Introduction to Software

Introduction to Software

Sets of programs that are used to communicate with computer are called software.  Or the programs that we make in the computer are called software (that we can see but not touch). Languages and Packages like MS Words, MS Excel, Basic & COBOL etc. Computer does nothing unless it is given instruction to perform.

Software has two types:

1)     System Software

2)     Application Software

1.System Software

System Software consists of the programs that control over all operations of the computer system.

 System Software has following types:

Ø  Operating System

Ø  Translators

Ø  System Utilities

Operating System:

A Software that controls the hardware ‘OR’ A Software that provides such an environment to user in which he operates computer easily. It is responsible for the flow of data between different components of computers

Translators:

To execute programs from high level language to computer code (The binary pattern ‘0’ and ‘1’), some system programs are used called translators.

These are of following types:

                                                                    i.                        Interpreters

                                                                 ii.                        Compilers

                                                               iii.                        Assemblers

System Utilities:

Utilities are system software’s. They provide useful services by performing common tasks such as sorting, merging and copying.

2. Application Software

Software designed to do a specific task is called application software.

It has two categories:

1)     General Software

2)     Standard Software

General Software:

It consists of different languages.

Language:

All the computers programs and instructions are written in computer language. It is such software in which the programmer makes the programming.

Types of language:

v   Low level language

v   High level language

v   Middle level language

Standard Software:
Package:

Package is such a software in which programming is already made. User just operates this software. In other words we can say that package is a pre-made program.

It has following categories:

1)     Word Processing

2)     Spread Sheet

3)     Database

4)     Graphics

Device Driver Software

PC has different devices attached to it like as input, output, storage and some other components. Each device has a specific software which is installed to drive or operate it is called device driver software.

Secondary Storage Devices

Secondary Storage Devices:-

Secondary storage devices are used to store data Permanently. The data on secondary storage devices can be shifted from one computer to another computer easily.
It has three types.
Magnetic Disk
Magnetic Tape
Optical Disks

Magnetic Disk

            It is most widely used storage media for all type of computer. A magnetic disk is a thin circular metal plate or platter coated with magnetic material. Information can be record on or read from the magnetic surface through magnetism. Magnetic disk is a random access storage media.

Types of Magnetic Disk
There are the following types of the magnetic disk

1. Hard Disk 
2. Floppy Disk 
3. Zip Disk 
4. USB flash Drive

Magnetic Tape (Sequential Access)

It is an example of old type storage media to store large amount of data permanently. Magnetic Tape consists of a thin ribbon of plastic. The tap is coated with magnetic material. The process of reading or writing of data on the tape is very slow. In magnetic tape, data can only be accessed sequentially. It is mostly used for taking backup of data.

Optical Disks

Optical disk issued laser technology to read or write information. LASER Stands for Light Amplification through stimulated emission of Radiation Laser beam is used to make tiny holes on the surface of the disk. 

Compact Disk (CD)

CD is the most popular optical medium. It can hold 650 MB to 800 MB of data. The data on the CD cannot be erased like magnetic diskettes. 

DVD

DVD, also known as "Digital Versatile Disc" or "Digital Video Disc", is an optical disc storage media format. Its main uses are video and data storage. DVDs are of the same dimensions as compact discs (CDs), but store more than six times as much data

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Read Only Memory (ROM):-

ROM stands for Read only Memory. It consists of those instructions that prepare the computer for use. ROM instructions are automatically loaded into the Main Memory. These instructions cab only be read but cannot be changed or deleted. It is not possible to write new instructions into the ROM. It stores data and instructions permanently. When we switch off the computer, the instructions stored in the ROM are not lost. Therefore it is called a non-volatile memory. 

Primary Storage or Main Memory (RAM)

Primary Storage or Main Memory (RAM) :-

Primary storage, presently known as main memory or simply RAM (Random Access Memory), is the only one directly accessible to the CPU. The CPU continuously reads instructions stored there and executes them as required. Any data actively operated on is also stored there in uniform manner.

Memory stores three basic categories of data.

1. Operating system and other system software that control or maintain the computer and its devices
2. Application programs that carry out a specific task such as word processing etc.
3. Data to be processed by the application programs and resulting information.

