1)A computer can process data, pictures, sound and graphics.

They can solve highly complicated problems quickly

and accurately. A computer performs basically five major computer operations or functions irrespective of their size
and make. These are
1) it accepts data or instructions by way of input,
2) it stores data,
3) it can process data as required by the user,
4) it gives results in the form of output, and
5) it controls all operations inside a computer.
1. Input: This is the process of entering data and programs in to the computer system. You should know that
computer is an electronic machine like any other machine which takes as inputs raw data and performs some
processing giving out processed data. Therefore, the input unit takes data from us to the computer in an organized
manner for processing.
2. Storage: The process of saving data and instructions permanently is known as storage. Data has to be fed into
the system before the actual processing starts. It is because the processing speed of Central Processing Unit
(CPU) is so fast that the data has to be provided to CPU with the same speed. Therefore the data is first stored in
the storage unit for faster access and processing. This storage unit or the primary storage of the computer system
is designed to do the above functionality. It provides space for storing data and instructions. The storage unit
performs the following major functions: All data and instructions are stored here before and after processing.
Intermediate results of processing are also stored here.
3. Processing: The task of performing operations like arithmetic and logical operations is called processing. The
Central Processing Unit (CPU) takes data and instructions from the storage unit and makes all sorts of calculations
based on the instructions given and the type of data provided. It is then sent back to the storage unit.
4. Output: This is the process of producing results from the data for getting useful information. Similarly the output
produced by the computer after processing must also be kept somewhere inside the computer before being given
to you in human readable form. Again the output is also stored inside the computer for further processing.
5. Control: The manner how instructions are executed and the above operations are performed. Controlling of all
operations like input, processing and output are performed by control unit. It takes care of step by step processing
of all operations inside the computer.
FUNCTIONAL UNITS
In order to carry out the operations mentioned in the previous section the computer allocates the task between its
various functional units. The computer system is divided into three separate units for its operation. They are
1) Arithmetic logical unit
2) Control unit.
3) Central processing unit.
Arithmetic Logical Unit :After you enter data through the input device it is stored in the primary storage unit. The
actual processing of the data and instruction are performed by Arithmetic Logical Unit. The major operations
performed by the ALU are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, logic and comparison. Data is transferred to
ALU from storage unit when required. After processing the output is returned back to storage unit for further
processing or getting stored.
Control Unit (CU): The next component of computer is the Control Unit, which acts like the supervisor seeing that
things are done in proper fashion. Control Unit is responsible for coordinating various operations using time signal.
The control unit determines the sequence in which computer programs and instructions are executed. Things like

processing of programs stored in the main memory, interpretation of the instructions and issuing of signals for other
units of the computer to execute them. It also acts as a switch board operator when several users access the
computer simultaneously. Thereby it coordinates the activities of computers peripheral equipment as they perform
the input and output.
Central processing unit: The ALU and the CU of a computer system are jointly known as the central processing
unit. You may call CPU as the brain of any computer system. It is just like brain that takes all major decisions,
makes all sorts of calculations and directs different parts of the computer functions by activating and controlling the
operations.
2) In computing, memory refers to the computer hardware devices used to store information for immediate use in
a computer; it is synonymous with the term "primary storage". Computer memory operates at a high speed, for
example random-access memory (RAM), as a distinction from storage that provides slow-to-access program and
data storage but offers higher capacities. If needed, contents of the computer memory can be transferred
to secondary storage, through a memory management technique called "virtual memory". An archaic synonym for
memory is store.
The

term

"memory",

meaning

"primary

storage"

or

"main

memory",

is

often

associated

with

addressable semiconductor memory, i.e. integrated consisting of silicon-based transistors, used for example as
primary storage but also other purposes in computers and other digital electronic devices. There are two main
types

of

semiconductor

memory, volatile and non-volatile.

Examples

of non-volatile

memory are flash

memory (used as secondary memory) and ROM, PROM, EPROM and EEPROM memory (used for storing
firmware such as BIOS). Examples of volatile memory are primary storage (typically dynamic RAM, DRAM), and
fast cache memory (typically static RAM, SRAM, which is fast but energy-consuming and offer lower memory
capacity per area unit than DRAM).
The following table list out some of the key differences between the primary and secondary memory:
Primary memory

Secondary memory

The memory devices used for primary memory are The secondary memory devices are magnetic and
semiconductor memories

optical memories.

