 Computer: A COMPUTER is an electronic device that accepts data, performs operation

on that data, presents the result and stores the data or results as needed.
 OR
 Computer is an electronic device, which is capable of:
 Receiving the input
 Processing the data on the base of given instruction.
 Producing the output.
 Storing the information or data (if needed).

Computer made from two main things:

1) Hardware
2) Software

1) Hardware: Hardware is physical equipment’s which is visible. We can see and touch it. In
hardware the main parts are;
Motherboard, CPU, Monitor, keyboard, Mouse, RAM, ROM, Power Supply, Hard Disk, Graphic
cards, Sound cards, CD&DVD
2) Software: Software is set of instructions by which the hardware make workable. It can’t
seen or touch. It have three types;
a) System Software b) Programming Software c) Application Software

 Mother Board: A motherboard is the backbone of computer. Motherboard acts as a

platform for establishing connection b/w various components that are required to run our
computer smoothly. It’s a printed circuit board (PCB) that houses all the motherboard
components, either soldered or connected discretely through expansion slots. A standard
laptop or a desktop computer is made up of different things such as the CPU, monitor,
keyboard, mouse, and much more. All these components talks to each other via common
hardware known as the motherboard.

 Monitor: Monitor is electronic visual display that includes a screen, circuitry and case
in which that circuitry is enclosed.
 Keyboard: A Computer keyboard is input device that allows a person to enter letters,
numbers, and other symbols into a computer.
 Mouse: A mouse is a small hardware input device used by hand. It controls the
movement of the cursor on the computer screen and allows users to move and select
folders, text, files, and icons on a computer and which needs to put on a hard-flat
surface to use.

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  CPU: A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central processor, main processor OR
just processor, CPU is the brain of computer. CPU is the electronic circuitry that
executes instructions comprising a computer program. The CPU performs basic
arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the
instruction in the program.
CPU has two types a (ALU) b (CU)

Arithmetic logic unit (ALU): Arithmetic logic unit is a digital circuit used to perform
arithmetic and logic operations.

Control unit (CU): CU control all hardware operations on any computer like
input/output, storage and processor itself and controls all the other internal
components of the CPU to make it work.

 Graphic card: A graphics card is a type of display adapter or video card installed within most
computing devices to display graphical data with high clarity, color, definition and overall
appearance. A graphics card is also known as a graphics adapter, graphics controller,
graphics accelerator card or graphics board.

 Sound card: A Sound card (also known as an Audio card). Sound card is expansion card
which generating sounds and allows the computer to send audio information to an audio
device, like speakers, pair of headphones, etc. And we can hear sound from a video game,
listen to music or movies.

 Hard dick: A hard disk is also known as a hard drive or fixed disk. It is said to be rigid
magnetic disc that stores data. Hard disk is a non-volatile storage device. Hard disk is
located within a drive unit on the computer's motherboard. Capacity of H/D is usually b/w
250GB to 1TB.

 Power supply: A power supply is the hardware component that provides electricity to
power computers and other devices.

 RAM: RAM is short for “random access memory”. RAM is one of the most
fundamental elements of computing. RAM is the super-fast and temporary data
storage space that a computer needs to access right now or in the next few
movements. It is volatile memory storage.

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 ROM: ROM stands for “Read only memory”. Computer memory in which program
instructions, operating procedures, or other data are permanently stored,
generally on electronic chips during manufacture and that ordinarily cannot be
changed by the user. It is non-volatile memory storage.

 Compact Disk (CD): A compact disc is a portable storage medium that can be used to
record, store and play back audio, video and other data in digital form. The storage capacity
of CD is up to 700MB.

 Digital versatile disk (DVD): It is commonly known as Digital Video Disc. It is a digital optical
disc storage format used to store high capacity data like high quality videos and movies. It is
also used to store operating system.

 System Software: System software is a type of computer program that is designed to run a
computer's hardware and application programs. It runs in the background, the system
software is the interface between the hardware and user application. System software
allows an environment or platform for other software and applications to work in .
The System software manages the computer's basic functions, including the disk operating
system, file management utility software and operating systems.
 Operating System: The computer's OS is a well-known example of system software. Widely
used operating systems include Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux. The main
responsibility of the operating system is to manage a computer's software and hardware
resources. It is the computer's main control program. The OS controls and maintains a
record of all other programs on the computer, including both application and system
software. The OS creates an environment that all other computer programs run within and
provides service to those other applications. Operating systems perform five important
tasks, which are, file management and process scheduling, Processor and memory
management, Error detection, Security and Control and management.

