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IGNOU ASSIGNMENT GURU 2019-20

Course Code : BCS-011
Course Title : Computer Basics and PC Software
Assignment Number : BCA (1)/011/Assignment/2019-20
Maximum Marks : 100
Last Date of Submission : 15th October, 2019 (For July, 2019 Session)
15th April, 2020 (For January, 2020 Session)
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Q1. (Covers Block 1)

(7×4=28)
a) Explain the von Neumann Architecture with the help of a diagram. Is this
architecture used in the current personal computers? Justify your answer.
Explain the role of integrated circuits in design of computers. Also, explain the
classification of computer on the basis of technology.
Answer: Mathematician John Von Neumann conceived a computer architecture which
forms the core of nearly every computer system in use today. This architecture is known as
Von Neumann architecture. It is a design model for the modern computers which has
central processing unit (CPU) and the concept of memory used for storing both data and
instructions. This model implements the stored program concept in which the data and the
instructions both are stored in the memory. All computers share the same basic
architecture which have memory, an I/O system, arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control unit
(CU).

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This architecture used in the current personal computers

Our world is full of integrated circuits (semiconductor devices with several transistors built
into one physical component). It is an electronic circuit which involves thousands or millions
of interconnected components like transistors, diodes and resistors. They are usually called

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ICs. We can find several of them in computers. For example, most people have probably
heard about the microprocessor. The microprocessor is an integrated circuit that processes
all information in the computer. Integrated circuit (IC), sometimes called as a chip or
microchip, is a semiconductor wafer on which a thousand or millions of tiny resistors,
capacitors, and transistors are fabricated. An IC can be a function as an amplifier, oscillator,
timer, counter, computer memory, or microprocessor.

b) Explain the term binary digit. How binary number system is different from
decimal number system? How do you represent a computer instruction in
binary? Explain with the help of an example. List and explain the role of various
components of a computer instruction. What is the role of bus and registers in
instruction execution?
Answer: A binary digit, or bit, is the smallest unit of information in a computer. It is used for
storing information and has a value of true/false, or on/off. An individual bit has a value of
either 0 or 1, which is generally used to store data and implement instructions in groups of
bytes. A computer is often classified by the number of bits it can process at one time or by
the number of bits in a memory address. Many systems use four eight-bit bytes to form a
32-bit word.

The value of a bit is typically stored above or below an allocated level of an electrical charge
within a capacitor inside a memory module. For devices that use positive logic, value 1 (true
value or high) is positive voltage relative to the electrical ground and value 0 (false value or
low) is 0 voltage.

Binary notation uses a Base 2 system of numbers where only zeroes (“0s”) and ones (“1s”)
are deployed. There are no twos (“2s”), no threes (“3s”) , etc. Decimal form as you refer to it
in your question uses the standard Base 10 system of numbers where the numbers zero
through nine (0–9) are deployed.
As an example, let us take a Number say 15
Base 10:-
1*10^1+5*10^0=1*10+5*1=10+5=15
Based 2
15=2^3+2^2+2^1+2^0=8+4+2+1=15 2
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15=1111
Take another number say 47
47=2^5+0^4+2^3+2^2+2^1+2^0
=32+0+8+4+2+1=47
47=101111

COMPUTER SYSTEM
Definition: Is a collection of entities (hardware,software and liveware) that are designed to
receive, process, manage and present information in a meaningful format.

COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

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• Computer hardware - Are physical parts/ intangible parts of a computer. eg Input

devices, output devices, central processing unit and storage devices
• Computer software - also known as programs or applications. They are classified
into two classes namely - sytem software and application software

The role of bus and registers in instruction execution

* Fetch Instruction: The CPU reads an instruction from memory.

