Computer Awareness Study Material – Introduction to Computer

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A computer is an electronic machine that accepts data from the user, processes the data by performing calculations and operations on it and generates the desired output as a result. The term computer is derived from the Latin word ‘computare’ which means ‘to compute’.
Generally, computer is the combination of Hardware and Software which converts data into information. Computer operates on set of instructions only, they cannot think as human being. Computer has an ability to store and execute set of instructions called program which makes it extremely distinguishable and versatile than calculators. Computer makes people’s lives easier and more comfortable.

Functioning of a Computer
Computer Performs four basic functions which are as follows

1. Input Information or data that is entered into a computer is called input. It sends data and instructions to the Central Processing Unit (CPU).
2. Processing It is the sequence of actions taken on data to convert it into information which is meaningful to the user. It can be calculations, comparisons or decisions taken by the computer.
3. Output It makes processed data available to the user. It is mainly used to display the desired result to the user as per input instructions.
4. Storage It stores data and programs permanently. It is used to store information during the time of program execution and possible to get any type of information from it.

Features of Computer
The key features of computer are as follows

1. Speed The computer can process data very fast at the rate of millions of instructions per second.
2. Accuracy Computers provide a high degree of accuracy. They respond to the user as per the input instructions.
3. Storage Capacity Computers are capable to store huge amount of data which depends on the capacity of hard disk.
4. Versatility Computers can do different types of work simultaneously. They can perform multiple tasks at a same time.
5. Automatic Once the instruction to do any work is given to the computer, the computer does its work automatically by itself.
6. Diligency Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, lack of concentration, etc and can work for hours without creating any errors.
7. Secrecy Leakage of information is reduced by creating login system with password protection.
8. Reliability Computer are more reliable than human beings. Computers always produce exact results. The possibility of errors occur only if the input is wrong, i.e. the computers never make mistakes of their own accord.
9. Plug and Play Computers have the ability to automatically configure a new hardware and software component.

Terms Related to Computer

1. Hardware It is the collection of physical elements that constitute a computer system. It is a comprehensive term for all the physical parts of a computer, e.g. display screens, disks, keyboards, etc.
2. Software It is a set of programs and procedures. Software tells the hardware what to do and how to accomplish a task. e.g. Web browsers, Word processors, etc.
3. Data Unprocessed raw facts and figures, like numbers, text on pieces of paper, are known as data.
4. Information When data is processed, organised, structured or presented in a given context so as to be useful, then it is called information.
5. Instruction It is a command given to a computer in the computer language by the user.
6. Program It is a set of instructions given to a computer in order to performs some task.

History of Computer
Computer is not the creation of one day, rather it took a long period for the development of modern computer. History of computer is described in this table

Invention	Inventor	Characteristics	Applications
Abacus 1602	China	First mechanical calculating device. A horizontal rod represents the one, tens, hundred, etc.	Used for addition and subtraction operations. Calculation of square roots can also be performed.
Napier’s Bones 1617	John Napier	Three dimensional structure. Holding numbers from 0 to 9 only. Represent graphical structure of calculating result.	Perform multiplication on numbers. Technology used for calculation called Rabdologia.
Pascaline 1642	Blaise Pascal	First mechanical adding machine. It was structured like rectangular box, with eight disc (represent number of units).	Perform addition and subtraction of two numbers. Mainly designed with regard to the pressure of liquid.
Jacquard’s Loom 1801	Joseph Marie Jacquard	Mainly weaved a silk based pattern. Used punched card for the sequence of operation.	Simplified the process of Textiles.
Analytical Engine 1837	Charles Babbage (Father of Computer)	First general-purpose computer. Stored program in the form of ‘pegs’ also called barrels.	It was a decimal machine used sign and magnitude for representation of a number.
Tabulating Machine 1880	Herman Hollerith	It used punched cards with round holes. It was the first electromechanical machine, designed to process the data for census in 1890.	Read one card at a time.
MARK-1 1944	Howard Aiken	Consists of interlocking panels of small glass, counters, switches and control circuits. Data can be entered manually.	Mainly used in the war effort during World War-K Magnetic drums are used for storage.
ENIAC 1946	JP Eckert and JW Mauchly	It is a combination of twenty accumulators. First electronic digital computer.	Used for weather prediction, atomic energy calculation and other scientific uses.
EDSAC 1949	John Von Morris Wilcus	It was first computer which provided storage capacity. First computer program was run on machine.	Capable of storing instructions and data in memory. Used mercury delay lines for memory, vacuum tubes for logic.
UNIVAC 1951	Eckert John Mauchly	First general-purpose electronic computer with large amount of input and output.	Used magnetic tapes as input and output.
IBM-650 Computer 1954	IBM Company	Provided input/output units converting   alphabetical and special characters to two-digit decimal code.	Payroll processing Oil refinery design Market research analysis

Generations of Computer

A generation refers to the state of improvement in the development of system. Computers are built of electromechanical, before generation. Each generation of computer is characterised by a major technological development that fundamentally changed the way, computers operate.

