COMPUTER AWARENESS BY TAWQEER UL ISLAM @EACT CLASSES

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

Learning Objectives

• Definition of a Computer.

• Functioning of a Computer.

• Characteristics of a Computer.

• Classification of Computers.

• Applications of Computers.

WHAT IS A COMPUTER
•The word computer has been derived from the Latin language word ‘Computerae’ which
means to compute.

DEFINITION 1: A computer is a digital electronic machine that can be programmed to carry

out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically.

•Digital: Everything inside the computer is stored and processed in Binary.

•Electronic: Made up of Semiconductors.

•Programmed: To make the same hardware work in different ways as we want.

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DEFINITION 2: A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or data

according to the set of instructions. It takes in, stores, processes and outputs the data.
DEFINITION 3: A computer is a machine or device that performs processes, calculations
and operations based on instructions provided by a software or hardware program. It has
the ability to accept data (input), process it, and then produce outputs.

WORKING OF A COMPUTER
A Computer performs four basic functions which are as follows:
1. Input: Information or data that is entered into a computer is called input. It sends data
and instructions to the Central Processing Unit (CPU).
2. Processing: It is the sequence of actions taken on data to convert it into information
which is meaningful to the user. It can be calculations, comparisons or decisions taken by
the computer.
3. Output: It makes processed data available to the user. It is mainly used to display the
desired result to the user as per input instructions.
4. Storage: It stores data and programs permanently. It is used to store information during
the time of program execution and possible to get any type of information from it.

FEATURES / CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER

• Speed of Computer: Speed is one of the major characteristics of the computer
system. A computer works of as fast that it can process any task and provide the
output in fractions of seconds. A powerful computer can handle trillions of
instructions per second which is really incredible.
• Accuracy of Computer: Computers not only provide incredible speed, instead, they
are also capable of consistently working with accuracy. The degree of accuracy in
computers is very high; computers can perform calculations at almost 100%
accuracy. Errors may occur in a computer system, but only because of wrong
human input or inaccurate data. (Garbage in Garbage Out).

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• Diligence of Computer: Unlike a human, the computer doesn’t get tired or lacks its
concentration. Due to this characteristic, it overpowers human being in most of the
regular tasks. It can work for hours without any fault. This means that if millions of
calculations are to be done, a computer will perform every calculation and provide
all the results with the same accuracy.
• Versatility of Computer: Versatility is one of the most wonderful features of
computers. This means that the computer has the ability to perform completely
different kinds of works with the same accuracy and efficiency at the same time. It
is not just a calculating machine anymore. Forexample: for one moment it can be
used to create invoices or bills, and the next moment it can be used for inventory
management or any multimedia task, etc.
• Reliability of Computer: The results obtained by the computer are very reliable. But
this is true only when the data given to the computer or program is correct and
reliable.
• Consistency of Computer: The computer is so consistent that it can perform trillions
of processes without errors for several hours. This means that we can use a
computer 24 hours a day or 365 days a year continuously. Furthermore, it provides
consistent results for the same set of data, that is, if it is given the same set of data
multiple times, it will give the same result each time.
• Memory of Computer: A computer has a built-in memory, where it can store instant
data immediately. Here, we are referring to random access memory (primary
memory) that holds data as long as the computer is connected to a power source.
Data is erased from memory after shutting down the computer. In addition, the
computer includes ROM (read-only memory), the cache memory of different levels,
virtual memory, etc., thereby speeding up performance.
• Storage Capacity of Computer: Computers can store vast amounts of data. Today's
computers have increased storage capacity compared to earlier days. Besides, we
also have the option to store data in secondary devices such as external drives, or
floppies, etc. These secondary devices can be kept separate from the computer or
attached to other computers.
• Remembrance Power of Computer: The computer has the power to store any data
or information for as long as we like. Data can also be recalled easily if needed. It
is our choice to decide how much data we want to store on the computer and when
to recall or erase these data.
• Automation in Computer: Computers can also be used to automate routine tasks
with the help of a task scheduler such as launching a specific application or
software, sending an email, scanning for viruses, and many other maintenance
tasks. Besides, computer scan also be programmed to perform many complex
tasks. For example, the computer can start daily maintenance tasks automatically
when it is in an ideal state. This includes tasks such as software updates, security
scanning, and system diagnostics, etc.
• NOIQ

