CLASS IX

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

Textbook: DINESH Super Simplified Computer Applications BY Dr. Vipan Arora

UNIT – 1

BASICS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (PART – 1)

COMPUTER SYSTEM

What is a Computer?

A Computer is an automatic electronic, calculating device which can process a given input in a
prescribed manner to produce a desired output.

Data and Information

Data can be defined as a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner,

which should be suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by human or electronic
machine.

Data is represented with the help of characters such as alphabets (A-Z, a-z), digits (0-9) or special
characters (+, -, /, *, <,>, =, etc.)

Information is organized or classified data, which has some meaningful values for the receiver.
Information is the processed data on which decisions and actions are based.
BASICS OF COMPUTER (UNITS OF MEMORY)

Bits and bytes are the basic building blocks of memory. "Bit" stands for binary digit. A bit is a one
or a zero, on or off, which is how all computer information is stored. A byte is made up of eight
bits. Eight bits, or a byte, was the original amount of information needed to encode a character of
text.

The memory unit is the amount of data that can be stored in the storage unit. This storage capacity
is expressed in terms of Bytes.

The following table explains the main memory storage units −

S.No. Unit & Description

Bit (Binary Digit)

1
A binary digit is logical 0 and 1.

Nibble
2
A group of 4 bits is called a nibble.
 Byte
3 A group of 8 bits is called byte. A byte is the smallest unit, which can represent a data item
or a character.

Word

A computer word, like a byte, is a group of a fixed number of bits processed as a unit, which
4
varies from computer to computer but is fixed for each computer.

It may be as small as 8 bits or maybe as long as 96 bits.

The following table lists some higher storage units −

S.No. Unit & Description

Kilobyte (KB)
1
1 KB = 1024 Bytes

Megabyte (MB)
2
1 MB = 1024 KB

GigaByte (GB)
3
1 GB = 1024 MB

TeraByte (TB)
4
1 TB = 1024 GB

PetaByte (PB)
5
1 PB = 1024 TB
Computer Hardware: Hardware represents the physical and tangible components of a computer,
i.e. the components that can be seen and touched.

Examples of Hardware are the following −

• Input devices − keyboard, mouse, etc.

• Output devices − printer, monitor, etc.

• Secondary storage devices − Hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.

• Internal components − CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc.

Computer Software: Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined

function. A program is a sequence of instructions written to solve a particular problem.

Components of a Computer System

Every computer system has the following basic components:

1. Input unit

2. Central processing unit

3. Output unit

4. Storage
 The basic structure of the computer system is as follows –

Functions of a Computer

Data is entered into a computer using Input Devices.

Data or Instructions are stored in the computer in its memory and processed or use them as
and when required.
Data is processed and converted into useful information.
Output is generated as per format.
Control Mechanism is established for controlling all the functions.
Characteristics of a Computer System

Characteristics of a computer system let us know about its capabilities. The followings are the key
characteristics of the computer system.

a. Speed: The computer is a much faster device. A computer machine can solve very complex
problems faster than a person.

b. Data Storage: A computer system can store a large amount of data for a long time. The data
can be store in internal as well as external devices. The internal device of data storage is
Hard disk and external storage devices are Pen drive, External Hard disk, etc.

c. Accuracy: Computers can generate reliable results with high computational speed. If the
input is right then only the appropriate output will be generated. The computer never gives
inaccurate results; if results are inaccurate it means inputted data was erroneous.

d. Versatility: A computer is a versatile machine that can perform different types of jobs with
the same accuracy rate.

e. Diligence: Computers never get tired. As humans get tires when he works regularly but the
computer can perform tasks over and over again, with the same outcome, and it does so
without tiring.

f. No IQ: It performs a task that is exactly as directed by the user because it does not have its
intelligence.
g. Reliable: Consistency refers that a computer is a reliable machine, as it always gives
consistent results.
Elements or Components of a computer system

The major elements of the computer system are as follows –

• Memory
• ALU
• Control Unit
• Hardware and Software

1. Memory

Memory is also known as the storage medium of the computer system. This is a storage device
that can store data/information. Memory is primarily categorized into two parts,

Primary Memory:

This is also known as the main memory or temporary memory or volatile memory. This memory
device stores data for a temporary period. Programs or instructions execute in Primary Memory.

Primary Memory further categorized into two parts –

• RAM (Random Access Memory)

• ROM (Read Only Memory)

Secondary Memory:

Secondary memory is a memory that can store a large amount of data in it. Once, data is saved
into secondary memory cannot delete until and unless the user's permission. It is also known as a
permanent memory.
2. ALU

ALU stands for the Arithmetic and Logical Unit. This is an important element of the computer
system which is used to perform arithmetic and logical operations. ALU is a part of a computer
processor.

3. Control Unit

Control Unit controls all the devices connected to the computer system so that interrupt or
unavoidable circumstances between device communications cannot happen. CU not only controls
device communication but also program executions. CU mainly communicates between processor,
memory, and computer peripherals (input/output devices).

4. Hardware and Software

Hardware is the tangible components of the computer system which can be used to give input,
store data, and showing results. The popular hardware is a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer,
processor, motherboard, cables, etc.

Software is a program or set of instructions used to do a specific task. The software cannot be seen
by users. Users can realize and validate their functions only. All the software runs on the hardware.

The most popular software in the computer system is Operating System (Windows, Linux, Ubuntu,
etc.), Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Structure of the computer system

Three major devices help to run the computer system smoothly.

