Cfoa Unit 1
Cfoa Unit 1
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
COMPUTER
Computer: is an electronic device that operates (works) under the
control of programs stored in its own memory unit.
A computer is an electronic machine that processes raw data to
give information as output.
An electronic device that accepts data as input, and transforms it
under the influence of a set of special instructions called
Programs, to produce the desired output (referred to as
Information).
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER
2. Accuracy
A Computer performs calculations with 100% accuracy. Errors may
occur due to data inconsistency or inaccuracy.
3. Diligence
A computer can perform millions of tasks or calculations with the same
consistency and accuracy. It doesn’t feel any fatigue or lack of
concentration. Its memory also makes it superior to that of human
beings.
4. Versatility
Versatility refers to the capability of a computer to perform different
kinds of works with same accuracy and efficiency.
5. Reliability
A computer is reliable as it gives consistent result for similar set of data
i.e., if we give same set of input any number of times, we will get the
same result.
6. Automation
Computer performs all the tasks automatically i.e. it performs tasks
without manual intervention.
7. Memory
A computer has built-in memory called primary memory where it stores
data. Secondary storage are removable devices such as CDs, pen drives,
etc., which are also used to store data.
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF COMPUTER
A digital computer is considered to be a calculating device that
can perform arithmetic operations at enormous speed. It is
defined as a device that operates upon information/data. To be
able to process data the computer is made of various functional
units to perform its specified task.
Input Unit:
Computers need to receive data and instruction in order to solve
any problem. Therefore, we need to input the data and instructions
into the computers. The input unit consists of one or more input
devices. Keyboard is the one of the most commonly used input
device. Other commonly used input devices are the Mouse,
Scanner, Microphone etc. All the input devices perform the
following functions.
Storage Unit:
The storage unit of the computer holds data and instructions that
are entered through the input unit, before they are processed. It
preserves the intermediate and final results before these are sent
to the output devices. It also saves the data for the later use. The
various storage devices of a computer system are divided into two
categories.
a) Primary Storage: Stores and provides very fast. This memory is
generally used to hold the program being currently executed in
the computer, the data being received from the input unit, the
intermediate and final results of the program. The primary
memory is temporary in nature. The data is lost, when the
computer is switched off. In order to store the data
permanently, the data has to be transferred to the secondary
memory. The cost of the primary storage is more compared to
the secondary storage. Therefore, most computers have limited
primary storage capacity.
b) Secondary Storage: Secondary storage is used like an archive. It
stores several programs, documents, databases etc. The
programs that you run on the computer are first transferred to
the primary memory before it is actually run. Whenever the
results are saved, again they get stored in the secondary
memory. The secondary memory is slower and cheaper than the
primary memory. Some of the commonly used secondary
memory devices are Hard disk, CD, etc.,
Memory Size:
All digital computers use the binary system, i.e. 0’s and 1’s. Each
character or a number is represented by an 8-bit code.
The set of 8 bits is called a byte. A character occupies 1-byte space.
A numeric occupies 2-byte space. Byte is the space occupied in the
memory.
The size of the primary storage is specified in KB (Kilobytes) or MB
(Megabyte). One KB is equal to 1024 bytes and one MB is equal to
1000KB. The size of the primary storage in a typical PC usually starts
at 16MB. PCs having 32 MB, 48MB, 128 MB, 256MB memory are
quite common.
Output Unit:
The output unit of a computer provides the information and results
of a computation to outside world. Printers, Visual Display Unit
(VDU) are the commonly used output devices. Other commonly
used output devices are Speaker, Headphone, and Projector etc.
TYPES OF COMPUTER
There are three major categories based on which computers can be
classified. These are:
1. Based on Size
2. Based on Purpose
3. Based on Types
Types of Computer-Based on Types
The three types of computers along with their functions are given
below:
TYPES OF LANGUAGE
2. High-Level Language
High-Level Languages are the advanced development languages in
the evolution of computer languages. The main goal of these
languages is to make programming easier and less error-free.
These high-level languages use words and commands along with
symbols and numbers. High-Level Programming languages are
created to be more user-friendly and easier for humans to
understand than Low-level languages. They use keywords similar
to English words, making coding more intuitive. Here are some
examples of High-Level Programming languages are-
C
C++
Java
Java Script
Python
C#
PHP
Difference between High Level and Low-Level Language:-
s.no High-level language Low-level-language
1. High Level Languages are easily Low-Level languages are hard
understood by humans as they to understand by humans
use English statements. because of the usage of binary
numbers which can be easily
understood by computers.