 RAM varies in size like 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB to 4 GB.  RAM can not store data and instruction permanently. When we switch off the computer, all data and instructions from RAM are washed or vanished. Therefore it is called volatile memory.

Information Processing Cycle (IPC)

Information Processing Cycle (IPC):-

Information processing cycle consists of a series of tasks or steps required to convert data into information. Different steps of information processing cycle are as follows.

Components of Computer

Components of Computer:-

Basically, a computer consists of four components

1. Hardware: The physical or tangible parts of the computer called hardware. Like Monitor, Keyboard, CPU, Mouse etc. 
2. Software: The set of instructions, that tells the computer, what to do and how to do.
3. Data: A collection of raw facts and figures is called data, which can include text, numbers, images, audios and videos etc.
4. User: Computer cannot do any without its operator.

The Execution Process of CPU (Introduction to motherboard continued)

The Execution Process of CPU:-

The execution process of Instruction by CPU is done in four simple steps. The control Unit performs the Execution process for CPU:

• Instruction Fetch
• Interpret Instruction
• Data Fetch
• Execution Instruction

Microprocessor (Introduction to Computer Continued)

The Microprocessors:-

The Microprocessor is the brain of computer. A microprocessor is is an integrated circuit that contains a complete CPU on a single chip. It is simply called CPU. CPU is central component of computer. The processor performs the calculations and processing for the computer. There are 2 main units of a Computer Processor.
Arithmetic and Logic Unit
Control Unit

Arithmetic and Logic Unit:-
This Part of the CPU. All the operation of Arithmetic and logic are Performed by ALU. The data on which any operation is to be taken is fed to computer memory with the help of Input device. That is then assigned to ALU for further operations. ALU is actually combination of two units.
Arithmetic Unit
Logic Unit

Arithmetic Unit:-

The Arithmetic unit of ALU performs the fundamental operation of arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Logic Unit:-

This unit of ALU does all the operation of data involving between two values. The logical operation include the comparison between two numbers to define which number is greater, less, equal or not equal to a number.

Control Unit:-

CU is responsible for the execution of the program instruction given to the computer.The Input and Output Devices also depend on the CU.
It accepts the data from input devices and transfer it to the main memory. Then it transfer data from the main memory to ALU. At the end it sends the output either to main memory or output devices.

Introduction To MotherBoard

Introduction of Motherboard:-

Motherboard is a circuit board also called main board. All components of a computer are connected together using motherboard. (It is called mother board because it connect all components together, like a mother). Components on a motherboard are connected together using a set of wires called buses. All important components of computer (like processors, RAMs, Cards) are connected directly to motherboard while other components are connected using ports available on a motherboard. Computer motherboard has Sockets, Slots, Bays and Ports to connect different components.

Socket:-

A socket is usually a square shape connector. It connects chips in in it. Today Microprocessors are mostly in form of a chip and are inserted in Sockets.

Slots:-

Slots are usually rectangular connectors. There are many types of slots present on computer motherboard. slots are used to ad extra features to motherboard. Slots are used to insert cards. Following slots are available on motherboards. Slots are also called edge connectors.
RAM Slots
PCI Slots
AGP Slots
ISA Slots
EISA Slots

Bays:-

Bays are used to connect drives (CD-ROM, Floppy, Hard Disk, Tape etc.) to computer motherboard.  Most commonly used bay is ATA (Advance Technology Attachments). It is available in PATA (Parallel Advance Technology Attachments) and SATA (Serial Advance Technology Attachments). Modern motherboards mostly coming with only SATA bays as it is faster then PATA.

Ports:-

Ports are mostly available on the back panel of Motherboard. These Ports are used to connect devices to computers. A variety of ports are available now a days. PS2 ports are used to connect Keyboard and Mouse, Serial Ports are used to connect many devices including mouse, joysticks etc. LPT port is used to connect printers. Sound ports are used to connect audio jacks. VGA Port is used to connect monitor or LCD. DVI port is also available for Monitor and LCDs. HDMI port is avail able for Video interfaces.

