Bt0062 fundamentals of it(1)

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Fundamentals of Information
Technology
Paper-1 BT0062
By Milan K Antony
[author:Milan K Antony | www.techglyphs.tk | milan@techglyphs.tk]

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1. What is the role of fifth generation computers?
The Fifth Generation Computer Systems project (FGCS) was an initiative
by Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry, begun in 1982,
to create a "fifth generation computer” which was supposed to perform
much calculation using massive parallel processing. It was to be the end
result of a massive government/industry research project in Japan
during the 1980s. It aimed to create an "epoch-making computer" with
supercomputer-like performance and to provide a platform for future
developments in artificial intelligence.
The term fifth generation was intended to convey the system as being a
leap beyond existing machines. Computers using vacuum tubes were called
the first generation; transistors and diodes, the second; integrated
circuits, the third; and those using microprocessors, the fourth. Whereas
previous computer generations had focused on increasing the number of
logic elements in a single CPU, the fifth generation, it was widely
believed at the time, would instead turn to massive numbers of CPUs
for added performance.
The project was to create the computer over a ten year period, after
which it was considered ended and investment in a new, Sixth Generation
project, began. Opinions about its outcome are divided: Either it was a
failure, or it was ahead of its time.
2.What is Arithmetic Logic Unit? How it is helpful in CPU?
an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is a digital circuit that performs
arithmetic and logical operations. The ALU is a fundamental building
block of the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer, and even the
simplest microprocessors contain one for purposes such as maintaining

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timers. The processors found inside modern CPUs and graphics
processing units (GPUs) accommodate very powerful and very complex
ALUs; a single component may contain a number of ALUs.
Mathematician John von Neumann proposed the ALU concept in 1945, when
he wrote a report on the foundations for a new computer called the
EDVAC. Research into ALUs remains an important part of computer
science, falling under Arithmetic and logic structures in the ACM
Computing Classification System.
An ALU must process numbers using the same format as the rest of the
digital circuit. The format of modern processors is almost always the
two's complement binary number representation. Early computers used a
wide variety of number systems, including one's complement, sign-
magnitude format, and even true decimal systems, with ten tubes per
digit.
ALUs for each one of these numeric systems had different designs, and
that influenced the current preference for two's complement, as this is
the representation that makes it easier for the ALUs to calculate
additions and subtractions.
The two's-complement number system allows for subtraction to be
accomplished by adding the negative of a number in a very simple way
which negates the need for specialised circuits to do subtraction.
3.Perform the following arithmetic operations in binary
a. 11011 + 11110
11011+
11110
----------
00001

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b. 1110 – 1100
1110-
1100
----------
0010
c. 1011 * 110
1011*
110
-----------
000000
d. 1111 / 111
=1.000
4.Briefly explain Embedded System.
An embedded system is a computer system designed to perform one or
a few dedicated functions often with real-time computing constraints.
It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware
and mechanical parts. By contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as
a personal computer (PC), is designed to be flexible and to meet a
wide range of end-user needs. Embedded systems control many devices
in common use today.
Embedded systems are controlled by one or more main processing cores
that are typically either microcontrollers or digital signal processors
(DSP). The key characteristic, however, is being dedicated to handle a
particular task, which may require very powerful processors. For example,
air traffic control systems may usefully be viewed as embedded, even

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though they involve mainframe computers and dedicated regional and
national networks between airports and radar sites. (Each radar probably
includes one or more embedded systems of its own.)
On a continuum from "general purpose" to "embedded", large
application systems will have subcomponents at most points even if the
system as a whole is "designed to perform one or a few dedicated
functions", and is thus appropriate to call "embedded".
5.Distinguish Application Software and System Software
Application software, also known as software application, application or
app, is computer software designed to help the user to perform
singular or multiple related specific tasks. Typical examples are word
processors, spreadsheets, media players and database applications.
Application software should be contrasted with system software
(infrastructure) or middleware (computer services/ processes
integrators), which is involved in integrating a computer's various
capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the
performance of tasks that benefit the user. A simple, if imperfect
analogy in the world of hardware would be the relationship of an electric
light bulb (an application) to an electric power generation plant (a
system).
In computer science, an application is a computer program designed to
help people perform a certain type of work. An application thus differs
from an operating system (which runs a computer), a utility (which
performs maintenance or general-purpose chores), and a programming
language (with which computer programs are created). Depending on the
work for which it was designed, an application can manipulate text,
numbers, graphics, or a combination of these elements. Some application
packages offer considerable computing power by focusing on a single

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task, such as word processing; others, called integrated software, offer
somewhat less power but include several applications. User-written
software tailors systems to meet the user's specific needs. User-written
software include spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific
simulations, graphics and animation scripts.
6.Briefly explain the the advantages and disadvantages of laptop
computers
Advantages
Portability: The number one reason why people buy laptops is because
they can take it anywhere. If you constantly have to go on trips, a
laptop will be very useful. Your own laptop will have all your e-mail,
software’s, presentations, sales material etc. You can store all of this
and much more information that you constantly need, on your laptop
without any problems.
Size and Weight: Laptops are compact. The single laptop contains, your
monitor, CPU, speakers, keyboard, mouse and everything else a normal
computer contains. If you do not have place at home or have little
space on your office desk. If your situation is such that you do not
have space to accommodate another computer, then it would be good to
go in for laptop.
Un-interrupted power supply: It can be charged with battery and it will
stay on so long as the battery has charge. So, if you act wisely, and
keep your laptop charged, you will never have the problem on not being
able to work on your laptop because the lights have gone.
Disadvantages
Technology: Because a laptop is pretty compact, some of the recent
technology that's been developed for desktops has yet to be made into
thinner and smaller forms and successfully fitted into laptops. So laptops
are always a step behind desktops when it comes to capability and
efficiency. However, the laptop market is growing and this situation is

