Page 1 of 43

COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS AND

APPRECIATION
An overview
INTRODUCTION

Mastering computers calls for an understanding of computers as

machines in the service of man, and how they have come to the
characteristic machines of our ages to such an extent that this part of
the twenty first century is often called “The computer age”, sometimes
called “The Information Technology Age”.

Computer literacy has become a necessity in today’s world. There is

virtually no aspect of human endeavors that has not been touched by
the impact of computers. These hitherto presumed fragile machines
has become part of human lives such that needs to process information
accurately and with speed, they only become an imperative tool to
success.

Secretaries need computers for effective word processing. Doctors

need them for effective and efficient patient’s management. Bankers
use them to enhance and maintain current and global banking services.
Computers aid engineers, Lawyers, Librarians. Health information
managers need it for effective data manipulation, storage,
preservation, and presentation and every other professional in all
fields of endeavors needs it. Computers are used as aids to learning
process. For effective and efficient intelligence gathering, processing
and dissemination, computers are indispensable.
 Page 2 of 43

Hitherto, computers are regarded as fragile and hence, objects that

need to be handled with care. Using computers was initially thought of
as the exclusive preserve of computer scientists or those specially
trained on computer operation and management. In today’s world
however, computers are just like every other household utensil. With
a little literacy and interest, every person sis/ma INCLUDING YOU,
would be able to use computers in one way or the other. One needs
not to have a degree in computer to effectively operate a computer
system. All what one need is to know what one wants and sacrifice time
to learn how to do it using computer.

Computer literacy is the ability to use computers and related

technology efficiently, with a range of skills covering levels from
elementary use to programming and advanced problem solving
Computer literacy can also refer to the comfort level someone has with
using computer programs and other applications that are associated
with computers.

Since the start of the Cold War, computers have played an increasingly
important role in the military. With each war or era, new systems and
equipment are introduced to give servicemen of the military an edge
on the battlefield. Over time, computers in the military have been
adapted or designed to do a broad range of tasks, to include: analyzing
intelligence; organizing prudent data for military leaders; geospatial
analysis; controlling "smart" weapons; or communications. With these
new and broadened tasks, comes a need for a more computer literate
generation of servicemen and increased training in computer skills.
Computer literate officers/soldiers are necessary because if not
maintained and operated correctly, it is possible that these computers
 Page 3 of 43

could turn more into a liability than an advantage. But, when used
properly, as they usually are, their advantage is unparalleled.

What is computer?

Computer is an electronic machine which, under the control of a stored

program, can accept data in a prescribed form, process the data, and
supply the result as information in a specified form.

What are the characteristics of a computer?

A typical electronic digital computer has the following characteristics:

 Electronic in nature
 High speed which is instantaneous
 High accuracy
 Versatility – can perform almost any task provided that the task
can be reduced to a series of logical steps.
 Automation – the capability to work without human intervention
until completion.
 Diligence – being a machine, a computer does not suffer from
human traits of tiredness and lack of concentration.
 Consistency – given the same set of input data, the same result
will always be produced.
 Page 4 of 43

What are the components of a computer?

A computer is a system that has a subsystem. Thus a computer

system is more than the computer alone. It comprises all the
other things that make the computer function. It consists of three
major parts, namely:
 Hardware
 Software
 Human ware

Hardware: this is a generic name for describing the electronic and

electro mechanical components of a computer system. This is the
computer equipment itself.
Software: it is the word for describing all computer programs.
Programs are a set of instructions giving to perform a particular
function
Human ware: these are the people that work with the computer.
 Page 5 of 43

COMPUTER - APPLICATIONS
Business
A computer has high speed of calculation, diligence, accuracy,
reliability, or versatility which has made it an integrated part in all
business organizations.
Computer is used in business organizations for:
 Payroll calculations
 Budgeting
 Sales analysis
 Financial forecasting
 Managing employee database
 Maintenance of stocks, etc.

Banking
Today, banking is almost totally dependent on computers.
Banks provide the following facilities:
 Online accounting facility, which includes checking current
balance, making deposits and overdrafts, checking interest
charges, shares, and trustee records.

