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What is Computer?

A computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts raw data as input and
processes it with a set of instructions (a program) to produce the result as output. It
renders output just after performing mathematical and logical operations and can
save the output for future use. It can process numerical as well as non-numerical
calculations. The term "computer" is derived from the Latin word "computer"
which means to calculate.

A computer is designed to execute applications and provides a variety of solutions

through integrated hardware and software components. It works with the help of
programs and represents the decimal numbers through a string of binary digits. It
also has a memory that stores the data, programs, and result of processing. The
components of a computer such as machinery that includes wires, transistors,
circuits, hard disk are called hardware. Whereas, the programs and data are called
software.

It is believed that the Analytical Engine was the first computer which was invented
by Charles Babbage in 1837. It used punch cards as read-only memory. Charles
Babbage is also known as the father of the computer.

The basic parts without which a computer cannot work are as follows:

o Processor: It executes instructions from software and hardware.

o Memory: It is the primary memory for data transfer between the CPU and
storage.
o Motherboard: It is the part that connects all other parts or components of a
computer.
o Storage Device: It permanently stores the data, e.g., hard drive.
o Input Device: It allows you to communicate with the computer or to input
data, e.g., a keyboard.
o Output Device: It enables you to see the output, e.g., monitor.

Computers are divided into different types based on different criteria. Based
on the size, a computer can be divided into five types:
 1. Micro Computer
2. Mini Computer
3. Mainframe Computer
4. Super Computer
5. Workstations

1. Micro Computer:

It is a single-user computer which has less speed and storage capacity than the
other types. It uses a microprocessor as a CPU. The first microcomputer was built
with 8-bit microprocessor chips. The common examples of microcomputers
include laptops, desktop computers, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablets, and
smartphones. Microcomputers are generally designed and developed for general
usage like browsing, searching for information, internet, MS Office, social media,
etc.

2. Mini Computer:

Mini-computers are also known as "Midrange Computers." They are not designed
for a single. They are multi-user computers designed to support multiple users
simultaneously. So, they are generally used by small businesses and firms.
Individual departments of a company use these computers for specific purposes.
For example, the admission department of a University can use a Mini-computer
for monitoring the admission process.

3. Mainframe Computer:

It is also a multi-user computer capable of supporting thousands of users

simultaneously. They are used by large firms and government organizations to run
their business operations as they can store and process large amounts of data. For
example, Banks, universities, and insurance companies use mainframe computers
to store the data of their customers, students, and policyholders, respectively.

4. Super Computer:

Super-computers are the fastest and most expensive computers among all types of
computers. They have huge storage capacities and computing speeds and thus can
perform millions of instructions per second. The super-computers are task-specific
and thus used for specialized applications such as large-scale numerical problems
in scientific and engineering disciplines including applications in electronics,
petroleum engineering, weather forecasting, medicine, space research and more.
For example, NASA uses supercomputers for launching space satellites and
monitoring and controlling them for space exploration.

5. Work stations:

It is a single-user computer. Although it is like a personal computer, it has a more

powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor than a microcomputer. In
terms of storage capacity and speed, it comes between a personal computer and
minicomputer. Work stations are generally used for specialized applications such
as desktop publishing, software development, and engineering designs.

Benefits of Using a Computer:

o Increases your productivity: A computer increases your productivity. For

example, after having a basic understanding of a word processor, you can
create, edit, store, and print the documents easily and quickly.
o Connects to the Internet: It connects you to the internet that allows you to
send emails, browse content, gain information, use social media platforms,
and more. By connecting to the internet, you can also connect to your long-
distance friends and family members.
o Storage: A computer allows you to store a large amount of information,
e.g., you can store your projects, ebooks, documents, movies, pictures,
songs, and more.
o Organized Data and Information: It not only allows you to store data but
also enables you to organize your data. For example, you can create different
folders to store different data and information and thus can search for
information easily and quickly.
o Improves your abilities: It helps write good English if you are not good at
spelling and grammar. Similarly, if you are not good at math, and don't have
a great memory, you can use a computer to perform calculations and store
the results.
o Assist the physically challenged: It can be used to help the physically
challenged, e.g., Stephen Hawking, who was not able to speak used
 computer to speak. It also can be used to help blind people by installing
special software to read what is on the screen.
o Keeps you entertained: You can use the computer to listen to songs, watch
movies, play games and more.

