NON MAJOR

TRENDS IN PERSONAL COMPUTERS

SUB CODE: SG5AD TOTAL MARKS: 75

I.ANSWER ANY TEN QUESTIONS (2*10=20)

1. Define computer.

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It

has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data.

2. What are the functional units of the computer?

The functional units of the computer are Input Unit, Output Unit, ALU,
Control Unit and Memory.

3. What are peripheral devices?

Input or output devices that are connected to computer are called peripheral
devices. These devices are used to put information into and get information out
of the computer

4. What is removable storage drive?

A removable storage drive is used for storing and transporting data from one
computer to another. It will allow you to read (open), write (make changes and
save), copy, add, and delete files.

5. What do you mean by multitasking?

Multitasking is processing multiple tasks at one time. Multitasking means

the running of two or more programs in one computer at the same time.

6. What are secondary storages?

Secondary storage devices primarily refer to storage devices that serve as an

addition to the computer's primary storage. Since they always consist of non-
volatile memory, they allow the user to permanently store data on them.

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7. What is back up?

Backups can be used to recover data after its loss from data
deletion or corruption, or to recover data from an earlier time. Data backup is a
copy of computer data taken and stored elsewhere so that it may be used to
restore the original after a data loss event.

8. What is antivirus?

Antivirus is a kind of software used to prevent, scan, detect and delete

viruses from a computer. Once installed, most antivirus software runs
automatically in the background to provide real-time protection against virus
attacks.

9. Define messenger.

Messenger is a messaging app used for instant messaging, sharing photos,

videos, audio recordings and for group chats. The app, which is free to
download, can be used to communicate with your friends.

10. What is virtual storage?

Treating all storage media (hard disk, optical disk, tape, etc.) in the
enterprise as a single pool of storage. Virtual storage is the combination of real
and auxiliary storage.

11. Mention any two online software usages.

Web-based software is growing in popularity with the development of the

cloud. Because

• You can access it from anywhere

• You can upgrade it for free

12. What is internet?

The Internet is a global wide area network that connects computer systems
across the world. Internet provides different online services like Web, Email,
Social Media, software updates etc.

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II.ANSWER ANY FIVE QUESTIONS (5*5=25)

1. Explain the types of computer.

The four basic types of computers are as under:
1. Super Computer. 3. Mini Computer.
2. Mainframe Computer. 4. Micro Computer
Super Computer
The most powerful computers in terms of performance and data processing are
the Supercomputers. These computers are used for research and exploration
purposes, like NASA uses supercomputers for launching space shuttles,
controlling them and for space exploration purpose.
The supercomputers are very expensive and very large in size. It can be
accommodated in large air-conditioned rooms.
Mainframe Computer
Although Mainframes are not as powerful as supercomputers. Large firms &
government organizations uses Mainframes to run their business operations.
The Mainframe computers can be accommodated in large air-conditioned
rooms because of its size. Mainframes can also process & store large amount of
data.
Banks educational institutions & insurance companies use mainframe
computers.
Mini Computer
Minicomputers are used by small businesses & firms. Minicomputers are also
called as “Midrange Computers”. These are small machines and can be
accommodated on a disk with not as processing and data storage capabilities as
super-computers & Mainframes. These computers are not designed for a single
user. Individual departments of a large company or organizations use Mini-
computers for specific purposes.
Micro Computer
Desktop computers, laptops, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablets & smart
phones are all types of microcomputers. The micro-computers are widely used

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 & the fastest growing computers. These computers are the cheapest among the
other three types of computers. The Micro-computers are specially designed for
general usage like entertainment, education and work purposes. Desktop
computers, Laptops, Notebooks, PDA’s, Tablet PC’s, Smart phones , are all
type of Microcomputers.

2. Discuss about the memory.

A memory is just like a human brain. It is used to store data and instructions.
Computer memory is the storage space in the computer, where data is to be
processed and instructions required for processing are stored.

RAM is the temporary data storage space that a computer needs to access right
now or in the next few moments.

Types of RAM

• DRAM: DRAM stands for Dynamic RAM, and it is the most common type
of RAM used in computers.
• SRAM: SRAM stands for Static RAM which is faster than DRAM, but
more expensive.