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• No Feelings

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS

I. BASED ON SIZE
On the basis of size, computers are categorized as follows:
1. Microcomputers: These types of computers are the least powerful, yet the most
widely used and are also called portable computers. Its CPU is a Microprocessor.
Some types of micro-computer are as follows
(a) Desktop Computer or Personal Computer (PC): These are small, relatively
economical computers. These are based on the microprocessor technology
(Integrated Circuit-IC).
(b) Workstation Computer: These are computers dedicated to a user or group of
users engaged in business or professional work. It includes one or more high
resolution displays and a faster processor than a Personal Computer (PC).

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(c) Laptop: These computers are also known as ultra-book or notebook. These
are portable and light-
weight. They include rechargeable battery, so these can work anywhere.
(d) Handheld or Palmtop Computer: These are the smallest and are designed to
fit into the palm. So, these are also known as Palmtop. They are practical for certain
functions such as phone books and calendars. They use the pen for input instead of
keyboard. e.g. PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), tablets, etc.
(e) Tablet Computer: They have key features of the notebook computer, but these
can accept input from a pen instead of the keyboard or mouse.

2. Minicomputers: These are smaller in size, faster and cost lower than mainframe
computers but more powerful than the micro-computers. Initially, the minicomputer
was designed to carry out some specific tasks, like engineering and Computer Aided
Design (CAD) calculations. But now, they are being used as central computer which
is known as Server. Some minicomputers are IBM-17, DEC PDP-11, HP-9000, etc.

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3. Mainframe Computers: These types of computers having

larger internal memory and storage, more computational power
and comprehensive range of software than the mini computers.
It is considered as the heart of a network of computers or
terminals that allow a large number of people to work at the
same time. Some mainframe computers are IBM-370, IBM-S/390,
UNIVAC-1110, etc.

4. Supercomputers: These are the fastest and most expensive

machines. Supercomputers are most powerful, large in size and
memory, compared to all other computers. The speed of supercomputers are
measured in FLOPS (Floating Point Operations Per Second). Supercomputers are
used for highly calculation intensive tasks, such as global weather forecasting,
nuclear research, military agencies and scientific research laboratories.
(i) CRAY-1 was the world’s first supercomputer introduced by Seymour Roger
CRAY (called as "the father of supercomputing") in 1976.
(ii) PARAM 8000 was the first supercomputer developed in India (by CDAC) in
1990.
Dr Vijay P Bhatkar is one of the internationally acknowledged scientist and IT
leader of India. He is known as the man behind India's first supercomputer.
(iii) PARAM SIDHI AI is the latest machine in the series of PARAM. PARAM Siddhi-
AI is a high- performance computing-artificial intelligence (HPC-AI) and by
far the fastest supercomputer developed in India.
(iv) The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and IIT
Gandhinagar unveil Param Ananta, India's latest supercomputer.
(v) Two supercomputers from India — PARAM Siddhi-AI and Mihir — have made
it to the TOP500 list of the world's most powerful supercomputers.
(vi) The two systems have been ranked 63rd and 146th,
respectively, and remain the only two supercomputers from India
in the latest list of TOP500 released on November 18 2020.

