Unit-1

Computer Fundamentals
Objective:
™ To impart in-depth knowledge of computer related basic terminologies.
™ To inculcate the skills of implementation of basic theory in troubleshooting the
software & hardware problems.

What is Computer?
Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user and processes
these data under the control of set of instructions (called program) and gives the result (output) and
saves output for the future use. It can process both numerical and non-numerical (arithmetic and
logical) calculations.
A computer has four functions: Input
a. accepts data
b. processes data Processing
c. produces output Output
d. stores results Storage

Input (Data):
Input is the raw information entered into a computer from the input devices. It is the collection of
letters, numbers, images etc.

Process:
Process is the operation of data as per given instruction. It is totally internal process of the computer
system.

Output:
Output is the processed data given by computer after data processing. Output is also called as Result.
We can save these results in the storage devices for the future use.

Computer System
All of the components of a computer system can be summarized with the simple equations.
COMPUTER SYSTEM = HARDWARE + SOFTWARE+ USER

• Hardware = Internal Devices + Peripheral Devices

All physical parts of the computer (or everything that we can touch) are known as Hardware.
• Software = Programs
Software gives "intelligence" to the computer.
• USER = Person, who operates computer.

Generation of computer:

First Generation (1940-56):

The first generation computers used vaccum tubes & machine language was used for giving the
instructions. These computer were large in size & their programming was difficult task. The electricity

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consumption was very high. Some computers of this generation are ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC &
UNIVAC-1.
Second Generation(1956-63):
In 2nd generation computers, vaccum tubes were replaced by transistors. They required only 1/10 of
power required by tubes. This generation computers generated less heat & were reliable. The first
operating system developed in this generation.
The Third Generation(1964-71):
The 3rd generation computers replaced transistors with Integrated circuit known as chip. From Small
scale integrated circuits which had 10 transistors per chip, technology developed to MSI circuits with
100 transistors per chip. These computers were smaller, faster & more reliable. High level languages
invented in this generation.
The fourth Generation(1972- present):
LSI & VLSI were used in this generation. As a result microprocessors came into existence. The
computers using this technology known to be Micro Computers. High capacity hard disk were
invented. There is great development in data communication.

The Fifth Generation (Present & Beyond):

Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development, though
there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. The use of parallel
processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality. Quantum
computation and molecular and nanotechnology will radically change the face of computers in years to
come.

ARCHITECTURE OF COMPUTER

Input Devices: Those devices which help to enter data into computer system. Eg. Keyboad, Mouse,
Touchscreen, Barcode Reader, Scanner, MICR, OMR etc.

Bar code Reader MICR used in Bank OMR(Used for answer sheet evaluation)

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Output Devices: Those devices which help to display the processed information. Eg. Monitor, Printer,
Plotter, Projector

Printer Plotter Projector

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

The main component to make a computer operate is the computer chip or microprocessor. This is
referred to as the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and is housed in the computer case. Together, they
are also called the CPU. It performs arithmetic and logic operations. The CPU (Central Processing
Unit) is the device that interprets and executes instructions.

Processor

Memory: It facilitates the remembrance power to computer system. It refers to the physical devices
used to store programs (sequences of instructions) or data (e.g. program state information) on a
temporary or permanent basis for use in a computer or other digital electronic device. The term
primary memory is used for the information in physical systems which are fast (i.e. RAM), as a
distinction from secondary memory, which are physical devices for program and data storage which
are slow to access but offer higher memory capacity. Primary memory stored on secondary memory is
called virtual memory. Primary Memory can be categorized as Volatile Memory & Non-Volatile
Memory.

Volatile memory(RAM)

Volatile memory is computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored information. Most
modern semiconductor volatile memory is either Static RAM or dynamic RAM.

SRAM retains its contents as long as the power is connected and is easy to interface to but uses six
transistors per bit.

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Dynamic RAM is more complicated to interface to and control and needs regular refresh cycles to
prevent its contents being lost. However, DRAM uses only one transistor and a capacitor per bit,
allowing it to reach much higher densities and, with more bits on a memory chip, be much cheaper per
bit. SRAM is not worthwhile for desktop system memory, where DRAM dominates, but is used for their
cache memories..

Non Volatile Memory (ROM)

Non-volatile memory is computer memory that can retain the stored information even when not

powered.
Examples of non-volatile memory are flash memory and ROM/PROM/EPROM/EEPROM memory
(used for firmware such as boot programs).

Cache Memory:
Cache memory is random access memory (RAM) that a computer microprocessor can access more
quickly than it can access regular RAM. As the microprocessor processes data, it looks first in the
cache memory and if it finds the data there (from a previous reading of data), it does not have to do
the more time-consuming reading of data from larger memory. It is of two types- L1 cache is on the
same chip as the microprocessor. L2 is usually a separate static RAM (SRAM) chip.

Secondary Memory:
A. Hard Disk (Local Disk)
B. Optical Disks: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW
C. Pen Drive
D. Floppy Disks
F. Memory Cards
G. External Hard Disk
H. Blu Ray Disk

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