Types of ROM

ROM is non-volatile. The types of ROM are: PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM.

• PROM PROM stands for Programmable Read-Only Memory. The data has
written to it during the manufacturing process.

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• EPROM EPROM stands for Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory.
The data stored in an EPROM can be erased and the EPROM
reprogrammed. Erasure is performed by ultraviolet light.
• EEPROM EEPROM stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-
Only Memory. EEPROM is more expensive than EPROM.

3. How internet is used for computation? Explain.

INTERNET COMPUTING:

Internet computing is the foundation on which e-business runs. It is the only

architecture that can run all facets of business, from supplier collaboration and
merchandise purchasing, to distribution and store operations, to customer sales
and service. Internet computing is the only architecture that supports all
information flows and processes over the Internet — providing access to all
applications. With Internet computing, all a user needs is a standard Web
browser and security clearance.

Characteristics:
• On demand self service
• Broad network access
• Resource pooling
• Rapid elasticity
• universal access to any person with a browser
• Avoiding Upgrade Problems
• Avoid Additional Complexity
• Identifying True Internet Computing Capabilities
• Success In The New Millennium

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People today should embrace Internet computing. With the Age of the Internet
well under way, the need for retailers to transform into e-businesses is
increasingly apparent. Embracing true Internet computing is the way to compete
in the new millennium — to expand into new markets, improve extended
enterprise efficiencies, and attract and retain customers

4. Discuss about online entertainment.

ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT:

When people think about the e-commerce sector they mostly consider the
purchasing of products online. However, there is subscription based e-
commerce which includes the online entertainment sector.

Some of the biggest ecommerce entertainment companies include Amazon,

Netflix and Spotify. These companies depend a lot on the subscription based
model. Online entertainment has taken over the entertainment sector. Long ago
we used to watch television nowadays people have replaced television with
Netflix.

Cost of online entertainment: The cost of online entertainment has been

drastically reduced by the ecommerce sector a technological advancement in
the sector. The whole idea of the e-commerce sector is to allow the consumer
and the buyer to complete transactions online

Online entertainment causing piracy: There is also the idea that online e-
commerce is the main engine for piracy, especially in developing countries. In
developing countries, internet access is too expensive for the average person.
This makes online entertainment quite the hustle, therefore, small companies
download movies online and sell them to the public for mere costs.

The e-commerce technology has enabled low cost access for people around the
world, therefore, enabling entertainment to be accessible to everyone.

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5. What Is A Virtual Mailbox?

A virtual mailbox allows you to check your mail right from your phone or
laptop. They provide you with a street address where you can send physical
mail. Once your mail is delivered at that address, they will accept it on your
behalf, scan the envelope or package (without opening it), and send you that
scan through email. From there you have three different options of what to do:

¾ Have them open up the envelope and send you another scan of the actual
mail inside.
¾ Forward the mail on to another physical address, such as a relative’s address
or an address in a different country.
¾ Shred the mail if it’s spam or unwanted.

FEATURES

• You can have a single US physical address that never changes no matter where
you live
• When mail arrives, the service scans the outside of envelopes and packages
• You view the scans of your incoming mail and tell the service whether to shred,
hold, or ship the items to you
• Some services will also open the mail and scan the contents for you
• You may also be able to ask for incoming checks to be deposited (via mail) to any
US bank

6. Describe about the multiprocessor system.

Most computer systems are single processor systems i.e they only have one
processor. However, multiprocessor or parallel systems are increasing in
importance nowadays. These systems have multiple processors working in
parallel that share the computer clock, memory, bus, peripheral devices etc.

