Unit - 1

Basic Application of Computer

COMPUTER

WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

The word “Computer” is derived from the word „compute". It means „to calculate". We all are familiar with
calculations in our day-to-day life. We apply mathematical operations like addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, etc. and many other formulae for calculations. Simple calculations take less time. But
complex calculations take much longer time. Another factor is accuracy in calculations. So man explored the
idea of developing a machine, which can perform this type of arithmetic calculation faster, and with full
accuracy. This gave birth to a device or machine called a „computer".

Computer is an electronic machine that can store, find and arrange information, calculate amounts and
control other machines. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data.

WORKING OF COMPUTER:

1. Take the input information.

2. Process the information. “A program in running state is called a process.”
3. Display the output.

Input-:
The input stage is the first step in the working process of a computer. This is where data and instructions are
entered into the computer for processing.
Processing-:
The processing stage is where the computer performs all the necessary computations and manipulations on
the input data.
Output-:
The output stage is the final step in the working process of a computer. This is where the processed data is
presented to the user in a human-readable form.

History of Computers

Before computers were developed people used sticks, stones, and bones as counting tools. As technology
advanced and the human mind improved with time more computing devices were developed like Abacus,
Napier’s bones, etc. These devices were used as computers for performing mathematical computations but
not very complex ones.
Some of the popular computing devices are described below, starting from the oldest to the latest or most
advanced technology developed:
Abacus
Around 4000 years ago, the Chinese invented the Abacus, and it is believed to be the first computer. The
history of computers begins with the birth of the abacus.

Structure:
Abacus is basically a wooden rack that has metal rods with beads mounted on them.
Working of abacus:
In the abacus, the beads were moved by the abacus operator according to some rules to perform arithmetic
calculations. In some countries like China, Russia, and Japan, the abacus is still used by their people.
Napier’s bones
Napier’s bones was a manually operated calculating device and as the name indicates, it was invented by
John Napier. In this device, he used 9 different ivory strips (bones) marked with numbers to multiply and
divide for calculation. It was also the first machine to use the decimal point system for calculation.

Pascaline
It is also called an Arithmetic Machine or Adding Machine. A French mathematician-philosopher Blaise Pascal
invented this between 1642 and 1644. It was the first mechanical and automatic calculator. It was invented
by Pascal to help his father, a tax accountant, in his work or calculation. It could perform addition and
subtraction in quick time. It was basically a wooden box with a series of gears and wheels. It is worked by a
rotating wheel like when a wheel is rotated one revolution, it rotates the neighboring wheel and a series of
windows is given on the top of the wheels to read the totals.

Stepped Reckoner or Leibniz wheel

A German mathematician-philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in 1673 developed this device by improving
Pascal’s invention to develop this machine. It was basically a digital mechanical calculator, and it was called
the stepped reckoner as it was made of fluted drums instead of gears (used in the previous model of
Pascaline).
Difference Engine
Charles Babbage who is also known as the “Father of Modern Computer” designed the Difference Engine in
the early 1820s. Difference Engine was a mechanical computer which is capable of performing simple
calculations. It works with the help of steam as it was a steam-driven calculating machine, and it was
designed to solve tables of numbers like logarithm tables.

Analytical Engine
Again in 1830 Charles Babbage developed another calculating machine which was an Analytical Engine.
Analytical Engine was a mechanical computer that used punch cards as input. It was capable of performing or
solving any mathematical problem and storing information as a permanent memory (storage).

Tabulating Machine
Herman Hollerith, an American statistician invented this machine in the year 1890. Tabulating Machine was a
mechanical tabulator that was based on punch cards. It was capable of tabulating statistics and record or sort
data or information. This machine was used by the U.S. Census in 1890. Hollerith’s Tabulating Machine
Company was started by Hollerith and this company later became International Business Machine (IBM) in
the year 1924.
Differential Analyzer
Differential Analyzer was the first electronic computer introduced in the year 1930 in the United States. It
was basically an analog device that was invented by Vannevar Bush. This machine consists of vacuum tubes
to switch electrical signals to perform calculations. It was capable of doing 25 calculations in a few minutes.

