INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS

FOR FIVE YEARS AGE GROUP

BY

www.computerscienceexpertise.com

DHEERAJ MEHROTRA

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
PART I

BY

www.computerscienceexpertise.com

DHEERAJ MEHROTRA

Preface
Computer Learning is an important feature today with everyone limited to the use of the machine in our every day life and the activities around us. The book entitled An Introduction to Computers is a means to learn the basics of computers for perfection towards working for better in the society at large. The series tends to provide meaningful idea and knowledge towards the betterment of the students at all stages towards the Quality Learning Scenario.

We are confident that the series shall prove to be beneficial and applicate towards meaningful work order.

Dheeraj Mehrotra www.computerscienceexpertise.com

CONTENTS

TOPIC 1. KNOWING ABOUT A COMPUTER AND ITS PARTS 2. HISTORY OF COMPUTERS 3. USES OF COMPUTERS 4. SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE 5. COMPUTER MEMORY

1. KNOWING ABOUT A COMPUTER AND ITS PARTS

A Computer is an Electronic Machine and is used to solve arithmetical and Logical Problems.

The most basic collection includes: (a). A Computer CPU (b). A Monitor (c). A Keyboard and (d). A Mouse.

PARTS OF THE COMPUTER MONITOR: A Monitor is a display unit of the computer. All the answers appear on the screen or the monitor of the computer.

MONITOR/ Screen of the Computer

Keyboard : A Keyboard is a unit of the computer used for giving information. It has many keys and is just like a Type Writer Machine.

Keyboard

Central Processing Unit

Figure of a CPU The CPU or the Central Processing unit is do all the jobs of PROCESSNG ns computer.

Mouse A mouse is another type of input device, like the keyboard and is used to point to various directions on the screen of the computer.

A typical mouse

CD Rom Stands for Compact Disk Read-Only-Memory. It is used to store data.

Floppy Disk A floppy disk is a 3.5" piece of plastic that holds data. It is a very old format of storing data.

Features of a Computer

A Computer has the following features:

(a). It has a great speed. (b). It is very accurate in working. (c). It has its own memory of storing Data.

Types of Computer

(a). Micro Computer (b). Mini Computer (c). Main Frame Computer (d). Super Computer

BLOCK DIAGRAM OF A COMPUTER INPUT UNIT CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT OUTPUT UNIT

(a). The INPUT UNIT takes the Input. (b). The CPU processes the data. (c). The OUTPUT UNIT gives the answer.

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EXERCISE 1. Fill in the blanks: (a). A Computer is an _______________. (b). A computer has ______ speed of working. (c). The four types of computers are ______________, ____________, _____________ and ________________. (d). The _______ Unit takes the Input. (e). The ________Unit gives the Output. (f). The CPU stands for Central ___________ _________.

2. What are the three parts of a computer. 3. Name any two features of a computer. 4. Give the uses of the following: (a). Keyboard (b). CPU (c). Mouse

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2. HISTORY OF COMPUTERS

1st GENERATION OF COMPUTERS:

The first generation of computers began in the year 1940 and ended in the year 1952. The main components used during this period was VACCUM TUBES.

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2nd GENERATION OF COMPUTERS: The second generation of computers began in the year 1952 and ended in the year 1964. The main components used during this period was TRANSISTORS.

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3rd GENERATION OF COMPUTERS: The third Generation of Computers began in the year 1964 and ended in the year 1972. The main components used during this period was ICs or INTEGRATED CIRCUITS.

4th GENERATION OF COMPUTERS: The fourth generation of computers began in the year 1972 and ended in the year 1985. The main components used during this period was VLSIs or the VERY LARGE SCALE Integration of Circuits.

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5th GENERATION OF COMPUTERS: The 5th Generation of Computers began in the year 1985 and is continue even today. The main feature of these computers is the THINKING POWER where the computers can even THINK and take decisions just like Humans. This feature is known as ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

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EXERCISE 1. Fill in the blanks: (a). Vaccum Tubes was used in _____________. (b). The second generation of computers used _______________. (c). The third generation of computers used ______________. (d). VLSI was used in the _________________ (e). AI stands for _________________________

2. Name the following:

(a).

