2022

[REHANA ASLAM]
What is Computer?
A computer is a programmable electronic
machine designed to take input, perform
prescribed arithmetic and logical
operations at fast speeds, and provide the
output of these operations.”
The term ‘COMPUTER’ is an acronym
for ‘Common Operating
Machine Purposely Used for Technological and Educational
Research’.
The term ‘Computer’ is derived from the Latin word ‘computare’,
which is defined as- “to calculate”, “to count” or ‘to sum up”
Note- The first mechanical computer was designed in 1837 by
Charles Babbage. It was called 'Analytical Engine'. It was the first
general-purpose computer. Charles Babbage is known as the father
of the computer

Areas and Basic Applications of Computer

Computers play a role in every field of life. They are used in homes, business, educational
institutions, research organizations, medical field, government offices, entertainment, etc.
 Home
 Medical Field
 Entertainment
 Industry
 Education
 Government
 Banking
 Business
 Training
 Arts
 Science and Engeering
Basic Functions of Computer
There are four basic functions of the computer:
1.Input
2.Processin
3.Output
4.Storage

1. Input
The data is entered into the computer with the help of input devices.
The user can enter the data in several formats such as the collection of
letters, numbers, images, etc.
 2. Processing
It is the internal process where the data is processed according to the
instructions given to the computer. The processing speed may vary in
different computer systems as the speed mainly depends upon factors
like which type of Motherboard, CPU (Central Processing Unit) or
RAM (Random Access Memory) you are using.
3. Output
The output is the information provided by the computer after the entire
processing. It is also known as the result that can be stored in the storage
devices for further use.

4. Storage
It is used to store data or instructions before and after processing

Types of Storage
i.Primary Storage
The data stored in primary storage is temporary and will be lost if they
are disconnected from the power source. Random Access Memory is
an example of primary storage.

 read only memory (ROM)

 random access memory (RAM)
 flash memory
 cache memory

The two main types of primary storage are ROM, which is non-
volatile, and RAM, which is volatile. Non-volatile memory keeps its
contents even when the computer is switched off. Volatile memory
loses its contents when power is lost.
ii.Secondary Storage
 Secondary storage devices are used to store the data permanently for
future use. The data stored in the secondary storage devices is secure
even if there is no power supply.
 Solid-state drives (SSDs).
 Hard disk drives (HDDs).
 Cloud storage.
 CD-ROM drives.
 DVD drives.
 USB flash drives.
 SD cards.

Computer Software
Computer software is a group of programming instructions designed
to instruct the computer to perform specific tasks. Typically, a
computer system is useless without software.
1. System
Software
2.Application
Software

1. System Software
System software connect the user and the hardware of the computer to
interact with each other. These types of software provide an
environment or platform for the other software to work on.
Example:
i. Operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux,
Android) ii.Device Driver (BIOS, USB driver,
Sound driver) iii.Firmware (BIOS)
 iv. Utility software (Antivirus, WinRAR)

i. Operating systems
An operating system is system software that manages computer
hardware, software resources, and provides common services for
computer programs.
ii. Device Driver
A driver, or device driver, is a set of files that tells a piece of
hardware how to function by communicating with a computer's
operating system
iii. Firmware
firmware is a specific class of computer software that provides the
low-level control for a device's specific hardware
iv. Utility software
Utility software is software designed to help analyse, configure,
optimize or maintain a computer.
2. Application Software
Application software are customized software designed for personal
use. The application software runs in the frontend and mostly used
by the end-users.
Example:
Word Processors,
Multimedia Software,
Web Browsers,
Graphics Software,
Photoshop Software, etc
 Computer Hardware
Computer hardware are the physical components or parts that jointly
form a computer system. There are different types of hardware.
Depending on the structure of the computer system, hardware can be
installed inside or outside of the computer physical body.
Components of the Computer Hardware
The basic components of the computer hardware are listed below:
 Monitor
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
 Motherboard
 RAM (Random Access Memory)
 Hard Disk Drive
 Printer, etc

