COMPUTER SCIENCE MATERIAL

UNIT 1

FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER AND WORKING WITH A TYPICAL OPERATING SYSTEMS

(WINDOWS & LINUX)

Introduction to Computers

Very Short Answers

1. What is a computer?

It is an electronic device that processes the input according to the set of instructions provided to it
and gives the desired output at a very fast rate.

2. Distinguish between data and information?

Data:

1. Data is defined as an unprocessed collection of raw facts, suitable for communication,

interpretation or processing.
2. This will not give any meaningful message.
3. For example, 134, 16 ‘Kavitha’, ‘C’

Information:

1. Information is a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn.

2. This will give meaningful message.
3. For example: Kavitha is 16 years old.

3. What are the components of a CPU?

There are three types of components of CPU.

1. ALU (Arithmetic and logic unit)

2. Memory unit
3. Control unit

4. What is the function of an ALU?

1. The ALU is a part of the CPU where various computing functions are performed on data.
2. The ALU performs arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division and logical operations.

5. Write the functions of control unit.

1. The control unit controls the flow of data between the CPU, memory and I/O devices.
2. It also controls the entire operation of a computer

6. What is the function of memory?

There are two types of memory such as Primary memory and Secondary memory.

Primary memory:
 1. The Primary memory is used to store the data temporarily.
2. The Primary Memory is volatile.
3. Example: RAM.

Secondary memory:

1. The Secondary memory is used to store the data permanently.

2. The Secondary memory is non-volatile.
3. Example: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Hard disk.

7. Differentiate Input and output unit.

Input unit:

1. Input unit is used to feed any form of data to the computer.

2. Example: Keyboard, mouse, etc.

Output unit:

1. An Output Unit is any hardware component that conveys information to users in an

understandable form.
2. Example: Monitor, Printer, etc.

8. Distinguish Primary and Secondary memory.

PRIMARY MEMORY SECONDARY MEMORY

1. The Primary memory is used to store the 1. The Secondary memory is used to store the
data temporarily. data permanently.
2. The Primary Memory is volatile. 2. The Secondary memory is non-volatile.
3. Example: RAM. 3. Example: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Hard disk.
Short Answers

1. What are the characteristics of a computer?

1. Very high speed.

2. Very high accuracy.
3. It can perform on various task.
4. It can store any data for long term.
5. It doesn’t have any feelings or emotions.
6. It can for hours without any work.

2. Write the applications of computer.

1. Banking
2. Insurance
3. Education
4. Marketing
5. Health care
6. Engineering design
7. Communication
8. Government
9. Weather forecasting.
3. What is an input device? Give two examples.

1. Input unit is used to feed any form of data to the computer, which can be stored in the
memory unit for further processing.
2. Example: Keyboard, mouse, etc.

4. Name any three output devices.

1. Monitor.
2. Speaker.
3. Printer.

5. Differentiate optical and Laser mouse.

OPTICAL MOUSE LASER MOUSE

It is less sensitive. It is highly sensitive.
Old technology. New technology.
Tracking power is less. Tracking power is more.
It has 3 buttons. It will vary from 3 to many buttons.

6. Write short note on impact printer?

1. Impact printers print with striking of hammers or pins on ribbon.

2. Impact printers are very noisy.
3. These printers can print on multi-part.
4. Example: Dot Matrix, Line printers.

7. Write the characteristics of sixth generation.

1. Natural Language Processing.

2. Development of Robotics.
3. Parallel and Distributed computing.
4. Artificial Intelligence.
5. Development of Robotics.

8. Write the significant features of monitor.

1. Monitor is the most commonly used output device to display the information.
2. Monitors may either be Monochrome which display text or images in Black and White or
in multiple colors.
3. There are many types of monitors available such as
a. CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
b. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
c. LED (Light Emitting Diodes).

Explain in detail

1. Explain the basic components of a computer with a neat diagram.

Input unit:

1. Input unit is used to feed any form of data to the computer

 2. Ex. Keyboard, Mouse, etc.

Central processing unit:

1. CPU is the major component

2. It controls the operation of all other components such as memory, input and output units.
3. There are three types of components of CPU.
a. ALU (Arithmetic and logic unit)
b. Memory unit
c. Control unit

Arithmetic and logic unit:

1. The ALU is a part of the CPU where various computing functions are performed on data.

2. The ALU performs arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
and logical operations.

Control unit:

1. The control unit controls the flow of data between the CPU, memory and I/O devices.
2. It also controls the entire operation of a computer.

Output unit:

1. An output device is a hardware component that conveys information to the user in an

understandable form.
2. Example: Monitor, printer, etc.

Memory unit:

There are two types of memory such as Primary memory and Secondary memory.

Primary memory:

1. The Primary memory is used to store the data temporarily.

2. The Primary Memory is volatile.
3. Example: RAM.

Secondary memory:

1. The Secondary memory is used to store the data permanently.

2. The Secondary memory is non-volatile.
3. Example: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Hard disk.

2. Discuss the various generations of computers.

1. First Generation

1. Period: 1940-1956.
2. Vaccum tubes are used as main component.
3. Merits/Demerits:
a. Big in size
b. Consumed more power
 c. Malfunction due to overheat
d. Machine Language was used

2. Second Generation

1. Period: 1956-1964.
2. Transistors are used as main component.
3. Merits/Demerits:
a. Smaller compared to First Generation
b. Generated Less Heat
c. Consumed less power compared to first generation

3. Third Generation

1. Period: 1964-1971.
2. Integrated circuits are used as main component.
3. Merits/Demerits:
a. Computers were smaller, faster and more reliable
b. Consumed less power
c. High Level Languages were used
4. Fourth Generation
1. Period: 1971-1980.
2. Microprocessors (VLSI) are used as main component.
3. Merits/Demerits:
a. Smaller and Faster
b. Microcomputer series such as IBM and APPLE were developed
c. Portable Computers were introduced.