The computer has become a part of our life. There are plenty of things that we do
in a day are dependent on a computer. Some of the common examples are as
follows:

1. ATM: While withdrawing cash from an ATM, you are using a computer
that enables the ATM to take instructions and dispense cash accordingly.
2. Digital currency: A computer keeps a record of your transactions and
balance in your account and the money deposited in your account in a bank
is stored as a digital record or digital currency.
3. Trading: Stock markets use computers for day to day trading. There are
many advanced algorithms based on computers that handle trading without
involving humans.
4. Smartphone: The smartphone that we use throughout the day for calling,
texting, browsing is itself a computer.

an electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form,
according to instructions given to it in a variable program.

A computer is an electronic device that processes data according to instructions

stored in its memory, capable of performing various tasks such as calculations,
data processing, and communication.

A computer is an electronic machine that processes raw data to give information as

output. An electronic device that accepts data as input, and transforms it under the
influence of a set of special instructions called Programs, to produce the desired
output (referred to as Information).

Computers are made up of two parts: the hardware and the software. Hardware:
The physical equipment required to create, use, manipulate and store electronic
 data. Software: The computerised instructions that operate a computer, manipulate
the data and execute particular functions or tasks.

Explain the basic parts of a computer

Every computer comprises 5 basic parts, namely, a motherboard, a central

processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a random access memory, and a hard
disk or solid-state drive.

Parts of a computer

What are basic components of computer hardware?

 Central processing unit (CPU) The CPU controls the computer processes and
communicates with the other components of a personal computer. ...
 Motherboard. ...
 Random Access Memory (RAM) ...
 Video graphics array port. ...
 Power supply. ...
 Cooling fan. ...
 Hard drive. ...
 Monitor.

List /explain types of computers

The three main types of computers that are differentiated based on their data
handling capabilities are:

 Analog computers.
 Digital computers.
 Hybrid computers.

1) Analogue Computer

Analogue computers are designed to process analogue data. Analogue data is

continuous data that changes continuously and cannot have discrete values. We can
say that analogue computers are used where we don't need exact values always
such as speed, temperature, pressure and current.
Analogue computers directly accept the data from the measuring device without
first converting it into numbers and codes. They measure the continuous changes in
physical quantity and generally render output as a reading on a dial or
scale. Speedometer and mercury thermometer are examples of analogue
computers.

2) Digital Computer

Digital computer is designed to perform calculations and logical operations at high

speed. It accepts the raw data as input in the form of digits or binary numbers (0
and 1) and processes it with programs stored in its memory to produce the output.
All modern computers like laptops, desktops including smartphones that we use at
home or office are digital computers.

Advantages of digital computers:

o It allows you to store a large amount of information and to retrieve it easily
whenever you need it.
o You can easily add new features to digital systems more easily.
o Different applications can be used in digital systems just by changing the
program without making any changes in hardware
o The cost of hardware is less due to the advancement in the IC technology.
o It offers high speed as the data is processed digitally.
o It is highly reliable as it uses error correction codes.
o Reproducibility of results is higher as the output is not affected by noise,
temperature, humidity, and other properties of its components.

3) Hybrid Computer

Hybrid computer has features of both analogue and digital computer. It is fast like
an analogue computer and has memory and accuracy like digital computers. It
can process both continuous and discrete data. It accepts analogue signals and
convert them into digital form before processing. So, it is widely used in
specialized applications where both analogue and digital data is processed. For
example, a processor is used in petrol pumps that converts the measurements of
fuel flow into quantity and price. Similarly, they are used in airplanes, hospitals,
and scientific applications.
Advantages of using hybrid computers:
o Its computing speed is very high due to the all-parallel configuration of the
analogue subsystem.
o It produces precise and quick results that are more accurate and useful.
o It has the ability to solve and manage big equation in real-time.
o It helps in the on-line data processing.