 ATM machines which are completely automated are making it

even easier for customers to deal with banks.
 Page 6 of 43

Insurance

Insurance companies are keeping all records up-to-date with the help
of computers. Insurance companies, finance houses, and stock broking
firms are widely using computers for their concerns.

Insurance companies are maintaining a database of all clients with

information showing −

 Procedure to continue with policies

 Starting date of the policies
 Next due installment of a policy
 Maturity date
 Interests due
 Survival benefits
 Bonus
 Page 7 of 43

Education

The computer helps in providing a lot of facilities in the education

system.

 The computer provides a tool in the education system known as

CBE (Computer Based Education).
 CBE involves control, delivery, and evaluation of learning.
 Computer education is rapidly increasing the graph of number of
computer students.
 There are a number of methods in which educational institutions
can use a computer to educate the students.
 It is used to prepare a database about performance of a student
and analysis is carried out on this basis.

Marketing

In marketing, uses of the computer include the following −

 Page 8 of 43

 Advertising − With computers, advertising professionals create art

and graphics, write and revise copy, and print and disseminate
ads with the goal of selling more products.
 Home Shopping − Home shopping has been made possible
through the use of computerized catalogues that provide access
to product information and permit direct entry of orders to be
filled by the customers.

Healthcare

Computers have become an important part in hospitals, labs, and

dispensaries. They are being used in hospitals to keep the record of
patients and in medicines, it is also used in scanning and diagnosing
different diseases. ECG, EEG, ultrasounds and CT scans, etc. are also
done by computerized machines.

Following are some major fields of health care in which computers are
used.
 Page 9 of 43

 Diagnostic System − Computers are used to collect data and

identify the cause of illness.
 Lab-diagnostic System − All tests can be done and the reports are
prepared by computer.
 Patient Monitoring System − These are used to check the
patient's signs for abnormality such as in Cardiac Arrest, ECG, etc.
 Pharma Information System − Computer is used to check drug
labels, expiry dates, harmful side effects, etc.
 Surgery − Nowadays, computers are also used in performing
surgery.

Engineering Design

Computers are widely used for Engineering purpose.

One of the major areas is CAD (Computer Aided Design) that provides
creation and modification of images. Some of the fields are −
 Page 10 of 43

 Structural Engineering − Requires stress and strain analysis for

design of ships, buildings, budgets, airplanes, etc.
 Industrial Engineering − Computers deal with design,
implementation, and improvement of integrated systems of
people, materials, and equipment.
 Architectural Engineering − Computers help in planning towns,
designing buildings, determining a range of buildings on a site
using both 2D and 3D drawings.

Military
 Page 11 of 43

Computers are largely used in defense. Modern tanks, missiles,

weapons, etc. Military also employs computerized control systems.
Some military areas where a computer has been used are −

 Missile Control
 Military Communication
 Military Operation and Planning
 Smart Weapons

Communication

Communication is a way to convey a message, an idea, a picture, or

speech that is received and understood clearly and correctly by the
person for whom it is meant. Some main areas in this category are −

 E-mail
 Chatting
 Usenet
 FTP
 Telnet
 Video-conferencing
 Page 12 of 43

Government

Computers play an important role in government services. Some major

fields in this category are −

 Budgets
 Sales tax department
 Income tax department
 Computation of male/female ratio
 Computerization of voters lists
 Computerization of PAN card
 Weather forecasting

FEATURES FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER

COMPUTERS are classified according to:

 Form of data to be operated upon
 Purpose of the computer
 Age of technology
 Size
 Page 13 of 43

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON THE FORM OF DATA:

 Digital: Operates on data which is represented in discrete values
or digit. Digital computers are the most common computers. e.g
digital wristwatches, IBM 360/370, PDP 11/34, Apple
 Analogue computers: operates on data which is represented in
continuous form that is use physical quantities which are
proportional to the numbers involved. E.g. barometers,
thermometer, speedometer, thermostat.
 Hybrid computers: combines some of the properties of both
digital and analogue. E.g. image scanners, furnace temperature
control system, robot

