Computer Foundation Course Knowing Computers:- This topic discusses about the generation of computers, Components of computers, Devices, Memory, etc.

1. MIT Polytechnic, Near Rotegaon Railway Station, Rotegaon, Tq. Vaijapur, Dist Aurangabad– 423701. (M.S.) India.
Phone (Principal): 02436-204035, Mobile: +91-9260000123, Fax: 02436-204035,
E-mail: principal.mitr@mit.asia, Website: https://rotegaon.mit.asia/, www.mit.asia
G.S.Mandal’s
MARATHWADA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
POLYTECHNIC, ROTEGAON
(Approved by AICTE New Delhi, DTE Mumbai & Affiliated to MSBTE Mumbai-MS)
DTE Code: 2171 MSBTE Code: 0777

2. C O M P U T E R F O U N D A T I O N
C O U R S E
K N O W I N G C O M P U T E R
B Y
P R O F . A R V I N D S A R D A R
C O M P U T E R E N G I N E E R I N G D E P A R T M E N T

3. O B J E C T I V E S
After going through this lesson you would be able to:
1. Familiarize yourself with characteristics of computers
2. Identify the basic components of a computer
3. Explain the importance of various units of a computer
4. Differentiate between system software and application software
5. Explain the importance of operating system
6. Get acquainted with open source
7. Appreciate the need of computer security
8. Discuss the role of CPU, CU and ALU
9. Describe the various types of memory such as RAM, ROM, PROM and EPROM
etc.;

4. G E N E R AT I O N O F C O M P U T E R S
• Computer is a Latin word.
• Computer is a digital electronic storage device,
which accepts data and set of instructions,
manipulates it, and retrieves the information at
very high speed.
• A computer is a programmable machine designed
to perform arithmetic and logical operations
automatically and sequentially on the input given
by the user and gives the desired output after
processing.
• Computer components are divided into two major
categories namely hardware and software.
• Hardware is the machine itself and its connected
devices such as monitor, keyboard, mouse etc.
• Software are the set of programs that make use of
hardware for performing various functions.

5. B A S I C A P P L I C AT I O N S O F C O M P U T E R
Personal Computers (PCs) are used in almost every working place such as school, colleges, offices;
railways, banks, industries, hospitals, art and entertainment etc.
• EDUCATION:- Developing and publishing course material, Drawing pictures, Doing Research work
etc.
• BUSINESS AND PERSONAL :- Maintaining daily account (i.e., Sales, purchase etc.), Communicate
with your business partner through e-mail, chat etc.
• SCIENTIFIC:- Scientific research work, taking a photographs of spaces with the help of computers etc.
• HEALTHCARE :- For scanning any part of our bodies, Doctors can search latest research & medicine
through computers.
• ART AND ENTERNTAINMENT :- You can create your own drawing/painting, listening music &
watching movies through computers

6. C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S O F C O M P U T E R S
• Speed
Computers work at an incredible speed. A powerful computer is capable of performing about 3-4 million
simple instructions per second.
• Accuracy
In addition to being fast, computers are also accurate. Errors that may occur can almost always be
attributed to human error (inaccurate data, poorly designed system or faulty instructions/programs written
by the programmer)
• Diligence
Unlike human beings, computers are highly consistent. They do not suffer from human traits of boredom
and tiredness resulting in lack of concentration. Computers, therefore, are better than human beings in
performing voluminous and repetitive jobs.
• Versatility
Computers are versatile machines and are capable of performing any task as long as it can be broken down into
a series of logical steps. The presence of computers can be seen in almost every sphere – Railway/Air
reservation, Banks, Hotels, Weather forecasting and many more.

7. C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S O F C O M P U T E R S
• Storage Capacity
Today’s computers can store large volumes of data. A piece of information once recorded (or
stored) in the computer, can never be forgotten

8. T Y P E S O F C O M P U T E R S
Types of Computers
1. Micro Computer
2. Mini Computer
3. Workstation
4. Mainframe Computer
5. Super Computer

9. C O M P O N E N T S O F C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
A CPU is brain of a computer. It is responsible for all functions and processes.
Regarding computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system.
The CPU is comprised of three main parts :
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Executes all arithmetic and logical operations. Arithmetic calculations like as
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Logical operation like compare numbers, letters, or special
characters
Control Unit (CU): controls and co-ordinates computer components.
1. Read the code for the next instruction to be executed.
2. Increment the program counter so it points to the next instruction.
3. Read whatever data the instruction requires from cells in memory.
4. Provide the necessary data to an ALU or register.
5. If the instruction requires an ALU or specialized hardware to complete, instruct the hardware to perform the
requested operation.
Registers :Stores the data that is to be executed next, "very fast storage area".

10. C O M P O N E N T S O F C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M
MEMORY
The memory unit is the electronic device that holds data and instructions for processing.
It consists of binary cells (i.e., 0 or 1 signals) to store the information.
There are two types of Memory
1. Primary Memory
2. Secondary Memory
3. Cache Memory
CPU is dependent on the main memory for storage of data and instruction required for processing.
For every data/instruction, CPU sends the address to the Memory Address Register (MAR) through address lines
and a control signal to the main memory.
The main memory supplies the required information (data/instruction) to the CPU through the Memory Data
Register (MDR).
The main memory answers the request of the CPU at the speed which is slower than the CPU.