On the basis of size, the computer can be of five types:

1) Supercomputer

Supercomputers are the biggest and fastest computers. They are designed to
process huge amount of data. A supercomputer can process trillions of
instructions in a second. It has thousands of interconnected processors.

Supercomputers are particularly used in scientific and engineering

applications such as weather forecasting, scientific simulations and nuclear energy
research. The first supercomputer was developed by Roger Cray in 1976.

Characteristics or applications of supercomputers:

o It has the ability to decrypt your password to enhance protection for security
reasons.
o It produces excellent results in animations.
o It is used for virtual testing of nuclear weapons and critical medical tests.
o It can study and understand climate patterns and forecast weather conditions.
It can run in NOAA's system (National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration) that can execute any type of simple and logical data.
o It helps in designing the flight simulators for pilots at the beginner level for
their training.
o It helps in extracting useful information from data storage centres or cloud
system. For example, in insurance companies.
o It has played a vital role in managing the online currency world such as
stock market and bitcoin.
o It helps in the diagnosis of various critical diseases and in producing
accurate results in brain injuries, strokes, etc.
 o It helps in scientific research areas by accurately analysing data obtained
from exploring the solar system, satellites, and movement of Earth.
o It also used in a smog control system where it predicts the level of fog and
other pollutants in the atmosphere.

2) Mainframe computer

Mainframe computers are designed to support hundreds or thousands of users

simultaneously. They can support multiple programs at the same time. It means
they can execute different processes simultaneously. These features of mainframe
computers make them ideal for big organizations like banking and telecom sectors,
which need to manage and process high volume of data.

Mainframe computers are designed to support hundreds or thousands of users

simultaneously. They can support multiple programs at the same time. It means
they can execute different processes simultaneously. These features of mainframe
computers make them ideal for big organizations like banking and telecom sectors,
which need to manage and process a high volume of data that requires integer
operations such as indexing, comparisons, etc.

Characteristics of Mainframe Computers:

o It can process huge amount of data, e.g. millions of transactions in a second
in the banking sector.
o It has a very long life. It can run smoothly for up to 50 years after proper
installation.
o It gives excellent performance with large scale memory management.
o It has the ability to share or distribute its workload among other processors
and input/output terminals.
o There are fewer chances of error or bugs during processing in mainframe
computers. If any error occurs it can fix it quickly without affecting the
performance.
o It has the ability to protect the stored data and other ongoing exchange of
information and data.
Applications of mainframe computers:
o In health care, it enabled hospitals to maintain a record of their millions of
patients in order to contact them for treatment or related to their
appointment, medicine updates or disease updates.
o In the field of defence, it allows the defence departments to share a large
amount of sensitive information with other branches of defence.
o In the field of education, it helps big universities to store, manage and
retrieve data related to their courses, admissions, students, teachers,
employees and affiliated schools and colleges.
o In the retail sector, the retail companies that have a huge customer base and
branches use mainframe computers to handle and execute information
related to their inventory management, customer management, and huge
transactions in a short duration.

3) Miniframe or Minicomputer

It is a midsize multiprocessing computer. It consists of two or more processors and

can support 4 to 200 users at one time. Miniframe computers are used in institutes
and departments for tasks such as billing, accounting and inventory management.
A minicomputer lies between the mainframe and microcomputer as it is smaller
than mainframe but larger than a microcomputer.

Characteristics of miniframe or minicomputer:

o It is light weight that makes it easy to carry and fit anywhere.
o It is less expensive than mainframe computers.
o It is very fast compared to its size.
o It remains charged for a long time.
o It does not require a controlled operational environment.

What is Computer Hardware?

