DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

PREPARED BY: PROF. MOHIT A LAKHWANI

BBA SEM-1
Material
For CIA-1 Exam
Subject: Fundamentals of Computer
Sr No
Q-1. History of Computers
• The word ‘computer’ has a very interesting origin. It was first used in the 16th
century for a person who used to compute, i.e., do calculations.
• One of the earliest and well-known devices was an abacus. Then in 1822, the
father of computers, Charles Babbage began developing what would be the
first mechanical computer. And then it 1833 he actually designed an
Analytical Engine which was a general-purpose computer. It contained an
ALU, some basic flow chart principles and the concept of integrated memory.
Q-2. Parts of Computer
• Output units allow the computers to send the data to other users. Usually, a
display device is considered as the output unit because it displays the texts,
graphics, and other information. The common examples of output units are
speakers, monitors, printers, etc.

• The devices that are used to convey the information to the computer are
called input devices. The primary examples of input units are a keyboard,
pointing devices, audio/video devices, etc. With the help of input unit, a user
can transfer the data to a computer for storing, displaying and processing
data.
• Some of the functions of input devices:
1. Pointing devices: This will allow you to point to the software on the
computer and open it. It will interact with the graphical interface.
2. Keyboard: It will send the various alphanumeric data into the computer.
3. Audio/video devices: It will allow you to input the sound and pictures into
the computer.

• CPU is known as the brains of the computer. Without CPU a computer cannot
work. It allows the computer to interpret and execute the various data
through software and hardware. There are three various functioning of CPU.
They are:

1. Memory unit
2. Arithmetic-logic unit
3. Control unit
Q-3. Computer memory
• Computer memory is one of the most important parts of the computer. It
stores and allows users to access the data anytime, anywhere they want.
There are two types of computer memories.

1. Volatile memory and

2. Non-volatile memory.
 • Volatile memory is termed as RAM which stands for Random access memory.
While non-volatile stands for ROM which is an acronym for Read-only
memory. Computer memory is based on the two factors that include access
time and capacity. The faster the speed of the memory is the lesser will be
the access time. A computer uses the memory which is organized in such a
way that it enables largest capacity of the memory and the faster speed.

In computer terms, memory is divided into two categories:

1) Main memory or primary memory
2) Auxiliary memory or secondary memory
Main memory or primary memory

The main memory unit that connects directly to the CPU is the primary memory.
Further, there are two types of primary memory i.e. RAM and ROM

1. Random Access Memory

RAM is also known as the volatile memory. It is in the form of the chip that is
implemented with the use of semiconductors. Generally, RAM is used to
store temporary storage of output data, input data, and intermediate results.
RAM can be divided into two categories:

Static RAM or SRAM

Dynamic Ram or DRAM

2. Read-only memory
ROM is not as accessible as RAM and is, therefore, non-volatile memory.
Once a ROM chip is programmed it cannot be rewritten or programmed. The
only changes you can make in ROM is at the time of manufacturing. ROM has
three categories which are:
Programmable ROM or PROM
Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM or EEPROM
Erasable Programmable ROM or EPROM
Auxiliary memory or secondary memory
Secondary memory is a permanent storage device. It is non-volatile in nature
and is used to store programs and data when they are not being processed.
Because of this, the data remains in the same stage as long as they are not
deleted or rewritten from the user’s end. A secondary memory includes
devices such as:
Optical disks like DVD, CD, and Blue-ray disks
Magnetic disks like memory stick, floppy disk, and hard disk drive.
Solid state disks like the thumb drive, pen, and flash.
Byte 1 byte = 8 bits
Kilobyte 1 KB = 1024 Bytes
Megabyte 1 MB = 1024 KB
Gigabyte 1 GB = 1024 MB
Terabyte 1 TB = 1024 GB
Petabyte 1 PB = 1024 TB
Q-4. Computer Software
• Software is the applications and programs of a computer. It is a set of
instructions to perform the tasks. These instructions are given by a software
developer. They are written in a way that a computer can understand it.
Furthermore, if you design a program for a Linux operating system, it will only
work for Linux systems. In short, a software designed for a particular
hardware is not compatible with other hardware. For example, if we design
software for Windows 7 then there might be a compatibility issue if we use
it for Windows 10.

• A software developer creates software using a high-level programming

language. A high-level programming language is easy to read and understand
for programmers. But a computer cannot understand these instructions. So,
these instructions should be changed to ‘machine language’ which the
computer understands. A machine language consists of instructions in binary
code. So, when you are installing software, instructions are already in the
binary form.

• Computer hardware can only perform mechanical tasks. While software can
perform several complex tasks. This is because the software provides means
required to perform the tasks.

