Computer Fundamental &

Programming
Mary Kris P. Morco
Professorial Lecturer
Computer Systems
Components
What is a Computer System?
● Is a collection of entities (hardware,software and liveware) that are designed to receive, process, manage and
present information in a meaningful format.

● A computer system is a basic, complete and functional hardware and software setup with everything needed to
implement computing performance.

● A computer system is a "complete" computer that includes the hardware, operating system (main software),
and peripheral equipment needed and used for "full" operation.

● A computer system is an integrated form of different components that work together to give a desirable result. It
has different component and each works for a specific purpose; however, they generate a common result as
required by the user.
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.

Examples of Hardware are the following −

● Input devices − keyboard, mouse, etc.
● Output devices − printer, monitor, etc.
● Secondary storage devices − Hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.
● Internal components − CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc.
Hardware
Following are the different types of hardware components (which have specific functions) −
● Monitor − It displays (visual) the result.
● CPU − It is the Central Processing Unit that controls the computer’s functions and transmits data.
● Motherboard − It is mainly accountable to establish communication between components and
transmission of information.
● RAM − It is the Random Access Memory and responsible for the storage of programs that are
currently running and also stores data temporarily.
● Hard Disk Drive − It is a permanent memory storage device.
● Floppy Disk Drive − It is hardly being used in recent times.
● Optical disks − It is a device that also store data. For example, CD, DVD, etc.
Software
● Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined function. A program is a
sequence of instructions written to solve a particular problem.

There are two types of software −

● System Software
● Application Software
1. System Software
● The system software is a collection of programs designed to operate, control, and extend the
processing capabilities of the computer itself. System software is generally prepared by the
computer manufacturers. These software products comprise of programs written in low-level
languages, which interact with the hardware at a very basic level. System software serves as the
interface between the hardware and the end users.
● Some examples of system software are Operating System, Compilers, Interpreter, Assemblers, etc.
2. Application Software
● Application software products are designed to satisfy Features of application software are as follows −
a particular need of a particular environment. All
● Close to the user
software applications prepared in the computer lab
can come under the category of Application software. ● Easy to design
● More interactive
Examples of Application software are the following − ● Slow in speed
● Payroll Software ● Generally written in high-level language
● Student Record Software ● Easy to understand
● Inventory Management Software ● Easy to manipulate and use
● Income Tax Software ● Bigger in size and requires large storage space
● Railways Reservation Software
● Microsoft Office Suite Software
● Microsoft Word
● Microsoft Excel
● Microsoft PowerPoint
Relationship between Hardware and Software
● Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of them must work together to make a computer
produce a useful output.
● Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.
● Hardware without a set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and is useless.
● To get a particular job done on the computer, relevant software should be loaded into the hardware.
● Hardware is a one-time expense.
● Software development is very expensive and is a continuing expense.
● Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run different jobs.
● A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.
● If the hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then the software is its 'soul'. Both are complementary to each
other.
Input Unit
 Following are some of the important input
devices which are used in a computer −
● Keyboard
● Mouse
● Joystick
● Light pen

Input Devices ●
●
Track Ball
Scanner
● Graphic Tablet
● Microphone
● Magnetic Ink Card Reader(MICR)
● Optical Character Reader(OCR)
● Barcode Reader
● Optical Mark Reader(OMR)
 Keyboard
Keyboard is the most common and very popular
input device which helps to input data to the
computer.
TYPEWRITERS
Keys & Description
1. Typing Keys These keys include the letter keys (A-Z) and digit keys (09) which generally
give the same layout as that of typewriters

2. Numeric It is used to enter the numeric data or cursor movement. Generally, it

Keypad consists of a set of 17 keys that are laid out in the same configuration used
by most adding machines and calculators.

3. Function Keys The twelve function keys are present on the keyboard which are arranged in
a row at the top of the keyboard. Each function key has a unique meaning
and is used for some specific purpose.

4. Control keys These keys provide cursor and screen control. It includes four directional
arrow keys. Control keys also include Home, End, Insert, Delete, Page Up,
Page Down, Control(Ctrl), Alternate(Alt), Escape(Esc).

