ACADEMIC YEAR 2025-2026

Notes (Chapter-1)

Computer System
Grade : 11 Subject : INFORMATICS PRACTICES

KWL Chart:

K (What I Know) W (What I Want to Know) L (What I Learned)

Computers are electronic How do computers Computers follow the IPO cycle:
devices. process data? Input → Process → Output.

What’s the difference

Hardware is the physical part;
Computers run programs. between hardware and
software is the set of instructions.
software?

How is data stored and

Some computer parts are Data is stored in memory units
managed inside the
CPU, monitor, and keyboard. like RAM, ROM, and hard disks.
computer?

Computers use binary (0s Who invented the first Charles Babbage designed the
and 1s). computer? first mechanical computer.

Python is used in web

Programming languages What is Python used for in
development, AI, data science,
like Python and Java exist. real life?
and automation.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the basic components and functions of a computer system

o Learn how a computer works using the Input–Process–Output (IPO) cycle.
2. Differentiate between hardware and software
o Identify examples and roles of each in a computer system.
3. Gain a basic understanding of data, information, and binary language
o Know how computers process data and why they use binary numbers (0s
and 1s).

Extended Learning:

Computer

A computer is an electronic device, under the control of instructions stored in its memory
that can accept data (input), process the data according to specified rules(Program) on
processor & produces information (output), and store the information for future use.

Data vs Information

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Data are raw numbers or other findings which, by themselves, are of limited value.

Ex: 2, +, 6, etc.

Information is data that has been converted into a meaningful and useful context.

Ex: 2+3=5

The Process of converting data into information is known as Information Processing Cycle
(IPC) or Input Process Output (IPO) cycle.

Advantages of computer:

•Speed •Accuracy •Huge storage •Versatility •Tirelessness

Disadvantages of computer:

•Data security issue •Computer crimes •Health risk •No thinking power

Functional Units of Computer:

Any digital computer performs five functions in gross term.

1.Take data as input

2.Stores data/instructions

3.Process those stored data

4.Generate the output

5.Control all above steps

Input Unit:

A device through which data and programs from the outside world enter the computer
system.

Output unit:

A device through which results stored in the computer memory are made available outside
the computer system.

Input Devices:

Input devices can send data or information to a computer or another device.

1. Keyboard: It is an input device which sends data in to the computer. The data send
depends on the key pressed by the user.

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 2. Mouse: A mouse is a small handheld input device which controls a cursor in a
graphical user interface. It can move and select text, files, folders etc. on our
computer according to the user input.

3. Scanner: Scanner optically reads and document, file or image and then changes it
into digital signal and sends to the computer.

4. OMR: optical mark recognition/ reader, is used to read marks on a document and
send them to computer.

5. OCR: OCR stands for optical character Recognition, is an input device which reads
printed text and sends that to computer.

6. MICR: Magnetic Ink Character Reader is an input device which generally finds
application is banks to process cheques.

7. Microphone: it receives audio generated by some input source and sends the same
to a computer.

8. Webcam: it sends the captured images to a computer.

9. Graphics Tablets: This input device is used to draw using hand.

10. Trackballs: an upside-down mouse, encased within a socket. Its a cursor control
device.

11. Barcode reader: It is used to read the barcode of various items and feed the same to
computer.

12. Gamepad: Also known as joy pad is the input controller for video games.

13. Joystick: these input devices are used to control video games.

Output Devices:

A device that can receive data from computer or another device and create output with
that data is called output device. Examples of various output devices are as :

1. Monitor: A monitor is an output device that is responsible for receiving data from a
computer and displaying that information as text or images for users to see.

2. Speakers: Receives sound signal from a computer and then plays that sound signal
and thus we hear songs or music or any other audio.

3. Projector: Gets data from a computer and displays or projects the same information
onto a screen or a wall. Projector cannot directly accept data from a user and send
that data to another device.

Both Input / Output Devices:

An input/output device is capable of receiving data from users or another devices and also
sending data to another devices or computers. That means a devices which can be used as
both input device and output device are called Input / Output (I/O) devices. Some examples
of input/output devices are as:

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 1. USB drive: Also known as pen drive or flash stick works as both input device to
computer and as an output device. USB drives receive or save data from a computer
as an input and it can also send data to a computer or another device.