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(vii) Earlier, the fastest supercomputer on the TOP500 supercomputer list was
Fugaku, in Japan, with a LINPACK benchmark score of 415 PFLOPS, followed
by Summit (USA), by around 266.7 PFLOPS.
(viii) The US's Frontier system is now the fastest supercomputer in the world. (May
2022).
WHAT IS PFLOPS?
In computing, floating point operations per second (FLOPS, flops) is a measure of computer
performance, useful in fields of scientific computations that require floating-point
calculations. 1 petaFLOPS = 1015 FLOPS

SIZE COMPARISION
Micro-Computers < Mini Computers < Mainframe Computers < Super Computers

COMPUTATIONAL POWER COMPARISION

Micro-Computers < Mini Computers < Mainframe Computers < Super Computers

II. BASED ON WORK

On the basis of work, computers are categorized as follows
1. Analog Computer: These computers carry out arithmetic and logical operations by
manipulating and processing of data. e.g., Speedometers, seismograph, etc. Analog
computer can perform several mathematical operations simultaneously. It uses
continuous variables for mathematical operations and utilizes mechanical or
electrical energy.
2. Digital Computer: These do work by calculating the binary digits. A digital computer,
not only performs mathematical calculations, but also combines the bytes to
produce desired graphics, sounds. e.g., Desktop (PC).

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3. Hybrid Computer: These are the combination of analog and digital computers.
Machines used in hospitals like ECG and DIALYSIS are the commonly used hybrid
computers.

III. BASED ON PURPOSE

On the basis of purpose, computers are categorized as follows
1. General Purpose Computer: General purpose computers are those computers,
which are used to solve variety of problems by changing the program or
instructions. e.g. To make small database, calculations, accounting, etc. Personal
computers, including desktops, notebooks, smartphones and tablets, are all
examples of general-purpose computers.

2. Special Purpose Computer: Special purpose computers are those computers which
are used to solve a single and dedicated types of problem. e.g., Traffic Light Control
System, Automatic aircraft landing, multimedia computer, etc.

IV. MISCELLANEOUS TYPES

1. Nano Computer: Nano computer is a general team used to describe a
computer smaller than a microcomputer, usually about the size of a credit
card. e.g. Raspberry Pi which could be used in schools to teach science to
children.

2. Quantum Computer: Quantum computer uses the principles of quantum

physics like, Quantum superposition and Quantum Entanglement. David
Deutsch, father of quantum computing. Data unit used is called qubit
(quantum bit). Alan Turing is known as the father of the modern computer.
APPLICATIONS OF COMPUTER
Some of the areas where computers are being used are as follows
1. Banking.

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2. Education
3. Science
4. Government Areas
5. Medical
6. Arts
7. Safety and Security
8. Communication
9. Weather Forecasting
10. Advertisement
11. Business

GENERATIONS OF COMPUTER

Subject 1st generation 2nd generation 3rd generation 4th generation 5th generation

Period 1940-1956 1956-1963 1964-1971 1971-present present &

beyond

Circuitry Vacuum tube Transistor Integrated Microprocesso ULSI (Ultra

chips (IC) r (VLSI) Large Scale
Integration)
technology

Memory 20 KB 128KB 1MB Semiconductor VLSI and ULSI

Capacity type and very
high

Processing 300 IPS inst. 300 IPS 1MIPS(1 Faster than 3rd Very fast
Speed Per sec. generation
million inst.
Per sec.)

Programming Assembly High level C,C++ C,C++,Java All the Higher

Language Language language level
(FORTRAN, languages,

COBOL, Neural
ALGOL) networks,

Example of UNIVAC, IBM 1401, IBM IBM 360 series, Pentium series Artificial
computers EDVAC 7094, CDC Multimedia, Intelligence,
3600,D UNIVAC 1900 series Stimulation Robotics
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HISTORY OF COMPUTERS

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EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS
• Blaise Pascal invented the first mechanical adding machine in 1642.
• Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz invented the first calculator for multiplication in 1671.
• Keyboard machines originated in the United States around 1880.
• Around 1880, Herman Hollerith came up with the concept of punched cards that were
extensively used as input media until late 1970s.
• Charles Babbage is considered to be the father of digital computers.
• He designed “Difference Engine” in 1822.
• He designed a fully automatic analytical engine in 1842 for performing basic arithmetic
functions.
• His efforts established a number of principles that are fundamental to the design of any
digital Computer.

