INTRODUCTION TO

COMPUTERS
Definition of a Computer
 A Computer is a machine that manipulates data acc. to a
list of instructions .
 A computer can also be defined as an electronic device
that accepts input (data), processes it and gives out the
desired result (output).
 A programmable machine that inputs, processes and
outputs data
 Computer Consist of:
 Hardware

 Software
Characteristics of Computer

 Speed - The speed of a computer is incredibly faster

than what man can possibly record or calculate normally.
 Storage - A computer system can store a large amount
of data in a systematic manner.
 Accuracy and Reliability - Inspite of high speed, the
computers are quite accurate and reliable in their
calculations. the accuracy of operation of a computer is
always 100%.
 Automatic - Once the process has been initiated,
computer is quite capable of functioning automatically. it
does not require a prompt from an operator at each
stage of the process.
Characteristics of Computer (contd…)

 Diligence/Endurance - Is capable of operating at

exactly the same level of speed and accuracy even if it
has to carry out the most voluminous and complex
operations for a long period of time.
 Scientific Approach - The entire approach to solving
problems is highly scientific, objective and sequentially
carried out, leaving no room for emotional & subjective
evaluations made by man.
 Versatility - The wide use of computers in so many
areas in day-to-day life is an ample evidence of its
versatility.
MERITS
 Makes work easier
 Saves Time
 Less paper work due to the use of computerized
transactions.
 Storage space greatly increased to store huge
amounts of data running into terabytes.
 Transactions can be done in more efficient way
 Data can be presented through graphs and bars
 Multitasking is possible
 Communication is faster
 New way of socializing
MERITS CONTINUED…
 Communication today is less expensive and in most
cases almost free as many calls happen online using
free softwares like skype and other online chat and
messenger applications.
 Powerful access to the information warehouses
 Use of sophisticated databases have also brought in
data security leading to overall information security
and safety. This allows for only authorized users to
communicate and access data from the databases
 Information has now become more Accessible,
Reachable, Portable and Editable across mediums
and devices and across users as well.
DEMERITS
 Can perform only what has been programmed
 Dependent on humans for programming
 Restricted only to programs
 Problems in disposal of waste
 Dependent on electricity
 Cannot act on its own
 Machines can breakdown
HARDWARE
 The physical equipment of a computer system,
including the monitor, keyboard, central
processing unit, and storage devices.

 Physical equipment used to perform computing

tasks (ie, machinery and equipment such as
CPU, disks, tapes, modem, cables, etc.); in
operation, a computer is both hardware and
software.
SOFTWARE
 A program or set of instructions that controls
the operation of a computer. Distinguished
from the actual hardware of the computer.

 A series of instructions for the computer that

perform a particular task, called a program; the
two major categories of software are:
 System software

 Application software
Primary Functions of a PC
 The general function of a PC is to perform operations
on information or the data.
 There are variations in performing in these operations
like how the data is handled, how much is moved
around and how efficiently the processing occurs and
how quickly it can be done.
 The basic job that a computer performs are:-
• Storing the data.

• Processing of data.

• Movement and Communication of the data.

Primary Functions of a PC (contd…)
 Storage of data:-
• Short term storage ( RAM)

• Long term storage (Hard Disk drive)

 Processing of data:-
• Computing or information transformation—changing
information from one form to another.
• The key part of computer that processes information is
the processor.
 Movement and communication of data:-
• Movement of data:- Input/Output or I/O operation.

• Communication of data:- Information exchange

between machines using networking components like
cables and modems which allow it to communicate
with other machines.
Types of Computer System
 Based on Working principles:-
• Analog.
• Digital.
• Hybrid.
 Based on Electronic Technology:-
• First Generation.
• Second Generation.
• Third Generation.
• Fourth Generation.
• Fifth Generation.
 Based on Functional Capabilities:-
• Micro.
• Mini.
• Mainframe.
• Super.
 Based on Purpose:-
• General.
• Special.
 Based on User:-
• Single.
• Multiple.
Types of Computer System (Detail)
 Based on Working Principles:-

• Analog :-Computer that uses the continuously-changeable

aspects of physical phenomena such as electrical,
mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem
being solved.
• Digital :- A computer that stores data in terms of digits
(numbers) and proceeds in discrete steps from one state to
the next. The states of a digital computer typically involve
binary digits 0’s & 1’s.Eg:- Apple, HP, Dell, etc.
• Hybrid :- Computers that exhibit features of analog
computers and digital computers. Eg. the computer used in
hospitals to measure the heartbeat of the patient. Hybrid
Machines are generally used in scientific applications or in
controlling industrial process.
Types of Computer System (Detail)
 Based on Electronic Technology:-

• First Generation Computer :- (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes.

