Unit – 1 COMPUTER BASICS.

Self-Assessment Questions
1. The speed of a computer is calculated in
ANS – MHz megahertz.
2. The level of ________ depends on the instructions
and the type of machines being used.
ANS – accuracy.
3. The first computer like machine was developed by a
team from –
ANS – IBM and harvard university.
4. The invention of the _________ made smaller and
less expensive computers possible.
Ans -- transistor
5. The second generation computers are-
ANS – IBM1401 & IBM70906
6. The input and output for the fifth generation
machines will be in the form of –
ANS – graphic images or speeches.
7. ______________ Computers are the combination of
both analog and digital computer.
ANS – hybrid
8. __________ computers can produce the result with
more accuracy and at a faster rate.
ANS – digital
9. The invention of ____________ has changed the
lifestyle and working environment.
ANS - internet
10. Computers are used in the –
ANS – classrooms, libraries and museums.
11. The different types of computers are –
ANS -micro, mainframe, mini and super.
12. Mainframes are the _________________ of the
computer family.
ANS- second largest.
13. The main memory is also called as ____________
memory.
ANS – primary.
14. ___________ memory is computer memory that
requires power to maintain the stored information.
ANS- volatile.
15. CPU consists of –
ANS – control unit, memory unit, Arithmetic unit and
logic unit.
TERMINAL QUESTIONS.
Q1- Discuss the characteristics of computers.
ANS - Characteristics of Computer Nowadays you find computers
everywhere like in the offices, home, automobiles, schools, colleges
etc. The world runs on computers and they have changed our lives
for the better. Let us discuss some of the characteristics of a
computer which make them an essential part of every emerging
technology and such a desirable tool in human development.
 Speed: The computers process data at an extremely fast rate. The
speed of a computer is calculated in MHz (Megahertz), that is, one
million instructions per second. The latest computers can perform
billions of operations in just one second.
 Storage: The computers can store large amounts of data and it can
recall the required information almost instantaneously. The main
memory of the computer is relatively small and it can hold only
certain amount of data, therefore, the data is stored on secondary
storage devices like magnetic tapes and disks.
 Accuracy: We can say that computers are accurate because the
computers are capable of doing only what they are instructed to do,
so faulty data for processing automatically lead to a faulty results.
The level of accuracy depends on the instructions and the type of
machines being used.
 Reliability: Reliability generally means the measurement of the
performance of a computer, which is measured against some
predetermined standard for operation without failure.
 Automatic: A computer can automatically perform operations
without interfering the user during the operations. It controls
automatically different devices attached with the computer. It
executes automatically the program instructions one by one.
 Diligence / Endurance: A computer can continually work for hours
without creating any error. A computer is free from dullness and lack
of concentration. It does not get tired while working after hours of
work it performs the operations with the same accuracy as well as
speed as the first one.
 Versatility: Versatile means flexible. Modern computer can perform
different kind of tasks one by one of simultaneously. It is the most
important feature of computer. At one moment you are playing
game on computer, the next moment you are composing and
sending emails etc. In colleges and universities computers are used
to deliver lectures to the students. The talent of computer is
dependent on the software.
Q2- Discuss the various computer generations along with key
characteristics of the computers of each generation.
ANS - Generations of Computer
 First Generation Computers [1942 – 1955] The first generation
computers are vacuum tubes. These computers used vacuum tubes
for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory. These computers
relied on binary coded language to perform operations and were
able to solve only one problem at a time. They were very large in size
and required a lot of space for installation. These computers lacked
in versatility and speed. Since machine language was used, these
computers were difficult to program and use. Examples: ENIAC,
EDVAC
 Second Generation Computers [1955 – 1964] The computers used
in second generation were transistors. The vacuum tubes were
replaced by transistors which are made up of semiconductor
material like germanium and silicon. The size of transistor is small so
the size of the computers was greatly reduced. These computers
used magnetic cores as primary memory and magnetic disks as
secondary storage devices. Computers became smaller, faster,
cheaper and more reliable than their predecessors. The
computational time was reduced to microseconds from milliseconds.