Input Device – The computer takes input through input devices. The most popular input devices
are mouse, keyboard, joystick, microphone, camera, etc.

Processing Device – CPU (Central Processing Unit) is a processing device. Microprocessor fixed
inside it which processes data inputted by users using input devices.

Memory – It is a device that stores data or information in the computer's memory.

Output Device – These are the devices that show processed results or messages to the user. The
most popular output devices are Monitor and Printer.
Home

Computers are used at homes for several purposes like online bill payment, watching movies or
shows at home, home tutoring, social media access, playing games, internet access, etc. They
provide communication through electronic mail.

Medical Field

Computers are used in hospitals to maintain a database of patients’ history, diagnosis, X-rays, live
monitoring of patients, etc. Surgeons nowadays use robotic surgical devices to perform delicate
operations and conduct surgeries remotely.

Entertainment

Computers help to watch movies online, play games online; act as a virtual entertainer in playing
games, listening to music, etc.

Industry

Computers are used to perform several tasks in industries like managing inventory, designing
purpose, creating virtual sample products, interior designing, video conferencing, etc.

Education

Computers are used in the education sector through online classes, online examinations, referring
e-books, online tutoring, etc.

Government

In government sectors, computers are used in data processing, maintaining a database of citizens,
and supporting a paperless environment. The country’s defense organizations have greatly
benefitted from computers in their use for missile development, satellites, rocket launches, etc.

Banking

In the banking sector, computers are used to store details of customers and conduct transactions,
such as withdrawal and deposit of money through ATMs.

Business

Nowadays, computers are integrated into the business. People can analyze investments, sales,
expenses, markets, and other aspects of business using computers.
Training

Many organizations use computer-based training to train their employees, to save money and
improve performance. Video conferencing through computers allows saving of time and traveling
costs by being able to connect people in various locations.

Science and Engineering

Supercomputers have numerous applications in the area of Research and Development (R&D).
Scientists use computers to plot and analyze data to have a better understanding of earthquakes.

Marketing

In marketing, uses of the computer are:

Advertising - With computers, advertising professionals create art and graphics, write and revise
copy, and print and disseminate ads to sell more products.

Home Shopping - Home shopping has been made possible through the use of computerized
catalogs that provide access to product information and permit direct entry of orders to be filled
by the customers.

Communication

Communication means to convey a message, an idea, a picture or speech that is received and
understood clearly and correctly by the person for whom it is meant for. Some main areas in this
category are: Chatting, E-mail, etc.

For Personal Use

Computers can also be used for personal purposes.

One can use a computer system to keep all the day-to-day details that are essential to keep
anywhere.

You can use it for personal things such as investments, incomes, expenditures, savings, etc.

MEMORY

Memory is a storage device of a computer system. This device is used to store data/ information.
As time goes, the people understood the importance of data storage, due to this the demand for
large size memory devices rose.
Memory is primarily categorized into two parts.

i) Primary Memory:

This is also known as main memory or temporary memory or volatile memory, it means the data
is stored in RAM as long as the computer is on, but when the computer is switched off it gets lost.
Primary memory is used to execute computer programs. Its execution speed is very high which
can execute a lot of programs or instructions with high speed.

Types of Primary Memory:

a) RAM (Random Access Memory):

RAM is the most commonly used memory. RAM is called "random access," because if we know
the memory cell address, then we can access it directly.

b) ROM (Read Only Memory)

As its name implies, this memory stores data which is accessible to the users in read-only form, it
means the user can not edit the data or instructions stores in ROM. ROM instructions appear the
same whenever it executes. At the time of manufacturing ROM, instructions are stores
permanently in it. Its property is, if the power goes off, the data will not erase.
ii) Secondary Memory

Secondary memory is a memory that can store a large amount of data in it. Once, data is saved
into secondary memory cannot delete until and unless the user's permission. It is also known as a
permanent memory. The most used secondary memory is Magnetic Disk (Hard Disk).

Primary Storage Device Secondary Storage Device

Smaller Larger

Temporary Permanent

Internal Internal / External

RAM, Cache Memory Hard disk, Compact Disk Drive, USB storage device

STORAGE DEVICES

Magnetic Storage Device – one of the most popular types of storage used.

Hard drive – An internal hard drive is the main storage device in a computer. An external hard
drive is also known as a removable hard drive. It is used to store portable data and backups.
CD-ROM disc – An optical storage device that is read-only or cannot be modified nor deleted.

DVD, in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc, type of optical disc used for data storage,
and as a platform for multimedia.

Memory stick – A removable memory card.

USB flash drive, jump drive, or thumb drive – A small, portable storage device connected
through the USB port.
INPUT DEVICES---

Keyboard

The keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps to input data to the
computer. The layout of the keyboard is like that of traditional typewriter, although there are
some additional keys provided for performing additional functions.

Mouse

Mouse is the most popular pointing device. It is a very famous cursor-control device having a
small palm-size box with a round ball at its base, which senses the movement of the mouse and
sends corresponding signals to the CPU.

Scanner

Scanner is an input device, which works more like a photocopy machine. It is used when some
information is available on paper and it is to be transferred to the hard disk of the computer.
Web camera

A webcam is a hardware camera and input device that connects to a computer and the Internet
and captures either still pictures or motion video of a user.

OUTPUT DEVICES

Monitors

Monitors, commonly called as Visual Display Unit (VDU), are the main output device of a
computer. It forms images from tiny dots, called pixels.

Printers

The printer is an output device, which is used to print information on paper.

There are two types of printers −

Impact Printers and Non-Impact Printers