COMPUTER BASICS

COMPUTER BASICS
To work on a computer you should know about its various devices and
their functionality.
DEFINITION OF COMPUTER:
A computer is an electronic device that automatically accepts stores
manipulates data and gives the output.
PARTS OF A COMPUTER:
A computer system consists of 4 units
1. V.D.U:-

It is an output device. The monitor is a device with

a screen where you see what you have typed-in and it is
how the computer communicates with you. It is
also called Visual Display Unit (VDU).

2. C.P.U:-

This is the main part and Complex part of the Computer

System. In Computer every part must be connected to
the C.P.U. (Central Processing Unit)

3. Key Board: -

The keyboard is an input device through which you can

key-in the information. It is the main communication tool
for entering data into a computer. A computer keyboard
looks very much like a typewriter keyboard but has extra
keys for specific computer functions.

4. Mouse: -

It is again an input device. It is used to give instructions

to the computer by way of clicking or double-clicking or
dragging. It is moved around on the desk to control cursor
movements draw or move text and other objects on the
screen. It has two buttons that are used to select options.

FEATURES OF A COMPUTER:
1. SPEED:

It is capable of calculating of Arithmetic calculations at very high

speed.

The Speed of a Computer can be measured in milli Seconds, Micro Seconds,

Nano Seconds and Pico Seconds.
Milli-Seconds

One thousand of a Second

Micro-Seconds

1 Millionth of a Second (Ms)

Nano-Seconds

1000 millionth of a second (Ns)

Pico-Seconds

1000X1000 million of a Second

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2. ACCURACY:

Accuracy is another good aspect found in the Computers.

Computer is 100% accurate. It never make mistakes.

3. STORAGE:

The computer has the capacity to store large volumes of

Data. For example, the information which is printed
in hundreds of books can be stored in the memory of a
single computer system.

The Data of a Computer can be measured in Byte, Kilo byte, Mega Byte, Giga
Byte.
8bits

1 Byte

1024 Bytes

1 Kilo Byte (KB)

1024 Kilo Bytes

1 Mega Byte (MB)

1024 Mega Bytes 4. VERSATILITY:

1 Giga Byte (GB)

One of the most wonderful things about a computer is, it

is capable of performing almost any task. If at
one moment, it is processing the results of a particular
examination the next moment it will be busy preparing
electricity bills. All that is required to do this is just
to change the program.

5. AUTOMATION: A computer can perform a particular work continuously

for hours together without any human intervention.
6. DILIGENECE:

A computer does not suffer from the human traits

of tiredness or bored. If 3 million calculations has to be
performed, it will perform the 3rdmillionth calculation with
exactly the same speed and accuracy as the first one.

USAGES OF COMPUTER:
The Computers are useful in various fields.
1. EDUCATION: Computers play a very important role in the field of
education. It helps in teaching sessions, draws different pictures and does
mathematical calculations.
2. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: In the field of Medicine and Engineering,
Computers play a useful and helpful role. In engineering it help to draw plans
of buildings and bridges. In medicine it helps to detect diseases of patients.
3. BUSINESS: In offices Computers help to store the information of
employees. In Hotels, computers are used to prepare the Bills of Customers.
In Railways, Airways, Bus Stations, computers are used for Ticketing
Purpose.
Apart for these Computers are used in Banks, industries, Cloth Show-Rooms
etc.

