Unit 1 :Fundamentals of Computers and Information

Technology

Computer System
A computer system is a collection of hardware and software
components that work together to perform various tasks. It's
essentially a powerful tool that processes data and executes
instructions to accomplish specific functions.

Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer
system. These include:
• Central Processing Unit (CPU): The "brain" of the
computer, responsible for executing instructions.
• Memory (RAM): Temporary storage for data and
instructions that the CPU needs while performing tasks.
• Storage Devices (Hard Drive, SSD): Long-term storage for
data, programs, and files.
• Motherboard: The main circuit board that connects all the
hardware components.
• Power Supply Unit (PSU): Provides power to the computer's
components.
 • Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): Handles rendering of
images, videos, and animations.
• Cooling Systems (Fans, Heat Sinks): Keeps the hardware
components cool to prevent overheating.

Software
Software refers to the programs and applications that run on
a computer system. These include:
• Operating System (OS): The core software that manages
hardware and software resources (e.g., Windows, macOS,
Linux).
• Application Software: Programs designed to perform specific
tasks (e.g., word processors, web browsers, games).
• System Software: Includes utilities and tools that support
the operating system and manage hardware (e.g., drivers,
firmware).

Input/Output (I/O) Devices

I/O devices are peripherals that allow interaction with the
computer system. These include:
• Input Devices: Devices used to enter data and commands
into the computer (e.g., keyboard, mouse, scanner,
microphone).
 • Output Devices: Devices used to present data and
information from the computer (e.g., monitor, printer,
speakers).

Storage Devices
• Hard Disk Drive (HDD): Think of it like a big filing
cabinet where all your data (files, photos, videos) are
stored on spinning disks.
• Solid State Drive (SSD): Imagine a super fast, advanced
version of a USB drive, using flash memory and no
moving parts.
• USB Flash Drive: A small, portable device you can plug
into your computer to transfer files.
• CD/DVD/Blu-ray Discs: Discs you can use to store and
play music, videos, and other data.

Other Peripheral Devices

• Printer: It prints documents from your computer onto
paper.
• Scanner: It scans physical documents and saves them as
digital files.
• Webcam: It captures video and images, usually used for
video calls.
 • Speakers: They produce sound from your computer.

CPU and Its Functions

• CPU (Central Processing Unit): Think of it as the brain
of your computer. It processes all the instructions from
software and hardware.
• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Handles all arithmetic and
logical operations.
• Control Unit (CU): Directs all operations of the
computer, telling other parts what to do.
• Registers: Tiny storage areas for quick data access.

Communication Among Various Parts of a Computer System

• Bus: Like a highway in a computer that transfers data
between different parts.
• Data Bus: Carries the data.
• Address Bus: Carries the memory addresses where data
needs to go.
• Control Bus: Carries control signals to manage the
operations.

Memory Measurement Units

• Bit (b): The smallest unit of data, either 0 or 1.
 • Byte (B): 8 bits make up one byte.
• Kilobyte (KB): About 1,000 bytes.
• Megabyte (MB): About 1,000 KB.
• Gigabyte (GB): About 1,000 MB.
• Terabyte (TB): About 1,000 GB.

Data, Information, and Knowledge

• Data: Raw, unprocessed facts (like a list of numbers).
• Information: Processed data that is meaningful (like a
summary of those numbers).
• Knowledge: Understanding and applying the information
(knowing what those numbers mean and how to use
them).

