The Computer System

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

COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

Computer hardware - Are physical parts/ intangible parts of a computer. e.g. Input devices, output
devices, central processing unit and storage devices
Computer software - also known as programs or applications. They are classified into two classes namely -
system software and application software
Liveware - is the computer user. Also kwon as orgware or the humanware. The user commands the
computer system to execute on instructions.

a) COMPUTER HARDWARE

Hardware refers to the physical, tangible computer equipment and devices, which provide support for major
functions such as input, processing (internal storage, computation and control), output, secondary storage (for
data and programs), and communication.
HARDWARE CATEGORIES (Functional Parts)

A computer system is a set of integrated devices that input, output, process, and store data and information.
Computer systems are currently built around at least one digital processing device. There are five main hardware
components in a computer system: Input, Processing, Storage, Output and Communication devices.

1. INPUT DEVICES

Are devices used for entering data or instructions to the central processing unit. Are classifie according to the
method they use to enter data.

a) KEYING DEVICES
Are devices used to enter data into the computer using a set of Keys eg Keyboard, key-to- storage and
keypad.

i) The keyboard

Keyboard (similar to a typewriter) is the main input device of a computer . It contains three types of keys--
alphanumeric keys, special keys and function keys. Alphanumeric keys are used to type all alphabets, numbers
and special symbols like $, %, @, A etc. Special keys such as <Shift>, <Ctrl>, <Alt>, <Home>, <Scroll Lock> etc.
are used for special functions. Function keys such as <Fl>, <F2>, <F3> etc. are used to give special commands
depending upon the software used e.g.F5 reloads a page of an internet browser. The function of each and every
key can be well understood only after working on a PC. When any key is pressed, an electronic signal is produced.
This signal is detected by a keyboard encoder that sends a binary code corresponding to the key pressed to the
CPU. There are many types of keyboards but 101 keys keyboard is the most popular one.

How the keys are organized

The keys on your keyboard can be divided into several groups based on function:

Typing (alphanumeric) keys. These keys include the same letter, number, punctuation, and symbol keys
found on a traditional typewriter.
Special (Control) keys. These keys are used alone or in combination with other keys to perform certain
actions. The most frequently used control keys are CTRL, ALT, the Windows key, and ESC.
Function keys. The function keys are used to perform specific tasks. They are labelled as F1, F2, F3, and so
on, up to F12. The functionality of these keys differs from program to program.
Cursor Movement (Navigation) keys. These keys are used for moving around in documents or WebPages
and editing text. They include the arrow keys, HOME, END, PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN, DELETE, and INSERT and
ARROW KEYS.
Numeric keypad. The numeric keypad is handy for entering numbers quickly. The keys are grouped
together in a block like a conventional calculator or adding machine. Related image

B. POINTING DEVICES
Are devices that enter data and instructions into the computer using a pointer that appears on the screen.
The items to be entered are selected by either pointing to or clicking on them.e.g mice, joystick, touch
sensitive screen, trackballs

i) THE MOUSE
A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your computer screen. Although mice come in
many shapes, the typical mouse does look a bit like an actual mouse. It's small, oblong, and connected to the
system unit by a long wire that resembles a tail and the connector which can either be PS/2 or USB. Some newer
mice are wireless.

A mouse usually has two buttons: a primary button (usually the left button) and a secondary button. Many mice
also have a wheel between the two buttons, which allows you to scroll smoothly through screens of information.

When you move the mouse with your hand, a pointer on your screen moves in the same direction. (The pointer's
appearance might change depending on where it's positioned on your screen.) When you want to select an item,
you point to the item and then click (press and release) the primary button. Pointing and clicking with your mouse
is the main way to interact with your computer. There are several types of mice: Mechanical mouse, optical mouse,
optical-mechanical mouse and laser mouse.

