Computer Fundamentals

Computer Fundamentals
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:
a. accepts data Input
b. processes data Processing
c. produces 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
Hardware is the physical parts of the computer which we can see, touch and feel.
These are the main electronic devices that are used to build a computer system.
Example: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, etc.
Software
Software is a set of programs that are used to perform a specific task. It tells to the hardware of the computer
system what to do.
Mainly a software processes the data into information.
Example: Paint, MS-Word, Photoshop, etc.
And there are two types of software are i) System Software, ii) Application Software.
Firmware
Firmware is the combination of hardware and software.A Firmware is an instruction program on the hardware it tells
to the hardware how to communicate with software. A personal computer's basic input/output system (BIOS) is an
example of a firmware component. The BIOS lets the PC's operating system (OS) talk to keyboards and other
connected devices
• 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.
Major parts of the Computer

Input Devices
1. Mouse 2. Keyboard 3. Scanner 4. Digital Camera 5. Web Camera 6. Joysticks 7. Track Ball 8. Touch Pad/Screen 9.
Light Pen 10. Bar Code Reader 11. Microphone 12. Graphics 13. Magnetic Ink Character Reader (Used in Bank) 14.
Optical Mark Reader (Used for AnswerSheet Marking Purpose) 15. Magnetic Card Reader (Used in Shops, Colleges,
Stations etc) 16. Biometric Devices 17. Bluetooth
Processor
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU) The main unit inside the computer is the CPU. This unit is responsible for all
events inside the computer. It controls all internal and external devices, performs arithmetic and logic operations.
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the device that interprets and executes instructions.
Output Devices
1. Monitor 2. Printer (Dot Matrix) 3. Projector Inkjet 4. Plotter Laser 5. Speaker Storage Devices
Storage Devices
1. Primary memory (main memory)
A. RAM (Random Access Memory/Read-Write Memory)
B. ROM (Read-only-memory)
2. Secondary memory (storage devices)
A. Hard Disk (Local Disk)
B. Optical Disks: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW
C. Pen Drive
D. Zip Drive
E. Floppy Disks
F. Memory Cards
G. External Hard Disk A. Hard Disk
Memory and Its Types
Memory is one of the fundamental components of all computer systems. That is used to store data of information
for the future.
There are basically three types of memory:
i)Primary Memory ii) Secondary or Auxiliary Memory, and Cache Memory.
Primary Memory
Primary memory in the computer is known as main memory. This memory is a volatile type of memory.
And it can store data and instruction only temporarily. Example: RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only
Memory).
Secondary Memory
In the computer system, it is known as, External or Auxiliary Memory.
It is a non-volatile type of memory. This means it can store data permanently or in the case of power-off.
Example: Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, CD, DVD, etc.
Software
Software, simply are the computer programs. The instructions given to the computer in
the form of a program is called Software. Software is the set of programs, which are used
for different purposes. All the programs used in computer to perform specific task is
called Software.
Types of software
1. System software:
a) Operating System Software
DOS, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Unix/Linux, MAC/OS X etc.
b) Utility Software
Windows Explorer (File/Folder Management), Windows Media Player, AntiVirus Utilities, Disk Defragmentation, Disk
Clean, Backup, WinZip, WinRAR
etc…
2. Application software:
a) Package Software
Ms. Office 2007, Ms. Office 2016 etc.
b) Tailored or Custom Software
Netflix etc.
What is a Computing Environment?