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HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
The history of computer has developed through various stages over
hundreds of year.
In early days, people used to count with stones and sticks. But these
were very slow in showing results, so people want faster calculating devices.
1. ABACUS:
The first mechanical calculating device was known as ABACUS. Abacus
was invented by Chinese in the year 2600 B.C., ABACUS consists of number
of rods, and beds. These rods and beds are used to calculate additions and
subtractions.
2. NAIPER BONES:
Naiper Bones were invented by John Naiper in the year 1617 A.D. The
device consists of a set of 11 rods, and further divided into 9 diagonal
numbered parts. It performs calculations with 2 numbers.
3. BLAISE PASCAL (Pascals Adding Machine):
A well known France Mathematician, Blaise Pascal invented an adding
machine in 1642, which was capable of doing addition and subtraction. It is a
mechanical calculating device consisting of Gears, Dials and Wheels.
4. WILLIAM OUGHTRED:
The slide rule was invented by William Oughtred in 1620 with the help of this
Slide Rule multiplication can be done by logarithm method. It is also used for
difficult calculations. Slide rule was very useful for engineering.
5. HERMAN HOLLERITH:
The modern Punched Card was invented by Herman Hollerith in 1880. He
designed a device called the census machine in punched card; information
filled in the form of holes or pattern holes.
6. DIFFERNCE AND ANALYTICAL ENGINES:
A well known professor of Cambridge University, Charles Babbage
invented DIFFERENCE ENGINE in the year 1833. He was known as the
father of modern computer. Ldy ada Lovelace, an associate of Charles
Babbage, developed procedures for solving problems on the difference
engine. She was known as the first programmer of the Computer Field.

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COMPUTER GENERATION
The word Generation in computer means a change or improvement or
enhancement in the technology.
Take the example Technological improvements in the Rail Engines.
Steam
Engines

Coal
Engines

Diesel
Engines

Electric
Engines

In a similar way, we can think of the different generations of computers.

I GENERATION: 1946-55
These computers are designed and based on the Vaccum Tube technology.
Vaccum tubes are delicate devices that control electronic signals.
Eg:-

UNIVAC [1951] -

Universal Automatic Computer.

ADVANTAGES:
1.Vaccum tube technology made possible, the designing of digital computers.
2. Even though the vaccum tubes are out dated today, they are being used in
High Power Transmitting Stations (like Radio Stations).
DISADVANTAGES:
1. Too bulky in size, hence not portable
2. High failure rate
3. High cost
II GENERATION: 1956-65
These Computers used Transistors which were smaller and more reliable
devices than vaccum tubes.
ADVANTAGES:
1. Smaller in size than the 1 Generation Computers.
2. Less heat generated.
3. Faster
4. Had a wider use.
5. Cheaper than Vaccum tubes.

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DISADVANTAGES:
1. Frequent maintenance.
2. Commercial production was difficult and costly.
III GENERATION: 1966-75
Advances

in

electronic

technology

continued

and

the

MICRO

ELECTRONICS technology made it possible to integrate a large number of

circuits into very small surface chips. This technology is called INTEGRATED
CIRCUITS (ICs)
This third generation computer was based on IC technology.
ADVANTAGES:
1. Smaller in size as compared to previous generation computers.
2. Low maintenance cost.
3. Totally

general

purpose-widely

used

for

various

commercial

applications.
4. High level Languages are developed
(Basic, Cobal, Fortron)
DISADVANTAGES:
1. Air conditioning required in many cases
2. Highly advanced technology required for the manufacturing of IC chips.
IV GENERATION: 1976-95
Initially, when the integrated circuit was designed, it contained only about
10 to 20 components. As the technology improved, it was possible to integrate
thousands of computers (circuits) on a single chip, which come to be known
as LARGE SCALE INTEGRATED CIRCUITS (L.S.I.C.).
This technology has helped to develop very small but extremely powerful and
fast computers which have come to be known as MICRO PROCESSORS.

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ADVANTAGES:
1. Smallest in size compared to previous generation computer.
2. Much faster in computations.
3. Cheapest among all generations.
4. Minimum of maintenance required
5. Totally general purpose.
DISADVANTAGES:
Highly sophisticated technology required for the LSI chips on which the
computers design was based.
V. GENERATION: (1995 onwards)
It is not very clear now what direction the 5 th Generation will take. It is
estimated that by 2000 we may see computers of this generation. The
development of these machines is the topic of the day where the improved
and added features include the incorporation of very Artificial Intelligence
to make the computer take decision almost like Human Beings, speech
synthesizers as well as the use of Video disks and Tapes for External Storage
Media.
Eg: ROBOTS

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DATA AND INFORMATION

Data is plural of Datum. Datum means fact. Data is a collection of facts and
figures which can be processed to produce information.