Role of IT in Information Generation, Management, and

Decision Making
• Information Generation: IT helps us gather and create
data (e.g., through surveys or sensors).
• Information Management: IT tools help organize, store,
and retrieve this data efficiently (like databases).
• Decision Making: IT provides accurate and timely
information that helps people make smart decisions (like
business reports).
Unit 2: Introduction to System Software
• Definition of System Software:
◦ System software is a type of computer program
designed to run a computer's hardware and application
programs. It acts as an intermediary between the
hardware and user applications.
• Different Types of System Software:
◦ Operating Systems (OS): The main software that
manages all other software and hardware on a computer
(e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux).
◦ Device Drivers: Programs that allow the operating system
to communicate with hardware devices (e.g., printers,
graphics cards).
◦ Utilities: Software designed to help manage, maintain,
and control computer resources (e.g., antivirus programs,
disk cleanup tools).
• Functions of System Software:
◦ Manages hardware components.
◦ Provides a user interface.
◦ Executes and manages application software.
◦ Ensures security and access control.
 ◦ Manages files and data storage.
• Introduction to Resource Management:
◦ Resource management involves efficiently managing the
computer's resources like CPU, memory, storage, and
input/output devices to ensure smooth functioning and
performance.
• Memory Management:
◦ Memory management is the process of controlling and
coordinating computer memory, assigning blocks to
various running programs to optimize performance.
◦ It ensures that each application gets the necessary
memory and prevents conflicts between applications.
• I/O (Input/Output) Management:
◦ I/O management involves handling input from devices
like keyboards and mice and output to devices like
monitors and printers.
◦ It ensures that data is efficiently transferred to and
from these devices.
• Process Management:
◦ Process management involves managing the execution of
multiple tasks (processes) on a computer.
 ◦ It includes starting, stopping, and monitoring processes,
as well as allocating resources to them.
• Deadlock:
◦ A deadlock is a situation where two or more processes
are unable to proceed because each is waiting for the
other to release resources.
◦ Think of it as two people blocking each other in a
narrow hallway, neither can move forward or backward.
• Deadlock Avoidance and Prevention:
◦ Deadlock Avoidance: Techniques used to avoid deadlock by
ensuring that at least one necessary condition for
deadlock cannot hold.
◦ Deadlock Prevention: Techniques used to ensure that
deadlock never occurs by eliminating one of the
conditions necessary for deadlock (e.g., not allowing
processes to hold onto resources while waiting for others).
Unit 3: Introduction to Computer Networks
1. Computer Network:
• Definition: A system of interconnected computers sharing
resources and information.
• Example: Sharing files, printers, or internet connection.
2. Types of Networks:
• LAN (Local Area Network): Small, like a home or office.
• WAN (Wide Area Network): Large, like cities or countries
(Internet).
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Medium, like a city or
campus.
• PAN (Personal Area Network): Very small, for personal
devices (Bluetooth).
3. Network Topologies:
• Star: Devices connect to a central hub. If the hub fails,
the network is affected.
• Bus: Devices share a single communication line. If the line
fails, the network goes down.
• Ring: Devices connected in a circular pattern. Each device
connects to two others.
 • Mesh: Devices interconnected. Provides multiple paths for
data, increasing reliability.
4. Network Devices:
• Router: Connects different networks and directs data
between them.
• Switch: Connects devices within a single network and directs
data to its destination.
• Modem: Converts digital data to analog signals and vice
versa, enabling internet connectivity.
• Access Point: Allows wireless devices to connect to a wired
network.
5. IP Addressing:
• IP Address: Unique number assigned to each device on a
network.
• IPv4: 32-bit address (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
• IPv6: 128-bit address (e.g.,
2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).
6. Internet Basics:
• Domain Name: Human-readable name for an IP address
(e.g., www.example.com).
 • URL (Uniform Resource Locator): Web address of a specific
page or file (e.g., https://www.example.com/page.html).
7. Protocols:
• TCP/IP: Basic communication rules for the internet.
Ensures reliable data transmission.
• HTTP/HTTPS: Rules for transferring web pages. HTTPS is
secure.
• FTP: Rules for transferring files between computers.
• SMTP: Rules for sending emails.
8. Wireless Networking:
• Wi-Fi: Connects devices to a network wirelessly using radio
waves.
• Bluetooth: Enables short-range wireless communication
between devices.
9. Network Security:
• Encryption: Coding data to prevent unauthorized access.
• Firewalls: Security systems that control incoming and
outgoing network traffic.
• Antivirus Software: Protects against malware and viruses.
10. Computer Virus:
 • Definition: Malicious software designed to harm or exploit
computers.
• Example: Corrupting data, stealing information.
11. World Wide Web:
• Definition: An information system of interlinked documents
accessed via the internet.
• Example: Web pages viewed using a web browser.
12. Search Engines:
• Definition: Tools that help find information on the internet
(e.g., Google, Bing).
• Business Perspective: Earn money through advertising by
displaying ads in search results.

Summary
• Computer Network: Connects computers to share resources.
• Types of Networks: LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN.
• Network Topologies: Star, Bus, Ring, Mesh.
• Network Devices: Router, Switch, Modem, Access Point.
• IP Addressing: IPv4, IPv6.
• Internet Basics: Domain Name, URL.
• Protocols: TCP/IP, HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SMTP.
 • Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
• Network Security: Encryption, Firewalls, Antivirus Software.
• Computer Virus: Harmful software.
• World Wide Web: Interlinked documents on the internet.
• Search Engines: Find information, generate revenue through
ads.

