KCA101: FUNDAMENTAL OF COMPUTERS & EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
What is Computer?
• A computer is a programmable electronic device that accepts data as input and
processes it with a set of instructions (a program) to produce the result as output.
• A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has
the ability to store, retrieve, and process data.
Block Diagram of Computer
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Block Diagram of Computer
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Input Unit
The input unit comprises different devices. Like a mouse, keyboard,
scanner, etc. In other words, each of these devices acts as a mediator
between the users and the computer.
•The 3 major functions of the input unit are-
1.Take the data to be processed by the user.
2.Convert the given data into machine-readable form.
3.And then, transmit the converted data into the main memory of the
computer.
Block Diagram of Computer
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CPU
Central Processing Unit or the CPU, is the brain of
the computer. It works the same way a human
brain works. As the brain controls all human
activities, the CPU too controls all tasks.
CPU Components are :
1.CU
2.ALU
3.Main Memory
Block Diagram of Computer
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CU(Control Unit)
the control unit of a central processing unit is responsible for directing the overall
operation of a computer. In addition to this, it exercises control over all devices
connected to the CPU, including memory and input/output devices.
Functions of Control Unit
Control unit performs mainly following functions −
1.It controls all activities of computer
2.Supervises flow of data within CPU
3.Transfers data to Arithmetic Logical Unit
4.Transfers results to memory
5.Fetches results from memory to output devices
Block Diagram of Computer
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ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)
•Data inserted through the input unit into the primary memory. Performs the basic
arithmetical operation on it. Like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
•It performs all sorts of calculations required on the data. Then sends back data to
the storage.The unit is also responsible for performing logical operations like,
AND, OR, Equal to, Less than, etc.
• In addition to this it conducts merging, sorting, and selection of the given data.
What is Computer ?
Memory Unit
•All the data that has to be processed or has been processed is stored in the
memory unit. The memory unit acts as a hub of all the data. It transmits it to the
required part of the computer whenever necessary.
•The memory unit works in sync with the CPU. This helps in faster accessing and
processing of the data. Thus, making tasks easier and faster.
•There are two types of computer memory-
1.Primary memory
2.Secondary Memory or auxiliary memory
Block Diagram of Computer
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Output Unit:
• All the information sent to the computer once processed is received by the user
through the output unit. Devices like printers, monitors, projector, etc. all come
under the output unit.
•The output unit displays the data either in the form of a soft copy or hard copy.
The printer is for the hard copy. The monitor is for the display .
•The output unit accepts the data in binary form from the computer. It then
converts it into a readable form for the user.
What is Computer Hardware?
•Computer hardware consists of interconnected electronic devices that
we can use to control computer’s operation, input and output.
Examples of hardware are CPU, keyboard, mouse, hard disk, etc.
•Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as
central processing unit, random access memory, monitor, mouse,
keyboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card, speakers
and motherboard.
What is Computer Software ?
•Computer software refers to programming code that is executed on the
computer hardware that facilitates the completion of tasks by a computer.
•Software instructions are programmed in a computer language, translated
into machine language, and executed by computer.
•Example:
Type of Software ?
•
System Software?
•system software basically controls a computer’s internal
functioning and also controls hardware devices such as
monitors, printers, and storage devices, etc.
•It is like an interface between hardware and user
applications
•Example:
OS,Language Preprocessor,Driver
System Software?
•Some Common Example of System software are:
Operating System: It is the most prominent example of
System Software. It is a collection of software that
handles resources and provides general services for the
other applications that run over them.
Ex: windows,linux,unix etc
Device Drivers: It is a type of software that controls
particular hardware which is attached to the system.
Ex: Motherboard Drivers, Printer Drivers, ROM Drivers
Sound card Driver ,USB Drivers etc
System Software?
Firmware: it is the permanent software that is embedded into
a read-only memory. It is a set of instructions permanently
stored on a hardware device. It provides essential information
regarding how the device interacts with other hardware.
Ex:
•Embedded Systems.
•Code inside a printer (in addition to the printer driver that is on the computer)
•Remote controller
•Software controlling newer household appliances (microwave ovens,
washing machine, etc.)
System Software?
Programming Language Translators: These are mediator
programs on which software programs rely to translate
high-level language code to simpler machine-level code.
Ex: Compiler ,Interpreter
Utility: Utility software is designed to aid in analyzing,
optimizing, configuring and maintaining a computer system.
Ex: Windows File Explorer ,File Management
System,disc management system etc
7625 Software?
Application
•application software is designed to perform a specific
task for end-users.
• It is a product or a program that is designed only to fulfill
end-users’ requirements.
•Example :
word processors, spreadsheets, database management
etc.
Difference between Hardware and
Software ?
Sr.
Software Hardware
No.
It is a collection of programs
It includes physical components of
1 to bring computer hardware
computer system.
system into operation.
The software is categorized as
The hardware consists of input
operating system, utilities,
2 devices, output devices, memory,
language processor,
etc.
application software, etc.
Hardware design is based on
Software products evolve by
architectural decisions to make it
adding new features to
3 work over a range of
existing programs to support
environmental conditions and
hardware.
time.
Difference between Hardware
and Software ?
Sr.N
Software Hardware
o.
It will vary as per
computer and its built-in It is mostly constructed for all
4
functions and types of computer systems.
programming language.
It is designed and
The hardware can understand
developed by experienced
5 only low-level language or
programmers in high-level
machine language.
language.
Hardware Component ?
•Computer systems consist of mainly three components
1.Central Processing Unit
2.Input devices
3.Output devices
.
CPU ?
• The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is called "the brain of computer" as
it controls operation of all parts of computer. It consists of two
components: Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), and Control Unit.
