Computer

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own
memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to specified rules, produce
information (output), and store the information for future use.
Functionalities of a computer:
Any digital computer carries out five functions in gross terms:
1. Take data as input
2. Stores the data/instruction in its memory and used them when required
3. Process the data and converts it into useful information
4. Generates the output
5. Control all the above 4 steps
Computer Components:
Any kind of computers consists of HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.

Hardware:
▪ Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that constitutes a computer system.
▪ Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a computer such as the
monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive disk (HDD), system unit
(graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips), etc. all of which are physical
objects that can be touched
Input Devices:
▪ Input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment to provide data and control
signals to an information processing system such as a computer or other information appliance.
▪ Input device Translate data from form that humans understand to one that the computer can
work with.
▪ Most common are keyboard and mouse
1. Keyboard 2. Mouse (pointing device) 3. Microphone

4. Touch screen 5. Scanner 6. Webcam

7. Touchpads 8. MIDI keyboard 9.

10.Graphics Tablets 11.Cameras 12.Pen Input

13.Video Capture Hardware 14.Microphone 15.Trackballs

16.Barcode reader 17.Digital camera 18.Joystick

19.Gamepad 20.Electronic Whiteboard

Example of Input Devices:-

Note: The most common use keyboard is the QWERTY keyboard.
Generally standard Keyboard has 104 keys.
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A CPU is brain of a computer. It is responsible for all functions and processes. Regarding
computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system.
The CPU is comprised of three main parts :
* Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Executes all arithmetic and logical operations. Arithmetic
calculations like as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Logical operation like
compare numbers, letters, or special characters
* Control Unit (CU): controls and co-ordinates computer components.
1. Read the code for the next instruction to be executed.
2. Increment the program counter so it points to the next instruction.
3. Read whatever data the instruction requires from cells in memory.
4. Provide the necessary data to an ALU or register.
5. If the instruction requires an ALU or specialized hardware to complete, instruct the hardware
to perform the requested operation.
* Registers :Stores the data that is to be executed next, "very fast storage area".
Primary Memory:-
1. RAM:
▪ Random Access Memory (RAM) is a memory scheme within the computer system responsible
for storing data on a temporary basis, so that it can be promptly accessed by the processor as
and when needed.
▪ It is volatile in nature, which means that data will be erased once supply to the storage device is
turned off.
▪ RAM stores data randomly and the processor accesses these data randomly from the RAM
storage.
▪ RAM is considered "random access" because you can access any memory cell directly if you
know the row and column that intersect at that cell.
2. ROM (Read Only Memory):
▪ ROM is a permanent form of storage.
▪ ROM stays active regardless of whether power supply to it is turned on or off.
▪ ROM devices do not allow data stored on them to be modified.
Secondary Memory:-
Stores data and programs permanently: it retained after the power is turned off
1. Hard drive (HD): A hard disk is part of a unit, often called a "disk drive," "hard drive," or "hard
disk drive," that store and provides relatively quick access to large amounts of data on an
electromagnetically charged surface or set of surfaces.
2. Optical Disk: an optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light as part of the
process of reading or writing data to or from optical discs.
▪ Some drives can only read from discs, but recent drives are commonly both readers and
recorders, also called burners or writers.
▪ Compact discs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs are common types of optical media which can be read
and recorded by such drives. Optical drive is the generic name; drives are usually described as
"CD" "DVD", or "Bluray", followed by "drive", "writer", etc.
▪ There are three main types of optical media: CD, DVD, and Blu-ray disc. CDs can store up to
700 megabytes (MB) of data and DVDs can store up to 8.4 GB of data. Blu-ray discs, which are
the newest type of optical media, can store up to 50 GB of data. This storage capacity is a clear
advantage over the floppy disk storage media (a magnetic media), which only has a capacity of
1.44 MB.
Output devices:
An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results
of data processing carried out by an information processing system (such as a computer) which
converts the electronically generated information into human- readable form.

