SAI SHREE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
Study Material
Class:-XI
Subject: - Informatics Practices (065)
Chapter-1 Computer system
Let us revise
• Computers can deliver performance because of an efficient combination of hardware
and software.
• While hardware refers to Physical electronic components of computer software
represent the recorded instructions software that governs its operation.
• Computer Organization refers to logical structure of a computer describing their
interconnection and work dependency.
• The functional component of a computer include input unit, CPU, memory storage unit,
output unit.
• The input unit is responsible for obtaining input from user and converting it to digital
form.
• The CPU processes the received input as per a set of instructions and produces output.
• The CPU has these sub-components: ALU, control unit and registers.
• The ALU unit is responsible for carrying out arithmetic operations and logic operations
example comparing two values.
• The control unit controls or supervises the processing taking place.
• Registers are small data holding areas within CPU that holds data instruction and
memory addresses during the processing.
• The main memory or memory holds the data and program for the processing.
• Main memory can either be ROM or RAM.
• ROM is read only memory that stored some prewritten instructions.
• RAM is Random Access Memory that can be read and written and is used for
manipulating data during processing.
• The primary memory (RAM) is volatile in nature as all contains are erased as soon as
power goes off.
• The cache memory is a special high speed memory storing the most recently accessed
data.
• The storage unit stores the content permanently.
• Major storage devices are hard disc, CD, DVD, flash drive, SSD and Blu-ray disc.
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SAI SHREE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
• Mobile system handles Complex types of operations including input output and
processing.
• The software that controls internal computer operations is called system software.
• An operating system is a program which acts as an interface between the user and
hardware.
• A language processor converts a program written in high level language to machine
language.
• Application software is a set of programs necessary to carry out operations for a
specified application.
• Utility programs assist the computer in maintaining its performance. Some of the
utilities are text editors, backup utilities, compression utility, disk defragmenters;
antivirus software.
• Customized software is tailor made software according to user’s requirements.
• Open source software is the one whose source code is available.
Glossary
Bit: A binary digit.
Byte: A group of 8 bits.
Application software: software pertaining to the operation of a specified application.
Compiler: Program that converts HLL program into machine language in one goes and reports
all the errors along with their line numbers.
Operating system: programs which act as an interface between a user and the hardware.
CPU: central Processing Unit that carries out the given process and supervises the entire
operation.
Software: set of programs that govern the operation of a computer system.
Language processor: software that converts high level language code into machine
understandable form.
System software: software that control internal computer operations.
Utility software: A software that assist the computer by performing housekeeping functions.
FLOSS: free libre open source software. Software that are free as well as open.
Freeware: software that are available at no cost but cannot be modified.
Proprietary software: software for which a license is required to use it and whose source code
is not available.
Free software: software able available free of cost and also can be copied and redistributed
but no source code is available.
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SAI SHREE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
Open Source Software: software whose source code is available and which can be modified
copied and redistributed.
Question and Answers:-
Q.1:- What role does the input unit play in a computer?
Ans: - The input unit is formed by the input device attached to the computer it is responsible
for taking input for the computer. Examples of input devices are keyboard, mouse, magnetic
ink character reader (MICR), optical mark reader (OMR), optical character reader (OCR),
joystick etc.
Q.2:- What role does the output unit play in a computer?
Ans: - The output unit is formed by the output devices attached to the computer it is
responsible for taking output for the computer. Some examples of popular output devices are
monitor, printers, speaker etc.
Q.3:- What is the function of ALU?
Ans: - Arithmetic and logic unit is responsible for carrying out the Arithmetic instructions (add,
subtract, multiply, divide) and making logic decision (greater than less than equal to).
Q.4:- Name some fast storage devices.
Ans: - Some fast storage devices are hard disk, compact disc (CDS) and DVDs, portable flash
memory, solid state drive, Blu-ray disc etc.
Q.5:- What is the function of main memory?
Ans: - Main memory is the internal volatile memory data and instructions are stored during
processing. Main memory can either be ROM for RAM.
Q.6:- What is access time of a storage device? Name a storage device with faster access times.
Ans: - The time taken to read data from a storage device and bring it to memory is called
access time. The flash memories have faster access time.
Q.7:- What is the difference between RAM and ROM?
Ans: -
BASIS FOR RAM ROM
COMPARISON
Basic It is a read-write memory. It is read only memory.
Use store data to be currently required for booting of
processed computer
Volatility It is a volatile memory. It is a nonvolatile memory.
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SAI SHREE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
Stands for Random Access Memory. Read Only Memory.
