Basics of Computers

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Being a modern-day kid you must have used, seen, or read about computers. This is because they are an integral part of our everyday existence. Be it school, banks, shops, railway stations, hospital or your own home, computers are present everywhere, making our work easier and faster for us. As they are such integral parts of our lives, we must know what they are and how they function. Let us start with defining the term computer formally.

The literal meaning of computer is a device that can calculate. However, modern computers can do a lot more than calculate. Computer is an electronic device that receives input, stores or processes the input as per user instructions and provides output in desired format.

Input-Process-Output Model

Computer input is called data and the output obtained after processing it, based on user’s instructions is called information. Raw facts and figures which can be processed using arithmetic and logical operations to obtain information are called data.

The processes that can be applied to data are of two types −

• Arithmetic operations − Examples include calculations like addition, subtraction, differentials, square root, etc.

• Logical operations − Examples include comparison operations like greater than, less than, equal to, opposite, etc.

The corresponding figure for an actual computer looks something like this −

The basic parts of a computer are as follows −

• Input Unit − Devices like keyboard and mouse that are used to input data and instructions to the computer are called input unit.

• Output Unit − Devices like printer and visual display unit that are used to provide information to the user in desired format are called output unit.

• Control Unit − As the name suggests, this unit controls all the functions of the computer. All devices or parts of computer interact through the control unit.

• Arithmetic Logic Unit − This is the brain of the computer where all arithmetic operations and logical operations take place.

• Memory − All input data, instructions and data interim to the processes are stored in the memory. Memory is of two types – primary memory and secondary memory. Primary memory resides within the CPU whereas secondary memory is external to it.

Control unit, arithmetic logic unit and memory are together called the central processing unit or CPU. Computer devices like keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. that we can see and touch are the hardware components of a computer. The set of instructions or programs that make the computer function using these hardware parts are called software. We cannot see or touch software. Both hardware and software are necessary for working of a computer.

Characteristics of Computer

To understand why computers are such an important part of our lives, let us look at some of its characteristics −

• Speed − Typically, a computer can carry out 3-4 million instructions per second.

• Accuracy − Computers exhibit a very high degree of accuracy. Errors that may occur are usually due to inaccurate data, wrong instructions or bug in chips – all human errors.

• Reliability − Computers can carry out same type of work repeatedly without throwing up errors due to tiredness or boredom, which are very common among humans.

• Versatility − Computers can carry out a wide range of work from data entry and ticket booking to complex mathematical calculations and continuous astronomical observations. If you can input the necessary data with correct instructions, computer will do the processing.

• Storage Capacity − Computers can store a very large amount of data at a fraction of cost of traditional storage of files. Also, data is safe from normal wear and tear associated with paper.

Advantages of Using Computer

Now that we know the characteristics of computers, we can see the advantages that computers offer−

• Computers can do the same task repetitively with same accuracy.

• Computers do not get tired or bored.

• Computers can take up routine tasks while releasing human resource for more intelligent functions.

Disadvantages of Using Computer

Despite so many advantages, computers have some disadvantages of their own −

• Computers have no intelligence; they follow the instructions blindly without considering the outcome.

• Regular electric supply is necessary to make computers work, which could prove difficult everywhere especially in developing nations.

Booting

Starting a computer or a computer-embedded device is called booting. Booting takes place in two steps −

• Switching on power supply
• Loading operating system into computer’s main memory
• Keeping all applications in a state of readiness in case needed by the user

The first program or set of instructions that run when the computer is switched on is called BIOS or Basic Input Output System. BIOS is a firmware, i.e. a piece of software permanently programmed into the hardware.

If a system is already running but needs to be restarted, it is called rebooting. Rebooting may be required if a software or hardware has been installed or system is unusually slow.

There are two types of booting −

• Cold Booting − When the system is started by switching on the power supply it is called cold booting. The next step in cold booting is loading of BIOS.

• Warm Booting − When the system is already running and needs to be restarted or rebooted, it is called warm booting. Warm booting is faster than cold booting because BIOS is not reloaded.

Computer - Internet and Intranet

In this chapter, we will see what is Internet and Intranet, as well as discuss the similarities and differences between the two.

Internet

It is a worldwide/global system of interconnected computer networks. It uses the standard Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Every computer in Internet is identified by a unique IP address. IP Address is a unique set of numbers (such as 110.22.33.114) which identifies a computer’s location.

A special computer DNS (Domain Name Server) is used to provide a name to the IP Address so that the user can locate a computer by a name. For example, a DNS server will resolve a name https://www.google.com to a particular IP address to uniquely identify the computer on which this website is hosted.

Internet is accessible to every user all over the world.

Intranet

Intranet is the system in which multiple PCs are connected to each other. PCs in intranet are not available to the world outside the intranet. Usually each organization has its own Intranet network and members/employees of that organization can access the computers in their intranet.