Mark I
In the year 1937, major changes began in the history of computers when Howard Aiken planned to develop a
machine that could perform large calculations or calculations involving large numbers. In the year 1944, Mark
I computer was built as a partnership between IBM and Harvard. It was also the first programmable digital
computer marking a new era in the computer world.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMPUTER
Speed:
As you know computers can work very fast. It takes only a few seconds for calculations that we take hours to
complete. You will be surprised to know that computers can perform several million (1,000,000) of
instructions and even more per second. Therefore, we determine the speed of a computer in terms of
microsecond (10-6 part of a second) or nano-second (109 part of a second).

Accuracy:
Computers are highly accurate machine $ they never make mistakes. Suppose someone calculates faster but
commits a lot of errors in computing, then such a result is useless. There is another aspect, suppose you want
to divide 15 by 7. You may work out up to 2 decimal places and say the quotient is 2.14. I may calculate up to
4 decimal places and say that the result is 2.1428. Someone else may go up to 9 decimal places and say the
result is 2.142857143. But a computer can give up to 100 decimal places within a fraction of second and that
too accurately.
Versatility:
The capacity of the computer of performing more than one task at the same time is called the versatility of a
computer. Versatility means the capacity to perform different types of work completely. Storage Capacity:
Computers can store volumes of data.
Memory:
The capacity of storage makes computers very useful. The computer has an in-built memory where it can
store a large amount of data.
Multi-tasking:
A human being cannot do more than one task at the same time without losing his concentration or with his
full efficiency. But for a computer, it is a normal thing to do many tasks simultaneously without
compromising its efficiency. For example, at the same time you may use the computer to type a letter and to
listen to your favourite music and also you can open internet web pages to get some information. This is
known as Multitasking.

APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS

 Education

 Business Purpose

 Gaming

 Weather Forecasting

 Medical Field

 Scientific

 Engineering

 Management of Organization

GENERATION OF THE COMPUTER

1. First Generation - 1945-1959

2. Second Generation - 1959-1964
3. Third Generation - 1964-1971
 4. Fourth Generation - 1971-1995
5. Fifth Generation - 1995-till now

First Generation:

 Use of vacuum tubes for electronic circuitry.

 Magnetic drums for data storage.

 It uses machine language (0,1).

 Some of the important computers of this generation were:

1. ENIAC - Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator
2. EDVAC - Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
3. EDSAC - Electronic Static Variable Automatic Computer
4. UNIVAC-1 - Universal Automatic Computer

Drawbacks of first generation computers:

 Very large in size.

 It consumes more power.

 Very costly.

 Proceed heat.

Second Generation:
It uses transistors instead of vacuum tubes.

 A single transistor contained a circuit produced by several hundred vacuum tubes.

 It uses assembly language.

 It is in the second generation that the concept of the Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory,
programming language and input and output units were developed.

 It uses a magnetic core as storage.

 It uses multiprogramming.

 Some of the important computers of this generation were:

o
IBM 1920 - used for scientific purpose

o
IBM 1401 - used for scientific purpose

o
CDC 3600 - used for scientific purposes.
Advantages Of Second Generation:

 Smaller than First Generation

 More speed

Disadvantages Of Second Generation:

 Costly

 Use punch card for input

Third Generation Computers:

 They used Integrated Circuits (ICs).These ICs are popularly known as Chips.

 A single IC has many transistors, resistors and capacitors built on a single thin slice of silicon.So it is
quite obvious that the size of the computer got further reduced.

 Some of the computers developed during this period were:

a. IBM-360
b. ICL-1900
c. IBM-370
d. VAX-750

Advantages Of Third Generation:

 small in size

 Use of high level languages

 Large memory

 High processing speed

Disadvantages Of Third Generation:

 Required AC (air conditioning).

 Memory capacity is not much developed.

Note:

Higher-level language such as BASIC (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) was developed during
this period.
Fourth Generation:

 It uses Large Scale Integrated Circuits (LSIC) built on a single silicon chip called microprocessors.

 These computers are called microcomputers.

 Thus the computer, which was occupying a very large room in earlier days, can now be placed on a
table.

 The personal computer (PC) that you see in your school is a Fourth Generation Computer.

