Fundamentals of IT & Programming

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.1_Introduction to Fundamentals of IT & Programming

Hello and welcome to the course on Fundamentals of IT and Programming by Manipal University,
Jaipur. My name is Dr. Pradeep Kumar Tiwari. I am an Assistant Professor at Manipal University, Jaipur.
Have you ever thought what happens when you put on a computers? What are the different parts of
the computers that work together to make it such up powerful machine capable of such complex
calculations and advanced process. The aim of this program is to give beginners an 'inside' look into a
computer and an overview of the working of IT or information technology. To start with, we look at
our firstly, how computers evolve to what they are today.

Then we get into our nuts and bolts and look closely at the different internal components of a
computer. From there we use our understanding of the different parts of a computer to track the
different generation of computers and their classifications. Next we move to the brain of the
computer, the memory, and understand terms like RAM, ROM, and the various type of external
storage devices. An overview of computer software follows and we will learn about the different
operating systems including: Windows, Linux, Unix and Mac OS amongst others. From here we will go
deeper into software looking at the process of software design, development and testing in detail. To
break up, we take a step back and study a broad overview of operating system concepts and
communication system concepts.

Through this program, we will learn the key concept of information system and their application and
gain familiarity with the buzzwords used within the IT field . By the end of this course, you will have a
solid understanding of what goes into making a computer work. This is critical if you are looking at
building career in engineering hardware, or a software development and even if you will be working
in an organization where you will have to work with IT professionals. There are no prerequisites for
this course and it is built keeping in mind that a lot of you will be new to some of the topics being
mentioned.

We hope that with the knowledge you will be easily able to apply for the entry level technology,
internship or even upgrade your resume with the technical skills you have learned. Best of luck with
this.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.2_Need of Computers

Welcome to this video on Need of Computers. Need of computers. Today, computers have become a
part of our lives. The usage of computers in different fields has become a necessity in the present
competitive world. A lot of work and evolution has transpired from the initial computer systems to
the present-day computer systems. Computers are made up of electrical, electronic, and mechanical
components. Therefore, to carry out a specific task, a series of instructions must be given to the
computer in a particular order. Here, in this unit, we are going to study about the computer structure,
evolution of computers, characteristics of computers, and the organization of computers.

Key points discussed in this video: The usage of computers in the different fields has become a
necessity in the present competitive world. Computers are made up of electrical, electronic, and
mechanical components.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.3_Usage of Computers

Welcome to this video on Usage of Computers. This learning video enables you to: Describe the
components of a computer and explain the applications of computer. A computer can be defined as

1
Fundamentals of IT & Programming

an electronic device that receives data and processes it based on a sequence of instructions called a
program to produce the required output or information. A computer is a programmable machine
made up of electrical, electronic, and mechanical components, which means it should be able to
receive data, execute a program, and provide an efficient output. Any programmable devices that we
see around us, including cash registers, credit card, swipe machines, ATMs, are all computers.

Even the simple calculator and the basic mobile phones are computers. However, the term computer
is most often associated with and used to refer to the desktop and laptop computers with which most
people are familiar. Some of the major components of a computer include the motherboard, CPU,
memory or RAM, hard drive, sound card, and graphics card. A computer may also include peripheral
devices for data input and output displays, such as keyboards, monitors, speakers, and printers. A
mainframe is a large, high-powered computer that can perform millions of calculations from multiple
sources simultaneously. A super computer is a machine that processes billions of instructions a second
and performs extremely complex calculations.

Computers have appeared over a period of history in many forms. There have been mechanical
computers and analog computers. A lot of work and progress has occurred from basic machines such
as the step reckoner, that could do four mathematical calculations addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division to the supercomputers such as Tianhe-2 that can carry out calculations at
the rate of 33.86 petaflops. Computers today, not just process data but also store data. This data, may
be a program for a specific job, such as word processing or playing a video or it may also be raw data
such as digital signal from a digital camera.

Computers also permanently store certain types of programs called logic circuitry in the
microprocessors. These programs are essential for the computer to understand and begin processing
programs that are fed by the user through external input devices. Today, computers have become an
integral part of our life. Computers are not only used for specialist application, but also in everyday
activities from being used to manufacture and delivering the products and services that we use to day-
to-day communication over mobile phones. Since civilizations began, many of the advances made by
science and technology have depended upon the ability to process large amounts of data and perform
complex mathematical calculations; from astronomy to navigation mathematics has been essential to
many human activities. Computers provide the processing speed required by all facets of society. The
quick service we expect at the bank, at the grocery store, on the stock exchange, and on the internet
are dependent on the speed of computers. Can you imagine a world without computers? Computers
are also extremely reliable and help overcome human errors. Most errors are caused by humans, not
computers. Computers are capable of storing enormous amounts of data that must be located and
retrieved very quickly. The capability to store and retrieve volumes of data is at the core of the
information age.