Hardware, which is abbreviated as HW, refers to all physical components of a

computer system, including the devices connected to it. You cannot create a
computer or use software without using hardware. The screen on which you are
reading this information is also a hardware.

What is a hardware upgrade?

A hardware upgrade refers to a new hardware, or a replacement for the old one, or
additional hardware developed to improve the performance of the existing
hardware. A common example of a hardware upgrade is a RAM upgrade that
increases the computer's total memory, and video card upgrade, where the old
video card is removed and replaced with the new one.

Computer Hardware Parts

Some of the commonly used hardware in your computer are described below:

1. Motherboard
2. Monitor
3. Keyboard
4. Mouse

1) Motherboard:

The motherboard is generally a thin circuit board that holds together almost all
parts of a computer except input and output devices. All crucial hardware like
CPU, memory, hard drive, and ports for input and output devices are located on the
motherboard. It is the biggest circuit board in a computer chassis.

It allocates power to all hardware located on it and enables them to communicate

with each other. It is meant to hold the computer's microprocessor chip and let
other components connect to it. Each component that runs the computer or
improves its performance is a part of the motherboard or connected to it through a
slot or port.

There can be different types of motherboards based on the type and size of the
computers. So, a specific motherboard can work only with specific types of
processors and memory.
Components of a Motherboard:

CPU Slot: It is provided to install the CPU. It is a link between a microprocessor

and a motherboard. It facilitates the use of CPU and prevents the damage when it is
installed or removed. Furthermore, it is provided with a lock to prevent CPU
movement and a heat sink to dissipate the extra heat.

RAM Slot: It is a memory slot or socket provided in the motherboard to insert or

install the RAM (Random Access Memory). There can be two or more memory
slots in a computer.

Expansion Slot: It is also called the bus slot or expansion port. It is a connection
or port on the motherboard, which provides an installation point to connect a
hardware expansion card, for example, you can purchase a video expansion card
and install it into the expansion slot and then can install a new video card in the
computer. Some of the common expansion slots in a computer are AGP, AMR,
CNR, PCI, etc.

Capacitor: It is made of two conductive plates, and a thin insulator sandwiched

between them. These parts are wrapped in a plastic container.

Inductor (Coil): It is an electromagnetic coil made of a conducting wire wrapped

around an iron core. It acts as an inductor or electromagnet to store magnetic
energy.

Northbridge: It is an integrated circuit that allows communications between the

CPU interface, AGP, and memory. Furthermore, it also allows the southbridge chip
to communicate with the RAM, CPU, and graphics controller.

USB Port: It allows you to connect hardware devices like mouse, keyboard to
your computer.

PCI Slot: It stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect slot. It allows you to
connect the PCI devices like modems, network hardware, sound, and video cards.

AGP Slot: It stands for Accelerated Graphics Port. It provides the slot to connect
graphics cards.

Heat Sink: It absorbs and disperses the heat generated in the computer processor.

Power Connector: It is designed to supply power to the motherboard.

CMOS battery: It stands for complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor. It is a
memory that stores the BIOS settings such as time, date, and hardware settings.

2) Monitor:

A monitor is the display unit of a computer on which the processed data, such as
text, images, etc., is displayed. It comprises a screen circuity and the case which
encloses this circuity. The monitor is also known as a visual display unit (VDU).

Types of Monitors:
1. CRT Monitor: It has cathode ray tubes which produce images in the form
of video signals. Its main components are electron gun assembly, deflection
plate assembly, glass envelope, fluorescent screen, and base.
2. LCD Monitor: It is a flat panel screen. It uses liquid crystal display
technology to produce images on the screen. Advanced LEDs have thin-film
transistors with capacitors and use active-matrix technology, which allows
pixels to retain their charge.
3. LED Monitor: It is an advanced version of an LCD monitor. Unlike an
LCD monitor, which uses cold cathode fluorescent light to backlight the
display, it has LED panels, each of which has lots of LEDs to display the
backlight.
4. Plasma Monitor: It uses plasma display technology that allows it to
produce high resolutions of up to 1920 X 1080, wide viewing angle, a high
refresh rate, outstanding contrast ration, and more.