1. Monitor 2. LCD Projection Panels

3. Printers (all types) 4. Computer Output Microfilm (COM)

5. Plotters 6. Speaker(s)

7. Projector

Example on Output Devices:

Note Basic types of monitors are a.Cathode Ray Tube (CRT). B. Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD). c.light-emitting diode (LED).
Printer types: 1-Laser Printer. 2-Ink Jet Printer. 3-Dot Matrix Printer
Software
Software is a generic term for organized collections of computer data and
instructions, often broken into two major categories: system software that provides
the basic non- task-specific functions of the computer, and application software
which is used by users to accomplish specific tasks.
Software Types
A. System software
▪ is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the individual hardware
components of a computer system so that other software and the users of the
system see it as a functional unit without having to be concerned with the low-level
details such as transferring data from memory to disk, or rendering text onto a
display.
▪ Generally, system software consists of an operating system and some
fundamental utilities such as disk formatters, file managers, display managers, text
editors, user authentication (login) and management tools, and networking and
device control software.
B. Application software

▪ is used to accomplish specific tasks other than just running the computer system.

▪ Application software may consist of a single program, such as an image viewer; a small
collection of programs (often called a software package) that work closely together to
accomplish a task, such as a spreadsheet or text processing system; a larger collection
(often called a software suite) of related but independent programs and packages that
have a common user interface or shared data format, such as Microsoft Office, which
consists of closely integrated word processor, spreadsheet, database, etc.; or a software
system, such as a database management system, which is a collection of fundamental
programs that may provide some service to a variety of other independent applications.
 Comparison Application Software and System Software
System Software Application Software

Computer software, or just software is a general

term primarily used for digitally stored data such Application software, also known as an application
as computer programs and other kinds of or an "app", is computer software designed to help
information read and written by the user to perform specific tasks.
computers. App comes under computer software
though it has a wide scope now.

Example: 1) Microsoft Windows 1) Opera (Web Browser)

2) Linux 2) Microsoft Word (Word Processing)
3) Unix 3) Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet software)
4) Mac OSX
5) DOS 4) MySQL (Database Software)
5) Microsoft PowerPoint (Presentation Software)
6) Adobe Photoshop (Graphics Software)
Interaction: Users always interact with application software
Generally, users do not interact with system
software as it works in the background. while doing different activities.
Dependency: System software can run independently of the Application software cannot run without the
application software. presence of the system software.
Unit of Measurements
Storage measurements: The basic unit used in computer data storage is called a bit (binary digit).
Computers use these little bits, which are composed of ones and zeros, to do things and talk to
other computers. All your files, for instance, are kept in the computer as binary files and translated
into words and pictures by the software (which is also ones and zeros). This two number system, is
called a “binary number system” since it has only two numbers in it. The decimal number system in
contrast has ten unique digits, zero through nine.

Computer Storage units

Size example
Bit BIT 0 or 1 • 1 bit - answer to an yes/no question
• 1 byte - a number from 0 to 255.
Kilobyte KB 1024 bytes • 90 bytes: enough to store a typical line of text from a
book.
Megabyte MB 1024 kilobytes • 4 KB: about one page of text.
• 120 KB: the text of a typical pocket book.
Gigabyte GB 1024 megabytes • 3 MB - a three minute song (128k bitrate)
• 650-900 MB - an CD-ROM
Terabyte TB 1024 gigabytes • 1 GB -114 minutes of uncompressed CD-quality audio
at 1.4 Mbit/s
• 8-16 GB - size of a normal flash drive
Speed measurement: The speed of Central Processing Unit (CPU) is
measured by Hertz (Hz), Which represent a CPU cycle. The speed of
CPU is known as Computer Speed.

CPU SPEED MEASURES

1 hertz or Hz 1 cycle per second
1 MHz 1 million cycles per second or 1000 Hz
1 GHz 1 billion cycles per second or 1000 MHz
 Computers classification
Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is
Considerable overlap:

• Personal computer: A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In addition to

the microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for
displaying information, and a storage device for saving data.

