TyroCity: Computer 11 Notes

Generation Of Computer

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Generation of computer

The computers of electronic age are further divided into 5 generation on the basis of technology used by the computer. The different generations are:

First generation of computers
Second generation of computers
Third generation of computers
Fourth generation of computers
Fifth generation of computers

1. First generation of computers

Technology used: Vacuum tube
Operating speed: Millisecond range
Programming language used: Machine language
Memory used Primary memory: Magnetic core memory Secondary memory: Magnetic drum, Magnetic tape.
I/O device:
Punched card as input device, printing device as output device.
Use: Simple mathematical calculation.
Computers were extremely large in size, and they required special cooling system. e.g.: ENIVAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC, etc.

2. Second generation of computers:

Technology used: Transistor
Operation speed: Micro second range (10-6 sec)
Programming language used: Assembly language
Memory used Primary memory: Magnetic core memory. Secondary memory: Magnetic drum, Magnetic tape.
I/O: Punched card as input device, Printer as output device
Use: Computers were used for complex scientific calculations.
The size, cost, power requirement, heat generation decreased compared to previous generation.
Processing speed, storage capacity, use of the computer increased compared to previous generation.
E.g.: IBM 1620, IBM 7094, LEO MARK III, etc.

Advantages of transistor over vacuum tube:

One transistor could replace one thousand vacuum tubes.
Size of a transistor is 1/200 th times of a vacuum tube.
The power requirement of a transistor is 1/20 th times of a vacuum tube.
Transistors are more reliable than vacuum tube.

3. Third generation of computers

Technology used: IC (Integrated Circuit)
Operating speed: Nanosecond range (10 -9 sec)
Programming language used: HLL (High Level Language) Like FORTAN, COBOL, PASCAL, C, C++, etc.
Memory used: Primary memory: Semiconductor memory (silicon) Secondary memory: Magnetic tape, Magnetic disk like floppy disk, hard disk, etc)
I/O device: Keyboard as input device, monitor as output device.
Use: Computers were used for managing population census, bank, insurance company, etc.
Concept of database was developed and used.
Size, cost, power requirement, heat generation decreased compared to previous generations.
Processing speed, storage capacity, use of the computer increased compared to previous generations.
E.g.: IBM 360 series, ICL 900 series, Honeywell 200 series, etc.

IC and its types:
IC is a small silicon chip which contains large number of electronic components like transistor, resistor, capacitor, etc.
The process of creation of IC is called fabrication.
Types of IC on the basis of number of electronic components.

SSI (Small Scale Integration)(1-20 components)
MSI (Medium Scale Integration)(21-100 components)
LSI (Large Scale Integration)(101-1000 components)
VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration)(1001-10000 components)
ULSI ( Ultra Large Scale Integration)(More than 10000 components)

4. Fourth generation of computers:

Technology used:- VLSI (or Microprocessor)
Operating speed:- Pico second range
Programming language used: 4GL (Problem Oriented Language)
Memory used: Primary: Semi-conductor memory Secondary: Magnetic tape, Magnetic Disk, Optical memory (CD/DVD/ Blu ray), Flash memory(pen drive, memory card)
I/O device: Advanced I/O devices like mouse, touch screen, scanner, LCD, LED, color printer, etc are developed.
Use: Computers are used for different task in different areas like education, business, hospital, transportation, military, etc.
Microcomputers like desktop PC, laptop, notebook, etc, are developed.
The popular communication media like internet, email, mobile communication, etc were developed.
Advanced, user friendly, web based software, etc are developed.
Size, cost, power requirement, heat generation decreased compared to previous generation.
Operating speed, storage capacity, use of the computer increased compared to previous generation.
E.g.: IBM desktop PC, HP laptop, Acer notebook, Mac book, etc.

5. Fifth generation of computers:

Technology to be used:- Bio-chip
Operating speed:- Femto second range
(10 -15 second) / TIPS
Programming language to be used:- Natural language
The computers will have AI.
The computers will be used in complex calculation where intelligence of the computer is required.
The computers will have parallel processing in full fledge.
The computers will be based on KIPS (Knowledge based Information Processing System)

Introduction To Computer

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

- Characteristics/Features of Computer

Speed
Accuracy
Reliability
Storage Capacity
Word Length
Diligence
Versatile
Automatic
Electronic
Non-intelligent

- Application Areas of Computer

Education
Communication
Business
Transportation
Banking
Helth
Security
Industry
Scientific Research
Entertainment
Weather Forecasting
Desktop Publishing
Designing
Satellite Controlling

- Aviation

Capabilities & Limitations of Computer
Advantages & disadvantages of Computer
History of Computer

- Mechanical Age

Abacus
Stepped Reckoner (Leibniz Calculator)
Napier Bone
Difference Engine
Slide Rule
Analytical Engine
Pascaline
Tabulating Machine

- Electro Mechanical Age

MARK-I [Also known as ASCC (Automated Sequence Controlled Calculator)
MARK-II
ABC (Atanasoft Berry Computer)

- Electric Age

ENIAC
EDAC
EDVAC
UNIVAC

Some Important Persons
o Joseph Jaquard
o Charles Babbage
o George Boole
o Herman Hollerith
o Lady Augusta Ada Lovelace

Application Package | Computer Science | HSEB Notes

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Detailed notes to follow:

1. Word processor

Use & Character
Examples
Some Important Terms Used: Thesaurus, speller, mail merge

2. Spread sheet

Use & Character
Examples
Some Important Terms Used: Relative cell reference, absolute cell reference

3. Presentation

Use & Character
Examples

IBM PC and IBM Compatible

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

IBM PC	IBM Compatible
The computers designed as well as developed by IBM Corporation are called IBM PC.	The computers which are designed by IBM but manufactured by companies other then IBM are called IBM Compatibles.
It is also known as original or branded IBM.	It is also called assembled ot duplicate IBM.
It is expensive but reliable compared to IBM Compatible.	It is cheaper but less reliable than IBM PC.
It is usually used by large organization which can afford high cost and requires high security.	It is ususally used by small organization which cannot afford high cost and higher security is not required.
Eg:- IBM Desktop, IBM 1401, IBM laptop.	Eg:- HP laptop, Dell notebooks.

Basic Concept Of Computer

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Introduction to computer

Let us begin with the word ‘compute’. It means ‘to calculate’. We all are familiar with calculations in our day to day life. We apply mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc. and many other formulae for calculations. Simpler calculations take less time. But complex calculations take much longer time. Another factor is accuracy in calculations. So man explored with the idea to develop a machine which can perform this type of arithmetic calculation faster and with full accuracy. This gave birth to a device or machine called ‘computer’.