11. C O M P O N E N T S O F C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M

12. C O M P O N E N T S O F C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M
TYPES OF MAIN MEMORY (Primary Memory)
The memory unit that directly communicate with the CPU is called the primary storage or primary
memory or main storage or main memory.
• It basically stores the necessary programs of system software, which are required to execute the
user’s program.
• When we load software from pen drive, hard disk or CD-ROM, it is stored in the main memory.
• There are two types of computer (main) memory inside the computer
1. RAM (Random Access Memory)
2. ROM (Read Only Memory)

13. C O M P O N E N T S O F C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M
• 1. RAM:
Random Access Memory (RAM) is a memory scheme within the computer system responsible for
storing data on a temporary basis, so that it can be promptly accessed by the processor as and when
needed.
It is volatile in nature, which means that data will be erased once supply to the storage device is turned
off. RAM stores data randomly and the processor accesses these data randomly from the RAM
storage. RAM is considered "random access" because you can access any memory cell directly if you
know the row and column that intersect at that cell.
• 2. ROM (Read Only Memory):
ROM is a permanent form of storage. ROM stays active regardless of whether power supply to it is
turned on or off. ROM devices do not allow data stored on them to be modified.

14. C O M P O N E N T S O F C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M
Secondary Memory:-
Stores data and programs permanently : Its retained after the power is turned off.
A secondary storage system must offer large storage capacities, low cost per bit and medium access
times.
1. Hard drive (HD):
A hard disk is part of a unit, often called a "disk drive," "hard drive," or "hard disk drive," that store
and provides relatively quick access to large amounts of data on an electromagnetically charged
surface or set of surfaces.
2. Optical Disk:
An optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light as part of the process of reading or
writing data to or from optical discs.
3. Flash Disk: A storage module made of flash memory chips.

15. C O M P O N E N T S O F C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M

16. C O M P O N E N T S O F C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M
Input / Output devices
Input Devices:-
1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Scanner
4. Joystick
Output Devices
1. Monitor
2. Printer
3. Speaker

17. C O M P O N E N T S O F C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M
INPUT / OUTPUT DEVICES
The input-output (also known as I/O) devices provide the means of communication between the
computer and the outside world.
INPUT DEVICES
• Input device is any peripheral piece of computer hardware equipment to provide data and control
signals to an information processing system such as a computer or other information appliance.
• Input device Translate data from form that humans understand to one that the computer can work with.

18. C O M P O N E N T S O F C O M P U T E R S Y S T E M
INPUT / OUTPUT DEVICES
OUTPUT DEVICES
The output generated by a computer can be transmitted to the user via some devices or media. These devices are
called output devices.
• Monitor
• Printer
• Sound card & Speakers
• Video card
• Plotter

19. C O N C E P T O F H A R D WA R E A N D S O F T WA R E
SOFTWARE
Software is a generic term for
organized collections of
computer data and instructions,
often broken into two major
categories:
1. System software that
provides the basic non-task-
specific functions of the
computer, and
2. Application software which
is used by users to accomplish
specific tasks.

20. C O N C E P T O F H A R D WA R E A N D S O F T WA R E

21. C O N C E P T O F H A R D WA R E A N D S O F T WA R E
Software Types
• A. System software is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the individual hardware
components of a computer system so that other software and the users of the system see it as a functional
unit without having to be concerned with the low-level details such as transferring data from memory to
disk, or rendering text onto a display.
Generally, system software consists of an operating system and some fundamental utilities such as disk
formatters, file managers, display managers, text editors, user authentication (login) and management
tools, and networking and device control software.
• B. Application software is used to accomplish specific tasks other than just running the computer
system.
• Application software may consist of a single program, such as an image viewer; a small collection of
programs (often called a software package) that work closely together to accomplish a task, such as a
spreadsheet or text processing system; a larger collection (often called a software suite) of related but
independent programs and packages that have a common user interface , such as Microsoft Office.

22. C O N C E P T O F H A R D WA R E A N D S O F T WA R E
HARDWARE:
Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that constitutes a computer system.
Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a computer such as the monitor,
mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive disk (HDD), system unit (graphic cards,
sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips), etc. all of which are physical objects that can be
touched.

23. C O N C E P T O F C O M P U T I N G , D A T A A N D I N F O R M A T I O N
Data:
Facts and figures which relay something specific, but which are not organized in any way and
which provide no further information regarding patterns, context, etc. So data means
"unstructured facts and figures that have the least impact on the typical manager.“
Information:
For data to become information, it must be contextualized, categorized, calculated and
condensed. Information thus paints a bigger picture; it is data with relevance and purpose.
Essentially information is found "in answers to questions that begin with such words as who,
what, where, when, and how many".
Knowledge:
Knowledge is closely linked to doing and implies know-how and understanding.
The knowledge possessed by each individual is a product of his experience, and encompasses
the norms by which he evaluates new inputs from his surroundings.

24. A P P L I C AT I O N S O F I E C T
IECT stands for Information Electronics and Communication Technology. The applications of IECT are as
follows −
• E-governance
• Multimedia and Entertainment
E-governance
• Electronic governance is application of Information Electronics and Communication Technology in
running an effective governance system for people.
• Communication refers to sharing of information between parties like common people, government,
business, etc. Almost every government sector has changed to IECT like rail reservation system, gas
subsidy disbursal, etc.
•

25. A P P L I C AT I O N S O F I E C T

26. A P P L I C AT I O N S O F I E C T
Multimedia and Entertainment
Multimedia refers to combination of text, audio, video, graphics, animation, etc. It is one of
applications of IECT.
Multimedia is used to improve quality of presentation by incorporating information sharing,
usage of graphics and animation, motion capture, etc.

27. MIT Polytechnic, Near Rotegaon Railway Station, Rotegaon, Tq. Vaijapur, Dist Aurangabad.
423701. (M.S.) India.
Phone (Principal): 02436-204035, Fax: 02436-204035
Mobile: +91-9260000123, 7588075102, 9561339746,9545943897,8275886962, 8275027389,
8788501563,8698418913
E-mail: principal.mitr@mit.asia, Website: https://rotegaon.mit.asia/, www.mit.asia