Tuesday, July 31, 2018

What is Machine Language ?





As computers are made of two-state electronic devices they can understand only pulse and no-pulse   ( or '1' and '0' ) conditions. Therefore, all instructions and data should be written using binary codes
1 and 0. The binary code is called the "machine code" or "machine language".
     
    Computers do not understand English, Hindi and Tamil. They respond only to machine language. Added to this, computers are not identical in design, therefore, each computer has its own machine language. (However \, the script 1 and 0, is the same for all computers ). This poses two problems for the user.

                 First, it is difficult to understand and remember the various combinations of 1's and 0's representing numerous data and instructions. Also, writing error free instructions is a slow process.

Secondly, since every machine has its own machine language, the user cannot communicate with other computers ( if he does know its language ). Imagine a Tamilian making his first trip to Delhi.
He would face numerous obstacles as the language barrier would prevent him from communicating.






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Sunday, July 29, 2018

What is a Programming Language ?

The operations of a computer are controlled by a set of instructions ( called a computer program ). These instructions are written to tell the computer :
  1. What operations to perform 
  2. Where to locate to data
  3. How to present results
  4. When to make certain decisions 
The communication between two parties, whether they are machines or human beings, always needs a common language terminology. The language used in the communication of computer instruction is known as " programming language ". The computer has its own language and any communication with the computer must be in its language or translated into its language.

   Three levels of programming languages are available. They are :
  1. Machine languages (low level languages)
  2. Assembly (or symbolic) languages
  3. Procedure oriented languages (high level languages) 











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Tuesday, July 24, 2018

What is a computer system ?

Computer Systems :

A computer system comprises of  "software" and  "hardware" components. Hardware refers to the physical parts of the computers system and software is the set of instructions or programs that are necessary for functioning of a computer to perform certain tasks. Hardware includes the following components :


  • Input Devices : they are used for accepting the data on which the operations are to be performed. the examples of input devices are keyboard , mouse,etc.,
                                                                 


  • Processor : Also known as CPU , it is used to perform the calculations and information processing on the data that is entered through the input device.




  • Output Devices : They are used for providing the output of a program that is obtained after performing the operations specified in the program. The examples of outputs devices are "Monitor" and  "Printer".






  • Memory :
 The memory unit of a computer is store data, instructions for processing data, intermediate results of processing and the final processed information. The memory units of a computer are classified as "Primary memory" and "Secondary memory" .
   
  1.      Primary Memory : 
 The primary memory is available in the computer as a built in unit of the computer, The primary memory is represented as a set of locations with each location occupying 8 bits. Each bit in the memory is identified by a unique address. The data is stored in the machine-understandable binary form in these memory locations.

The commonly used primary memories are 
  • ROM : ROM represents Read Only Memory that stores data and instructions, even when the computer is turned off. It is the permanent memory of the computer where the contents con't be modified by an end user. ROM is a chip that is inserted into the motherboard.It is generally used store the basic input and output system (BIOS), Which performs power on self test (POST).

  • RAM : RAM is the read/write memory unit in which the information is retained only as long as there is a regular power supply. When the power supply interrupted or switched of, the information stored in RAM is lost. RAM is a volatile memory that temporarily stores data and as long as there in sue. When the use of data or the application is over, the content in RAM is erased.

  • Cache Memory : Cache memory is used sore the data and the related application that was last processed by the CPU. When the performs processing, it first searches the cache memory and then the RAM, for an instruction. the cache memory is always placed between CPU and the main memory of the computer system.

      
     2. Secondary Memory :

  Secondary memory represents the external storage devices that are connected to the computer. They provide a non-volatile memory source used store information that is not in use currently. A storage device is either located in the CPU casing of the computer or is connected externally to the computer. The secondary storage devices are classified as :

  • Magnetic Storage Device : The magnetic storage devices store information that can be read, erased and rewritten a number of times. These include floppy disk, hard disk and magnetic tapes.

  • Optical Storage Device : The optical storage devices are secondary storage devices that use laser beams the store data. These include (CD-ROM), re-writable compact disk (CD-RW), and digital video disks with read only memory (DVD-ROM).

  • Magneto-optical storage device : The magnetic optical devices are generally used to store information, such as large programs, files and magnet data. The end end user the user can modify the information stored in magneto-optical storage devices multiple times.                        Examples : Sony MiniDisc, Maxoptix T5-2600, etc.


  • Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive : USB drive or commonly known as pen drive is a removable storage device that is interfaced on the USB of a computer system system. It is pretty past compact in comparison to other storage device like CD and floppy disk. One of the most important advantages of a USB drive is that it is larger in capacity to other removable storage devices. Off late, it become very popular among computer users.






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Monday, July 23, 2018

What is a computer?

The term computer is derived from the word compute. A computer is an electric device that takes data and instructions as input from user , process data , and provides useful information known as output. This cycle operation of computer is known as the input-process-output cycle.
                                       
                                                  The electric device is known as " hardware"  and the set of instructions is known as  "software". The computer consists of various components that function as an integrated system to perform computational tasks . These components include the following :

  • Central processing unit (CPU) :  It is the brain of the computer that is responsible for controlling and executing program instructions .
  • Monitor : It is a display screen which shows information in visible form .
  • Keyboard and Mouse : These are the peripheral devices used by the computer for recieving inputs from the user.
Various Components of the Computer :







Applying Software Development Method

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