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fast changing.
Comfort: You will have to get used to using a mouse pad instead of a
mouse. Your keyboard and your monitor are connected, so when you
type your face will close to the monitor. You will not get “sub-woofer”
quality sound, unless you externally connect your laptop to a sub-
woofer.
Upgrading : If you're planning on adding stuff onto your computer,
get yourself a desktop and not a laptop. Upgrading a laptop is not
impossible. But, anybody who knows anything about computers will tell
you that it's impractical to purchase a laptop with the intention of
upgrading it. It's often impossible to add stuff like RAM and hard
drives without sending the entire piece back to the manufacturer. Even
if you do decide to upgrade, you are limited in the selection of extra
equipment; most laptops require you to install parts manufactured by the
same company.
7 .Briefly explain the input and output units with real-time examples.
Any device designed to assist in the entry of data into computer is
know as input device.
Input devices convert data from any convenient external format into
binary codes that a computer can store and manipulate internally.
Some of the most common, most popularly used devices are
1. Mouse
2. Keyboard
3. Light pen
4. Joystick
5. Scanner
6. Touch screen
Mouse: This input device is categorized as pointing device because it is

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used to point and select an option on the monitor. A pointer on screen
follows the movements of the mouse. A mouse can be classified in the
basic of the number of buttons it has, the technology it use and the
kind of interface it share with the computer. A mouse can be classified
as a Mechanical mouse and optical mouse, on the basic of the technology
it uses.
Keyboard: This is the most widely-used input devices. Generally a
keyboard has 105 keys. It features 12 key arranged at the top of the
keyboard and the larger backspace.
Light pen: This is a pen-like device, has a photo detector at its tip.
The detector can detect changes in the brightness of the screen. The
light pen is connected to the computer by a cable. It is useful for
drawing graphics in computer aided design software
Scanners: They can see images or printed text and translate them into
binary code. Most scanners collect data from a page by recording. Which
is made up of thousands of tiny cells, called Charge Couple Devices
(CCD)?
Touch screen: Here user needs only to touch the appropriate point on
the display to point out an item to the computer. This is again a
pointing device.
Any peripheral device that converts the stored binary coded data into
convenient external form as text and pictures are know as Output
devices.
Monitor: This is most common output devices .we can see words, number
and graphics on monitor

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Compact disk: A CD can also be input device
Printer: A Printer prints whatever is on the monitor onto paper.
Speaker: This gives sound output from computer.
8.How will you convert fractional decimal value to binary numbers?
To convert fractional decimal number. Multiply the decimal fraction
repeatedly by 2.If the result is greater than or equal to 1,we add a 1
to answer.If the result is less than 1 ,we add a 0 to our answer.
Example:
.375 *2 = 0 Integer Fraction
.375*2= 0.750=0.0 0 .750
0.750*2=1.500 1 .500
1.500*2=1.000 1 .000 Answer: 0.0 1 1
9. Write short notes on new features of Windows XP.
New Windows engine: WindowsXP uses robust and reliable kernel
introduced in windows 200.This kernel have fully procted memory
module, security and hardware abstraction layer that protect key system
component from poorly written program.

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Robust system proction tools: windows xp monitors system files with
outdated or incorrect version. Windows XP also allows program just
installed to use its own DLL files. Additional protection like system
Restore utility has been introduced.
. Device driver rollback: windows XP warns if you try to install unsigned
driver that has not been certified as compatibles with windows XP.
. Security features: Password-protected logins and ability to set
permission in files and folder make it possible to share a PC with others.
New Welcome screen make it easy-to –use administrative tools make
windows xp easily to set up and share PC.
10. Explain the types of computer programming languages with their
merits and demerits.
Computer programming languages are classified into two types.Low level
language and High Level Language. Low Level Language is a machine
oriented and machine-dependent language,where each instruction
corresponds to a machine instruction.These machine language are directly
used by computer.
Hight Level Language is machine-independent language.This
requires the support of translator(Complier/Interpreter) and is self
documenting.HLL is easy to read,write,learn and understand
Since HLL source program must be translates first to the machine
language,this is done by Translators(Complier,Interpreter )

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Advantage of LLL are Processing speed is high because it is one-to-
one language.Translation of program in not require.It occupies less
memory space
In the case of HLL, it is easy to read ,write, understand.Easy to
update,easy to remember,easy to construat the complaex logic instruction
and above all machine-independent .Example:C# COBOL ALGOL
LLL instruction are difficult to read,write and understand.it is difficukt
to update,remember.Programming methodology varies from machines to
machines Only specialist can able to operate these language.Examples for
LLL are machine Language and Assemblt Language.

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