CBSE Computer Science with Python Class 11
Basic Computer Organisation
A computer is an electronic device, under the control of instructions stored in its memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to specified rules (Program) on processor & produces information (output), and store the information for future use.
Data vs Information
Data are raw numbers or other findings which, by themselves, are of limited value.
Information is data that has been converted into a meaningful and useful context.
Computers are being used extensively nowadays in everyday life/every field In the form of laptop, desktop, smartphone, gadgets etc.
Advantages of computer
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Huge storage
- Versatility
- Tirelessness
Disadvantages of computer
- Data security issue
- Computer crimes
- Health risk
- Bad impact on environment if not properly disposed
Basic functions of a Computer
Any digital computer performs five functions in gross term.
- Take data as input
- Stores data/instructions
- Process those stored data
- Generate the output
- Control all above steps
Functional components of a computer
Input/Output Units
Input Unit A device through which data and programs from the outside world enter the computer system.
Output unit A device through which results stored in the computer memory are made available outside the computer system.
Central processing unit – Comprises three parts
- Arithmetic Logic Unit Performs basic arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction Performs logical operations such as AND, OR, and NOT. Most modern ALUs have a small amount of special storage units called registers that can be accessed faster than main memory.
- Control unit It organizes the computer to work computer as single unit & generates control signals for various devices regarding read/write or execute operation
- Memory A collection of cells, each with a unique physical address Most computers are byte-addressable
Memory Units –
How much memory is required for a file/data/progam etc. is measured by memory units. Following are the memory units.
RAM and ROM
Random Access Memory (RAM) Memory in which each location can be accessed and changed Read Only Memory (ROM) Memory in which each location can be accessed but not changed RAM is volatile, ROM is not.
Secondary Storage Devices
Magnetic Tape mass auxiliary storage device
Hard disk Fixed Head HDD / Movable head HDD
A hard disk is a set of stacked disks. Each disk has data recorded electromagnetically in concentric circles, or tracks, on the disk Hard Drive Types
- Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA)
- Serial ATA (SATA)
- Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)
- Solid State Drives (SSD) Upto 12 TB sized HDD is available in the market
Input Devices
Input devices can send data or information to a computer or another device.
Keyboard: It is an input device which sends data in to the computer. The data send depends on the key pressed by the user.
Mouse: A mouse is a small handheld input device which controls a cursor in a graphical user interface. It can move and select text, files, folders etc. on our computer according to the user input.
Scanner: Scanner optically reads and document, file or image and then changes it into digital signal and sends to the computer.
OMR: optical mark recognition/ reader, is used to read marks on a document and send them to computer.
OCR: OCR stands for optical character Recognition, is an input device which reads printed text and sends that to computer.
MICR: Magnetic Ink Character Reader is an input device which generally finds application is banks to process cheques.
Microphone: it receives audio generated by some input source and sends the same to a computer. Webcam: it sends the captured images to a computer.
Graphics Tablets: This input device is used to draw using hand.
Trackballs: an upside down mouse ,encased within a socket. Is a cursor control device.
Barcode reader: It is used to read the barcode of various items and feed the same to computer.
Gamepad: Also known as joy pad is the input controller for video games.
Joystick: these input devices are used to control video games.
Output Devices
A device that can receive data from computer or another device and create output with that data is called output device. Examples of various output devices are as :
Monitor: A monitor is an output device that is responsible for receiving data from a computer and displaying that information as text or images for users to see.
Speakers: Receives sound signal from a computer and then plays that sound signal and thus we hear songs or music or any other audio.
Projector: Gets data from a computer and displays or projects the same information onto a screen or a wall. Projector cannot directly accept data from a user and send that data to another devices.
Both Input / Output Devices
An input/output device is capable of receiving data from users or another devices and also sending data to another devices or computers. That means a devices which can be used as both input device and output device are called Input / Output (I/O) devices.
Some examples of input/output devices are as:
USB drive: Also known as pen drive or flash stick works as both input device to computer and as an output device. USB drives receive or save data from a computer as an input and it can also send data to a computer or another device.
Facsimile: Facsimile or FAX machine has a scanner which is an input device and a small printer to provide output.
Modems: It is used to transmit and receive data from one computer to another computer or other devices using telephone lines.
CD-RW drives and DVD-RW drives: Receives data from a computer as input to copy onto and save into writable CD or DVD. We also use CDs or DVDs to transfer data to a computer.
Touch Screen: Touch screen is both input and output device. By touching the screen input is provided and being a screen, it is used as an output device.
Headsets: Headset consists of speaker as an output device and microphone functions as an input device.