INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
A computer is an electronic device that accepts data, processes it, and produces output.
Characteristics include:
• Speed: Billions of calculations per second.
• Accuracy: Highly precise unless input is wrong.
• Storage: Stores huge data in small space.
• Automation: Works automatically once commands are given.
• Diligence: Does not get tired or bored.
Types:
• Digital, Analog, Hybrid
• Mini, Micro, Mainframe, Supercomputer
GENERATIONS OF COMPUTERS
1st Generation (Vacuum Tubes)
• Used huge vacuum tubes, produced heat.
• Languages: Machine & Assembly.
2nd Generation (Transistors)
• Smaller, faster, more reliable.
• Languages: COBOL, FORTRAN.
3rd Generation (IC – Integrated Circuits)
• Smaller & cheaper.
• Better performance; keyboards & monitors introduced.
4th Generation (Microprocessors)
• Personal computers began.
• C, C++, Java introduced.
5th Generation (Artificial Intelligence)
• Robotics, NLP, ML, Deep Learning, Cloud, IoT.
COMPUTER LANGUAGES
Low-Level Languages:
• Machine Language (Binary)
• Assembly Language (Mnemonic codes)
High-Level Languages:
• C, C++, Java, Python, BASIC
• Oldest: FORTRAN
AI Languages:
• PROLOG, LISP
Translators:
• Compiler: Converts entire code at once.
• Interpreter: Converts line-by-line.
• Assembler: Converts Assembly → Machine.
PROCESSING & COMPONENTS
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
• Brain of computer.
• Contains ALU + CU + Registers.
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
• Performs addition, subtraction, AND, OR, NOT.
CU (Control Unit)
• Controls and coordinates all activities.
Registers
• Fastest memory used in processing.
System Bus:
• Data Bus – carries data
• Address Bus – memory addresses
• Control Bus – command signals
MEMORY & STORAGE
Primary Memory:
• RAM – Volatile, temporary.
• ROM – Permanent, non-volatile.
• Cache – High-speed memory between CPU & RAM.
Memory Units:
• 1 KB = 1024 bytes
• 1 MB = 1024 KB
• 1 GB = 1024 MB
• 1 TB = 1024 GB
Secondary Storage:
• Hard Disk (magnetic)
• SSD (flash-based)
• Pen Drive, SD Card
• CD/DVD (optical)
SOFTWARE
Types of software:
1. System Software:
• Operating System (OS): Manages hardware & applications.
• Device Drivers: Helps hardware communicate.
• Utilities: Antivirus, compression tools.
2. Application Software:
• MS Office, Browsers, Media Players.
3. Programming Software:
• Compilers, IDEs.
Operating Systems:
• Windows, Linux, Ubuntu, iOS, Android
• Functions: File management, memory management, security, processing.
NETWORKING BASICS
Network Types:
• LAN – Local office area
• MAN – City-wide
• WAN – Global
Important Devices:
• Router – Connects networks
• Switch – Connects devices in LAN
• Hub – Repeats signals
• Modem – Converts digital ↔ analog signals
Network Terms:
• IP Address: Unique number given to each device
• MAC Address: Hardware ID
• Port: Logical communication endpoint
• Bandwidth: Data transfer capacity
INTERNET
Internet – Network of networks.
WWW – Web pages system formed by Tim Berners-Lee.
Web Concepts:
• URL – Web address
• HTTP/HTTPS – Data transfer protocols
• Browser – Chrome, Firefox
• Search Engine – Google, Bing
Email Basics:
• To, CC, BCC
• Attachments, spam, phishing
CYBER SECURITY
Cyber Threats:
• Virus: Harmful program
• Worm: Self-replicating malware
• Trojan: Hidden malicious program
• Ransomware: Locks data for ransom
• Phishing: Fake messages to steal info
Security Tools:
• Firewall, Antivirus
• Strong passwords
• Two-factor authentication
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
AI enables machines to simulate human intelligence.
Applications:
• NLP (Natural Language Processing)
• Robotics
• Expert Systems
• Speech Recognition
• Self-driving cars
• Chatbots
Machine Learning:
• Supervised learning
• Unsupervised learning
• Reinforcement learning
IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
Byte = 8 bits
OS = Operating System
Browser = Software to access web
Cloud = Online storage
GUI = Uses icons, windows
CLI = Uses commands
Peripheral Devices = Keyboard, mouse, printer
TOP 100 MCQs (PART 1)
1. Oldest programming language? – FORTRAN
2. CPU contains? – ALU + CU
3. Shortcut for copy? – Ctrl + C
4. 1 KB = 1024 bytes
5. Which is volatile? – RAM
6. Founder of WWW? – Tim Berners-Lee
7. Which device connects networks? – Router
8. Example of OS? – Linux
9. Fastest memory? – Register
10. Cache is between? – CPU & RAM
11. Example of AI? – NLP
12. LAN is? – Local network
13. HTML used for? – Web pages
14. Internet is? – Network of networks
15. Which is optical storage? – CD
TOP 100 MCQs (PART 2)
16. Output device? – Printer
17. Input device? – Mouse
18. Firmware stored in? – ROM
19. Largest memory? – TB
20. Linux is? – Open-source OS
21. Router works on? – Network Layer
22. URL stands for? – Uniform Resource Locator
23. Google is? – Search engine
24. Trojan is? – Malware
25. Which is not input? – Monitor
26. BIOS stands for? – Basic Input Output System
27. Phishing is? – Online fraud
28. WWW stands for? – World Wide Web
29. IPv4 length? – 32 bits
30. SMTP used for? – Email sending
TOP 100 MCQs (PART 3)
31. RAM full form? – Random Access Memory
32. ROM full form? – Read Only Memory
33. ALU full form? – Arithmetic Logic Unit
34. CU full form? – Control Unit
35. MICR used in? – Banks
36. OCR used for? – Scanning text
37. GUI means? – Graphical User Interface
38. Modem converts? – Digital ↔ Analog
39. USB stands for? – Universal Serial Bus
40. HDD type? – Magnetic storage
41. SSD type? – Flash storage
42. Bluetooth is? – Wireless technology
43. Wi-Fi stands for? – Wireless Fidelity
44. ISP example? – Airtel, Jio
45. Cloud example? – Google Drive