Computer Basics

Computer Basics
Overview
Copyright 2014, All Rights Reserved. Manipal Global Education Services Pvt. Ltd.
Objectives
After going through this presentation, you will be able
to:
Explain the basics of computers
Describe Operating Systems
Explain Internet, its features and uses
Explain the Basics of Computers
Introduction
Computer - An electronic device, which processes given
data to derive the required and useful information.
During processing the computer has to perform various
functions like:
Accepting instructions and data from the user
Performing various arithmetic and logical operations
as per Instructions given
Presenting the information or output to the user
Features and Limitations
Features Limitations
Speed Requires detailed instructions to
perform
Accuracy Needs to be programmed as it cannot
take decisions on its own
Reliability Cannot learn by experience
Storage Capacity
Versatility
Automation: Seamless action
Diligent
Performs basic arithmetic and logic
operations on data
Capable of generating the desired
output in the desired form
Computer Generations (1 of 2)
Computers Features
First Generation Computers (1950's) Used vacuum tubes (valves) as major
electronic component
Second Generation Computers Vacuum tubes replaced by
(1960's) transistors
Consumed less power, generated
less heat and are faster and reliable
Third Generation Computers (1970's) Integrated Circuits (IC's) of silicon
chips, in the place of transistors
Size of computers, cost, heat
generation and power consumption
decreased to a great extent
Speed and reliability increased as
compared to previous generation
Machines used IC's with large scale
Integration (LSI)
Computer Generations (2 of 2)
Computers Features
Fourth Generation (1980's) Used integrated circuits with Very

Large Scale Integration (VLSI).These
computers have high processing
powers, low maintenance, high
reliability and very low power
consumption
Fifth Generation (Late 1990's) Used optic fiber technology to handle
Artificial Intelligence, expert systems,
robotics etc. These computers have
high processing speeds and are more
reliable.
Classification of Computers (1 of 2)
Super Computers Main Frame Medium Scale
Computer Computer
The fastest, with very Can support many Processing speed
high processing peripheral devices support up to 200
speed, very large and terminals, which remote systems
size, most powerful. can process several
E.g. PARAM Million
developed in India. Instructions/Second
No1. Tianhe -2 of (MIPS), which
China support 1000 remote
systems. Mostly used
for railway
reservation, banks
etc.
Classification of computers (2 of 2)
Mini Computers Micro Computers
Can support about 10 to 20 user They can also be connected to
terminals. These computers are peripheral devices
generally easy to use. They can Desk Top
handle database, statistical Laptop - also called as note
problems accounting etc. book
Tablet PC: wireless, portable
personal computer with a
touch screen interface
A Personal Digital Assistant
(PDA), also known as a
palmtop computer, or
personal data assistant, is a
mobile device. They use a pen
like stylus and accept
handwritten input directly on
the screen
Wares
Adware: Display of advertisement
Crippleware: Deliberately disabled by the manufacturer
Firmware: Software embedded in a hardware device
Freeware: Software given away free
Hardware: Computer machinery and parts
Malware: Software that contains malicious programming
Shareware: Supplied free initially but had to pay to
posses it
Software: Program or a code
Spyware: Leaks information
Spamware: Software used for sending out spam
Vapourware: Software that is announced as "coming
soon" but is never released
Input Devices
Translates the data from human understandable form into
electronic impulses which are understood by the computer.
Keyboard
Mouse
Joystick
Light pen
Track Ball
Scanner
Graphic Tablet
Microphone
Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR)
Optical Character Reader (OCR)
Bar Code Reader
Optical Mark Reader
Processing (1 of 2)
Central Processing Unit (CPU) Memory Unit
Brain of computer system, which Holds the data in terms of
does all the processing, programs and files. The data
calculations, problem solving and stored can be accessed and used
controls all other functions of all whenever required by the CPU
other elements of the computer. for necessary processing. This
The CPU consists of the following memory unit is usually referred
three distinct units namely. as primary storage section. The
Memory Unit units in which memory unit is
Control Unit measured are known as BYTES.
Arithmetic and Logic Unit
Processing (2 of 2)
Control Unit Arithmetic and Logic Units
Coordinates all the activities of Performs arithmetic operations
each and every element of such as addition, subtraction,
computers. Decodes the multiplication and division. It also
instructions given by various does logical operations such as
users and sends commands and comparison of numbers etc.
signals that determine the Helps to process data and take
sequence of various instructions. logical decisions.
Though this unit does not
process data, it acts as the
central system for data
manipulation, as it controls the
flow of data to and from the
main storage.
Output Devices
Monitors: Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT), Flat-
Panel Display
Printer
Impact Printers:
o Very low consumable costs
o Impact printers are very noisy
o Useful for bulk printing due to low cost
o There is physical contact with the paper to
produce an image
Output Devices
The printers are of two types:
Character printers: Dot Matrix Printer (DMP)
Daisy Wheel
Line printers: Drum Printer Chain Printer
Non-Impact Printers:
o Laser Printers
o Inkjet Printers
Types of Memories (1 of 2)
Magnetic Core Memory Random Access Memory
(RAM)
Uses small magnetic cores with While a program is executed it
wires running through them and requires data, such data is stored
electric current, which flows in RAM. The data stored in RAM is
through these wires, generates volatile -- when there is a power
magnetic field. failure, the data in the RAM is lost.
RAM, ROM. Whenever new data is stored in
RAM the previous data is erased.
Types of Memories (2 of 2)
Read Only Memory (ROM) Cache Memory
Contains the Bootstrap Loader Very high speed memory, which is
Programs, which loads the used to store a portion of a
Operating System (OS) into program from main memory,
memory. As this program is stored temporarily. The cache memory
in ROM, it starts as soon as the though very expensive, is very
computer is switched on and fast. The data is transferred
makes the computer ready to load automatically between the buffer
the OS program in the memory. and primary storage, which lies
The contents of ROM cannot be between main memory and
changed. microprocessor.
Example: Freeware
Communication Paths
Communication links between Memory Unit, Control
Unit, and Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) are called
buses. Buses are the electrical paths for data to flow
from point to point in a circuit.
Control Bus: Path for all controlling and timing functions
sent by the control unit to other units of CPU.
Address Bus: Path used for locating the address of the
memory location where the next instruction to be
executed or the next piece of data is found. This is used
for data retrieval, storage and manipulations, where
address of storage locations are required.
Data Bus: Path on which actual data transfer takes place.
Software
Set of programs, which gives intelligence to hardware
to function Software.
System Software:
Software, which supports for operating system
Required for translation, loading, controlling and
running of the program.
Serves TWO major purposes:
o It controls the execution of programs on the
computer.
o It helps the development of software.
Software
System software can categorized into:
Operating System
Language Processors (Assemblers, Compilers,
Interpreters)
Device Drivers
Utility Programs
Languages and Generation of Languages
Languages are of two categories:
Low-Level Language
High-Level Language
First Second Third Fourth
Generation Generation Generation Generation
Language Language Language Language
Machine-level Assembly Procedural Domain specific
programming Language language - programming
language Example COBOL, language -
Java etc. Example RDBMS
Language Processors: Translators
Translators are used to convert high-level language of
instructions into machine language by the use of the
following:
Compilers: A software that converts high level language
of instructions into equivalent machine level instructions
at a time.
Interpreters: A software that converts high level language
of instructions into equivalent machine level instructions
step by step.
Assembler: A software that converts assembly language
of instructions to equivalent machine language.
The input programs are in assembly language, whereas the