CLASSIFICATION BY PURPOSE
 Special purpose computers: designed to perform only one
function. They are dedicated to a single task. Areas of usage
include Air control, Automatic fuel injection, and road traffic
control.
 General purpose computers: designed to solve a wide range of
problems.
 Page 14 of 43

CLASSIFICATION BY AGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Generation in computer terminology is a change in technology a

computer is/was being used. Initially, the generation term was
used to distinguish between varying hardware technologies.
Nowadays, generation includes both hardware and software,
which together make up an entire computer system.
There are five computer generations known till date. Following
are the main five generations of computers.

First Generation

The period of first generation: 1946-1959. Vacuum tube based.

The period of first generation was from 1946-1959. The computers of

first generation used vacuum tubes as the basic components for
memory and circuitry for CPU (Central Processing Unit). These tubes,
like electric bulbs, produced a lot of heat and the installations used to
fuse frequently. Therefore, they were very expensive and only large
organizations were able to afford it.

In this generation, mainly batch processing operating system was

used. Punch cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape was used as input
and output devices. The computers in this generation used machine
code as the programming language.
 Page 15 of 43

The main features of the first generation are −

 Vacuum tube technology

 Unreliable
 Supported machine language only
 Very costly
 Generated a lot of heat
 Slow input and output devices
 Huge size
 Need of AC
 Non-portable
 Consumed a lot of electricity

Some computers of this generation were −

 ENIAC
 Page 16 of 43

 EDVAC
 UNIVAC
 IBM-701
 IBM-650

Second Generation

The period of second generation: 1959-1965. Transistor based

The period of second generation was from 1959-1965. In this

generation, transistors were used that were cheaper, consumed less
power, more compact in size, more reliable and faster than the first
generation machines made of vacuum tubes. In this generation,
magnetic cores were used as the primary memory and magnetic tape
and magnetic disks as secondary storage devices.

In this generation, assembly language and high-level programming

languages like FORTRAN, COBOL were used. The computers used
batch processing and multiprogramming operating system.
 Page 17 of 43

The main features of second generation are −

 Use of transistors
 Reliable in comparison to first generation computers
 Smaller size as compared to first generation computers
 Generated less heat as compared to first generation computers
 Consumed less electricity as compared to first generation
computers
 Faster than first generation computers
 Still very costly
 AC required
 Supported machine and assembly languages

Some computers of this generation were −

 IBM 1620
 IBM 7094
 CDC 1604
 Page 18 of 43

 CDC 3600
 UNIVAC 1108

.
Third Generation

The period of third generation: 1965-1971. Integrated Circuit based.

The period of third generation was from 1965-1971. The computers of

third generation used Integrated Circuits (ICs) in place of transistors. A
single IC has many transistors, resistors, and capacitors along with the
associated circuitry.

The IC was invented by Jack Kilby. This development made computers

smaller in size, reliable, and efficient. In this generation remote
processing, time-sharing, multiprogramming operating system were
used. High-level languages (FORTRAN-II TO IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1,
BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc.) were used during this generation.
 Page 19 of 43

The main features of third generation are −

 IC used
 More reliable in comparison to previous two generations
 Smaller size
 Generated less heat
 Faster
 Lesser maintenance
 Costly
 AC required
 Consumed lesser electricity
 Supported high-level language

Some computers of this generation were −

 IBM-360 series
 Honeywell-6000 series
 PDP (Personal Data Processor)
 IBM-370/168
 TDC-316

Fourth Generation

The period of fourth generation: 1971-1980. VLSI microprocessor

based.

The period of fourth generation was from 1971-1980. Computers of

fourth generation used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits. VLSI
circuits having about 5000 transistors and other circuit elements with
 Page 20 of 43

their associated circuits on a single chip made it possible to have

microcomputers of fourth generation.

