Computer Fundamentals & Office Automation Tools

Course Code: 191MG21C6

Course Instructor: Chandni Bansal

 Unit - 1

Computer
Fundamentals
 Computer

A computer means any electronic, magnetic, optical or

other high speed data processing device or system which
performs Logical, Arithmetical and Memory functions by
manipulation of Electronic, Magnetic or Optical impulses.

It includes Inputs, Outputs, Processing, Storage, Computer

Software and Communication Facilities which are
connected or related to the computer in a computer system
or computer network.
Devices that comprise a computer system
 What Does A Computer Do?

Computers can perform four general operations,

which comprise the information processing cycle.
These operations are:-

➢ Input
➢ Process
➢ Output
➢ Storage
 Data and Information
❖ All computer processing requires data, which is a
collection of raw facts, figures and symbols, such as
numbers, words, images, video and sound, given to the
computer during the input phase.
❖ Computers manipulate data to create information.
Information is data that is organized, meaningful, and
useful.
❖ During the output Phase, the information that has been
created is put into some form, such as a printed report.
❖ The information can also be put in computer storage for
future use.
 Why is a Computer so Powerful?

❖ The ability to perform the information

processing cycle with amazing speed.
❖ Reliability (low failure rate).
❖ Accuracy.
❖ Ability to store huge amounts of data and
information.
❖ Ability to communicate with other computers.
First Generation Computers
Second Generation Computers
Third Generation Computers
Fourth Generation Computers
Fifth Generation Computers
 Components of a Computer
CPU
Arithmetic
Logic Unit Primary
Storage
Control Unit

DATA BUS
ADDRESS BUS
CONTROL BUS

OUTPUT SECONDARY
INPUT DEVICES
DEVICES STORAGE

• Keyboard • Printers • Magnetic

• Computer • Monitor Tapes
Mouse • Plotters • Magnetic Disc
• Touch Screen • Audio Output • Magnetic Drum
• Audio Input • Optical Disc
 Computer Hardware
Computer Hardware is the physical equipment used for Input, Processing
and Output activities in an Information System.

It supports the following functions:

• Input to the computer
• Output from the computer
• Secondary Storage
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) consisting of Arithmetical & Logical Unit

The computer hardware consists of:

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Input Devices
• Output Devices
• Storage Devices- Primary and Secondary
• Physical Media to link all these devices together
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Secondary
Storage

Primary Storage
Data
Arithmetic & Logic
Preparati INPUT Unit
OUTPUT
on
Control Unit
 Computer Hardware
1. Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU consists of the
Arithmetic/Logical Unit and the Control Unit. Here manipulation
of symbols, numbers and letters take place. The CPU also
controls the other parts of the computer system. It is like the
human brain.

2. The ALU: The ALU in CPU performs both the arithmetic &
Logical operations. On the arithmetic side, the ALU adds,
subtracts, multiplies and divides, determines whether a no. is
positive, negative or Zero. On the Logical side, it distinguishes
b/w letters & numbers and also determines whether a given
quantity is greater than or less than or equal to another
quantity. The Control Unit controls & coordinates the other
components of the computer.
 Computer Hardware
3. Primary Storage: Here data and instructions are stored for a
temporary period till the processing is complete. There are 3
types of Primary Storage- Register( in ALU or CU), Cache and
the Ram.
The linkage b/w CPU, Primary Storage and other devices is
provided by 3 buses:- Data Bus, Address Bus and Control Bus.

The Data Bus moves data to & from Primary Storage.

The Address Bus transmits signals for locating a given address

in Primary Storage.

The Control Bus transmits signals specifying whether to read or

write data to/from a given primary storage, input device or output
device.
 Computer Hardware
4. Input Device: The Input Devices are used for entering
data into the computer system.
Some Input Devices are Keyboard, Computer Mouse,
Touch Screens, Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
(MICR), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Bar Code
Reader, Voice Input devices etc.

5. Output Devices: The Output Devices are used for

generating data and providing it to the user.
E.g. Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), Printers, Plotters etc.

6. Secondary Storage: It is Long-term Non-Volatile

storage of data outside the CPU and Primary storage.
E.g. Hard Disk, Magnetic Disk, High Density Diskette etc.
 Computer software

Computer Software are the instructions that direct

the operation of the hardware.
Software consists of the detailed instructions that
control the operations of a computer system.

There are basically 2 types of Software:

• System Software
• Application Software
Computer Languages: Types
 Understanding Computer Languages

From the above figure, we can observe the following key points...
➢ The programming languages like C, C++, Java, etc., are written in High-level
language which is more comfortable for the developers.
➢ A high-level language is closer to the users.
➢ Low-level language is closer to the computer. Computer hardware can understand
only the low-level language (Machine Language).
➢ The program written in the high-level language needs to be converted to low-level
language to make communication between the user and the computer.
➢ Middle-level language is not closer to both user and computer. We can consider it
as a combination of both high-level language and low-level language.
Computer Language Generations
 What is an Operating System

Operating System is a software

that acts as an interface between
the user, application software and
the computer hardware.
Some examples of Operating
Systems include Apple macOS,
Microsoft Windows, Google’s
Android OS, Linux Operating
System, and Apple iOS.
Functions of Operating System
➢ Computer booting

➢ Process Management

➢ Memory Management

➢ Input/Output management

➢ File management

➢ Security/Error handling/Protecction
Types of Operating System
❖ Batch Processing

❖ Multiprogramming

❖ Multitasking

❖ Multiprocessing

❖ Multithreading

❖ Time Sharing

❖ Distributed OS