COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

1 COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS :: 1 NotesCERTIFICATE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE1 COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALSINTRODUCTIONThe term COMPUTER is derived from the word compute , which means to calculate .The impact of computers in our day to day life is tremendous and visible in all in modern libraries, various activities are performed with the help In this lesson, you will learn about works, and functions of a completing through this lesson, you will be able to: define a COMPUTER , identify its characteristics and functions; list types of computers; explain hardware and software; recognize Input and Output units and devices; and list types of operating systems; WHAT IS A COMPUTERC omputer is an electronic device which is capable of receiving information or dataand perform a series of operations in accordance with a set of operations. Thisproduces results in the form of data or information.

2 COMPUTER is a machine capableof solving problems and manipulating data. It accepts and processes the data bydoing some mathematical and logical operations and gives us the desired , we may define a COMPUTER as an electronic device that transforms datainto information. Data can be anything like marks obtained by you in varioussubjects, it can also be name, age, sex, weight, height, etc. of all the students inyour class or income, savings, investments, etc. of a :: Library Application in LibrariesNotesCERTIFICATE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION BASIC COMPUTER OPERATIONSA COMPUTER basically performs five major operations or functions such as : Accepts data or instructions by way of input. Stores data, Processes data as required by the user, Gives results in the form of output, and Controls all operations inside a of these operations are discussed and shown in the figure given Basic COMPUTER OperationsLet us know the details of basic COMPUTER InputThis is the process of entering data and programs in the COMPUTER system.

3 Therefore,the input unit takes data from us to the COMPUTER in an organized manner StorageThe data and instructions are saved/ stored permanently in storage unit. The storageunit performs the following major functions: All data and instructions, before and after processing, are stored here,and Intermediate results of processing are also stored ProcessingThe task of performing operations like arithmetic and logical operations is calledprocessing. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) takes data and instructions fromthe storage unit and makes all sorts of calculations based on the instructions givenand the type of data provided. After this data is sent back to the storage FUNDAMENTALS :: 3 NotesCERTIFICATE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION OutputThis is the process of producing results from the data for getting useful output produced by the COMPUTER after processing is stored inside the computerbefore it is given to you in human readable form.

4 The output is also stored insidethe COMPUTER for further ControlControlling of all operations like input, processing and output are performed bycontrol unit. It takes care of step by step processing of all operations inside COMPUTER SYSTEMIn order to carry out its operations, a COMPUTER system is divided into three separateunits. They are: 1) Arithmetic logical unit, 2) Control unit, and 3) Central processingunit. All these three units are known as functional Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU)The processing of the data and instructions are performed by Arithmetic LogicalUnit. The major operations performed by the ALU are addition, subtraction,multiplication, division, logic and comparison. For processing, data is transferredfrom storage unit to ALU. After processing, the output is returned back to storageunit for further processing or for storing Control Unit (CU)The next component of COMPUTER is the Control Unit, which acts like the supervisorseeing that things are done in proper way.

5 The control unit determines the sequencein which COMPUTER programs and instructions are to be executed. Activities likeprocessing of programs stored in the main memory, interpretation of the instructionsand issuing of signals for other units of the COMPUTER to execute them are carriedout by CU. It coordinates the activities of COMPUTER s peripheral equipment whichinclude input and output devices. Therefore, it is the manager of all the operationsmentioned in the previous Central Processing Unit (CPU)The ALU and the CU of a COMPUTER system are jointly known as the centralprocessing unit( CPU) . You may call CPU as the brain of any COMPUTER system. Itis just like brain that takes all major decisions, makes all sorts of calculations anddirects different parts of the COMPUTER functions by activating and controlling theoperations. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the device that interprets andexecutes COMPUTER system includes a COMPUTER , peripheral devices, and :: Library Application in LibrariesNotesCERTIFICATE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERLet us now identify the major characteristics of a COMPUTER .