Unit 4: Introduction to MS-Office 2010/11

MS-Word
Purpose: Used for creating and editing text documents.
• Creating Documents: Start a new document where you can
type and format text.
• Editing Documents: Make changes to existing text by
adding, deleting, or modifying content.
• Formatting Documents: Change the appearance of text, such
as font type, size, color, bold, italics, and underlining.
• Inserting Objects: Add images, tables, charts, and other
objects to enhance your document.
• Printing Documents: Send your document to a printer to
get a physical copy.
MS-Excel
Purpose: Used for organizing, analyzing, and storing data in
spreadsheets.
• Creating Spreadsheets: Start a new spreadsheet to input
data into rows and columns.
• Data Entry: Input data into individual cells in the
spreadsheet.
• Formulas and Functions: Use built-in mathematical
expressions to perform calculations, like SUM (adding
numbers) and AVERAGE (finding the average of numbers).
• Data Sorting and Filtering: Arrange data in a specific
order (e.g., alphabetical) and filter to show only certain
data.
• Creating Charts and Graphs: Visualize your data by
turning it into charts and graphs.
• Pivot Tables: Summarize and analyze large amounts of
data quickly and easily.

MS-PowerPoint
Purpose: Used for creating presentations with slides.
• Creating Presentations: Start a new presentation and add
slides to it.
 • Adding Slides: Insert new slides to your presentation.
• Editing Slides: Add text, images, videos, and other
elements to make your slides informative and engaging.
• Slide Layouts: Choose different layouts to organize the
content on your slides.
• Creating Animations: Add motion effects to text and
images to make your presentation dynamic.
• Slide Transitions: Apply effects that occur when moving
from one slide to the next.
• Presenting: Display your slides to an audience in a smooth
sequence.

MS-Access
Purpose: Used for creating and managing databases.
• Creating Databases: Set up a new database to store and
manage information.
• Tables: Organize data into tables with rows and columns.
• Queries: Retrieve specific information from your database
using queries.
• Forms: Create forms to make data entry easy and
efficient.
 • Reports: Generate reports to summarize and present data
in a structured format.
• Relationships: Connect data across different tables to show
how they relate to one another.

Summary
• MS-Word: Create and edit text documents. Format text,
insert objects, and print.
• MS-Excel: Organize and analyze data in spreadsheets. Use
formulas, create charts, and pivot tables.
• MS-PowerPoint: Create and animate presentations. Add
slides, transitions, and present.
• MS-Access: Create and manage databases. Use tables,
queries, forms, reports, and relationships.
Unit 5: Database Fundamentals
1. Definition:
• A database is an organized collection of data that can be
easily accessed, managed, and updated.
2. Table:
• A table is a set of data arranged in rows and columns.
Each table contains data about a specific topic.
3. Field:
• A field is a single piece of data in a table, such as a
name or a date of birth. It is also known as a column.
4. Record:
• A record is a complete set of fields in a table. Each
record contains all the information about one item or
person. It is also known as a row.
5. Data Types:
• Data types define the type of data that can be stored
in a field, such as text, numbers, dates, etc.
6. Different Types of Keys:
• Primary Key: A unique identifier for each record in a
table. No two records can have the same primary key.
 • Foreign Key: A field that links to the primary key of
another table, establishing a relationship between the two
tables.
• Composite Key: A combination of two or more fields to
create a unique identifier for each record.
7. Metadata:
• Metadata is data about data. It provides information
about other data, such as data types, field names, and
descriptions.
8. Entity:
• An entity is an object or concept about which data is
stored, like a person, place, or thing.
9. Attributes:
• Attributes are the properties or characteristics of an entity.
For example, an entity "Student" may have attributes like
Name, Age, and Roll Number.
10. Different Types of Relationships:
• One-to-One: Each record in one table is related to one
record in another table.
• One-to-Many: Each record in one table is related to
multiple records in another table.
 • Many-to-Many: Records in one table can be related to
multiple records in another table, and vice versa.
11. Database Management System (DBMS):
• A DBMS is software that helps create, manage, and
manipulate databases. Examples include MySQL, Oracle, and
Microsoft SQL Server.
12. Advantages of DBMS Approach:
• Improved data sharing.
• Better data security.
• Reduced data redundancy and inconsistency.
• Enhanced data integration.
• Easier data access and management.
13. 3-Layered Database Architecture:
• External Level: How users view the data.
• Conceptual Level: Logical structure of the entire database.
• Internal Level: Physical storage of the data.
14. Data Independence:
• The ability to change the data schema without affecting
the application programs. It is divided into logical data
independence and physical data independence.
15. Different Database Languages:
• Data Definition Language (DDL): Defines and manages
database structures (e.g., CREATE, ALTER, DROP).
• Data Manipulation Language (DML): Manages data within
the database (e.g., SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE).
• Data Control Language (DCL): Controls access to data
(e.g., GRANT, REVOKE).
16. Structured Query Language (SQL):
• SQL is a standard language used to communicate with and
manage databases. It includes commands to query, update,
and manage data.