The most widely used ports today are USB Ports (Universal Serial Bus). almost each and every devices are available in USB connection. Thats why Modern motherboards come with very fewer slots. USB ports are HOT PLUG&Play Ports.

The Motherboard Introduction (Images)

Computer Case Front

Computer Case Back

Motherboard Components

Motherboard Back Panel

Memory Unit (MU)

Memory Unit:-

Memory unit that is also called Main Memory or Random Access Memory is the Primary Unit of the computer. The computer cannot start without Main memory. Main memory is directly accessible by CPU of the computer. The data is stored in main Memory before and after processing. It is a volatile Memory it means it only stores data when computer is turned on.

When we start a computer data from Hard disk is loaded in RAM. The most part of RAM is used by Operating System of the Computer. Remaining Main Memory is distributed between application software.

The Capacity of main memory is measured in Bytes. RAMs are available in GB (Gigabytes).

The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The Central Processing Unit:-

The Central Processing Unit or CPU is also called the Brain of a Computer. It is a very complex integrated Circuit. It is build up of millions of tiny components integrated together. It is mainly divided into 2 units.
Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

Control Unit (CU)

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU):-
The arithmetic and logic unit is the place where main processing is done. It performs Arithmetic Calculation (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division), while Logic unit performs Logical computations (compare objects and numbers with logical statements. Hence ALU manipulates the data.

Control Unit (CU):-

Control Unit maintains, orders and Controls the processing activity in the CPU. It directs the sequence of Operations.

What is Processing?

What is Processing?

When ever we talk about computer the first thing that comes to our mind is that computer process data. The second thing that we think is what is processing? How is Processing done? What methods are used to Process data?

Let us take an example, I say that your Brain is also a processor and what computer do is, It exactly copy your Brain. (You did not believe me!)

Human Brain is very complex as compare to a computer. It is attached to many Input and output devices. Eyes , Ears, Skin, Nose and Tongue are Input Devices used by brain to get input data. Our Voice and face's skin is out put devices attached to Brain.

Now when ever our ears listen a sound they convert it to electrical signals that are carried to brain for processing. What did brain do? It compare these electrical signals with already stored data. The storage capacity of brain is very large. The data stored in brain is also very well organized and Indexed. Now after matching signals with a proper indexed entry it produces results that then are recognized by our brain.

This index of brain start to developed since your birth. When you were a child it was difficult for you to understand things. As time passed you were able to recognize more and more things. This was because of a index table that is stored in your brain.

Same is with a computer, It solve complex problems by comparing them with already stored problems of same category. It compare two quantities and then produce the result. The problem Index of computer is generated by storing some kind of software in it.

We know that computer is a dumb machine. It has no idea of its own as compare to human brain. The computers today still need predefined methods to solve problems. The process of thinking is still based on what we have stored in it. The human brain can think on patterns it already have deal with. It can generate its own ideas. The scientist are still working on computers to make them able to generate their own ideas. It is called Artificial Intelligence. The fifth or may be sixth generation of computers will be equipped with Artificial Intelligence. The computers of that generations will be able to think (not like human but some how less or more).

Branded and Un-branded Computer (availability of Computers)

Availability of Computers:-

Computers available in market can be categorized in two groups. Branded Computers and Un-branded Computers.

Branded Computers:-

These Computers are marked under a brand name. It means some company assemble these computers under its trade name and sale it to end-users. For example IBM, APPLE, ACER, COMPAQ, HP, DELL etc. These computers are high in quality and cost as well.

Un-branded Computers:-

These computers have no brand name or trade name of seller. These computers are usually made in Taiwan and Korea. Or some time local sellers assemble different parts together to sale them as computers. These are are cheap computing machine and less reliable then Branded computers.

Classification of Computer Depending upon Technology

Generations of Computers:-

A generation of computer starts with use of newer technology available to build computers. The technologies used in computers change many time in past. computers have travel very long journey to reach the recent state. It is the name of advancement from vacuum tube to microprocessor.

First Generation of Computer(1945-1959)

The first generation of computer start with use of vacuum tubes and capacitors as electronic components. These machines were very large in size. The machines produce eminence amount of heat. These were very slow and need special operators. ENIAC, ADVAC, EDSAC fall under this class of computers.