The computer we see today is quite different from the one made in the beginning. The number of applications of a computer has increased, the speed and accuracy of calculation has increased. You must appreciate the impact of computers in our day to day life. Reservation of tickets in Air Lines and Railways, payment of telephone and electricity bills, deposits and withdrawals of money from banks, business data processing, medical diagnosis, weather forecasting, etc. are some of the areas where computer has become extremely useful.

However, there is one limitation of the computer. Human beings do calculations on their own. But computer is a dumb machine and it has to be given proper instructions to carry out its calculation. This is why we should know how a computer works.

Objectives

After going through this lesson you will be in a position to

Define a computer
Identify characteristics of computer
Know the origin and evolution of computer
Identify capability of computer in terms of speed and accuracy
Distinguish computer from human beings and calculator
Identify the role of computer
Appreciate the evolution of computer through five generations

Computers

Computer is an electronic device. As mentioned in the introduction it can do arithmetic calculations faster. But as you will see later it does much more than that. It can be compared to a magic box, which serves different purpose to different people. For a common man computer is simply a calculator, which works automatic and quite fast. For a person who knows much about it, computer is a machine capable of solving problems and manipulating data. It accepts data, processes the data by doing some mathematical and logical operations and gives us the desired output.

Therefore, we may define computer as a device that transforms data. Data can be anything like marks obtained by you in various subjects. It can also be name, age, sex, weight, height, etc. of all the students in your class or income, savings, investments, etc., of a country. Computer can be defined in terms of its functions. It can:

Accept data
Store data
Process data as desired
Retrieve the stored data as and when required
Print the result in desired format. You will know more about these functions as you go through the later lessons

Characteristics of computer

Let us identify the major characteristics of computer. These can be discussed under the headings of speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility and memory.

Speed

As you know computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds for calculations that we take hours to complete. Suppose you are asked to calculate the average monthly income of one thousand persons in your neighborhood. For this you have to add income from all sources for all persons on a day to day basis and find out the average for each one of them. How long will it take for you to do this? One day, two days or one week? Do you know your small computer can finish this work in few seconds? The weather forecasting that you see every day on TV is the results of compilation and analysis of huge amount of data on temperature, humidity, pressure, etc. of various places on computers. It takes few minutes for the computer to process this huge amount of data and give the result.

You will be surprised to know that computer can perform millions (1,000,000) of instructions and even more per second. Therefore, we determine the speed of computer in terms of microsecond (10-6 part of a second) or nano-second (10-9part of a second). From this you can imagine how fast your computer performs work.

Accuracy

Suppose some one calculates faster but commits a lot of errors in computing. Such result is useless. There is another aspect. Suppose you want to divide 15 by 7. You may work out up to 2 decimal places and say the dividend is 2.14. I may calculate up to 4 decimal places and say that the result is 2.1428. Some one else may go up to 9 decimal places and say the result is 2.142857143. Hence, in addition to speed, the computer should have accuracy or correctness in computing.

The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every calculation is performed with the same accuracy. The accuracy level is determined on the basis of design of computer. The errors in computer are due to human and inaccurate data.

Diligence

A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can work for hours without creating any error. If millions of calculations are to be performed, a computer will perform every calculation with the same accuracy. Due to this capability it overpowers human being in routine type of work.

Versatility

It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work. You may use your computer to prepare payroll slips. Next moment you may use it for inventory management or to prepare electric bills.

Power of remembering

Computer has the power of storing any amount of information or data. Any information can be stored and recalled as long as you require it, for any numbers of years. It depends entirely upon you how much data you want to store in a computer and when to lose
or retrieve these data.

No IQ

Computer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work without instruction from the user. It performs the instructions at tremendous speed and with accuracy. It is you to decide what you want to do and in what sequence. So a computer cannot take its own decision as you can.

No feeling

It does not have feelings or emotion, taste, knowledge and experience. Thus it does not get tired even after long hours of work. It does not distinguish between users.

Storage

The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount of data. You can also store data in secondary storage devices such as floppies, which can be kept outside your computer and can be carried to other computers.

In-text questions 1

What is a computer? Why is it known as data processor?
What are the important characteristics of computer?

History Of computer

History of computer could be traced back to the effort of man to count large numbers. This process of counting of large numbers generated various systems of numeration like Babylonian system of numeration, Greek system of numeration, Roman system of numeration and Indian system of numeration. Out of these the Indian system of numeration has been accepted universally. It is the basis of modern decimal system of numeration (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). Later you will know how the computer solves all calculations based on decimal system. But you will be surprised to know that the computer does not understand the decimal system and uses binary system of numeration for processing.

We will briefly discuss some of the path-breaking inventions in the field of computing devices.

Calculating Machines

It took over generations for early man to build mechanical devices for counting large numbers. The first calculating device called ABACUS was developed by the Egyptian and Chinese people.

The word ABACUS means calculating board. It consisted of sticks in horizontal positions on which were inserted sets of pebbles. A modern form of ABACUS is given in Fig. 1.2. It has a number of horizontal bars each having ten beads. Horizontal bars represent units, tens, hundreds, etc.

Napier’s bones

English mathematician John Napier built a mechanical device for the purpose of multiplication in 1617 A D. The device was known as Napier’s bones.

Slide rule

English mathematician Edmund Gunter developed the slide rule. This machine could perform operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It was widely used in Europe in 16th century.

Pascal’s adding and subtractory machine

You might have heard the name of Blaise Pascal. He developed a machine at the age of 19 that could add and subtract. The machine consisted of wheels, gears and cylinders.

Leibniz’s multiplication and dividing machine

The German philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Leibniz built around 1673 a mechanical device that could both multiply and divide.

Babbage’s analytical engine

It was in the year 1823 that a famous English man Charles Babbage built a mechanical machine to do complex mathematical calculations. It was called difference engine. Later he developed a general-purpose calculating machine called analytical engine. You should know that Charles Babbage is called the father of computer.

Mechanical and electrical calculator

In the beginning of 19th century the mechanical calculator was developed to perform all sorts of mathematical calculations. Up to the 1960s it was widely used. Later the rotating part of mechanical calculator was replaced by electric motor. So it was called the electrical calculator.

Modern electronic calculator

The electronic calculator used in 1960 s was run with electron tubes, which was quite bulky. Later it was replaced with transistors and as a result the size of calculators became too small.

The modern electronic calculator can compute all kinds of mathematical computations and mathematical functions. It can also be used to store some data permanently. Some calculators have in-built programs to perform some complicated calculations.

