APT Assignment: 1

1.What is Computer? Describe various characteristics of

computer?
Answer:
Computer is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the user and
processes these data under the control of set of instructions (called program) and gives the
result (output) and saves output for the future use. It can process both numerical and nonnumerical (arithmetic and logical) calculations.

Characteristics of computer :
A.Speed
Computers work at an incredible speed. A powerful computer is capable of performing about 3-4
million simple instructions per second.
B. Accuracy
In addition to being fast, computers are also accurate. Errors that may occur can almost always
be attributed to human error (inaccurate data, poorly designed system or faulty
instructions/programs written by the programmer)
C.Diligence
Unlike human beings, computers are highly consistent. They do not suffer from human traits of
boredom and tiredness resulting in lack of concentration. Computers, therefore, are better than
human beings in performing voluminous and repetitive jobs.

D.Versatility
Computers are versatile machines and are capable of performing any task as long as it can be
broken down into a series of logical steps. The presence of computers can be seen in almost
every sphere Railway/Air reservation, Banks, Hotels, Weather forecasting and many more.

2.What is storage device present in computer?

Answer:
There are two types of storage devices present in computers, these are:

Primary Storage Devices

Secondary Storage Devices

Primary Storage Devices

This is also known as Primary storage, Main memory and Internal Memory.RAM (Random
Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory) are the examples of Primary Storage Devices.

Secondary Storage Devices

These are also known as external memory or auxiliary storage devices. Hard Disks, CD, DVD,
Optical Drives, USB flash drive, Floppy disks,Magnetic tape, Paper Tapes, Punched Cards are
examples of Secondary Storage Devices.

3.What is Winchester disk?

Answer:
An early removable disk drive from IBM that put the heads and platters (disks) in a sealed unit
for greater speed. Before the Winchester architecture, removable disks were like removable disks
today, in which the read/write heads remain in the drive and make contact with the platter after
the cartridge is inserted. It is a type of magnetic disk storage or it is type a type of hard disk in
which disks are permanently sealed, together with read-write heads, in an airtight container to
keep dust out.

4.Describe briefly each generation of computer?

Answer:
First Generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes
The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and were
often enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate and in addition to
using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of
malfunctions. The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples

Second Generation (1956-1963) Transistors

The transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become smaller,
faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable than their first-generation predecessors.
Though the transistor still generated a great deal of heat that subjected the computer to damage,

it was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube. Second-generation computers still relied on
punched cards for input and printouts for output.

Third Generation (1964-1971) Integrated Circuits

The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of
computers. Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors,
which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers. Instead of punched cards and
printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through keyboards and monitors
and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device to run many different
applications at one time with a central program that monitored the memory.

Fourth Generation (1971-Present) Microprocessors

The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated
circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first generation filled an entire room
could now fit in the palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971, located all the
components of the computerfrom the central processing unit and memory to input/output
controlson a single chip.

Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond) Artificial Intelligence

Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development,
though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today. The
use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial intelligence a reality.

5.Write disadvantage and advantage of each type of

computer?
Answer:
There are three different types of computers according to the principles of operation. Those
three types of computers are:
Analog Computers
Analog Computer is a computing device that works on continuous range of values. The
results given by the analog computers will only be approximate since they deal with
quantities that vary continuously. It generally deals with physical variables such as
voltage, pressure, temperature, speed, etc.
Advantage:
Computation can be done for some applications without the requirement for transducers
to convert the inputs/outputs to/from digital electronic form.

Disadvantage:
Accuracy Level is not up to the standards.
For a given size and power consumption, digital computers can solve larger problems.

Digital Computers
On the other hand 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.
Advantages:

Speed
Accuracy
Compatibility with other digital systems.
Flexible

Disadvantages:

Digital circuits are sometimes more expensive.

Digital circuits use more energy than analog circuits to accomplish the same
tasks.
Digital communications require greater bandwidth than analogue to transmit the
same information.

Hybrid Computers
A hybrid computer combines the desirable features of analog and digital computers. It is
mostly used for automatic operations of complicated physical processes and machines.
Now-a-days analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters are used for transforming
the data into suitable form for either type of computation.
Advantages:

Hybrid computers have tremendous computing speed enabled by the all-parallel

configuration provided by the analog subsystem
The results provided by hybrid computers are precise, accurate, more detailed and
much more useful when compared to their earlier counterparts.
This data is analyzed in real time and the results made available immediately.

Disadvantages:

Expensive.
Produces more heat.

Results cannot be checked whether they are perfectly determined or not.

6.Define the components of a computer system?

Answer:
The major hardware components of a computer system are:

Processor: The processor performs all the fundamental computation of the

computer system.

