COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS AND PROGRAMMING
Computer - is an advanced electronic device that takes raw data as input from the
user and processes it under the control of a set of instructions, gives the result
(output), and saves it for future use.
Program - a set of instructions
Computer Fundamentals - foundational understanding of computer
hardware, software, operating systems, peripherals
Computer System - made up of both hardware and software.
Software - another term for a computer program.
- Controls the computer and makes it do useful work. Without software a
computer is useless.
Hardware - refers to the physical components that make up a computer system.
-Include the computer's processor, memory, monitor, keyboard, mouse,
disk drive, printer, and so on.
Hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then Software is its 'soul'.
Functionalities\ Components of a computer
• Takes data as input.
• Stores the data/instructions in its memory and use them when
required.
• Processes the data and converts it into useful information.
• Generates the output
• Controls all the above four steps.
Advantages
1) High Speed
- The computer has units of speed in microseconds,
nanoseconds, and even picoseconds.
- It can perform millions of calculations in a few seconds as compared
to a man who will spend many months doing the same task.
2)Accuracy
-The calculations are 100% error-free.
- Computers perform all jobs with 100% accuracy provided that
correct input has been given.
3)Storage Capability
- A computer has much more storage capacity than human beings.
- It can store any type of data such as images, videos, text, audio,
and many others.
4)Diligence
- computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of
concentration.
- It can work continuously without any error and boredom.
5)Versatility
- A computer is very flexible in performing the jobs to be done.
6)Reliability
- Modern electronic components have long lives.
- Computers are designed to make maintenance easy.
7)Automation
- Automation means the ability to perform a given task
automatically.
8)Reduction in Paper Work
- As data in electronic files can be retrieved as and when
required, the problem of maintenance of large numbers of paper files
gets reduced.
9)Reduction in Cost
- Though the initial investment for installing a computer is high,
it substantially reduces the cost of each of its transactions.
Disadvantages
1)No I.Q
- A computer is a machine that has no intelligence to perform
any task.
- A computer cannot make any decision on its own.
2)Dependency
- It functions as per a user’s instruction, so it is fully dependent on
human beings
3)Environment
-The operating environment of a computer should be dust-free
and suitable.
4)No Feeling
- Computers have no feelings or emotions.
- It cannot make a judgment
Input Unit
- contains devices with the help of which we enter data into the computer.
- This unit links the user and computer.
Input devices
- translate the information into a form understandable by computer.
Keyboard - the most common and very popular input device which helps in inputting data to the
computer.
Mouse - the most popular pointing device.
Joystick - also a pointing device that is used to move the cursor position on a monitor screen.
Light Pen - a pointing device that is similar to a pen.
Track Ball - used in a notebook or laptop computer, instead of a mouse.
Scanner - which works more like a photocopy machine.
Digitizer - converts analog information into digital form.
Microphone - input sound that is then stored in digital form.
CPU - (Central Processing Unit)
- Is considered as the brain of the computer.
- CPU itself has the following three components
• ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
• Memory Unit
• Control Unit
Output Unit
- consists of devices with the help of which we get the information from the computer.
- This unit is a link between computers and users.
Output Devices
- translate the computer's output into a form understandable by users.
Types of Computer
Computers can be broadly classified by their speed and computing power.
1. PC (Personal Computer)
- It is a single-user computer having a moderately powerful microprocessor
2. Work Station
-Similar to a personal computer but has a more powerful microprocessor
3. Mini Computer
- Multi-user computer system which is capable of supporting (250) users
simultaneously
4. Main Frame
- Software technology is different from minicomputers
5. Super Computer
- It is an extremely fast computer which can execute hundreds of millions of
instructions per second
Computer Memory
Memory - used to store the information that the computer is currently using.
