Unit 1

Introduction to Computer and Problem-Solving

Computer:
1. A computer is a programmable electronic device
that processes data and performs various tasks by
executing sequences of instructions.
2. A computer is an electronic device that manipulates
information, or data. It has the ability to store,
retrieve, and process data.
3. The word computer first coined in 17th century (first
written reference). The meaning is “One who
computes”
4. The father of basic computer is “Charles Babbage”.
5. The father of modern computer is “Allen Turing”.

Components of Computer:
The computer component is broadly classified into two
categories:
1. Hardware Components
2. Software components

1. Hardware Component:
Hardware represents the physical and tangible
components of a computer, i.e. the components that can
be seen and touched.
The computer equipment can be further grouped into one
of the following 5 categories of hardware devices:
1. Input Devices
2. Output Devices
3. Processing Devices
4. Storage
5. Communication devices

2. Software Component:
Software represents the logical and non-tangible
components of computer i.e., the components that
cannot be touched.
Generally, Computer software is the set of programs
that makes the hardware perform a set of tasks in
particular order.
Software is used to manipulate the information using
the different Data Structures.
It contains the Operational manuals used to indicate
the operational procedures like beginner’s guide, Help
documents, Reference Documents etc.
It also contains the documentation manuals used to
indicate the complete structure of the logical
component.
The software component is further classified into two
major categories:
1. System Software
2. Application Software
Classification of Hardware Components:
1. Input Devices:
Input is any data or instruction entered into memory of
computer.
These devices are used to enter the data or instruction
in the computer system by the user or external world
for the processing.
Example:
Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner etc…

2. Output Devices:
Any peripheral that accepts data from a computer
and prints, projects, or reproduces it is known as an
output device. The output may be audio, video, hard
copy – printed paper, etc. Output devices convert the
 computer data to human understandable form.
The job of output unit is just the reverse of that of an
Input Unit.
It supplies information and results of computation to
the outside world.
Examples:
Monitor, Printer, Speaker, Headphones, etc.

3. Processing Unit:
The processing devices are the computer hardware
components that help to handle the processing of the
information, storage and retrieval process of the
information.
Generally, before going to output device, the data
received from the input device is been pass through
the processing devices.
The processing devices perform the different
operations on the input data.
The computer hardware contains of two major
processing devices:
1. Central Processing Unit (CPU):
It is called brain of the computer system.
Generally known as Processor.
Example:
Intel, AMD
The main task of processor to carry out all
arithmetic, logical and transfer operation.
The processor consists of two major units:
1. Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU):
All calculations and comparisons, based on
the instructions provided, are carried out
within the ALU.
2. Control Unit (CU):
Controlling of all operations like input,
processing and output are performed by
control unit.
It takes care of step-by-step processing of
all operations inside the computer.

2. Mother board:
A motherboard provides connectivity
between the hardware components of a
computer, like the processor (CPU), memory
(RAM), hard drive, and video card. There are
multiple types of motherboards, designed to
fit different types and sizes of computers.
4. Storage Unit:
The storage unit is a part of the computer system
which is engaged to store the information and
instructions to be processed.
A storage device is an integral part of the computer
hardware which stores information/data to process
the result of any computational work.
The storage unit or memory of computer system is
Broadly classified into two classes:
1.Primary Memory:
i. It is also known as internal memory and main
memory. It stores and retrieves data,
instructions, and information.
ii. It is directly accessible by the Processor unit.
iii. It is faster than the second memory.
iv. The Primary memory is further classified into
three categories:
1. Random Access Memory (RAM)
2. Read Only Memory (ROM)
3. Cache Memory

1. Random Access Memory (RAM):

i. It is used to store the data, instruction or
program which being executed by the
Processor.
ii. It is volatile and temporary memory.
Types of RAM:
1. DRAM
2. SRAM
 2. Read Only Memory (ROM):
i. It is read only Non-volatile Memory.
ii. It is permanent memory of the computer
system i.e., once the data is stored in the
memory cannot be modified or deleted.
iii. The information is stored permanently during
manufacture only once.
iv. ROM stores instructions that are used to start
a computer. This operation is referred to as
bootstrap. It is also used in other electronic
items like washers and microwaves.
v. ROM chips can only store a few megabytes
(MB) of data, which ranges between 4 and 8
MB per ROM chip.
Types of ROM:
1. MROM
2. PROM
3. EPROM
4. EPROM

2.Secondary Memory:
i. This type of storage does not have direct
accessibility to the Central Processing Unit.
ii. The input and output channels are used to
connect such storage devices to the computer,
as they are mainly external
iii. It is non-volatile and larger storage capacity in
comparison to primary storage
iv. This type of storage is permanent until removed
by an external factor
 v. It comprises of both internal and external
memory
vi. Examples of secondary storage are USB drives,
floppy disks, etc.

5. Communication Devices:
i. These devices allow computers to communicate
with other computers via computer networks,
such as Local Area Networks or the Internet.
Examples:
NIC, Router, etc.
Classification of Software Components:
1. System Software:
a. It acts as an interface between user and
hardware.
b. Low-level languages are used to write the
system software.
c. System Software maintains the system
resources and gives the path for application
software to run.
Examples:
Operating System, Utilities Software,
Language Translators

2. Application Software:
a. Application Software is the type of software
that runs as per user request.
b. It runs on the platform which is provided by
system software.
c. High-level languages are used to write the
application software.
d. It’s a specific purpose software.
Examples:
Microsoft Office, PDF, etc.

Different Kind of Software Available in the market:

1. Open-Source Software
2. Free ware software
3. Proprietary Software