COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS
CHAPTER-1
By,
ASHWINI K S
TYPES OF COMPUTER
Computers are of different sizes.
On the basis if the size of the computer, we can classify computers as,
mobile computers
Micro-computers
Mini-computers
Mainframe computers
Supercomputers
MOBILE COMPUTERS
These are the smallest computers.
They are designed to be carried around by the user.
Some of the mobile computers are,
Pocket PC
Personal digital assistant-PDA
Portable media player-PMP
Tablet PC
Smartphone
Laptop
MICROCOMPUTERS
A computer that uses a micro processor is called Micro computer.
They are larger and occupy more space in comparison to mobile computers.
They are usually placed on a desk (table), so that it is easy for the user to use the computer.
They are also called as Desktop computers.
MINICOMPUTERS
A minicomputer is powerful than micro computer.
These computers were manufactured in 1960s.
But they are replaced by micro computers in 19190s.
Still there are few mini computers in use.
They use the advanced version pf micro processing.
They are referred to as servers .
CDC 160 A, DEC PDP and CDS-92 are some examples of minicomputers.
MAINFRAMES
Mainframes are large and powerful computers.
They used in large organizations like bank, insurance companies, government offices for data processing work.
Mainframes support thousands of users at a time.
They handle large data with simple calculations.
Example of main frames are IBM systems and Non stop.
These computers are meant for business and government applications
SUPERCOMPUTERS
Super computers are the largest, fastest, most powerful and the most expensive computers.
Like main frames, supercomputers can be accessed by many individuals at the same time.
These are very fast computers that can handle a very large data.
They have the capacity of processing trillions of instructions per second.
These computers are used for scientific and military data handling.
The first super computer was introduced in 1960, by Seymour Cray.
‘The earth simulator’ at ‘Yokohama Institute for Earth Science, Japan’ is the fastest super computer.
PRAM series supercomputers have been developed by the Centre for Development of Advance Computing (C-DAC) in Pune, India.
‘Padma’ is the latest supercomputer in this series.
PRAM 10000 is mainly used for long range weather forecasting, remote sensing and molecular modelling.
SOFTWARE AND TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Software means set of computers programs.
Program is a set of instructions.
Software's are necessary to run any computer.
Without software the computer doesn’t work.
Software’s can be classified as below
System software
Application software
CLASSIFICATION OF SOFTWARE
Software
System Application
software software
Operating
Compiler Assembler interpreter Package utility
system
Desktop Graphics and Word Database Disk
Spreadsheet Backup Antivirus
publishing presentation processor management defragmenter
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
System software is a collection of programs.
These software's help the computer to function.
it helps the computer to perform tasks such as controlling all the operations, moving data in and out of a computer
and running application programs.
System software can be classified as following.
System
software
Operating
Assemblers Interpreters compilers
system
OPERATING SYSTEM
An operating system is the master control program that runs the computer.
It is the first program that is loaded into the computer.
It is the main component of the computer.
The application programs run on the standards set by OS.
All the programs will communicate with the operating system.
The OS controls the execution of programs
The OS ensures that all parts are working properly.
Example: Windows, Linux, and MS-DOS
COMPILERS
A compiler is a program that takes program written high level language and translates it into machine language.
High level language program is called Source code/source program.
The action of translating the high-level programming language code is called compiling.
The computer takes the program written by user and first cheeks for mistakes.
If there are mistakes , it will show them and then user has to correct all the mistakes.
In computer language mistakes are called errors.
If there are no mistakes/errors then it converts it into computer machine language in one attempt .
The converted program is called object code.
The object code is saved for future use. So if the program needed to be executed again , then it can directly executed by
using the saved object code.
INTERPRETERS
Interpreter is also a program which converts source program into machine code/object code.
Interpreter method of conversion is different from compiler.
It analyses the source program line by line .
Here the a line of program is analysed, object code is created and executed.
The object code is not stored in this method.
So it the program has to be executed again , once again all process should done from the scratch.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Set of computer programs designed to help the user in performing a specific type of work.
One application software is designed for only one specific purpose.
For example student result calculation software cannot be used for student fees calculation.
Application software can be classified into two ways.
Application Software
Packages Utility
PACKAGES
A package is a computer application consisting of one or more programs created to perform a particular type of
type.
Word processor packages
Spread sheet packages
MS-word Word pad Notepad
MS-Excel Quattro Pro
Database management system Packages
SQL Oracle FoxPro MS-Access
Desktop publishing packages
Photoshop CorelDraw PageMaker
Graphic s a nd Pre senta tion Pa cka ge s
Dream Weaver Power point Macro media CorelDraw
UTILITIES
A utility is a program designed to perform maintenance work on the system, or on the system components.
Utility packages include the following:
Backup
Antivirus
Disk Defragmenter
COMPUTER LANGUAGES AND THEIR TYPES
To explain the computer about how to perform a task, the computer programmer writes a set of instructions and it
is called a program.
Hence “ A set of instructions written to perform a particular task is called a program”
A set of programs written to instruct a computer is called the software.
These programs are written in any computer language.
Each computer has its own grammar rules which must be known to its user.
Similarly there are some symbols to be used and there are rules about how to and when to use it. They are Syntax
rules
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTER LANGUAGES
Computer languages can be classified as follows
Computer
languages
Low-level High -level
languages languages
Machine Assembly
language language
MACHINE LANGUAGE
The instruction written in this language is in the form of 0’s and 1’s.
This language is called binary language.
It very difficult to write program using this language but it is easy for the machine to understand the instructions.
Machine language program is machine dependent. Program written for one computer may not work for another.
In this programmer has to remember a lot of codes.
If any mistake takes place , it very difficult to rectify.
ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE
The assembly language of a computer is a low-level language.
This language is developed in 1950 Using English letters.
Instructions are given using abbreviations and codes called symbolic instruction codes or mnemonics
It is machine dependent.
Every machine has its unique set of instructions so needs different program
ASSEMBLER
Assembler is program which converts the program written in assembly language to machine language.
Assembly language is language in which program are written using predefined codes.
Example: ADD, MUL, SUB etc.,
The translation process is known as assembly.
The program that translated is said to have assembled.
Entire program must be assembled before it is executed.
HIGH LEVEL LANGUAGE
HLL emerged in mid 1950’s.
They are widely used.
They are easier for the programmer to use than low-level languages.
It is because they are close to natural language English.
High level languages are machine independent.
Programs written HLL are also called as source programs.
Example: BASIC, C , JAVA
QUICK REVIEW
Types of computer
Mobile computer
Micro computer
Mini computer
Mainframe computer
Super computer
Software and its types
System software
Application software
Computer language and their types.
Low-level languages
High level languages
