Digital Literacy

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Unit-I
Operate the Elements of a Computer
Definition:- A computer is an electronic device used for storing and processing data and
information.
Input Unit:- All the data received by the computer goes through the input unit. The input unit
comprises different devices like a mouse, keyboard, scanner, etc. In other words, each of these
devices acts as a mediator between the users and the computer.
The data that is to be processed is put through the input unit. The computer accepts the raw data
in binary form. It then processes the data and produces the desired output.
The 3 major functions of the input unit are-
 Take the data to be processed by the user.
 Convert the given data into machine-readable form.
 And then, transmit the converted data into the main memory of the computer.
CPU – Central Processing Unit:- Central Processing Unit or the CPU, is the brain of the
computer. It works the same way a human brain works. As the brain controls all human
activities, similarly the CPU controls all the tasks.
Moreover, the CPU conducts all the arithmetical and logical operations in the computer.
Now the CPU comprises of two units, namely – ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) and CU (Control
Unit). Both of these units work in sync. The CPU processes the data as a whole.
Let us see what particular tasks are assigned to both units.

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ALU – Arithmetic Logic Unit:- The Arithmetic Logic Unit is made of two terms, arithmetic
and logic. There are two primary functions that this unit performs.
1. Data is inserted through the input unit into the primary memory. Performs the basic
arithmetical operation on it. Like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It
performs all sorts of calculations required on the data. Then sends back data to the
storage.
2. The unit is also responsible for performing logical operations like AND, OR, Equal to,
Less than, etc. In addition to this it conducts merging, sorting, and selection of the given
data.
CU – Control Unit:- The control unit as the name suggests is the controller of all the
activities/tasks and operations. All this is performed inside the computer.
The memory unit sends a set of instructions to the control unit. Then the control unit in turn
converts those instructions. After that these instructions are converted to control signals.
These control signals help in prioritizing and scheduling activities. Thus, the control unit
coordinates the tasks inside the computer in sync with the input and output units.
Memory Unit:- All the data that has to be processed or has been processed is stored in the
memory unit. The memory unit acts as a hub of all the data. It transmits it to the required part of
the computer whenever necessary.
The memory unit works in sync with the CPU. This helps in faster accessing and processing of
the data. Thus, making tasks easier and quicker.
There are two types of computer memory-
1. Primary memory – This type of memory cannot store a vast amount of data. Therefore,
it is only used to store recent data. The data stored in this is temporary. It can get erased
once the power is switched off. Therefore, is also called temporary memory or main
memory.
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is an example of primary memory. This
memory is directly accessible by the CPU. It is used for reading and writing purposes.
For data to be processed, it has to be first transferred to the RAM and then to the CPU.
2. Secondary memory – As explained above, the primary memory stores temporary data.
Thus it cannot be accessed in the future. For permanent storage purposes, secondary
memory is used. It is also called permanent memory or auxiliary memory. The hard disk
is an example of secondary memory. Even in a power failure data does not get erased
easily.
Output Unit:- There is nothing to be amazed by what the output unit is used for. All the
information sent to the computer once processed is received by the user through the output unit.
Devices like printers, monitors, projectors, etc. all come under the output unit.

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The output unit displays the data either in the form of a soft copy or a hard copy. The printer is
for the hard copy. The monitor is for the display. The output unit accepts the data in binary form
from the computer. It then converts it into a readable form for the user.
Elements of Computer:- Hardware, Software, Data, People, Procedure.
Hardware:- Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer. Computer Hardware is
any part of the computer that we can touch these parts. These are the primary electronic
devices used to build up the computer. Examples of hardware in a computer are the Processor,
Memory Devices, Monitor, Printer, Keyboard, Mouse, and Central Processing Unit.
Software:- Software is a collection of instructions, procedures, and documentation that
performs different tasks on a computer system. we can say also Computer Software is a
programming code executed on a computer processor. The code can be machine-level code or
code written for an operating system. Examples of software are MS- Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
Google Chrome, Photoshop, MySQL, etc.
Data:- Computer transfor data into information. Data is the raw material, information is
processed data. Data is the input to the processing information is the output.
People:- Most computers require people who are called the users.
Procedure:- Procedures are the steps that you must follow to accomplish a specific compute,
related task.
Power Cord
Power Cord also called an electrical cable, power cable, mains cable, or flex, a power cord is
the primary cable that provides electrical current to a desktop computer. They are also used
with printers, monitors, external speakers, and other peripheral devices.
Computer's primary power cords:- 1. Molex Power cord 2. ATX Power cord 3. Other power
cords.
Molex power cord:- For a Molex connector inside a desktop computer that powers devices like
a hard drive, there are four pins and holes. See our Molex page for further information on this
connector and its wires.

