Prepared By:

Ms. Madhulika Pandey

Unit 1: Computer Systems and Organisation

Topics Covered:
● Basic computer organisation: Introduction to Computer System, hardware, software, input
device, output device, CPU, memory (primary, cache and secondary), units of memory (bit,
byte, KB, MB, GB, TB, PB)

1. Introduction to Computer System

A computer is an electronic machine that can:

 Take input
 Process it
 Store data
 Give output

Basic Functions:

Every task given to a computer follows an Input Process Output Cycle (IPO Cycle).

2. Basic Components of a Computer System

A computer system has 3 main parts:

a) Input Unit
b) CPU
c) Output Unit

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a) Input Devices

Used to give data/instructions to the computer.

Examples:

 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Scanner
 Microphone

b) Output Devices

Used to show the result to the user.

Examples:

 Monitor
 Printer
 Speakers
 Projector

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c) Central Processing Unit (CPU)

This is the brain of the computer. It processes all the data.

CPU has 3 parts:

 ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): Does calculations and logic tasks. It performs arithmetic (+,-
,*,/) and logical( AND,OR,NOT,XOR) operations and the result is returned to memory.
 CU (Control Unit): Controls the flow of data from input devices to memory and from
memory to output devices. It sends control signals to ALU and memory for carrying out
the desired operations.
 Registers: Small memory inside the CPU for fast operations. It works as per the
instructions given by CU. It sores data immediately required for performing an operation.

d) Memory / Storage

Stores data and instructions.

3. Types of Memory

a) Primary Memory (Main Memory):

 Directly used by the CPU.

 Fast but limited in size.
 Examples: RAM, ROM

i) RAM (Random Access Memory):

 Temporary memory (data is lost when power is off) hence known as volatile
memory.
 Used to store data during running programs.
 They are of two types:

 SRAM(Static RAM): Uses flip flops to store data. It is faster than DRAM.
They are used in Cache memory
 DRAM(Dynamic RAM): Uses transistors and capacitors to store data.
They are used in main memory.

ii) ROM (Read Only Memory):

 Instructions placed in ROM during its manufacturing and can’t be changed

afterwards
 Permanent and non-volatile memory (data is not lost).
 Stores booting instructions, procedures to load operating system.

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 It is slower than RAM.

 The different types of ROM are:

 PROM(Programmable Read only Memory)

 EPROM(Erasable Programmable Read only Memory)
 EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read only Memory)

b) Cache Memory:

 Very fast memory inside or near CPU.

 Stores frequently used data.
 Faster than RAM but smaller in size.
 When CPU needs certain data present in RAM, request is first sent to cache which holds
recently used data. It reduces access time and improves overall performance of the data.

c) Secondary Memory:

 Used for permanent storage.

 Slower than primary memory but larger in size.
 Examples:
o Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
o Solid State Drive (SSD)
o Pen Drive
o CD/DVD

4. Units of Memory

Data is stored in binary form (0s and 1s). The smallest unit is a bit.

1 Bit (b) = Smallest unit (0 or 1)

1 Byte (B) = 8 Bits
1 Kilobyte (KB) = 1024 Bytes
1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024 KB
1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB
1 Terabyte (TB) = 1024 GB
1 Petabyte (PB) = 1024 TB
1 Exabyte (EB) = 1024 PB
1 Zettabyte (ZB) = 1024 EB
1 Yottabyte (YB) = 1024 ZB
1 Brontobyte (BB)= 1024 YB
1 Geobyte (GBY) = 1024 Brontobytes

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5. Hardware and Software

a) Hardware

 Physical parts of a computer you can touch.

Examples: Monitor, CPU, Keyboard, Mouse

b) Software

 Set of instructions that tell the computer what to do.

Types of Software:

 System Software: Helps to run the computer (like Windows, Linux).

 Application Software: Used for specific tasks (like MS Word, games).

Unit 1.2
Topics Covered:
● Types of software: System software (Operating systems, system utilities, device drivers),
programming tools and language translators (assembler, compiler, and interpreter), application
software

Software: A software is a set of instructions (programs) that tell the computer what to do. It is
designed to perform a function.