In-text questions 2

What is the first mathematical device built and when was it built?
Who is called the father of Computer Technology.

Computer generations

You know that the evolution of computer started from 16th century and resulted in the form that we see today. The present day computer, however, has also undergone rapid change during the last fifty years. This period, during which the evolution of computer took place, can be divided into five distinct phases known as Generations of Computers. Each phase is distinguished from others on the basis of the type of switching circuits used.

First generation computers

First generation computers used Thermion valves. These computers were large in size and writing programs on them was difficult. Some of the computers of this generation were:

ENIAC: It was the first electronic computer built in 1946 at University of Pennsylvania, USA by John Eckert and John Mauchy. It was named Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC). The ENIAC was 30´50 feet long, weighed 30 tons, contained 18,000 vacuum tubes, 70,000 registers, 10,000 capacitors and required 150,000 watts of electricity. Today your favorite computer is many times as powerful as ENIAC, still size is very small.

EDVAC: It stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
and was developed in 1950. The concept of storing data and instructions inside the computer was introduced here. This allowed much faster operation since the computer had rapid access to both data and instructions. The other advantages of storing instruction was that computer could do logical decision internally.

Other Important Computers of First Generation

EDSAC: It stands for Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer and was developed by M.V. Wilkes at Cambridge University in 1949.

UNIVAC-1: Ecker and Mauchly produced it in 1951 by Universal Accounting Computer setup.

Limitations of First Generation Computer

Followings are the major drawbacks of First generation computers.

The operating speed was quite slow.
Power consumption was very high.
It required large space for installation.
The programming capability was quite low.

Second generation computers

Around 1955 a device called Transistor replaced the bulky electric tubes in the first generation computer. Transistors are smaller than electric tubes and have higher operating speed. They have no filament and require no heating. Manufacturing cost was also very low. Thus the size of the computer got reduced considerably.

It is in the second generation that the concept of Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, programming language and input and output units were developed. The programming languages such as COBOL, FORTRAN were developed during this period. Some of the computers of the Second Generation were

IBM 1620: Its size was smaller as compared to First Generation computers and mostly used for scientific purpose.
IBM 1401: Its size was small to medium and used for business applications.
CDC 3600: Its size was large and is used for scientific purposes.

Third generation computers

The third generation computers were introduced in 1964. They used Integrated Circuits (ICs). These ICs are popularly known as Chips. A single IC has many transistors, registers and capacitors built on a single thin slice of silicon. So it is quite obvious that the size of the computer got further reduced. Some of the computers developed during this period were IBM-360, ICL-1900, IBM-370, and VAX-750. Higher level language such as BASIC (Beginners All purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) was developed during this period.

Computers of this generations were small in size, low cost, large memory and processing speed is very high.

Fourth generation computers

The present day computers that you see today are the fourth generation computers that started around 1975. It uses large scale Integrated Circuits (LSIC) built on a single silicon chip called microprocessors. Due to the development of microprocessor it is possible to place computer’s central processing unit (CPU) on single chip. These computers are called microcomputers. Later very large scale Integrated Circuits (VLSIC) replaced LSICs.

Thus the computer which was occupying a very large room in earlier days can now be placed on a table. The personal computer (PC) that you see in your school is a Fourth Generation Computer.

Fifth generation computer

The computers of 1990s are said to be Fifth Generation computers. The speed is extremely high in fifth generation computer. Apart from this it can perform parallel processing. The concept of Artificial intelligence has been introduced to allow the computer to take its own decision. It is still in a developmental stage.

Types of computers

Now let us discuss the varieties of computers that we see today. Although they belong to the fifth generation they can be divided into different categories depending upon the size, efficiency, memory and number of users. Broadly they can be divided it to the following categories.

1. Microcomputer: Microcomputer is at the lowest end of the computer range in terms of speed and storage capacity. Its CPU is a microprocessor. The first microcomputers were built of 8-bit microprocessor chips. The most common application of personal computers (PC) is in this category. The PC supports a number of input and output devices. An improvement of 8-bit chip is 16-bit and 32-bit chips. Examples of microcomputer are IBM PC, PC-AT .

2. Mini Computer: This is designed to support more than one user at a time. It possesses large storage capacity and operates at a higher speed. The mini computer is used in multi-user system in which various users can work at the same time. This type of computer is generally used for processing large volume of data in an organization. They are also used as servers in Local Area Networks (LAN).

3. Mainframes: These types of computers are generally 32-bit microprocessors. They operate at very high speed, have very large storage capacity and can handle the work load of many users. They are generally used in centralized databases. They are also used as controlling nodes in Wide Area Networks (WAN). Example of mainframes are DEC, ICL and IBM 3000 series.

4. Supercomputer: They are the fastest and most expensive machines. They have high processing speed compared to other computers. They have also multiprocessing technique. One of the ways in which supercomputers are built is by interconnecting hundreds of microprocessors. Supercomputers are mainly being used for whether forecasting, biomedical research, remote sensing, aircraft design and other areas of science and technology. Examples of supercomputers are CRAY YMP, CRAY2, NEC SX-3, CRAY XMP and PARAM from India.

In-text questions 3

Into how many generations the evolution of computer is divided?
What is VLSIC?
The personal computer that you see today is in which generation of computer?

What you have learnt

In this lesson we have discussed about the major characteristics of computer. The speed, accuracy, memory and versatility are some of the features associated with a computer. But the computer that we see to
day has not developed over night. It has taken centuries of human effort to see the computer in its present form today. There are five generations of computer. Over these generations the physical size of computer has decreased, but on the other hand the processing speed of computer has improved tremendously. We also discussed about the varieties of computers available today.

Terminal questions

1. Why is computer known as data processor?

2. Explain in brief the various generations in computer technology?

3. Write a short note on Fifth Generation of computer. What makes it different from Fourth generation computer?

4. Why did the size of computer get reduced in third generation computer?

5. Give short notes on the following:

Versatility
Storage
Slide Rule
Babbage’s Analytical Engine

6. Distinguish between Microcomputer and Mainframe computer.

Feedback to in-text questions

In-text questions 1

A computer is an electronic device, which is used to accept, store, retrieve and process the data. It is called as data processor because it is mainly used for processing data for producing meaningful information.
The characteristics of computer are speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility and storage.

In-text questions 2

Analytical engine, 1823.
Charles Babbage

In-text questions 3

Five generations
Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits
Fourth Generation

Terminal questions

Explain various types of computers.
Explain in brief the various generations in computer technology.
Write a short note on Fifth Generation of computer. What makes it different from Fourth Generation computer?
Why did the size of computer get reduced in Third Generation computer?