 Utility software: The Utility Software is system software that helps to maintain the proper and
smooth functioning of a Computer System. It assists the Operating System to manage,
organize, maintain, and optimize the functioning of the computer system. Utility
Software performs certain tasks like virus detection, installation, and uninstallation, data
backup, deletion of unwanted files, etc. Some examples are antivirus software, uninstaller, file
management tools, compression tools, disk management tools, etc.
 Driver device: A device driver is a program that lets the operating system communicate
with specific computer hardware. Computer parts need a driver because they do not use
standard commands. ... Many parts of a computer need drivers and common examples are:
Computer printers, Graphic cards

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 Programming Software: Programming software is the type of software that is not used
by end-users. Programming software examples are programs that are used to write,
develop, test, and debug other software, including apps and system software.
Programming software is used by software programmers as translator programs.
They are facilitator software used to translate programming languages (i.e., Java, C+
+, Python, PHP, BASIC, etc) into machine language code.
 Compilers: Compilers as programs that translate the whole source code into machine
code and execute it.
 Interpreters: Interpreters run the source code as the program is run line by line.
 Assemblers: Assembler’s translate the basic computer instructions – assembly code –
into machine code.

Programming software examples include the different programming language editors,

debuggers, compilers and IDEs. Such as:

 Eclipse – a Java language editor

 Coda – programming language editor for Mac
 Notepad++ – an open-source editor for windows.

 Application software: Application software is a computer program designed to carry out a

specific task other than one relating to the operation of the computer itself, typically to be
used by end-users. Word processors, media players, and accounting software are examples.

 Custom built: Custom software development is the designing of software application for a
specific user or group of users within an organization. Such software is designed to
specifically address these user’s needs better than more traditional and widespread off-the-
shelf software can. For Example, Medical store database etc.

 Packaged software: packaged software is a collection of programs that perform similar

functions or have similar features. For example, Microsoft office includes multiple
applications such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint or Adobe Photoshop.

 Classification of computer and its types: Computers are classified here on the base of
purpose, size and working mechanism.

 By purpose: We have two types of computers here, General computer and Special
computer.

General purpose computer: A general purpose computer is a computer that is designed to be
able to carry out many different tasks. They are more flexible than special purpose computers.

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 Desktop computers and laptops are examples of general purpose computers. Among other
things, they can be used to:

 access the internet

 browse the world wide web (WWW)
 use word processing software
 play games
 communicate via email and social media
 design and build web pages
 store and retrieve data
 play videos and music

 Special purpose computer:

As the name states, a Special-Purpose Computer are designed to be task specific and most
of the times their job is to solve one particular problem. They are also known as dedicated
computers, because they are dedicated to perform a single task over and over again. They
are less flexible than general purpose computers. Example of Special purpose computers
are Digital watch, CT scan machine and Global positioning system (GPS System).

 By Size: By size we are categorize computers into four types, Super computer, Mainframe
computer, Minicomputer and Microcomputer.

 Super computer: Super computer is the fastest and most powerful computer. It is biggest in
size and more expensive in price. It is used to perform complex tasks. It has a very large
storage capacity. These computers can process huge amount of data and processing speed
of this computer is trillions of instructions in one second. Super computer consists of
thousands of microprocessors. The cost of this computer is in billion dollars. Example of
super computer is Roadrunner, Blue Gene and Deep blue.

Super computers are used in Weather forecasting, Military agencies, Nuclear weapons,
scientific research laboratories etc.
 Mainframe computer: A mainframe computer is a large computer in terms of price, power
and speed. It consists of multiple processors. It is specially design to perform multiple tasks
for multiple users simultaneously. Mainframe computer can store large amounts of data,
information and programs and its processing speed is very high but lees then super
computer. The price of this computer is in millions dollars. Example of mainframe computer
is IBM S-390, NEC 610 and DEC 10.
Mainframe computers are used in Airlines, large organizations, Governments departments
and educational institutions etc.
 Minicomputer: Minicomputer is typically large, more powerful and more expensive
than microcomputer. It is more reliable than desktop computer. It is also called mid-

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 range server. Generally consists of two or more processors, support multiprocessing and
tasking, and are generally resilient to high workloads. Minicomputer work as a server
computer. Examples of minicomputer is Prime 9955, HP 3000, AS 400 and VAX 8600 etc.

Minicomputers are often used by small and medium-size companies or department. They
provide centralized store of information and computer programs.

