BASIC COURSE OF

COMPUTER
Tutorial 1 Introduction To
Computer System Organisation

Some Key Terminology

Computer A Computer is an electronic device
that can perform a variety of operations in
accordance with a set of instructions called
program.
Data Data in Computer terminology means raw
facts and figure.
Information It means what we get after
processing data(meaningful data).

Input, Process and Output

IPO Cycle
The computer take Input from the input devices
attached to it.
After taking Input from the input devices the
system process data with the help of CPU
(Central Processing Unit).
The output unit is formed by the output devices
attached to the computer.

The Memory
The memory of Computer is often called
main memory or primary memory.
It is generally the third component of CPU.
A memory cell can be defined as a device
which can store a symbol selected from a
set of symbols.

Bit, Bytes and Nibble

The smallest individual parts of the Memory is known as
bits. A bits means a binary digit i.e. either 0 or 1.
A number of bits together are used to store data
instructions by their combination.
A bit is the elementary unit of the memory.
A group of 8 bits is called a byte.
A group of 4 bits is called a nibble.
One byte is the smallest unit which can represent a data
item or a character. Other units of memory are KB,MB,GB
and TB.

Relationship between different

units of Memory
1 KB(kilobytes) means 210 bytes i.e. 1024
bytes.
1 MB(Megabytes) means 210 KB
i.e. 1024 X 1024 bytes
1 GB(Gigabytes) means 210 MB
i.e. 1024X1024X1024 bytes.
1 TB(Terabytes) means 210 GB
i.e. 1024X1024X1024X1024 bytes.

Hardware and Software

Hardware represents the physical and
tangible components of the computer i.e.
components that can be seen and touched.
Input devices, CPU, Floppy Disk, Pen Drive,
Hard Disk are example of computer
hardware.
Software represents the set of program that
govern the operation of a computer system
and make the hardware run.

Categories of Software
Software can be classified broadly into three
categories: Operating System
Language Processor
Application Software
Out of these three the first two are in the
category of System Software.

Operating System
(OS)
An Operating System is a program which acts as an
interface between a user and the hardware(i.e. all
computer resources).
An Operating system is an important components of
computer system which controls all other components of
the computer system.
Major components of Computer system are: The Hardware
The OS
The Application Programs
The Human ware(Users).

Main Functions of OS
It provide the instructions to prepare userinterface i.e. way to interact with user
whether through typed commands or through
graphical symbols.
Loads necessary programs(into the
computer memory) which are required for
proper computer functioning.
Coordinates how programs work with the
CPU, Keyboard, Mouse, printer and other
hardware as well as with other software.
Manages the way information is stored on
and retrieved from disks.

Language Processors
A programmer prefers to write their programs in
one of the high Level language(HLLs) because it
is much easier to code in such language.
However, the Computer does not understand any
language other than its own machine
language(binary language) therefore, it becomes
necessary to process a HLL program so as to
make it understandable to the computer. The
System programs which performs this job are
known as language processors.

Assembler, Interpreter and Compiler

Assembler :-This Language processor converts the
program written in assembly language into machine
language.
Interpreter:- This Language processor converts the
program written in High level language in machine
language by converting and executing it line by line. If there
is any error in any line, it reports it at the same time and
program execution cannot resume until the error is
rectified.
Compiler:- Compiler also converts the HLL program into
Machine language but the conversion manner is different.
It converts the entire HLL program in one go, and reports
all the errors of the program along with the line numbers.

Application Software
An Application Software is the set of programs
necessary to carry out operations for a specified
applications.
These are the programs written by programmers
to enable computer to perform a specific task such
as inventory control, medical accounting, financial
accounting, result operations, billing etc.

Categories of Application Software

Customised Application Software:- This type of
software is tailor-made software according to a
users requirements. The software is developed to
meet all the requirements specified by the user.
General Application Software:- This Type of
software is developed keeping in mind the general
requirements for carrying out a specific task.
Many users can use it simultaneously as it fulfills
the general requirements.

Strengths and Weaknesses of a

Computer
Speed
High Storage Capacity
Accuracy
Reliability
Versatility
Lack of decision Making Power
IQ Zero

Firmware and Liveware

Like Hardware and Software, Firmware is another
term which is commonly used. Firmware is prewritten
program that is permanently stored in read-only
memory. It configures the computer and is not easily
modifiable by the user. BIOS instructions are an
example of Firmware.
Liveware is the term generally used for the people
associated with and benefited from the computer
system.