Data can be of

3 types.
1. ALPHABETIC

2. NUMERIC

3. ALPHANUMERIC

Alphabetic

Eg :

ABC Z

Numeric

Eg :

1234 ..etc. ,

Alphanumeric :

Eg :

A 1002, A1, A2 .etc

Data can be put in computer with the help of input unit. Input Unit may be in
the form of key Board, Floppy Disk Drive or a Joystic.
Computer changes raw data into meaningful information.
Computer sends the results and information with the help of output units the
output unit may be in the form of V.D.U., Printer and Plotter.

THE COMPUTER AS A SYSTEM

IN PUT
(DATA)

PROCESS

OUTPUT
(INFORMATION)

INPUT

The term Input is nothing but the information which was

supplied from the external stores. This information gets
processed, and processed information will be given on
the specified output devices as per the requirement.

PROCESS

Converts raw data into information

OUTPUT

The output is nothing but the data which we receive from

the Computer. Mostly the processed information is
known as output. Which may be in the form of printed
copy or anything.

Computer outputs are 2 types

a) Soft Copy
Eg:- C.D. & Floppy.
b) Hard Copy
Eg:- Print

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THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

The Computer system consists of two parts

HARD WARE

SOFT WARE

HARD WARE
The physical Components of the computer system and its peripherals are
collectively known as Hardware. We can say the computer Hardware we can
see and touch. The Major Components are MICRO PROCESSOR, INPUT &
OUTPUT DEVICES memory and various other devices connected to the
computer. Hardware consists of the mechanical, electrical and electronics
parts of the system.
Computer hardware can be classified as the central processing unit (C.P.U.)
and the peripherals.
HARD WARE

C.P.U.
(Central Processing Unit)

C.U.
CONTROL UNIT

A.L.U.
ARTHIMETIC

MEMORY
(IMMEDIATE ACCESS STORAGE)

THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT:

The C.P.U. is considered as the heart of the Computer system.
decisions are taken by the C.P.U. only.
C.P.U. is divided into 3 sub units
1. The Memory Unit
2. The Arithmetic and Logic Unit (A.L.U.)
3. The Control Unit

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1. MEMORY UNIT:
Instructions and data have to be stored at a place in the computer till
they are needed.

This storage called as memory is electronic file.

The

memory storage of computer is defined as the amount of data it can hold.

The memory of computer machines has increased incredibly. Memory Unit is
used to store the data entered through various input devices. It serves as a
Storage Unit.
Memory is basically of two kinds.
A) Primary Storage (Memory)
B) Secondary Storage (Memory)
A) PRIMARY STORAGE (Memory):
Which is available inside the Computer. It is used to store data which
is required by the machine.
accessibly.

It is an extension to the C.P.U. and readily

All data that has to be written or processed enters into this

memory first. It is a place where all data and instructions for current use of
stored.

Main memory is very fast. A.L.U. which process data extremely

quickly it must be fastest memory available computer system.

Since this

technology fastest and also costliest. The Main memory of a computer is

made up of a large number of sells to store a fixed capacity of data and have
a unique address. %The Main storage of a computer has two basic types of
storage such as
PRIMARY MEMORY

RAM

S.RAM
RAM
ROM
S.RAM
D.RAM
PROM
EPROM

ROM

D.RAM

PROM

: Random Access Memory

: Read Only Memory
: Static Ram
: Dynamic Ram
: Programmable Read Only Memory
: Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory

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EPROM

COMPUTER BASICS
RAM:Random Access Memory is that memory where data and instructions
are stored during execution. Data can be written into memory or read out,
every storage location of this memory can be accessed directly regardless of
its location in the same time. All the data that is likely to the change is held
this memory. Unless an explicit instruction is given the contents of Ram lost
when power is disconnected to the system. Again Ram has two types
1. S.RAM (Static Ram)
2. D.RAM (Dynamic Ram)
S.RAM:-

The storage cells in circuits in Static Ram contains

transistor that acts in much the same has mechanical On/Off
light switch. They take of more space for a give storage
capacity. Static Ram or does used in specialized applications.