Classification of Computer
According to usage and functionalities, computers can be classified
as:
1. Analog Computer
The computers used to process analog data (continuously varying
data) are called ‘Analog Computers’. Analog computers are the most
complicated machines for computation and process control.
Examples of continuous data are pressure, temperature, voltage,
weight, and speed, etc.
2. Digital Computer
Digital computers are personal computers. These are the widely used
computers. These are commonly used for processing the data with a
number using digits by utilizing the binary number system. These
computers are intended to perform arithmetic and logical operations at
a very high rate.
3. Hybrid Computer
Hybrid computers are the combination of analog computers and
digital computers. These are as fast as analog computers and include
memory and precision as digital computers.

Types of Computer
1. Super computr
Supercomputers are large and require huge space for the installation.
They are the fastest and most expensive computers compared to
others. They are used for performing huge complex calculations.
2. Mainframe Computer
Mainframe Computers are
smaller than
supercomputers, still, they
comparatively huge. These
are not as fast as
supercomputers. These are
expensive as well as take
huge space for the entire
setup.
Mainframe computers can store huge amounts of data and they are
capable to handle large calculations. These computers are usually
found in banks and educational sectors.
3. Microcomputer
 Microcomputers are inexpensive. These types of computers are
mostly used by small organizations. Microcomputers are slower
compared to supercomputers and mainframe computers.
Microcomputers are called Personal Computer (PC).
4. Mini Computer
Mini computers are cheaper and easy to carry. Notebook and Tablet
are examples of minicomputers.

Computer Networks
A computer network is a group of two or more networks linked
together for exchanging Information,
Data and Resources.
Types:
1. PAN (Personal
Area Network)
2. LAN (Local
Area Network)
3. MAN
(Metropolitan Area Network)
4. WAN (Wide Area Network)

1. PAN
It is a small network built around an individual or person. Pan is
typically setup to share resources within a personal computer suchas
wireless Keyboard, Mouse, Bluetooth etc.
2. LAN
It is a group of computers connected in a small geographical area such
as House, School, Building.
3. MAN
It is a network consisting of different LANs throughout the larger
geographical area such as an entire city.
Government sectors and private organizations uses MAN to connect
all of its offices in a city.

4. WAN
It is a network that covers a large geographical area such as states,
countries or entire world. WAN is generally a connection between
LANs and MANs.
Example: Internet

Intranet
Intranet is defined as private network of computers within an
organization with its own server. Moreover, we can define Intranet
as:
 Intranet is system in which multiple PCs are networked to be
connected to each other. PCs in intranet are not available to the
world outside of the intranet.
 Usually each company or organization has their own Intranet
network and members/employees of that company can access
the computers in their intranet.
 Every computer in internet is identified by a unique IP address.
 Each computer in Intranet is also identified by an IP Address,
which is unique among the computers in that Intranet.
Intranet vs Internet
Intranet Internet

Localized Network. Worldwide Network

More Expensive Less Expensive

More Safe Less Safe

More Reliability Less Reliability

Extranet
Extranet refers to network within an organization, using internet to
connect to the outsiders in controlled manner. It helps to connect
businesses with their customers and suppliers and therefore allows
working in a collaborative manner.
Extranet vs. Intranet
Extranet Intranet

Internal network that can be accessed externally. Internal network that can not be
accessed externally.

Extranet is extension of company's Intranet. Only limited users of a company.

For limited external communication between Only for communication within a

customers, suppliers and business partners. company.
 INTERNET
Vint Cerf known as a “Father of the Internet,” Cerf is the co-designer of the
TCP/IP protocols and the architecture of the Internet.
INTERNET stands for Interconnected Network that is a network system
that connects millions of web servers
 Internet is a world-wide global system of interconnected
computer networks.
 Every computer in internet is identified by a unique IP address.
 IP Address is a unique set of numbers (such as 110.22.33.114)
which identifies a computer location.
 A special computer DNS (Domain Name Server) is used to
give name to the IP Address so that user can locate a computer
bya name.
 For example, a DNS server will resolve a
name http://www.facebook.com to a particular IP address
(31.13.69.35) to uniquely identify the computer on which this
website is hosted.