In-text questions 4

1. State True or False

Word processor is Software Package that enables you to create, edit, print and save document .
WordStar is a popular Word processor.
Changing the size of the margins cannot reformat complete document or part of the text.
Word has the facility of Macros.
Word does not allow the user to mix the graphical pictures with text.

In text questions 5

1. Choose the best answer.

1. While working in Microsoft Word you have to work with

Mouse only
Keyboard only
Both mouse and keyboard

2. In Ms- Word every command is available in

Print
Letter
Icons

3. You can go inside Microsoft Word by the following way

Take the mouse pointer to start button on the task bar and click the left mouse button.
Take the mouse pointer to start button and click the right mouse button.
Move the mouse pointer on the screen.

4. State True or False

The title bar displays the name of the currently active word document
The most commonly tool bars are the Formatting tool bar and the Standard tool bar.
The Tool bar allows you to format the vertical alignment of text.
The Scroll bar helps you to scroll the content or body of document.
The work space is the area in the document window where you enter/type the text.

In-text question 6

1. State True or False

Using View option you can perform editing functions such as cut, copy, paste, find and replace etc.
Using the Edit option you can switch over from Normal mode to Out line mode.
Using Insert menu you can insert various objects such as page numbers, footnotes, picture frames etc.
Using Tools menu you can access to various utilities of word such as spell check, macros and mail merge etc.
Window menu allows you to work with two documents simultaneously.

Introduction To MS-Word

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Introduction to Microsoft Word
Let us consider an office scene. Many letters are typed in the office. The officer dictates a letter. The typist first types a draft copy of the letter. The officer goes through it to check mistakes regarding spelling errors, missing words, etc. and suggests corrections. The typist changes the letter as suggested by the officer. This is a simple example of word processing.
There are many software packages to do the job of word processing. Some of them work in dos environment. Example are WordStar, Word Perfect and Professional Write. But in these days working in windows is becoming more and more popular. So let us consider software for word processing which works in windows. Our choice is Microsoft Word because it is the most popular software in these days.
MS-word is a part of the bigger package called Microsoft office, which can do much more than word processing. In fact when you open up Microsoft office you will find four main components in it. They are Microsoft Word (for word processing), Microsoft Excel (for spreadsheet), Microsoft Access (for database management) and Microsoft PowerPoint (for presentation purposes). However, we will limit ourselves to MS-word only in this lesson.

Objectives

After going through this lesson you should be in a position to:

Start the Microsoft Word package
Be familiar with the Microsoft Word screen
Advantages and Features of Word Processing
Some common Word Processing Packages
How to invoke Microsoft Word
Learn the capabilities of Microsoft Word

What is word processing?
Word Processor is a Software package that enables you to create, edit, print and save documents for future retrieval and reference. Creating a document involves typing by using a keyboard and saving it. Editing a document involves correcting the spelling mistakes, if any, deleting or moving words sentences or paragraphs.

Advantages of word processing
One of the main advantages of a word processor over a conventional typewriter is that a word processor enables you to make changes to a document without retyping the entire document.

Features of word processing
Most Word Processor available today allows more than just creating and editing documents. They have wide range of other tools and functions, which are used in formatting the documents. The following are the main features of a Word Processor:

Text is typing into the computer, which allows alterations to be made easily.
Words and sentences can be inserted, amended or deleted.
Paragraphs or text can be copied /moved throughout the document.
Margins and page length can be adjusted as desired.
Spelling can be checked and modified through the spell check facility.
Multiple document/files can be merged.
Multiple copies of letters can be generated with different addresses through the mail-merge facility.

Some Common Word processing packages
The followings are examples of some popular word processor available

Softword
WordStar
Word perfect
Microsoft word

Important feature of Microsoft Word
Microsoft word not only supports word processing features but also DTP features. Some of the important features of Microsoft Word are listed below:

Using word you can create the document and edit them later, as and when required, by adding more text, modifying the existing text, deleting/moving some part of it.
Changing the size of the margins can reformat complete document or part of text.
Font size and type of fonts can also be changed. Page numbers and Header and Footer can be included.
Spelling can be checked and correction can be made automatically in the entire document. Word count and other statistics can be generated.
Text can be formatted in columnar style as we see in the newspaper. Text boxes can be made.
Tables can be made and included in the text.
Word also allows the user to mix the graphical pictures with the text. Graphical pictures can either be created in word itself or can be imported from outside like from Clip Art Gallery.
Word also provides the mail-merge facility.
Word also has the facility of macros. Macros can be either attached to some function/special keys or to a tool bar or to a menu.
It also provides online help of any option.

In-text questions 1

1. State True or False

Word processor is Software Package that enables you to create, edit, print and save document.
WordStar is a popular Word processor.
Changing the size of the margins cannot reformat complete document or part of the text.
Word has the facility of Macros.
Word does not allow the user to mix the graphical pictures with text.

Getting started with Microsoft Word
We have already told you that for working in MS-Word you should be familiar with windows. If you have not covered windows so far then read that first and then go through MS-word. By now you must be aware of the fact that a software package is improved from time to time. These improvements are sold in the market as new versions of the same software. Thus you will find many versions of Microsoft Word being used in different offices. In this lesson we will cover the version Microsoft Word 97, which is latest in the market and contain many improvements over the older versions. However, you do not have to worry if you have an older version such as word 6.0 or word 95. All the commands available in these older versions are also available in word 97 and they are compatible.
While working in Microsoft Word you have to work with a mouse. Also one can work, to some extent, through the keyboard. The use of mouse is simpler as it is fully menu driven. In MS-word every command is available in the form of ‘icons’.

You can go inside MS-word by the following way:

Take the mouse pointer to start button on the task bar. Click the left mouse button.
Move the pointer to programs. You will notice another menu coming up to the right.
In that menu identify where Microsoft word is placed. Move the cursor horizontally to come out of programs.
Move into the rectangular area meant for Microsoft word. Click the left mouse button there. The computer will start MS-word.

Let us discuss the important components of the screen.

- Title bar
The title bar displays the name of the currently active word document. Like other windows applications, it can be used to alter the size and location of the word window.

- Tool bars
Word has a number of tool bars that help you perform task faster and with great ease. Two of the most commonly tool bars are the formatting tool bar and the standard tool bar. These two toolbars are displayed just below the title bar. At any point of time any tool bar can be made ON or OFF through the tool bar option of View Menu.

- Ruler bar
The Ruler Bar allows you to format the vertical alignment of text in a document.