• Workstation : A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but

it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.

• Minicomputer : A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users

simultaneously.

• Mainframe : A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or

thousands of users simultaneously.

• Supercomputer : An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of

instructions per second.
Laptop and Smartphone Computers
LAPTOP: A laptop is a battery or AC-powered personal computer that can be easily carried and used in a
variety of locations. Many laptops are designed to have all of the functionality of a desktop computer,
whichmeans they can generally run the same software and open the same types of files. However, some
laptops, such as netbooks, sacrifice some functionality in order to be even more portable.
Netbook: A netbook is a type of laptop that is designed to be even more portable. Netbooks are often
cheaper than laptops or desktops. They are generally less powerful than other types of computers, but they
provide enough power for email and internet access, which is where the name "netbook" comes from.
Mobile Device: A mobile device is basically any handheld computer. It is designed to be extremely portable,
often fitting in the palm of your hand or in your pocket. Some mobile devices are more powerful, and they
allow you to do many of the same things you can do with a desktop or laptop computer. These include tablet computers,
e-readers, and smartphones.
Tablet Computers: Like laptops, tablet computers are designed to be portable. However, they provide a very different
computing experience. The most obvious difference is that tablet computers don't have keyboards or touchpads. Instead,
the entire screen is touch-sensitive, allowing you to type on a virtual keyboard and use your finger as a mouse pointer.
Tablet computers are mostly designed for consuming media, and they are optimized for tasks like web browsing, watching
videos, reading e-books, and playing games. For many people, a "regular" computer like a desktop or laptop is still needed in
order to use some programs. However, the convenience of a tablet computer means that it may be ideal as a second
computer.
Smartphones: A smartphone is a powerful mobile phone that is designed to run a variety of applications in addition to
phone service. They are basically small tablet computers, and they can be used for web browsing, watching videos, reading
e-books, playing games and more.
Computer Viruses*
Viruses: A virus is a small piece of software that piggybacks on real programs. For
example, a virus might attach itself to a program such as a spreadsheet program.
Each time the spreadsheet program runs, the virus runs, too, and it has the chance
to reproduce (by attaching to other programs) or wreak havoc.
• E-mail viruses: An e-mail virus travels as an attachment to e-mail messages, and
usually replicates itself by automatically mailing itself to dozens of people in the
victim's e-mail address book. Some e-mail viruses don't even require a double-click
-- they launch when you view the infected message in the preview pane of your e-
mail software [source: Johnson].
• Trojan horses: A Trojan horse is simply a computer program. The program claims to do
one thing (it may claim to be a game) but instead does damage when you run it (it
may erase your hard disk). Trojan horses have no way to replicate automatically.
• Worms: A worm is a small piece of software that uses computer networks and
security holes to replicate itself. A copy of the worm scans the network for
another machine that has a specific security hole. It copies itself to the new
machine using the security hole, and then starts replicating from there, as well.
What are some tips to avoid viruses and lessen their impact?*
∙ Install anti-virus software from a reputable vendor. Update it and use it regularly.
∙ In addition to scanning for viruses on a regular basis, install an "on access" scanner
(included in most anti-virus software packages) and configure it to start each time
you start up your computer. This will protect your system by checking for viruses
each time you run an executable file.
∙ Use a virus scan before you open any new programs or files that may contain
executable code. This includes packaged software that you buy from the store as
well as any program you might download from the Internet.
∙ If you are a member of an online community or chat room, be very careful about
accepting files or clicking links that you find or that people send you within the
community.
∙ Make sure you back up your data (documents, bookmark files, important email
messages, etc.) on disc so that in the event of a virus infection, you do not lose
valuable work.
Computer languages:
▪ also known as programming languages, are sets of instructions that enable humans to
communicate with computers.