Modification Data in RAM can be modified. Data in ROM can’t be
modified.
Capacity RAM sizes from 64 MB to 8GB. Smaller than RAM.
Cost RAM is a costlier memory. Cheaper than RAM.
Type Types of RAM are static RAM and Types of ROM are PROM,
Dynamic RAM. EPROM, EEPROM
Q.8:- What is the difference between an interpreter and a compiler?
Ans: -
[Link]. COMPILER INTERPRETER
1. Scans the whole programs in one go. Translates program one statement at a
time.
2. The errors (if any) are shown at the Errors are shown line by line.
end together.
3. Main advantage of compilers is its Due to interpreters being slow in
execution time. executing the object code, it is preferred
less.
4. It converts the instructions into It doesn’t convert the instructions
systematic code. instead it directly works on source
language.
5. E.g. C, C++, C# etc. E.g. Python, Ruby, Perl, MATLAB etc.
Q.9:- What is the need for secondary memory.
Ans: -The primary memory holds the data and instructions only during processing and after
that it gets erased. One cannot store data and instruction permanently on RAM. To
permanently stored it and instruction the secondary memory is required.
Q.10:- Define freeware and free software.
Ans:- The term freeware is generally used for software which is available free of cost and
which allows copying and for the distribution but not a modification and whose source code is
not available freeware should not be mistaken for open source or for free software.
Free software means the software is freely accessible and can be freely used changed
improved copied and distributed by all who wish to do so. And no payments are needed to be
made for free software.
Q.11:- Distinguish between CPU and ALU.
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SAI SHREE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
Ans:-
ALU CPU
Name Arithmetic Logic Unit Central Processing Unit
Components Arithmetic Unit and Logic Unit Monitor, Microcontroller,
Microprocessor, Memory, etc.
Task Performs basic calculations Interprets and carries out the basic
such as addition, subtraction, instructions that operate a
multiplication, and division. computer.
Purpose Perform all the operations Make sure all the functions are
that relate to human logic and performed accurately on time.
mathematics.
Relation Central part of the CPU Central part of the computer
Q.12:- What is system software? What role does it play in the functioning of the computer?
Ans:- The software that control internal computer operation like reading data from input
devices, transmitting process information to the output devices, checking system components,
converting data instructions to computer understandable form etc. is called system software.
Q.13:- What is the importance of an operating system?
Ans: - An operating system is a program which acts as an interface between a user and the
hardware (i.e. all, computer resources). The primary goal of operating system is to make the
computer system convenient to use and secondary goal is to use computer hardware in an
efficient manner.
Q.14:- Differentiate between proprietary software and freeware software. Name two software
of each type.
Ans: - Proprietary software is software that is owned by an individual or a company. It comes
with a license for its use, and its source code is almost always kept secret.
Freeware is a software, most often proprietary, that is distributed at no monetary cost to the
end user .However, it source code is not available and its comes with a license too.
Q.15: - What is the utility of this software?
1. Disc fragmentor:-
Purpose:
Speeds up your computer by organizing scattered (fragmented) files on your hard drive (HDD).
Benefits:
• Faster file access
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SAI SHREE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
• Better overall performance
• Less wear on the hard drive
Important:
• Only for HDDs, not needed for SSDs
• Modern systems do this automatically
2. Backup software:-
Purpose:
Saves copies of your important files or system data to prevent loss.
Benefits:
• Protects against data loss (due to crashes, viruses, or deletion)
• Makes recovery easy after a system failure
• Can automate regular backups
Examples:
Windows Backup, Acronis, Mac Time Machine, Google Drive Backup
Q.16:- Draw a block Diagram of functional components of computer system.
Ans:- A block diagram of a computer shows its main parts and how they work together. It
makes it easy to understand how data moves between the CPU, memory, input/output
devices, and storage.
The components in a block diagram of a computer typically include:
1. Input Unit – Devices like a keyboard and a mouse that send data to the computer.
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU) – The brain that processes data, including:
• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) – Performs calculations and logical operations.
• Control Unit (CU) – Manages data flow and instructions.
3. Memory Unit – Stores data and instructions, including:
• Primary Memory (RAM) – Temporary storage for active processes.
• Secondary Memory (HDD/SSD) – Permanent storage for data.
4. Output Unit – Devices like monitors and printers that display or produce results.
These components are connected to show data flow (input → CPU → memory → output).
NARENDRA MAHAWAR PGT (IP)
SAI SHREE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
Assignment/HW: Try to solve the Exercise of this chapter.
NARENDRA MAHAWAR PGT (IP)