• Furthermore, there are two types of software. Namely, system software and
application software. An application software performs specific tasks for
users. Examples of application software include a web browser, word
processor, and other software that we install on our computer. On the other
hand, a system software helps to run the computer system and its hardware.
Examples of system software include device drivers, operating system,
diagnostic tools and many more. As compared to the application software,
the system software is always pre-installed on your PC.
Q-5. Classification of Operating System
• Real-time operating system (RTOS) - Real-time operating systems are used
to control machinery, scientific instruments and industrial systems. An RTOS
typically has very little user-interface capability, and no end-user utilities
since the system will be a "sealed box" when delivered for use. It is important
that an RTOS is managing the resources of the computer so that a particular
operation executes in precisely the same amount of time every time it
occurs. In a complex machine, having a part move more quickly just because
system resources are available may be just as catastrophic as having it not
move at all because the system is busy.
• Single-user, single task - As the name implies, this operating system is
designed to manage the computer so that one user can effectively do one
thing at a time. MS-DOS is a good example of a single-user, single-task
operating system.
• Single-user, multitasking - This is the type of operating system most people
use on their desktop and laptop computers today. Microsoft's Windows and
Apple's macOS platforms are both examples of operating systems that lets a
 single user have several applications in operation at the same time. For
example, it's entirely possible for a Windows user to be writing a note in a
word processor while downloading a file from the internet and printing the
text of an email message.
• Multiuser - A multiuser operating system allows many different users to take
advantage of a computer's resources simultaneously. The operating system
must make sure that the requirements of the various users are balanced, and
that each of the programs they are using has sufficient and separate
resources so that a problem with one user doesn't affect the entire
community of users. Unix, VMS and mainframe operating systems, such as
MVS, are examples of multiuser operating systems.
• Distributed - These operating systems manage multiple computers at the
same time. Rather than using a single powerful computer to work on large
problems, distributed OSes break it down into pieces among many smaller
computers. You may find these systems in giant server farms, but hobbyists
and educators create their own distributed systems too using inexpensive
machines and even repurposed gaming consoles.
• Embedded - It is a specialized operating system that is introduced for several
embedded systems. Main objective of designing of embedded operating
system is to perform specific task for special devices which are not
computers. Embedded operating system allows executing programming
codes which deliver access to devices for performing their jobs.
Q-6. Functions of Operating System
• Processor Management: An operating system manages the processor’s
working by allocating various jobs to it and ensuring that each process
receives enough time from the processor to function properly.
• Memory Management: An operating system manages the allocation and
deallocation of the memory to various processes and ensures that the other
process does not consume the memory allocated to one process.
• Device Management: There are various input and output devices. An
operating system controls the working of these input-output devices. It
receives the requests from these devices, performs a specific task, and
communicates back to the requesting process.
• File Management: An operating system keeps track of information regarding
the creation, deletion, transfer, copy, and storage of files in an organized
way. It also maintains the integrity of the data stored in these files, including
the file directory structure, by protecting against unauthorized access.
• Security: The operating system provides various techniques which assure the
integrity and confidentiality of user data. Following security measures are
used to protect user data:
1. Protection against unauthorized access through login.
2. Protection against intrusion by keeping Firefall active.
3. Protecting the system memory against malicious access.
4. Displaying messages related to system vulnerabilities.
• Error Detection: From time to time, the operating system checks the system
for any external threat or malicious software activity. It also checks the
hardware for any type of damage. This process displays several alerts to the
 user so that the appropriate action can be taken against any damage caused
to the system.
• Job Scheduling: In a multitasking operating system where multiple programs
run simultaneously, the operating system determines which applications
should run in which order and how time should be allocated to each
application.
Q-7. Commonly used Operating system
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows has existed in one form or another since 1985, and it remains
the most popular operating system for home and office computers. Its latest
versions, including Windows 10, are also used on some tablets, and the OS is used
on some web and number-crunching server computers as well. Computers from a
wide variety of manufacturers can use Windows.

Initial versions of Windows worked with an earlier Microsoft operating system called
MS-DOS, providing a modern graphical interface on top of DOS's traditional text-
based commands. Signature features of Microsoft Windows's user interface include
windows themselves – rectangle-shaped, on-panel screens that represent individual
applications. The Windows Start menu has helped generations of users find
programs and files on their devices.

Efforts to use versions of the Windows OS for smartphones have been less
successful.

Apple iOS
Apple's iOS is one of the most popular smartphone operating systems, second only
to Android. It runs on Apple hardware, including iPhones, iPad tablets and iPod
Touch media players.

Signature features of iOS include the App Store where users buy apps and download
free software, an emphasis on security including strong encryption to limit what
unauthorized users can extract from the phone, and a simple, streamlined interface
with minimal hardware buttons.

Google's Android OS
Android is the most popular operating system in the world judging by the number of
devices installed. Largely developed by Google, it's chiefly used on smartphones and
tablets. Unlike iOS, it can be used on devices made by a variety of different
manufacturers, and those makers can tweak parts of its interface to suit their own
needs.

Users can download custom versions of the operating system because large portions
of it are open source, meaning anyone can legally modify it and publish their own.
However, most people prefer to stick with the version that comes on their devices.
 Android, like iOS, comes with an application and media store called the Play Store
built by Google. Some phone manufacturers and other organizations also offer their
own stores to install software and media.

Apple macOS
Apple's macOS, successor to the popular OS X operating system, runs on Apple
laptops and desktops. Based in part on the historic family of Unix operating systems
dating back to research in the 1960s at AT&T's Bell Labs, macOS shares some
features with other Unix-related operating systems including Linux. While the
graphical interfaces are different, many of the underlying programming interfaces
and command line features are the same.

Signature elements of macOS include the dock used to find programs and frequently
used files, unique keyboard keys including the Command key, and the stoplight-
colored buttons used to resize open program windows. MacOS is known for its user-
friendly features, which include Siri, a natural-voice personal assistant, and
FaceTime, Apple's video-calling application.

Linux Operating System

Unlike many other operating systems, development on Linux isn't led by any one
company. The operating system was created by Finnish programmer Linus Torvalds
in 1991. Nowadays, programmers from all over the world collaborate on its open-
source code and submit tweaks to the central kernel software and other programs.
Q-8. Some Common Abbreviations
ALU Arithmetic Logic Unit
CD Compact Disk
CD-ROM Compact Disk Read Only Memory
CLI Command Line Interface
CPU Central Processing Unit
DPI Dots Per Inch
DVD Digital Video/Versatile Disk
GUI Graphical User Interface
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
LED Light Emitting Diode
MS-DOS Microsoft Disk Operating System
OS Operating System
PC Personal Computer
RAM Random Access Memory
ROM Read Only Memory
USB Universal Serial Bus
VCR Video Cassette Recorder