Computer - Electronic
device which can store and process data , sends out in a meaningful form
which the user can understand with the help of software.
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Hardware - Components of
the computer and also the devices attached to it.
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Software - Set of
programs that is designed to perform well defined functions in order to run
the hardware smoothly.
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I-P-O- Cycle - Input -
Proces - Output cycle means the computer takes in input from input devices,
stores it in memory, processes it, and sends it as output .
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John Von Newmann -
Founded concept of stored program.
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Components of computer
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Component
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Function
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Memory
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stores data and programs
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Processor
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executes instructions or
processes data
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ALU
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Performs arithmetic and
logical operations
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CU
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The control unit (CU) is
a component of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) that directs the
operation of the processor.
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Register
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type of computer memory
used to quickly accept, store, and transfer data and instructions
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Cache
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small-sized type of
volatile computer memory that provides high-speed data access to a processor
and stores frequently used computer programs, applications and data.
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RAM
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Temporary memory that
stores active programs and data. It is volatile , i.e.contents get erased
when powered off.
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ROM
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Non-volatile memrory
which contains pre-defined set of
programs used to run the operations of the computer .
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Dynamic RAM
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Contains transistors and
capacitors. Refresh operation happens automatically.
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Static RAM
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Contains only
transistors, faster than DRAM, never refreshes.
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Types of ROM
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PROM(Programmable Read
Only Memory)
EPROM(Erasable Read Only Memory)
EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory)
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INPUT DEVICES
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Keyboard
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Uses keys as entire
character set to press keys, which are converted to the binary equivalent and
processed.
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Mouse
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Pointing device, optical
mouse uses sensors to detect the movement.
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Light Pen
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Pointing device to point
objects on the screen, uses photocells on the tip of the stylus.
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OMR(Optical Mark Reader)
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Recognizes pencil or ink
shaded marks on pre-printed forms.
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SCR(Smart Card Reader)
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Uses microprocessor in
the card that holds personal data.
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Bar Code Reader
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Recognizes the stripes at
the back of the product in different widths which has a special meaning and
generates unique code.
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QR Code Reader
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It is a machine readable
optical label, a type of barcode that can contain information about the item
to which it is attached.
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Biometric Sensor
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converts biometric traits
of an individual into electrical signals like eyes, fingerprints etc.
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Touch Screen sensor
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Uses sensor to recognize
the human finger touch or stylus to select objects.
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Microphone
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takes sound as input and
converts into electrical signal.
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OCR(Optical Character
Reader)
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Recognizes text with
digital image. Used to recognize text in scanned documents and image.
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MICR(Magnetic Ink
Character Recognition)
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Used to verify the
authenticity of paper checks. Uses special ink to recognize the characters in
checks.
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Webcam
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digital video device that
can capture pictures and video in real time
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OUTPUT UNIT
VDU(Visual Display Unit)/Monitor/Screen – used to display
information on the screen by using CRT(Cathode Ray Tube),LCD(Liquid Crystal
Display),LED(Light Emitting Diode), OLED(Organic LED).
Speakers – generates sound.
Printer – 3 types – dot matrix – there is a contact between
the printer head and the ribbon. No cartridge is used. Printing is done by
patterns formed through dots.
Inkjet/Deskjet – uses cartridges filled with liquid ink.
Laser jet – Uses laser technology. Cartridge filled with
toners.
SECONDARY STORAGE
Hard disk – contains disk platter using magnetic material
where files are stored.
DVD(Digital Video Disk) – Uses optical disk storage device.
Blue Ray Disk – Superseds DVDs,optical disk which is faster
than DVDs and has more storage space. Stored HD(High Definition) video, where
video quality is better.
CD(Compact Disk) – First generation of CDs that came into
the market using optical technology.
Tapes – In earlier days, magnetic tapes , where speed is
slower and capacity much lesser than HD-disks now a days, were used to take
back up of data.