Second Generation of Computers(1959-1965)

The second generation of computers start with invention of transistor in 1947. But first computer were produce in 1956-1959 using transistor. The use of transistor make computer smaller and reliable. UNIVAC-III and IBM-7070 fall under this category.

Third Generation of Computers(1966-1971)

The third generation of computer starts with the use of Integrated Circuit (IC) in 1966. An IC is composed of hundreds of thousand of electronics components packed together. These computer were very small in size. These computers use disks to store data. These computers were less expensive then previous versions of computer. The concept of operating system was introduced in third generation computers.

Fourth Generation of Computers(1971-Present)

This generation of computers starts with use of very large scale integrated Circuits in 1971. These computers were very cheap and a single user can purchase this machine. Now computers were produced in bulk quantity. Application software were introduced in fourth generation. Now a days computers are so advance and developed that user can do an thing on computer.

Fifth Generation of Computers(Future):-

The Fourth generation of computer is still in use, but the architecture of today's Micro processor has reached its limits. Now it is very hard to increase the speed of computer using these processors. Scientist today are working on the processing technology of the future. The modern computers will use quantum computing or light beam technology. The future processors will work at speed of electrons or other technology will make them as faster as light beam.

The second thing to be used in computers is artificial intelligence. The modern computers will not only too fast but they will be able to think like human.

Classification of Computer Depending upon Working Principle

Analogue Computers:-

Analogue computers use continuously changeable values of data as input and produce their graphical image after processing. These computers mostly use Electrical, Mechanical or hydraulic quantities to model a problem. These computer take input in form of signal and produce output in form of graph. This output is 90% to 95% accurate. For example Thermometer, ECG, Multi-meter, Wall clock etc.

Digital Computers:-

The computers in which input is given in form of Digits and their output is also produced in digits are called digital computers. Digital meters, Digital Watch and Calculators are examples of Digital Computers.

Hybrid Computers:-

The computers that convert analogue data into digital data or produce analogue results from digital data are called hybrid computers. PCs are examples of Hybrid Computers.

Classification of Computer Depending upon Size

Super Computers:-

1. Super computers are most powerful computers of the world.
2. Super computers are most fastest computers of the world.
3. Super computers are most expensive computers of the world.
4. Super computers are very large in size.
5. Super computers have very large amount of Main Memory and Storage.
6. Super Computers use many processors to process data.
7. Some super computers are task specific as they do only one task with extreme concentration.
8. Super Computers are Multi-user computers as more then one user can use them at a time.
9. Super Computers are mostly used in research laboratories, Institutes and space stations.
10. JAGUAR (Oak Ridge National Laboratory), NEBULAE (China), ROADRUNNER (Los Alamos National Laboratory), KRAKEN (National Institute for Computational Sciences), JUGENE (Juelich Supercomputing Center, Germany), PLEIADES (NASA Ames Research Center) and TIANHE-1 (China) are examples of Modern super computers.

Mainframe Computers

The IBM Dictionary Of Computing defines "mainframe" as "a large computer, in particular one to which other computers can be connected so that they can share facilities the mainframe provides (for example, a System/370 computing system to which personal computers are attached so that they can upload and download programs and data). The term usually refers to hardware only, namely, main storage, execution circuitry and peripheral units."

1. Mainframe computers are also very powerful computers
2. Speed of main frames is also good enough
3. These are also expensive computers
4. These computers have large main memory and storage.
5. These are multi-user computers.
6. These computers are mostly used in medium scale research organizations, Banks, industries and governments.
7. IBM Z-series and IBM 360 Series are examples of Mainframe computers.