Based on SizeClassification of Computer
Computers are mainly classified as three types as follows

On the basis of size, computers are categorised as follows
Microcomputer
Microcomputers are the least powerful, yet the most widely used and fastest growing type of computers and are also called portable computers. Microcomputer consists of three basic categories of physical equipment, i.e. system unit, input/output unit and memory unit.
Some types of microcomputer are as follows

1. Desktop Computer or Personal Computer (PCs) These are small, relatively inexpensive computers. These are based on the microprocessor technology (Integrated Circuit, IC). In 1958, Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce invented the first IC.
2. Laptop These computers are also known as ultra book or notebook. These are portable, lightweight and fit into most briefcases. They include rechargeable battery, so these can work anywhere.
3. Handheld Computer These are the smallest and are designed to fit into the palm. So, these are also known as Palmt p. They are practical for certain functions such as phone books and calendars. They use the pen for input instead of keyboard.
4. Tablet Computer They have key features of the notebook computer, but these can accept input from a pen instead of the keyboard or mouse.
5. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) It is also known as a handheld PC, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager.

Minicomputer
Minicomputers are smaller in size, faster, cost lower than mainframe computers. Initially, the minicomputer was designed to carry out some specific tasks, like engineering and Computer Aided Design (CAD) calculations. But now, they are being used as central computer which is known as Server. Minicomputers are IBM-17, DEC PDP-11, HP-9000, etc.

Mainframe Computer
Mainframe computers are those having large internal memory storage and comprehensive range of software. Mainframe computer serves as a backbone for the entire business world. It is considered as the heart of a network of computers or terminals that allows a large number of people to work at the same time. Mainframe computers are IBM-370, IBM-S/390, UNIVAC-1110, etc.

Supercomputer
Supercomputers are the fastest and most expensive machines. They have high processing speed compared to other computers. The speed of supercomputers are measured in FLOPS (Floating Point Operations Per Second). Supercomputers are used for highly calculation intensive tasks, such as weather forecasting, nuclear research, military agencies and scientific research laboratories. Supercomputers are most powerful, large in size and memory, compared to all other computers.
– CRAY-1 was the world’s first supercomputer introduced by Seymour R CRAY in 1976.
PARAM was the first supercomputer developed “ in India in 1990.
PARAM Kanchenjunga is the latest machine in the series of PARAM made by NIT (National Institute of Technology) Sikkim 17th April 2016. Tianhe-2 is the world’s fastest supercomputer launched by China at NUDT university in 2013. It is based on Rylin Linux operating system with 33.86 petaflops.

Based on Work
On the basis of work, computers are categorised as follows
Analog Computer
Analog computers are the job-oriented computers. They carry out arithmetic and logical operations by manipulating and processing of data, e.g. speedometers, seismograph, etc. Analog computer can perform several mathematical operations simultaneously. It uses continuous variables for mathematical operations and utilises mechanical or electrical energy.

Digital Computer
Digital computers work by calculating the binary digits. A digital computer, not only performs mathematical calculations, but also combines the bytes to produce desired graphics, sounds, e.g. desktop (PC).

Hybrid Computer
Hybrid computers are the combination of analog and digital computers. Machines used in hospitals like ECG and DIALYSIS are the commonly used hybrid computers.

Based on Purpose
On the basis of purpose, computers are categorised as follows
General Purpose Computer
General purpose computers are those computers, which are used to solve variety of problems by changing the program or instructions, e.g. to make small database, calculations, accounting, etc.

Special Purpose Computer
Special purpose computers are those computers which are used to solve a single and dedicated type of problem, e.g. automatic aircraft landing, multimedia computer, etc.

Quantum computer was first introduced by Richard Feynman. It uses quantum mechanical phenomena.
It is the fastest computer imitating brain working.