5. Special Keyboard also contains some special purpose keys such as Enter, Shift,
Purpose Keys Caps Lock, Num Lock, Space bar, Tab, and Print Screen.
 Mouse
Mouse is the most popular pointing device. It is a very
famous cursor-control device having a small palm size
box with a round ball at its base, which senses the
movement of the mouse and sends corresponding
signals to the CPU when the mouse buttons are pressed.
 Joystick
Joystick is also a pointing device, which is used to move
the cursor position on a monitor screen. It is a stick
having a spherical ball at its both lower and upper ends.
The lower spherical ball moves in a socket. The joystick
can be moved in all four directions.
JOYSTICK
 Light Pen
Light pen is a pointing device similar to a pen. It is used
to select a displayed menu item or draw pictures on the
monitor screen. It consists of a photocell and an optical
system placed in a small tube.
 Track Ball
Track ball is an input device that is mostly used in
notebook or laptop computer, instead of a mouse. This is
a ball which is half inserted and by moving fingers on the
ball, the pointer can be moved.
 Scanner
Scanner is an input device, which works more like a
photocopy machine. It is used when some information is
available on paper and it is to be transferred to the hard
disk of the computer for further manipulation.
 Digitizer
Digitizer is an input device which converts analog
information into digital form. Digitizer can convert a signal
from the television or camera into a series of numbers
that could be stored in a computer. They can be used by
the computer to create a picture of whatever the camera
had been pointed at.
 Microphone
Microphone is an input device to input sound that is then
stored in a digital form.
Magnetic Ink Card
Reader (MICR)
MICR input device is generally used in banks as there
are large number of cheques to be processed every day.
The bank's code number and cheque number are printed
on the cheques with a special type of ink that contains
particles of magnetic material that are machine readable.
 Optical Character
Reader (ORC)
OCR is an input device used to read a printed text.
OCR scans the text optically, character by character,
converts them into a machine readable code, and stores
the text on the system memory.
Bar Code Readers
Bar Code Reader is a device used for reading bar coded
data (data in the form of light and dark lines). Bar coded
data is generally used in labelling goods, numbering the
books, etc. It may be a handheld scanner or may be
embedded in a stationary scanner.
 Optical Mark
Reader (OMR)
OMR is a special type of optical scanner used to
recognize the type of mark made by pen or pencil. It is
used where one out of a few alternatives is to be
selected and marked.
Central Processing Unit
(CPU)
CPU consists of the following features
● CPU is considered as the brain of the computer.
● CPU performs all types of data processing operations.
● It stores data, intermediate results, and instructions (program).
● It controls the operation of all parts of the computer.
CPU itself has following three components
● Memory or Storage Unit
● Control Unit
● ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)
1. Memory or Storage Unit
● This unit can store instructions, data, and Functions of the memory unit are −
intermediate results. This unit supplies
● It stores all the data and the instructions
information to other units of the computer
required for processing.
when needed.
● It stores intermediate results of
● It is also known as internal storage unit or
processing.
the main memory or the primary storage or
● It stores the final results of processing
Random Access Memory (RAM).
before these results are released to an
output device.
● All inputs and outputs are transmitted
through the main memory.
Memory Unit
The following table explains the main memory storage units − The following table lists some higher storage units −

1. Bit (Binary Digit) - A binary digit is logical 0 and 1 1. Kilobyte (KB)

representing a passive or an active state of a component 1 KB = 1024 Bytes
in an electric circuit.
2. Megabyte (MB)
2. Nibble - A group of 4 bits is called nibble.
3. Byte - A group of 8 bits is called byte. A byte is the 1 MB = 1024 KB
smallest unit, which can represent a data item or a 3. GigaByte (GB)
character.
1 GB = 1024 MB
4. Word - A computer word, like a byte, is a group of fixed
number of bits processed as a unit, which varies from 4. TeraByte (TB)
computer to computer but is fixed for each computer. 1 TB = 1024 GB
The length of a computer word is called word-size or word 5. PetaByte (PB)
length. It may be as small as 8 bits or may be as long as 1 PB = 1024 TB
96 bits. A computer stores the information in the form of
computer words.
2. Control Unit
● This unit controls the operations of all Functions of this unit are −
parts of the computer but does not carry
● It is responsible for controlling the transfer
out any actual data processing operations of data and instructions among other units
of a computer.
● It manages and coordinates all the units of
the computer.
● It obtains the instructions from the
memory, interprets them, and directs the
operation of the computer.
● It communicates with Input/Output devices
for transfer of data or results from storage.
● It does not process or store data.
3. ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
● Data entered into computer is sent to RAM, from
where it is then sent to ALU, where rest of data
processing takes place. All types of processing,
such as comparisons, decision-making and
processing of non-numeric information takes
place here and once again data is moved to
RAM.