Fourth generation computers became more powerful, compact,

reliable, and affordable. As a result, it gave rise to Personal Computer
(PC) revolution. In this generation, time sharing, real time networks,
distributed operating system were used. All the high-level languages
like C, C++, DBASE etc., were used in this generation.

The main features of fourth generation are −

 VLSI technology used

 Very cheap
 Portable and reliable
 Use of PCs
 Very small size
 Page 21 of 43

 Pipeline processing
 No AC required
 Concept of internet was introduced
 Great developments in the fields of networks
 Computers became easily available

Some computers of this generation were −

 DEC 10
 STAR 1000
 PDP 11
 CRAY-1(Super Computer)
 CRAY-X-MP(Super Computer)

Fifth Generation

The period of fifth generation: 1980-onwards. ULSI microprocessor

based.

The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation,

VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration)
technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor chips having
ten million electronic components.

This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI

(Artificial Intelligence) software. AI is an emerging branch in computer
science, which interprets the means and method of making computers
think like human beings. All the high-level languages like C and C++,
Java, .Net etc., are used in this generation.
 Page 22 of 43

AI includes −

 Robotics
 Neural Networks
 Game Playing
 Development of expert systems to make decisions in real-life
situations
 Natural language understanding and generation

The main features of fifth generation are −

 ULSI technology
 Development of true artificial intelligence
 Development of Natural language processing
 Advancement in Parallel Processing
 Page 23 of 43

 Advancement in Superconductor technology

 More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features
 Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper
rates

Some computer types of this generation are −

 Desktop
 Laptop
 NoteBook
 UltraBook
 ChromeBook

CLASSIFICATION BY SIZE

Computer – Types

Computers can be broadly classified by their speed and computing

power.

S.No. Type Specifications

PC (Personal It is a single user computer system having
1
Computer) moderately powerful microprocessor

It is also a single user computer system,

2 Workstation
similar to personal computer however has a
more powerful microprocessor.

3 Mini Computer It is a multi-user computer system, capable of

supporting hundreds of users simultaneously.
 Page 24 of 43

It is a multi-user computer system, capable of

4 Main Frame supporting hundreds of users simultaneously.
Software technology is different from
minicomputer.

It is an extremely fast computer, which can

5 Supercomputer
execute hundreds of millions of instructions
per second.

PC (Personal Computer)

A PC can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer

designed for an individual user. PCs are based on the microprocessor
technology that enables manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one
chip. Businesses use personal computers for word processing,
accounting, desktop publishing, and for running spreadsheet and
database management applications. At home, the most popular use
for personal computers is playing games and surfing the Internet.
 Page 25 of 43

Although personal computers are designed as single-user systems,

these systems are normally linked together to form a network. In
terms of power, now-a-days high-end models of the Macintosh and PC
offer the same computing power and graphics capability as low-end
workstations by Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell.

Workstation

Workstation is a computer used for engineering applications

(CAD/CAM), desktop publishing, software development, and other
such types of applications which require a moderate amount of
computing power and relatively high quality graphics capabilities.

Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics

screen, large amount of RAM, inbuilt network support, and a graphical
user interface. Most workstations also have mass storage device such
as a disk drive, but a special type of workstation, called diskless
workstation, comes without a disk drive.

Common operating systems for workstations are UNIX and Windows

NT. Like PC, workstations are also single-user computers like PC but
 Page 26 of 43

are typically linked together to form a local-area network, although

they can also be used as stand-alone systems.

Minicomputer

It is a midsize multi-processing system capable of supporting up to 250

users simultaneously.

Mainframe

Mainframe is very large in size and is an expensive computer capable

of supporting hundreds or even thousands of users simultaneously.
Mainframe executes many programs concurrently and supports many
simultaneous execution of programs.
 Page 27 of 43

Supercomputer

Supercomputers are one of the fastest computers currently available.

Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized
applications that require immense amount of mathematical
calculations (number crunching).

For example, weather forecasting, scientific simulations, (animated)

graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research,
 Page 28 of 43

electronic design, and analysis of geological data (e.g. in

petrochemical prospecting).