While solving a problem, a computer uses multiple devices. During which the devices can be
arranged in a number of ways to work together towards the solution. As a result, the devices
and components constitute a computing environment.
Moreover, a computing environment organizes components to exchange information. Hence,

it uses various devices to process and solve different problems.
Additionally, a single computing environment includes multiple computers, computational

devices, software, and networks. Therefore, these components collaborate to support
processing and sharing information to solve various tasks and problems.
Types of Computing Environment
Computing Environments
Definition:
Computing environment is a collection of computers/machines, software and networks that support
the processing and exchange of electronic information.
Different types of computing environments

There are four types of computing environments. They are:
1. Personal computing environment

2. Time-Sharing environment
3. Client -Server environment
4. Distributed environment
Personal Computing Environment:
 A personal computer(PC) is a general purpose computer. The size and capabilities of a

personal computer makes it useful for end-users.
 In a personal computer, all the hardware components are tied together, so that it can be
used as per our need.
Time Sharing Environment
 Employees in large companies often work in a time sharing environment. In this

environment, many users are connected to one or more computers.
 These are minicomputers or central mainframes.
 The terminals used are not programmable, but now we see more microcomputers that are
used to simulate the environments terminals.
 In the time sharing environment, the output devices and auxiliary storage are shared by all
the users.
 In time sharing environment, each computer must be operated by the central computer.
 In this type of environment, computing is operated by central computer. This central
computer has many duties which keeps the computer busy.
Client Server Environment
 Client/Server is a distribute computing model, in which the client requests services from the
server.
 Client/Server usually run on separate computers connected by a network.
 A client is a process or an application that sends messages to a server through the network.
 These messages ask the server to perform a specific task, like finding a customer record in
a database.
 Severs usually run on powerful computers, workstations or mainframes
 The administration of the installed equipment is more expensive than maintaining a
centralized system
Distributed Computing Environment
 A distributed computing environment allows smooth integration of computing functions

between different internet server's clients and provides the connection to different servers
around the world.
 Distributed Computing is used by distributed systems to solve computational problems
 In Distributed Computing, each problem is divided into several tasks, which are solved by
one or more computers.
Computer Languages
How do you think we communicate with a computer? A computer cannot understand any commands that you may
give in English or in any other language. It has its own set of instructions for communication, or what we call
computer languages.
1] Low Level Languages

Low level languages are the basic computer instructions or better known as machine codes
Machine Language
This is one of the most basic low level languages. The language was first developed to interact with the first
generation computers. It is written in binary code or machine code, which means it basically comprises of only two
digits – 1 and 0.
Assembly Language
This is the second generation programming language. It is a development on the machine language, where instead of
using only numbers, we use English words, names, and symbols. It is the most basic computer language necessary for
any processor
2] High Level Language

When we talk about high level languages, these are programming languages. Some prominent examples are PASCAL,
FORTRAN, C++ etc.
The important feature about such high level languages is that they allow the programmer to write programs for all
types of computers and systems. Every instruction in high level language is converted to machine language for the
computer to comprehend.
Scripting Languages
Scripting languages or scripts are essentially programming languages. These languages employ a high level construct
which allows it to interpret and execute one command at a time.
Scripting languages are easier to learn and execute than compiled languages. Some examples are AppleScript,
JavaScript, Pearl etc.
Object-Oriented Languages
These are high level languages that focus on the ‘objects’ rather than the ‘actions’. To accomplish this, the focus will
be on data than logic.
The reasoning behind is that the programmers really cares about the object they wish to manipulate rather than the
logic needed to manipulate them. Some examples include Java, C+, C++, Python, Swift etc.
Procedural Programming Language

This is a type of programming language that has well-structured steps and complex procedures within its
programming to compose a complete program.
It has a systematic order functions and commands to complete a task or a program. FORTRAN, ALGOL, BASIC, COBOL
are some examples.

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Computer Fundamentals

Major parts of the Computer

What is a Computing Environment?

Moreover, a computing environment organizes components to exchange information. Hence,

Additionally, a single computing environment includes multiple computers, computational

Different types of computing environments

1. Personal computing environment

Personal Computing Environment:

 A personal computer(PC) is a general purpose computer. The size and capabilities of a

 Employees in large companies often work in a time sharing environment. In this

Client Server Environment

 A distributed computing environment allows smooth integration of computing functions

1] Low Level Languages

2] High Level Language

Procedural Programming Language

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