The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and
magnetic drums for memory.
Machine language.
Input based on punch cards and output as printouts.
Advantages:-
o It was only electronic device.
o First device to hold memory.
Disadvantages:-
o Too bulky i.e. large in size.
o Vacuum tubes burns frequently.
o They were producing heat.
o Maintenance problem.

Examples :- UNIVAC (1951).

Types of Computer System (Detail)
• Second Generation Computers:- (1956-1963) Transistors.
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second
generation of computers.
Assembly language.
High level languages like COBOL, FORTRAN (early version).
Input still on punch cards and output as printouts.
Advantages :-
o Size reduced considerably.

o Fast.

o Very reliable.

Disadvantages :-
o They over heat quickly.

o Maintenance problems.
Types of Computer System (Detail)
• Third Generation Computers:- (1964-1971) Integrated circuits
The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the
third generation of computers.
User interacted through Keyboard and monitors and interfaced
with operating system.
Computers became accessible for the first time to mass
audience.
Advantages :-
o IC’s are very small in size.
o Improved performance.
Disadvantages :-
o IC’s are sophisticated.
Types of Computer System (Detail)
• Fourth Generation Computers :- (1971-Present)
Microprocessors.

The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers,

as thousands of integrated circuits we rebuilt onto a single
silicon chip.
In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for the home user, and
in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh.

Advantages :-
o It is compact.
o Less power consumption.
o Production cost is cheap.
Disadvantage :-
o No artificial intelligence.
Types of Computer System (Detail)
• Fifth Generation Computers :- Artificial Intelligence

Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence

are still in development, though there are some applications such
as voice recognition that are being used today.
Types of Computer System (Detail)
 Based on Functional Capabilities:-

• Micro :-
Computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit.
• Mini :-
Large numbers of users can work from single computer.
Has high processing speed and powerful storage devices.
• Mainframe :-
These computers are shared by large number of users.
High speed.
Large Storage facilities.
Eg:- Banks, Railways/ airlines reservations.
• Super :-
Can be used by many individuals at same time.
Eg:- metrological departments for weather forecasting
,military.
Types of Computer System (Detail)
 Based on Purpose:-
• General purpose :-
General Purpose computers are those that allow users to do
various tasks not a specific task.
Eg: personal computers - it helps us to do things like playing
games, chatting, organizing, authoring, internet browsing etc.
• Special Purpose :-
Special purpose computers are those that are made to do
special tasks; mostly its does only one task (task related to
that particular field) .
E.g. A TV, a washing machine, an iPod etc. are all forms of
computers, but they have only a small range of things that
they can do, and are designed specifically to do them .
Types of Computer System (Detail)
 Based on User:-

• Single User
• Multiple User
Types of Computers
 Desktop PC’s
 Workstations
 Mini Computers
 Mainframe Computers
 Super Computers
 Multimedia Computers
 Notebook Computers
 Handheld Computers (Palmtops)
 Servers
Data Representation
 Computer receives information in digital form called binary numbers
i.e. 0’s and 1’s (power of 2).
 Humans use decimal numbers i.e. power of 10.
 Binary numbers are represented in terms of switches.
 The “off” state is binary 0

 The “on” state is binary 1

 Each switch is a “bit” – one binary digit

 A single bit represents 2 numbers .i.e 2n where n=no. of bits.
21=2
22=4 …
28=256 = 1 byte
Data Representation (contd…)
 1 byte = 8 bits
 1 Kilobyte (KB) = 210 = 1024 bytes
 1 Megabyte (MB) = 220 = 1048576 bytes
 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 230 = 1,073,741,824 bytes
 1 Terabyte (TB) = 240 = 1,099,511,627,776 bytes
 1 Petabyte (PB) = 250 = 1,125,899,906,842,624 bytes
Decimal to Binary Conversion
Decimal Binary Decimal Binary
0 000 10 1010
1 001 11 1011
2 010 12 1100
3 011 13 1101
4 100 14 1110
5 101 15 1111
6 110
7 111
8 1000
9 1001
Binary to Decimal Conversion
 1111 = 1*20 + 1*21 + 1*22 + 1*23
=1+2+4+8
= 15

 1010 = 0*20 + 1*21 + 0*22 + 1*23

=0+2+0+8
=10
Components of a PC
Components of a PC (contd…)
FOUR OPERATIONS OF COMPUTER
SYSTEM
Input Devices
•Keyboard
•Mouse
•Joystick
Process Arithmetic
Control Unit Logic Unit
Output Devices
•Monitor
•Printer

Main Memory
(RAM)

External Storage
• Hard disk
• Floppy
INPUT DEVICE.
 A hardware device that sends information into the CPU.

 Keyboard - An input device which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys.

 Mouse - A pointing device.

 Trackball - A pointing device consisting of a ball.

Commonly used on CAD workstations.
INPUT DEVICE. (contd…)
 Touch Pad -Used in laptops instead of mouse.

 Joystick - An input device used for playing games.