Computer - Components

All types of computers follow the same basic logical structure and
perform the following five basic operations for converting raw input
data into information useful to their users.

S.No. Operation Description

1 Take Input The process of entering data and instructions

into the computer system.

Saving data and instructions so that they are

2 Store Data
available for processing as and when required.

Processing Performing arithmetic, and logical operations

3
Data on data in order to convert them into useful
information.

The process of producing useful information or

4 Output
results for the user, such as a printed report or
Information
visual display.
5
 Page 29 of 43

Control the Directs the manner and sequence in which all of

workflow the above operations are performed.

Input Unit

This unit contains devices with the help of which we enter data into
the computer. This unit creates a link between the user and the
computer. The input devices translate the information into a form
understandable by the computer.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

CPU is considered as the brain of the computer. CPU performs all

types of data processing operations. It stores data, intermediate
results, and instructions (program). It controls the operation of all
parts of the computer.

CPU itself has the following three components −

 ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

 Memory Unit
 Page 30 of 43

 Control Unit

Output Unit

The output unit consists of devices with the help of which we get the
information from the computer. This unit is a link between the
computer and the users. Output devices translate the computer's
output into a form understandable by the users.

Computer - Input Devices

Following are some of the important input devices which are used in a
computer −

 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Joy Stick
 Light pen
 Track Ball
 Scanner
 Graphic Tablet
 Microphone
 Magnetic Ink Card Reader(MICR)
 Page 31 of 43

 Optical Character Reader(OCR)

 Bar Code Reader
 Optical Mark Reader(OMR)

Computer - Output Devices

Following are some of the important output devices used in a

computer.

 Monitors
 Graphic Plotter
 Printer

Monitors

Monitors, commonly called as Visual Display Unit (VDU), are the main
output device of a computer. It forms images from tiny dots, called
pixels that are arranged in a rectangular form. The sharpness of the
image depends upon the number of pixels.

There are two kinds of viewing screen used for monitors.

 Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)

 Flat-Panel Display

Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor

The CRT display is made up of small picture elements called pixels. The
smaller the pixels, the better the image clarity or resolution. It takes
more than one illuminated pixel to form a whole character, such as
the letter ‘e’ in the word help.
 Page 32 of 43

Flat-Panel Display Monitor

The flat-panel display refers to a class of video devices that have

reduced volume, weight and power requirement in comparison to the
CRT.
 Page 33 of 43

Printers

Printer is an output device, which is used to print information on

paper.

There are two types of printers −

 Impact Printers
 Non-Impact Printers

Impact Printers

Impact printers print the characters by striking them on the ribbon,

which is then pressed on the paper.

Characteristics of Impact Printers are the following −

 Very low consumable costs

 Very noisy
 Useful for bulk printing due to low cost
 There is physical contact with the paper to produce an image

These printers are of two types −

 Character printers
 Line printers

Character Printers

Character printers are the printers which print one character at a time.
 Page 34 of 43

These are further divided into two types:

 Dot Matrix Printer(DMP)

 Daisy Wheel

Dot Matrix Printer

In the market, one of the most popular printers is Dot Matrix Printer.
These printers are popular because of their ease of printing and
economical price. Each character printed is in the form of pattern of
dots and head consists of a Matrix of Pins of size (5*7, 7*9, 9*7 or
9*9) which comes out to form a character which is why it is called Dot
Matrix Printer.

Daisy Wheel

Head is lying on a wheel and pins corresponding to characters are like

petals of Daisy (flower) which is why it is called Daisy Wheel Printer.
These printers are generally used for word-processing in offices that
require a few letters to be sent here and there with very nice quality.
 Page 35 of 43

Line Printers

Line printers are the printers which print one line at a time.

These are of two types −

 Drum Printer
 Chain Printer

Drum Printer

This printer is like a drum in shape hence it is called drum printer. The
surface of the drum is divided into a number of tracks. Total tracks are
 Page 36 of 43

equal to the size of the paper, i.e. for a paper width of 132 characters,
drum will have 132 tracks. A character set is embossed on the track.
Different character sets available in the market are 48 character set,
64 and 96 characters set. One rotation of drum prints one line. Drum
printers are fast in speed and can print 300 to 2000 lines per minute.

