chapter-2 Overview of computer I PUC -CS

Chapter-1 Overview of computer

One mark questions:
1. What is a computer? (K)
ANS: Computer is an electronic machine that can store, recall and process data. It can
perform tasks or complex calculation according to a set of instructions or programs.
2. What are the advantages of learning computers? (A)
ANS: Increase your productivity.
• Connects you to the Internet.
• Can store vast amounts of information .
3. Which is the earliest computing machine? (K)
ANS: abacus
4. Who invented the Pascaline? (K)
ANS: Blaise Pascal
5. What are the advantages of the machine by Leibnitz over Pascaline? (U)
ANS: Leibnitz calculator was much efficient than Pascal’s as it was able to subtract, multiply,
add and divide the numbers easily .The speed was also better than Pascal’s calculator.
6. What is Charles baggage known as? (K)
ANS: “The Father of Computing,”
7. What is the machine proposed by Babbage, to perform differential equations called as? (U)
ANS: A difference engine
8. Who is the father of computers? (K)
ANS: Charles Babbage
9. What concept of computing did Herman Hollerith used to find a faster way to compute U.S.
census.(U)
ANS: tabulating machine
10. Who developed the first all-electronic computer? (K)
ANS: J. Presper Eckert
11. What us the electronic relay computer Mark-I also called as? (U)
ANS: Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator”
12. Expand the term ? (K)
ANS: Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer
13. Expand the term EDVAC. (K)
ANS: Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
15. Expand the term UNIVAC. (K)
ANS: Universal Automatic Computer
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16. Which is the basic electronic component of the first generation computers? (U)
ANS: vacuum tubes
17. Which is the basic electronic component of the second generation computers? (U)
ANS: Transistor
18. What does IC stand for? (K)
ANS: integrated circuit
19. How computer helps in publishing? (U)
ANS: Publishers use computers to design and produce hard-copy books and e-books,
market books to readers and track sales
20. Name any one Super Computer made in India. (K)
ANS: PARAM 8000
21. Who invented first “Read only Memory”? (U)
ANS: Robert dennard
22. What was Napier’s Bones used for? (U)
ANS: Napier’s Bones also called Napier's rods, are numbered rods which can be used to
perform multiplication of any number by a number 2-9.
23. Who is the First Programmer? (U)
ANS: Ada Lovelace
24. Who invented Slide Rule? (U)
ANS: William Oughtred
25. Expand CPU.(K)
ANS: central processing unit
26. Name a non- volatile memory. (A)
ANS: flash memory, read-only memory (ROM)
27. What is slide rule? (U)
ANS: A ruler with a sliding central strip, marked with logarithmic scales and used for making
rapid calculations, especially multiplication and division.
28. Which is the basicelectroniccomponent of the third generation computers? (U)
ANS: integrated circuit
29. Which is the basic electronic component of the fourth generation computers? (U)
ANS: microprocessor
30. Expand VLSI. (U)
ANS: Very-large-scale integration
Two Marks Questions:
1. What are the fields where computers are used today? (A)
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ANS: Engineers, architects, jewelers, and filmmakers all use computers to design things.
Teachers, writers, and most office workers use computers for research, word processing and
emailing.
2. Write a note on Abacus? (U)
ANS: Approximately 4,000 years ago, the Chinese invented the Abacus. It was the first machine
used for counting and calculating. It is made of a wooden frame, metal rods, and wooden beads
Abacus was mainly used for addition, subtraction and later for division and multiplication.
3. Write a note on Pascaline? (U)
ANS: In 1642, at the age of 19, a French mathematician by the name of Biaise Pascal invented
the Pascaline. The Pascaline is known as the first mechanical and automatic calculator. The
Pascaline was a wooden box that could only add and subtract by means of a series of gears
and wheels. It had a box with eight movable wheels called dials
4. Explain the important features of difference engine. (U)
ANS: This machine was to be used in the calculating and printing of simple math tables.
5. Explain Charles Babbage’s role in the history of modern computers? (U)
ANS: Babbage was among the first to truly try to make a computer/calculator starting with his
difference engine and the design of the more complete analytical engine.
6. Mention any two features of ENIAC? (U)
ANS: It used a word of ten decimal digits instead of binary ones like previous automated
calculators /computers.
7. Mention any two features of EDVAC? (U)
ANS:

8. What are the importance features of the III generation computers? (U)
ANS: 1. In the third generation of computer Integrated Circuits (IC's) were used in place of
transistors.
2. In this generation, Keyboard and monitors were used instead of punched cards and
printout.
3. These IC’s were increased the speed of processing and storage capacity.
4. These computers were more reliable, smaller in size and faster.
5. Maintenance cost was low comparing to the previous generation and consumed less
electricity.
9. Explain the role of computers in education? (U)