Today, computers play a critical role in everyday life. They have quickly become as essential and as
indispensable to people as televisions and automobiles. Key points discussed in this video: Computer
is an electronic device that receives data and processes it based on a sequence of instructions.
Programmable devices includes cash registers, credit card machines, ATMs are all computers. Major
components of a computer are CPU, RAM, sound card, and graphics card. A super computer is a
machine that can process billions of instructions a second.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.4_Evolution of Computers Part – I

2
Fundamentals of IT & Programming

Welcome to this video on Evolution of Computers Part 1. This learning video will enable you to:
Identify the history of computers and identify how computers came into existence since 1930s-1960s.
Many of the advances made by science and technology have depended upon the ability to process
large amounts of data and perform complex mathematical calculations. The abacus was an important
counting machine during the initial stages, where it was used until the Late Middle Ages. It was
followed by a series of improvements in mechanical counting machines that led up to the
development of accurate mechanical adding machines in the 1930s.

In June 1943, work began on the world's first electronic computer. This machine was a vast
improvement over the mechanical calculating machines of the past because it used vacuum tubes
instead of relay switches. It contained over 17,000 of these tubes, which were the same type tubes
used in radios at that time. The first computer like machine was a Mark 1 developed by a team from
IBM and Harvard University. It used mechanical telephone relays to store information and it processed
data entered on punch cards. This machine was not a true computer, since it could not make decisions.

The invention of the transistor made smaller and less expensive computers possible. Although
computers shrank in size, they were still huge by today's standards. Another innovation to the
computers in the 60s was storing data on tape instead of punch cards. Key points discussed in this
video: Many of the advances made by science and technology have depended upon the ability to
process large amounts of data and perform complex mathematical calculations. The abacus was an
important counting machine. Vast improvement over the mechanical calculating machines of the past
because it used vacuum tubes instead of relay switches. The invention of the transistor made smaller
and less expensive computers possible.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.5_Evolution of Computers Part – II

Welcome to this video on Evolution of Computers. This learning video will enable you to: Examine the
evolution of computers before 1970s and explain the evolution of computers in 70's and 80's. Let us
learn about the evolution of computers using a timeline. In 1936, Konrad Zuse invented the first
programmable computer called 'Z1 Computer'. It read instructions from perforated 35mm films . In
1944, Howard Aiken and Grace Hopper invented the Harvard Mark 1 Computer at the Harvard
University. It was a five-tone device with lakhs 7,60,000 separate pieces. It was initially used by the US
Navy. In 1946, John Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly invented the ENIAC after the introduction of
vacuum tubes in electronic devices. It used 20,000 vacuum tubes and needed 36 vacuum tubes to
store a single digit of information. In 1947, the transistor was invented by John Bardeen, Walter
Brattain, and William Shockley. In 1951, the first commercial computer, UNIVAC 1, was introduced by
John Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly. In 1953, IBM entered into the history of computers with
IBM 701. It is the first scientific computer based on advanced architecture. In 1954, IBM developed
the first successful high-level program called FORTRAN for numeric and scientific applications.

It is a popular language in high-performance computing and used as a benchmark to rank

supercomputers. In 1955, Stanford University and General Electric Laboratory developed the first
dedicated computer for a banking industry called MICR, Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, for Bank
of America. In 1958, Jack Kilby and Robert Noyse invented the integrated circuits (IC). It paved the way
for future advancements in computers. In 1962, Steve Russell and MIT developed the first computer
game, SpaceWar. In 1960, Douglas Engelbart developed the first prototype of the mouse. It had
wooden shell and two metal wheels. He called it a mouse as the wire came out like a tail at one end.
In 1969, ARPANET, the first network to use packet switching and TCP/IP suite, was built. It initially

3
Fundamentals of IT & Programming

connected four universities in the network. In 1970, Intel developed the first dynamic RAM, Intel 1103.
It replaced many later applications because of its small size and low price. In 1971, Faggi, Hoff, and
Mazor developed the microprocessor based on an idea proposed by a Japanese company, Busicom,
to make a single chip for their calculator. In the same year, IBM developed a magnetic storage device
called floppy disk.