 Microcomputer: Microcomputer is small in size and relatively inexpensive. They have

microprocessor such as the central processing unit (CPU) which include memory and
input/output (I/0) circuitry mounted on a single printed circuit board. They are also called
personal computer, they are usually designed for personal use. Example of microcomputer
is Desktop computer, Mobile, tablets, laptop etc.
They are mainly used in home, schools, offices, shops and banks etc.

 Classification by working mechanism: In categories we have three types of computers,

Analog computer, Digital computer and Hybrid computer.

 Analog computer: An analog computer is an electronic system which recognizes data as
continuous measurements of a physical quantity, such as pressure, voltage or temperatures
along a continuous scale. The devices that measure such quantities are analog devices.
These were first used at the time of the 1950s–1960s. They do not use discrete values but use
continuous values. Thus these computers work on an analog signal.

Examples of analog computer are temperature, pressure, telephone lines, Speedometer,

resistance of capacitor, frequency of signal and voltage etc.

 Digital computer: Digital Computer is a machine or a device that helps to process any kind
of information. These are the devices through which we provide some input and get the
output within a fraction of seconds. The operations that are conducted internally in the
device happens using the binary number system since the computer understands only digits
i.e. 0’s and 1’s.All the content that is written in English will be converted to binary language
and thus computers and humans communicate with each other. There are mainly three
parts in a digital computer and it consists of – Input, processing and output.
 Examples of digital devices are Personal computers, Desktops, Laptops, Smartphones, and
Mobile.

 Hybrid computer: A computer system consisting of a combination of analog and digital

computer systems. Analogue computers are capable of performing complex differential
computations, whereas digital computers are best suited for performing logical and
numerical analysis. Also, digital computers have greater precision, while analogue
computers provide a better interface by displaying the result in a simple and graphical
manner.
Example of hybrid computer is Gasoline station, Electrocardiogram machine, Ultrasound
Machine, Monitoring Machine and Research and Production Industries.

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 Window: The Full Form of WINDOW is Wide Interactive Network Development for Office
Work Solution. Microsoft Windows (also referred to as Windows or Win) is a graphical
operating system developed and published by Microsoft in the mid-1980s. It provides a way
to store files, run software, play games, watch videos, and connect to the Internet.

 Versions of window: Window 1 (1985), Window 3.1 (1992), Window 95 (1995), Window XP
(2001), Windows Vista (2006), Windows 7 (2009), Windows 8 (2012) and Windows 10
(2015).

 MS Word: MS Word is a word processor developed by Microsoft. It has advanced features

which allow you to format and edit your files and documents in the best possible way. Used to
make professional-quality documents, letters, reports, resume etc., some functions of word
processing is……
 Creating, editing, saving and printed documents.
 Copying, pasting, moving and deleting text with in documents.
 Formatting text, such as font type, bolding underlining or italicizing.
 Creating and editing tables.
Word processing includes a number of tools to format your pages, for example you can
organize your text into columns, add pages numbers, insert illustrations etc…

 Need of MS Word: Microsoft Office knowledge helps you be a better employee and

coworker. Microsoft Office has become a leading platform to drive productivity at home and in
the workplace, education and everywhere now a days. Microsoft Word is an effective tool for
creating all kinds of documents like letters, memos, reports, term papers, and typesetting novels
and magazines, etc. Microsoft Word is highly useful for creating text of large volume.

 In Education: It is considered as one of the simplest tools which can be used by both
teachers and students. Creating notes is easier using MS Word as they can be made more
interactive by adding shapes and images. It is also convenient to make assignments on MS
Word and submitting them online

 In Workplace: Submitting letters, bills, creating reports, letterheads, sample documents, can

all easily be done using MS Word

 MS Excel: Excel definition: a software program created by Microsoft that uses spreadsheets
to organize numbers and data with formulas and functions. Excel analysis is ubiquitous
around the world and used by businesses of all sizes to perform financial analysis.

 Spreadsheet: A spreadsheet is a table of values arranged in rows and columns. Each value
can have a predefined relationship to the other values. If you change one value, therefore,
you may need other change other values as well.

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 OR
 A spreadsheet is an interactive computer application program for organization, analysis and
storage of data in tabular form. Spreadsheet developed as computerized of paper
accounting worksheets.

 Charts in MS Excel: To enable graphical representation of the data in excel, charts are
provided. A user can use any charts type, including column, bar, line, pie, scatter, etc. by
selecting an option from insert tab’s chart group.

 Cell: In MS Excel table is made up rows and columns. The intersection of rows and columns is called
cell.
OR
 A cell in Excel is a rectangular – shaped box on the spreadsheet and basic unit of excel. Cells are the
intersections of columns (labeled as alphabets) and rows (labeled as numbers). Cells can store
values in numbers, text, date format, the combination of numbers and texts, etc.