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ANS: Computers are used in education for

• Teaching Learning process

• Testing and Evaluation process

• Library

• College Administration
10. Why are computers used in the industry? (U)
ANS: Industrial computers are often used to control processes and production. The
automotive industry uses industrial computers and robotics, and still makes heavy use of
this technology.
11. How are computers important in communication? (U)
ANS: Internet and Email, Video Chat ,Social Networking, Routing- directing
communication traffic.
12. Mention any two uses of Super Computers? (U)
ANS: weather forecasting, climate research, oil and gas exploration, molecular modeling
13. Write two significant inventions by Charles Babbage. (K)
ANS: Difference and Analytical Engine
14. Explain Analog Computers. (U)
ANS: Analog computers work upon continuous data. Analog computer operates by measuring
rather than counting. The analog computers are that all calculation take place in parallel, hence
faster. Modern analog computers usually employ electrical parameters, such as voltages,
resistances or currents, to represent the quantities being manipulated.
15. Explain Digital Computers. (U)
ANS: The digital computer works upon discontinuous data. A digital computer operates on
digital
data such as numbers. It uses binary number system in which there are only two digits 0 and
1. Each one is called a bit. They convert the data into digits (Binary Digit 0 and 1) and all
operations carried out on these digits at extremely fast rates.
16. Explain Hybrid Computers. (U)
ANS: Hybrid computer are the combination of both analog and digital computer. They accept
both the analog and digital data for processing. Hybrid computers incorporate the measuring
feature of an analog computer and counting feature of a digital computer. For computational
purposes, these computers use analog components and for storage, digital memories are used.

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17. Write the type of computers based on usage or purpose. (K)

ANS: Special purpose computers and General purpose computers
18. Differentiate mainframe and super computer. (K)
ANS: Mainframe Computers
1. Mainframe computers were introduced in 1975.
2. It is very large computer in size.
3. It is more powerful than mini computers and consists of multiple processors.
4. It is designed to perform multiple tasks for multiple users at the same time.
Supercomputers
1. Supercomputers were introduced in 1980. Super computer is the fastest computer.
2. Supercomputer is the biggest in size and the most expensive in price than any other
computers.
3. Supercomputer is the most sophisticated, complex and advance computer.
4. It has a very large storage capacity.
5. It can process trillions of instructions in one second.
19. Give two examples for Input devices. (A)
ANS: Keyboard, Mouse
20. Give two examples for output devices. (A)
ANS: Monitor , Printer
21. What is CAM? (K)
ANS: Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is the use of software to control machine tools
and related ones in the manufacturing of workpieces.
Three marks questions:
1. Explain the history of computers. (U)
ANS: Refer below question
2. Give the features of first generation computers. (U)
ANS: 1. The first generation of computers is started with using vacuum tubes as the
basic components.
2. The speed of these computers was very slow, storage capacity was very less and
these computers are large in size.
3. This generation computers operated only on machine language.
4. Input was based on punched card, paper tapes an output was obtained as printout.
3. Write the features of Second generation computers. (U)
ANS: 1. In this generation transistors were used in place of vacuum tubes.
2. These machines were much faster, more reliable than their earlier machines.

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3. It generates less heat and consumed less electricity as compared to first generation
computers.
4. Second Generation computers used punched cards for input and printout for output.
5. This computer moved from the use of machine language to assembly languages.
6. The computer stored their instructions in their memory, which moved from magnetic
drum to magnetic core technology.
4. State the featuresof third generationcomputers.(U)
ANS: 1. In the third generation of computer Integrated Circuits (IC's) were used in place
of transistors.
2. In this generation, Keyboard and monitors were used instead of punched cards and
printout.
3. These IC’s were increased the speed of processing and storage capacity.
4. These computers were more reliable, smaller in size and faster.
5 . Maintenance cost was low comparing to the previous generation and consumed less
electricity.
5. Give the features of fourth generation computers. (U)
ANS: 1. In the fourth generation of computer, microprocessors were used in place of
Integrated Circuits (IC’s).
2. The fourth generation of computers is marked by the use of Very Large Scale Integrated
(VLSI) circuits.
3. This made computers smaller in size became more powerful, they could be linked to
form network.
6. Discuss the characteristics of a computer in detail. (U)
ANS: Refer below question
7. Draw a neat block diagram of the functional units of a computer and label it. (A)
ANS: Refer below question
8. Explain the role of computers in science and engineering. (K)
ANS:
CAD
CAD, or computer-aided design, is the process of designing new products using computer
software.
CFD
Typically, when engineers are developing things such as airplanes and automobiles, they'll
put the product through wind tunnel testing . CFD, or computational fluid dynamics, software
has allowed engineers to do such testing virtually.

