1.

Explain the block diagram of a computer

The components of a digital computer are shown in the following block diagram. They are
Input devices, CPU, Memory and Output devices. The input and output devices are also
called as peripherals.

Secondary
Memory
Input Unit Output Unit

Primary
Memory

Control
Unit

ALU

1. Input devices – Data and Commands are entered into the computer through the
keyboard. So, it is called the standard input device. Other input devices are mouse,
joystick, light pen, touch screen, Micro phones etc.

2. CPU - CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. It controls the operation of input output
devices and memory unit. The CPU contains the following parts : They are ALU, CU and
Accumulator, general and special purpose registers.

a) ALU stands for Arithmetic and Logic Unit. It performs all the Arithmetic calculations such
as Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

b) Registers are used to store the temporary results and data.

3. Memory – The purpose of memory is to store information. Memories are two types. They are
Primary memory and Secondary memory.

Primary memory is again classified into two types. They are RAM and ROM.

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is a volatile memory. It’s contents would get
erased when the electricity is off.

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 ROM stands for Read Only Memory. It is a permanent memory. It is a non-volatile memory.
It is supplied by the manufacturer of the computer.
The information stored in Hard Disk is permanent. To improve the performance of the
computer several other memories are used such as Cache memory and Virtual memory.
This is of two types. They are Semiconductor memory and Magnetic memory.

Semiconductor memory is static, faster, lighter, smaller and size and consumes less power.
Generally this type of memory is used as main memory. Magnetic memory is slower but
cheaper. It is used as secondary memory and backup for mass storage of information.

RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM are the examples for semi conductor memories.
Hard disk, Floppy disk, Magnetic tape, CD, DVD, Pen drive are the examples of
Secondary memory.

4. Output devices – Output devices display the information outside. The other output devices
are Monitor, Printer, Plotter, Speakers etc. Output devices produce Hard copy and Soft
copy. Hard copy means printed copy. Soft copy produces the information on the VDU,
Floppy disk, CD, DVD and Pen drive etc.

2. Explain Characteristics or Features of computers and limitations.

A computer is an electronic device. It can store, retrieve, manipulate and calculate the large
amount of data at a high speed and with a great accuracy.

Characteristics of computers

Speed: Computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds for calculations that we take
hours to complete. The rate at which computers process the instructions per second is called
speed of the computer. Modern computers execute instructions within Micro, Nano and Pico
seconds.

Accuracy: Computers always process the data with high accuracy. The errors in computer are
due to human and inaccurate data.

Storage: Computers have large storage capacity. Two types of storages are Primary memory
and Secondary memory. The storage capacity is measured in terms of number of bytes. You can
also store data in secondary storage devices such as floppies, Disks etc.

Diligence – Human need rest after certain point of time. But the computers being a machine
does not require any such type of rest. They can process the same activity any number of times
with same speed and accuracy.

Versatility – Computers are used in variety of applications. They are not limited to any particular
job. Many soft wares are available to perform different jobs with the help of computers.

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Reliable - The output generated by the computer is reliable only when the data is passing as
input to the computer.
Automation - Once the instructions fed into computer it works automatically without any human
intervention until the completion of execution of program until meets logical instructions to
terminate the job.

Limitations of Computer:

1) Computer does not work on itself, it requires set of instructions to be provided, and else
computer (Hardware) is waste.
2) Computer is not intelligent, they have to be instructed about each and every step which they
have to perform
3) Computers cannot take decisions on its own, one has to program the computer to take an
action if some conditional prevail.
4) Computers, unlike humans cannot learn by experience.

3. Explain the various types of computers

Computers can be divided into different categories depending upon the size, efficiency,
memory, and number of users. They are:
1. Analog computer
2. Digital computer
3. Hybrid computer

On the basis of purpose of usage, they can be classified into two types:
1. Special purpose computers
2. General purpose computers

On the basis of size, they can be classified into 5 types:

1. Portable computers
2. Desktop computers
3. Mini computers
4. Mainframe computers
5. Super computers

Analog computers: It operates on inputs of continuously varying electrical voltage. It measures

the input rather than counting. These are mainly used in Scientific design and production
environments.

