1. What is a computer? Different parts of a complete computer system.

A computer is an electronic device used to process data. A computer can convert data into
information that is useful to people. A complete computer system includes four distinct
parts such as hardware, software, date, and user.
2. Basic organization/block diagram of a computer?
The basic organization of a computer can be beautifully viewed in the following diagram:

3. What is hardware? Various types of hardware?

Hardware, in the computer world, refers to the physical components that make up a
computer system. Hardware are the tangible parts of a computer like the keyboards,
printers, disk drives and the monitor among others. Five categories of hardware are:
Input Devices: An input device is any device that transfers data from the outside world
into a computer. Keyboard, Mouse, Digital pen.
Output Devices: An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to
communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information processing
system to the outside world. Speakers, Headphones, Printer.
Memory Device: Memory consists of chips attached to the motherboard. Memory holds
data and program instructions as the CPU works with them.
Storage Device: Storage devices hold data not currently being used by the CPU. Data is
commonly stored on a magnetic or optical disk. Hard disk, CD-ROM, USB Flash Drive.
Processor (CPU): A central processing unit (CPU), also referred to as a central processor
unit. The main two parts of a CPU are the control unit and arithmetic logic unit.
4. What is input device? Write at least two input devices name.
Input Devices: An input device is any device that transfers data from the outside world
into a computer. Keyboard, mouse, digital pen, webcam, camera, MICR, OCR, OMR are
the examples of input devices.

MICR: Magnetic Ink Character Recognition is a character recognition technology used

primarily by the banking industry to facilitate the processing of cheques.
Bar Code Readers: A barcode reader is an electronic device for reading printed barcodes.
Bar code readers can read bar codes-patterns of printed bars.
5. What is keyboard? Write different key name of a keyboard.
A keyboard is a data input device for computers, arrangement of keys is modelled after
the typewriter keyboard. A standard computer keyboard has about 100 keys. Most
keyboards use the QWERTY layout. Most keyboards have keys arranged in five groups:
Alphanumeric keys, Numeric keys, Function Keys, Modifier Keys, Cursor-movement keys.
6. What is mouse? Different types of mouse techniques.
The mouse is pointing device. We use it to move a graphical pointer on the screen. The
mouse can be used to issue commands, draw, and perform other types of input tasks.
Using the mouse involves five techniques:
Pointing: Move the mouse to move the on-screen pointer.
Clicking: Press and release the left mouse button once.
Double-clicking: Press and release the left mouse button twice.
Dragging: Hold down the left mouse button as you move the pointer.
Right-clicking: Press and release the right mouse button.
7. What is output devices? Different types of output devices.
An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the
results of data processing carried out by an information processing system to the outside
world. Speakers, Headphones, Printer, Monitor.
8. What is printer? Different types of printer. What are the criteria to evaluate a printer?
The printer is a common output device. It produces permanent visual record of the output
from a computer. It is capable of producing business reports and documents. There are
different types and models of printers. The most commonly used computer printers are
inkjet printer, laser printer, plotters printer, Dot-matrix printer, and Thermal printer.
9. What is processor? What are the parts of processor and its function?
Processor is the hardware within a computer that carries out the instructions of a
computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output
operations of the system. The two main parts of a CPU are the control unit and the
arithmetic logic unit. The control unit directs the flow of data through the CPU, and to and
from other devices. The actual manipulation of data takes place in the ALU. The ALU can
perform arithmetic and logic operations. The CPU consists of one or more chips attached
to the computers main circuit board.

10. What is software? Difference between application software and system software.
Software is a set of electronic instructions that tells the compute how to do certain tasks.
a set instructions is often called a program. When a computer is using a particular
program, it is said to be running or executing the program. The two most common types
of programs are system software and application software.
System software exists primarily for the computer itself, to help the computer perform
specific functions. One major type of system software is the operating system. All
computers require an operating system. Application software tell the computer how to
accomplish tasks the user requires, such as creating a document or editing a graphic
image.
11. What are the characteristics of a computer?
Speed: Computer can work very fast. It can perform millions of instructions in a second.
Accuracy: The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and calculation is performed
with the same accuracy.
Diligence: The computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue etc. It can
work for hours without creating any error.
No Feeling: It does not have feeling or emotion, taste, knowledge and experience.
12. Different types of computer.
Supercomputer: Supercomputers are the most powerful computers. They are used for
problems requiring complex calculations. Because of their size and expense,
supercomputers are relatively rare.
Mainframe Computers: Mainframe computers can support hundreds or thousands of users,
handling massive amounts of input, output, and storage. This computers are used in large
organizations where many users need access to shared data and programs.
Minicomputers: Minicomputers are smaller than mainframes
microcomputers. Minicomputers usually have multiple terminals.

but

larger

than

Workstations: Workstations are powerful single-user computers. Workstations are used for
tasks that require a great deal of number-crunching power, such as product design and
computer animation.
Microcomputers: Microcomputers are more commonly known as personal computers. The
term PC is applied to IBM-PCs or compatible computers.

13. What is cache memory?

Cache memory is high-speed memory that holds the most recent data and instructions
that have been loaded by the CPU. Cache is located directly on the CPU or between the
CPU and RAM, making it faster than normal RAM.
14. Difference between RAM and ROM.
RAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory.
Where can read and write into it.
Temporary or volatile memory.
For any type of processing, users must
store programs and data into RAM.

ROM
ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
Where can only read from it.
Permanent or non-volatile memory.
Manufacture store instructions into the ROM
permanently.

15. Difference between primary and secondary memory.

Characteristics
Primary Memory
Cost
Most Expensive.
Capacity
Access Time
Permanence

Secondary Memory
Less
expensive
than
primary
memory.
Lower as compared to secondary Several thousand times higher as
memory.
compared to primary memory.
Less than secondary memory
Higher than primary memory.
Volatile
Non-volatile.