Applications of Computer
Now-a-days computers have been employed in almost all the aspects of professional and personal life. Some of the areas where computers are being used are as follows

1. Education Computers have proved to be excellent teachers. Educational institutes are using computers in many ways like tele-education, virtual classroom, online classes, etc.
2. Science and Engineering Scientists have been long users of it. A new adventure among scientists is the idea of a collaboratory, an Internet based collaborative laboratory, in
   which researchers all over the world can work easily together even at a distance.
3. Industry Computers are used here to control manufacturing system and continuous running of the machinery. Parameters like temperature, pressure, volume are monitored and controlled by computers. Robotics developed with the help of computers, plays a very crucial role here.
4. Recreation Our entertainment and pleasure time have also been affected by computerisation.
5. Administration Various departments of the government use computer for their planning, control and law enforcement activities.
6. Health Computer plays a very crucial role in this area. Activities like scanning, X-ray, tele-medicine, patient monitoring, patient records, diagnosis, etc., are performed with the help of computers.
7. Multimedia It is the field concerned with the computer controlled integration of text, graphics, drawings, animation, audio and any
   other media where each type of information can be represented, stored, transmitted and processed digitally.
8. Banks Computers can be used in the banks to keep the records of customer’s accounts.
9. Military Personnel They also make use of computers for their crucial tasks like determining the weather, computing the trajectories of missiles, etc.
10. Business Using a wide range of business software a company’s marketing division can produce sales forecasts and devise new strategies.
11. Commerce It is the activity of buying and selling of goods and services especially on a large scale.
12. Publication Computers have made publication process an easy one. Without computers, the different parts of a publication-text, illustrations and graphics-must be created individually, then cut out and pasted down to form a page layout.

QUESTION BANK

1. The word computer has been derived from which of the following language?

1. Greek
2. English
3. Hindi
4. Latin
5. Spanish

2. Computer cannot perform

1. input
2. output
3. thinking
4. processing
5. storage

3. Which of the following is known as father of computer?

1. Dennis Ritchie
2. Napier
3. Charles Babbage
4. Alan Turing
5. Grace Hoppers

4. The Napier’s technology used for calculation called

1. Naptologia
2. Vibologia
3. Semiconductor
4. Rabdologia
5. None of these

5. Computer size was very large in

1. first generation
2. second generation
3. third generation
4. fourth generation
5. fifth generation

6. First generation computers were based on

1. transistors
2. conductors
3. ICs
4. vacuum tubes
5. None of the above

7. The earliest calculating device is

1. calculator
2. abacus
3. difference engine
4. analytical engine
5. None of these

8. Computer built before the first generation computer was

1. mechanical
2. electromechanical
3. electrical
4. electronics
5. All of these

9. Abacus can perform

1. addition
2. subtraction
3. multiplication
4. Both ‘1’ and ‘2’
5. All of these

10. Pascaline is also known by

1. abacus
2. adding machine
3. division machine
4. difference machine
5. None of these

11. Who developed integrated chip?

1. Robert Nayak
2. C Babbage
3. JS Kilby
4. CV Raman
5. None of these

12. Which type of computer is used in automatic aircraft landing?

1. General computer
2. Super computer
3. Special purpose
4. Micro computer
5. None of these

13. Artificial intelligence is an example of:

1. first generation computer
2. second generation computer
3. third generation computer
4. fourth generation computer
5. fifth generation computer

14. Which comper is used for compuer Aided Design (CAD) calculations?

1. Mini compuer
2. Mainframe computer
3. Super computer
4. Micro computer
5. None of these

15. A …….. is a microprocessor based computing device.

1. mainframe
2. personal computer
3. supercomputer
4. analog computer
5. None of the above

16. First computer of India is

1. PARAM
2. Siddhartha
3. IBM-370
4. CRAY-1
5. None of these

17. Benefits of computers are

1. very fast and can store huge amount of data
2. provide accurate output either input is correct or not
3. think about the processing
4. All of the above
5. None of the above

18. A personal computer is designed to meet the computing needs of an

1. individual
2. department
3. company
4. city
5. world

19. A is a large and expensive computer capable of performing scientific and business applications.

1. supercomputer
2. mainframe computer
3. minicomputer
4. handheld computer
5. desktop computer

20. Analytical engine developed by

1. Blaise Pascal
2. Charles Babbage
3. Dennis Ritchie
4. Alan Turing
5. None of these

21. A computer also known as server computer, is

1. supercomputer
2. mainframe computer
3. minicomputer
4. microcomputer
5. None of these

22. Tablet PC is a type of

1. microcomputer
2. supercomputer
3. minicomputer
4. mainframe computer
5. None of these

23. Analog computer works on the supply of

1. continuous electrical pulses
2. electrical pulses but not continuous
3. magnetic strength
4. physical strength
5. natural strength

24. A typical modern computer uses

1. LSI chips
2. vacuum tubes
3. valves
4. Both ‘1’ and ‘2’
5. None of these

25. Palmtop computer is also known as

1. personal computer
2. notebook computer
3. tablet PC
4. handheld computer
5. None of these

26 …. is not a microcomputer.

