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Q. 1. What is a computer? Explain characteristics of the computer.

A computer is an electronic device that processes data, stores information, and

performs calculations according to a set of instructions. A computer is a
programmable machine that manipulates data and performs calculations
based on a set of instructions called a program. It takes input, processes it,
stores the results, and provides output.

A computer system is a basic and functional computer that includes all the
hardware and software that are required to make it functional for the user.

Data is a collection of unorganized facts & figures and does not provide any
further information regarding patterns, context, etc. Hence data means
"unstructured facts and figures".

Information is a structured data i.e. organized meaningful and processed data.

To process the data and convert into information, a computer is used.

Functions of Computers

A computer performs the following functions −

1. Receiving Input: Data is fed into computer through various input devices
like keyboard, mouse, digital pens, etc. Input can also be fed through
devices like CD-ROM, pen drive, scanner, etc.
2. Processing the information: Operations on the input data are carried
out based on the instructions provided in the programs.
3. Storing the information: After processing, the information gets stored in
the primary or secondary storage area.
4. Producing output: The processed information and other details are
communicated to the outside world through output devices like
monitor, printer, etc.
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Characteristics of Computer System

1. Speed

Executing mathematical calculation, a computer works faster and more

accurately than human. Computers have the ability to process so many millions
(1,000,000) of instructions per second. Computer operations are performed in
micro and nano seconds. It performs several calculations and tasks in few
seconds that we take hours to solve. The speed of a computer is measure in
terms of GigaHertz and MegaHertz.

2. Diligence: A human cannot work for several hours without resting, yet a
computer never tires. A computer can conduct millions of calculations per
second with complete precision without stopping. A computer can
consistently and accurately do millions of jobs or calculations. There is no
weariness or lack of concentration. Its memory ability also places it ahead
of humans.
3. Reliability: A computer is reliable. The output results never differ unless the
input varies. the output is totally depend on the input. when an input is the
same the output will also be the same. A computer produces consistent
results for similar sets of data, if we provide the same set of input at any
time we will get the same result.
4. Automation: The world is quickly moving toward AI (Artificial Intelligence)-
based technology. A computer may conduct tasks automatically after
instructions are programmed. By executing jobs automatically, this
computer feature replaces thousands of workers. Automation in computing
is often achieved by the use of a program, a script, or batch processing.
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5. Versatility: Versatility refers to a capacity of computer. Computer perform

different types of tasks with the same accuracy and efficiency. A computer
can perform multiple tasks at the same time this is known as versatility. For
example, while listening to music, we may develop our project using
PowerPoint and Wordpad, or we can design a website.
6. Memory: A computer can store millions of records. these records may be
accessed with complete precision. Computer memory storage capacity is
measured in Bytes, Kilobytes(KB), Megabytes(MB), Gigabytes(GB), and
Terabytes(TB). A computer has built-in memory known as primary memory.
7. Accuracy: When a computer performs a computation or operation, the
chances of errors occurring are low. Errors in a computer are caused by
human's submitting incorrect data. A computer can do a variety of
operations and calculations fast and accurately.
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Q. 2. Explain Software and types of software in detail.

Software is a collection of instructions, data, or computer programs that are used to run
machines and carry out particular activities. It is the antithesis of hardware, which refers to
a computer's external components. A device's running programs, scripts, and applications
are collectively referred to as "software" in this context. the software is a computer program
that provides a set of instructions to execute a user’s commands and tell the computer what
to do. For example like MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Types of Software

It is a collection of data that is given to the computer to complete a particular task. The
chart below describes the types of software:

System Software

• System software is software that directly operates the computer hardware and
provides the basic functionality to the users as well as to the other software to
operate smoothly.
• System software basically controls a computer’s internal functioning and also
controls hardware devices such as monitors, printers, and storage devices, etc.
• It is like an interface between hardware and user applications, it helps them to
communicate with each other because hardware understands machine language(i.e.
1 or 0) whereas user applications are work in human-readable languages like English,
Hindi, German, etc. so system software converts the human-readable language into
machine language and vice versa.

Types of System Software

1. Operating System: It is the main program of a computer system. When the
computer system ON it is the first software that loads into the computer's memory.
Basically, it manages all the resources such as computer memory, CPU, printer,
hard disk, etc., and provides an interface to the user, which helps the user to
interact with the computer system.
It also provides various services to other computer software. Examples of operating
systems are Linux, Apple macOS, Microsoft Windows, etc.
2. Language Processor: As we know that system software converts the human-
readable language into a machine language and vice versa.
So, the conversion is done by the language processor. It converts programs written
in high-level programming languages like Java, C, C++, Python, etc(known as source
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code), into sets of instructions that are easily readable by machines(known as

object code or machine code).
3. Device Driver: A device driver is a program or software that controls a device and
helps that device to perform its functions. Every device like a printer,
mouse, modem, etc. needs a driver to connect with the computer system eternally.
So, when you connect a new device with your computer system, first you need to
install the driver of that device so that your operating system knows how to control
or manage that device.

Features of System Software

• System Software is closer to the computer system.
• System Software is written in a low-level language in general.
• System software is difficult to design and understand.
• System software is fast in speed(working speed).
• System software is less interactive for the users in comparison to application
software.

Application Software

Software that performs special functions or provides functions that are much more than the
basic operation of the computer is known as application software. Or in other words,
application software is designed to perform a specific task for end-users.

Types of Application Software

There are different types of application software and those are:

1. General Purpose Software: This type of application software is used for a variety of
tasks and it is not limited to performing a specific task only. For example, MS-Word,
MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
2. Customized Software: This type of application software is used or designed to perform
specific tasks or functions or designed for specific organizations. For example, railway
reservation system, airline reservation system, invoice management system, etc.
3. Utility Software: This type of application software is used to support the computer
infrastructure. It is designed to analyze, configure, optimize and maintains the system,
and take care of its requirements as well. For example, antivirus, disk fragmenter,
memory tester, disk repair, disk cleaners, registry cleaners etc.

Features of Application Software

• An important feature of application software is it performs more specialized tasks
like word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc.
• Mostly, the size of the software is big, so it requires more storage space.
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• Application software is more interactive for the users, so it is easy to use and
design.
• The application software is easy to design and understand.
• Application software is written in a high-level language in general.