Each computer in Intranet is also identified by an IP Address which is unique among the computers in that Intranet.

Similarities between Internet and Intranet

• Intranet uses the internet protocols such as TCP/IP and FTP.

• Intranet sites are accessible via the web browser in a similar way as websites in the internet. However, only members of Intranet network can access intranet hosted sites.

• In Intranet, own instant messengers can be used as similar to yahoo messenger/gtalk over the internet.

Differences between Internet and Intranet

• Internet is general to PCs all over the world whereas Intranet is specific to few PCs.

• Internet provides a wider and better access to websites to a large population, whereas Intranet is restricted.

• Internet is not as safe as Intranet. Intranet can be safely privatized as per the need.

Computer - Operating System

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The Operating System is a program with the following features −

• An operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the software and the computer hardware.

• It is an integrated set of specialized programs used to manage overall resources and operations of the computer.

• It is a specialized software that controls and monitors the execution of all other programs that reside in the computer, including application programs and other system software.

 

Objectives of Operating System

The objectives of the operating system are −

• To make the computer system convenient to use in an efficient manner.

• To hide the details of the hardware resources from the users.

• To provide users a convenient interface to use the computer system.

• To act as an intermediary between the hardware and its users, making it easier for the users to access and use other resources.

• To manage the resources of a computer system.

• To keep track of who is using which resource, granting resource requests, and mediating conflicting requests from different programs and users.

• To provide efficient and fair sharing of resources among users and programs.

Characteristics of Operating System

Here is a list of some of the most prominent characteristic features of Operating Systems −

• Memory Management − Keeps track of the primary memory, i.e. what part of it is in use by whom, what part is not in use, etc. and allocates the memory when a process or program requests it.

• Processor Management − Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process and deallocates the processor when it is no longer required.

• Device Management − Keeps track of all the devices. This is also called I/O controller that decides which process gets the device, when, and for how much time.

• File Management − Allocates and de-allocates the resources and decides who gets the resources.

• Security − Prevents unauthorized access to programs and data by means of passwords and other similar techniques.

• Job Accounting − Keeps track of time and resources used by various jobs and/or users.

• Control Over System Performance − Records delays between the request for a service and from the system.

• Interaction with the Operators − Interaction may take place via the console of the computer in the form of instructions. The Operating System acknowledges the same, does the corresponding action, and informs the operation by a display screen.

• Error-detecting Aids − Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and other debugging and error-detecting methods.

• Coordination Between Other Software and Users − Coordination and assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers, and other software to the various users of the computer systems.

Computer -Networking

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A computer network is a system in which multiple computers are connected to each other to share information and resources.

Characteristics of a Computer Network

• Share resources from one computer to another.

• Create files and store them in one computer, access those files from the other computer(s) connected over the network.

• Connect a printer, scanner, or a fax machine to one computer within the network and let other computers of the network use the machines available over the network.

Following is the list of hardware's required to set up a computer network.

• Network Cables
• Distributors
• Routers
• Internal Network Cards
• External Network Cards

Network Cables

Network cables are used to connect computers. The most commonly used cable is Category 5 cable RJ-45.

Distributors

A computer can be connected to another one via a serial port but if we need to connect many computers to produce a network, this serial connection will not work.

The solution is to use a central body to which other computers, printers, scanners, etc. can be connected and then this body will manage or distribute network traffic.

Router

A router is a type of device which acts as the central point among computers and other devices that are a part of the network. It is equipped with holes called ports. Computers and other devices are connected to a router using network cables. Now-a-days router comes in wireless modes using which computers can be connected without any physical cable.

Network Card

Network card is a necessary component of a computer without which a computer cannot be connected over a network. It is also known as the network adapter or Network Interface Card (NIC). Most branded computers have network card pre-installed. Network cards are of two types: Internal and External Network Cards.

Internal Network Cards

Motherboard has a slot for internal network card where it is to be inserted. Internal network cards are of two types in which the first type uses Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) connection, while the second type uses Industry Standard Architecture (ISA). Network cables are required to provide network access.

External Network Cards

External network cards are of two types: Wireless and USB based. Wireless network card needs to be inserted into the motherboard, however no network cable is required to connect to the network.

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

USB card is easy to use and connects via USB port. Computers automatically detect USB card and can install the drivers required to support the USB network card automatically.

Computer - Data and Information

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Data can be defined as a representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized manner, which should be suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by human or electronic machine.

Data is represented with the help of characters such as alphabets (A-Z, a-z), digits (0-9) or special characters (+,-,/,*,<,>,= etc.)

What is Information?

Information is organized or classified data, which has some meaningful values for the receiver. Information is the processed data on which decisions and actions are based.

For the decision to be meaningful, the processed data must qualify for the following characteristics −

• Timely − Information should be available when required.