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File Sending
An important stage in product development is prototyping. Engineers create one-off models
of their parts to test for form, fit and function.
Alterations
If changes need to be made in the machine, before doing it ,engineers open the
appropriate existing file and modify the design with CAD software.
9. How does the computer help mankind? (A)
ANS: A computer is an electronic device used for performing calculations on numerical data or
by compiling and correlating other forms of information. It also performs calculations and
processes information with astonishing speed and precision.
10. What is the concept of e-governance? (U)
ANS: Electronic governance or e-governance is the application of information and
communication technology (ICT) for delivering government services, exchange of information,
communication transactions, integration of various stand-alone systems and services between
government-to-citizen (G2C), government-to-business (G2B).
11.Explain the use of computer in email? (K)
ANS:
• E-mail, elaborately called as electronic mail is a method of communication done through
the computers.
• The mail which we compose through computer helps us to compile the content in less
span of time.
• It has template content which can be used or can be typed through the keyboards.
• One single mail can be forwarded to many people at one time in computer.
Five marks questions:
1. Briefly explain the history of computers. (U)
ANS: Abacus
Approximately 4,000 years ago, the Chinese invented the Abacus. It was the first machine used
for counting and calculating. It is made of a wooden frame, metal rods, and wooden beads
Abacus was mainly used for addition, subtraction and later for division and multiplication.
Napier’s bones
In the early 17th century, John Napier, a Scottish mathematician, invented another calculating
tool. “Napier’s bones” was based upon manipulation of rods with printed digits. The rods were
made of bone, ivory, wood or metal.
The slide Rule

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The slide Rule was invented by William Oughtred. It is based on the principle that acutal
distance from the starting point of the rule is directly proportional to the logarithm of the
numbers printed on the rule.
Adding Machine-Pascaline
In 1642, at the age of 19, a French mathematician by the name of Biaise Pascal invented the
Pascaline. The Pascaline is known as the first mechanical and automatic calculator. The
Pascaline was a wooden box that could only add and subtract by means of a series of gears
and wheels.
Difference and Analytical Engine
In the early 1820s, an English mathematician by the name Charles Babbage designed a
computing machine called the Difference Engine. This machine was to be used in the
calculating and printing of simple math tables. In the 1830s, he designed a second computing
machine called the Analytical Engine.
2. Give the features of the Generations of computers. (U)
ANS:
First Generation of Computer (1940-1956)
1. The first generation of computers is started with using vacuum tubes as the basic
components.
2. The speed of these computers was very slow, storage capacity was very less and these
computers are large in size.
3. This generation computers operated only on machine language.
4. Input was based on punched card, paper tapes an output was obtained as printout.
Some computers of this generation were ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Calculator), UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer).
Second Generation of Computer (1956-1963)
1. In this generation transistors were used in place of vacuum tubes.
2. These machines were much faster, more reliable than their earlier machines.
3. It generates less heat and consumed less electricity as compared to first generation
computers.
4. Second Generation computers used punched cards for input and printout for output.
5. This computer moved from the use of machine language to assembly languages.
6. The computer stored their instructions in their memory, which moved from magnetic drum
to magnetic core technology. Some computers of this generation were IBM 1620, IBM 7094
Third Generation of Computer (1964-1971)

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1. In the third generation of computer Integrated Circuits (IC's) were used in place of
transistors.
2. In this generation, Keyboard and monitors were used instead of punched cards and
printout.
3. These IC’s were increased the speed of processing and storage capacity.
4. These computers were more reliable, smaller in size and faster.
5. Maintenance cost was low comparing to the previous generation and consumed less
electricity. Some computers of this generation were IBM-360 series, Honeywell-6000 series
Fourth Generation of Computer (1971-1980)
1. In the fourth generation of computer, microprocessors were used in place of Integrated
Circuits (IC’s).
2. The fourth generation of computers is marked by the use of Very Large Scale Integrated
(VLSI) circuits.
3. This made computers smaller in size became more powerful, they could bi linked to form
network. Some computers of this generation were Mini Computer and Mainframe computer,
Personal computers.
Fifth Generation of Computer (1980-till date)
1. Fifth generation computer involves the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) which made
the computer think like human beings.
2. This generation uses VLSI (Very Large Scale integration) and ULSI (Ultra Large Scale
Integration) technology.
3. These computers are more intelligent and faster comparing to other generation computers.
4. Types of this generation computers are Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, and Robot. etc.
3. Discuss the characteristics of a computer in detail. (U)
ANS:
Speed:
The computer works very fast. The speed of Computer is measured in terms of MIPS (Million
Instructions Per Second) or BIPS (Billion Instructions Per Second). For Example A money
counting machine counts money faster than man.
Storage:
The computer can store a large volume of data and information. The storage capacity of the
computer is measured in terms of Bytes. A group of 8 Bits is called a Byte.
Accuracy
The computer generated results are exact and without any mistakes with high rate of
consistency.