The Generation of Computer

The First Generation Computers(1949-55)
The Second Generation Computers(1956-65)
The Third Generation Computers(1966-1975)
The Fourth Generation Computers(1976-Presents)
The Fifth Generation Computers(Coming
Generation)

The First Generation of Computers

Some Key Features of First Generation are
as follows: Used Vacuum tubes.
Big and clumsy computers.
Electricity Consumption High.
Programming in Machine Language.

The Second Generation of

Computers
Some Key Features of Second Generation
are as follows: Transistor replaced vacuum tubes.
Computers became smaller.
Generate less heat.
Electricity consumption lower.
More reliable.

The Third Generation of Computers

Some Key Features of Third Generation are
as follows: I.C. Developed.
Computers faster, smaller and more reliable.
Power consumption lower.
High-level languages appeared.

The Fourth Generation of Computers

Some Key Features of Fourth Generation
are as follows: Portable Computer developed.
Micro Computers series such as IBM and
APPLE developed.
Great development in data communication.
Different types of secondary memory with
high storage capacity and fast access
developed.

The Fifth Generation of Computers

Some Key Features of Fifth Generation are
as follows: Parallel Processing.
A.I.
Superconductors.
Robotics Machines.

Input, Output and Memory

Devices
There are variety of input units which are
used by computers. They are categories
under two section:(a) General Purpose Input device.
(b) Special purpose Input device.
Keyboard is the example of general
purpose input device.

Special Purpose Input Device

MICR(Magnetic Ink Character Reader).

OCR(Optical Character Reader).
OMR(Optical Mark Reader).
Mouse.
Scanner.
Light Pen.
Microphone.
Joystick.
Biometric Sensors.
Bar Code Reader. Smart Card Reader.
Digital Camera.
Touch Screen.

Difference between OCR and

OMR
An OCR is used to read characters of
special type font that are printed on
conventional paper with conventional link.
An OMR is used to transcribe mark that
are marked with a dark pencil or ink on a
special preprinted form.

Output Devices

VDU(Visual Display Unit).

LCD(Liquid Crystal Display).
Speakers.
Plotters.
Printers.

Types of Printer
They are of two types: Impact Printer:- In these printer there is
mechanical contact between the print
head and paper.
Non-Impact Printer:- In these printer, there
is no mechanical contact between the
print head and paper.

Types of Impact Printer

The Impact printer can further be classified
into following categories: (i) Line Printers
(ii) Character Printers(Serial Printers).
There are two types of Line printer which
are drum printer and chain printer. Line
printers are designed for heavy printing
applications and can print continuously for
a few hours.

Character Printers(Serial Printer)

They are divided into two categories:(i)DMP (Dot Matrix Printer).
(ii)Letter Quality Printers.
In DMPs, the printing head contains a
vertical array of pins. As the head moves
across the paper, selected pins fires
against a linked ribbon to form a pattern
of dots on the paper.

Non Impact Printers Examples

Electromagnetic Printers.
Thermal Printers.
Electrostatic Printers.
Inkjet Printers.
Laser Printers.
Out of these the last two categories are
used frequently now a days.

Compacting Reduces
Database Storage Size

MEMORY DEVICES
Its an essential component of every computer.
Memory can be broadly classified into two
Main Memory/Primary Memory Internal
memory of a computer system.
Secondary Memory External memory that
can be attached to the computer system.

The Main Memory

The Main memory is divided into two parts
RAM (Random Access Memory) In
RAM, any cell can be accessed from any
desired random location. Information can
be read from and write into in RAM.
ROM (Read Only Memory) In ROM,
information can only be read from. No
write operation can take place in ROM.

Random Access Memory(RAM)

RAM is a volatile memory. That is, when the
power goes off, the contents of RAM get
erased.
Ram can be classified into two categories Dynamic RAM Consist of transistor and
capacitor thats capable of storing an
electric charge. The capacitor either
contains no charge(0 bit) or does hold a
charge.(1 bit)

 Static RAM It consist eventually of

internal flip-flops( a binary cell capable of
storing one bit of information) that stores a
binary information. Static RAMs take up
more space for a given storage capacity
than do dynamic RAMs.