D.RAM:-

The use capacitors to storage data they need regenerated

circuits to retain the stored data has a capacitor as property of
leakage.

ROM:Is that memory from which only reading is possible the programes are
data stored in this memory can not be altered

or modified.

Important

instructions and data or hardware into computer system using this type of
memory.

These can be read out has and when required but no new

programes or data can be written into it. The contents of Rom or not erased
or lost when the power is turned off. The Rom is used to store boot strap
loader. Again Rom has two types
1. PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)
2. EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)
PROM:-

This is similarly to Rom the exception that the chip can

re programme by using a special external equipments.

EPROM:-

Which can be programmed and erased any no. of times.

erase information stored in it we can use ultra whilet lines.

Difference between RAM and ROM

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COMPUTER BASICS
RAM

ROM

1. Data and Programs are

1. Data and Programs are

Temporary.

Permanent.

2. New Data can take place of old

data.

2. Data cannot be stored during

program execution.

3. Data is destroyed when power is

switched off.

3. Data does not get destroyed when

power is switched off.

B) SECONDARY MEMORY:
It is also called as Auxiliary memory or external memory. It is less
expensive comport to the main memory. Since main memory quit expensive
and also volatile in nature. Therefore secondary chip media which stores
data.

The secondary memory is less expensive and can stored large

amounts of data economically. The main function of this type of storage is to

be quickly transfer data and instructions into main memory has when
required. Secondary memory also functions has input device as data stored
on files can be read from them. They also function has output devices has
data can be written on them. Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Floppy Disk Drive
(FDD), Compact Disks (CD), Magnetic Tapes, Magnetic Disks, Cassette
Tapes and etc., are the examples of Secondary Storage Devices.
2. The Arithmetic and Logic Unit (A.L.U.):
This part performs arithmetic operations like addition, Subtraction,
Multiplication, Division. It also performs comparison Operations like > , < , =
etc.,
3. The Control Unit:
This part controls the operations of all other parts of the computer it
gets instructions from the memory and follows them one after the other.

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MEMORY
UNIT
program
and
data are
stored

INPUT UNIT
from data to
CPU

OUTPUT UNIT
from data to
CPU

ARTHAMETIC
UNIT Logical
Operations

CONTROL UNIT
directors all
Operations

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (C.P.U)

PERIPHERAL DEVICES :
These are 3 types of peripherals: Input Devices, Output Devices and Backing
Store of devices (Secondary Storage Devices )
HARDWARE PERIPHERAL DEVICES

INPUT DEVICES

OUTPUT DEVICES

STORAGE DEVICES

Key board

- VDU

- Disks

Scanner

- Printers

- Tapes

Bar code Reader

- Plotters

Mouse

- ETC

Touch Screen

OCR

MICR

Light Pen

Micro Phone

Note:-

O.C.R.

: OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION.

M.I.C.R.

