Computer Fundamentals: Notes & MCQs | Interactive Study Guide

🧠 Introduction & Structure

Computer: From Latin 'Compute' → to calculate. Electronic device that processes input → output.

Basic Units

CPU (Central Processing Unit) – processes data. Parts: ALU (math/logic), Control Unit (nervous system), Memory Unit (main internal memory).
Input Unit – link between user & computer (keyboard, mouse, scanner).
Output Unit – softcopy/hardcopy results (monitor, printer, plotter).

⚙️ Types of Computers

Analog: measures continuous (thermometer, voltmeter).
Digital: uses binary (0/1), most common.
Hybrid: mix of both.

🖥️ Personal Computer (IBM PC, 1981)

Components: System unit (motherboard, CPU, SMPS), Input/Output, Storage.

SMPS converts AC → low voltage DC. Processor speed in MHz / GHz.

⌨️ Input Devices

Mouse (Douglas Engelbart), Keyboard, Trackball, Scanner (Flatbed/Handheld/Drum), Joystick, Light Pen, Webcam, Digitizer, Microphone, MICR (banking), BCR, OCR, OMR.

🖨️ Output Devices

Monitor (CRT, LCD, LED), Printer (Impact/Non-impact), Plotter, Speakers, Projector, Speech Synthesizer.

💾 Memory & Storage

Primary Memory

RAM (temporary): SRAM, DRAM
ROM (read-only): PROM, EPROM, EEPROM

Secondary Memory

Magnetic Tape, HDD, Floppy Disk
Optical Disc: CD, DVD, Blu-Ray
Pen Drive (EEPROM based), Memory Card, SSD (faster than HDD)

Memory Units

1 Byte = 8 bits | 1 KB = 1024 Bytes
1 MB = 1024 KB | 1 GB = 1024 MB
1 TB = 1024 GB | 1 PB, EB, ZB, YB

Data Representation

Analog (continuous), Digital (discrete - 0/1). Number systems: Binary(base2), Decimal(base10), Octal(base8), Hexadecimal(base16).

🔢 Number System Conversions (Key Examples)

Conversion	Method
Decimal → Binary	Repeated division by 2, read remainders bottom-up. (65)₁₀ = (1000001)₂
Binary → Decimal	Sum of bits × 2^position. (1101)₂ = 13₁₀
Octal → Decimal	(257)₈ = 2×64 + 5×8 + 7 = 175₁₀
Hex → Decimal	(3A5)₁₆ = 3×256 + 10×16 + 5 = 933₁₀
Binary → Octal	Group 3 bits: 010 101 100 → (254)₈
Binary → Hex	Group 4 bits: 0001 1010 1100 → (1AC)₁₆

💡 Bit | Nibble(4 bits) | Byte(8 bits) | Word(16 bits)

📝 Multiple Choice Questions

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💻 Fundamentals of Computer