2. Facsimile: Facsimile or FAX machine has a scanner which is an input device and a
small printer to provide output.

3. Modems: It is used to transmit and receive data from one computer to another
computer or other devices using telephone lines.

4. CD-RW drives and DVD-RW drives: Receives data from a computer as input to copy
onto and save into writable CD or DVD. We also use CDs or DVDs to transfer data to a
computer.

5. Touch Screen: Touch screen is both input and output device. By touching the screen
input is provided and being a screen, it is used as an output device.

6. Headsets: Headset consists of speaker as an output device and microphone

functions as an input device.

Central processing unit – Comprises three parts :-

1.Arithmetic/Logic Unit: Performs basic arithmetic operations such as addition and

subtraction Performs logical operations such as AND, OR, and NOT. Most modern ALUs have
a small amount of special storage units called registers that can be accessed faster than
main memory.

2.Control unit: It organizes the computer to work computer as single unit & generates
control signals for various devices regarding read/write or execute operation

3.Memory Unit: A collection of cells, each with a unique physical address. Most computers
are byte-addressable.

Cache Memory : The Cache Memory is a high speed memory available inside CPU in order
to speed up access to data and instructions stored in RAM memory. Whenever some data
is required, the CPU first looks in the cache, if it is there or not. If the data is found in cache,
CPU does not access memory and hence the process becomes very fast.

Memory Units – How much memory is required for a file/data/program etc. is measured by
memory units. Following are the memory units:

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Classification of computer Memory:

Memory Type Category Sub-Type Characteristics Examples

Primary Temporary memory, loses
Volatile RAM DDR4 RAM, SDRAM
Memory data when power is off
Non- Permanent memory, pre-
ROM BIOS, Firmware
Volatile programmed
Very fast memory near CPU,
High-
Cache stores frequently accessed L1, L2, L3 Cache
Speed
data
Smallest, fastest memory Accumulator,
Ultra-Fast Registers
inside CPU Program Counter
Secondary Non- Hard Disk Magnetic storage, large
Internal/External HDD
Memory Volatile Drive capacity
Solid State Flash-based, faster than HDD,
SATA SSD, NVMe SSD
Drive no moving parts
Optical Uses laser technology for
CD, DVD, Blu-ray
Discs reading/writing
Flash Portable, USB-based or
Pen Drive, SD Card
Storage memory cards

RAM V/S ROM

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System Bus:

A bus is a set of wires used for interconnection, where each wire can carry 1 Bit of signal.

Mobile computing System:

It can be defined as technology that enables transmission of voice, vedio and data through
portable devices using wireless enabled network.

Ex: Social media applications and e-mail access via smart phones.

Advantages of Mobile Computing system:

1. Location Flexibility

2. Entertainment

3. Increase in Productivity

4. Cloud computing

Disadvantages of Mobile Computing system:

1. Quality of connectivity

2. Security

3. Power consumption

SOFTWARE CONCEPTS

Hardware: The physical components of a computer system are called hardware. These are
tangible i.e., we can touch them by hand. It is a collection of electronic components that
perform different system functions. Example: keyboard, monitor, CPU, printer, etc.

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Software: It is a collection of programs that makes a computer system to run. It makes a
computer to understand the user’s requirements, functions to be performed and the desired
output to be given. Software is intangible i.e., we cannot be touch them by hand. Example:
paint, word processor, Spread sheet,etc.

There are three main types of software:

1. System software 2. Application software 3. Utility software

A. System software: System software is defined as a collection of programs designed to

control the operation of a computer system.

System software is required:

1. To control all operations required to move data in and out of the computer.

2. For the development of application software.

3. To run application programs efficiently.

Examples: operating system, assembler, compiler, interpreter, etc.

B. Application software: It is a collection of programs that are written to provide solutions to

specific problems. Application software can be developed for purposes like commercial,
professional, educational, embedded systems, entertainment, etc. Examples: word
processor, presentation tools, spreadsheet, etc.

C. Utility software: Utility software is also known as tool or utility routine. It is a collection of
programs used to manage, tune the computer hardware, operating system or application
software. It can perform either a single task or a small range of tasks. Examples: anti-virus,
file compression, disk cleaner, etc.

