. Functions of Operating System

Following are some of important functions of an operating System.

Memory Management

Processor Management

Device Management

File Management

Security

Control over system performance

Job accounting

Error detecting aids

Coordination between other software and users

15. Types of Operating System

a) Batch operating system
b) Time-sharing operating systems
c) Distributed operating System
d) Network operating System

e) Real Time operating System

16. Basic Concepts of Database

A database is just what the name implies, a base collection of data. The data is organized in some manner so that the
information contained within the database can be easily retrieved.

Field (Column): a single piece of information. Could be a name, or a number. In some cases, it may even
be a null or empty value.
Record (Row): a collection of related fields. A number of pieces of information that relate to the same object. For
example: If you keep records on an employee, you might have their name, address, social security number, phone
number, etcEach piece of the information relates back to one employee. This would be the employees record.
Table (File): a collection of related records. If you put all the employee records together, you have a table of
employees.
Database: a collection of tables. If you were keeping the company records, you might have a table for employees, a
table for customers, and another for sales records. All these tables would be combined as a database.
A Relational Database Management System (DBMS) software that allows users to create, maintain, and query
your data in the related tables.

Some common DBMS programs are Access, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, FoxPro, RBase, and Paradox

17. Primary and Foreign Keys

When we start thinking of constructing the various tables that our database requires, we need to consider
how we will organize these tables and relate them to one another. For the most part, this will be done using
keys. There are 2 types of keys in a table.

18.

Primary Key

a value that is unique to each record

Foreign Key

a primary key of one table included in another table

HTML is a markup language for describing web documents (web pages).

HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language

A markup language is a set of markup tags

HTML documents are described by HTML tags

19. A web browser (commonly referred to as a browser) is a software application for retrieving,
presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web.
20. Videoconferencing (VC) is the conduct of a videoconference (also known as a video
conference or video teleconference) by a set of telecommunication technologies which allow two or more
locations to communicate by simultaneous two-way video and audio transmissions.