The primary memory is categorized as volatile and non

volatile memories, RAM is the volatile memory and ROM is
the non volatile memory

The secondary memory is always non volatile

The primary memory is composed of programs and data that The secondary memory is enough capable to store
are presently being used by the micro processor

huge amount of information

The secondary memories are somewhat slow in

The primary memories are more effective and fast to interact interacting with the micro processor, when compared
with the micro processor

with the primary memory.

Secondary memory is known as additional memory or

Primary memory is known as main memory

back memory

These memories are also called as internal memory

These memories are also called as external memory

Primary memory is temporary

The secondary memory is permanent

Commonly used primary memory (main memory) available Generally secondary memories range between 80 GB
in the range of 512 MB to 8 GB RAMs.

to 4 TB Hard Disc Drives.

The primary memory devices are connected to the computer The secondary memory devices are connected to the
through slots

computer through Cables

A fourth-generation programming language (4GL) is a computer programming language envisioned as a

refinement of the style of languages classified as third-generation programming language (3GL). Each of
the programming language generations aims to provide a higher level of abstraction of the internal computer
hardware details, making the language more programmer-friendly, powerful and versatile. While the definition
of 4GL has changed over time, it can be typified by operating more with large collections of information at
once rather than focusing on just bits and bytes. Languages claimed to be 4GL may include support
for database management, report

generation, mathematical

optimization, GUI

development,

or web

development. Fourth-generation languages have often been compared to domain-specific languages (DSLs).
Some researchers state that 4GLs are a subset of DSLs.
The concept of 4GL was developed from the 1970s through the 1990s, overlapping most of the development
of 3GL. While 3GLs like C, C++, C#, Java, and JavaScript remain popular for a wide variety of uses, 4GLs as
originally defined found narrower uses. Some advanced 3GLs like Python, Ruby, and Perl combine some
4GL abilities within a general-purpose 3GL environment. Also, libraries with 4GL-like features have been
developed as add-ons for most popular 3GLs. This has blurred the distinction of 4GL and 3GL.

Comparison chart
LAN

WAN

Stands For

Local Area Network

Wide Area Network

Covers

Local areas only (e.g., homes, offices, Large geographic areas (e.g., cities, states,
schools)
nations)

Definition

LAN (Local Area Network) is a

computer network covering a small
geographic area, like a home, office,
school, or group of buildings.

WAN (Wide Area Network) is a computer network

that covers a broad area (e.g., any network whose
communications links cross metropolitan, regional,
or national boundaries over a long distance).

Speed

High speed (1000 mbps)

Less speed (150 mbps)

LANs have a high data transfer rate.

WANs have a lower data transfer rate compared to

LANs.

Data
rates

transfer

Example

The network in an office building can The Internet is a good example of a WAN
be a LAN

Technology

Tend to use certain connectivity WANs tend to use technologies like MPLS, ATM,
technologies, primarily Ethernet and Frame Relay and X.25 for connectivity over longer
Token Ring
distances

Connection

One LAN can be connected to other Computers connected to a wide-area network are
LANs over any distance via telephone often connected through public networks, such as
lines and radio waves.
the telephone system. They can also be connected
through leased lines or satellites.

LAN

WAN

Components

Layer 2 devices like switches and Layers 3 devices Routers, Multi-layer Switches
bridges. Layer 1 devices like hubs and and Technology specific devices like ATM or
repeaters.
Frame-relay Switches etc.

Fault Tolerance

LANs tend to have fewer problems WANs tend to be fewer faults tolerant as they
associated with them, as there is consist of large number of systems.
smaller number of systems to deal
with.

Data
Transmission
Error

Experiences fewer data transmission Experiences more data transmission errors as

errors
compared to LAN

Ownership

Typically owned, controlled, and WANs (like the Internet) are not owned by any one
managed by a single person or organization but rather exist under collective or
organization.
distributed ownership and management over long
distances.

Set-up costs

If there is a need to set-up a couple of For WANs since networks in remote areas have to
extra devices on the network, it is not be connected the set-up costs are higher. However
very expensive to do that.
WANs using public networks can be setup very
cheaply using just software (VPN etc).

Geographical
Spread

Have a small geographical range and Have a large geographical range generally
do
not
need
any
leased spreading across boundaries and need leased
telecommunication lines
telecommunication lines

Maintenance
costs

Because it covers a relatively small Maintaining WAN is difficult because of its wider
geographical area, LAN is easier to geographical coverage and higher maintenance
maintain at relatively low costs.
costs.

Bandwidth

High bandwidth
transmission.

Congestion

Less congestion

is

available

for Low bandwidth is available for transmission.

More congestion