- Status bar
The Status Bar displays information about the currently active document. This includes the page number that you are working, the column and line number of the cursor position and so on.

- Scroll bar
The Scroll Bar helps you scroll the content or body of document. You can do so by moving the elevator button along the scroll bar, or by click in on the buttons with the arrow marked on them to move up and down and left and right of a page.

- Workspace
The Workspace is the area in the document window were you enter/type the text of your document.

- Main menu
The Word main menu is displayed at the top of the screen as shown in the Fig. 9.1. The main menu further displays a sub menu. Some of the options are highlighted options and some of them appear as faded options. At any time, only highlighted options can be executed, faded options are not applicable. Infect if the option is faded you will not be able to choose it. You may not that any option faded under present situation may become highlighted under different situations.

In-text questions 2
1. Choose the best answer.

1. While working in MS-Word you have to work with

Mouse only
Keyboard only
Both mouse and keyboard

2. In Microsoft Word every command is available in

Print
Letter
Icons

3. You can go inside Microsoft Word by the following way

Take the mouse pointer to start button on the task bar and click the left mouse button.
Take the mouse pointer to start button and click the right mouse button.
Move the mouse pointer on the screen.

2. State True or False

The title bar displays the name of the currently active word document.
Two of the most commonly tool bars are the formatting tool bar and the standard tool bar.
The tool bar allows you to format the vertical alignment of text.
The scroll bar helps you to scroll the content or body of document.
The workspace is the area in the document window where you enter/type the text.

Main menu options

The overall functions of all the items of main menu are explained below.

- File
You can perform file management operations by using these options such as opening, closing, saving, printing, exiting etc.
New: Ctrl+N
Open: Ctrl+O
Close: ALT + F4
Save : Ctrl+S
Save Aa: CTL + A
Print: Ctrl+P

File sub menu

- Edit
Using this option you can perform editing functions such as cut, copy, paste, find and replace etc.
Undo Clear: Ctrl+Z
Repeat Clear: Ctrl+Y
Cut: Ctrl+X
Copy: Ctrl+C
Paste: Ctrl+V
Clear: Delete
Select All: Ctrl+A
Find: Ctrl+F
Replace: Ctrl+H
Go To: Ctrl+G

Edit sub menu

- View
Word document can be of many pages. The different pages may have different modes. Each mode has its limitations. For example in normal mode the graphical picture cannot be displayed. They can only be displayed in page layout mode. Using the option “View” you can switch over from one mode to other. It displays the following Sub menu.

Normal

Online Layout
Page Layout
Outline
Master Document

Tool Bars

Ruler

Header and Footer

Footnotes
Comments
Full Screen
Zoom

- Insert
Using this menu, you can insert various objects such as page numbers, footnotes, picture frames etc. in your document. It displays the following Sub menu.

Break
Page Numbers
Date and Time
AutoText 8

Field…
Symbol…
Comment
Footnote…
Caption…
Cross-reference…
Index & Tables…
Picture 8
Text Box…
File…
Object…
Bookmark Hyperlink… Ctrl+k

- Format
**Using this menu, you can perform various type of formatting operations, such as fonts can be changed, borders can be framed etc. It displays the following Sub menu.

Font…

Paragraph…
Bullets and Numbering
Borders and Shading…

Columns…

Tabs…
Drop Cap…
Text Direction…
Change Case…
Auto Format…
Style Gallery…
Style…
Background…

Object

- Tools
Using this menu, you can have access to various utilities/tools of Word, such as spell check, macros, mail merge etc. It displays the following Sub menu.
Spelling and Grammar…

Language…
Word count…
AutoSummarize
Auto correct..
Look up reference

Track change

Merge Documents…
Protect Document…
Mail Merge…

Envelops and Labels…

Letter wizard…
Macro…
Templates and add-ins…
Customize…
Options…

- Table
This menu deals with tables. Using this menu you can perform various types of operations on the table. It displays the following Sub menu.

Draw Table
Insert Table…

Delete cells…
Merge cells…
Split cells…

Select Row

Select column
Select table

Table Auto Format…

Distribute rows evenly
Distribute columns evenly
Cell height and width…
Headings

Convert Text to table…

Sort …
Formula…
Split table
Hide grid lines

- Window
This menu allows you to work with two documents simultaneously. This would require two windows to be opened so that each one can hold one document. Using this menu, you can switch over from one window to another. It displays the following Sub menu.

New Window

Arrange all
Split
1Document1.doc

- Help
Using this menu, you can get on-line help for any function.

In-text question 3

1. State True or False

Using View option you can perform editing functions such as cut, copy, paste, find and replace etc.
Using the Edit option you can switch over from Normal mode to Out line mode.
Using Insert menu you can insert various objects such as page numbers, footnotes, picture frames etc.
Using Tools menu you can access to various utilities of word such as spell check, macros and mail merge etc.
Window menu allows you to work with two documents simultaneously.

What you have learnt
At the end of this lesson you have learnt the important features of Ms-Word. We started with procedure to invoke Ms-Word. We identified toolbars available in the main menu of Ms-Word are discussed.

Terminal questions

What do you understand by Word processing? Give examples.
Describe the important features of Ms-Word.
Describe the various options available in the main menu bar of Ms-Word.
What are the different types of toolbar?
Define two methods to start Ms-Word.

Feedback to the in-text questions

In-text question 1

True
True
False
True
False

In-text question 2

3, 3,1
True, True, False, True, True

In-text question 3

False
False
True
True
True

Communication Port

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

It is a hardware device used for connecting peripherals devices with the computer. It has major functions like:

Connecting peripheral devices.
Transmitting data to and fro from peripheral devices.
Providing electrical power to the small peripheral devices.

Some of the communication ports used are:

- Serial port
It is used for connecting slow speed devices like keyboard, mouse, etc. It also provides electrical power supply to these devices. It cam transmit 1 bit data at a time.

- Parallel port
It is used for connecting medium speed devices like monitor, printer, etc. It can transmit 8 bit data at a time.

- USB (Universal serial bus)
USB is the common interface developed by multiple hardware developers for supporting large variables of devices. It is used to connect keyboard, monitor, pen drive, etc. It is the most common user interface at present.

- SCSI
It is used for connecting external memory devices like magnetic tape, multiple hard disk, etc.

- IEEE 1394 interface
This interface is used for connecting high speed devices like connecting audio/video equipments, aeronautical devices, medical equipments, etc.

- PCI (Peripheral communications interface)
It is used for connecting peripheral devices like internal modem, internal TV card, sound card, graphics card, etc with the computer. It is available in the mother board.