Digital computers: In these computers, computations are done with numerical digits 0 and 1.It is
much faster than Analog computers.

Hybrid computers: It combines both the features of Analog and Digital computers. In these
computers some calculations are done in the Analog portion and some are done in Digital
portion of the computers.

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Special purpose computers: These are used for weather forecasting.

General purpose computers: The general purpose computer is designed to meet the needs of
many different applications. Ex. Pay-bills, reports etc.

Portable computers: Portable computers are very small and easy to carry anywhere. Business
executives, Traveling sales man etc use these computers.
Desktop computers: These are larger than portable computers. It is normally installed on a
desktop, so it is called desktop computer. These are also called Personal computers.

2) Mini Computers: These computers have a large storage capacity and can operate a high
speed. These can be connected to a number of I/O devices. These are used to support multiple
users. Ex: PDP-1 AND IBM AS/400

3) Mainframe Computers: These computers also have large storage devices as compared to Mini
Computers. They operate at a very high speed. They can also handle the workload of many
users. Ex. IBM 3000 Series, DEC and ICL.

4) Super Computers: Super Computers are built by interconnecting hundreds of microprocessors.

They also have a multi processing techniques. They are mainly used for weather forecasting,
biomedical research, remote sensing, aircraft design and other areas of science and
technology. Ex. CRAY 2,CRAY 3, CRAY XMP, PARAM 10000, PARAMPADMA

4. Classify the computers according to the size and functionality.

Computers are classified into six varieties. They are:

a) Desktop computers
b) Workstations
c) Notebook computers
d) Tablet computers
e) Handheld computers
f) Smart Phones

Desktop computers: A desktop computer is a Personal Computer or PC that is designed to sit on

a desk or table. These are commonly used in Schools, Homes and Offices. These computers can
be used to communicate, produce music, edit photographs and videos, and play games.

Workstations: A workstation is a specialized, single user computer that has more powerful
features than a desktop. These are used by Scientists, engineers and animators. These
workstations have large, high-resolution monitors.

Notebook computers: The approximate size of these computers are 8.5 by 11 inch. People
frequently set these devices on their lap, so they are called Laptop computers. These computers
generally less than 8 pounds in weight. Some notebook systems are designed to be plugged
into a docking station which may include large monitor.

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Tablet PCs : Tablet PCs offer all the functionality of notebook PC. Many Tablet PCs also have a
built-in microphone and special software that accepts input from the user voice.

Handheld PCs: A popular type of handheld computer is the Personal Digital Assistants (PDA).It is
normally used for special applications such as taking notes, displaying telephone numbers and
addresses and keeping track of data and agenda.

Smart Phones : These are large size of cellular phones These are called smart phones. These can
include Web and e-mail access.

5) Explain the Generations of computers

First Generation compters (1946-55) : The First Generation was started with the development of
ENIAC in 1946. They used Vacuum Tubes. They produce lots of heat. The Vacuum tubes failed
frequently. These computers had slow Input/Output operations, limited storage capacity, high
power consumption, large space requirement and poor reliability, Machine language was used.
In these computers, data and instructions were input from the punched cards. Secondary
storage was Magnetic drums, later these were replaced by Magnetic tapes.

Second Generation computers (1956-64) : Vacuum Tubes were replaced by Transistors.

Transistors are small, require very little power and run effectively. They are much more reliable.
Magnetic disks were developed for secondary storage. Use of the Transistors made the
computers much faster. Size of these computers was also reduced. Assembly language was
used in these computers. Assembly language is the combination of Binary codes and
Mnemonics.

Third Generation (1965-75): Third Generation computers used Integrated circuit chips (ICC) in
place of Transistors and Magnetic disks in place of Magnetic tapes for external storage. The
speed and reliability of these computers were much higher than those of Second Generation
computers. High level languages were introduced in this period.

Fourth Generation (1975 – Present): These computers were entirely based on microprocessor
chips that contain VLSI circuits to perform Arithmetic, Logical and Control functions. It was the
beginning of the personal computer having the microprocessor. It introduced Office
automation, Query languages, Report writers and Spread Sheets.

Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond): Artificial Intelligence Technology is being incorporated in
these computers. It can make the computer think and reason like a human being and make
appropriate decisions.

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6. Explain the various Input Devices of a computer

The input devices in the computer system are Keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, digital
camera, barcode reader and Touch Screen. These are used to communicate with the outside
world. Some commonly Input/Output devices are as follows:

Input dvices

Keyboard
Audio/Visual
Pointing Handheld Optical devices
devices devices devices
Mouse Pen Barcode readers
Trackball Touch screen Scanners
Track pad Joystick OCR, OMR, MICR

Keyboard
It is a standard input device that allows the user to input alphabets, numbers and other
characters. It consists of a set of keys mounted on a board. They are Numeric Keypad,
Navigation Keys and Function Keys

Mouse
It is a pointing device. It is used to perform the tasks in a short way. It can be used to select menu
commands, size windows, start programs etc.

Joystick
The joystick is a vertical stick which moves the graphic cursor in a direction the stick is moved.
Joystick is used as an input device primarily used with video games, training simulators and
controlling robots

Scanner
Scanner is an input device used for direct data entry from the source document into the
computer system. It converts the document image into digital form so that it can be fed into the
computer. Capturing information like this reduces the possibility of errors typically experienced
during large data entry.

Bar code reader

A bar code is a set of lines of different thicknesses that represent a number. Bar Code Readers
are used to input data from bar codes. Most products in shops have bar codes on them. Bar
code readers work by shining a beam of light on the lines that make up the bar code and
detecting the amount of light that is reflected back
Light Pen
It is a pen shaped device used to select objects on a display screen. It is just like the mouse (in its
functionality) but uses a light pen to move the pointer and select any object on the screen by
pointing to the object. Users of Computer Aided Design (CAD) applications commonly use the
light pens to directly draw on screen.

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Touch Screen
It allows the user to operate selections by simply touching the display screen. Common
examples of touch screen include information kiosks, and bank ATMs.

Digital camera
A digital camera can store many more pictures than an ordinary camera. Pictures taken using a
digital camera can be transferred to a computer. A digital camera takes pictures by converting
the light passing through the lens at the front into a digital image.

7. Explain the various Output Devices of a computer

The output devices in the Computer system are Monitor, Speaker, Printer.

Monitors : Monitor commonly called as Visual Display Unit (VDU) is the main output device of a
computer. It forms images from tiny dots, called pixels, that are arranged in a rectangular form.
T he sharpness of the image depends upon the no. of the pixels. T here are two kinds of monitors.

Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT )

Flat- Panel Display

Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor - In the CRT, display is made up of small picture elements
called pixels for short. T he smaller the pixels, the better the image clarity, or resolution. The most
screens are capable of displaying 80 characters of data horizontally and 25 lines vertically.

Flat-Panel Display Monitor : T he flat-panel display refers to a class of video devices that have
reduced volume, weight and power requirement compare to the CRT. You can hang them on
walls. Current uses for flat panel displays include calculators, video games, monitors, laptop
computer, graphics display.

Speakers : The more complicated part of the sound output system is in the sound card. The
sound card translates digital sound into the electronic current that is sent to the speakers.

Printer : Other important output device is the printer. Generally printers fall into two categories.
They are Impact and Non-impact. An impact printer creates an image by pressing an inked
ribbon against the paper, using pins and or hammers to shape the image. An example of an
impact printer is a typewriter. Non-impact printers are used to print images. Laser printers work
like photocopies.

Plotters : A plotter is a special kind of output device. It is like a printer. Because it produces
images on paper, but the plotter is used to print large format images, such as construction or
engineering drawings created in CAD (Computer Aided Design).

Snapshot printers : These are specialized. Small format printers used to print small color
photographs. Snapshot printers popular among users who own digital cameras. These printers
are slow and they can be more expensive than inkjet or laserprinters.

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8. Explain the various applications of computers ?

Computers are widely used in fields such as engineering, health care, banking, education
and so on.

Word processing : Word processing software enables users to read and write documents.
Users can also add images, tables, and graphics. This software automatically correct spelling
mistakes and includes copy-paste features.