1. Desktop computer
2. Laptop
3. Tablet PC
4. Handheld computer
5. Mainframe computer

27. General purpose computers are used for

1. creating a small database
2. performs calculation
3. accounting
4. All of the above
5. None of the above

28. Which is not the example of special purpose computer?

1. Automatic aircraft landing
2. Word processor
3. Multimedia computer
4. All of the above
5. None of the above

29. Computer’s basic architecture was developed by

1. John Von Neumann
2. Charles Babbage
3. Blaise Pascal
4. Jordan Mum
5. None of the above

30. Which machine reads one card at a time?

1. Pascaline
2. Tabulating
3. Abacus
4. Leibnitz
5. None of these

31. First supercomputer developed in India is

1. PARAM
2. Aryabhatt
3. Buddha
4. Ram
5. None of these

32. Computers that are portable and convenient to use for users who travel, are known as

1. supercomputers
2. minicomputers
3. mainframe computers
4. laptops
5. fde servers

33. A central computer that holds collections of data and programs for many PCs, workstations and other computers is a

1. supercomputer
2. minicomputer
3. laptop
4. server
5. None of these

34. Collecting the data and converting it into information is called

1. processing
2. compiling
3. importing
4. exporting
5. None of these

35. Which of the following is not the characteristic of EDSAC?

1. It was first storage computer.
2. It was the first electromechanical machine.
3. It can calculate table of squares.
4. Both ‘1’ and ‘2’
5. None of the above

36. Input, output and processing devices grouped together represent a(n)

1. mobile device
2. information processing cycle
3. circuit board
4. computer system
5. None of the above

37. Which is not a basic function of a computer?

1. Copy text
2. Accept input
3. Process data
4. Store data
5. None of the above

38. Seismograph is an example of

1. Analog computer
2. Digital computer
3. Hybrid computer
4. All of these
5. None of the above

39. Which of the following is the correct order of the four major functions of a computer?

1. Process, A Output, A Input, A Storage
2. Input, A Output, A Process, A Storage
3. Process, A Storage, A Input, A Output
4. Input, A Process, A Output, A Storage
5. None of the above

40. These are specially designed computers that perform complex calculations extremely rapidly.

1. Servers
2. Supercomputers
3. Laptops
4. Mainframes
5. None of these

41. It is the science that attempts to produce machines that display the same type of intelligence that humans do

1. Nano science
2. Nano technology
3. Simulation
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
5. None of the above

42. These computers work by calculating the binary digits.

1. Hybrid
2. Digital
3. Analog
4. General purpose
5. Special purpose

43. Which types of computers are used in hospitals like ECG and DIALYSIS?

1. Digital
2. Hybrid
3. Analog
4. Microcomputer
5. Mainframe

44. Who designed the first electronic computer-ENIAC?

1. Von Neumann
2. Joseph M Jacquard
3. Presper Eckert and John W Mauchly
4. All of the above
5. None of the above

45. In latest generation computers, the instructions are executed

1. only parallel
2. only sequentially
3. Both ‘1’ and ‘2’
4. Either ‘1’ or ‘2’
5. None of these

46. A desktop computer is also known as a

1. palm pilot
2. PC
3. laptop
4. mainframe
5. None of these

47. The user generally applies to access mainframe or supercomputer.

1. terminal
2. node
3. desktop
4. handheld
5. None of these

48. Microcomputer hardware consists of three basic categories of physical equipment

1. keyboard, monitor, hard drive
2. system unit, input/output, memory
3. system unit, input/output, secondary storage
4. system unit, primary storage, secondary storage
5. None of the above

49. ENIAC was

1. an electronic calculator
2. an memory device
3. an electronic digital computer
4. an engine
5. None of the above