3) Keyboard:

It is the most important input device of a computer. It is designed to allow you

input text, characters, and other commands into a computer, desktop, tablet, etc. It
comes with different sets of keys to enter numbers, characters, and perform various
other functions like copy, paste, delete, enter, etc.

A keyboards is an input device through which users can input text, numbers, and
special characters. It is an input device with a typical QWERTY keyset. It is an
external hardware device that is connected to the computer. It serves as the user's
most fundamental interface with a system. It has numerous buttons that can be
used to generate letters, numbers, and symbols as well as unique keys like the
Windows and Alt keys that can also accomplish other tasks.

Types of Keyboards:
1. QWERTY Keyboards
2. AZERTY Keyboards
3. DVORAK Keyboards

4) Mouse:

It is a small handheld device designed to control or move the pointer (computer

screen's cursor) in a GUI (graphical user interface). It allows you to point to or
select objects on a computer's display screen. It is generally placed on a flat surface
as we need to move it smoothly to control the pointer. Types of Mouse: Trackball
mouse, Mechanical Mouse, Optical Mouse, Wireless Mouse, etc.

A mouse can be wireless or wired. It is a portable pointing device that is used to

interact with objects on computer screens with the help of moving the cursor
around the screen. On the display screen, the cursor moves in the same direction as
the users' mouse movements. The term "mouse" refers to a compact, wired,
elliptical-shaped gadget that somewhat resembles a mouse.

Main functions of a mouse:

o Move the cursor: It is the main function of the mouse; to move the cursor
on the screen.
o Open or execute a program: It allows you to open a folder or document
and execute a program. You are required to take the cursor on the folder and
double click it to open it.
o Select: It allows you to select text, file, or any other object.
o Hovering: Hovering is an act of moving the mouse cursor over a clickable
object. During hovering over an object, it displays information about the
object without pressing any button of the mouse.
o Scroll: It allows you to scroll up or down while viewing a long webpage or
document.
Parts of a mouse:
o Two buttons: A mouse is provided with two buttons for right click and left
click.
o Scroll Wheel: A wheel located between the right and left buttons, which is
used to scroll up and down and Zoom in and Zoom out in some applications
like AutoCAD.
o Battery: A battery is required in a wireless mouse.
o Motion Detection Assembly: A mouse can have a trackball or an optical
sensor to provide signals to the computer about the motion and location of
the mouse.

What are external hardware components?

The items that are frequently attached to the computer from outside in order to
control input or output functions are known as external hardware components,
sometimes known as peripheral components. These hardware components either
serve as input devices for the software or output devices for the output of the
software's operations (output).

The following are examples of common input hardware components:

o Microphone: A microphone is an input device that converts sound waves

into electrical impulses in order to allow computer-based audio
communications. It was developed by Emile Berliner in 1877. It is used to
enter audio into computers or transform sound waves into electric waves. It
captures audio with the help of converting sound waves into an electrical
signal that could be a digital or analog signal. This process can be
implemented by a computer as well as other digital audio devices.
o USB flash drive: A USB flash drive is a type of storage device for data that
connects to a computer via a USB port and uses flash memory. It is an
external, removable storage device that has a built-in Universal Serial Bus
(USB) interface. Many USB flash drives can be removed and written to.
They have a compact, reliable, and small physical design. They often
operate more quickly the more storage space they have. Because there are no
 moving parts, USB flash drives are extremely mechanically durable.

o Memory card: A memory card is a kind of portable external storage device;

video, photo, and other data files can be stored on it. A form of storage
medium, which is additionally known as a flash memory. Also, it provides a
volatile and non-volatile medium. It is frequently found in gadgets,
including phones, laptops, digital cameras, camcorders, gaming consoles,
MP3 players, printers, and more.

