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Chapter – 1

FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTER

KEY CONCEPTS….• DATA & INFORMATION

• Data Processing

• Data Processing Activities

• What is Computer?

• Functional units of a computer

• Advantages of Computer

• Drawbacks of Computer

What is DATA?

✔ Raw Facts and Figures

✔ Like Raw Material

✔ Can’t be directly used

✔ Don’t give clear sense

What is INFORMATION?

✔ Processed data

✔ Like Finished Product

✔ Add to knowledge and helps decision making

✔ Clear and Meaningful

Data Processing

• It refers to the operations or activities performed on data to generate information.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DATA & INFORMATION

Data InformationRaw Facts and Figures Processed data

Like Raw Material Like Finished ProductCan’t be directly used Add to knowledge and

helps decision making

Don’t give clear sense Clear and Meaningful

BASIC OPERATIONS ON COMPUTER

Stages of Data Processing

DistributionDistribution

Storage Storage

Data Capturing

Input

Processing

Output

Steps in Data Processing1. Capturing Data: Usually collect data through pre-

described format.2. Input: Collected data is feeds into the computer.3. Storage of Data: For processing and future usage,

data is stored in computer memory.4. Manipulating Data(Process): Various operations

like calculation, classification, sorting, filtering, summarizing etc.. are carried out.

5. Outputting the result: The information obtained from the processing of the data is outputted to the user according to his need.

6. Distribution of information: The information obtained is distributed to the user to take decision or to solve problem.

Check Yourself➢ Raw facts and figures are known as __________.

➢ data

➢ Processed data is known as _________.➢ information

➢ Which of the following helps us to take decisions?a) data b)information c)knowledge d)intelligence

➢ b) information

➢ Manipulation of data to get information is known as __________.

➢ Process or processing

➢ Arrange the following in proper order:➢ Process, Output, Storage,Distribution, Data Capture,

Input➢ Data Capture Input – Storage – Process – Output - Distribution

➢ Pick the odd one out and give reason:a) calculation b) storage c)comparison d)categorisation

➢ b) Storage, because all others are operations of process

➢ Why do we store information?➢ Information always adds to knowledge. We can apply this knowledge to solve problems or in decision making.

➢ Which is the final stage in data processing?

➢ Distribution of information

➢ What is a source document?➢ The source document is a proforma, which is designed that all relevant data to be recorded in proper order and format.

COMPUTER AS A SYSTEM

What can be the reason behind this?

TO KNOW THE ANSWER……..

Let us first consider the definition of a system..

A SYSTEM is a group of integrated parts that have the common purpose of achieving

some objectives.Eg. Human Body Digestive

System

Characteristics of a SYSTEM are…..

Characteristics of a SYSTEM are……

• A System has more than one element.

• All the elements of a System are logically related.

• All the elements of a System are controlled in such a way that the System’s goal is achieved.

COMPUTER as a SYSTEM• It is made up of integrated

components (ie., input and output devices, storage, CPU etc..) that work together to perform the task.

• The input and output units cannot function until they receive signals from the CPU.

• Similarly the storage unit or the CPU alone is of no use.

• So the usefulness of each unit depends on other units.

The main components of a Computer System are…..

• Input Unit• Processing

Unit• Output Unit• Memory

Unit

JOHN VON NEUMANN

● Modern computer is based on a model proposed by him.

● He is a mathematician and a computer scientist.

20

Components or functional units of a Computer

INPUT OUTPUT

ControlUnit

ALU

PrimaryMemory

CONTROL

Instructions Data

SYSTEM UNIT CPU

SecondaryMemory

Input Unit

• Using input device, we can enter collected data and instructions for processing.

• The data may be different forms like numbers, text, image, audio, video etc.

• A variety of input devices are available to input the data depending on its nature.

• Examples: Keyboard, mouse, scanner, mic, digital camera etc.,

Functions performed by Input Unit

1. Accepting instructions and data from the outside world.

2. Converts these instructions and data into a form acceptable to the computer.

3. Supplies the converted instructions and data to the computer for processing.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• It is the brain of the computer.• In a computer system, all major

calculations and comparisons are made inside the CPU.

• It is also responsible for activating and controlling the operations of other units of the computer.

• It consists of ALU, CU and Registers.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

• It performs all arithmetic calculations and logical operations such as comparisons and decision making.

• The data and the instructions stored in the storage unit are transferred to ALU and after each processing, the intermediate results are temporarily transferred to storage unit and retrieved if needed.

• Thus there is a data flow between the storage unit and ALU many times.

Control Unit (CU)• It has a role of supervisor or coordinator.• It invokes the other units to take charge

of the operation they are associated with.• It is the central nervous system that

manages and coordinates all other units of the computer.

• It obtains instructions from the program stored in the memory, interprets the operation and issues signals to the unit concerned in the system to execute them.

Registers

• These are the temporary storage elements that facilitate the functions of CPU.

• There are variety of registers.• Each register is used to store data,

instruction, memory address, results, etc.

Storage Unit

• The specific functions of storage unit are to hold or store :1. Data and instructions required for

processing.2. Intermediate results for on going processing.3. Final results of processing, before releasing

to the output unit.

• The storage unit comprises of two types of storages as follows:– Primary Storage– Secondary Storage

Primary Storage• It is also known as main memory.• It is again divided into two :

– RAM (Random Access Memory)– ROM (Read Only Memory)

• RAM holds and instructions, data and intermediate results for processing and also holds the recently produced results.

• ROM contains instructions for the start up procedure of the computer.

• The CPU can directly access the main memory at a very high speed.

• It has limited storage capacity.

Secondary Storage

• This is also known as auxiliary storage and it takes care of the limitations of primary storage.

• It has huge storage capacity and the storage is permanent.

• Example : Hard disk, CDs, DVDs, memory sticks, etc.,

Output Unit• The information obtained after data

processing is supplied to the outside world through the output unit in a human-readable form.

• Monitor and Printer are the commonly used output devices.

• Functions are:– Receives the results produced by the CPU in

coded form.– Converts these coded results to human-

readable form. – Supplies the results to the outside world.

Computer – as a data processor

• Computers can be considered as the best data processing machine.

• Computer may be defined as an electronic machine designed to accept the data and instructions, performs arithmetic and logical operations on the data and output the results.

Characteristics of computers

Advantages:

• Speed • Accuracy. • Diligence. • Versatility. • Huge Memory Storage. • Cost Reduction.

Limitations

• Lack of IQ • Lack of Decision

Making Power

Check Yourself➢ Who proposed the model of modern computers?

➢ John Von Neumann

➢ Name the components of CPU.➢ Control Unit(CU), Arithmetic Logic Unit(ALU), Main Memory Unit(MU)

➢ Which part of a computer can be compared to the human brain?

➢ CPU