• Accuracy − Information should be accurate.

• Completeness − Information should be complete.

 

Data Processing Cycle

Data processing is the re-structuring or re-ordering of data by people or machine to increase their usefulness and add values for a particular purpose. Data processing consists of the following basic steps - input, processing, and output. These three steps constitute the data processing cycle.

• Input − In this step, the input data is prepared in some convenient form for processing. The form will depend on the processing machine. For example, when electronic computers are used, the input data can be recorded on any one of the several types of input medium, such as magnetic disks, tapes, and so on.

• Processing − In this step, the input data is changed to produce data in a more useful form. For example, pay-checks can be calculated from the time cards, or a summary of sales for the month can be calculated from the sales orders.

• Output − At this stage, the result of the proceeding processing step is collected. The particular form of the output data depends on the use of the data. For example, output data may be pay-checks for employees.

Computer - Number Conversion

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There are many methods or techniques which can be used to convert numbers from one base to another. In this chapter, we'll demonstrate the following −

• Decimal to Other Base System
• Other Base System to Decimal
• Other Base System to Non-Decimal
• Shortcut method - Binary to Octal
• Shortcut method - Octal to Binary
• Shortcut method - Binary to Hexadecimal
• Shortcut method - Hexadecimal to Binary

Decimal to Other Base System

Step 1 − Divide the decimal number to be converted by the value of the new base.

Step 2 − Get the remainder from Step 1 as the rightmost digit (least significant digit) of the new base number.

Step 3 − Divide the quotient of the previous divide by the new base.

Step 4 − Record the remainder from Step 3 as the next digit (to the left) of the new base number.

Repeat Steps 3 and 4, getting remainders from right to left, until the quotient becomes zero in Step 3.

The last remainder thus obtained will be the Most Significant Digit (MSD) of the new base number.

Example

Decimal Number: 29₁₀

Calculating Binary Equivalent −

Step	Operation	Result	Remainder
Step 1	29 / 2	14	1
Step 2	14 / 2	7	0
Step 3	7 / 2	3	1
Step 4	3 / 2	1	1
Step 5	1 / 2	0	1

As mentioned in Steps 2 and 4, the remainders have to be arranged in the reverse order so that the first remainder becomes the Least Significant Digit (LSD) and the last remainder becomes the Most Significant Digit (MSD).

Decimal Number : 29₁₀ = Binary Number : 11101_2.

Other Base System to Decimal System

Step 1 − Determine the column (positional) value of each digit (this depends on the position of the digit and the base of the number system).

Step 2 − Multiply the obtained column values (in Step 1) by the digits in the corresponding columns.

Step 3 − Sum the products calculated in Step 2. The total is the equivalent value in decimal.

Example

Binary Number: 11101₂

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step	Binary Number	Decimal Number
Step 1	111012	((1 x 24) + (1 x 23) + (1 x 22) + (0 x 21) + (1 x 20))10
Step 2	111012	(16 + 8 + 4 + 0 + 1)10
Step 3	111012	2910

Binary Number : 11101₂ = Decimal Number : 29₁₀

Other Base System to Non-Decimal System

Step 1 − Convert the original number to a decimal number (base 10).

Step 2 − Convert the decimal number so obtained to the new base number.

Example

Octal Number : 25₈

Calculating Binary Equivalent −

Step 1 - Convert to Decimal

Step	Octal Number	Decimal Number
Step 1	258	((2 x 81) + (5 x 80))10
Step 2	258	(16 + 5)10
Step 3	258	2110

Octal Number : 25₈ = Decimal Number : 21₁₀

Step 2 - Convert Decimal to Binary

Step	Operation	Result	Remainder
Step 1	21 / 2	10	1
Step 2	10 / 2	5	0
Step 3	5 / 2	2	1
Step 4	2 / 2	1	0
Step 5	1 / 2	0	1

Decimal Number : 21₁₀ = Binary Number : 10101₂

Octal Number : 25₈ = Binary Number : 10101₂

Shortcut Method ─ Binary to Octal

Step 1 − Divide the binary digits into groups of three (starting from the right).

Step 2 − Convert each group of three binary digits to one octal digit.

Example

Binary Number : 10101₂

Calculating Octal Equivalent −

Step	Binary Number	Octal Number
Step 1	101012	010 101
Step 2	101012	28 58
Step 3	101012	258

Binary Number : 10101₂ = Octal Number : 25₈

Shortcut Method ─ Octal to Binary

Step 1 − Convert each octal digit to a 3-digit binary number (the octal digits may be treated as decimal for this conversion).

Step 2 − Combine all the resulting binary groups (of 3 digits each) into a single binary number.