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ATX power cord:- For desktop computers, the cord that supplies current to an ATX (advanced
technology extended) motherboard is a 24-pin ATX power supply connector.
Other power cords:- Other power cords inside the computer may include the following:
 4-pin (P4) power connector - Additional power cable for modern processors.
 3-pin case fan connectors - Small cable that supplies power from the motherboard to the
cooling fans.
Power Switch
Network Connecting Cable
USB Port
Every computer today uses a power button for turning on
and off a computer. However, many desktop computer
power supplies also have a power switch, as shown in the
picture. This power switch turns on and off the power
supply, and if set to the off position, the power button for
the computer does not work.
The CAT5 twisted-pair cables consist of four twisted
wires, each color-coded; one a solid color, and one a
striped color. As seen below, most network cables
consist of a green, blue, orange, and brown pair of
cables. There are two cable standards: T568A and
T568B.
RJ-45 Connector

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Mouse Operations
A mouse is a handheld device that lets you point to objects on the screen, click them, and move
them. Take a look at the diagram below to learn the different parts of a typical mouse.
You can perform the following easy functions with your mouse:
Single Clicking:- A Single click is when you click the left mouse button once. This can be used
to select or highlighted the object on your desktop.
Double Clicking:- A double click is when you quickly click the left mouse button twice. This
can be used to open folders, files, or start programs on your desktop.
Right Clicking:- the right-click is pressing down on the right mouse button. The right-click
provides additional functionality to a computer's mouse, usually as a context menu containing
additional options.
USB ports allow USB devices to be connected to each
other with and transfer digital data over USB cables.
They can also supply electric power across the cable to
devices that need it. Both wired and wireless versions of
the USB standard exist, although only the wired version
involves USB ports and cables.

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Dragging and Dropping:- You may sometimes need to drag and drop icons to move them
around. This can be used to place files in new folders, delete them, and more.
Keyboard Operations
A computer keyboard is an input device used with all types of computers. Keyboard is very
similar to a typewriter keyboard, with the exception of additional keys in it.
Using a keyboard the user can type a document, use key-stroke shortcuts, access menus play
games, and perform numerous other tasks. Most keyboards have between 80 and 110 keys
which include the following
Typing keys:- These include the letters of the alphabet. The layout of a keyboard is known as
QWERTY for its first six letters.
Number Keys:- These include a set of 17 keys, arranged in the same configuration found on
calculators to speed up data entry of numbers. When the Num Lock key is set to on the user can
type number, dot or input the symbols / , *, -, and + . When the Num Lock key is set to off, the
numeric keys can be used to move the cursor on the screen.
Function Keys:- These are used by applications and operating systems to input specific
commands. They are often placed on the top of the keyboard in a single row. Function keys can
be programmed so that their functionality varies from one program to another.
Control Keys:- These are used to handle control of the cursor and the screen. Four arrow keys
are used to move the cursor on the screen in small increments. In addition to the arrow keys,
there are other cursor keys such as:
 Home and End to move the cursor to the beginning and end of the current line,
respectively
 Page Up and Page Down to move the previous and the next pages, respectively
 Insert to enter a character between two existing characters
 Delete key to delete a character at the cursor position
Other common control keys on the keyboard include Control (Ctrl), Alternate (Alt), Escape
(Esc), Print Screen, Pause, the Windows or Start key and a shortcut keys.

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Key Board Layout:
Interface Icons
The Computer desktop consists of various types of graphical icons when clicked it redirects or
open the respected software or applications or programs.
The icon which appears on the desktop of a computer or laptop is a shortcut that is used to access
the software or programs.
There are different types of icons in computer systems presented on the desktop that can be
accessed easily using any pointing device.
Icons are graphical or symbolic representation of files, folders, applications and software’s that
are used to navigate and access using pointing devices such as mouse.
Icons are user friendly that improves and enhances the overall performance. The icons are
visually interactive and hence plays a vital role in communicating with our computer system.
Icons can be divided or classified into three categories:

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1. System Icon:- The system icon is an icon that comes with a computer, laptop, or phone when
we buy it.
When we buy a mobile, some applications come along with like a camera, calculator, and other
apps that software that comes with the system.
And that cannot be deleted, which is known as System Icon. If your mobile has a calculator app,
you did not delete it. This icon is called System Icon.
2. Application Icon:- Application is those which come after installation on our device. They are
known as Application Icon.
We download the share it app and install it; after that icon, we see this is known as the
application icon.
3. Shortcut Icon:- A shortcut icon is a computer icon. There is one arrow, and they are known as
Shortcut Icon.
Some of the common icons seen on desktops are My Computer, My Document, Recycle Bin,
Control Panel, Network, etc.
1. My Computer Icon:- With the help of this icon, we access the data which data are inside the
computer.
2. My Document Icon:- If we save any file or data on our computer, this data is saved by default
on the document folder; with the help of my documents icons, we reach the save data file.
3. Recycle Bin Icon:- This icon reaches where the files are deleted from the computer or deleted
from the computer and then stored in the recycle bin folder.
This is also called a dustbin. If we delete any necessary file we want, we take it from the recycle
bin folder by retrieving it. If we’re going to delete the file permanently, we want to press shift +
delete, so the file is deleted.
4. Control Panel Icon:- It is known by its name icon to reach the primary setting of the
computer.
To access and manage basic and advanced computer settings control panels are used extensively.
The Administrative tool, Time, User Account, Security, and Windows Update and be changed
according to the requirement.

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5. Network Icon:- With the help of the Network icon connected with the computer network
group, network hard drive, shared folder, shared printer, server, and other information can be
easily used and utilized.
6. Short Icon:- The shortcut icon looks very simple, but a small icon in the right corner indicates
it is not an original icon.
This is a shortcut; most people think the shortcut icon is an authentic icon.
7. Program, Folder, and Document Icon:- Shortcuts create many of the original program and
system icons and folders on the desktop.
The original icon has a slight difference in that there is no icon under it, and by deleting this file
original file does not delete.
8. Start Button Icon:- Where all the programs and applications were displayed on the computer,
there is an option the shut down, restart, and log off on the start menu it generates on the start
button.
9. Taskbar Icon:- At the bottom of the desktop, there is one strip called the taskbar when any
program runs is shown on the taskbar, and when we minimize a program is also shown on the
taskbar.
We can also pin some popular programs on the taskbar.
10. Quick Launch Bar Icon:- On the right side of the taskbar near the watch, there is a set of
icons.
Which is known as the quick launch icon. There is a program that runs in the background in
which there are antivirus programs, graphic programs, volume icons, and network icons are
present.
GUI elements
GUI is the acronym for graphical user interface—the interface that allows users to interact with
electronic devices, such as computers, laptops, smart phones and tablets, through graphical
elements.
GUI Elements:
1. Input Controls

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 Buttons:- Buttons are circles that let you make immediate choices and take actions.
Radio buttons come in groups where only one button can be selected at a time. Label
buttons have text on them. If you want more than one option to be selected, consider
using a check box.
 Checkboxes:- Checkboxes are square boxes in a list of one or more options. When you
click the box, it stays selected. They are best presented in a vertical list. A checkbox can
be a single box, such as acknowledging a statement, or a list of related items such as a
shopping list.
 Date picker:- A date picker lets you select a date and / or time. The creator can choose
a calendar or a fill-in option. It ensures that a consistent format is used, such as “day,
month, year.”
 Dropdown lists:- Dropdown lists lets you select one item at a time. Several items can
be included compactly. Consider adding directions, such as “select one” to let the user
know what to do. The creator can add or delete items to keep the list up to date.
 List boxes:- List boxes let you select multiple items form one compact lists. Use this
GUI feature if you have a long list of options for the user to consider. There fare four
variations of list boxes: single-line, multi select with checkboxes and multi select-dual
list boxes.
 Text boxes:- Text boxes are fields that let you enter text. The creator can control how
much text is allowed.
 Toggles:- Toggle buttons let you change a setting typically as off/on states.
2. Navigational components:
 Breadcrumbs:- Breadcrumbs provide a clickable trail of proceeding pages. They give
you a visual map of pages for your navigation ease.
 Icons:- An icon is a small image used as a symbol to help you navigate the system. They
are typically used to indicate an application, folder, file or web browser. Using an icon is
a fast way to open documents and run programs. Also all files that you create in the same
application will have the icon of the application and the same extension.
 Image carousel:- An image carousel lets you scroll through a set of images and choose
the one you’d like to see enlarged. The carousel typically hold thumbnail images that
may be hyperlinked.
 Pagination:- Pagination divides content into pages and lets you skip between them or
follow them in order.
 Search filed:- The search box lets you enter a keyword or phrase to search an index for
relevant results. They typically are one-line text boxes with a search button.
 Slider:- A slider has a bar and a tick that slides across it. The creator can control the size
of the bar and tick, the bar margins and its orientation
 Tags:- Tags let you find content within the same category. Options include giving the
user the ability to add their own tags into the system.
 Tabs:- A tab is a small box that displays the name or graphical icon associated with a
specific window. When you choose a tab, you will see the specific controls and
information presented in that window. For example, when you open multiple pages in a
web browser, you will see the different tabs displayed at the top of the browser window.

