Fundamentals of Computer - Chapter Summary - Computer Science 9th Notes

Chapter 1 - Fundamentals of Computer - Chapter Summary

1. A computer is an electronic data processing machine or device that performs processing, calculations and operations based on instructions provided by a software or program.
2. The evolution of computers is generally divided in three eras like Mechanical era, Electro-mechanical era, Electronic era.
3. First Generation of Computers (1940 to 1956): Technology Used: Vacuum Tubes.
4. Second Generation of Computers (1956 to 1963): Technology Used: Transistors.
5. Third Generation of Computers (1964 to 1971): Technology Used: Integrated Circuits (ICs).
6. Fourth Generation of Computers (1971 to Present): Technology Used: Microprocessors.
7. Fifth Generation of Computers (Present and Beyond): Technology Used: Artificial Intelligence Technology.
8. Computers are classified in three types according to technology like Analog computers, Digital Computers and Hybrid Computers.
9. Digital Computers are further divided into four groups according to their size like Super Computers, Mainframe Computers, Minicomputers and Microcomputers.
10. According to purpose; computers are either General Purpose or Specific Purpose.
11. Different careers are present in the IT sector like Software Engineer, Network Administrator, Database Administrator, Web Designer, Graphic Designer, Information Security Analyst, Computer Science or lT Teacher.
12. Computers consist of software and hardware.
13. Software is set of instructions or a program.
14. Computer hardware is a collection of all the physical parts or components of a computer.
15. A system unit includes the motherboard, CPU, RAM and other components, as well as the case in which these devices are houses.
16. The motherboard is the main board which connects different parts of computer. It includes the following general components: Microprocessor (CPU), Slots, Ports, Buses, RAM, ROM, other electronic components for example resisters, capacitors, diodes, transistors, jumpers, etc.
17. There are typically five components of a microprocessor (CPU): Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Control Unit (CU), Clock, Registers and Cache.
18. Clock generates pulses and instructions are executed on the bases of pulses. Clock speed is measured in MHz and GHz.
19. Register is a temporary storage area known as programming model of 8 bits, 16 bits, 32 bits and 64 bits. Registers are visible as well as invisible on the microprocessor.
20. Cache is an intermediate storage area, which is available inside microprocessor IC known as internal cache and outside microprocessor IC known as external cache.
21. CPU has three buses; control bus, data bus and address bus.
22. The most common input devices of a computer are keyboard and mouse.
23. The most common output devices of a computer are monitor and printer.
24. There are two types of storage devices; Primary and secondary.
25. Primary storage devices include RAM and ROM
26. A secondary storage device like hard disk has a larger storage capacity and can store data permanently.
27. A computer performs four basic operations: input, processing, output and storage.
28. System software includes operating systems, device drivers, utility programs and language translators.
29. Language translators are of three types; assembler, compiler and interpreter.
30. Different types of application software are productive Software, Business Software, Entertainment Software, and Educational Software.