It was nicknamed as floppy to denote flexibility. In 1975 , IBM introduced the first consumer computer,
IBM 5100. Between 1976 and 1977, Apple was started by Steve Jobs and it introduced the Apple I and
Apple II computers. Some other consumer computers like TRS 80 and Commodore Pet computers
were also introduced. In 1978, the first spreadsheet software VisiCalc was developed and in 1979, the
first word processor 'Word Star' was developed. In 1981, IBM started the PC evolution by introducing
IBM PC, a dedicated personal computer for consumer usage. In the same year, 1981, Microsoft
introduced MS-DOS operating system for some specific processor based computers.

After it's widespread usage, it became the operating system of the century. In 1983, the first PC with
graphical user interface, was introduced by Apple, Apple Lisa and then the most affordable computer
called Macintosh was developed. By 1985, computers started to evolve with the respective
technologies and since then, it started the friendly war between Apple and Microsoft. Key points
discussed in this video: Invention of Z1 computer by Konrad Zuse in 1936. In 1946, ENIAC was invented
using vacuum tubes. First commercial computer UNIVAC was invented in 1951. Introduction of
FORTRAN, first high level program developed by IBM.

In 1945, Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce invented integrated circuits. Invention of microprocessor by Intel
in 1971.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.6_Characteristics of Computer Part – I

Welcome to this video on Characteristics of Computers. This learning video will enable you to:
Describe the basic characteristics and advantages of computers such as speed, arithmetic and logical
operation, accuracy, reliability, storage, and data retrieval. Let us begin by learning about the
characteristics of computers. All computers, big or small, share some common characteristics. They
are the speed of calculation, accuracy, reliability, and the ability to perform arithmetical and logical
operations, and store and retrieve data. Speed. As you know, computers can work very fast.
Computers use electronic circuits to process the data based on the instructions given to them.

These data are processed in the circuits with the speed of light. The calculations that we take hours to
do, computers accomplish it in seconds. They process millions of instructions in mere seconds. The
unit of speed for computing is in microseconds or nanosecond. It is a common measurement of
reading or writing to the random access memory (RAM). The speed of computer is usually measured
in megahertz,(MHz) gigahertz (Ghz). It means million cycles units of frequency is hertz per second.
Basic operations of computers. Computers can perform many operations, but the basic operations are
arithmetic and logic.

Arithmetic operations. In arithmetic operation numeric data is processed like addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division. Logical operations. It compares the numerical data as well as alphabetical
data. Accuracy. Since a computer is programmed, it will return the result accurately for the input that
we provide. The accuracy level of computers is very high and therefore, every calculation is performed
with the same precision. Reliability. Advanced components in a computer have a very low failure rate.
Therefore, the hardware problems are very less or even if they are, they can be resolved easily. This

4
Fundamentals of IT & Programming

attribute makes computers very reliable. Reliability. Many personal computers run for long without
requiring any service or getting hardware issues.

The market also has many reliable and skilled service providers who can resolve issues if any. A
computer has internal storage as well as external or secondary storage. Computers can store a large
amount of data in the required format. A piece of information or data, once recorded or store on a
computer, can never be forgotten and can be retrieved almost instantaneously. Storage, data can also
be stored on secondary storage devices such as pen drives, hard discs, compact discs, or DVD which
can be kept outside your computer and can be ported to other computers. Similarly, information
downloaded from the internet can be saved on the storage media.

Retrieving data and programs.

We can quickly retrieve data from a computer's memory. The data and programs stored in the primary
storage or secondly storage media can be easily retrieved and used for further applications. Key points
discussed in this video: Characteristics of computer are speed of calculation, accuracy, reliability,
arithmetical and logical operations, storage and retrieval of data. The unit of speed for computing is
in microseconds or nanosecond. Advanced components in computers have very low failure rate. Data
can be stored on secondary storage devices such as pen drives, hard discs, DVD, and retrieved quickly.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.7_Characteristics of Computer Part – II

Welcome to this video on Characteristics of Computers. This learning video will enable you to:
Describe the basic characteristics and advantages of computers such as automation, versatility,
communications, diligence, feelings, consistency, and precision. Computers are automatic in
operations, versatility, diligence, communication between networks, feelings, consistency in
processing, and precision. Computers can perform operations automatically without any need from
humans. It also controls the other connected devices automatically. Computers always execute the
programs in a sequential manner. Versatile means flexible. We can use a computer to perform
different type of work simultaneously. It is the most important feature of computer. At one moment
you're playing game on computer, the next moment you're composing and sending emails etc.