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3. Informational components:
 Message box:- A message box is a small window with information such as a policy or
disclaimer. It requires you to take action before you proceed.
 Notification:- A notification is a message box. Typically, they are used to indicate
emergency warnings, error messages or task completion.
 Pop-up windows:- A pop-up, or modal, windows requires you to interact with it before
you can return to the system.
 Progress bar:- A progress bar shows where you are in a series of steps in a process.
Typically, progress bars are not clickable. For example, a progress bar might show you
pizza order’s status in the order, cook and delivery process.
 Tool tips:- A tools tip offers you more information when you hover over an item. For
example, you might receive a definition and usage examples when you hover over a word
or phrase
4. Containers
 Accordions:- Accordions are stacked lists of items that have a show and hide
functionally. When the label is clicked, the list expands to its full size.
5. Interaction elements of a GUI
 Cursors:- A cursor indicates the place where the system will accept input next. It can
either be a pointer, which follows the movements of a pointing device – such as a mouse
or a text cursor, which indicates the point of focus in a current text box.
 Selections:- A selection refers to a list of items to which a user will apply an operation. A
user will select a portion of text for cut, copy and paste operations. Image editing
applications allow users to select and modify certain areas of an image by using the
magic wand selection or lasso selection tools.
 Adjustment handles:- A handle serves as the indicator of a drag and drop operation.
When a user places the pointer on the handle to initiate the drag process, its shape
changes to an icon that represents the drag function.
Editing Options
Editing on a computer involves making changes to a document by adding, deleting, and
rearranging text. Editing can also include improving the accuracy of language, flow,
organization, and structure, it also involves checking for grammatical and spelling errors.
Text editors are programs used to create, edit, and modify a document. A document may
include images, files, text, equations, and diagrams.
Editing in Microsoft world allows you to make changes to a document, For example you can
add paragraphs, rearrange wording, correct grammatical structures, and delete specific elements.

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Function Description
Formatting
Change text style, font size, color, and alignment to enhance
readability and visual appeal.
Spelling and
Grammar Check
Automatically detect and correct spelling and grammar errors to
ensure accuracy and professionalism in your document.
Find and Replace
Easily search for specific words or phrases and replace them with
desired alternatives throughout the document.
Cut, Copy, and
Paste
Move or duplicate text or objects within the document or between
different documents, allowing for easy rearrangement and
repurposing.
Undo and Redo
Reverse or restore previous actions, providing flexibility in
experimenting with edits without fear of irreversible changes.
Track Changes
Keep a record of modifications made to the document, enabling
collaboration and revisions by multiple users.
Insert/Delete
Incorporate or remove text, images, tables, or other elements to
customize and refine your document’s content.
Perform operations including switching on the Computer, logging in
1. Press the computer’s Power button.
If the monitor is not turned on, press the Power button on the monitor.
2. When the computer has finished booting, it will show a dialogue box that will ask for a username
and password.
3. Enter your username and password, then click “→ ” (the submit button) or press the Enter key
on keyboard.
Log off (or sign out) a computer (Windows 10):
Method 1
1. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del keys at the same time.
2. Click Sign out.
Method 2
1. Click the Start icon.
2. Click the User profile icon.
3. Click Sign out.
Method 3
1. Right-click the Start icon.
2. Click or hover over Shut down or sign out.