 Scanners - Device that optically scans images, printed text,

handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image.
 Flatbed Scanner.
 Sheet-Fed Scanner.
 Handheld Scanner.
 Drum Scanner.
INPUT DEVICE. (contd…)
 OCR – (Optical Character Recognition) - The mechanical or
electronic translation of images or handwritten, typewritten
or printed text into machine-editable text (ASCII).

 OMR (Optical Mark Reader)- The process of capturing

human-marked data from document forms.

 Bar-Code Reader - An electronic device for reading printed

barcodes.

 Light Pen - A small, photosensitive device connected to a

computer and moved by hand over an output .
INPUT DEVICE. (contd…)
 Touch Screen - A monitor screen that can detect and respond to
something, such as a finger or stylus, pressing on it.

 Digital Camera - A camera that takes video or still photographs, or

both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor.

 MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition ) - Type of font capable

of recognition using magnetically charged ink.
E.g. Cheque leaf.
OUTPUT DEVICE.
 Any peripherals which receives and display output from a computer.

 Monitor - A device that displays images or symbols generated by

computers.

Characteristics of Monitors:
 Resolution - The number of distinct pixels in each dimension that
can be displayed.
 Dot Pitch - Is a specification for a computer display that describes
the distance between dots (sub-pixels) of the same color on the
screen.
 Refresh Rate - Is the number of times in a second that display
hardware draws the data.
 Size - Is measured diagonally from one corner of the screen to
another.
OUTPUT DEVICE.(contd…)
Types of Monitors :-

 CRT - Is a vacuum tube containing an electron gun and a

fluorescent screen, with internal or external means to accelerate
and deflect the electron beam, used to create images in the form of
light emitted from the fluorescent screen.

 Flat Panel - encompass a growing number of technologies enabling

video displays that are lighter and much thinner than traditional
television and video displays.

 LCD Monitor/screen - Is a thin, flat panel used for electronically

displaying information such as text, images, and moving pictures.

 LED Monitors.
OUTPUT DEVICE.(contd…)
 Printers :-
A printer is a peripheral which produces a hard copy of documents
stored in electronic form.
 The speed of the printer is rated in ppm (page per minute) or cps
(character per second).
 Printers can be classified into :-
 Impact printers :- There is a direct contact between the paper and

the head .( Typewriter).

E.g. Dot Matrix printer.
 Non-Impact printers :- There is a no direct contact between the

paper and the head . (Xerox machine.

E.g. Inkjet printer.
 Laser printers
OUTPUT DEVICE.(contd…)
Types of printers: -

 Dot Matrix -
 Impact printer.

 Has a small box containing a matrix of needles which press the

ribbon on to the page to print it.
 80-300 CPS.

 Used to print bank statements,bills.

 Inkjet –
 Non impact printer.
 Forms character and images from dots made by spurting tiny
droplets of ink on the paper.
 Has 2 cartridges (B/W & color).
 0.5 -4 pages PPM.
 300 dpi.
OUTPUT DEVICE.(contd…)
 Laser –
 Non Impact printer.

 Uses a powerful laser beam

 Is a common type of printer that rapidly produces high quality text

and graphics on plain paper.
 12-14 PPM.

 600 dpi – 1200 dpi.

 Plotters –
 Attached with a pen and used for making vector graphics such as
graphs,charts using pen.
 Multicolor plotters use different colour pens to draw different
colours.
 Used in CAD design.
OUTPUT DEVICE.(contd…)
 Sound Card - Is a computer expansion card that facilitates the input
and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of
computer programs.

 Speaker - An output device that produce sound.

STORAGE DEVICES

PRIMARY STORAGE SECONDARY STORAGE

 Volatile  Nonvolatile
 Temporary  Permanent

E.g. RAM
ROM
RAM (Random Access Memory)

 The kind of memory used for holding

programs and data being executed is called
random access memory or RAM.
 There are two types of RAM
 Static RAM ( SRAM )
 Dynamic RAM ( DRAM )
RAM (contd…)
 Static RAM ( SRAM )
 Static RAM is a type of RAM that holds its data without external

refresh, for as long as power is supplied to the circuit.

 Cost: Several times more expensive than DRAM.

 Size: SRAMs take up much more space than DRAMs.

 Simplicity: SRAMs don't require external refresh circuitry or other
work in order for them to keep their data intact.
 Speed: SRAM is faster than DRAM.
 Dynamic RAM ( DRAM )
 Dynamic RAM is a type of RAM that only holds its data if it is
continuously accessed by special logic called a refresh circuit. Many
hundreds of times each second, this circuitry reads the contents of
each memory cell, whether the memory cell is being used at that
time by the computer or not.
 If this is not done regularly, then the DRAM will lose its contents,
even if it continues to have power supplied to it. This refreshing
action is why the memory is called dynamic.