Summary
• Database: Organized collection of data.
• Table: Set of data in rows and columns.
• Field: Single piece of data in a table.
• Record: Complete set of fields in a table.
• Data Types: Define the type of data in a field.
• Keys: Primary Key, Foreign Key, Composite Key.
• Metadata: Data about data.
• Entity: Object or concept with stored data.
• Attributes: Properties of an entity.
• Relationships: One-to-One, One-to-Many, Many-to-Many.
• DBMS: Software to manage databases.
• Advantages of DBMS: Better sharing, security, reduced
redundancy.
• 3-Layered Architecture: External, Conceptual, Internal levels.
• Data Independence: Changing schema without affecting
applications.
• Database Languages: DDL, DML, DCL.
• SQL: Standard language for managing databases.
Unit 6: Introduction to Web Resource Creation
1. Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
• Definition: HTML is the standard language used to create
and design web pages.
• Basic Structure: HTML documents have a basic structure
with elements like <html>, <head>, <title>, and <body>.
• Tags: HTML uses tags (like <h1> for headings, <p> for
paragraphs, <a> for links) to define different parts of a
web page.
2. Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML)
• Definition: XHTML is a stricter and cleaner version of
HTML designed to work with XML.
• Differences from HTML: Requires well-formed code, all tags
must be closed, and lowercase tag names.
3. Extensible Markup Language (XML)
• Definition: XML is a language used to store and
transport data, focusing on simplicity, generality, and
usability.
• Structure: XML documents use a tree structure, starting
with a root element and branching out to child elements.
4. Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL)
 • Definition: XBRL is a language for the electronic
communication of business and financial data.
• Usage: Standardizes the way businesses report financial
information.
5. Client-side and Server-side Programming
• Client-side Programming: Runs on the user's browser (e.g.,
JavaScript). Used for creating interactive web pages.
• Server-side Programming: Runs on the web server (e.g.,
PHP, ASP.NET). Used for creating dynamic web pages by
interacting with databases.
6. Creating Dynamic, Interactive Web Pages
• Dynamic Pages: Pages that can change content dynamically
based on user interactions or other conditions.
• Tools and Techniques: Using languages like JavaScript
(client-side) and PHP (server-side) to create interactive
features.
7. Active Server Pages (ASP) Technology
• Definition: ASP is a server-side scripting language used to
create dynamic web pages and web applications.
• Components: Combines HTML with server-side scripts
written in VBScript or JavaScript.
8. VBScript
• Definition: VBScript is a scripting language developed by
Microsoft. It’s a lightweight version of Visual Basic.
• Usage: Often used in ASP for server-side scripting and in
Windows-based applications.
Unit 7: Introduction to Management Information
Systems (MIS)
1. Transaction Processing System (TPS)
• Definition: TPS is used to collect, store, modify, and
retrieve the transactions of an organization.
• Examples: ATM transactions, sales order processing.
2. Decision Support System (DSS)
• Definition: DSS is an information system that supports
business or organizational decision-making activities.
• Features: Helps in analyzing data, making forecasts, and
supporting complex decision-making processes.
3. Expert Systems
• Definition: An expert system is an AI program that uses
knowledge and inference procedures to solve problems that
are difficult enough to require human expertise for their
solutions.
• Components:
• Knowledge Base: Contains the domain knowledge.
• Inference Engine: Applies logical rules to the knowledge
base to deduce new information.