Interrupt

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

It is the events that makes the processor stop executing its program to perform some requested activity. There are two types of interrupts they are:

1. Hardware interrupt:
Interrupts generated by hardware devices such as keyboard, mouse, printer or chips on the system board is called hardware interrupt. Some examples of hardware interrupt are video card wants memory access, USB scanner has data, mouse moves, key pressed on keyboard, etc.

2. Software interrupt: Interrupts signals generated or caused by the programs or software are called software interrupts. Some examples: interrupt generated by the ROM BIOS during the start up for the computer, virus threat notification by the antivirus software, etc.

Output Devices

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Monitor

It is also known as VDU (Visual display unit). It is the most basic output device. It is used to display the output. Types of monitor on the basis of color display are:

1. Monochrome monitor
It is a single colored monitor. It can display only text and images of a single color against a contrasting background. The first monitor displayed text and images of light green color against black background.

2. Gray scale monitor
It can display 256 different variations of black and white color. It can also display video. The first television set was gray scale.

3. Color monitor
It can display 16-42 million colors. It uses 3 basic colors Red, Blue and Green. All the other colors are the combination of these colors. Color monitor is also known as RGB monitor.

Types of monitor on the basis of architecture:

- CRT Monitor
CRT is the large bulky sized monitor. It has high power requirement so it is not appropriate for portable devices. It is cheaper and has better brightness so, it is preferred by graphic designers.

Merits of CRT monitor are:

It has better brightness.
It is cheaper in cost.
It is more durable.
It has better graphics and larger viewing angle (~180)

De-merits of CRT monitor are:

Due to its high brightness human eyes are negatively affected.
It requires high power.
It is large in size so occupies more space.
It is not portable.

Flat panel monitor

LED
LED contains multiple small bulbs. The contents are displayed by turning the bulbs “on” and “off”. Initially it was used only for simple digital displays like in calculator, digital watch, etc. At present it is also used in television, desktop PC, laptop, etc.

Merits of LED are:

It is light in weight so, it can be used in portable devices.
It requires less power.
It is small in size.
Its viewing angle is larger compared to LCD.

De-merits of LED are:

It has low brightness but is better than LCD and plasma.
It is expensive compared to CRT.
It is difficult to maintain.

LCD
LCD contains liquid crystals in between two plates of the screen. The plates are made by either glass or plastic. The front plate is transparent and the back plate is reflective. Liquid crystals are charged electronically to display the content. This monitor is popular for portable devices because of its small size, light weight, low power requirement however it has low brightness and it requires viewing angle of almost 90.

Merits of LCD:

It is small in size.
It is light in weight.
It has low power requirements so, can be used in portable devices.
It is cheaper than LED and plasma display.

De-merits of LCD:

It has low brightness.
It is expensive compared to CRT.
It requires viewing angle of almost 90.

Plasma display
It contains neon gas in between the two plates of the screen in place of liquid crystals of LCD. It has larger viewing angle but is expensive than LCD. It is smaller in size, light in weight and it has low power requirement and low brightness.

Merits of plasma display:

It is smaller in size and light in weight.
It has low power requirement so can be used in portable devices.
It has larger viewing angle.

De-merits of plasma display:

It has low brightness.
It is expensive than LCD.

Working mechanism of CRT:
A monochrome CRT contains single electron gun which emits beam of electrons. These electrons are attached towards positive phosphorous screen. When an electron strikes the screen it glows and emits light. A small area in which an electron strikes is known as pixel. To display a screen all the pixel are striked by electrons. Accelerating anode varies the speed of the electron and deflecting system changes the path of the electron.
A color CRT monitor contains three electron guns which emits three electrons at a time. These electrons converge in the same pixel to display a color.
Speaker:
Speaker is a soft copy output device for audio. It generates analog sound wave from stored digital sound by using vibrators. Different types of speakers vary on the loudness of sound generated. Some of the speakers used are:

Ear phone
Head phone
Normal speaker
Woofer
Loud speaker

Hard copy output devices:
Printer
Printer makes the permanent impression of color on the printing material like paper, plastic, clothes, rubber, metal, etc. A printer can be single or multi-colored. Types of printer are:

1. Impact printer
It prints by physically touching the printing material. It is noisier, slower for printing, single colored. It produces low quality output. It is usually cheaper and it can produce multiple copies at the same time by using carbon paper. It uses ink ribbon for printing.

Example:
Dot matrix printer
Daisy wheel printer
Line printer

2. Non impact printer
It prints without touching the printing material. It sprays liquid or powder ink. It uses electromagnetic or electrostatic mechanism. It is noiseless, faster for printing usually expensive, it has high printing quality, it can be single or multi-colored, it cannot produce multiple copies at the same time.
Example: ink jet printer, laser printer, thermal wax printer.

Printer can also be classified as:

Character printer
Line printer
Page printer

- Plotter:
It is large sized printer. It is used to plot large maps, designs, advertisements, etc. It is multi-colored, slow for printing, expensive and large in size. Paper, plastic (mainly flex) is used as printing material. It uses technology like ink jet technology, color pen technology. Ink jet technology uses liquid ink whereas color pen technology uses multi colored pens controlled by the mechanical arm. Ink jet is cheaper and color pen has better printing quality.

Different plotters in use are:

Drum plotter
Flat bed plotter
Micro grip plotter

Boolean Algebra

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Boolean Algebra

1) Logic gates

AND gate
OR gate
NOT gate
NAND gate
NOR gate
XOR gate
XNOR gate

2) NAND AND NOR gate are often called as universal gate. Why?

3) Difference between NAND & NOR gate

Mail Merge

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Introduction to mail merge
The Mail Merge feature has been described here. In Ms-Word Mail Merge option is an important and every way for office set up. Many times we required sending the same content of a letter to different individuals. By using Mail Merge you can send the same letter to a number of persons without typing the content of the letter again and again.

Objectives
At the end of the lesson you should be able to:

understand the concept of Mail Merge
create a main document
create a data source
link the main document with the data source
merge print a document

What is mail merge?
In any working environment, there are situations when a similar type of letter or document is to be sent to many persons who reside at different locations. The letters may contain the address of each recipient, in addition to the standard information contained in the letter. One way of doing this is to print the letters by changing the address each time in the document after printing such letter. But this would mean lot of effort and time and also results in bad organisation.
Such problems are taken care of by the Mail Merge facility. In word processing, Mail Merge is the process of transferring selected information from one document to another document.