5. Fifth Generation

1. Period: 1980-till date.

2. Ultra Large. Scale Integrated Circuits (ULSI) are used as main components.
3. Merits/Demerits:
a. Parallel Processing.
b. Can recognize Images and Graphics.
c. Introduction of Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems.
d. Able to solve high complex problems including decision making and
logical reasoning.

6. Sixth Generation

1. Period: In Future.
2. Merits/Demerits:
a. Natural Language Processing.
b. Development of Robotics.
c. Parallel and Distributed computing.
d. Artificial Intelligence.
e. Development of Robotics.
Number Systems

Very Short Answers

1. What is data?

Data is defined as an unprocessed collection of raw facts, suitable for communication, interpretation
or processing.

2. Write the 1’s complement procedure.

1. Step 1: Convert given Decimal number into Binary.

2. Step 2: Check if the binary number contains 8 bits, if less add 0 at the left most bit, to make it
as 8 bits.
3. Step 3: Invert all bits (i.e. Change 1 as 0 and 0 as 1).

3. Convert (46)10 into Binary number

4. We cannot find 1’s complement for (28)10. State reason.

1. Since it is a positive number.

2. 1 ’s complement will come only for negative number.

5. List the encoding systems that represents characters in memory.

1. BCD – Binary Coded Decimal

2. EBCDIC – Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
3. ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange
4. Unicode
5. ISCII – Indian standard code for Information interchange

Short Answers

What is radix of a number system? Give example.

1. The radix refers to the base of a number system

2. The total number of possible digits.
3. The decimal number system that we all use is base ten, as it has ten distinct digits (0, 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
4. Example: Binary system – Radix 2

2. Write note on binary number system.

1. In Binary Number System, there are only two digits namely 0 and 1.
2. The numbers in the binary system are represented to the base 2.
3. In the Binary Number, the left most bit is the Most Significant Bit (MSB) and the right most
bit is the Least Significant Bit (LSB).
4. MSB has largest positional weight and LSB has smallest positional weight.
5. Example: 1100102

3. Convert (150)10 into Binary, then convert that Binary number to Octal?

Step 1: Change it to Binary.

(150)10 = (10010110)2

Step 2:

Separate them as 3 bits from LSB.

010 010 110

 2 2 6

(10010110)2 = (226)8

4. Write short note on ISCII.

1. ISCII – Indian Standard Code for Information Interchange (ISCII) is the system of handling the
character of Indian local languages.
2. This is a 8 – bit coding system. Therefore it can handle 256 (28) characters. It is recognized by
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
3. It is integrated with Unicode.

5. Add a) -2210 + 1510 b) 2010 + 2510.

a) -2210 + 1510

(-2210) = 10110

b) 2010 + 2510.
Explain in detail

1.(a) Write the procedure to convert fractional Decimal to Binary.

(b) Convert (98.46)10 to Binary.

(a) Procedure to convert fractional Decimal to Binary.

Step 1 : Multiply the decimal fraction by 2 and note the integer part. The integer part is either 0 or 1.

Step 2 : Discard the integer part of the previous product. Multiply the fractional part of the previous
product by 2. Repeat step 1 until the same fraction repeats or terminates (0).

Step 3 : The resulting integer part forms a sequence of 0’s and 1 ’s that becomes the binary
equivalent of decimal fraction.

Step 4 : The final answer is to be written from first integer part obtained till the last integer part
obtained.

(b) Convert (98.46)10 to Binary.

1. Binary value of 98 + . Fractional Part.

 2. (98.46)10 = (1100010.01110 …)2.

2. Find 1’s Complement and 2’s Complement for the following Decimal number

a) -98 b) -135

a) -98

(98)10= 011000102

8 bit format = 011000102

1’s complement = 100111012

Add 1 bit = +1

= 100111102

(b) -13510

13510 = 10000111
1’st complement = 01111000
Add 1 bit = +1
= 01111001

3. (a) Add 11010102 + 1011012

(b) Subtract 11010112 – 1110102

Part - II - Boolean Algebra

1. What is Boolean Algebra?

1. Boolean algebra is a mathematical discipline that is used for designing digital circuits in a
digital computer.
2. It describes the relation between inputs and outputs of a digital circuit.

2. Write a short note on NAND Gate.

1. The NAND gate is the combination of NOT and AND gates.

2. The NAND gate is generated by inverting the output of a AND gate.
3. The algebraic expression of the NAND is Y = A.B

3. Draw the truth table for XOR gate.

The truth table for XOR gate is

4. Write the associative laws?

1. A + (B + C) = (A + B) + C
2. A.(B.C) = (A.B).C

5. What are derived gates?

1. Derived Gates are the gates which are derived from the fundamental gates.
2. Example : NAND, NOR, XOR, XNOR