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T
Types of Multiproce
M essors
T
There are mainly
m two types of multiproces
m ssors
¾ Symm
metric
¾ Asym
mmetric muultiprocesssors.
S
Symmetric
c Multiproocessors
Inn these ty
ypes of sysstems, eacch processor containns a similaar copy off the
o
operating system
s annd they all commuunicate wiith each other. o All the
p
processors a in a peer to peer relationshi
are r ip i.e. no master
m - slavve relationnship
exists betweeen them.
A
Asymmetri
ic Multiprrocessors
Inn asymmettric system
ms, each prrocessor is given a prredefined task.
t Theree is a
m
master ocessor thhat gives instructioon to all the otheer processsors.
pro
A
Asymmetric c multiprocessor systtem contaiins a masteer slave relationship.
Asymmetricc multiproocessor waas the onlyy type of multiproceessor availlable
A
b
before sym
mmetric multiproces
m sors weree created. Now also, this is the
chheaper opttion.
Advantagees of Multiiprocessorr Systems
A
• Moree reliable Systems
S
• Enhaanced Throoughput
• Moree Economic Systems
D
Disadvantaages of Mu ultiprocesssor System
ms
• Increeased Expeense
• Comp plicated Operating System Reqquired
• Largee Main Meemory Reqquired

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III. ANSWER ANY THREE QUESTIONS (10*3=30)

1. Explain the generations of the computer.

There are five generations of computers.
1. FIRST GENERATION(1946-1959)
It made use of vacuum tubes which are the only electronic component
available during those days. These computers could calculate in
milliseconds.
It was the first successful electronic computer called ENIAC, ENIAC
stands for “Electronic Numeric Integrated And Calculator”.
2. SECOND GENERATION(1959-1965)
Second generation computers were based on Transistor instead of
vacuum tubes. Due to the presence of transistors instead of vacuum tubes,
the size of electron component decreased. This resulted in reducing the
size of a computer as compared to first generation computers.
Advantages:
• Less energy and not produce as much heat as the first generation.
• Assembly language and punch cards were used for input.
• Better portability as compared to first generation
Disadvantages:
• A cooling system was required.
• Constant maintenance was required.
• Only used for specific purposes.

3. THIRD GENERATION(1965-1971)
These computers were based on Integrated circuits.
Advantages:
• These computers were cheaper as compared to second-generation
computers.
• They were fast and reliable.
• Computers were small in size.
• Improves the performance.
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 • This generation of computers has big storage capacity.
• Mouse and keyboard are used for input.
Disadvantages:
• IC chips are difficult to maintain.
• The highly sophisticated technology required for the manufacturing of
IC chips.
• Air conditioning is required.

4. FOURTH GENERATION(1971-1980)
This technology is based on Microprocessor. Graphics User Interface (GUI)
technology is introduced for more comfort to users.
Advantages:
• Fastest in computation and size get reduced as compared to the previous
generation of computer.
• Heat generated is negligible.
• Less maintenance is required.
• All types of high-level language can be used in this type of computers.
Disadvantages:
• The Microprocessor designs are very complex.

5. FIFTH GENERATION(1980-Present)
This generation is based on artificial intelligence. The aim of the fifth
generation is to make a device which could respond to natural language input
and are capable of learning and self-organization. In fifth generation Desktop,
Laptop, NoteBook and many more introduced.
Advantages:
• It is more reliable and works faster.
• It is available in different sizes and unique features.
• It provides computers with more user-friendly interfaces with multimedia
features.
Disadvantages:
• They need very low-level languages.
• They may make the human brains dull and doomed.

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2. Categorize laptop and desktop.
ASPECT DESKTOP LAPTOP
cost There is a wide variety of Laptops can have a fairly
component options available wide variety of component
for desktops, allowing for a options, but they are more
large range of prices, but the limited than desktops. To
starting point is relatively get a more powerful laptop
cheap. (higher speed, better
graphics, more storage
space, etc.), the price can be
considerably higher
portability Desktops are large in size and Laptops are very portable
have a separate monitor. due to their compact size.
They are designed to be used in They were designed to be
a single location and not taken from place to place
moved around much, if at all.

processor Desktop processors are a little Laptop processors have

bit larger in size, but this also
means the desktop processors
can be more powerful than
laptop processors.
Internal Desktop computers may have
storage multiple internal drives
installed.
nearly caught up to desktop
processors, but are still
limited compared to desktop
processors
Laptop computers usually
have room for only one
internal drive.