: MAGNETIC INK CHARACTER READER

SOFTWARE
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A set of instructions given to the computer known as Programme all

such Programmes which are meant far guiding the computer is known as
software. So we can say that software series of instruction are a special
programme to perform to particular task stored in some form in the computer
memory. Software are used on the Computers may be of different types they
are mainly divided into 2 categories.
1. System Software.
2. Application Software.
1. System Software:
It is a set of programmes that manages and supports the resources
and operations of a computer system. System software includes the computer
programmes that run a computer system itself and assist the computer in
running application programmers it is mainly used internal by the computer to
facilitate computer operations. System software consists of 3 types.
a) System Management Programmes ( SMP )
b) System Support Programmes ( SSP )
c) System Development Programmes ( SDP )
A)SMP: System Management Programmes manages these application
software computer Hardware and data resources. These includes OS,
Operating Environments, a data base management programes and
telecommunication Monitor Programmes. A special OS is mostly important in
System Management Programmes.
B)SSP: System Support Programes Provides a variety of Services to the
computer system. The include utility programmes, System performance,
Monitor

Programes,

System

Security

Programmes

and

anty

virus

programmes.
C)SDP : System Development Programmes help in developing user
programmes and information system programmes. The main programmes in
the

category

of

programming

languages,

programming

Environment

programmes and computer Aided Software Engineering Packages.

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2. Application Software:
Applaication Programmes provide by the Computer Manufacturer but in
many cases the user produces his only application programmes are called
user programmes 2 types of application software.
a) User application Programmes
b) Application Packages.
A)User application Programmes : These are the programmes written by the
user in order to perform specific jobs per the user such programmes are
written in variety programme of languages according into their Circumstances.
But all should we written in systematic way.
B)Application Packages : These are generalized programmes fro solving
business problems as opposite to programmes for carrying out a computer
system tasks.

SOFTWARE

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

User Application Programs

Operating System

Application Packages

Language Processors

Single Purpose

Utilities

Integrated Packages

Assemblers

Custom made soft ware

Compilers

SOME IMPORTANT INPUT DEVICES

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KEYBOARD:
It is an important input device.

The key board looks like a Typewriter.

We use the key Board to tell the Computer what to do. Usually the keyboard
has 101 keys, and compose A to Z alphabets and 0 to 9 numericals some
special symbols and characters. Some of the keys consist two symbols or
characters. The upper one is called uppercase letter, lower one is called
lower case letter. But it has some additional keys as given below.
Arrow keys (Cursor Control Keys)
Other Keys like Page Up, Page down, Home, End
Functional Keys (F1 to F12)
Text editing Keys (Back Space, Delete, Insert)
Modifier Keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt)
Enter Key
Other Special Keys (Print Screen, Scroll Lock, Num Lock, Caps Lock, - Pause and Esc)
MOUSE:
It is an important input device.

Its main function is to move a cursor on

screen, which can make various shapes. It is used to copy or make a figure
on the screen.

SOME IMPORTANT OUTPUT DEVICES

V.D.U:
It is called Visual Display Unit. It looks like a T.V. screen. The Screen is
called Monitor. Computer shows letters, pictures, and numbers on the screen.
PRINTER:
It is an important output device. It can print words and numbers, pictures etc.,
from the computer on paper. This type of output is called hard copy.

PRINTERS

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IMPACT

NON IMPACT

DOTMATRIX DAISY WHEEL

(Medium)

(Slow)

LINE

(Fast)

LASER JET

INK JET

THERMAL

(Very Fast With High Quality)

IMPACT PRINTERS:
1. DOT MATRIX PRINTER:
It is an impact printer which makes up the shape of the character in pattern of
dots. It is able to produce a variety of scripts and hence it is very popular.
Dot Matrix Printer is called light duty printer. It is a character printer.
2. DAISY WHEEL PRINTER:
It is also an impact printer which produces letter quality printing. Its printer
head is looks like a Daisy with characters at the end of each petal. The wheel
rotates unit is in the right position for a character to hit onto the paper.
3. LINE PRINTER:
It is very fast and prints information line by line. That is why it is called the
Line Printer.
NON-IMPACT PRINTERS:
1. LASER JET PRINTERS:
The Laser Jet Printer prints a page at a time, with speeds ranging between
8 to 20,000 pages per minute
PLOTTER:
The Plotter is a device for outputting Engineering Drawings and Maps. It is
more useful for drawing continuous lines and diagrams.