Basic parts

A mouse typically has two buttons: a primary button (usually the left button) and a secondary button (usually the
right button). The primary button is the one you will use most often. Most mice also include a scroll wheel
between the buttons to help you scroll through documents and WebPages more easily. On some mice, the scroll
wheel can be pressed to act as a third button. Advanced mice might have additional buttons that can perform
other functions.
Holding and moving the mouse

Place your mouse beside your keyboard on a clean, smooth surface, such as a mouse pad. Hold the mouse
gently with your index finger resting on the primary button and you thumb resting on the side. To move
the mouse, slide it slowly in any direction. Don't twist it—keep the front of the mouse aimed away from
you. As you move the mouse, a pointer (see picture) on your screen moves in the same direction. If you run
out of room to move your mouse on your desk or mouse pad, just pick up the mouse and bring it back
closer to you.
Pointing to an object often reveals a descriptive message about it.The pointer can change depending on what
you're pointing at. For example, when you point to a link in your web browser, the pointer changes from an arrow
to a hand with a pointing finger .

Most mouse actions combine pointing with pressing one of the mouse buttons. There are four basic ways to use
your mouse buttons: clicking, double-clicking, right-clicking, and dragging.

Clicking (single-clicking)

To click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release the primary button (usually the left
button).

Clicking is most often used to select (mark) an item or open a menu. This is sometimes called single-clicking or
left-clicking.

Double-clicking

To double-click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then click twice quickly. If the two clicks are spaced
too far apart, they might be interpreted as two individual clicks rather than as one double-click.

Double-clicking is most often used to open items on your desktop. For example, you can start a program or open
a folder by double-clicking its icon on the desktop.

Right-clicking

To right-click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release the secondary button (usually
the right button).
Right-clicking an item usually displays a list of things you can do with the item. For example, when you right-click
the Recycle Bin on your desktop, Windows displays a menu allowing you to open it, empty it, delete it, or see its
properties. If you are unsure of what to do with something, right-click it.

C) SCANNING DEVICES
Are devices that capture an object or a document directly from the source. They are classifie according to the
technology used to capture data e.g. Scanners and Document readers.
i) Scanners
Used to capture a source document and converts it into an electronic form.
Example are - FlatBed and HandHeld scanners.

ii) Document readers

Are documents that reads data directly from source document and convey them as input in the form of electronic
signal. e
Types of Document Readers
i) Optical Mar Reader (OMR) Image result for optical mark reader

ii) Barcode readers

iii) Optical Character Readers

b) Magnetic Readers
Reads data using magnetic ink.t uses principle of magnetism to sense data which have been written using
magnetised ink.
THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT ( C P U)

Is the brain or the heart of a computer. Is also known as processor and consist of three units namely -
i) Control Unit ( C U)
ii) Arithmetic logic Unit ( A L U)
iii) Main Memory unit ( M M U)
The system unit is the core of a computer system. Usually it's a rectangular box placed on or underneath your
desk. Inside this box are many electronic components that process data. The most important of these components
is the central processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor, which acts as the "brain" of your computer. Another
component is random access memory (RAM), which temporarily stores information that the CPU uses while the
computer is on. The information stored in RAM is erased when the computer is turned off.

Almost every other part of your computer connects to the system unit using cables. The cables plug into specific
ports (openings), typically on the back of the system unit. Hardware that is not part of the system unit is
sometimes called a peripheral device. Peripheral devices can be external such as a mouse, keyboard, printer,
monitor, external Zip drive or scanner or internal, such as a CD-ROM drive, CD-R drive or internal modem. Internal
peripheral devices are often referred to as integrated peripherals. There are two types according to shape: tower
and desktop.
Image result for desktop system unit
Tower System Unit Desktop System Unit

A motherboard (mainboard, system board, planar board or logic board) is the main printed circuit board
found in computers and other expandable systems. It holds many of the crucial electronic components of the
system, such as the central processing unit (CPU) and memory, and provides connectors for other peripherals.
Motherboard
 TYPES OF PROCESSORS
I) Comples Instruction Set Computers (CISC)
ii) Reduced Instruction Set Computers (RISC)

FUNCTIONS OF CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT

- Process data
- Control sequence of operaions within the computers
- It gives command to all parts of a computer
- It control the use of the main memory in storing of data and instructions
- it provides temporary storage (RAM) and permanent storage(ROM) of data

THE CONTROL UNIT

Is the center of operations for the computer system, it directs the activities of the computer system.
Funlctions of Control Unit