50. The period of the second generation computers was

1. 1946-1958
2. 1940-1960
3. 1956-63
4. 1957-1964
5. None of these

51. IC is made up of

1. transistors
2. microprocessors
3. vacuum tubes
4. Both ‘1’ and ‘2’
5. silicon

52. Time sharing became possible in generation of computers.

1. first
2. second
3. third
4. fourth
5. None of these

53. Which of the following refers to the fastest, biggest and most expensive computer?

1. Notebooks
2. Personal computer
3. Laptops
4. Supercomputer
5. PDA’s

54. Choose the odd one out.

1. Microcomputer
2. Minicomputer
3. Supercomputer
4. Digital computer
5. Notebook computer

55. Which of the following is the fastest type of computer?

1. Laptop
2. Notebook
3. Personal computer
4. Workstation
5. Supercomputer

56. Speed of first generation computer was in

1. nano seconds
2. milli seconds
3. nano-milli seconds
4. micro seconds
5. None of these

57. First generation computers used languages.

1. machine
2. assembly
3. Both‘1’and‘2’
4. high level
5. None of these

58. Which of the following options correctly expresses the meaning of the term ‘PCs’?

1. Independent computers for all working staff
2. Personal computers widely available to individual workers with which they can access information from layer systems and increase their personal productivity
   (3) Packed computers system formed by joining together of various computer terminals
   (4) Computer manufactured by the Pentium Company
   (5) None of the above

59. Which of the following is the smallest and fastest computer imitating brain working?

1. Supercomputer
2. Quantum computer
3. Param-10000
4. IBM chips
5. None of these

60. Name the first general purpose electronic computer.

1. ADVAC
2. ADSAC
3. UNIVAC
4. EDVAC
5. None of these

61. The latest machine in the series of PARAM made by NTT sikkim in 17th April 2016.

1. PARAM Kanchenjunga
2. PARAM YUVA
3. PARAM YUVA II
4. PARAM Kanchen
5. None of the above

62. The first computer which provides storage is

1. EDSAC
2. EDVAC
3. MARK-I
4. ACE

63. Desktop and personal computers are also known as

1. supercomputers
2. servers
3. mainframes
4. peripheral equipment
5. microcomputers

64. The Analytical Engine developed during first generation of computers used as a memory unit

1. RAM
2. floppies
3. cards
4. counter wheels
5. None of these

65. A complete electronic circuit with transistors and other electronic components on a small silicon chip is called a(n)

1. workstation
2. CPU
3. magnetic disk
4. integrated circuit
5. complex circuit

66. A hybrid computer is the one having the combined properties of [SBI Clerk 2013]

1. super and microcomputers
2. mini and microcomputers
3. analog and digital computers
4. super and mini computers
5. None of the above

67. Which of the following uses a handheld operating system?

1. A supercomputer
2. A personal computer
3. A laptop
4. A mainframe
5. A PDA

68. Which was the first electronic computer constructed at the Moore School of Engineering?

1. EDVAC
2. UNIVAC
3. ENIAC
4. EDSAC
5. None of these

69. Part number, description and number of parts ordered are examples of

1. control
2. output
3. processing
4. feedback
5. input

70. Data or information used to run the computer is called

1. hardware
2. CPU
3. peripheral
4. software
5. None of these

71. Punched cards were first introduced by

1. Powers
2. Pascal
3. Jacquard
4. Herman Hollerith
5. None of these

72. The third generation computers were made with

1. bio chips
2. transistors
3. integrated circuits
4. vacuum tubes
5. discrete components

73. Chip is a common nickname for a(n)

1. transistor
2. resistor
3. integrated circuit
4. semiconductor
5. None of these

74. Which of the following is a small microprocessor based computer designed to be used by one person at a time?

1. Netbook
2. Supercomputer
3. All-in-one
4. Notebook
5. Personal computer

75. PCs are considered fourth-generation and contain

1. information
2. data
3. vacuum tubes
4. microprocessors
5. transistors

76. Integrated Circuit (IC) chips used in computers are made with

1. copper
2. aluminium
3. gold
4. silicon
5. silver

77. A computer cannot perform which of the following functions?

1. Addition
2. Subtraction
3. Bake a cake
4. Division
5. None of these

78. A collection of unprocessed items is

1. information
2. data
3. memory
4. reports
5. None of these

79. Which of the following is generally costlier?

1. Server
2. Notebook computer
3. Personal computer
4. Laptop computer
5. Mainframe

80. Integrated Chips or IC’s were started to be in use from which generation of Computers?

1. 1st Generation
2. 2nd Generation
3. 3rd Generation
4. 4th Generation
5. 5th Generation

81. Which among the given options is IBM’s Supercomputer?

1. Tihane-2
2. Sunway Taihu Light
3. Watson
4. Shasra-T
5. Brain

ANSWERS