Operating System:

Operating System is system software that acts as an interface between the user and the
computer. It is used to control all the hardware devices of the computer system. It makes
the computer available to prepare and execute other programs.

Functions:

1. The operating system enables users to interact with the computer.

2. It maintains job priority sequence.

3. It maintains system security and integrity.

4. It manages files on storage devices.

5. It acts as a device manager.

6. It acts as a memory manager.

7. It acts as a processor manager.

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Computer Languages:

A computer language is required to communicate with a computer in order to make it

perform our job. In order to develop software we need a computer programming language.
The three computer programming languages are as follows:

1. Machine Language: Computers can directly understand machine language only.

Machine language programs are written in binary format using 0s and 1s. The
disadvantages of machine language programs are: a. It is very difficult to develop,
modify and debug a machine language program as all instructions consist of 0s and 1s
only. b. For different computers different set of instructions needed to perform same job.
c. Programmers have to remember op-codes for every operation.

2. Assembly Language: In assembly languages, op-codes were replaced with Mnemonic

codes like LDA, ADD, and SUB etc. So it is easier to develop, modify and debug assembly
language programs as compared to machine language. But still it is not very user
friendly and to develop assembly language programs is very hectic. In order to run an
assembly language program it needs to be translated into machine language. This job
is performed by the assembler.

3. High Level Language: A high level language is very user friendly. It uses English
alphabets, numbers and symbols to write programs. It is very easy to develop, modify
and debug a high level language program. In order to run a high level language
program it needs to be translated into machine language. This job is performed by a
compiler or interpreter. Examples: C++, Visual Basic etc.

Language Processors:

A language processor is computer software. It is used to convert a program from one

computer language into another computer language. In performing this conversion, a
language processor performs a number of steps.

1. Assembler: An assembler is a system program used for translating an assembly language

program into machine code. E.g. Macro Assembler, Turbo Assembler

2. Compiler: A compiler is a system program that translates the instructions of a high-level

language to machine language. It reads the entire program first, checks it for errors and
then translates it into machine code. E.g. C++ is compiler based.

3. Interpreter: An interpreter is a system program that translates the instructions of a high-

level language to machine language. But it considers one statement of a high-level
language program, translates it into machine language and then executes it immediately.
E.g. Basic language is interpreter based.

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Real Life Application:

Memory Type Real-Life Application

RAM (Random Access When you open multiple apps on your phone or computer — RAM
Memory) helps them run smoothly.
ROM (Read-Only When you turn on your computer or smartphone — ROM stores the
Memory) instructions to start the system (booting).
While watching YouTube — cache stores recently accessed video
Cache Memory
data so it loads faster next time.
While doing calculations — the CPU uses registers to hold numbers
Registers
during fast processing.
Saving files like movies, photos, and documents — your HDD stores
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
them permanently.
Solid State Drive Booting up your laptop in seconds — SSDs make the system start
(SSD) much faster than traditional hard drives.
Optical Discs
Watching a movie on DVD or installing old software from a CD.
(CD/DVD)
Flash Drives (USB Pen
Transferring a project or presentation to school using a USB stick.
Drive)
NIM

What is NIM Domain 3 – Citizenship?

Domain 3 in the National ICT Framework (NIM UAE) focuses on:

Digital Citizenship, Ethical Technology Use, and Cyber Safety.

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This domain encourages students to:

• Use digital tools responsibly and ethically.

• Understand the importance of data privacy.
• Protect personal and national identity in digital environments.

Concept from
Connection to Digital Citizenship (Domain 3)
Chapter 1
Memory stores all user data, including personal and sensitive
RAM, ROM, and
information. Students should understand where and how data is
Storage Devices
kept.
These devices can hold Emirates ID information, biometric data, or
Secondary Storage
login credentials. This shows the importance of secure and ethical
(HDD, SSD)
data handling.
Data and Data stored in memory must be handled safely and responsibly.
Information Misuse can lead to identity theft or privacy violations.
Binary and System Even the most basic memory operations contribute to how systems
Software handle sensitive identity-related operations.
Student’s/Parent’s Reflection:

Teacher’s Remark:

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