NAME SIDDHARTH PAL

SESSION AUGUST 2023

PROGRAM BCA
SEMESTER I
COURSE CODE & NAME DCA1101 & Fundamentals of IT and
Programming

Fundamentals of IT and Programming

Question 1-(a) Define the term ‘Computer’? (b) Explain the organization of computer?

Answer 1-

(a) Definition of a Computer: A computer is an electrical device used for a variety of tasks that
saves and processes data. It can change data, produce output, communicate with people, and
carry out computations and instructions based on a collection of programs and data. There are
many different types of computers: from desktop and laptop models to tablets, cellphones, and
specialized devices used for industrial control, scientific research, and other purposes. They have
completely changed the way we work, communicate, learn, and pass the time in the modern
world.

(b) Computer Organization:

The way a computer's many parts and subsystems are set up and integrated to perform different
tasks is referred to as its organization.
A computer consists of many important components:

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU): Known as the "brain" of the computer, the CPU is in
charge of carrying out computations and executing commands. It is made up of the
control unit (CU) , the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and memory unit (MU).
● The CU is in charge of managing the get-decode-execute cycle, which involves
retrieving an instruction from memory, decoding it to ascertain the action that has
to be taken, and finally executing that step.
● The ALU plays a key role in executing mathematical calculations and making
decisions base on data in a computer program.
● The terms MU "Primary Memory" (such as RAM) and "Secondary Memory"
(such as hard drives or SSDs) ar frequently used to describe different types of
memory.

2. Memory: Random Access Memory (RAM) is the main memory used in computers.
Secondary memory, it is found in devices like hard drives and solid-state drives. RAM is
 used to store programs and data whereas secondary memory is used to store data
permanently.
3. Input Devices: These are devices that allow users to provide data and instructions to the
computer. Common examples include keyboards, mouse, touchscreens, and microphones.
4. Output Devices: These devices present the results of computations and operations to the
user. Examples include monitors, speakers, and printers.
5. Storage Devices: Computers can store and retrieve data using a variety of storage
devices in addition to primary and secondary memory, such as optical drives, floppy
disks, USB drives, and memory cards.
6. Motherboard: The primary circuit board that connects and enables communication
between the CPU, memory, and additional parts is called the motherboard. It has different
slots, connectors, and ports for peripherals, power supplies, and expansion cards.
7. Expansion Cards: These are additional cards, such as network interface, sound, and
graphics cards, that fit into the motherboard's slots to increase the computer's
functionality.
8. Bus System: It is a collection of electrical channels that facilitates the transfer of
information and commands among computer components. The CPU, memory, and other
peripherals are connected by it.
9. Power Supply: The power supply unit (PSU) supplies the computer with the electricity it
needs by converting the AC (alternating current) into the DC (direct current) that the
parts of the computer need.
10. Operating System: An operating system is a layer of software that runs application
programs, offers a user interface, and administers and coordinates several hardware
components.

Question 2-Discuss the different classifications of computers?

Answer 2- Computers can be divided into a number of classes according to their features,
functions, size, and intended uses.

● Supercomputers

The strongest nd fastest computers on the market are supercomputers. They are made for
extremely difficult and resource-intensive jobs like nuclear research, scientific
simulations, and weather modeling. Supercomputers are made up of many processors and
have extremely fast processing rates for handling large volumes of data.

● Mainframes:

Large, powerful computers known as mainframes are used by businesses to process and
handle enormous amounts of data as well as carry out essential business tasks. Their
scalability, redundancy, and dependability are well known. Industries including
government, healthcare, and finance frequently use mainframes.

● Minicomputers:
Although they are more powerful than personal computers, minicomputers—also referred
to as midrange computers—are smaller than mainframes. They are frequently employed
for specialized jobs incluing managing network resources, monitoring industryprocesses,
and acting as servers for small and medium-sized businesses.

● PC or Personal Computers:

Individual usage is the intended use of personal computers. They consist of

workstations, laptops, and desktop PCs. PCs are adaptable and useful for a variety
of tasks, including office work, entertainment, and gaming. They are typical in
workplaces, residences, and educational institutes.

● Workplaces:

High-end PCs called workstations are made for specific uses, such scientific
research, graphic desiging, and 3D modeling nad rendering architectures. They
are employed by experts in many industries and provide higher processing power
and graphics capabilities.

● Servers:

Servers are computers designed to give several clients access to network

resources, data storage, and services. They are essential for enabling networked
applications and exist in a variety of forms, such as web servers, file servers, and
database servers.