The presence of computers can be seen in almost every sphere, railway, a reservation, banks, hotels,
weather forecasting, and much more. In colleges and universities, computers are used to deliver
lectures to the students. The talent of computer is dependent on the software. Computers can process
a work for hours without any break or bugs. Unlike human beings, computers are highly consistent. It
does not get tired while working after hours of work. Meanwhile, it performs the operations with the
same accuracy as well as speed as the first one. Computers are generally used to exchange messages,
documents, or programs to other computer devices using the network all over the world.

Any information can be received and sent back to different computers in many places, using the
internet with the help of computer. It is important feature in this modern technology. Normally, any
electronic machine has no feelings. It processes the object that is given as the input. We can make
decisions and results using our feelings. However, in case of computer, it cannot judge or conclude
any decision on its own. All the process is based on the instructions given to it. People face difficulties
to repeat the instructions again and again in longer duration. For example, a professor feels difficulty
to repeat a same lecture in a classroom again and again.

Computer can repeat actions consistently again and again without losing its concentration. Let us now
notice computer's consistency. Computer can repeat actions consistently again and again without

5
Fundamentals of IT & Programming

losing its concentration, such as to run a spell checker that is built indoor word processor for checking
spellings in a document, to play multimedia animations for training purposes, to deliver a lecture
through computer in a classroom etc. A computer will carry out the activity with the same way every
time, you can listen to a lecture a perform any action again and again. Computers can perform
operations with great accuracy and precision in a fast and consistent way.

For example, in manual calculations and rounding fractional values, that is, the value with the decimal
point can change the actual result. A computer however, you can keep the accuracy and precision up
to the desired level. The length calculation remains always accurate. Key points discussed in this video:
Computers can perform operations automatically in a sequential manner. Computers can work for
hours without any break or error. Computers are used to exchange messages or documents. Normally,
any electronic machine has no feelings, it process the object that is given as the input. People face
difficulties to repeat the instructions again and again.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.8_Organization of a Computer

Welcome to this video on Organization of a Computer. This learning video will enable you to: Explain
the organization of computers and identify components of computer. A computer is a fast and
accurate device which accepts, stores, and processes data to produce the results as output. The
computer is organized into four units: Input unit, CPU, secondary memory, output unit. Input units are
external devices through which data and programs are entered into the computer. Input devices
convert data from any convenient external format into binary codes that a computer can store and
manipulate internally. Some examples of input devices are keyboard, mouse, cameras, and scanning
devices.

The CPU is the brain of a computer. It is responsible for carrying out the computational tasks that
come from either the user or the software. The CPU in a personal computer is usually a single chip.
The processor is plugged into the computer's motherboard. It divides the operation into basic steps,
which are performed in one clock cycle. The motherboard is a rigid rectangular card that contains the
circuitry, which connects the processor and all the other components that make up a personal
computer. In personal computers, some of the components are attached directly to the motherboard
and some are housed on their own small circuit boards that plug into the expansion slots built into the
motherboard.

The processing capacity of a computer is measured in terms of the amount of data processed by the
CPU i n one operation. The CPU has three important sub units; arithmetic logic unit (ALU), control unit,
and memory. The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), is responsible for mathematical calculations like
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It can also perform logical operations like and, or,
and not. Secondly memory is the permanent memory of a computer. However, you can delete the
data if you want. Some of the secondary storage devices include floppy disks, fixed or hard disks, and
optical disks.

Output units are devices which converts the stored binary data into convenient external forms such
as text and pictures. Some examples of output devices include printers and monitors. Key points
discussed in this video: The computer is organized into input unit, CPU, secondary memory, and output
unit. Input units are external devices through which data and programs are entered into the computer.
Input devices convert user data into binary codes. The CPU is the brain of a computer. It divides the
operations into basic steps. The motherboard contains the circuitry that connects the processor and
other components. The capacity of a computer is determined by the amount of data it processes.