Screen size Desktop monitors can be 19" or Smaller screen sizes are
larger. It is even possible to necessary and screen sizes
hook up a desktop to a TV, so often range from 10" to 17".
screen sizes could be as large
as a TV. This provides for
great flexibility
Power Desktop computers use more Laptop computers use less
usage power than a laptop. power than a desktop
computer.
upgrading Most components in a desktop Memory and hard drive are
are removable, making it easier about the only components
to upgrade. that can be upgraded in a
laptop. The remaining
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repairing Repairing a desktop computer
is generally easier
Gaming Always yield better
performance for gaming
components are either built-
in and cannot be removed
For most users, opening a
laptop to repair a part can be
difficult.
Physical space is limited in
a laptop, which limits the
graphics capabilities.

3. Discuss about web storage

Web Storage

Web Storage is often compared to HTTP cookies. Like cookies, Web

developers can store per-session or domain-specific data as name/value pairs
on the client using Web Storage. However, unlike cookies, Web Storage
makes it easier to control how information stored by one window is visible
to another.

Web Storage doesn't transmit values to the server with every request as
cookies do, nor does the data in a local storage area ever expire. Web
Storage also offers significantly more disk space than cookies. In Windows
Internet Explorer, cookies can store only 4 kilobytes (KB) of data.
¾ Session storage is designed for scenarios where the user is carrying
out a single transaction. The session Storage attribute of
the window object maintains key/value pairs for all pages loaded
during the lifetime of a single tab

¾ Local storage mechanism spans multiple windows and persists

beyond the current session. The local Storage attribute provides
persistent storage areas for domains. It allows Web applications to
store nearly 10 MB of user data, such as entire documents or a user's
mailbox, on the client for performance reasons.

The Session Storage Data would be deleted by the browsers immediately

after the session gets terminated.

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4. Explain in detail about multitasking.
Multitasking is processing multiple tasks at one time. Multitasking term used in
a modern computer system. Multitasking is a logical extension of
multiprogramming system that supports multiple programs to run concurrently.
In multitasking more than one task are executed at the same time. In this
technique the multiple tasks, also known as processes, share common
processing resources such as a CPU.

Two Types of Multitasking

1) Pre-Emptive Multitasking: In this OS, the process gets preempted after

time quantum.

2) Co-operative Multitasking: It is also known as Non-Preemptive OS. In this

OS, processes are preemptive after a fixed interval of time. The process can
voluntarily control CPU or when CPU idle enables multiple applications to be
run concurrently. In Cooperative Multitasking OS, all programs cooperate for
the entire scheduling scheme to work. In this OS Process Scheduler of an
operating system is known as a cooperative scheduler.

Multitasking Operating System Benefits:

¾ In Multitasking Operating System, memory, hard drive, and virtual

memory are better managed. Processor time is also well used as the wait
time is less.
¾ Suppose any user is downloading any file from the internet. Now he can
do other tasks on the computer without waiting for the file to download
completely.
¾ One process cannot change data of another process in the main memory.
Each process can only use his own space allocated.
¾ If any program generates errors then other programs running on the
computer are not affected by it. For example, if Google chrome crashes
then your data in MS Word is not affected.

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 5. Explain briefly about antivirus.

A computer virus is similar to a cold virus. It’s designed to go from one

computer or device to the next, copying itself, and spreading malicious codes
and programs that can damage your operating systems. Antivirus software helps
protect your computer against malware and cybercriminals. Antivirus software
looks at data — web pages, files, software, applications

Antivirus software provides protection against these types of threats by

performing key tasks:
• Pinpointing specific files for the detection of malicious software
• Scheduling automatic scans
• Scanning either one file or your entire computer at your discretion
• Deleting malicious codes and software
• Confirming the safety of your computer and other devices

Antivirus software is designed to protect:

• Spyware: stealing sensitive information
• Ransomware: extorting money
• Viruses
• Worms: spreading copies between computers
• Trojans: promising one thing but delivering another
• Adware: advertising
• Spam: spreading unwanted email

Antivirus protection is essential, given the array of constantly-emerging cyber

threats. If you don’t have protective software installed, you could be at risk of
picking up a virus or being targeted by other malicious software that can remain
undetected and wreak havoc on your computer and mobile devices.

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