 Save: Save allows us to update the last saved version so that it will match with the current
working version and that last saved work will be updated with the new work. Short cut key
for save is Ctrl +S or shift +F12 or Alt +Shift + f2. It is frequently used to prevent losing
changes b/c it goes on saving your update work. So we can say save is used to apply
changes to your current file. So you can use save when you do not want to change the name
and location of the documents.
OR

 Save allows us to update the last saved version so that it will match with the current
working version and that last saved work will be updated with the new work.

 Save AS: Save As allows us to save our work for the first time and also it will ask for in what
name it will be saved and where it will be saved. Short cut key save As is F12 or Alt +F +A. It
is used to create a new file and/or preserve original file (Backup file). So we can say save As
is used to apply changes on a new file. So you can use save As when you want to change the
name, location, and format of the document.
OR
 Save As allows us to save our work for the first time and it will ask for in what name it will
name it will be saved and where it will be saved.

 Recycle Bin: When you delete a file, it is move to the Recycle Bin. This allows you to recover
the file if you change mind. To permanently delete the file, you will need to empty the
Recycle Bin.

 Cache Memory: Cache memory is a small and fast memory which is placed between the
CPU and main memory or inbuilt in the processor is called Cache Memory.

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 Processor
Cache RAM Hard disk

Cache memory

 Data Base: A database is information that is set up for easy access, management and
updating. Computer databases typically store aggregations of data records or files that
contain information, such as sales transactions, customer data, financials and product
information. Databases are used for storing, maintaining and accessing any sort of data.
They collect information on people, places or things. That information is gathered in one
place so that it can be observed and analyzed. Databases can be thought of as an organized
collection of information.
 DBMS: Stands for "Database Management System." In short, a DBMS is a database
program. Technically speaking, it is a software system that uses a standard method of
cataloging, retrieving, and running queries on data. The DBMS manages incoming data,
organizes it, and provides ways for the data to be modified or extracted by users or other
programs.

Some DBMS examples include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, SQL Server, FileMaker,
Oracle, RDBMS, dBASE, Clipper, and FoxPro.

 Advantages of Database Management System:

 Data integrity: Data integrity means data is consistent and accurate in database.
 Data security: Data security is a vital concept in a database.
 Better data integration…
 Minimized data inconsistency…
 Faster data access…
 Better decision making…

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  Simplicity…
 Recovery and backup.

 Disadvantages of Database Management System:

 Database systems are complex, difficult, and time-consuming to design.

 Substantial hardware and software start-up costs.
 Damage to database affects virtually all applications programs.
 Extensive conversion costs in moving form a file-based system to a database system.

 Entity/Object: Anything that is participating in the system is known as data entry or object.
An entity can be a persons, place, thing, or event for which data us collected and
maintained in the system.

 Attribute: The characteristic of an Entity is called attribute or properties. A column in a table

is Attributes. An entity may have many attributes.
Entity=Customer

Customer ID
First Name These are the “Attributes” for
Sur Name the entity “Customer”
Data of birth
Address
Phone no

 Tuple: A single row of a table, which contains a single record for that relation are called a
Tuple.

 Relationship: A logical connection between different entities is called Relationship OR In

relational database design, a relationship is where two or more tables are linked together is
called relationship.
The relationship indicates how the entities are connected or related to each other.

One-to-many (or man-to-one) relationship

MOTHER CHILDREN

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  BIOS: BIOS (basic input/output system) is the program a computer’s microprocessor
used to start the computer system after it is powered on. It also manages data flow
between the computer’s operating system (OS) and attached device, such as the hard
disk, video adapter, keyboard, mouse and printer.

 The 4 functions of BIOS

BIO identifies, configures, tests and connects computer hardware to the OS immediately after a
computer is turned on. The combination of these steps is called the boot process.

These tasks are each carried out by BIOS four main functions:

 Power-on-self-test (POST): This tests the hardware of the computer before loading the OS
means it checks the hardware devices are present and properly function able or not.
 Bootstrap loader: This locates the OS.
 Software/Drivers: This locates the s/w and drivers that interface with the OS once running.
 Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor setup (CMOS): This is a configuration program
that enables users to alter h/w and system setting. COS is the name of BIOS non-volatile
memory.

AD NOTES FOR GDCP

SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION TO COMOUTER (ITC)
WRITTEN BY: ENG SALMAN ANWAR

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