▪ These languages allow programmers to write code that a computer can understand
and execute, resulting in various tasks and functionalities.
Types of Programming Languages:
• High Level Languages
• Low Level Languages
• Other categories
• High-Level Languages:
These languages are designed to be easier for humans to read, write, and understand, using
syntax closer to natural language. Examples include:
• Python: Known for its readability and versatility, widely used in data science, machine
learning, and web development.
• Java: Popular for enterprise-level applications and Android mobile development.
• JavaScript: Primarily used for web development, enabling interactive elements on websites
and also used in server-side development with Node.js.
• C#: Developed by Microsoft, commonly used for Windows desktop applications, game
development (with Unity), and web development (with ASP.NET).
• C++: Used for system-level programming, game development, and high-performance
applications.
• PHP: A server-side scripting language, often used for web development, powering dynamic
websites and web applications.
• Ruby: A dynamic, object-oriented language, known for its framework Ruby on Rails, widely
used in web development.
• Low-Level Languages:
These languages are closer to the computer's hardware and are more difficult for
humans to use directly.
• Assembly Language: Uses mnemonic codes to represent machine instructions,
acting as an intermediate step between machine code and higher-level languages.
• Machine Language: The lowest level, consisting of binary code that the computer's
processor directly executes.

• Other Categories:
• Markup Languages: (e.g., HTML, XML) Primarily used for structuring and formatting
data, not for performing computations.
• Scripting Languages: (e.g., JavaScript, Python) Often used for automating tasks,
controlling other software, or adding dynamic behavior to web pages.
 Computer networks, the internet, and email are all interconnected concepts related to
digital communication. Computer networks are the foundation, allowing devices to connect
and share resources. The internet is a global network of networks, enabling worldwide
communication. Email is a specific application within these networks that allows users to
send and receive electronic messages.

1. Computer Networks:
• A computer network is a system of interconnected computing devices (like computers,
servers, printers) that can communicate and share resources.
• These devices can be connected through physical cables (wired) or wirelessly (like Wi-
Fi).
• Networks allow for the efficient exchange of data, enabling applications like file sharing,
printing, and access to online resources.
• Examples of networks include local area networks (LANs) within a building and wide
area networks (WANs) spanning larger geographical areas.
2. The Internet:
• The internet is a massive, global network of interconnected computer networks.
• It's a network of networks, linking together countless individual networks
worldwide.
• This interconnectedness allows users to access information and communicate
with anyone else connected to the internet.
• The internet facilitates various applications, including web browsing, email, video
conferencing, and more.
3. Email:
• Email (electronic mail) is a digital messaging system that allows users to send and
receive messages over computer networks, including the internet.
• It provides a fast and efficient way to communicate with individuals or groups of
people.
• Email messages can contain text, images, or other files (attachments).
• To use email, you need an email address (like name@example.com) and an email
client (like Outlook, Gmail) or a web-based email service.
• Email works by using protocols like SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) for
sending and protocols like POP3 or IMAP for retrieving emails.
 Web development languages
These languages are used to create the structure, style, and interactivity of web pages. Additionally,
many other languages are used in web development, both for front-end and back-end purposes,
including Python, Java, PHP, Ruby, and C#.

Front-end Languages (Client-side):

• HTML (HyperText Markup Language): Forms the basic structure of web pages.
• CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Defines the visual presentation and layout of web pages.
• JavaScript: Adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to web pages.
• TypeScript: A superset of JavaScript that adds static typing.
• JSX: A syntax extension to JavaScript often used with React.
Back-end Languages (Server-side):
• Python: A versatile language with frameworks like Django and Flask.
• Java: A robust and widely used language, often with frameworks like Spring.
• PHP: A server-side scripting language popular for web development.
• Ruby: Known for its elegant syntax and the Ruby on Rails framework.
• C#: A language developed by Microsoft, often used with the .NET framework.
• Go: A relatively new language known for its performance and concurrency.
• SQL: Used for managing and accessing data in databases.
• Swift: Primarily used for Apple platforms, but can also be used for server-side development.