Concept of mail merging and its components
Mail Merge is the facility which requires the following three information

General body of the letter called main document
Header Row, the record structure or the name of the fields, which will identify the data
Data for all the individuals, for whom the letters are to be generated also called data source

Mail Merge option of Word reads this data and physically merges it with Main document to generate letters for all the persons or for all records in the data file.
Main Document
Data Source

- Main document
In Mail Merge, Main Document is the common letter, which contains the common information for each of the merged document. It also contains the field names, which contain the instructions for carrying out the merge.

- Data source
Data Source is also called the Data File. It stores information to be brought into the Main document. The data file table contains a column for each category of information, or data field, in the data file. The Header Row is the first row of the table. It contains field names, which indicate the type of information in each column. For example list of names and addresses.
Each field name must be unique and must begin with an alphabet/letter.

- Form letter
Form letter is the resultant document of the mail merge operations, which contains the copy of the main document along with each piece of information stored in the data file.

In-text questions 1

What do you mean by Mail Merge?
What are the three information required for Mail Merge?
Define Form Letter.

Mail merge option of word
Thus by now it is clear that for Mail Merge document, you need to

Create the main document
Create data source
Merge the data with document

All these operations can be performed by Mail Merge option of WORD. In order to invoke the Mail Merge option, choose the Mail Merge option of the Tools menu. The following Mail Merge Helper box will appear.
Mail Merge helper guides you through the steps of mail merging a document. There are three main options available in the box.

- Creating the Main document
The first step in the mail merge is to create the main document. For this, choose ‘Create’ button of ‘Main Document’ option in Mail Merge Helper box. The following menu will be displayed

Form Letter…
Mailing Labels…
Envelopes…
Catalog…
Restore to Normal Word document Now choose ‘form letters’ option from this menu as the type of main document. The following box will appear. Choose the Active Window button from the above box. Type the main document and again invoke the Mail Merge Helper.

- Creating data source
Choose the ‘get data’ button from the Mail Merge Helper box. For creating data source, select Create Data Source. The following dialog box will appear.
The field names are already available in the Header row, which are default fields for an address list. Any field that is not required can be removed, and any new field can be added. For removing a field, highlight that particular field and click on the ‘Remove field Name’ button. For adding a new field, type the name of the field in the Field Name box and then click on the ‘Add Field Name’ button.
Click on the ok button and save your data structure as well as the data source. The following dialog box will appear.
Click on the ‘edit data source’ button from the box to enter records in the data file. A Data Form dialog box will be displayed.
Enter the records by typing in the boxes. For adding a record choose ‘add new’ button. For removing a record, choose ‘delete’ button. After you finish with adding records, click on the ok button.

- Opening the data source
You can also use a data source already created. You can open it by clicking the ‘get data’ option in the Mail Merge Helper and then selecting ‘Open Data Source’ A dialog box will appear with a list of data source file names. Select the name of the data source to open it.

- Merging the text with data
After creating the main document and data source, the third step is to merge the main document with the data source. For this, invoke the Mail Merge Helper again and choose the ‘merge’ button. The following dialog box will appear.

Select ‘new document’ from the ‘merge to’ drop-down list and click on ‘merge’ button. The form letters are generated and stored in the document which may be previewed for final adjustment in the main document, before printing the for letters.

Merge printing
You can directly print the Form Letters without previewing them. Select the Printer option, then the form letters are directly printed on the printer.

Conditional merging
You can also mail merge the document with a condition. There are two options available in the Merge dialog box i.e., ‘Merge’ and ‘Query Options’ options. Using Query Option’ you can define the selection criteria so that at the time of merging only those records are selected which meet the defined selection criteria.

In-text questions 2

1. State whether the following statement is True or False.

For mail merge document, you need to create the main document.
To create Data Source choose the get data button from the mail merge helper box.
For adding new field, type the name of the field in record name box.
After creating the main document and data source, the third step is to merge main document with the data source.
You can directly print the form letters without previewing them.
Merge and query are two options available in merge dialog box.

What you have learnt
After going through this lesson you have learnt the concept of mail merge and its usefulness. The mail merge feature of Ms-Word requires mainly two components: the main document and the data file. The main document is the body of the letter that has to be sent. The data file contains the list of names and addresses in the form of fields. You have learnt the procedures of creating the main document and the data file, and combining them.

Terminal questions

What do you understand by Mail Merge?
Define the different components of Mail Merge.
How do you invoke ‘Mail Merge Helper’ window?
Differentiate between Merge and Query option of ‘Mail Merge Helper’ window.

Feedback to in-text questions

In-text question 1

The process of transferring selected information from one document to another document is known as Mail Merge.
Main Document, Data Source and Form Letter.
Form letter is the resultant document of the mail merge operations, which contains the copy of the main document along with each piece of information stored in the data file.

In-text question 2

True
True
False
True
False
True

Introduction To Windows 3.1

Computer 11 Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Introduction to windows 3.1

If somebody buys a new computer today, it will probably come loaded with Windows. It is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) program meant for IBM compatible PCs. It provides the flexibility of using graphical icons and work interactively with the computer. One doesn’t need to remember operating system commands and type them. He just has to move the small mouse arrow key, known as mouse pointer around the screen (better known as window) and select the require command by pressing the click button. Each window, which represents programs, can be resized and moved around the screen. Multiple windows can appear on the screen at the same time giving user the flexibility of operating more than one program.

Objectives

At the end of this lesson you would be able to:

Understand the concept of windows working environment
Differentiate between confessional character display Interface and graphical user interface.
Explain about various features of Windows
Understand various Icons and their functions.

Types of windows and icons

Before using Windows effectively, it is very essential to understand the concept of window type and Icons used in Windows. The entire screen is termed as Windows Desktop, on which all windows are displayed. It is same as that of laying all your work on the surface of your working table. Here the working table is the Windows Desktop and all your work is individual windows on the desktop.
In general, there are two types of windows and three types of Icons which window uses. The window types are:

Application windows, which displays the executable windows program in GUI mode. These windows can be, opened, closed, resized and moved around the screen or the desktop.
The other type of windows is a document window, which are generated by the executable or application program. These document windows cannot be sized or moved outside the limit of its parent application windows.

Windows uses three types of icons, namely application, document and program icons.

Application icons are the minimized version of the currently running application program. This icon appears at the bottom of the desktop and can be maximized.
Document icons are the reduced document windows. When maximized, it appears within an application window’s workspace.
Program icons that appear within Program Manager and clicking on these icons activate the associated applications and also load the related documents or files.

Parts of windows

All most all windows have common components. The components are:

Title Bar
Buttons for Minimize, Maximize and Restore
Borders for Resizing
Menu bar and Pull-down menus
The scroll bar

1. Title bar
Title bar is displayed in color at the top of the windows. It contains the name, or the title of the current windows. The windows can be moved around the window desktop using this title bar.