* Interprete Instruction: The instruction is decoded to determine what
action is requited.
* Fetch Data: The execution of an instruction may require reading data from
memory or I/O module.
* Process data: The execution of an instruction may require performing some
arithmatic or logical operation on data.
* Write data: The result of an execution may require writing data to memory
or an I/O module.

c) Convert the following numbers as directed

(i) Decimal 257.125 into binary and hexadecimal
(ii) Decimal 999876789 into binary and hexadecimal
(iii) String “Test for number 45, @check" to ASCII and Unicode strings
(iv) Hexadecimal 4F9A8C7D to decimal and binary
Answer: (i) 257.125
Binary = Converting 257.12510 in Binary system
257.125 = 100000001.001
10 2

Hexadecimal= Converting 257.12510 in Hexadecimal system

257.125 = 101.2
10 16

(ii) 999876789 3
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Binary = Converting 99987678910 in Binary system
999876789 = 111011100110001110100010110101
10 2

Hexadecimal= Converting 99987678910 in Hexadecimal system

999876789 = 3B98E8B5
10 16

(iii) String to ASCII: 084 101 115 116 032 102 111 114 032 110 117 109 098 101 114 032 052 053
044 032 064 099 104 101 099 107 013 010

String to Unicode: U+54 U+65 U+73 U+74 U+20 U+66 U+6F U+72 U+20 U+6E U+75 U+6D U+62
U+65 U+72 U+20 U+34

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(iv) 4F9A8C7D
Decimal = Converting 4F9A8C7D 16 in Decimal system
4F9A8C7D16 = 4∙167+15∙166+9∙165+10∙164+8∙163+12∙162+7∙161+13∙160 =
1073741824+251658240+9437184+655360+32768+3072+112+13 = 133552857310

Happened: 133552857310

Result of converting:
4F9A8C7D16 = 133552857310
Binary = Converting 4F9A8C7D 16 in Binary system

4F9A8C7D16 = 10011111001101010001100011111012

d) What is the role of memory in a computer system? Why are primary and
secondary memory needed in a computer system? What is RAM? How is it different
to ROM? Which of the two, RAM or ROM is volatile?
Answer: The computer industry commonly use the term “memory” to refer to RAM
(Random Access Memory). A computer uses RAM to hold temporary instructions and data
needed to complete tasks. This enables the computer’s CPU (Central Processing Unit), to
access instructions and data stored in memory very quickly. The Memory unit is an
important component of a computer where all the data and information are stored in the
form of binary digits (combination of 0‟s and 1‟s) and retrieved whenever necessary.
Computer systems use a variety of devices for storing instructions and data. The computer
memory is the place where the computer holds data and programs that are in use.

Primary Storage: RAM, cache memory, etc…

Secondary Storage: Mechanical disks, SSD, DVD, etc…

The main reason is cost and speed and their relationship to each other. Memory is 4
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fast but very expensive to make compared to disk technologies. The solution was to
create systems where you could load information off secondary storage into
primary storage, so things would run fast enough, and bring the cost of computers
down.

RAM
RAM is a Random access memory; it means the CPU can directly access any address
location of RAM memory. RAM is a quickly accessible memory of the computer. It stores the
data temporarily.
RAM is a volatile memory. RAM stores the data till the power is switched on. Once the power
of the CPU is switched off the whole data in RAM gets erased. The data which has to

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be currently processed must be in RAM. The storage capacity of the RAM ranges from 64
MB to 16 GB.

How RAM is different to ROM

RAM and ROM both are the internal memories of the computer. Where RAM is
a temporary memory, ROM is a permanent memory of the computer. There are many
differences between RAM and ROM, but the basic difference is that RAM is a read-
write memory and the ROM is a read only memory.

RAM is called volatile memory among RAM and ROM.

e) Define the term access time for a hard disk. Explain with the help of an example,
how access time and storage capacity for magnetic disks are calculated. How is the
storage capacity for a magnetic tape calculated? What are the differences in
access mechanism for magnetic tapes and magnetic disks?
Answer: Access time is the time from the start of one storage device access to the time
when the next access can be started. Access time consists of latency (the overhead of
getting to the right place on the device and preparing to access it) and transfer time.