● Minicomputers:

It also referred to as midrange computers—are a class of computer that lies

between mainframes and personal computers. Med-size companies are the usual
users of minicomputers. Compared to mainframes, minicomputers are more
affordable and may be customized to match the unique requirements of
businesses.

● Handheld devices:

Smartphones, Tablets, E-Readers, Handheld Gaming Consoles, PDAs (Personal

Digital Assistants), Barcode Scanners, Medical Devices, Music Players etc are the
example of handheld devices. They are easy to use when traveling because of
their small size and mobility, and new technological developments have further
increased their functionality.
Question 3-Explain Random Access Memory and Read Only Memory along with their types?

Answer 3- Computer memory comes in two categories: Random Access Memory (RAM) and
Read-Only Memory (ROM). Each has unique properties and uses. RAM is a kind of memory
that is meant to hold data temporarily. In ROM, Data and instructions are permanently written by
the manufacturer itself.
RAM: RAM has the ability to write and read data.
Data is temporary or volatile, meaning it is lost when the power is turned off.
For future use, data must be kept in secondary memory, such as an HDD or SSD, where it can be
accessed at any time and updated at random.
Different types of RAM:-
● EDO RAM (Extended Data Out RAM): An earlier variety of dynamic RAM called
EDO RAM provided a minor improvement in performance. Longer data bits can be
retained by data BUS. While the data was still being transported, it enabled the CPU to
access the following block of memory.
● BEDO RAM (Burst EDO RAM): BEDO RAM is an improved form of EDO RAM that
uses burst mode to do faster data transfer and reading big of data. Its ability to send
several data chunks in one burst would enhance performance more.
● SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM): is a type of memory that can transport data at
a higher rate by synchronizing with the bus speed of the computer. It is equipped with an
external pin interface that is powered by an external clock signal. It is renowned for
having a large bandwidth.
● DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM): DDR RAM
improves SDRAM by sending data twice, on both the up and down of the clock signal,
hence supporting more bandwidth. Because the database is read twice all cycle, it
operates far quicker than SDRAM.
● EDRAM (Embedded DRAM): It is directly integrated into a computer's processor or
graphics processing unit (GPU). Performance gets better and latency is decreased with
this.

Different types of ROM:-

● PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory): kind of memory that enables data to be
written to the chip just once. Data cannot be modified or deleted once it has been
programmed.
● EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory): Data can be repetedly
programmed and deleted. But with the development of more technology, substitutes like
EEPROM and flash memory usage are reduced.
● EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory): Programming
signals can used to change or remove data and to restore it. It is more easy to use because
it can be programmed and erased electronically.

Question 4-(a) Define Software Testing? (b) (b) Explain software testing strategy in detail?
Answer 4- (a) Software testing is essential to ensure software functions properly. It detects
errors and issues. It is an important part of the Software Development Lifecycke (SDLC). The
aim is to verify that the program satisfies its requirements and functions as intended. Testing is
the process of comparing actual results meeting the expectations or not. This aids in identifying
and resolving issues before users receive the program.

(b) Software testing strategy :-

1) System engg. And System Testing

Building, designing and managing software is called system engineering. It is very vast and
complicated process which defines system requirements and system components as well
Thats why System testing is a crucial part of this phase to see all the backend codes and system
functions are working together properly or not. It examines the overall system performance
feasibility, all logics are ok or not and usability as well.

2) Requirement and Validation Testing-

Foundation of the software development is requirement that specifies what software is
expected to be working as, defining its features and functionalities.
Validation testing focuses on whether the software is meeting the requirements or not, it
not it will go back to previous stage gets necessary improvements and gets back
internally. Then it will checkif the software delivers the value to its users. It confirms that
the software is doing what it was made to do.

3) Design and Integration Testing-

Design phase involves creating blueprint, architecture, framework and design model of
the proposed software given by the client. Team creates logical nad physical design on
basis of flow diagram, then it goes to development team and taken as an input. But before
that Integration testing comes It insures that the various parts of software design is
implemented without flaws it identifies and resolves the issues in design flow that mya
arise.

4) Code And Unit Testing-

Coding is the most important part of any software development. Thats the main part that
runs behind the screen. All the logics and operations of the software are written in the
form of codes so that is needed to be checked thoroughly. So Unit Testing comes into
picture where testing goes microscopic level and focuses on testing codes into bits.
Checks whether the codes written are working together efficiency or does it needed to be
changed in different optimised way. Unit testing helps catch and fix codel level issues
early in development process. Both Writng code and unit testing goes hand in hand so
that there is no bigger bugs found later on in the final stage of software development.