Internet : The Internet is a network of networks that connects computers all over the world. It
gives the users to access the Chat software, e-mail, Video-conferencing tools for
conducting meetings etc.

Desktop publishing : Desktop publishing software enables you to create page layouts for
entire books.
Government : Computers are used in Government organizations to keep records on
legislative actions, Internal Revenue Service records etc.

Traffic control : In the United States, Computers are used by the Government for city
planning and Traffic control.

Legal system : Computers are used by lawyers to shorten the time required to conduct legal
precedent and case research.

Retail business : Computers are used in retail shops to enter orders, calculate costs, and print
receipts. They are also used to keep an inventory of the products available and their
complete description.

Sports : computers are used to compile statics, identify weak players and strong players by
analyzing statistics, sell tickets, create training programs.

Music : All computers today have musical instrument digital interface facility, which links
musical instruments to a PC and generate a variety of sounds.

Movies : Computers are used to create sets, special effects, animations, cartoons, imaginary
characters, videos, and commercials.

Travel and Tourism : Computers are used to prepare tickets, monitor the routes of trains and
aero planes, and guide planes to a safe landing.

Business and Industry : In Business and Industry, Computers are used mainly for data
processing, which includes tasks such as word processing, analyzing data, entering records,
payroll processing, personnel record keeping and inventory management.

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Hospitals : Hospitals use computers to record every information about patients, from the time
to their admission till their exit.

Weather Forecasting : Computers are used to predict weather and climate changes in the
entire world.

Education : A computer is a powerful teaching aid and acts as another teacher in the
classroom. Teachers use computers to give power point presentation to the students.

Online Banking : The world today s moving towards a cashless society, where you need not
have money in your pocket to purchase anything. You just can have your Credit card or
Debit card with you. The ATMs provide a 24 x 7 service and allow you to draw cash, check
the balance in your account and order a product.

9. Explain different types of Computer codes.

Computer codes are used for internal representation of data in computers.

Computer codes are binary coding system.
In binary coding, every symbol that appears in the data is represented by a group of bits.
The group of bits used to represent a symbol is called a byte.
Most of the modern coding scheme use 8 bits to represent a symbol, the term byte is often
used to mean a group of 8 bits.

Commonly used computer codes are BCD, EBCDIC and ASCII.

BCD – It stands for Binary Coded Decimal. It is one of the early computer codes. It uses 6 bits
to represent a symbol. It can represent 64 (26) different characters.

EBCDIC – It stands for Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. It uses 8 bits to
represent a symbol. It can represent 256 (28) different characters.

ASCII – ASCII stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII is of two
types. They are ASCII - 7 and ASCII – 8.
ASCII – 7 uses 7 bits to represent a symbol and can represent 128 (27) different characters.
First 128 characters in ASCII – 7 and ASCII – 8 are same.
10. What is an Algorithm ? Explain the characteristics of an Algorithm.
Ans) In Mathematics and Computer Science, an algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for
calculations. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning.

An algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for

calculating a function.

While designing an algorithm as a solution to a given problem, we must take case of the
following five important characteristics of an algorithm.

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1. Finiteness – An algorithm must terminate after a finite number of steps and further each
step must be executable in finite amount of time. In order to establish a sequence of steps
as an algorithm, it should be established that it terminates on all allowed inputs.

2. Definiteness – Each step of an algorithm must be precisely defined; the action to be

carried out must be rigorously and unambiguously specified for each case.

3. Inputs – An algorithm has zero or more but only finite, number of inputs.

4. Output – An algorithm has one or more outputs. The requirement of at least one output is
obviously essential, because, otherwise we cannot know the answer/solution provided by
the algorithm The outputs have specific relation to the inputs, where the relation is defined
by the algorithm.

5. Effectiveness – An algorithm should be effective. It means that each of the operation to

be performed in an algorithm must be sufficiently basic that it can, in principle, be done
exactly and in a finite length of time, by person using pencil and paper. It may be noted
that the ‘FINITENESS’ condition is a special case of ‘EFFECTIVENESS’. If a sequence of steps
is not finite, then it cannot be effective also.

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