Examples: IBM1401, IBM7090
 Third Generation Computers [1965 – 1974] The greatest
development of the third generation was integrated circuit called as
IC. It consists of a single chip with the components like transistors
and resistors, fabricated on it. The development of the transistors
helped decrease the size of the computers as they replaced several
individually wired transistors. In first and second generation
computers punched cards and printouts were used to interact with
the computers. Third generation onwards the user started
interacting through keyboard and monitors and interfaced with an
operating system. The computers became smaller and cheaper and
hence became popular. High level programming language was used
for programming. Examples: NCR 395, B6500.
 Fourth Generation Computers [1975 – Till date] The fourth
generation computers use microprocessor (circuits containing
millions of transistors) as their basic processing device. A
microprocessor is built on a single piece of silicon called chip. The
computers of fourth generation led to the growth of large scale
integration (LSI) and very large scale integration (VLSI) technology.
This technology helped in squeezing thousands of transistors on a
single chip. The ultra-large scale integration (ULSI) increased the
number into millions. In this way the computers became smaller in
size and cheaper. During this period computers became more
popular to the mass. This generation computers also saw the
development of the graphical user interface mouse and handheld
devices. IBM worked with Microsoft during the 1980s to start what
we can really call PC (Personal Computer) life today. IBM PC was
introduced in October 1981 and it worked with the operating system
(software) called ‘Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS DOS) 1.0.
Development of MS DOS began in October 1980 when IBM began
searching the market for an operating system for the then proposed
IBM PC and major contributors were Bill Gates, Paul Allen and Tim
Paterson. In 1983, the Microsoft Windows was announced and this
has witnessed several improvements and revision over the last
twenty years. Examples: Apple II, CRAY – 1.
 Fifth Generation Computers The goal of the fifth generation
computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language
input, and will have the capability of learning and self-organization.
These computers use intelligent programming (artificial intelligence)
and knowledge-based problem solving techniques. The input and
output for these machines will be in the form of graphic images or
speeches. Presently these computers are used in field of medicine,
treatment planning, monitoring etc. on a very small scale.
Q3-List out the various applications of computers.
ANS- Applications of Computer We use computers to perform
mathematical and non-mathematical operations to achieve desired
outputs. They are also used in vast area, every small or large
company depends on the computer for their work to be done. Some
of the areas where we use computers are given below.
 Communication: The messages or letters are sent through e-mail
with the help of computer. The invention of internet has changed the
lifestyle and working environment. The major advantage of this
service is that it saves time, saves papers etc. Nowadays all the
facilities are available in the net, like online booking of the airlines
ticket, train tickets, online shopping and many more.
 Entertainment: The computer is widely used as a mode of
entertainment mostly by the youngsters. We use computers to
watch movies, listen to music, store images etc., the special effects in
the movies would not have been possible without the computer. It
also helps the film industry for adding graphics and animations in the
movie.
 Banking: The work of bank has been made easier with computer,
almost all the works are done with computer. The various branches
of the bank work together through network and the transaction is
completed without any delay through computer. We can withdraw
or deposit cash from any ATM machines of the same bank or other at
any time of the day.
 Science: The computers are used for scientific purposes in order to
develop theories, analyze and test the data. They are used for
research, study of weather pattern, study of solar system and other
applications. They also help in comparative study and allow different
scientific analyses to be carried out.
 Engineering/manufacturing: The engineers use computer for
drawing and designing. Computers create three dimensional objects
which can be viewed as real objects. The manufacturing factories use
computerized robots for the hazardous jobs which we see huge
machine working on its own in the factory; those machines are the
robots The computers help in coordinating the entire manufacturing
processes.
 Education: The whole process of education has been changed due
to computers. Computers are used in the classrooms, libraries and
museums to make the education more interesting and interactive.