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3. Click Sign out. (Or click Restart to reboot the computer.
Locating a File
Search from the taskbar: Type the name of a document (or a keyword from it) into the search
box on the taskbar. You'll see results for documents across your PC and OneDrive. To filter your
search, you can select the Documents tab—and then your search results will only
show documents.
Search File Explorer: Open File Explorer from the taskbar or select and hold
the Start menu (or right-click), select File Explorer , then select a search location:
Opening a File
There are two main way to open a file
1. Find the file on your computer and double-click it: This will open the file in its
default application. In our example, we’ll open a Microsoft Word document ,
which will open in Microsoft word.
2. Open the application, then use the application to open the file: Once the
application is open, you can go to the file menu of the top of the window and
select Open.
Printing a Document
To print a document on a computer , follow these general steps
Step-1: Open the document you want to print using the software application associated with the
file type.
Step-2: Before printing, review the document to ensure that it appears as you want it to on paper
Step-3: Go to the File menu in the application and select “Print” . Alternatively, you can often
use the keyboard shortcut “Ctr + P”

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Step-4: In the print dialog box, select the printer you want to use. If you have multiple printers
installed, ensure you choose the correct one.
Step-5: If you want to print specific pages, you can usually specify a page range in the print
setting.
Step-6: Configure print settings such as the number of copies orientation (portrait or landscape),
paper size, and quality.
Step-7: Once you’ve configured the print settings, click the “Print” button to start the printing
process.
Storing a file with proper extension
A file extension is a suffix appended to the end of a file’s name, typically consisting of a few
characters, separated from the main filename by a period. It serves as a way to identify the file’s
format or the type of data it contains. Common file extensions include .txt for text files, .jpg for
image files, .mp3 for audio files, and .pdf for portable document format files. File extensions
assist operating systems and software in recognizing and handling specific file types correctly.

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They play a crucial role in determining which program should be used to open, edit, or execute a
particular file. To store a file with a proper extension follow these steps.
Step 1: Click on the File Menu.
Step 2: Go to the Save or Save As button provided.
Step 3: Select the location where you want the file to be saved.
Step 4: Provide a name to the file
Step 5: Click on the Save button
Creating a folder / Sub folder in a volume on hard disk and desktop
To create a folder or subfolder in a volume or a hard disk, follow these steps. You can store your
files in many locations – on the hard disk or on other devices To better organize your files, you
can store them in folder.
Create a Folder:
Step-1: Open Computer icon
Step-2: Open any drive where you want to create a new folder. (For example select D)

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Step-3: Click on File  New  Folder
Step-4: A new folder is created with the default name “New folder” and it will be highlighted.
Step-5: Type in the folder name and press Enter key.
Create a folder on the desktop:
Step-1: In the Desktop, right-click  New  Folder
Step-2: A Folder appears with the default name “New folder” and it will he highlighted.
Step-3: Type the name you want and press Enter Key
Step-4: The name of the folder will change
Shifting file from one folder to another
There are several methods available to move, or transfer, computer files and folder
(directories) from one source or level to another.
In windows you can move files using several methods. You can drag-and-drop, cut and past, or
use the “Move to Folder” command.
Cut and Past: To cut and paste a file, select the file you want to move, right-click the
highlighted file, and then select Cut. Browse to the folder you want to move the file to, right-
click in the folder and select Past.
Alternatively, click Edit from the file menu, select Cut to cut the files, browse to where you
want to move the files, then select Edit and Paste in the file menu.
Finally, you can also use keyboard shortcuts to cut and paste file. Select the files you want to
cut, then press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + X to cut the files. “Cutting” the files is like cutting
text in a document: it moves the files to a temporary “clipboard until you “past” them
somewhere. Navigate to destination folder and press the keyboard shortcut Ctr+Y to paste the
files. The files are now in your destination folder.
Drag-and-drop: Highlight the files you want to move, press and hold your right mouse button,
and drag-and-drop the files to where you want to move them.
Use ‘Move to Folder’: To use the “Move to Folder” command, select the file by clicking the
file name. Click the Edit menu near the top-left of the window and select the Move to Folder
option. In the new window browse to the folder you want to move the file, then click the Move
button to move the file to that folder.
Shutting off the computer
Method 1 :
1. Click the Start icon (at the bottom left corner).

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2. Click the Power icon on the main menu.
3. Click Shut down.
Method 2:
1. Right-click the Start icon.
2. Click or hover over Shut down or sign out.
3. Click Shut down.