Software

Software, which is abbreviated as SW or S/W, is a set of programs that enables the

hardware to perform a specific task. All the programs that run the computer are
software. The software can be of three types: system software, application
software, and programming software.

1) System Software

The system software is the main software that runs the computer. When you turn
on the computer, it activates the hardware and controls and coordinates their
functioning. The application programs are also controlled by system software. An
operating system is an example of system software.
i) Operating System:

An operating system is the system software that works as an interface to enable the
user to communicate with the computer. It manages and coordinates the
functioning of hardware and software of the computer. The commonly used
operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Apple Mac OS X.

o BIOS: It stands for basic input output system. It is a type of system

software, which is stored in Read Only Memory (ROM) located on the
motherboard. However, in advanced computer systems, it is stored in flash
memory. BIOS is the first software that gets activated when you turn on
your computer system. It loads the drivers of the hard disk into memory as
well as assists the operating system to load itself into the memory.
o Boot Program: Boot refers to starting up a computer. When you switch on
the computer, the commands in the ROM are executed automatically to load
the boot program into memory and execute its instructions. The BIOS
program has a basic set of commands that enables the computer to perform
the basic input/output instructions to start the computer.
o An assembler: It plays the role of a converter as it receives basic computer
instructions and converts them into a pattern of bits. The processor uses
these bits to perform basic operations.
o A device driver: This system software controls hardware devices connected
to a computer. It enables the computer to use the hardware by providing an
appropriate interface. The kernel of a Computer's CPU communicates with
different hardware through this software. Operating systems generally come
with most of the device drivers. If the operating system does not have a
device driver for hardware, you have to install the device driver before using
that hardware device.

2) Application Software:

Application software is a set of programs designed to perform a specific task. It

does not control the working of a computer as it is designed for end-users. A
computer can run without application software. Application software can be easily
installed or uninstalled as required. It can be a single program or a collection of
small programs. Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Photoshop, and any other software
like payroll software or income tax software are application software. As we know,
they are designed to perform specific tasks. Accordingly, they can be of different
types such as:

o Word Processing Software: This software allows users to create, edit,

format, and manipulate the text and more. It offers lots of options for writing
documents, creating images, and more. For example, MS Word, WordPad,
Notepad, etc.
o Spreadsheet Software: It is designed to perform calculations, store data,
create charts, etc. It has rows and columns, and the data is entered in the cell,
which is an intersection of a row and column, e.g., Microsoft Excel.
o Multimedia Software: These software are developed to perform editing of
video, audio, and text. It allows you to combine texts, videos, audio, and
images. Thus, you can improve a text document by adding photos,
animations, graphics, and charts through multimedia software. For example,
VLC player, Window Media Player, etc.
o Enterprise Software: These software are developed for business
operational functions. It is used in large organizations where the quantum of
business is too large. It can be used for accounting, billing, order processing
and more. For example, CRM (Customer Relationship Management), BI
(Business Intelligence), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), SCM (Supply
Chain Management), customer support system, and more.

3) Programming Software:

It is a set or collection of tools that help developers in writing other software or

programs. It assists them in creating, debugging, and maintaining software or
programs or applications. We can say that these are facilitator software that helps
translate programming language such as Java, C++, Python, etc., into machine
language code. So, it is not used by end-users. For example, compilers, linkers,
debuggers, interpreters, text editors, etc. This software is also called a
programming tool or software development tool.

Some examples of programming software include:

o Eclipse: It is a java language editor.

 o Coda: It is a programming language editor for Mac.
o Notepad++: It is an open-source editor for windows.
o Sublime text: It is a cross-platform code editor for Linux, Mac, and
Windows.

Operating System Definition and Function

In the Computer System (comprises of Hardware and software), Hardware can

only understand machine code (in the form of 0 and 1) which doesn't make any
sense to a naive user.

We need a system which can act as an intermediary and manage all the processes
and resources present in the system.

What does an Operating system do?

1. Process Management
2. Process Synchronization
3. Memory Management
4. CPU Scheduling
5. File Management
6. Security