SOME IMPORTANT STORAGE DEVICES

FLOPPY DISKS:

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Floppy Disks, also called flexible diskettes, are thin plastic disks on which
computer data and programmes can be stored.
There are 3 types of Floppies.
1 STANDARD FLOPPIES: 8 inches in diameter generally used on large
Computers.
2. MINI FLOPPIES: 5 inches in diameter, generally used on micros
3. MICRO FLOPPIES: 3 inches in diameter, generally used on micros.
The standard capacities available in diskettes are 360 kilobytes or 1.2
megabytes. A 360 KB disk can store approximately 150 pages of text and 1.2
can store approximately 600 pages and 31/2 floppies 700 pages.
ADVANTAGES:Retrieval of information form Floppy is partially instant. Floppies have a large
storage capacity. They are easy to transport.
DISADVANTAGES:Floppies are very delicate.
Keep them away from magnetic field. Dust may cause data loss.
DISK PACK [HARD DISK]:
It is also called a Winchester disk. Several disks are mounted on a vertical
shaft to form a disk pack. The pack is placed in a device which rotates data
high speed. One disk pack can store approximately two million to 100 million
or more characters.
OPTICAL DISK:
These storage devices are fairly recent in origin. The storage on optical disks
is an enormous as 550 megabytes. It has the advantage of having a very low
storage cost and a very fast access time.
MAGNETIC TAPE:
The tape is normally 1.25 to 2 Cms wide. It is made of plastic with a magnetic
oxide coating on one side. Tape reels are called spools. Access is equential.
Data is recorded on either 7 or 9 paralled track tape.

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
COMPUTERS CAN CLASSIFIED INTO THREE TYPES
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1. On working principles
2. On Size and processing
3. On usage
1. COMPUTER CLASSIFICATION BASED ON WORKING PRINCIPLE
Based on working principles Computers can be classified into three types:
A. Digital

B. Analog

C. Hybrid

A. DIGITAL COMPUTERS:
Work is based on the counting system (Discrete Numbers) 90% of the
computers in Business, Education, Scientific and Engineering fields belong to
this group. That is these Computers have General Purpose Applications.
B. ANALOG COMPUTERS:
Work is based on measuring system. It is mostly used to process the
qualitative signals.
Eg :- Flight movement, Blood pressure measurement (Medical),other
qualitative areas, Graphic representations etc.,
C. HYBRID COMPUTERS:
It has both digital and analog features. It can use for both counting and
measuring.
Eg:- Missile Launching centers, Weather forecasting centers, In Space Ships,
Military Operations etc.,
2. ON SIZE & PROCESSING
With reference to the size and processing computers are classified as
follows:
i.

Main Frame

ii.

Mini

iii.

Micro

iv.

Super

i. MAIN FRAME COMPUTERS:

Very big in size with a powerful speed memory and can accept big
jobs. In certain areas these machines are called SUPER COMPUTERS also.
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Examples of Main Frame Computers are: Banking & Public
information,

Radio

Station,

Rocket

Lunching

Stations,

War

Fields,

Government Information and Police Information network and data processing

areas in business, research, science and engineering.

Its memory is

measured in Megabytes (MB), speed is measured in MIPS (Million

Instructions per second)
ii. MINI COMPUTERS:
Similar in size and memory than mainframe computers and can accept
moderate jobs in Business, Education, Scientific and Engineering fields.
iii. MICRO COMPUTERS:
Smaller in size and memory than mini computers and they are used for
small jobs in all fields.
Eg : Personal computer, Home computer. Though they were less efficient
when introduced, they have become more powerful now with the introduction
of the micro chip, Magnetic tape and floppy disk/drive systems.
iv. SUPER COMPUTERS:
Super Computers are special type of Main frames with hundreds of
MIPS Speed, massive storage capability and non stop applications like
weather forecasting large number crunching molecular structure calculations,
database and military application.
Eg:- Cray II, Cyber etc.,
3. ON USAGE GENRAL AND SPECIAL PURPOSE COMPUTERS
A General purpose computer is designed to meet the needs of many
different applications. When one job is over, the instructions for the job can
be loaded into memory. These are broadly classified as micro computers,
mini computers and super computers.