6 These SpeedAs you know COMPUTER can work very fast. It takes only a fraction of a second forcalculations that manually take hours to complete. It takes few minutes for thecomputer to process huge amount of data and give the AccuracyThe degree of accuracy of COMPUTER is very high and every calculation is performedwith the same accuracy. The accuracy level is determined on the basis of design ofthe COMPUTER . The errors in COMPUTER are mainly due to human and inaccurate DiligenceA COMPUTER is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can workfor hours without any VersatilityThe COMPUTER is highly versatile. You can use it for a number of tasks simultaneouslysuch as, for inventory management, preparation of electrical bills, preparation ofpay cheques, etc. Similarly, in libraries COMPUTER can be used for various libraryhouse keeping operations like acquisition, circulation, serial control, etc.

7 And alsoby students for searching library books on the COMPUTER Power of RememberingComputer has the power of storing large amount of information or data. Anyinformation can be stored and recalled whenever required for any numbers of depends entirely upon you how much data you want to store in a COMPUTER andwhen to retrieve or delete stored Dumb Machine with no IQComputer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work without instructions fromthe user. It performs the instructions at a tremendous speed and with great accuracyas it has the power of logic. It is for you to decide what you want to do and in whichsequence. So, a COMPUTER cannot take decision of its own as human beings can StorageThe COMPUTER has an in-built memory where it can store huge amount of data. Youcan also store data in secondary storage devices such as CDs, DVDs, and pen driveswhich can be kept outside the COMPUTER and can be carried to other QUESTIONS in the is a _____ machine with no FUNDAMENTALS :: 5 NotesCERTIFICATE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION can perform number of tasks task of performing operations like _____ operations is GENERATION OF COMPUTERSThe history of COMPUTER development is in reference to different generation ofcomputing devices.

8 The first generation computers appeared in mid-1940s. Thepresent day COMPUTER , however, has undergone rapid changes for the last sevendecades. This period, during which the evolution of COMPUTER took place, can bedivided into five distinct phases known as Generations of Computers that are beingpresented in the table given below:-GenerationPeriod TechnologyFirst1946-59 Based on vacuum tube technologySecond1957-64 Transistor based technology replaces vacuum tubeThird1965-70 Integrated circuit (IC) technology developedFourth1970-90 Microprocessors developedFifth1990-till dateUse of Bio-Chip technologyINTEXT QUESTIONS in the evolution of COMPUTER can be divided into _____ distinct first generation of COMPUTER used _____ TYPES OF COMPUTERSP resent day computers can be categorized as below:a)Super ComputerSupercomputers are fastest computers and are very expensive.

9 These are employedfor specialized applications that require immense amounts of mathematicalcalculations. For example, weather forecasting requires a supercomputer. Other usesof supercomputers include animated graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclearenergy research, and petroleum ) Mainframe ComputerIt is a very large and expensive COMPUTER and is capable of supporting hundreds, oreven thousands of users simultaneously. In the hierarchy that starts with a simplemicroprocessor (in watches, for example) at the bottom and moves tosupercomputers at the top, mainframes are just below supercomputers. In some ways,mainframes are more powerful than supercomputers because they supportsimultaneous programs. But, supercomputers can execute a single program fasterthan a :: Library Application in LibrariesNotesCERTIFICATE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION : Mainframe ComputerThe chief difference between a supercomputer and a mainframe is that asupercomputer channels all its power into executing a few programs as fast aspossible, whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute many )Mini ComputerIt is a mid sized COMPUTER in size and power.

10 It lies between workstations andmainframes. In the past decade, the distinction between large minicomputers andsmall mainframes has blurred. In general, a minicomputer is a multiprocessingsystem capable of supporting from 4 to about 200 users :Minicomputerd) Micro COMPUTER : a personal or micro-mini COMPUTER sufficient to fit on :Desktop ComputerComputer FUNDAMENTALS :: 7 NotesCERTIFICATE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION COMPUTER : a portable COMPUTER complete with an integrated screenand keyboard. It is generally smaller in size than a desktop COMPUTER and largerthan a notebook :Laptop COMPUTER /Digital Diary /Notebook /PDAs (Personal DigitalAssistant): a hand-sized COMPUTER , Palmtop, does not have keyboard, but itsscreen serves both as an input and output device. )WorkstationsIt is a terminal or desktop COMPUTER in a network.