Q4 - Draw a block diagram to illustrate the architecture of a
computer system, and explain the functions of various units.
ANS - Computer Architecture The computer architecture consists of
Central Processing Unit (CPU), Input and Output units. The CPU is the
brain of the computer and it performs all major activities that take
place within the computer. In the block diagram given the bold lines
represent the flow of data and the other lines represent the flow of
instruction or flow of control.
1 Input devices The data is feed into the computer with the help of
various input devices. The most commonly used input devices are
keyboard and mouse. They help the users to communicate with the
computers and act as medium of communication. The various other
input devices are scanner, light pen, digital camera, joystick etc.
2 Output devices: The way human communicate with computers
with the help of input devices, the computers communicate with the
help of output devices. The output devices are instruments of
interpretation and communication between humans and computers.
The most commonly used output devices are monitor, printer and
speaker.
3 Central Processing Unit (CPU): The Central Processing Unit is the
main section of the computer system which interprets, coordinates
the operations and supervises the instructions. Whenever we feed
input (data) to the computer, the data is sent to the CPU for
processing and the result is sent to the output device. The various
components of CPU are Main Memory (MM), Control Unit (CU),
Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU).
 Main Memory (MM): It consists of continuous memory cells used
to store data and instructions during the execution of programs and
provides the data as and when required. The main memory is also
called as primary memory. The data given by you to the computer
are stored in the memory before and after processing them. It can be
classified as volatile and non-volatile memory. Volatile memory is
computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored
information, example RAM. Non-volatile memory is computer
memory that can retain the stored information even when not
powered, example ROM.
 Control Unit (CU): The Control Unit coordinates and directs the
operations of a computer. It fetches the data or instruction given by
you to the computer from the memory, interprets them and ensures
correct execution of them, and sends them to the output device. It
controls directs the overall functioning of other devices of the
computer system. The operation of a computer can be summarized
as follows:  The computer accepts information in the form of
programs and data through an input device.  Information stored in
the memory is fetched, under program control, into an arithmetic &
logic unit, where it is processed.  Processed information leaves the
computer through output unit.  All activities inside machine are
directed by the control unit.
 Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU): All the arithmetic and logical
operations on the stored data are performed by this unit. The data
stored are transferred to arithmetic logic section, processed, and
returned to the memory. These processes are carried out several
times before results are transferred to the output devices.
Q5-Discuss the important features of micro, mini, mainframes and
super computers.
ANS- Basic Components of PC Different types of Computers
a) Micro Computers: The micro computers are the most common
computers which you find at home, work place, schools and colleges.
They are the smallest in the computer family. These computers are
designed for a single user but they can be used by multiple users
when networked together. Some of the examples are IBM-PC
Pentium, Apple Macintosh, desktop, laptops and hand-held
computers like Personal Digital Assistants (PDA).
b) Mainframe Computers: The mainframe computers are designed to
perform high-volume, processor-intensive computing. They are able
to process and store more data than a mini computer and far more
than a microcomputer. Mainframes are the second largest (in
capability and size) of the computer family. Main frame computers
are used in large institutions such as government, banks and large
corporations.
c) Mini Computers: The mini computers are small digital computers,
which normally process and store less data than mainframe but
more than a microcomputer. Minicomputer systems provide faster
operating speeds and larger storage capacities than microcomputer
systems. They are sometimes called mid-range computers, and are
designed to meet the computing needs for several people
simultaneously in a small to medium size business environment.
They are used in industries, research organizations, colleges and
universities.
d) Super Computers: As the name suggests these computers are the
biggest and fastest machines. The computers are designed for special
purpose which requires highest processing speed like solving
scientific and engineering problems. Due to this feature these
computers help in many applications such as information retrieval
computer-aided design, like in nuclear weapon development,
accurate weather forecasting and as host processors for local
computer and time sharing networks.