 In this generation the storage device provides storage up to 10mb.

Advantages Of Fourth Generation:

 Very fast

 Very low heat generation

 Smaller in size

 Very reliable

Disadvantages Of Fourth Generation:

 Sophisticated technology is used to manufacture the large scale integration.

Fifth Generation:

 It uses an ultra large scale integrated chip

 Operating system - real time

 The concept of Artificial Intelligence has been introduced to allow the computer to take its own
decision. It is still in a developmental stage.

Advantages Of Fifth Generation:

 Speed of computation is very high.

 Small in size

 Reliable

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
Computers are used for many purposes or many fields in our life like daily routine management, work
scheduling etc.
Computers are classified in many categories of different bases.
 Based on Size

Super Computers:
This is the fastest and most expensive machine. It has high processing speed compared to other computers.
They also have multiprocessing techniques. One of the ways in which supercomputers are built is by
interconnecting hundreds of microprocessors. Supercomputers are mainly used for weather forecasting,
biomedical research, remote sensing, aircraft design and other areas of science and technology.

Mainframe computer:
These types of computers are generally 32-bit computers. They operate at very high speed, have very large
storage capacity and can handle the workload of many users. They are generally used in centralized
databases. They are also used as controlling nodes in Wide Area Network (WAN).

Mini Computer:
This is designed to support more than one user at a time. It possesses large storage capacity and operates at
a higher speed than a microcomputer. This type of computer is generally used for processing large volumes
of data in an organization. They are also used as servers in Local Area Networks (LAN).

Microcomputer:
Microcomputers are at the lowest end of the computer range in terms of speed and storage capacity. Its CPU
is a microprocessor. The first microcomputers were built of 8-bit microprocessor chips. The most common
microcomputer is a personal computer (PC). The PC supports a number of input and output devices. An
improvement of 8-bit chips is 16-bit and 32-bit chips.

Based on Mechanism
Analog Computer:
Analog computers measure physical value such as temperature or pressure that fall along a continuous scale
in temperature. It is especially used in scientific work, medical $ industrial fields.
Digital Computer:

The digital computers use the binary number system, which has two digits: 0 and 1. A binary digit is called a
bit.
Hybrid Computer:
Hybrid computers are computers that exhibit the features of analog and digital computers.

Based on Purpose
General Purpose:

General purpose computers are designed to be able to perform a variety of tasks.

Special Purpose:
Special purpose computers can be designed for one special task or class of task and wouldn’t be able to
perform general computing tasks.

CONCEPTS OF HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

Computer hardware:

Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that comprise a computer system. Computer
hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a computer such as monitor, keyboard, hard disk,
mouse, etc.
“Hardware refers to objects that you can actually see, touch, and feel” like disks, disk drives, display
screens, keyboards, printers, mother boards, and chips.

Computer software:

Computer software is a collection of computer programs and related data that provides the instructions for
telling a computer what to do and how to do it. In other words, software is a set of programs, procedures,
algorithms and its documentation concerned with the operation of a data processing system.

“Software refers to programs which we cannot touch, cannot see and cannot feel by our senses”. Software
exists as ideas, concepts, and symbols, but it has no substance.
Types of software
There are two types of software;

 System software

 Application software
System Software:
System software is software that is designed to run a computer application. It controls the operations of the
computer hardware and provides an environment or platform for the other type of software to work in.
Example: Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android.

Application software:
Software that performs special functions or provides functions that are much more than the basic operations
of the computer is known as application software.
Example: MS-word, MS-Excel, Power Point, etc.

INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICES

INPUT DEVICES:

Input devices are the parts of the computer that we interact with daily and are used to input data to the
computers. An input device is a hardware device that transfers data to a computer system and allows us to
control it.
An input device transmits data to a computer and allows you to communicate with it and control it.

Different Types of Input Devices:

Various types of Input Devices are,
Keyboard
Keyboard has an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. For
entering data into a computer, the keyboard is the most common and commonly used input device. It
contains various keys for entering letters, numbers, and characters.

Keys on the keyboard:

 Alphanumeric keys

 Function keys

 Special keys
  Control keys
Note:

 Invention - Christopher Lathom

 104 keys in a standard keyboard.

