Overview of computers-First PUC

 Unit 1

Overview of a computer

1.What is a computer ? or 

 Give meaning or definition of computers(Board question 2014)

A computer is an automatic  electronic machine that can store,recall and process data and gives output according to the instruction given by the user.

2.Which is the earliest computing machine?

The earliest computing machine is ABACUS.

3.Name the functional components of a computer?

The functional components of a computer are input unit, output unit, central processing unit and memory or storage unit.

What is the use of input unit

The input unit is used to feed data and instructions to the computer through input devices

Give any two input devices?(Board question 2015)

Key board, Mouse

4.Who invented the Pascaline ?(Board question 2018)

Blaise Pascal invented Pascaline .

5.What are the advantages of the machine by Leibniz over Pascaline?

• Leibniz calculator could perform multiplication and division 
•  It was also faster compared to Pascaline.

6.What is Charles Babbage known as ?

Charles Babbage is known as Father of Computers

7.Who is the father of computers?(Board question 2015)

Charles Babbage is known as father of computers

8.What concept of computing did Herman Hollerith find a faster way to compute US census

Punched cards were used by Herman Hollerith  to find a faster way to compute US census.

9.Who developed the first all electronic computer?

John W Machley and J Presper Eckert  developed the first electronic computer.

10.Who is the first female programmer in the world?

Lady Ada Lovelace is the  first female programmer in the world

11.Expand the term ENIAC, EDVAC and UNIVAC

ENIAC- Electrical Numerical Integrator and Computer

EDVAC-Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer

UNIVAC- Universal Automatic Computer

12.Which is the basic component in first generation computer?

Vaccum tubes is the basic component in first generation computer.

14.Name the electronic component in second generation computer

Transistors

15.Name the electronic component in third generation computer

Integrated circuits

16.Expand the term LSIC  and VLSIC

LSIC is Large Scale Integrated Circuit.

VLSIC-Very Large Scale Integrated Circuit 

17.How are computers classified based on configuration

 or 

Give the classification of computers based on size and capability(2019)

Computers are classified as Micro computers ,Mini computers , Main frame computers and Super computers

18.What is internet?

Internet is an international connection of networks Which is used to share information and data.

19.What was the other name for tabulating machine company

IBM-International Business Machine

Two mark  and five mark  previous question paper important questions

1.Write a note on Mainframe computers

•  Main frame computers are larger in size and powerful than mini computers.

• They are designed to perform multiple tasks for multiple users at the same time.

• These are used by large organisations for critical applications like bulk data processing for tasks such as census.
• 
  

13.Give important features of first generation computer(Board question 2016)

• First generation computers had vaccum tubes as electronic component
• Magnetic drums were used for memory
• It was larger in size, occupied lot of space,and generated large amount of heat
• It was expensive to operate and consumed large amounts of electricity
• It operated only on machine language

Explain the features of second generation computers

• In second generation computers transistors replaced vaccum tubes.
• This made computers smaller, faster,economical , energy efficient and reliable than 1st generation computers
• Even transistors also generated some heat .
• Assembly language was used in second generation computers
• The use of assembly language helped the programmers to specify instruction in words
• High level languages like FORTRAN and COBOL were developed during this time.

2.Mention any two features of ENIAC

• ENIAC belongs to first generation computer
• It was the first machine to use more than 2000 vaccum tubes
• It used Punched card input and output  adders
• It had a multiplier, a divider, square rooter and adder.

3.Discuss any five characteristics of the computer (Board question 2014, 2018)

i)Speed

• A computer works with much higher speed and accuracy compared to humans while performing mathematical calculations. 
• Computers can process millions of instructions per second.
•  The time taken by computers for their operations is microseconds , nanoseconds and pico seconds.

ii)Accuracy

• The results are always correct
• No errors are there

iii)Diligence

• There is no tiredness or lack of confidence
• Perform even the last instruction with same accuracy and speed

iv)Memory

• Primary memory  is used to store data temporarily
• For long term storage secondary memory is used

v)Versatility

• The computers can adapt to different functions
• It can perform almost any task

4.Draw the block diagram of a computer and explain(Board question 2015)

(Draw the diagram from text book and write the explanation given below)

Explanation

Input unit-The data is entered through input devices such as the keyboard, mouse, etc. This set of instruction is processed by the CPU.

Central Processing Unit-The CPU contains two parts: the arithmetic logic unit and control unit.The control unit (CU) controls all the activities or operations which are performed inside the computer system.  The arithmetic and logical unit is the combinational digital electronic circuit that can perform arithmetic operations on integer binary numbers.It presents the arithmetic and logical operation

The storage unit provides the space to store the data or instruction of processed data. The information or data is saved or hold in computer memory or storage device. 

Output unit - the output unit of  the computer system produces the output. The computer can show the output with the help of output devices to the user, such as  monitor, printer, etc.

5.Explain the role of computers in education

• Students use computer for preparing documents using the simple word processing application.
• Many text books and other libraries can be accessed by the students online
• With the help of internet, students can access learning  resources from all over the world from  school or home using their computer.
• With the help of computers aptitude tests and online tests can be conducted which are helpful in the education fields.

Explain the role of computers in  entertainment?(Board question 2013, 2019)

• Computers have now become an integral part of the entertainment industry.
• They are used for creating dazzling special effects in movies. 
• They are used to edit movies, create full length cartoon movies, multimedia presentations etc. 
• Computers are used to simulate games and to try out different game strategies. 
• Thus the use of computers in the entertainment field - movies, music, presentations, sports and games 

Click here for Chapter 2-Input Output and Memory Devices

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