Fundamentals of Computing

Dr. Deepanwita Das

Department Of Computer Science & Engineering
National Institute Of Technology Durgapur

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Acknowledgement
The contents (figures, concepts, graphics, texts etc.) of the slides are gathered
and utilized from the books mentioned and the corresponding PPTs available
online:

Books:
1. Let Us C, Yashawant Kanetkar, BPB Publications.
2. The C Programming Language, B. W. Kernighan, D. Ritchie, Pearson
Education India.

Web References:
1. Problem Solving through Programming in C, Anupam Basu, NPTEL Video
Lectures. Link: https://nptel.ac.in/courses/106/105/106105171/
2. Compile and Execute C Online (Link:
https://www.onlinegdb.com/)

Disclaimer: The study materials/presentations are solely meant for academic

purposes and they can be reused, reproduced, modified, and distributed by
others for academic purposes only with proper acknowledgements.
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 The Term Computing
• To compute is to calculate
• We encounter various problems in our day to day life. Some of
them can be solved logically by following certain steps.
• We can solve some problems or can perform certain
computing tasks through the help of computer programs.
• A computer program is a collection of instructions that can
be executed by a computer to perform a specific task.
• To perform different tasks of computation we need to learn
programming.
• A computer program is usually written by a computer
programmer in a programming language.

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 A Computer System
• A computer is an electronic device, operating under the
control of instructions (software) that is stored in its own
memory unit, that can accept data (input), manipulate data
(process), and produce information (output) from the
processing.
• Generally, the term is used to describe a collection of devices
that function together as a system.
• Computers can perform four general operations, which
comprise the information processing cycle.

 Input Input Process Output

 Process
 Output Store Data
 Storage
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 Why Is A Computer So Powerful?

• The ability to perform the information processing

cycle with amazing speed.
• Reliability (low failure rate).
• Accuracy.
• Ability to store huge amounts of data and
information.
• Ability to communicate with other computers.

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 How Does a Computer Know what
to do?
• It must be given a detailed list of instructions, called
a compute program or software, that tells it exactly
what to do.
• Before processing a specific job, the computer
program corresponding to that job must be stored in
memory.
• Once the program is stored in memory the
computer can start the operation by executing the
program instructions one after the other.

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 Applications of Computer
Computers in Daily Life
• Accounts
• Games
• Educational
• On-line banking
• Smart ID cards
• Supermarkets
• Working from home
• Internet

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 History of Computers

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 Basic Anatomy of Computer

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 The Primary Components of A
Computer
• Input devices.
• Central Processing Unit
(containing the control
unit and the
arithmetic/logic unit).
• Memory.
• Output devices.
• Storage devices.

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 Basic Block Diagram of Computer

CPU

ALU

Input Output
Device Device
Control Unit

Memory Unit

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 Computer System
A computer system consists of three primary units:
1. Input units – accept data
2. Processor unit – processes data by performing comparisons and
calculations
3. Output units – present the results
MONITOR

PROCESSOR

Storage
KEYBOARD
devices

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 Computer System
Input Devices

• Data are facts, numbers and characters that are entered into
the computer via keyboard.
• Other types of input devices are mouse, joystick, light pens,
scanners, camera, etc.

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 Computer System
Computer Input Devices
• Keyboard • Touch screen
• Mouse/Trackball • Bar code reader
• Joystick • Scanner
• Light pen • Microphone
• Pointing Stick • Graphics Tablet
• Touchpad • Digital Cameras

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 Computer System
Processor Unit

• Two main parts:

• CPU – where the actual processing takes
place; and
• Main memory – where data are stored.
• The contents of main memory can be
transferred to auxiliary storage devices such
as hard disks, floppy diskettes, zip disks,
compact disks, or USB flash disk.

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 Computer System
Central Processing Unit
• The microprocessor, the brains of the computer. Referred to a
CPU or processor
• Housed on a tiny silicon chip
• Chip contains millions of switches and pathways that help your
computer make important decisions.
• CPU knows which switches to turn on and which to turn off
because it receives its instructions from computer programs
(software).
• CPU has two primary sections:
• Arithmetic/logic unit
• Control unit

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 Computer System
Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU):
• Performs arithmetic computations and logical operations; by
combining these two operations the ALU can execute
complex tasks.
• Arithmetic operations include addition, subtractions,
multiplication, and division.
• Logical operations involve comparisons.
Control Unit: is the “boss” and coordinates all of the CPU’s
activities.
• Uses programming instructions, it controls the flow of
information through the processor by controlling what
happens inside the processor.
• Control units fetch and decode machine instructions. Control
units may also control some external devices.
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 Computer System
Memory

Found on the motherboard

 Short term

Random Access Memory (RAM)

 Long term

Read Only Memory (ROM)

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 Computer System
Random Access Memory (RAM)

• “Temporary Memory” – Short Term

• Memory on the motherboard that is short term; where
data, information, and program instructions are stored
temporarily on a RAM chip or a set of RAM chips, known as
the main memory.
• This memory is considered to be volatile.
• The computer can read from and write to RAM.
• When the computer is turned off or if there is loss of
power, what ever is stored in RAM disappears.

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 Computer System
Read-Only Memory (ROM)

• Memory on the motherboard that is long term; where the

specific instructions that are needed for the computer to
operate are stored.
• This memory is nonvolatile and your computer can only read
from a ROM chip.
• The instructions remain on the chip regardless if the power is
turned on or off.
• Most common is the BIOS ROM; where the computer uses
instructions contained on this chip to boot or start the system
when you turn on your computer.
• “Permanent Memory” – Long Term

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 Computer System
Output Unit
• After the data has been processed, the results are output in the
form of useful information.
• Output units such as monitors and printers make the result
accessible for use by people.
Monitor: screen that display information such as text, numbers,
and pictures-softcopy.
Printer: gives you information from the computer in printed
form – hardcopy.
Speakers: allow you to hear voice, music, and other sounds from
your computer.
Modem: allows you to use your computer to communicate with
other computers.

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 The Parts of a Computer System

• A complete computer system includes four distinct

parts:
• Hardware
• Software
• Firmware
• User

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 Computer Software
• A computer system is referred to have software and hardware.
• Software refers to programs that make the machine do something. Many
software packages exist for today’s computers. They include word
processing, database processing, spreadsheets, operating systems, and
compilers etc.
• Software is usually classified as system software and application
software.
• Application Software: are the combinations of programs, which are
designed to perform a specific operation. This type of software performs
all the specialized tasks that computers are used for: payroll, video
editing, gif animator, computer aided design, airline reservations, email,
chat.
• Systems software: controls the operations of a computer and the other
types of software that it runs. Examples of systems software include the
operating system, device drivers, programming languages, compilers,
assemblers and translators
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