Example

Octal Number : 25₈

Calculating Binary Equivalent −

Step	Octal Number	Binary Number
Step 1	258	210 510
Step 2	258	0102 1012
Step 3	258	0101012

Octal Number : 25₈ = Binary Number : 10101₂

Shortcut Method ─ Binary to Hexadecimal

Step 1 − Divide the binary digits into groups of four (starting from the right).

Step 2 − Convert each group of four binary digits to one hexadecimal symbol.

Example

Binary Number : 10101₂

Calculating hexadecimal Equivalent −

Step	Binary Number	Hexadecimal Number
Step 1	101012	0001 0101
Step 2	101012	110 510
Step 3	101012	1516

Binary Number : 10101₂ = Hexadecimal Number : 15₁₆

Shortcut Method - Hexadecimal to Binary

Step 1 − Convert each hexadecimal digit to a 4-digit binary number (the hexadecimal digits may be treated as decimal for this conversion).

Step 2 − Combine all the resulting binary groups (of 4 digits each) into a single binary number.

Example

Hexadecimal Number : 15₁₆

Calculating Binary Equivalent −

Step	Hexadecimal Number	Binary Number
Step 1	1516	110 510
Step 2	1516	00012 01012
Step 3	1516	000101012

Hexadecimal Number : 15₁₆ = Binary Number :

Computer - Number System

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When we type some letters or words, the computer translates them in numbers as computers can understand only numbers. A computer can understand the positional number system where there are only a few symbols called digits and these symbols represent different values depending on the position they occupy in the number.

The value of each digit in a number can be determined using −

• The digit

• The position of the digit in the number

• The base of the number system (where the base is defined as the total number of digits available in the number system)

Decimal Number System

The number system that we use in our day-to-day life is the decimal number system. Decimal number system has base 10 as it uses 10 digits from 0 to 9. In decimal number system, the successive positions to the left of the decimal point represent units, tens, hundreds, thousands, and so on.

Each position represents a specific power of the base (10). For example, the decimal number 1234 consists of the digit 4 in the units position, 3 in the tens position, 2 in the hundreds position, and 1 in the thousands position. Its value can be written as

(1 x 1000)+ (2 x 100)+ (3 x 10)+ (4 x l) (1 x 103)+ (2 x 102)+ (3 x 101)+ (4 x l00) 1000 + 200 + 30 + 4 1234 

As a computer programmer or an IT professional, you should understand the following number systems which are frequently used in computers.

S.No.	Number System and Description
1	Binary Number System Base 2. Digits used : 0, 1
2	Octal Number System Base 8. Digits used : 0 to 7
3	Hexa Decimal Number System Base 16. Digits used: 0 to 9, Letters used : A- F

Binary Number System

Characteristics of the binary number system are as follows −

• Uses two digits, 0 and 1

• Also called as base 2 number system

• Each position in a binary number represents a 0 power of the base (2). Example 2⁰

• Last position in a binary number represents a x power of the base (2). Example 2^x where x represents the last position - 1.

Example

Binary Number: 10101₂

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step	Binary Number	Decimal Number
Step 1	101012	((1 x 24) + (0 x 23) + (1 x 22) + (0 x 21) + (1 x 20))10
Step 2	101012	(16 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 1)10
Step 3	101012	2110

Note − 10101₂ is normally written as 10101.

Octal Number System

Characteristics of the octal number system are as follows −

• Uses eight digits, 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7

• Also called as base 8 number system

• Each position in an octal number represents a 0 power of the base (8). Example 8⁰

• Last position in an octal number represents a x power of the base (8). Example 8^x where x represents the last position - 1

Example

Octal Number: 12570₈

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step	Octal Number	Decimal Number
Step 1	125708	((1 x 84) + (2 x 83) + (5 x 82) + (7 x 81) + (0 x 80))10
Step 2	125708	(4096 + 1024 + 320 + 56 + 0)10
Step 3	125708	549610

Note − 12570₈ is normally written as 12570.

Hexadecimal Number System

Characteristics of hexadecimal number system are as follows −

• Uses 10 digits and 6 letters, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F

• Letters represent the numbers starting from 10. A = 10. B = 11, C = 12, D = 13, E = 14, F = 15

• Also called as base 16 number system

• Each position in a hexadecimal number represents a 0 power of the base (16). Example, 16⁰

• Last position in a hexadecimal number represents a x power of the base (16). Example 16^x where x represents the last position - 1

Example

Hexadecimal Number: 19FDE₁₆

Calculating Decimal Equivalent −

Step	Binary Number	Decimal Number
Step 1	19FDE16	((1 x 164) + (9 x 163) + (F x 162) + (D x 161) + (E x 160))10
Step 2	19FDE16	((1 x 164) + (9 x 163) + (15 x 162) + (13 x 161) + (14 x 160))10
Step 3	19FDE16	(65536+ 36864 + 3840 + 208 + 14)10
Step 4	19FDE16	10646210

Note − 19FDE₁₆ is normally written as 19FDE.