2. These languages are human- These languages are
friendly. programmer friendly.
3. This takes a long time to be Program Execution time is
executed. less.
4. These are simple to These are complex to
maintain. maintain.
5. Debugging is easy in High-Level Debugging is hard in
languages. Low-level languages.
DRIVES
Purpose
Directories help users locate specific data, applications, or services
within a system.
Navigation
Users can navigate through the directory structure using commands or
graphical interfaces provided by their operating system or application.
Directory entries
Each directory entry contains a file or subdirectory name and an index
node reference number (i-node number).
Deleting a directory
To delete a folder, right-click it and then choose "Delete". Windows
will warn you before allowing you to delete the folder, and sometimes
will force you to delete all of the files inside first.
MEMORY
2. Secondary Memory
It is also known as auxiliary memory and backup memory. It is a non-
volatile memory and used to store a large amount of data or
information. The data or information stored in secondary memory is
permanent, and it is slower than primary memory. A CPU cannot
access secondary memory directly. The data/information from the
auxiliary memory is first transferred to the main memory, and then
the CPU can access it.
DVDs
The term “DVD” stands for “Digital Versatile/Video Disc,” and there
are two sorts of DVDs:
o DVDR (writable)
o DVDRW (Re-Writable)
DVD-ROMS (Digital Versatile Discs): These are read-only memory
(ROM) discs that can be used in a variety of ways. When compared
to CD-ROMs, they can store a lot more data. It has a thick
polycarbonate plastic layer that serves as a foundation for the other
layers. It’s an optical memory that can read and write data.
DVD-R: DVD-R is a writable optical disc that can be used just once.
It’s a DVD that can be recorded. It’s a lot like WORM. DVD-
ROMs have capacities ranging from 4.7 to 17 GB. The capacity of 3.5
inch disk is 1.3 GB.
3. Cache Memory
It is a type of high-speed semiconductor memory that can help the
CPU run faster. Between the CPU and the main memory, it serves as a
buffer. It is used to store the data and programs that the CPU uses the
most frequently.
STORAGE DEVICES
A hardware device which can be used to store digital data and
applications which may be in the form of images, video, audio, etc.
is called a storage device.
PRINTER
Qualities of Printers
Color: Colored printers can print in both i.e, colored and black-and-
white. Hence, colored printers are more expensive than normal
printers.
Resolution: Printer’s resolution is usually measured in dpi(dots per
inch). Expensive printers have resolutions of about 550 to 600 dpi.
Speed: For printing a good amount of stuff you need to have a fast
printer. Hence, speed is an important factor while considering
printers.
Memory: It is also an important factor for printers as having enough
memory will result in good speed and better performance.
Type of Printers
Depending upon the printing methods and the quality of images
produced, printers are of two major types:
1. Impact Printers
2. Non-Impact Printers
Impact Printers
This type of printer works with paper via direct contact with an ink
ribbon. It has similar mechanisms as of typewriter.
Examples of Impact Printer are Daisy-Wheel Printers, Dot -Matrix
Printers, Line Printers, etc.
1. Daisy-Wheel Printers: Daisy wheel printing is a mechanical impact
printing technology. It is called daisy-wheel because its printing
mechanism looks like a daisy. Its speed is usually 25-50 characters per
second.
2. Dot-Matrix Printers: The Dot-Matrix printers uses 9 to 24 pin print
heads depending upon the quality print required. 24 pin printers
produce more clarity that 9 pins dot-matrix printer. More number of
pins results in more clarity. Usually inexpensive and speed ranges
between 100 and 550 characters per second.
3. Line Printers: Line Printers (also called line-at-a-time printers) ,as
the name suggests it can print whole line at once. Speed ranges
somewhere between 1,000 to 6,000 lines per minute.
Non-Impact Printers
Non-Impact Printers do not need to touch the ink ribbon to print the
documents. Maintenance of Non-Impact printers is easier than Impact
printers.
Examples of non impact printer are Inkjet printers, Laser Printers and
etc.1. Inkjet Printers: The inkjet printers are the most common and
NUMBER SYSTEM
Number System is a method of representing numbers on the
number line with the help of a set of Symbols and rules. These
symbols range from 0-9 and are termed as digits. Let’s learn about
the number system in detail, including its types, and conversion.
Types of Number System
The four common types of Number System are:
1. Decimal Number System
2. Binary Number System
3. Octal Number System
4. Hexadecimal Number System