11th Class (HSSC-I) Computer SLO Based Key Point Notes

(National Book Foundation - As Federal Textbook Board, Islamabad 
Based on National Curriculum Pakistan 2023-2024 and Onward prescribed by Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Islamabad, and All Pakistan Boards) 
(Contact WhatsApp # 03339719149 for full book PDF Notes)

Unit 1: Overview of Computer System


Topic No. 1.1: Introduction to Computer:

Q1. Define Computer.

Ans: 
An electronic device that accepts data and instructions (input) from the user, performs operations accordingly (processing), and produces results (output).

Q2. What are the main components of a Computer?

Ans: 
Input devices, output devices, central processing units, storage devices, main memory, and communication devices.

Q3. Give some important characteristics of computers.

Ans: 
  1.  Computers are extremely fast devices.
  2.  Computers process data and provide accurate results.
  3.  Computers can store data for use.
  4.  Computers are electronic reprogrammable machines.
  5.  Computers are Automatic Data Processing Machines.

Q4. What are Computing devices?

Ans: 
Any device having embedding computer/processing chips.

Examples:

ATM, digital washing machines, Microwave ovens, A.C, etc.


Topic No. 1.1.2: Basic Operations of a Computer:

Q5. What are the basic operations of a Computer?

Ans: 

The basic operations of a computer system are:

i)  Input operation: 

It accepts data and instructions from input devices such as a Keyboard, Mouse, barcode reader, etc.

ii)  Processing operation: 

It performs operations, Arithmetic (+, -, *,/) and logical (comparison /relational)

 

iii)  Output operation: 

It displays results on output devices such as monitors or printers etc.

 

iv)  Storage operations: 

It writes data to a storage device such as USB, CD, hard disk, etc.


Q6. Draw a block diagram showing the basic operations of the computer system.

Ans: 



Topic No. 1.1.3:  Classification of Digital Computer:

Q7. What are the four main categories of computers on the basis of their shape, size, processing speed, and cost?

Ans: 

Computers can be classified into four categories on the basis of their shape, size, processing speed, and cost.

  1. Supercomputers
  2. Mainframe computer
  3. Mini computers
  4. Microcomputers


Q8. Write the features and uses of Supercomputers:

Ans: 

Features:

  • Largest computers.
  • Most expensive.
  • Most powerful.
  • Designed to process complex calculations.
  • Thousands of processors.
  • Speed is measured in Tera flops(floating point operation per second)

Uses:

  • Design and control of rockets and fighter planes.
  • Weather forecasting.
  • Nuclear research
  • In Pakistan, they are used in SPARCO and the Atomic Energy Research Center.
  • Manufactured by CRAY Inc. and IBM

Q9. Write the features and uses of Mainframe computers:

Ans: 

Features:

  • Less powerful, less expensive, and smaller than supercomputers.
  • More powerful, expensive, and larger than any other computers.
  • Very large storage capacity.
  • Can execute trillions of instructions per second (TIPS).
  • Can support up to thousands of users/terminals.

Uses:

  • Used in large organizations like banks, universities, and scientific laboratories
  • Also used as a web server.
  • Example (IBM Enterprize EC12, HP 16500 series).

 

Q10. Write the features and uses of Minicomputers:

Ans: 

Features:

  • Less powerful, less expensive, and smaller than a mainframe.
  • More powerful, expensive, and larger than microcomputers.
  • Can support hundreds of users/terminals.
  • Can process billions of instructions per second (BIPS)
  • Used in industrial process control, scientific research, and small business organizations.

Uses:

  • Can be used as database servers.
  • Example IBM System /36 DEC PDP, HP 3000, etc.

 

Q11. Write the features and uses of Microcomputers:

Ans: 

Features:

  • Smallest and least expensive computers.
  • It uses microprocessor chips. VLSI(very large-scale integration).
  • General purpose computers.
  • Can execute Millions of instructions per second (MIPS).
  • Support a large variety of input and output devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor, printers, etc.)
  • Also called personal computers.
  • Support A large variety of applications.

Uses:

  • Used in almost every field. (banks, stores, schools, homes, etc.)


Q12. Compare the Microcomputer with the Main Frame Computer.

Ans: 

Microcomputer

Mainframe Computer

These are the smallest computers

These are second second-largest computers

These computers can support only one user at a time

These can support thousands of users at a
time.

These are the least expensive computers

These computers are expensive.

These have low memory capacity

These have large storage capacity

These can perform millions of instructions per second (MIPS)

These can perform trillions of instructions per
second (TIPS)

These are used in offices, shops, at home, etc.

These are used in large corporations, banks, universities, etc.

Examples are the IBM ThinkPad, Dell XPS, HP Envy Series, etc.

Examples are IBM’s Enterprise EC12, EC 198 HP 16500 Series, etc.

Q13. What is the modern use of Computers in Today's Life? (long)

Ans:  

1.      Mobile Computing:

  • Small portable devices that allow people to access and share information.
  • They use wireless networks.
  • Mobile devices have limited functions.
  • run on batteries
  • Have a small display, less processing, and less memory

Examples: PDAs, tablet PCs, smartphones, etc.

 

2.      Internet of Things (IoT)

  • Interconnection between a computer network and physical devices.
  • Devices are equipped with wireless connectivity, embedded software, sensors, cameras microphones, etc.
  • Smart devices which can interact with humans through a wireless connection.

Example: smart homes. House appliances such as AC, lights, and electronic devices can be controlled remotely via smartphones.