Main memory: It is closely connected to the processor, stored data are quickly and
easily changed, holds the programs and data that the processor is actively working
with, interacts with the processor millions of times per second, needs constant
electric power to keep its information.

Secondary memory: These are also known as external memory or auxiliary

storage devices. Hard Disks, CD, DVD, Optical Drives, USB flash drive, Floppy
disks,Magnetic tape, Paper Tapes, Punched Cards are examples of Secondary Storage
Devices.

Input devices/Output devices: Input and output devices allow the computer
system to interact with the outside world by moving data into and out of the system.
An input device is used to bring data into the system. Some input devices are:
Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Bar code reader.
An output device is used to send data out of the system. Some output devices are:
Monitor, Printer.

7.Describe types of software with example?

Answer:
System Software have direct control and access to your computer hardware , and memory
locations . They perform I/O operations on various memory locations , and control the
hardware, to make the application software do a task . Operating systems , are the main
examples for system software .
Examples :
1) Microsoft Windows
2) Linux

3) Unix
4) Mac OSX
5) DOS
6) BIOS Software

Application software run under System Software , and are made to do a specific task i.e
(Word Processing etc) , which have indirect access to the hardware (i.e Behind System
Software).
Examples :
1) Opera (Web Browser)
2) Microsoft Word (Word Processing)
3) Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet software)
5) MySQL (Database Software)
6) Microsoft Powerpoint (Presentation Software)

8.Describe types of computer? Define advantages and

disadvantages each type of computer?
Answer:
Repeat aa Question 5.

9.What is algorithm?
Answer:
An algorithm is a step by step procedure for any problem or calculation to be solved. More
precisely, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined
instructions for calculating a function.

10. What is a programming language?

Answer:

A programming language is a set of commands, instructions, and other syntax use to create a
software program. Languages that programmers use to write code are called "high-level
languages." This code can be compiled into a "low-level language," which is recognized directly
by the computer hardware.
Examples of high-level languages include C++, Java, Perl, and PHP. Languages like C++ and
Java are called "compiled languages".
Low-level languages include assembly and machine languages

11. Give the definition of different programming

languages?
Answer:
A programming language is a notation for writing programs, which are specifications of a
computation. The various types of programming languages came into existence in last few
decades. Some popular programming languages are:
C, C++, JAVA, .NET etc.
C:
C is a procedural oriented language and is one of the most widely used programming languages
of all time. C is a general-purpose programming language initially developed by Dennis Ritchie
between 1969 and 1973 at AT&T Bell Labs. C is a procedural oriented language.
C++ :
It is regarded as an intermediate-level language, as it comprises both high-level and low-level
language features. Developed by Bjarne Stroustrup starting in 1979 at Bell Labs, C++ was
originally named C with Classes, adding object oriented features. C++ is one of the most popular
programming languages and is implemented on a wide variety of hardware and operating
system platforms.
JAVA:
Java is a general-purpose, concurrent, class-based, object-oriented computer programming
language that is specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. It
is intended to let application developers "write once, run anywhere" (WORA), meaning that
code that runs on one platform does not need to be recompiled to run on another.

12. What is flowchart? Draw a flow chart

Answer:
A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm or process, showing the steps as
boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows. This is a diagrammatic
representation solution to a given problem. Process operations are represented in these boxes,
and arrows rather, they are implied by the sequencing of operations. Flowcharts are used in
analyzing, designing, documenting or managing a process or program in various fields.

Flowchart Example:

START

a=10
b=20

If a>b

Print a

Print b

END

13. What are the main units of CPU?

Answer:

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

There is electronic circuitry in arithmetic logic unit which executes all airthmetic and logical
operations. Its function is obvious from its name. It performs arithmetic calculations like as
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division as well as comparisons. The unit can compare
numbers, letters, or special characters.

Control Unit(CU)
There is circuitry in the control unit which uses electrical signals to instruct the whole computer
system for carrying out or executing, already stored program instructions. Its name clearly
shows that it controls and co-ordinates computer components. It extracts instructions from
memory and decodes and executes them. In fact it regulates the flow of information through the
processor

Registers/The Memory Unit

Registers are temporary storage areas which are responsible for holding the data that is to be
processed. They store the instructions and data in a processor. This data is further used by
Control Unit. There are some registers that are set aside for specific tasks , these generally
include a program counter, stack, and flags.

14. What is the operating system?

Answer:
An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer
hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. The operating
system is a vital component of the system software in a computer system. Application programs
usually require an operating system to function.

Types of operating system:

a.Time Sharing
b.Real-time
c.Multi-user
d.Multi-tasking vs. single-tasking
e.Distributed