Fundamental Unit 1

FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
PAPER I
CODE: PGD-101
UNIT-I
An overview of computer system. Organisation of a Computer System-I/O & CPU. Concept of Data
Processing, Generation of Computers, Organisation of Computers, Application of Computers,
Classification of Computers. Components of Computer System- Hardware: Input & Output devices,
peripherals printers-impact & nonimpact Printers. electromagnetic electrostatic thermal, Inkjet and
laser -CRTs-displays -graphics and alphanumeric- keyboards, dumb and intelligent terminals.
Block Diagram of the Computer/ Component of the Computer/ An overview of computer system/
Organisation of a Computer System-I/O & CPU.
Input Unit
The computer requires the input unit to receive data and information. The input unit is made up of
a variety of input devices. Some input devices are a keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, etc.
Output Unit
The computer’s output unit communicates the results of processing and information to the outside
world. The Visual Display Unit (VDU), usually known as the monitor, is the most commonly utilized
output device. Other popular output devices include a projector, headphones, speakers, etc.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)

All the instructions that the computer receives from the user, or a set of instructions, are processed
by this ‘brain’.
Three Major Components Of the CPU Are:-
1.Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU)
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is the portion of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) that handles all
of the Central Processing Unit (CPU’s) calculations.
The ALUs work for all math and operations that are related to arithmetical and logical operations.
2.Central Unit (CU)
Another important part of the computer’s central processing unit (CPU) is the control unit (CU).
3.Memory Unit (MU)
The memory unit is responsible for storing data and information for the computer’s other
functional components. The computer’s memory unit stores the data and information received
from the input unit before it is processed by the central processing unit (CPU).
The Memory Unit is divided into two categories:-
Primary Memory
The primary memory is the most quickly accessible memory unit. The primary memory is temporary
and volatile. It means that if the computer is turned off, the data is permanently erased.
Secondary Memory
Secondary memory capacity ranges from gigabytes to terabytes, and it serves as an archive for the
computer system. Secondary memory can be used to store application programs, documents, films,
audio, databases, and so on. Data and information transmission and reception are slower than in
primary memory.
What is data processing?

Data processing occurs when data is collected and translated into usable information. Usually
performed by a data scientist or team of data scientists, it is important for data processing to be
done correctly as not to negatively affect the end product, or data output.
Data processing starts with data in its raw form and converts it into a more readable format
(graphs, documents, etc.), giving it the form and context necessary to be interpreted by computers
and utilized by employees throughout an organization.
Six stages of data processing
1. Data collection
2. Data preparation
3. Data input
4. Processing
5. Data output/interpretation
6. Data storage
Generation of Computers
Generations of Computer Time-Period Evolving Hardware
First Generation 1940s – 1950s Vacuum Tube Based
Second Generation 1950s – 1960s Transistor Based
Third Generation 1960s – 1970s Integrated Circuit Based
Fourth Generation 1970s – Present Microprocessor Based
Fifth Generation Present – Future Artificial Intelligence Based

First Generation Computers
The technology behind the primary generation computers was a fragile glass device, which was
called a vacuum tube. These computers were very heavy and really large. First-generation
computers were used for calculation, storage, and control purpose.
Second Generation Computers

Second-generation computers used the technology of transistors rather than bulky vacuum tubes.
Another feature was the core storage. A transistor may be a device composed of semiconductor
material that amplifies a sign or opens or closes a circuit.
Third Generation Computers

During the third generation, technology envisaged a shift from huge transistors to integrated
circuits, also referred to as IC. Here a variety of transistors were placed on silicon chips, called
semiconductors. The most feature of this era’s computer was speed and reliability. IC was made
from silicon and also called silicon chips.
Fourth Generation Computers

In 1971 First microprocessors were used, the large-scale of integration LSI circuits built on one
chip called microprocessors. The advantage of this technology is that one microprocessor can
contain all the circuits required to perform arithmetic, logic, and control functions on one chip.
Fifth Generation Computers

The technology behind the fifth generation of computers is AI. It allows computers to behave like
humans. It is often seen in programs like voice recognition, area of medicine, and entertainment.
Within the field of game playing also it’s shown remarkable performance where computers are
capable of beating human competitors.
Basic Applications of Computer
Computers play a role in every field of life. They are used in homes, business, educational
institutions, research organizations, medical field, government offices, entertainment, etc.
 Home
 Medical Field
 Entertainment
 Industry
 Education
 Government
 Banking
 Business
 Training
 Arts
 Science and Engineering
Classification of Computers
The computer systems can be classified on the following basis:
1. On the basis of size.
2. On the basis of functionality.
3. On the basis of data handling.
Classification on the basis of size
1. Super computers : The super computers are the most high performing system. A
supercomputer is a computer with a high level of performance compared to a general-purpose
computer. Supercomputers actually play an important role in the field of computation, and are
used for intensive computation tasks in various fields, including quantum mechanics, weather
forecasting, climate research, oil and gas exploration, molecular modeling, and physical
simulations. eg: PARAM, jaguar, roadrunner.
2. Mainframe computers : These are commonly called as big iron, they are usually used by big
organisations for bulk data processing such as statistics, census data processing, transaction
processing and are widely used as the servers as these systems has a higher processing
capability as compared to the other classes of computers, most of these mainframe
architectures were established in 1960s, the research and development worked continuously
over the years and the mainframes of today are far more better than the earlier ones, in size,
capacity and efficiency. Eg: IBM z Series, System z9 and System z10 servers.
3. Mini computers : These computers came into the market in mid 1960s and were sold at a much
cheaper price than the main frames, they were actually designed for control, instrumentation,
human interaction, and communication switching as distinct from calculation and record
keeping, later they became very popular for personal uses with evolution.
They usually took up one or a few inch rack cabinets, compared with the large mainframes that
could fill a room, there was a new term “MINICOMPUTERS” coined
Eg: Personal Laptop, PC etc.
4. Micro computers : A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a

microprocessor as its CPU. It includes a microprocessor, memory, and minimal I/O circuitry
mounted on a single printed circuit board.The previous to these computers, mainframes and
minicomputers, were comparatively much larger, hard to maintain and more expensive. They
actually formed the foundation for present day microcomputers and smart gadgets that we use
in day to day life. Eg: Tablets, Smartwatches.
What Is an Impact Printer?

Impact printers make a picture by utilizing some tool to press an inked ribbon on the cover,
presenting the ink be kept on the page in the shape accordingly. These printers produce so much
noise, but people are still using them because of the quality and capability to work with multipart
structures.
Ball printers, Dot-matrix, Daisy wheel printers, Line printers, Drum printers, and Chain printers are
some examples of Impact Printers.
What Is a Non-Impact Printer?

Non-impact printers create pictures, characters, and figures without any uninterrupted contact
between the printing device and the paper.
Laser printers, Inkjet printers and Thermal printers are some examples of Non-Impact printers.
Difference between Dumb Terminal & Intelligent Terminal

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FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

What is data processing?

Generations of Computer Time-Period Evolving Hardware

First Generation 1940s – 1950s Vacuum Tube Based

Second Generation 1950s – 1960s Transistor Based

Third Generation 1960s – 1970s Integrated Circuit Based

Fourth Generation 1970s – Present Microprocessor Based

Fifth Generation Present – Future Artificial Intelligence Based

Second Generation Computers

Third Generation Computers

Fourth Generation Computers

Fifth Generation Computers

Basic Applications of Computer

Classification on the basis of size

4. Micro computers : A microcomputer is a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a

What Is an Impact Printer?

What Is a Non-Impact Printer?

Difference between Dumb Terminal & Intelligent Terminal

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