Minicomputers:-

1. Minicomputers were designed to cut-off the huge price of Mainframe and supercomputers.
2. These computer are enough powerful to work as servers in networks.
3. These computers are also enough speed to support multi tasking
4. These computers are usually found in small organizations and educational institutes
5. These computers are used as servers as well as for minor scale research.
6. Web Servers and E-mail clients are also mostly installed on minicomputers.
7. Small scale industries also use minicomputers to integrate their offices
8. These computers have large memory and storage.
9. Data General, Prime, Adage, Computer Automation, Four Phase, General Automation and Interdata are some examples of minicomputers

Microcomputers:-

1. Microcomputers are very small in size.
2. Microcomputers are very cheap computers.
3. These computers are so small and cheap that everyone can buy them. Hence these computers are called Personal Computers or PCs.
4. These computers have enough speed to support a user to perform work.
5. These computers come with enough main memory and storage capacity
6. These computers are single user.
7. These computers are multi tasking.
8. These computer are simple to use even children under 5 year age can use them.
9. These computers are general purpose computers it means that you can do what ever you want.
10. HP DC series, Intel Desktop series, IBM Think-pad series are examples of Microcomputers

Classification of Computers

Classification of Computers:-

Computers are classified according to their size, Technology and Working Principle into following different categories. 

Depending upon their Size

Super Computer

Mainframe Computer

Mini Computers

Microcomputers

Depending upon their Working Principle

Analogue Computers

Digital Computers

Hybrid Computer

Depending Upon their Technology (Generations of Computer)

First Generation of Computer (1945-1959)

Second Generation of Computer (1959-1965)

Third Generation of Computer (1965-1971)

Forth Generation of Computer (1971-Present)

Fifth Generation of Computer (Future)

Characteristics of Computer

Characteristics of Computer:-

The Characteristics of Computers can be defined in the terms of what it can do and wht it can't do? Following are some Characteristics of Computers.

SPEED :

The computer is very fast machine. It can do any task in millionth part of a second. It can process millions of instruction per seconds MIPS. Modern computers can process Trillion of Instructions per second TIPS.

ACCURACY :

The results produced by computers are 100% accurate. The accuracy of computer depends on the accuracy of software and given input.

STORAGE :

The other Characteristics of Computer is storing large amounts of data. It can store up to Terabytes of data. This data can be in form of text, books, audios and videos.

DILIGENCE :

Computer never feel sick or need a break like humans. It can perform a given task thousands of times and never feel bored,

VERSATILITY :

Computer is a versatile machine it can do two totally different tasks at the same time with 100% accuracy.

POWER OF REMEMBERING :

Computer have power to remember its work. It can store a task and provide it back to user when ever it is demanded.

NO IQ :

A computer is dumb gadget. It has no idea of its own. It is totally dependent on human as far as concerned about IQ.

NO FEELING :

A computer has no feeling like human. It didn't know about love, hunger, sadness etc. It is just a collection of parts,

Reliability :

A computer is a reliable machine. It produce results according  to given instructions and inputs. It does not add its own ideas in the output.

Automation:

A computer is automatic machine. Many computers only need first time run and then they keep doing their work without any interruption or help

Flexibility:

A computer is a flexible machine. It can do a variety of tasks. It can play songs, Brows internet or perform complex engineering calculation. It is the requirement of user what to do computer is good with all tasks.

Output Devices

Output Devices:-

These devices are used to take output from computer.

• Display Devices
• Printers
• Plotters
• Speakers

Display Devices:-

Display devices are most common output devices now a days. a normal computer always have a display unit like CRT, LCD or LED attached with it. This display unit help user to see what is going inside a computer. With the use of GUI in operating systems the use of advanced display devices is increasing.

Printers:-

Printers are also popular output devices. Printers give the output in printed form on a page. This device is most widely used in banks, offices and other institutions to take prints of documents. Printers are available in color and black & White formats. The printers are divided into two categories.

Impact Printers
Non-Impact Printers

Impact Printers use punching or stroking technology while Non-Impact Printers use liquid or powder ink to print documents.

Plotters:-

plotters are large printers used for printing large pages. Plotters can print hundred feet large documents easily. Plotters most commonly use a special printing material called panaflex. Plotters can also print color as well as black & white documents.

Speakers:-

Speakers are used to take output in form of Sounds and audio. The user can listen songs, audio CDs and tracks using output audio. The computer also inform users about errors using sounds. Some time computer errors are diagnostic by the number of beeps generated by the computer.