output is in machine language.
Describe Operating Systems
Operating System (OS)
A set of programs that control and support hardware and
provide various services, which are used for better
performance of computer.
The major functions of OS are:
Assigns processors to tasks
Manages memory and other storage areas
Acts as a command interpreter
File management
Input-Output Management
Establishing data security & Integrity
Maintains account of processor time for billing purposes
Provides data and time services etc.
Operating System (OS)
The OS can be classified as single user and multi-user
(number of users working on it at a given point of time)
and multi-tasking OS
Single user OS MSDOS
Multi-user OS - UNIX, Linux etc.
Multitasking OS - Windows
Features of OS
The major features of an OS are:
Processor Management
Device Management
Memory Management
Security Management
File Management
Service Utilities and Device Drivers
Service Utilities Device Drivers Directory and File
Management Utilities
Software programs, Special programs, which Software programs,
which are provided by are used to enhance the which are used to
the manufacturer of capability of operating manage data
various hardware to systems, so that it can
perform specific tasks, support many
which are common to all input/output devices
data processing like mouse, joysticks,
installations printers etc.
The commonly available
service utilities are:
Device Drivers
Directory and File
Management Utilities
Application Software
Software, which serves specific purposes and allows
the user to create applications, which are for a given
purpose like financial accounting, payroll examinations,
human resources management etc.
These software can be further classified, depending

upon the source of development as well the users.
Explain Internet, its Features and Uses
Internet
An interconnection of networks.
Internet allows computers on different kinds of

networks to interact with each other.
Any two computers, often having different software

and hardware, can exchange information over the
internet, as long as they obey the technical rules of
internet communication.
Internetworking Protocol
TCP/IP is the communication protocol for the internet.
The TCP/IP protocol has two parts:
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) provides reliable
transport service -- it ensures that messages sent
from sender to receiver are properly routed and
arrive intact at the destination.
Internet Protocol (IP) allows different computers to
communicate by creating a network of networks.
IP handles the dispatch of packets over the network.
Computers connected to internet may be personal
computers or mainframes.
Internet Architecture
The architecture of internet is hierarchical in nature.
Client (user of computer) at home or in a LAN
network is at the lowest level in hierarchy.
Local Internet Service Provider (ISP) is at the next
higher level.
Regional ISP is next in the hierarchy. The local ISP is
connected to regional ISP.
Backbone is at top of the hierarchy.
Uses of Internet
E-Commerce (auction, buying, selling products etc.)
Research (online journals, magazines, information etc.)
Education (e-learning courses, virtual classroom, distance learning)
E-Governance (online filing of application - Income Tax department
etc.)
Online ticket booking (airplane tickets, rail tickets, cinema hall
tickets etc.)
Online payments (credit card payments etc.)
Video conferencing
Exchange of views, music, files, mails, folders, data, information etc.
Outsourcing jobs (work flow software)
Social networking (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Orkut)
E-Telephony (Skype)
Summary
In this presentation, you learnt about:
Computers - Is an electronic device, which processes
given data to derive the required and useful information.
Software - Defined as a set of programs, which gives
intelligence to hardware to function Internet, its features
and uses.
Application Software - Software, which serves specific
purposes and allows the user to create applications.
Internet - An interconnection of networks that allows
computers on different kinds of networks to interact with
each other.
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Bangalore - 560008
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Computer Basics

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Computer Basics

Fourth Generation (1980's) Used integrated circuits with Very

The input programs are in assembly language, whereas the

These software can be further classified, depending

Internet allows computers on different kinds of

Any two computers, often having different software

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