Four Main Types of Software

Software
├── 1. System Software

└── 2. Application Software

└──3. Utility Software

└──4. Programming Tools

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1. System Software

System software helps run and manage the computer hardware.

It acts as a bridge between user and hardware.

a) Operating System (OS)

It acts as an interface between the user and hardware of the computer. It is the first program to
be executed after BIOS(Basic Input output system) in computer. It manages all the activities of a
computer like:

 File management
 Device Management
 Resource Management
 Input/output handling
 Memory management
 Running programs

Examples:

 Windows
 Linux
 macOS
 Android

Diagram: Role of OS

b) System Utilities

These are small tools used to maintain the computer system.

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Examples:

 Antivirus software (e.g., Avast, Quick Heal)

 Disk cleanup tools
 File compression tools (e.g., WinRAR, 7-Zip)

c) Device Drivers

A device driver is a special software that allows hardware to work properly with the computer.

Examples:

 Printer driver
 Keyboard driver
 Graphics card driver

Without drivers, hardware like printers and sound cards won’t work!

2. Programming Tools and Language Translators

The computer understands the instructions in machine code. The source code written in high
level language/ assembly language is converted into machine code using language translators.
These are used to write and translate programs written by programmers.

a) Assembler

Used to convert assembly language into machine language (binary).

Example:
MOV A, B

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Assembler changes it to binary code (like 10101001).

b) Compiler

 Converts entire program at once into machine language.

 Fast execution after compilation.

Example Languages: C, C++, Java

c) Interpreter

 Converts and executes line-by-line.

 Slower than a compiler but easier for debugging.

Example Languages: Python, JavaScript

Diagram:

Source Code (Python)

↓
Interpreter
↓
Executes Line-by-Line

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Point of
Compiler Assembler Interpreter
Difference
High-level language (like
Input Language High-level language (like C, C++) Assembly language
Python, JavaScript)
Machine code (whole program
Output Machine code Machine code (line-by-line)
at once)
Translation Translates the entire program Translates each Translates and executes one
Method at once assembly instruction line at a time
Speed Fast after compilation Fast Slower than compiler
Shows errors for each Shows error line-by-line
Error Handling Shows all errors after compiling
instruction during execution
Example Assembly language (low-
C, C++, Java (with compiler) Python, JavaScript
Languages level)
Creates a separate machine Does not create a separate
Output File Creates machine code
code file (e.g., .exe) file

3. Application Software

These are programs used to perform specific tasks for the user.

Examples:

 MS Word → Writing documents

 MS Excel → Calculations
 Paint → Drawing
 Chrome → Browsing

Types of Application Software:

Type Purpose Examples

General Purpose Used by everyone MS Office, Browser

Custom Software Made for specific users/companies School fee system

Open Source Software Free to use and modify LibreOffice, GIMP

Proprietary Software Paid software, not editable Photoshop, MS Office

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4. Utility Software

Utility software helps in maintaining and protecting the computer.

Common Uses:

 Clean unwanted files

 Scan and remove viruses
 Manage files
 Backup data

Examples:

Utility Type What it Does Example

Antivirus Removes viruses Quick Heal, Avast

Disk Cleanup Deletes temporary files Windows Disk Cleanup

File Compression Reduces file size WinRAR, 7-Zip

Backup Software Saves a copy of data Google Drive Backup

Feature / Application
System Software Utility Software Programming Tools
Point Software
Runs and controls Helps programmers
Helps users do Maintains and
Purpose the entire computer write and run
specific tasks protects the computer
system programs
Computer system / System and users (for Programmers /
Used By End users
background process maintenance) developers
Application tasks
Hardware and System performance Programming
Works With (writing, browsing,
system resources and file management languages
etc.)
Antivirus, Disk Compiler,
Windows, Linux, MS Word, Google
Examples Cleanup, File Interpreter,
Device drivers Chrome, Paint
Compressor (7-Zip) Assembler
Sometimes comes Comes with
Installed With Yes, usually comes No, installed as
with OS or installed programming
OS? with OS needed
later software or IDEs
Direct User Not often used Used directly by Not used directly all Used by developers,
Interaction directly users the time not regular users

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Unit 1.3
Topics Covered:
● Operating System(OS): functions of the operating system, OS user interface

Operating Sytem:

An Operating System (OS) is system software that acts as an interface between the user and
the computer hardware.
It manages all hardware, software, memory, and devices.

