Module 1
Computer Fundamentals
What a computer is, how it is built, how it stores and moves data, the devices around it, and the number systems and codes underneath all of it.
6 topics · 50 solved problems
Module contents
- 012 worked · 6 practice
What a computer is, and how it is built
The definition, the five characteristics, the block diagram, and what each functional unit actually does when a program runs.
- 022 worked · 6 practice
Generations and classification of computers
The five generations and the switching technology that defines each, then the classification of computers by size, purpose and the type of data they handle.
- 032 worked · 6 practice
Memory and storage
Units of storage, the memory hierarchy, primary versus secondary memory, RAM and ROM and their variants, cache, and the storage devices in use.
- 042 worked · 6 practice
Input and output devices
The devices that get data in and results out — keyboards, pointing devices, scanners and the recognition family; monitors, the printer types and plotters.
- 054 worked · 7 practice
Number systems and computer codes
Binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal; every conversion between them; binary arithmetic including 1's and 2's complement; and the ASCII, Unicode, BCD and EBCDIC codes.
- 062 worked · 5 practice
Types of software
System software against application software, the translators, utilities, and the licensing categories from proprietary to free and open source.
Syllabus coverage
- Definition, characteristics and limitations of a computer
- Block diagram — input, memory, ALU, control unit, output
- Generations of computers
- Classification by size, purpose and type of data
- Memory — units, hierarchy, RAM, ROM, cache, secondary storage
- Input and output devices; printers and plotters
- Number systems, conversions and binary arithmetic
- Computer codes — BCD, ASCII, EBCDIC, Unicode
- Hardware, software, firmware; types of software