SOME WELL KNOWN EARLY COMPUTERS

• The Mark I Computer (1937-44): Automatic Sequence Controlled Computer. Built by
Harvard and IBM in collab. Electromechanical.
• The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1939-42): Also called ABC. Used Vacuum Tubes and
Capacitors.
• The ENIAC (1943-46): Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator. First Electronic
Computer. Built at University of Pennsylvania. Programs were wired on boards.
• The EDVAC (1946-52): Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer. Based on Von
Neuman’s Stored program concept.
• The EDSAC (1947-49): Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator. Built at Cambridge
University.
• Manchester Mark I (1948): Small experimental machine with storage capacity of 32 words,
each word of 31 binary digits.
• The UNIVAC I (1951): Universal Automatic Computer. First computer which was not ‘one of
a kind’. First general-purpose electronic computer.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. The speed of a supercomputer is (D) TLOPS

generally measured in ______. 2. What is the full form of FLOPS in the
(A) FLOPS context of speed of supercomputer?
(B) BLOPS (A) Floating Point Operations Per Second
(C) ELOPS (B) Fix Point Operations Per Second

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(C) Float Point Operations Per Second (C) Mainframes

(D) Feet Point Operations Per Second (D) Embedded computers
3. _________ aims to design intelligent
machines that can help and assist 9. Computers don't understand words or
humans and develops machines that can numbers the way humans do and
substitute for humans and replicate everything is represented by a _________
human actions. electrical signal that registers.
(A) Robotics (A) Processing
(B) Computer forensics (B) Kilobyte
(C) Animations (C) Binary
(D) Forecasting (D) Representational

4. Between receiving input and providing 10. What was used in second generation
output, your computer will perform computers?
logical operation called ___________. (A) Vacuum Tubes
(A) Memory Management (B) Microprocessors
(B) Programming (C) Integrated Circuits
(C) Processing (D) Transistors
(D) Storing
11. Punch cards were used as _______.
5. Each CPU has a built in ability to (A) Control Unit
perform a set of machine instructions (B) ALU
called its………….. (C) Output device
(A) Instruction Cycle (D) Input device
(B) Instruction Set
(C) Instruction Length 12. ______ is processed, manipulated and
(D) Instruction Speed interpreted
(A) Facts
6. When the computer restarts or when (B) Information
reset button is pressed, it is called: (C) Data
(A) Normal Booting (D) Knowledge
(B) Warm Booting
(C) Reset Booting
(D) Cold Booting 13. What is the full form of CAM?
(A) Computer Add Manufacturing
7. _________ is a small amount of memory (B) Computer Aided Mining
on a computer motherboard that stores (C) Computer Add Mining
the BIOS settings. (D) Computer Aided Manufacturing
(A) CMOS
(B) NIC 14. Notebook computer, desktop
(C) UEFI computer, handheld computer is the
(D) POST example of which type of computer?
(A) Minicomputer
8. ________ is a computer, that is (B) Microcomputer
integrated into devices and is dedicated to (C) Mainframe
the functions of a specific device. (D) Supercomputer
(A) Servers
(B) Robotic computers

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15. Which of the given options is NOT the

basic/major function of Computer
System?
A. A computer displays the processed
data in the form of output
B. A computer accepts the input from the
user
C. A computer scours the Internet for
content
D. A computer processes the data given
by the user

16. 1 TFLOPS = ______FLOPS.

(A) 10 12
(B) 10 15
(C) 10 6
(D) 10 9

17. What is the full form of FDM in 3D

printing?
(A) Fused Direct Making
(B) Fused Deposition Modeling
(C) Fused Deposition Making
(D) Fused Direct Modeling

18. Second generation computer uses

______.
(A) integrated circuit
(B) transistor
(C) vacuum tubes
(D) resistor

19. Which is the correct meaning of

UNIVAC?
A. Unvalued Automatic computer
B. Unique Automatic Computer
C. Universal Array Computer
D. Universal Automatic Computer

1. A 2. A 3. A 4. C 5. B 6. D 7. A 8. D 9. C 10. D
11. D 12. B 13. D 14. B 15. C 16. A 17. B 18. B 19. D

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