The term is applied to both random access memory (RAM) access and to hard disk and CD- 5
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ROM access. For RAM access, IBM prefers the term cycle time. However, the use of access
time for RAM access is common. Access time to RAM is usually measured in nanoseconds.
Access time to a hard disk or CD-ROM is usually measured in milliseconds.

Example : Let, A 2.5 inch diameter disk has 8 platters with each platter having two data
recording surfaces, each platter on disk has 4084 tracks, each track has 200 sectors and 1
sector can store 1 MB of data. Also consider disk has a seek time of 2 milliseconds and
rotates at the speed of 6000 rpm.

Now, Calculation is following:

Given:
Disk = 8 platters * 2 Surfaces =16 platters
Each platter = 4084 tracks
Each track = 200 sectors

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Each sector = 1 MB
Calculation:
One track = 200 sectors
= 200 x 1 MB
= 200 MB
One platter = 4084 tracks
= 4084 x 200 MB
= 4 x1024 x 200 MB
= 4 x 200 x 1024 MB
= 4 x 200 GB
= 800 GB
16 platters = 16 x 800 GB
= 12800 GB
= 12 x 1024 GB
= 12 TB
The storage capacity of this disk in Bytes = 12 TB
Given:
Disk Rotation Speed = 6000 rpm
Average seek time = 10 millisecond
Thus, the time for one rotation = 1 minute/6000 rotations
=10ms per rotation
Average seek time = 2 millisecond (given)
Average Rotational delay = ½ × Rotation in milliseconds
Average Rotational delay = ½ × (60/6000) ×1000 ms
= ½ × 10 ms
= 5 millisecond
Rotational latency = Average seek time + Average Rotational delay
Rotational latency = 2 millisecond + 5 millisecond
= 2 + 5 milliseconds
= 7 milliseconds.

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Magnetic tape and magnetic disk both stores the data magnetically. The surface of a
magnetic tape and the surface of a magnetic disk are covered with a magnetic material
which helps in storing the information magnetically. Both are non-volatile storage. Despite
these similarities both differs in many aspects from their appearance to their working, their
cost and much more.

The basic difference between magnetic tape and magnetic disk is that magnetic tape is
used for backups whereas, magnetic disk are used as secondary storage.

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BASIS FOR MAGNETIC TAPE MAGNETIC DISK

COMPARISON

Basic Used for backup, and storage of less Used as a secondary storage.

frequently used information.

Physical Plastic thin, long, narrow strip coated with Several platters arranged above each

magnetic material. other to form a cylinder, each platter has

a read-write head.

Use Idle for sequential access. Idle for random access.

Access Slower in data accessing. Fast in data accessing.

Update Once data is fed, it can't be updated. Data can be updated.

Data loss If the tape is damaged, the data is lost. In a case of a head crash, the data is lost.

Storage Typically stores from 20 GB to 200 GB. From Several hundred GB to Terabytes.

Expense Magnetic tapes are less expensive. Magnetic disk is more expensive.

f) Compare and contrast the following technologies 7

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(i) Light Pen and Touch screen

(ii) Scanner and Optical Mark Reader
(iii) LCD monitor and LED display
(iv) Printers and Plotters

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Answer: (i) Light Pen and Touch screen

Light Pen
A light pen is a hand-held electro-optical pointing device which
is connected to the computer by a cable. When it touches to a
connected computer monitor, it will allow the computer to
determine where on that screen the pen is pointed. It facilitates
drawing images and selects objects on the display screen by
directly pointing to the objects with the pen. Light pens give
the user the full range of mouse capabilities, without using the
pad and any horizontal surface. Using light pens, the user can
interact more easily with applications in such modes as
dragging and dropping or highlighting. It is very popular for graphic work in engineering like
CAD (Computer Aided Design)

Touch Screen
A touch screen is a special kind of screen device, which is
placed on the computer monitor in order to allow the direct
selection or activation of the computer’s information, when
somebody touches the screen. Essentially, it registers the
input when a finger or other object to touch the screen.
Touch screen is normally used to touch the screen. Touch
screen is normally used to access the information with
minimum effort. However, it is not suitable for input of large
amount of data. Typically, they are used in information-providing systems like the hospital,
airlines, railway reservation counters, amusement parks, etc.