Main Functions of Operating System

The OS performs several important tasks to manage the computer system:

a) Memory Management

 Keeps track of each byte of memory (RAM).

 Allocates memory to programs when they run.
 Frees memory when not needed.
 Prevents programs from accessing each other’s memory.

Example: If you open a browser and MS Word, the OS gives some memory to each program

b) Process Management

 A process is a program that is running.

 The OS:
o Creates and deletes processes.
o Schedules which process runs when.
o Allocates CPU time.
o Manages multi-tasking (running more than one program at a time).

Example: When you listen to music while typing in Word, the OS keeps both programs running
smoothly.

c) File Management

 Organizes files into folders/directories.

 Manages file creation, editing, deletion, storage.
 Maintains file security and access permissions.

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Example: Saving your homework file in a folder — OS helps store and find it.

d) Device Management

 Manages all input/output devices like keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, etc.
 Uses special programs called device drivers to help devices communicate with the
system.
 Controls access to devices and avoids conflicts.

Example: You plug in a USB mouse, and the OS automatically starts using it.

e) Security Management

 Protects system resources from unauthorized access.

 Provides user authentication (login, password).
 Can use encryption, firewalls, and user roles.

Example: You need to enter a password to log in to Windows — that’s security management.

f) User Interface Management

 Allows the user to interact with the system.

 Can be Command Line Interface (CLI) or Graphical User Interface (GUI).

OS User Interface

A User Interface (UI) is the way a user interacts with a computer or device.
It can be text-based, graphical, voice-based, touch-based, or gesture-based.

Types of User Interfaces

1. Command Line Interface (CLI)

 A text-based interface.
 User types commands using the keyboard.
 Requires knowledge of correct commands.

Features:

 Fast for expert users.

 Uses less memory.

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 No graphics.

Examples:

 MS-DOS
 Linux Terminal
 UNIX Shell

2. Graphical User Interface (GUI)

 A visual interface with icons, buttons, windows, and menus.
 User interacts using a mouse, touchpad, or touchscreen.

Features:

 Easy to use.
 Suitable for beginners.
 Supports multitasking.

Examples:

 Windows
 macOS
 Android
 Ubuntu (with desktop interface)

3. Gesture-Based User Interface

 The user interacts using hand or body movements.
 Uses cameras or sensors to detect gestures.

Features:

 Touch-free control.
 Useful in games, smart TVs, and AR/VR.

Examples:

 Kinect (for Xbox gaming)

 Smart TVs where you wave your hand to change channels
 Gesture controls in modern cars (e.g., BMW iDrive)

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4. Voice-Based User Interface

 The user gives spoken commands to control the device.
 Uses speech recognition software.

Features:

 Hands-free.
 Useful for visually impaired users.

Examples:

 Google Assistant
 Apple Siri
 Amazon Alexa

5. Touch-Based User Interface

 User interacts by touching the screen.
 Common in smartphones and tablets.

Features:

 Intuitive and fast.

 No need for keyboard or mouse.

Examples:

 Touchscreen phones
 ATMs
 Self-service kiosks (in malls or airports)
 Tablets (like iPad)

Interface
Interaction Method Used In Example Devices
Type
CLI Typing commands Technical systems, servers Linux terminal, MS-DOS
Windows, Android,
GUI Clicking icons/buttons PCs, laptops, phones
macOS
Gesture- Hand/body
Gaming, smart devices Xbox Kinect, Smart TVs
based movements

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Interface
Interaction Method Used In Example Devices
Type
Virtual assistants, smart Alexa, Siri, Google
Voice-based Speaking commands
homes Assistant
Touch-based Touch screen taps Smartphones, kiosks, ATMs iPhones, Android phones

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