• .
ALU?
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Data entered into computer is sent to RAM, from where it is then sent to ALU,
where rest of data processing takes place.
All types of processing, such as comparisons, decision-making and processing
of non-numeric information takes place here and once again data is moved to
RAM.
CU?
Control Unit(CU)
As name indicates, this part of CPU extracts instructions, maintains and directs
operations of entire system.
Functions of Control Unit
Control unit performs mainly following functions −
1.It controls all activities of computer
2.Supervises flow of data within CPU
3.Transfers data to Arithmetic Logical Unit
4.Transfers results to memory
5.Fetches results from memory to output devices
Input Devices
An input device is any hardware device that sends data to a
computer, allowing you to interact with and control it. Some Important
Input Devices are as follow :
1.Keyboard
2.Mouse
3.Scanner
Input Devices
1)Keyboard :
•It is a basic input device that is used to enter data into a computer or
any other electronic device by pressing keys.
• It has different sets of keys for letters, numbers, characters, and
functions.
2) Mouse
•The mouse is a hand-held input device which is used to move cursor or
pointer across the screen. It is designed to be used on a flat surface
and generally has left and right button and a scroll wheel between
them.
•Laptop computers come with a touchpad that works as a mouse.
Input Devices
3) Scanner
The scanner uses the pictures and pages of text as input. It scans the
picture or a document. The scanned picture or document then
converted into a digital format or file and is displayed on the screen as
an output. It uses optical character recognition techniques to convert
images into digital ones.
Other input devices :
•Joystick
•Light pen
•Digitizer
•Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
•BCR
•Touch screen
•Etc
Output Devices
An output device is a piece of computer hardware that receives data from
a computer and then translates that data into another form. That form
may be audio, visual, textual, or hard copy such as a printed document.
Output Devices
Some common output Devices are :
1.Monitor
The monitor is the display unit or screen of the computer. It is the main
output device that displays the processed data or information as text,
images, audio or video.
2.Printer
A printer produces hard copies of the processed data. It enables the user,
to print images, text or any other information onto the paper.
Output Devices
3.Projector
A projector is an output device that enables the user to project the output
onto a large surface such as a big screen or wall. It can be connected to
a computer and similar devices to project their output onto a screen.
4.Plotter
Plotters are used to print graphical output on paper. • It interprets
computer commands and makes line drawings on paper using
multicolored automated pens. It is capable of producing big graphs,
drawings, charts, maps etc.
Output Devices
Suggestions :
Type of Printer
Type of monitor
Memory Unit
Memory is basically a device that has the capacity to store
information. A memory unit is the amount of data that the
memory can hold.
Primary Memory
This is the internal memory that stores the data and
instructions of the CPU. It is volatile in nature (data is lost
when the power is disconnected).
RAM
•It is also called read-write memory or the main memory
or the primary memory.
•The programs and data that the CPU requires during
the execution of a program are stored in this memory.
•It is a volatile memory as the data lost when the power
is turned off.
SRAM and DRAM
•RAM is further classified into two
types-
1.SRAM (Static Random Access
Memory)
2.DRAM (Dynamic Random Access
Memory).
// and DRAM
SRAM
Sr.No. SRAM DRAM
Transistors are used to store information Capacitors are used to
1.
in SRAM. store data in DRAM.
To store information for
a longer time, contents
Capacitors are not used hence no
2. of the capacitor needs to
refreshing is required.
be refreshed
periodically.
DRAM provides slow
3. SRAM is faster as compared to DRAM.
access speeds.
4. These are expensive. These are cheaper.
DRAMs are high density
5. SRAMs are low density devices.
devices.
These are used in main
6. These are used in cache memories.
memories.
ROM
•Stores crucial information essential to operate the system, like
the program essential to boot the computer.
•It is not volatile.
•Always retains its data.
•Used in embedded systems or where the programming needs no
change.
ROM
•ROM is further classified into 4 types-
1.PROM
2.EPROM
3.EEPROM
4.MROM
Type of ROM
ROM is further classified into 4 types-
1.PROM (Programmable read-only memory) -It is essentially a
blank version of ROM that you can purchase and program . It can
be programmed by the user. Once programmed, the data and
instructions in it cannot be changed.
2.EPROM (Erasable Programmable read only memory)
–EPROM chips allow you to write and rewrite them many times. It
can be reprogrammed. To erase data from it, expose it to
ultraviolet light. To reprogram it, erase all the previous data.
Type of ROM
3.EEPROM (Electrically erasable programmable read only
memory) – The data can be erased by applying an electric field,
with no need for ultraviolet light. you can rewrite EEPROM without
dedicated equipment, without removing it from the hardware.
4.MROM(Masked ROM) – The very first ROMs were hard-wired
devices that contained a pre-programmed set of data or
instructions. These kind of ROMs are known as masked ROMs.
Type of ROM
3.EEPROM (Electrically erasable programmable read only
memory) – The data can be erased by applying an electric field,
with no need for ultraviolet light. you can rewrite EEPROM without
dedicated equipment, without removing it from the hardware.
4.MROM(Masked ROM) – The very first ROMs were hard-wired
devices that contained a pre-programmed set of data or
instructions. These kind of ROMs are known as masked ROMs,
Difference between RAM &ROM
Secondary Memory
If we need to store large amount of data or programs
permanently, we need a cheaper and permanent
memory. Such memory is called secondary memory.
Characteristics of Secondary Memory:
•It is non-volatile, i.e. it retains data when power is
switched off
•It has large capacities
•It is cheaper as compared to primary memory
End Part One
Thank You