6
Fundamentals of IT & Programming

The CPU has three important sub units; arithmetic logic unit (ALU), control unit, and memory.
Secondary memory is the permanent memory. Output units are devices which convert the stored
binary data into convenient external forms such as text and pictures.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.9_Input Units of Computer

Welcome to this video on Input Units of a Computer. This learning video will enable you to identify
different types of input devices. Any device supports in the entry of data into a computer is known as
input device. The input device converts to convenient external code into the binary codes that the
computer can manipulate. Mouse also known as a pointing device, is used to point and select an
option on the monitor. It is a small boxlike object connected externally to the computer. The pointer
on the screen follows the direction and movement of the mouse. Rolling the mouse moves the pointer
to the screen. The button on the mouse is used to select a particular option on the screen. Mechanical
mouse: A rubber-coated ball, which projects through the bottom surfaces, rotates as the mouse is
moved. This rotation is sensed and electrical signals are sent to the system by the switches present
inside the mouse. This makes the cursor or pointer to move in a respective way. Optical mouse uses
diode to emit light beam instead of rotating ball to detect the movements. The next input device we're
about to discuss is the light pen. It is a pen like device that is used only in video displays.

It also can be used to select an option by simply pointing at it or drawing figure directly on the screen.
An electron beam scans the display screen in all directions and produces the video display. The light
pen has a photodetector as its tip. The detector can detect changes in the brightness of the screen.
The light pen is externally connected to the computer by a cable. When the pen is pointed at a
particular point on the screen, the point is scanned and the photodetector detects the change in the
brightness and since the electrical pulses to the computer. A touch screen is a type of device in which
the user can give the input by using fingers to point directly to objects on the screen instead of using
pointing devices. It consists of a touch sensitive transparent panel covering the device. A joystick has
a lever that can be moved in all directions. It controls the movement of the pointer or some other
display symbol on the screen. A joystick is like a mouse, except that the pointer stops moving once the
mouse is stopped moving, However, in a joystick, the pointer continues to move in the direction to
which a joystick points.

To stop the pointer, the joystick has to be returned to the upright position. Keyboards are the most
commonly used input devices. The most popularly used keyboards are those that look and feel like a
typewriter keyboard. Membrane keyboards have keys where the alphabets, symbols, and numbers
are printed on a plastic membrane. Pressure sensitive two dimensional keyboards consists of a
dustproof and dustproof plastic sheet cover, which is useful in a dirty environment. Scanners are the
eyes of the computer. They can see images of printed text and translate them into binary code.

Most scanners collect data from page by recording the light and dark areas. The scanner contains a
camera, which is made up of thousands of tiny cells called charge-coupled devices or CCD. Key points
discussed in this video: Any input device converts the convenient external code into binary codes that
the computer can manipulate. The mouse is a small boxlike object connected externally to the
computer. The pointer on the screen follows the direction and movement of the mouse. A light pen
can select an option by simply pointing at it. Drawing figure directly on the screen. A touch screen is a
type of device in which the user can give the input by using fingers to point directly to the objects on
the screen instead of using pointing devices. A joystick has a lever that can be moved in all directions.

7
Fundamentals of IT & Programming

It controls the movement of the pointer or some other display symbol on the screen. Scanners scan
images, printed text and translate them into binary code.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.10_Specialized Input Devices

Welcome to this video on Specialized Input Devices. This learning video will enable you to describe
the specialized input devices and purpose and applications of specialized input devices. Specialized
input drivers are the drivers that enable the user with an excellent and maximum usability of
computers and interfaces. To interact with the computer, one needs an input device. The most
common are a keyboard and a mouse, which we have learned already. Let us now learn about other
input devices for more specialized tasks. Also, we will know how these devices are integrated into
single computer systems in the following slides.

These input devices are used to read any printed text. They are capable of interpreting handmade
marks, handwritten characters, machine printed characters, special symbols, and codes.

Optical character readers scan text character by character, convert them into machine-readable code,
and store it in the memory. This device reduces the organization, the data inputting time, as it can
read characters at the rate of around 2,600 characters per second. Magnetic ink character readers are
used for reading and identifying magnetized characters printed on a document. For example, analog
waveforms derived from scanning the characters and analyzed by rectifying and integrating the
waveform to generate a value representing the gain of a programmable-gain amplifier. It is provided
for generating a value representing the center of gravity of the area under each peak of the amplified
waveform for use in retiming the peak sampling windows for compensating, for variations in the speed
of the document past the magnetic read head.

Digital values representing the area under each peak curve in the waveform are compared with
corresponding values of a plurality of reference characters to identify the unknown character.