2. Buttons for Minimize, Maximize and Restore
These buttons are displayed at the top-right corner of the screen. As the name suggests, minimize button is used to reduce the current windows into an applications icon, which will appear at the bottom of the windows desktop.
Similarly, maximise button is used to expand the current windows to take up the entire desktop.
Restore button is used to restore the state of the windows, where it was before maximization.

3. Borders for resizing
A thin border appears around the windows, which can be used to resize the current windows. To resize the current windows, just place the pointer on the border (this will become two-headed arrow «) of the windows, click the mouse button, hold and drag to the desired location. The windows will change its size. Vertical and Horizontal borders can be used to change the width and height of the windows respectively, while corner border can be used to change width and height simultaneously.

4. Menu bar and pull-down menus
Menu bar is located under the Title bar and contains the related Pull-down menus for the currently active windows. Clicking on a menu name will activate a pull-down menu with various options to select.

5. The scroll bar
When the active windows cannot accommodate the data to be displayed then it provides a scroll bar that helps to move through the data. Vertical scroll bar allows to view data by moving up or down through a document, whereas horizontal bar allows the movement from left to right. The vertical scroll bar appears on the right side of the active windows and horizontal scroll bar at the bottom.

Windows dialogue boxes
While using application program in window, sometimes it is require to change the settings within a program for example default margin the a word processing document, default printer, font type and size etc. All these are accomplish by window’s dialog box, which appear when the menu with an ellipsis (..) beside it is activated. It is basically serve two purposes one that it allows to change/rest the parameters related to currently running application and displays information such as warnings, error message etc. The displayed dialog box may contain the followings:

1. Command button
This button activates an action. The most commonly used command buttons are OK and CANCEL. Command buttons with an ellipse (..) indicate a link to another dialog box.

2. Check box
Check box allows selecting one or more option from a list of options. When selected an X appears besides the option selected and the corresponding option becomes active.

3. List Box
List box displays a series of options available in a column. To select an item, move the mouse pointer to the item and click on it. If the number of items is more than the height of the list box, then it provides a scroll bar to move through the entire range of items in the list box.

4. Option Buttons
It has the same features as that of check box. It allows selecting an option in a list of choices. When selected, the small hollow circle gets filled. Once an option gets selected from the available set of options, other options automatically get deselected.

Disk space required

Microsoft Windows along with MS-DOS version 6.0 requires a minimum of 15.8 MB and maximum of 18.3 MB of free disk space. Minimum disk space assumes no optional components, network or printer settings. However maximum disk space includes all installable components, network and printer.

Windows vs. Microsoft-DOS

Windows provides tools to accomplish all the tasks in case of file and directory management as in MS-DOS. The main difference is how the work is done. Rather than remembering all the commands and typing them at the DOS prompt, in Windows one can move the mouse pointer to the required command, and windows will execute the command. Windows supports all the File and Directory management commands of MS-DOS and it also supports Microsoft-DOS conventions in working with files such as wild card characters.

Windows programs

In this section, programs provided in windows such as program Manager, File manager etc. are discussed. These are vital part of windows operating environment and one must know how to work and use these programs.

1. Program Manager
When window program starts Program manager is the first windows displayed on the window desktop. The only way to leave windows is to closing or exiting this program manager. Within Program Manager there is some secondary window known as group windows, which appears as fully opened window such one with title ‘Main’ or as group icons, which appears at the bottom of ‘Main’ windows. A group icon is a group window, which can be minimized. Group windows contains logically related programs, such as one group windows can contain all programs associated with database while another may be for word processing.
There are five default groups in Windows. They are;
Main group of windows contain all the system applications: File manager, Print Manager, MS-DOS prompt, Windows Setup and PIF Editor.

Applications group consists of all the application found on your hard disk, while installing the windows. How ever if, during installation process if you chose the Custom Setup option and chose not to have Windows set up applications from your hard disk, the program manager will not contain an Application group.
Accessories group is made of windows based applications for word processing (Write), drawing (Paint), communications (Terminal), plus several other useful applications.
Games group contains windows based games.
Start Up group has application that loaded when windows system starts initially. Any applications can be added to this group. This group remains empty until, an application is added to it.

Windows provide the flexibility to install other group windows also.
Group windows can be resized, moved and it contains the icons for the program, which can be executed. Program items can be added deleted in-group windows and they can be copied between group windows also.
However neither the group windows can be moved outside the program manager nor the group icons. By selecting the icons, one can run the associated program files. All the program items can be moved between groups copied or renamed.

2. File manager
As the name suggests, File manager is used to manage or manipulate both disk and the disk files. It provides visual representations of all disks and disk files in the system.
As displayed in the above figure, the directory structure for the hard disk of the system and all the files in the current directory, appear in a document windows, known as directory window. The attributes of one or more file can be changed, by selecting them from the directory window. They can also be moved between directories, or opened, renamed, printed, deleted or copied.

1. Selecting File(s) and directories

File Manager allows you to select one or more than one files at a time for copying, moving or deleting or to perform other related task.
To select a file or directory clicks the desired icon. Or press the TAB button to move to the list of files, and then use the direction keys or arrow keys to select.
To select consecutive files, select the first file, press and hold down the SHIFT key, and then click the last file on the desired file list or group. Alternatively, select the first file, press and hold down the shift key and then use arrow keys to extend the selection to the last item in the group.
To select or cancel selection of the non-consecutive files, press and hold ctrl key and click on each file. Alternatively, press SHIFT and F8 key, use arrow keys to move to each file, use spacebar to select the file or to cancel already the selected file, then press shift and f8 again.
To select similar type of file, activate the Select Files option from the File menu bar. In the text box of the dialog box specify the type of files to be selected. For example *.doc to select all files in the current directory that has .doc as extension or secondary name.

In-text questions 1

1. State True or False.

File Manager is used to start Windows.
Group windows and group icon can be moved out of Program Manager
File maintenance is done using File manager in windows.
To activate a program when windows starts, you need to add it to File manager.
Print manager and File Manager are available in Games windows.

What you have learnt
In this lesson you were introduced to the concept of windows working environment and graphical user interface. It also discussed various features and components of windows. It explained with examples the icons and their functions. This also discussed how to select files and directories.

Terminal questions

Briefly discuss why Windows is popular.
Briefly explain about different components of windows and how to start windows.
How a group icon is different from individual program Which group programs are loaded when windows starts-up?
Can a DOS based application be used in Windows?

Feedback to in-text questions

False
False
True
False
False