- It is sometimes called primary memory.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
- a form of short-term or volatile memory. Information stored in short-
term storage is lost when the computer is switched off
Two Types of RAM
• Static RAM (SRAM)
• It has long life
• There is no need to refresh
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• It has short data lifetime
• Need to be refreshed continuously
• Slower as compared to SRAM
Read Only Memory (ROM)
- The memory from which we can only read but cannot write on it.
• Non-volatile in nature
• These cannot be accidentally changed
• Cheaper than rams
Types Of ROM
1)MROM (Masked ROM)
- The very first ROMs were hard-wired devices that contained a pre-programmed
set of data or instructions.
2)PROM (Programmable Read-only Memory)
- The user buys a blank PROM and enters the desired contents using a PROM
program.
3)EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)
- can be erased by exposing it to ultraviolet light for a duration of up to
40 minutes.
4)EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory)
- is programmed and erased electrically.
- It can be erased and reprogrammed about ten thousand times.
Computer virus - a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer
without your knowledge and runs against your wishes.
7 Types of computer virus
1. Resident Viruses - dwell in the RAM.
2. Multipartite Viruses - distributed through infected media and usually hide in the
memory.
3. Direct Action Viruses - the purpose is to replicate and take action when it is executed.
4. Overwrite Viruses - it deletes the information contained in the files.
5. Boot Virus - affects the boot sector of a floppy or hard disk.
6. Macro Virus - infect files that are created using certain applications or programs that
contain macros.
7. Directory Virus - change the paths that indicate the location of a file.
Antivirus - is computer software used to prevent, detect, and remove
malicious software.
Computer Language
- 1950’s first computer language
- Machine Language
- Assembly Language
- High-Level Language
JAVA SCRIPT – invented by Brendon Eich in 1955
C++ - developed by Bjarne Stroustrup at Bell Laboratories in 1979 names as “C with classes”
Number System
- A number system is a writing system for expressing a number
- The number of distinct symbols used in a number system is known as its Radix or Base.
Decimal number
- system is a base 10 number system having 10 digits from 0 to 9.
- Also called a position value system
Binary Number System
- The number system has just these two digits 0 and 1
- Each binary digit is also called a bit and bits for plural.
- The binary number is also a positional value system, where each digit has a value
expressed in powers of 2.
- In any binary number, the rightmost digit is called Least Significant Bit
(LSB) and the leftmost digit is called the Most Significant Bit (MSB).
Hexadecimal Number System - also a positional value system where each digit has its value
expressed in powers of 16.
Position
- is the power of a base. The value of position will determine the position of the digit in a
number system.
Weight
- is the product of the base raised to the power or the position.
Magnitude
- Magnitude is the sum of "digit * weight". The final product of the conversion.
Algorithm
- relates to the name of the mathematician Al-khowarizmi, which means a procedure or a
technique.
- A programming algorithm is a procedure or formula used for solving a problem.
Flowchart
- is a graphical representation of the steps a program takes to process data. It is
another commonly used programming tool.
John Von Neumann 1945
- The first design of a flowchart
Oval/ Terminal
- Used to represent the start and end of the flowchart.
Parallelogram/ Data
- Used for input and output operation
Rectangle/Process
- Used for input and output operation
Diamond/ Decision
- Used to represent the operation in which there are two/three alternatives,
true and false etc.
Arrow/ Flow line
- Used to connect the symbols.
Circle/On Page Connector
- Used to connect parts of a flowchart continued on the same page.
Pseudo
- greek "pseudes", meaning false.
- is a detailed yet readable description of what a computer program or algorithm must do.
- It uses a mixture of English and informal program constructs, which provides a
high-level understanding.
Sequence
- A sequence is the order of tasks in an algorithm.
IF-THEN-ELSE - is a construct that describes part of an algorithm with two potential outcomes.
CASE - is the construct for conditional statements with multiple outcomes.
FOR - is a command that shows a repeating action or a loop.
REPEAT-UNTIL - construct is a loop that continues until a particular situation
happens.
WHILE - is a looping element that explains the limits of the loop at the beginning of the
statement.
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