Barcode reader. Barcode reader is used to read a different kind of vertical lines known as bars, which
signify some information.

A touchpad is a pointing device featuring a sensor and specialized surface that can translate the
motion and position of a user's fingers to a relative position. Most laptop computers today have a
touchpad pointing device. The on-screen cursor is moved by sliding the finger on the surface of the
touchpad. The buttons are located below in the touchpad. The advantages of a touchpad are as
follows: they take up much less room to use, there are no moving parts to get dirty or result in jumpy
cursor control.

Track point is a small rubber projection embedded between the keys of the keyboard. Some
subnotebook computers, which lack rooms for even a touchpad, incorporate a track point. The track
point acts like a little joystick that can be used to control the position of the cursor on the screen.

A graphical tablet consist of an electronic writing area and a special pen to write on it. They allow
artists to create graphical images with motions and actions. This creates a feel of using traditional
drawing tools. The pen is a pressure-sensitive tool. Hence, pressing harder or softer can create
brushstrokes of different thickness and width.

A microphone can be attached to a computer to record sound. This is usually done using sound card
input; circuitry built-in to the motherboard. The sound is digitized, turned into numbers that represent
the original analogue sound waves and stored in the computer for later processing and playback.

8
Fundamentals of IT & Programming

Key points discussed in this video: optical character readers scan text character by character, convert
them into the machine-readable code, and store it in the memory. Barcode reader is used to read a
different kind of vertical lines known as bars which signify some information. A touchpad is a pointing
device featuring a sensor and specialized surface that can translate the motion and position of a user's
fingers to a relative position. Track point is a small rubber projection embedded between the keys of
the keyboard. A graphical tablet consists of an electronic writing area and a special pen to write on it.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.11_Components of CPU

Welcome to this video on Components of CPU. This video will enable you to identify the different
components of a CPU. What is central processing unit? It is called as the brain of the computer. The
CPU in a personal computer is usually a single-chip. It organizes and processes the instructions that
come either from the user or from the software. Now, let us look at its components. The processor is
made up of many components. They are the arithmetic and logic unit, the control unit. The control
unit controls the electronic flow of information around the computer. The arithmetic logic unit also
known as ALU, is responsible for mathematical calculations and logical operations.

The processor is embedded into the computer's motherboard. The motherboard is a rigid rectangular
card, which consists of a circuit system that connects the processor and all the other components of
the computer together. Some of the components are attached directly to the motherboard and some
are housed on their small circuit boards that plug into the expansion slots built into the motherboard.
A computer's processing capacity is measured by the amount of data processed by the CPU in one
operation. In a CPU, there are three sub units. They are as follows; arithmetic logic unit, control unit,
memory unit.

Now, let's see each unit in brief. Arithmetic logic unit: The ALU is an electronic circuit used to do
arithmetic operations with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. ALU also processes
logical operations like greater than, less than, equal to etc. It performs the operations on the data
provided by the input devices. A comparison operation allows a program to make decisions based on
its data input and results of the previous calculations. Logical operations can be used to determine
whether a particular statement is true or false. The ALU operates on the data available in the main
memory and sends them back to main memory after processing.

Control unit: The control unit coordinates the activities of all the other units in the system. It's main
functions are to control the transfer of data and information between various units, to control the
actions of the arithmetic logic unit. The control unit fetches instructions from the memory, decodes
them, and directs them to various units to perform the specified tasks. Memory unit: The main
memory is also called primary memory. It is used to store data temporarily. Although the CPU is the
brain behind all the operations of the computer, it needs to give instructions and supply the data for
processing.

Once the CPU has carried out an instruction, it needs the result to be stored. This storage space is
provided by the computer's memory. Data provided by the input device and the result of that
processed data are also stored in the memory unit. The storage capacity of the memory is measured
in megabytes. 8 bits = 1 byte, 1024 bytes = 1 kilobyte, 1024 kilobytes = 1 megabyte, and 1024
megabytes =1 gigabyte. Now, let's discuss about the kinds of primary memory. Different kinds of
primary memory are Random Access Memory and Read Only Memory.

9
Fundamentals of IT & Programming

Random Access Memory or RAM is a read and write memory. The data is volatile or temporary, that
is, whenever the power is switched off, the contents of RAM is lost. Read only memory is a read only
memory. One cannot write anything into it and the data is permanent. The manufacturer writes the
data. Secondary memory is called permanent memory, that is, the data stored in it is permanent.
However, the data is also erasable. Floppy disk, fixed or hard disk, pen drives, and optical disk. Key
points discussed in this video: CPU organizes and processes the instructions that come either from the
user or from the software.