Evolution
The concept of Internet was originated in 1969 and has undergone
several technological & Infrastructural changes as discussed below:
 The origin of Internet devised from the concept of Advanced
Research Project Agency Network (ARPANET).
 ARPANET was developed by United States Department
ofDefence.
 Basic purpose of ARPANET was to provide
communication among the various bodies of government.
 Initially, there were only four nodes, formally called Hosts.
  In 1972, the ARPANET spread over the globe with 23
nodes located at different countries and thus became known
as Internet.
 By the time, with invention of new technologies such as
TCP/IP protocols, DNS, WWW, browsers, scripting languages
etc. Internet provided a medium to publish and access
information over the web.
 1996, First email service was introduced named as HOTMAIL.
 1996, Google (Global Organization of Oriented Group Language of Earth)
search engine was launched.
 2001, Wikipedia was launched.
 2003, For the first time 20,000 songs were uploaded on
internet by Apple company on iTunes website.
 2004, Gmail was launched providing 1GB storage capacity.
 2005, YouTube was launched providing online videos
 2006, Facebook, Twitter

Advantages
 Internet allows us to use many services like:
o Internet Banking
o Online Shopping
o Online Ticket Booking
o Online Bill Payment
o Data Sharing
o E-mail
 Internet also serves a medium for entertainment. Following are
the various modes for entertainment over internet.
o Online Television
 o Online Games
o Songs
o Videos
o Social Networking Apps
 Internet allows us to communicate with the people sitting at
remote locations. There are various apps available on the wed
that uses Internet as a medium for communication. One can find
various social networking sites such as:
o Facebook
o Twitter
o Yahoo
o Google+
o Flickr
o Orkut

Disadvantages
 There are always chances to lose personal information such as
name, address, credit card number. Therefore, one should be
very careful while sharing such information. One should use
credit cards only through authenticated sites.
 Another disadvantage is the Spamming. Spamming corresponds
to the unwanted e-mails in bulk. These e-mails serve no purpose
and lead to obstruction of entire system.
 Virus can easily be spread to the computers connected to
internet. Such virus attacks may cause your system to crash or
your important data may get deleted.
 Internet Services
Internet Services allows us to access huge amount of information
such as text, graphics, sound and software over the internet.

1. Communication Services

There are various Communication Services available that offer

exchange of information with individuals or groups such as Electronic
Mail, Telnet, Mailing list etc.

2. Information Retrieval Services

There exist several Information retrieval services offering easy

access to information present on the internet such as File transfer
protocol, Archie etc.

3. Web Services

Web services allow exchange of information between applications

on the web. Using web services, applications can easily interact with
each other.

4. World Wide Web (WWW)

WWW is also known as W3. It offers a way to access documents

spread over the several servers over the internet. These documents
may contain texts, graphics, audio, video, hyperlinks. The hyperlinks
allow the users to navigate between the documents.
Internet and Web is not the same thing: Web uses internet to pass
over the information.

WWW Operation

WWW works on client- server approach. Following steps

explains how the web works:
 1. User enters the URL (say, http://www.facebook.com) of the
web page in the address bar of web browser.
2. Then browser requests the DNS for the IP address
corresponding to www.facebook.com.
3. After receiving IP address, browser sends the request for web
page to the web server.
4. Then web server receives request and checks its search for the
requested web page. If found it returns it back to the web
browser.
5. Now the web browser receives the web page, it interprets it
and display the contents of web page in web browser’s
window.

Web Page
Web page is a document available on world wide web. Web Pagesare
stored on web server and can be viewed using a web browser.
A web page can contain huge information including text, graphics,
audio, video and hyper links. These hyper links are the link to other
web pages.
Collection of linked web pages on a web server is known as website.
1.Static Webpage
2.Dynamic Webpage
1. Static Webpage
Static web pages are also known as flat or stationary web page. Such
web pages contain only static information. User can only read the
information but can’t do any modification or interact with the
information.
2. Dynamic Webpage
 Dynamic web page shows different information at different point of
time.