Testing in each level helps maintain the software efficiency, and reduce the risk of defects
reaching the final product. It is helpful in cost benefit measures as well.
Question 5- (a) What is Operating System? (b)Discuss the different components of Operating
System?
Answer 5- An operating system-OS, is a software that helps and coordinates with computer
hardware to run programs and it comes with user interface so that users can communicate with
their computer and controls the I/O units. For eg- Users who work on Microsoft, it has Windows
OS
And Apple users use Macnatosh OS. Other examples are Unix & Linux and Ubuntu.

(b) Different components of Operating System are as follows:-

Process Management: Numerous tasks are managed by the operating system, including user
programs and system programs. Every tasks is included within a process. The whole execution of
context, included code, data, PCs, registers, operating systems, resources that are in use, etc., is a
process. The process is not the same as a program. A process is only one running part of a
program. Multiple processes can operate within a single program. An operating system's primary
functions include creating and deleting user and system processes, pausing and restarting
processes, syncing the processs, and communicating with all these.

Main Memory Management: Main memory management involves dealing with the RAM, or
physical memory. It is in responsible for assigning memory to processes and making sure
memory is used effectively. This component dedicates a size of the memory when a process
requires it, and it releases the memory when the process has finished. This maintains that
programs can function properly and helps prevent memory related issues.

File Management: Informations that are written on the computer by user is known as files, it is
nothing but just the collection of information.
A computer's secondary storage, or disk, allows it to retain files and deletion of these files too.
Magnetic disks, magnetic tape, and optical disks are a few eg. of storage medium. Every one of
these media has unique characteristics. Files and further instructions are in folders. The creation
and deletion of files, the directories, the support of primitives for manipulating files and
directories, secondary storage support, and the creation and deletion of backup files are main
functions of an OS.

Input-Output System Management: Managing I/O between the CPU and peripheral devices
including keyboards, mouse, displays, and printers is the responsibility of this component.The
input-output system helps the user to use a particular hardware component which is needed at the
time. The need of the particular device to which it is allocated are only known by the device
driver.
Secondary Storage Management: Information that can later be extracted in main storage is
stored on tapes, disks, and other media that make up secondary storage.
 When it comes to secondary storage management, an operating system's three main functions
are to schedule memory access requests, maintain the free space on the secondary storage device,
and allocate storage space when new files need to be written. SSDs & Hard disks are the
example of Secondary storage.

Networking: OS with networking features make it easier for computers and other connected
equipment to communicate with one another. They manage protocols, services, and network
connections. Data sharing and network access are made possible via networking.

Protection system: When a computer system supports several processors working together and
has multiple users, different processes need protection from one another and outside interference.
A protection mechanism is a way to limit process, or user access to resources that a computer
system has defined.

Command Interface System: An use interface-UI for interacting with the operating system is
offered by this component. It might be in the form of a Command promt, where users input text
instructions to carry out activities, or a graphical user interface (GUI), which provides visual
components such windows and icons for user interaction. The user's interface to the operating
system is the command interface system, which gives them the ability to use the computer.

Question 6- (a) Explain OSI Reference model?

(b) How is data transmission done in OSI model?

Answer 6- Open Systems Interconnection is the OSI model. Architecture is layered in the OSI
model. We may utilize this OSI model whenever we need to send data or information from the
source node to the destination node. There are 7 types of arch level in OSI these are-

1. Physical layer: This layer controls the operations necessary to transport a large stream
via a physical media. It addresses the interface and transmission medium's mechanical
and electrical characteristics.

2. Data link layer: This layer converts the physical layer into a reliable link. It presents the
network layer, which is the top layer, as error-free physical layer. In addition, it handles
other tasks including flow control, framing, physical addressing, error management, and
access control mechanisms.
 3. Network layer: Packet delivery from source to destination, sometimes over multiple
network lines, is performed by this layer. When two systems are connected by the same
network link, a data link layer manages the packet delivery process. Every packet is
guaranteed to reach its destination from its place of origin via the network layer.

4. Transport layer: This layer is in charge of delivering the complete message from one
process to another. An application running on the host is called a process. Individual
packet delivery from source to destination is managed by the network layer. It is not
equal to the connection between those packets. Every package is handled separately.

5. Session layer: This layer creates, controls, and ends the apps' communication sessions. It
also synchronizes system-to-system data sharing. And manages tasks such as token
management and dialog control.

6. Presentation layer: The specific responsibility of this layer includesTranslation

encryption and compression of the information exchange between two systems.

7. Application layer: The layer gives the user software or human access to the network.
Electronic mail, remote file access and transfer, shared databases, management systems,
and other distributed information services are few of the services it offers support and
user interface . The application layer provides specific services such as file transfer,
access, management, and network virtual terminal.

This is the process of how data transmission takes place in OSI model.