Pointing Device

Mouse
The mouse is the most used pointing device. While clicking and dragging, the mouse moves a little cursor
across the screen. The left mouse button can be used to pick or move items, while the right mouse button
displays additional menus when clicked.

Types of mouse:

 Trackball Mouse

 Mechanical Mouse

 Optical Mouse

 Wireless Mouse

Note:

 Invention - 1963 by Douglas C. Engelbart

Scanner

Scanner is a device that optically scans images, printed text, handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a
digital image. Scanner consists of two components, the first one to illuminate the object so that the optical
image can be captured and the other to convert the optical image into digital format for storage by
computer.
Types of Scanner:

 Flatbed Scanner

 Handheld Scanner

 Sheet fed Scanner

 Drum Scanner

 Photo Scanner
 Barcode Reader
A bar code reader is a device that reads bar-coded data. A barcode reader is a device that reads barcodes
and extracts data from them. The code bar is used to read the barcode printed on any goods.

Camera
A digital camera contains photo sensors that record the light that enters into the camera lens. It comes with
an LCD display that allows users to view and review photographs.

OUTPUT DEVICES:

An output device is a computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data processing
carried out by computer by converting the electronically generated information into human-readable form.
Output devices convert processed data into a form that the understands instantly.

Monitor

Monitor is a default output device. It shows the soft copy of the output. A monitor or display or visual display
unit) is an electronic visual display for computers. The monitor comprises the display device, circuitry, and an
enclosure.

Types of Monitor:

 Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)

 Display on a Flat Panel Monitor with a Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)

 Plasma Monitor

Printer
A printer is a peripheral which produces the hard copy output of a text or graphics of documents stored in
electronic form, usually on physical print media such as paper or transparencies.

Types of printer:

 Impact Printer
1. Dot matrix printer 2. Daisy wheel printer

3. Line printer 4. Chain printer

 Non-Impact Printer
1. Laser printer 2. Inkjet printer

Plotter

A plotter is a device that prints high-quality graphics in a variety of colour formats. It works in a similar way to
a printer, although it has more advanced features. It is used to print large maps, architectural drawings, large-
format printing, and create pictures, 3D postcards, advertising signs, charts, and various designs of the
internal structure of building machines, as well as create pictures, 3D postcards, advertising signs, charts, and
various designs of the internal structure of building machines.

Projector
A projector is a device that allows users to project their output onto a large area, such as a screen or a wall. It
can be used to project the output of a computer and other devices onto a screen. It magnifies texts, photos,
and movies using light and lenses. As a result, it’s an excellent output device for giving presentations or
teaching big groups of people.

Speakers
Speakers are connected to computers to allow sound to be output. For the working of speakers, sound cards
are required. From simple two-speaker output devices to surround-sound multi-channel sets, speakers come
in a variety of shapes and sizes. They take audio input from the computer’s sound card and output sound
waves as audio output.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

It is the brain of the computer. All types of data processing operations and all the important functions of a
computer are performed by the CPU. It helps input and output devices to communicate with each other and
perform their respective operations. It also stores data which is input, intermediate results in between
processing, and instructions. A CPU can be installed into a CPU socket. These sockets are generally located on
the motherboard.
Parts of CPU
The CPU consists of 3 major units, which are:

1. Memory or Storage Unit

2. Control Unit
3. ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)

Memory unit:
The memory unit is responsible for transferring information to other units of the computer when needed. It
is also known as an internal storage unit or the main memory or the primary storage RAM as all these are
storage devices. There are two types of memory in the computer, which are primary memory and secondary
memory. The final results of processing are the memory units before these results are released to an output
device for giving the output to the user.
Control Unit:
A control unit controls the operations of all parts of the computer but it does not carry out any data
processing operations. For executing already stored instructions, It instructs the computer by using the
electrical signals to instruct the computer system. It takes instructions from the memory unit and then
decodes the instructions after that it executes those instructions.
Arithmetic Logic Unit:
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is responsible for performing arithmetic and logical functions or operations. It
consists of two subsections, which are:

 Arithmetic Section

 Logic Section

Arithmetic Section:

By arithmetic operations, we mean operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and all
these operations and functions are performed by ALU. Also, all the complex operations are done by making
repetitive use of the mentioned operations by ALU.
Logic Section:
By Logical operations, we mean operations or functions like selecting, comparing, matching, and merging the
data, and all these are performed by ALU.
Note: CPU may contain more than one ALU and it can be used for maintaining timers that help run the
computer system.
MEMORY
A memory is just like the human brain. It is used to store data and instructions. Computer memory is the
store space in the computer where data is to be processed and instruction required for processing.
The memory is divided into a large number of small part cells and is an unique address.

Types of memory

 Primary memory

 Secondary memory

 Cache memory
 Primary Memory

Primary memory holds only those data Instructions on which the computer is currently working. It has a
limited capacity and data is lost when power is switched off. It is generally made up of semiconductor
devices. This memory is not as fast as cache memory. The data and instructions required to be processed
reside in main memory.
It is divided into some categories:

 RAM (Random Access Memory)

 ROM (Read Only Memory)

RAM

RAM is the internal memory of the CPU for storing data. It is a volatile memory. It allows both read/write
operations and stores data until the machine is switched off.
It is categories into two parts:
1. SRAM 2. DRAM

SRAM:

SRAM stands for Static Random Access Memory. It is a type of semiconductor which is widely used in
computing devices and microprocessors.
DRAM:

DRAM stands for dynamic random access memory. It is made of capacitors and has a smaller data lifespan.
It is divided into some categories:
1. SDRAM 2. DDR RAM 3.RDRAM

ROM

The memory from which we can only read but can’t write of it. This type of memory is not-volatile. A ram
stores such instructions which are required to start a computer. This operation is referred to as bootstrap.
The information is stored in the ROM in binary format. It is also known as permanent memory.
It is categories into four parts:
1. MROM 2. PROM 3. EPROM 4. EEPROM

MROM (Masked read-only memory):

MROM was the very first ROM that consisted of a grid of word lines and bit lines joined together with
transistor switches. This type of ROM data is physically encoded in the circuit and only be programmed
during fabrication. It was not so expensive.

PROM (Programmable read-only memory):

The data stored in it are permanently stored and cannot be changed or erasable. PROM is the form of digital
memory.

EPROM (Erasable programmable read-only memory):

The data stored in EPROM can be erased and reprogrammed again by ultraviolet light. Reprogramming of it is
limited. EEPROM was used in microcontrollers.

EEPROM (Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory):

As its name refers, it can be programmed and erased electrically. The data and program of this ROM can be
erased and programmed about ten thousand times. The duration of erasing and programming of the
EEPROM is about 4ms to 10ms. It is used in microcontrollers and remote keyless systems.

Secondary Memory
This type of memory is known as external or auxiliary memory. It is non-volatile and slower than main
memory. CPU directly doesn’t access this memory, instead they are accessed into routers. In secondary
memory, programs and data are stored.
It is divided into some categories:
1. Optical Disks
2. Magnetic Disks
3. Magnetic Taps

Optical Disks:

Optical Disk is a storage medium that relies on laser technology to read and write data, in shape, it is a flat
circular disk which is made up of polycarbonate or a similar material with a very shiny reflective layer on the
surface.
It is categories into four parts:
1. CD-ROM 2.WORM 3. DVD 4. DVD-ROM 5.DVD-R

Magnetic Disks:

A magnetic Disk is a type of secondary memory that is a flat disc covered with a magnetic coating to hold
information. Magnetic disks are less expensive than RAM and can store large amounts of data, but the data
access rate is slower than main memory because of secondary memory.

Magnetic Taps:

In magnetic tape only one side of the ribbon is used for storing data. It is sequential memory which contains
thin plastic ribbon to store data and coated by magnetic oxide. It is highly reliable which requires magnetic
tape drive writing and reading data. Data read/write speed is slower because of sequential access. It is highly
reliable which requires magnetic tape drive writing and reading data.

Cache Memory

Cache memory is very high semiconductor memory which can speed up on CPU. It acts as a buffer between
the CPU and main memory.