Arithmetic logic unit is an electronic circuit used to perform arithmetic operations. The main memory
is also called primary memory. It is used to store data temporarily.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.12_Computer Monitors

Welcome to this video, Computer Monitors. This learning video will enable you to identify different
computer monitors. Any peripheral device that converts the stored binary coded data into convenient
external forms as text and pictures are known as output devices. CRT monitor is a traditional output
device of a personal computer. It has designed with the cathode ray tube ( CRT), hence correlated as
CRT monitor. The CRT monitor contains a large cathode ray tube that uses an electron beam of varying
strength to paint a picture onto the color phosphorescent dots on the inside of the screen. CRT
monitors are heavy and use more electrical power than flat panel displays, but they are preferred by
some graphic artists for the accurate color retention and preferred by some gamers for faster
response to rapidly change in graphics.

CRT monitor screen size is measured diagonally across the screen in inches. Not all the are maybe
usable for image display, so the viewable area is also specified. The resolution of the monitor is the
maximum number of pixels is it can display horizontally and vertically, such as 800 x 600 or 1020 x 768
or 1600 x 1200. Pixels, short form for picture elements, are the small dots that make the image
displayed on the screen. The spacing of the screens tiny phosphor dots is called the dot pitch or DP.
Typically, 0.28 or 0.26 measured in millimeters.

A screen with a smaller dot pitch produces sharper images. Flat panel monitor: A flat panel display
usually uses an LCD, which is also known as liquid-crystal display screen, to display output from the
computer. The LCD consists of several thin layers that polarize the light passing through them. The
polarization of one layer containing long thin molecules called liquid crystals, can be controlled
electronically at each pixel, blocking varying amounts of the light to make a pixel lighter or darker. Key
points discussed in this video: CRT Monitors are heavy and use more electrical power. Monitor screen
size is measured diagonally across the screen in inches.

Pixels also known as picture elements, are the small dots that make of the image displayed on the
screen. A flat panel display usually uses an LCD, liquid-crystal display screen to display output from
the computer.

Fundamentals of IT & Programming_1.13_Printers and Sound Devices

Welcome to this video on Printers and Sound Devices. This learning video will enable you to identify
the different printers and identify the use of inkjet printer and identify the use of laser printer and
identify the use of sound output. A printer is an output device that takes data stored on a computer
and generates a hard copy of it. It needs to be attached to a computer to print the output. Let us start
by learning about the most commonly used printers in home systems. The color inkjet printer. The
color inkjet printer sprays tiny droplets of ink from the print head onto the paper to form the image.

10
Fundamentals of IT & Programming

The printers need several colors of ink, such as cyan, yellow, magenta, and black, to print color images.
Photo quality inkjet printers have more colors of ink. Despite being relatively inexpensive, they are
not commonly used because of the cost of consumables such as cartridges and special paper is high.
Therefore, it is not cost-effective in the long run. Let us now learn about laser printers. Laser printer
uses the same technology as photocopiers to produce good quality images. A drum coated with
photosensitive material is charged, then an image is written onto it by a laser or LEDs, which makes
those areas lose the charge.

The drum then rolls through toner that is attached to the charged areas of the drum. The toner is then
deposited on the paper and then fused to the paper with heat. This is the basic working mechanism
of a laser printer. Most laser printers are monochrome ( one color only, usually black). But they have
multiple color toner options. However, cost is a major stumbling block for laser printers. Laser printers
are more expensive than inkjet printers. Laser printers are faster than inkjet printers and are rated in
pages per minute, PPM. In spite of being more expensive than inkjets, they are cheaper in the long
run because the price of consumables is low. Now that you have learnt about print output devices, let
us learn about the sound output devices. Computers produced different sound outputs, ranging from
simple beeps to alert the user to impressive game sound effects to concert-quality music. The circuitry
to produce sound is included on the motherboard. You can also add a sound card in one of the
expansion slots and connect it to a set of good quality external speakers or headphones to get better
audio output.

Key points discussed in this video: A printer is an output device that takes data stored on a computer
and generates a hard copy of it. Color inkjet printers are most commonly used for home systems. Laser
printer uses the same technology as photocopiers to produce good quality images. The circuitry to
produce sound is usually included on the motherboard.

11