Website
Website is a location on web and is hosted on a web server. It is a
set of related web pages. It is accessed using Internet address
known as Uniform Resource Locator.
1. Static Website
2.Dynamic
Website

1. Static Websites

Static websites are also known as flat or stationary websites. They

are loaded on the client’s browser as exactly they are stored on the
web server. Such websites contain only static information.

2. Dynamic Websites

Dynamic websites show different information at different point of

time

Web Browser

Web Browser is an application

software that allows us to view
and explore information on the
web. User can request for any web
page by just entering a URL into
address bar.
Web browser can show text,
audio, video, animation and more. It is the responsibility of a web
browser to interpret text and commands contained in the web page.
Browser Vendor
Internet Explorer Microsoft

Google Chrome Google

Mozilla Firefox Mozilla

DNS Server
Domain Name System helps to resolve the host name to an
address. It uses a hierarchical naming scheme and distributed
database of IP addresses and associated names.
1. Top Level Domains
2. Second Level Domains
3. Third Level Domains
4. Country Code Top Level Domains

1. Top Level Domains

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) released six
top- level domain names.
.com:
shorthand for commercial, .com was the first top-level domain in
common use.
.net:
shorthand for network, .net was created expressly for institutes that
partook in network technologies
.edu:
shorthand for education, .edu was made for education institutions.
.org:
shorthand for organization, .org was created for non-profits.
.mil:
shorthand for military, .mil was created expressly for U.S.
militarybranches.
.gov:
shorthand for government, .gov, like .mil, was restricted for
American federal governmental agencies and personnel use only.

2. Second Level Domains

Second-level domains are the name of the brand name, company
name, or project name.
For Example:
www.facebook.com In this
example facebook is SLD.

3. Third Level Domains

They can be found to the left of SLD and are often referred to as the
subdomain.

Generally speaking, “www” is the most common third-level domain

4. ccTLDs

In order to distinguish one country from another, two-letter domains

were established and became associated with countries or
geographical locations.

.pk represents Pakistan

.in represents India

 Uniform Resource Locator
(URL)
Uniform Resource Locator (URL) refers to a web address
which uniquely identifies a document over the internet.
This document can be a web page, image, audio, video or anything
else present on the web.
Example: https://www.facebook.com
https stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure.
It is used for connection between web browser and web server.
www = Third Level Domain
facebook = SLD.
.com = TLD.

IP Address
IP address is a unique logical address assigned to a machine over the
network. An IP address exhibits the following properties:
IP address is the unique address assigned to each host present
on Internet.
IP address is 32 bits (4 bytes) long.
IP address consists of two components: network
component and host component.
Each of the 4 bytes is represented by a number from 0 to 255,
separated with dots. For example, 137.170.4.124

Web server
It is a computer where the web content is stored. Basically, web
server is used to host the web sites.
Web site is collection of web pages while web server is a software
that respond to the request for web resources.
Key Points
When client sends request for a web page, the web server
search for the requested page if requested page is found then it
will send it to client
If the requested web page is not found, web server will the
send a response: Error 404 Not found.

Search Engine
It refers to a huge database of internet resources such as web pages,
newsgroups, programs, images etc. It helps to locate information on
World Wide Web.
User can search for any information by passing query in form of
keywords or phrase. It then searches for relevant information in its
database and return to the user.

Search Engine Components

Generally, there are three basic components of a search engine as

listed below:
1. Web Crawler
2. Database
3. Search Interfaces
Webcrawler
It is also known as spider or bots. It is a software component that traverses
the web to gather information.
Database
All the information on the web is stored in database. It consists of
huge web resources.
Search Interfaces
This component is an interface between user and the database. It
helps the user to search through the database.