Chain Printer

In this printer, a chain of character sets is used, hence it is called Chain

Printer. A standard character set may have 48, 64, or 96 characters.

Non-impact Printers

Non-impact printers print the characters without using the ribbon.

These printers print a complete page at a time, thus they are also
called as Page Printers.

These printers are of two types −

 Laser Printers
 Inkjet Printers

Characteristics of Non-Impact Printers

 Faster than impact printers

 They are not noisy
 High quality
 Supports many fonts and different character size
 Page 37 of 43

Laser Printers

These are non-impact page printers. They use laser lights to produce
the dots needed to form the characters to be printed on a page.

Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are non-impact character printers based on a relatively

new technology. They print characters by spraying small drops of ink
onto paper. Inkjet printers produce high quality output with
presentable features.
 Page 38 of 43

They make less noise because no hammering is done and these have
many styles of printing modes available. Color printing is also possible.
Some models of Inkjet printers can produce multiple copies of printing
also.

Computer - Memory

A memory is just like a human brain. It is used to store data and

instructions. Computer memory is the storage space in the computer,
where data is to be processed and instructions required for processing
are stored.

Memory is primarily of three types −

 Cache Memory
 Primary Memory/Main Memory
 Secondary Memory
 Page 39 of 43

Cache Memory

Cache memory is a very high speed semiconductor memory which can

speed up the CPU. It acts as a buffer between the CPU and the main
memory. It is used to hold those parts of data and program which are
most frequently used by the CPU. The parts of data and programs are
transferred from the disk to cache memory by the operating system,
from where the CPU can access them.

Primary Memory (Main Memory)

Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on which the
computer is currently working. It has a limited capacity and data is lost
when power is switched off. It is generally made up of semiconductor
device. These memories are not as fast as registers. The data and
 Page 40 of 43

instruction required to be processed resides in the main memory. It is

divided into two subcategories RAM and ROM.

Secondary Memory

This type of memory is also known as external memory or non-

volatile. It is slower than the main memory. These are used for storing
data/information permanently. CPU directly does not access these
memories, instead they are accessed via input-output routines. The
contents of secondary memories are first transferred to the main
memory, and then the CPU can access it. For example, disk, CD-ROM,
DVD, etc.
 Page 41 of 43

Computer - Hardware

Hardware represents the physical and tangible components of a

computer, i.e. the components that can be seen and touched.

Examples of Hardware are the following −

 Input devices − keyboard, mouse, etc.

 Output devices − printer, monitor, etc.
 Secondary storage devices − Hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.
 Internal components − CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc.

Computer - Software

Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-

defined function. A program is a sequence of instructions written to
solve a particular problem.

There are two types of software −

 System Software
 Application Software

System Software

The system software is a collection of programs designed to operate,

control, and extend the processing capabilities of the computer itself.
 Page 42 of 43

System software is generally prepared by the computer

manufacturers. These software products comprise of programs
written in low-level languages, which interact with the hardware at a
very basic level. System software serves as the interface between the
hardware and the end users.

Some examples of system software are Operating System, Compilers,

Interpreter, Assemblers, etc.

Application Software

Application software products are designed to satisfy a particular need

of a particular environment. All software applications prepared in the
computer lab can come under the category of Application software.

Application software may consist of a single program, such as

Microsoft's notepad for writing and editing a simple text. It may also
consist of a collection of programs, often called a software package,
which work together to accomplish a task, such as a spreadsheet
package.

Examples of Application software are the following −

 Payroll Software
 Student Record Software
 Inventory Management Software
 Income Tax Software
 Railways Reservation Software
 Microsoft Office Suite Software
 Page 43 of 43

 Microsoft Word
 Microsoft Excel
 Microsoft PowerPoint

If the hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then the

software is its 'soul'. Both are complementary to each other.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.