_____________________

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(b).

_____________________

(c).

_____________________

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3. USES OF COMPUTERS

Computers are used in the following areas:

(a). In Education: In the field of Education, the computers are being used for Learning by the Children in schools and colleges.

(b). In the field of Medicine:

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Computers are being used widely in the field of medicine for research work and every activity related to medical. (c). In Business:

Computers are also used in the field of business. Now e-commerce is the
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new way of doing business on the INTERNET where the buyer pays and money online and gets the product by courier.

(d). For Playing Games:

Computers are being used for entertainment purpose for playing games and watching movies.

(f). For Sending EMAILS:

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Computers are used to send electronic mails which is now the fastest mode of sending and receiving information with the help of INTERNET.

(g). In Companies/ Manufacturing Units:

Computers are being used in Industries for processing large amount of DATA and processing. For example calculating the Salary of an employee or making the PRODUCT.

EXERCISE 1. Fill in the blanks: (a). Computers are being used in Education ___________. (b). In Business Computers are being used to _________. (c). EMAIL is used for _____________.
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(d). In business, computers are used for _________________.

2. Give any four uses of Computers.

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4. SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE

Software
The term Software is a set of INSTRUCTIONS given to a computer to perform a particular task. A set of INSTRUCTIONS is known as a Program. The software is like a MIND of the computer which can not be seen but felt.

Types of Software
There are basically two types of Software:

(i). System Software

The System Software is Computer Friendly and is useful by the computer system. For Example:

DOS: Disk Operating System.

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(ii). Application Software

The Application Software is a set of programs which is useful for the users of the computer. I They are designed to perform a specific task by the computer for the user. For Example: MS WORD Software used to type letters on the computer.

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Hardware
The term HARDWARE means parts of the computer which can be seen and touched. Hardware is like a BRAIN of the computer which can be seen unlike a MIND.

For Example:
Keyboard

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Mouse

Screen

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Computer Circuit

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EXERCISE 1. Explain the following: a. Software b. Hardware 2. What is a Program. 3. Name any two computer Hardware. 4. Name any two computer Software. 5. How do you differentiate between a Computer Hardware and a Computer Software. 6. Name the different types of Software.

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5. COMPUTER MEMORY Memory of Computer:

People in the computer industry commonly use the term memory to refer to RAM (Random Access Memory).

There are two types of memory:

a. Primary Memory

(RAM) Use of RAM: A computer uses RAM to hold temporary instructions and data needed to complete tasks. This enables the computers CPU (Central Processing Unit), to access instructions and data stored in memory very quickly. More the RAM faster is your computer.

ROM: It stands for READ ONLY MEMORY or the non volatile memory of the computer. Here the information regarding the company of the computer is stored which does not require any change ever.
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b. Secondary Memory

The Primary Memory of the computer is the Main memory of the computer which holds information during processing. It is also known as RAM or the Random Access Memory. The Secondary Memory of the computer is the storage unit of the computer where the data and information get stored permanently. Example: a. Floppy Disk A floppy disk stored data on tracks and sectors.

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b. CD (Compact Disk) A CD stores 700 MB of Data.

c. Flash Drive (Pen Drive) It is a very compatible form of data storage and come in various sizes.

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d. DVD It stands for DIGITAL VERSATILE DISC and stores around 7 GB of data.

e. Blu Ray Disc (BD) This is the latest storage device and can store to a maximum of 50 GB of data on double layer disk.

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f. Hard Disk This is a storage unit built inside the computer and is almost in all the computers and come in various memory sizes.

EXERCISE

1. What is RAM and ROM. 2. What are the two types of Computer Memories. 3. Name any two Secondary memories of the computer. 4. Give the full form of the following: a. DVD b. BD c. CD 5. Write the use of the following: a. Hard Disk b. Floppy Disk 6. What is the use of RAM and ROM.
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NOTES

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NOTES

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