USB/Pendrive – Small portable memory that is better in
capacity of the normal cds, which is reliable, that can be plugged in USB port.
Memory cards – Also called flash cards mainly used with
cameras, computers, mobiles ,music players etc. Advantage is power free
storage, larger storage capacity.
COMMUNICATION BUS
Address Bus – Used to specify address of a data/memory
location. It is 16-bit width.
Data bus – Carries data in binary form. Contains 8-bit of
data.
Control Bus – Carries instructions to carry out operations
such as Read/write,Input/Output.
SOFTWARE CONCEPTS
Software is set of programs designed to run the smooth
working of the hardware .
Types of software –
1)
System software – Interacts directly with
hardware. Is responsible for the complete I-P-O process of the computer.
Examples – OS(Operating System),Language
translators like Assembler,compiler,interpreter
OS – Acts as an interface between the
hardware and the user.
Functions –
a) Resource management – Resources like
processor, memory, I/O devices, files ,communication channels will be allocated
to different users or other components.
b) Process Management – Ensures it
does not keep the resource idle at any
given time. Process is kept busy ,by allocating the jobs on priority to the
processor.
c) Memory Management – Allocating memory
for all the data and programs that are running , by generating unique
addresses, re-allocating same memory space for subsequent processes and also
de-allocating the resources when no longer required.
d) Device Management – Any new I/O or
external device connected to the computer needs to be configured so that it can
be used by the users. Also authorizing the user to use device as a security
measure is done.
Interface – A software that allows communication between user and
computer.
Types
of interface –
a)
Command Interface – Generally , the user does
this interface in the DOS(Disk Operating System) mode. This is enabled by
typing the commands. The user has to remember to type the commands to perform
an operation in the computer. Input is only through keyboard.
b)
GUI(Graphical User Interface) – In this
interface, user interface allows to interact with computer through images
rather than text commands in the form of icons, menus and other visual options.
Input can be through mouse or keyboard.
c)
Touch-based Interface – Using the touch screen sensor, one can perform an
operation in the computer by touching using the finger and selecting the
required option.
d)
Voice-based interface – Modern computers cater
to the needs of those people who are unable to use mouse or keyboard or touch
screen. It allows voice as the input as a command to perform an operation. Eg –
Google Assistant,Cortana for Windows 10 etc.
e)
Gesture based interface – Some interfaces allow
gestures like waving, tilting, eye motion etc. This can be seen as a promising
potential for applications like gaming, medicine etc.
2)
Language Translator – Software that translates
source code written in high level language to object code.
Types of language translator
a)
Assembler – Converts assembly language into
machine code.
b)
Compiler – converts complete source program in
one go into machine code
c)
Interpreter – translates single statement of
source code into machine code immediately before moving on to next line.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE – Software that is bought by
the user to perform several applications like typing text
,computing,creating presentations , storing data, calculations etc is
application software.
2 types of application software - general purpose
software and specific purpose software.
General Purpose software- Examples - MS-OFFICE
applications, ADOBE PHOTOSHOP, browsers like MOZILLA FIREFOX, CHROME,
Types of Application Software – General Purpose and
Specific purpose
General purpose – Generic applications for
day-to-day use – eg MS-Word, MS-Powerpoint,Adobe Photoshop, Google chrome,GIMP
etc.
Specific purpose – It is customer-specific and
tailor-made. Eg – Financial Accounting, Payroll,Banking etc.
UTILITY SOFTWARE - is the
software that assists the computer in performing housekeeping
functions like scanning, data backup, removing viruses etc.
Examples – Anti-virus software,
Disk Defragmenter, Backup utility, compressor, disk cleaner, device drivers
PROGRAMMING TOOLS – Software tools
used to type and execute programs . These can be program editors like C++
editors, Python IDLE, IDE’s like ANACONDA,NETBEANS,ECLIPSE etc which integrates
programming features with other software in the same environment.