Read Only Memory(ROM)

This memory performs the read operation
only, it does not have a write capability.
ROM is non volatile, i.e. ROM is made
permanent during the hardware
production of the unit and can not be
altered by writing different words into it.
There are various types of ROM which are
given below-

PROM
PROM stands for Programmable Read
Only Memory, that can be programmed to
record information using a person known
as PROM programmer. Once the chip has
been programmed, the recorded
information can not be changed i.e.
PROM becomes same as ROM.

EPROM
EPROM stands for Erasable
Programmable Read Only Memory.It is
another type of ROM that can be erased
and the chip can be programmed to
record different information. Erasing is
achieved by exposing the chip to
ultraviolet light.

EEPROM
EEPROM stands for Electrically Erasable
PROM. This type of ROM can be
programmed and erased by electrical
signals. It does not require exposure to
ultraviolet light to erase its content. One of
its new application is a Back-up to RAM
memory whose contents are lost in a
power failure.

CACHE MEMORY
It is a special high-speed storage
mechanism. It can be either a reserved
section of main memory or an
independent high-speed storage device.
Whenever some data is required, the CPU
first looks in the cache, if it is there or not.
If the data is found there, CPU does not
access main memory and hence the
process becomes very fast.

Secondary Memory Devices

As Primary memory has a limited storage
capacity and is not permanent, secondary
storage devices are used to store large
amount of data permanently. Various
secondary devices available are Magnetic Disk
Hard Disk

The Magnetic Disk

The magnetic disk storage provides large
storage capability with moderate operating
speeds.
Magnetic disks stores information on one
or more circular platters or disks.
A disk pack generally contains 6 platters,
each platters having two surface, i.e. its
two sides.

The Magnetic disk

Continued..

The disks are continuously spinning.

These rotating disks are coated with a
magnetic material.
Information is recorded on the surface of
rotating disk by magnetic heads.
Information is stored on the bands formed
by the head(s).
Each band of information on a disk is a
circle, called a track.

Magnetic disk Continued.

All tracks are concentric circles.
Bits are recorded along a track in fixed
length physical blocks called sectors.
The Magnetic disk example is Hard disk.

Types of Magnetic Disks

The Hard Disk- The hard disk memories or
store information on one or more circular
platters(or disks)which are continually
spinning.
Concentric circles on the magnetized
surface of the magnetic disks are known as
tracks.
The tracks on the disk surface are divided
into invisible segments known as sectors.
Similar numbered tracks on different
platters of a hard disk form a Cylinder.

Optical Disks
With the advent of technology, the need
and requirement of high-storage devices
is on the rise.
The optical disks compared to magnetic
disks can provide higher recording
densities.
The optical storage techniques make use
of laser-beams for recording information.

Types of Optical Disks

The Compact Disk(CD).
Digital Video Disk or Digital Versatile Disk
(DVD)
DVD come in two formats:(i)DVD video Format
(ii)DVD-Rom

DVD Video Format

The DVD video format is used for home
movie entertainment through a DVD
player.
DVD players are backward compatible to
existing technologies, so they can play
Audio CD and CD-ROM format.

DVD-ROM
The DVD-ROM stores computer data.
DVD-ROM uses include interactive
games , Video file storage and
photographic storage.

Computer Security
It is the ability of a system to protect
information and system resources with
respect to confidentiality and integrity.

Basic Components of Computer

Security
Computer security is frequently associated
with three core areas, Which can be
conveniently summarized by the acronym
CIA.
Confidentiality
Integrity
Authentication

Threats to Computer Security

A threat is a potential violation of security.
When a threat is actually executed, it
becomes attack.
The persons who execute such actions or
cause them to be executed are called
attackers.

Common types of Threats

Some common threats are given below: Viruses
Worms
Trojans
Spyware
Adware
Spamming
Phishing

Computer Viruses
Computer viruses are malicious
codes/programs that cause damage to
data and files on a system. Two other
similar programs also cause virus like
effects. These are: Worms A worm is a self-replicating
program which eats up the entire disk
space or memory. A worm keeps on
creating its copies until all the disk space
or memory is filled.

Trojan Horses
A Trojan horses is a program that appears
harmless(such as text editor or a utility
program) but actually performs malicious
functions such as deleting or damaging
files.

Spyware
It is a software which is installed on your
computer to spy on your activities and
report this data to people willing to pay for
it. It track the user behavior and reports
information back to a central source.

Adware
These are the programs that deliver
unwanted ads to your computer(Generally
in the pop-up forms). They consume your
network bandwidth and hence slow the
browsing speed.