A special purpose computer is dedicated to cater to the requirements of

a particular task of application.

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and kitchen appliances are of this type.

The processors installed in

automobiles to control fuel, instruments are examples of such computers.

PROGRAMING LANGUAGES
A programming language serves as a means of communication
between a user and the computer. A user will be more at home with a
language, if it is easy, more natural and can be expressed in terms of
terminology of the problem. Such a programming language is a high level
language. The digital computers on the other hand accept and understand
their own language consisting of long sequence of 0s and 1s (binary
numbers). Such a language is known as machine language. The ser should
be familiar with the design and construction features of the computer, to be
able to use machine language the high level languages are machine
independent and are user oriented.
A heirachy of programming languages based on increasing machine
independence is as follows:
1) Machine language
2) Assembly language
3) High level language
A machine language is the lowest form of computer language. Each of
the instructions in a program is represented by a numeric code. Numerical
addresses are used throughout the program to refer to memory locations in
the computer memory.
Assembly language is essentially a symbolic version of machine level
language. Each operation code is given a symbolic code such as ADD for
addition and MUL for multiplication etc., Memory locations are also provided
with symbolic names such as PAY and RATE.

However these assembly

languages are also machine dependent.

High level languages such as FORTRAN, PASCAL, BASIC, COBOL

etc., are relatively machine independent. They are alike to English language

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and are user oriented High level languages are again classified into
procedure-oriented languages depending on whether the procedure to solve
the problem is followed or the result irrespective of the procedure is obtained.
Examples of Object-Oriented Languages are Programming LOGic,. LISt
processing, SMALL TALK etc.,

LANGUAGE PROCESSORS
Computers can understand instructions only when they are written in
their own language called the machine language.

Therefore a program

written in any other language should be translated into machine language.

Special programs called language processors are available to do this job.
Language processors are also known as translators.
A COMPILER checks the entire user-written program (known as the
source program) and, if error-free, produces a complete program in machine
language (known as object program). The source program is retained for
possible modifications and corrections and the object program is loaded into
the computer for execution.
An INTERPRETER does a similar job but in a different style. The
interpreter (as the name implies) translates one statement at a time and, if
error-free, executes this instruction before it goes to the next while a compiler
translates the whole program before execution.
An ASSEMBLER is a program written to translate an assembly
language program in to its machine language equivalent.

COMMUNICATION DEVICES

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COMPUTER BASICS
MODEM :
Abbreviation for modulator and demodulator. Modem allows a computer to
transmit information over a telephone line. The modem translates between
the digital signals that the computer uses, and analog signals suitable for
transmission over telephone lines and vice versa.
Types of Modem: Internal modems, External modems
FAX :
Abbreviation for facsimile.

The electronic transmission of copies of

documents for reproduction at a remote location. The sending fax machine

scans a paper image and converts the image into a form suitable for
transmission over a telephone line. The receiving fax machine decodes and
prints a copy of the original image. Each fax machine includes a scanner, fax
modem, and printer.
LAN :
Local Network is a group of computers and associated peripherals
connected by a communications channel, capable of sharing files and other
resources between several users.
WAN :
Wide Area Network is a network that connects users across large distances,
and often across geographical boundaries of cities or states.
INTERNET :
The worlds large computer network, consisting of over 10,000 individual
networks supporting over 2 million computers and 15 million users.
ELECTRONIC MAIL:
Also called E-mail. The use of a network to transmit text messages, memos,
and reports. Users can send a message to one or more individual users, to a
predefined group, or to all users on the system. When you receive a
message, you read, print, forward, answer, or delete it.

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