(ii) Scanner and Optical Mark Reader

Scanner

A scanner is a device that captures images from photographic prints, posters, magazine
pages, and similar sources for computer editing and display. Scanners come in hand-held,
feed-in, and flatbed types and for scanning black-and-white only, or color. Very high
resolution scanners are used for scanning for high-resolution printing, but lower resolution
scanners are adequate for capturing images for computer display. Scanners usually come
with software, such as Adobe's Photoshop product, that lets you resize and otherwise 8
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modify a captured image.

Optical Mark Reader

Optical Mark reading (OMR) is a method of entering data into a computer system. Optical Mark Readers reads
pencil or pen marks made in pre-defined positions on paper forms as responses to questions or tick list prompts.
The OMR data entry system contains the information to convert the presence or absence of marks into a
computer data file.

(iii) LCD monitor and LED display

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitors feature a layer of liquid held between two pieces of
polarized glass. The LCD monitor does not produce its own light. Instead, additional lighting
behind the screen shines through the glass and illuminates the crystals. LCD monitors are
usually backlit by fluorescent lamps.

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Light Emitting Diode (LED) display also feature a liquid crystal display, but the backlighting is
produced by LEDs, not fluorescent lamps.

(iv) Printers and Plotters

Printers: Printers are used for producing output on paper. There are a large variety of
printers and printing devices which can be classified according to the print quality and
printing speed.
Plotters: A Plotter is a device that draws pictures on a page as output, after receiving a print
command from the computer. It is also called a graph plotter. In plotters pens are used to
draw
lines on the paper, which is placed in the plotter.

g) Explain the characteristics/functions of the following in the context of a

computer system:
(i) Disk Defragmenter
(ii) Motherboard of a computer
(iii) Disk Checkers
(iv) Uses of "My Computer" and "My Documents" on a Windows Desktop
Answer: (i) Disk Defragmenter
Disk defragmenter is a utility provided with windows operating system. It re-arranges the
files stored on the disk so that it can occupy contiguous memory locations. This process is
known as defragmentation. The main benefits of defragmentation are that it minimizes the
head movements of the hard disk , in turn which reduces the time taken to read files from
and write files to the disk. It increases the access speed. With this process files are stored in
contiguous locations. The defragmenter reduces the fragmentation in the file systems.
Fragmentation of the memory slows the performance of the system. Large number of files
and some larger files contribute to fragmentation. When files are stored neatly it speeds up
reading and writing to the disks. One should run defragmenter in the PC at regular intervals.
It keeps the computer running quickly and efficiently.

(ii) Motherboard of a computer 9

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The motherboard is the main circuit board of a microcomputer. It is also known as the main
board or system board. It is the circuit board in which all the components are connected
through cable within a personal computer. Many devices are connected with motherboard
directly or indirectly. Motherboards usually provide the interface between the CPU memory
and input/output peripheral circuits, main memory, and facilities for initial setup of the
computer immediately after power-on.

(iii) Disk Checkers

Disk Checkers are used to check the integrity of the hard disk and Pen Drive/ Flash Drive.
CHKDSK is a command which is used for this purpose. This command can be used on a
computer running Windows operating system. It fixes the logical file system errors found in
the disk/drive. It is a command line tools which is used to check the volumes for any

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potential errors. This command can be used to repair the problems related to bad sectors,
lost clusters, directory errors etc.

(iv) Uses of "My Computer" and "My Documents" on a Windows Desktop

My Computer: This icon displays the main components of our computer. We can open any
of the items in this window to further examine the components of our computer by clicking
on my computer icon. It displays different drives/disks attached with the computer.

My Documents: It is the default space where all the files are stored unless we specifically
instruct the computer to save at a specified location. It is a special folder where the system
stores user’s files, pictures, music, download etc.

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