 

3.      Cloud computing:

  • Using a remote server for storing and processing data.
  • Eliminates the need for buying and installing computer systems and software at one’s place.
  • Security and other services are provided by another company.

 

Advantages:

  • Cost-effective. (does not need to buy and maintain the system).
  • More secure and reliable.
  • Access and share information from anywhere via the Internet.

 

Disadvantages:

  • Requires a high-speed internet connection for accessing and uploading.
  • Privacy and security risks.

 

Companies that provide cloud computing services:

Google, Microsoft, Citrix system and Amazon


4.      Data centers:

  • A centralized location for collecting, storing, processing, and distributing vast amounts of data.
  • Consists of servers, routers, switches, backup, etc.
  • Data centers require air conditioning, file compression, and security services.
  • It requires a room or an entire building.
  • Banks, universities, and telecom companies require data centers.

1.      Mobile Computing:

  • Small portable devices that allow people to access and share information.
  • They use wireless networks.
  • Mobile devices have limited functions.
  • run on batteries
  • Have a small display, less processing, and less memory

Examples: PDAs, tablet PCs, smartphones, etc.

 

2.      Internet of Things (IoT)

  • Interconnection between a computer network and physical devices.
  • Devices are equipped with wireless connectivity, embedded software, sensors, cameras microphones, etc.
  • Smart devices which can interact with humans through a wireless connection.

Example: smart homes. House appliances such as AC, lights, and electronic devices can be controlled remotely via smartphones.

 

3.      Cloud computing:

  • Using a remote server for storing and processing data.
  • Eliminates the need for buying and installing computer systems and software at one’s place.
  • Security and other services are provided by another company.

 

Advantages:

  • Cost-effective. (does not need to buy and maintain the system).
  • More secure and reliable.
  • Access and share information from anywhere via the Internet.

 

Disadvantages:

  • Requires a high-speed internet connection for accessing and uploading.
  • Privacy and security risks.

 

Companies that provide cloud computing services:

Google, Microsoft, Citrix system and Amazon


4.      Data centers:

  • A centralized location for collecting, storing, processing, and distributing vast amounts of data.
  • Consists of servers, routers, switches, backup, etc.
  • Data centers require air conditioning, file compression, and security services.
  • It requires a room or an entire building.
  • Banks, universities, and telecom companies require data centers.

Q14. What is Software? Name its types.

Ans: 
Software is the logical component of the computer system. It is the group of programs that runs the hardware. Hardware is useless without software. There are two major types of software: System Software and Application Software.

Q15. Define Hardware and Name its types.

Ans: 
Hardware is the physical component of the computer system. We can touch hardware and hardware provides shape to the computer system. Its types are input devices, output devices, processing devices, storage devices, etc.

Misclaeanous Questions and Answers: 

Q16. Give some application areas of supercomputers.

Or

What are the applications of Supercomputers in today's life?

Ans: 
Supercomputers are used to process complex calculations like research data, designing and controlling complicated machines like airplanes or rockets, weather forecasting, nuclear research, and controling space shuttles and satellites.

Q17. What are microcomputers?

Ans: 
Microcomputers are the most miniature digital computers. These computers are used by only one person, also known as personal computers or PCs. These use microprocessors and are available as desktop or laptop computers. These process millions of instructions per second.

Q18. Name a few organizations in Pakistan where supercomputers are used.

Ans: 
In Pakistan, Supercomputer is hosted by the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and is used in its Research Center for Modeling & Simulation (RCMS) and Atomic Energy Research.

Q19. Define Cloud Computing.

Ans: 
Cloud computing refers to the use of software and data storage over the internet. Instead of buying our own software and hardware, we can use all services managed by some other computer somewhere in the “cloud”.

Q19. Write one Advantage and one disadvantage of Cloud Computing?

Ans: 
The advantage of cloud computing is that we don’t need to buy and manage heavy software and hardware. 

The disadvantage is that a high-speed broadband internet connection is
needed and our data is saved in a computer at an unknown location.

Q20. What is a Data Center? Also, Write its application areas.

Ans: 
The Data Center is the centralized place for storing and processing large amounts of data. Instead of saving data over distributed computers and suffering heavy costs, all data is moved to a central location fully equipped with heavy instruments, air-conditioning, security entry, smoke detectors, and suppression.

Application areas:
Many government organizations, educational institutions, banks research laboratories, etc. need vast amounts of data. Some maintain their own data centers while of them uses others, to cut off maintenance and operational cost.


Q21. What do you know about IoT?

Ans: 
IoT stands for Internet of Things. It is a physical connection between a computer network and physical devices to collect and exchange data. The devices of IoT are known as Smart Devices and are equipped with sensors, actuators, cameras, microphones, and embedded software and can be operated over a wireless network.

Q22. What is Mobile Computing?

Ans: 
Mobile computing includes the use of portable devices known as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance) or smartphones anywhere using the wireless network. PDs normally use SIMs to connect with the network.

Q23. Define analog computers.

Ans: 
Analog computers are physical devices that deal with continuous physical data like temperature, speed, mass, etc. These are extremely high-speed devices but are not accurate.
Examples are Thermometers, Speedometers, Physical balance, etc.

Q24. Define Digital Computers.


Ans: 
Digital computers are electronic computers that process digital data at a high speed accurately. These are slower than analogue computers but their accuracy is very high.

Q25. Define Hybrid Computers.


Ans: 
Hybrid computers are special-purpose computers that combine the best features of both analog and digital computers. These are extremely high-speed and accurate computers.

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1. Website for School and College Level Physics   
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3. Website for Single National Curriculum Pakistan - All Subjects Notes 

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