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Diligence
Unlike human beings, a computer does not suffer from limitations like tiredness and lack of
concentration. It can work for hours without making any errors.
Versatility
Computers are capable of performing any task. Multi-processing features of computer make it
quite versatile in nature. The computer can be adapted to any field easily. It is used for
scientific calculations, business processing, for playing games, teaching, training etc.
Flexibility
Flexibility would involve the number of things you can do with a computer. While some are
best used for simple business tasks, and filing of tasks, others are good for multimedia,
gaming, and so on.
Cost effectiveness
Computers reduce the amount of paper work and human effort, thereby reducing costs.
4. Explain the functional units of a computer with a neat block diagram? (A)
ANS:
A computer is designed using four basic units. They are:
1. Input Unit
2. Central Processing Unit(CPU)

3. Memory Unit
4. Output Unit
Input Unit
Computers need to receive data and instructions in order to solve a problem. The Input unit
performs this operation. The Input Unit basically links the external world or environment to the
computer system. The input unit may consist of one or more input devices. The Keyboard and
mouse of a computer are the most commonly used input devices.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
It is the main part of a computer system like the heart of a human being. Most computers are
identified by the type of CPU that is present in them. The function of the CPU is to interpret
the instructions in the program and execute them one by one. It consists of two major units.
1. Control Unit: It controls and directs the transfer of program instructions and data between
various units. The main activity is to maintain order and direct the operations of the entire
system.
2. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU): Arithmetic and Logic Unit performs arithmetic and

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logical operations and controls the speed of these operations. Arithmetic operations like
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division (+,-,*, /) and logical operations like AND,
OR, NOT and relational operations like (<,>, <=,>=) are being carried out in this unit.
Memory Unit
The data and the instructions required for processing have to be stored in the memory unit
before the actual processing starts. In a similar manner, the results generated from processing
have to be preserved before it is displayed. The memory units thus provide space to store input
data, intermediate results and the final output generated.
Secondary storage devices are additional memory (storage) devices such as floppy disks,
magnetic tapes, Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Compact Disk (CD), Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) etc.,
which are used to store huge information for future use.
Note: The input unit, an output unit, and secondary storage devices are together known as
Peripheral Devices.
Output Unit
It is used to print or display the results, which are stored in the memory unit. The actual
function of the output unit is just the reverse of the input unit. Thus, the output unit links the
computer to the outside world. The Monitor and Printer are the most commonly used output
devices.
5. Explain the application of Computers. (K)
ANS:

and developments

6. Compare the features of micro and mini computers? (U)

7. Compare mainframe andsupercomputers(U)
8. Explain Classification of Digital Computers. (K)
ANS:
Micro Computers
1. Also, know as PC (Personal Computer), it was introduced in 1970.

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2. The number of processors in microcomputers will be one or two processors.

3. It contains input devices, output devices, storage device and processor.
4. The number of processor will be one or two. It is used by one person at a time.
5. Example: Desktops (PC, Macintosh), Laptops, Notebooks, Tablets, Palmtops, Smart
Phones.
Mini Computers
1. Mini computers were introduced in the 1960’s.
2. Minicomputer is larger and more powerful than personal computer.
3. In can execute five million instructions per second.
4. It generally consists of two or more processors.
5. Minicomputer can serve up to 4000 connected users simultaneously.
6. It is normally accessed by users via personal computer or terminal. A device with a monitor
and keyboard is called terminal.
7. It is also known as dumb terminal. It has no processing power and cannot work as stand-
alone computer.
8. Example: Digital Alpha, VAX-800, AS 400
Mainframe Computers
1. Mainframe computers were introduced in 1975.
2. It is very large computer in size.
3. It is more powerful than mini computers and consists of multiple processors.
4. It is designed to perform multiple tasks for multiple users at the same time.
5. The user access a mainframe computer through personal computer.
6. It can execute 16 million instructions per second.
7. Example: CDC 6600, NEC 610, DEC 10
Supercomputers
1. Supercomputers were introduced in 1980. Super computer is the fastest computer.
2. Supercomputer is the biggest in size and the most expensive in price than any other
computers.
3. Supercomputer is the most sophisticated, complex and advance computer.
4. It has a very large storage capacity.
5. It can process trillions of instructions in one second.
6. Supercomputers are used for highly calculations intensive task.
7. Supercomputers are designed for ultra-high performance tasks such as weather analysis,
encryption cracking, and the creation of animation.
8. Example: IBM Roadrunner, IBM Blue Gene, PARAM Padma, etc.

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