This unit consists of two subsections namely,

● Arithmetic Section
● Logic Section
Arithmetic Section
● Function of arithmetic section is to perform arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division. All complex operations are done by making repetitive use of the above
operations.
Logic Section
● Function of logic section is to perform logic operations such as comparing, selecting, matching, and
merging of data.
Output Unit
 Following are some of the important output
devices used in a computer.
Output Devices ●
●
Monitors
Graphic Plotter
● Printer
 Monitors
A computer monitor is an output device that
displays information in pictorial form. A monitor
usually comprises the visual display, circuitry,
casing, and power supply.
Graphic Plotter
A graphics printer that draws images with ink
pens. Plotters actually draw point-to-point lines
directly from vector graphics files. The plotter
was the first computer output device that could
print graphics as well as accommodate full-size
engineering and architectural drawings.
 Printers
A printer is an external hardware output device
that takes the electronic data stored on a
computer or other device and generates a hard
copy.
Computer - Memory
 Memory is primarily of three types −

Memory ●
●
Cache Memory
Primary Memory/Main Memory
● Secondary Memory
Computer memory is the storage space in the
computer, where data is to be processed and
instructions required for processing are stored.
Cache Memory
Cache memory is a very high speed
semiconductor memory which can
speed up the CPU. It acts as a buffer
between the CPU and the main
memory. It is used to hold those parts
of data and program which are most
frequently used by the CPU. The parts
of data and programs are transferred
from the disk to cache memory by the
operating system, from where the CPU
can access them.
Cache Memory
Advantages Disadvantages
The advantages of cache memory are as follows − The disadvantages of cache memory are as follows −
● Cache memory is faster than main memory. ● Cache memory has limited capacity.
● It consumes less access time as compared to ● It is very expensive.
main memory.
● It stores the program that can be executed within
a short period of time.
● It stores data for temporary use.
Primary Memory
(Main Memory)
Primary memory holds only those data
and instructions on which the
computer is currently working. It has a
limited capacity and data is lost when
power is switched off. It is generally
made up of semiconductor device.
These memories are not as fast as
registers. The data and instruction
required to be processed resides in the
main memory. It is divided into two
subcategories RAM and ROM.
Ram (Random Access Memory)
The Word “RAM” stands for “random access memory” or may also refer to short-term memory. It’s called “random” because
you can read store data randomly at any time and from any physical location. It is a temporal storage memory. RAM is
volatile that only retains all the data as long as the computer powered. It is the fastest type of memory. RAM stores the
currently processed data from the CPU and sends them to the graphics unit.

There are generally two broad subcategories of RAM:

• Static RAM: Static RAM is the form of RAM and made with flip flops and used for primary storage are volatile. It retains
data in latch as long as the computer powered. SRAM is more expensive and consumes more power than DRAM. It used
as Cache Memory in a computer system. As technically, SRAM uses more transistors as compared to DRAM. It is faster
compared to DRAM due to the latching arrangement, and they use 6 transistors per data bit as compared to DRAM, which
uses one transistor per bit.
• Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM): It is another form of RAM used as Main Memory, its retains information in
Capacitors for a short period (a few milliseconds) even though the computer powered. The Data is Refreshed Periodically
to maintain in it. The DRAM is cheaper, but it can store much more information. Moreover, it is also slower and consumes
less power than SRAM.
Rom (Read Only Memory)
ROM is the long-term internal memory. ROM is “Non-Volatile Memory” that retains data without the flow of electricity. ROM
is an essential chip with permanently written data or programs. It is similar to the RAM that is accessed by the CPU. ROM
comes with pre-written by the computer manufacturer to hold the instructions for booting-up the computer.
There is generally Three broad type of ROM:
• PROM(Programmable Read Only Memory): PROM stands for programmable ROM. It can be programmed only be
done once and read many. Unlike ROM, PROMs retain their contents without the flow of electricity. PROM is also
nonvolatile memory. The significant difference between a ROM and a PROM is that a ROM comes with pre-written by the
computer manufacturer whereas PROM manufactured as blank memory. PROM can be programmed by PROM burner and
by blowing internal fuses permanently.
• EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory): EPROM is pronounced ee-prom. This memory type retains its
contents until it exposed to intense ultraviolet light that clears its contents, making it possible to reprogram the memory.
• EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory): EEPROM can be burned (programmed) and
erased by first electrical waves in a millisecond. A single byte of a data or the entire contents of device can be erased. To
write or erase this memory type, you need a device called a PROM burner.
Primary Memory (Main Memory)
Characteristics of Main Memory
● These are semiconductor memories.
● It is known as the main memory.
● Usually volatile memory.
● Data is lost in case power is switched off.
● It is the working memory of the computer.
● Faster than secondary memories.
● A computer cannot run without the primary memory.
Secondary Memory
This type of memory is also known as
external memory or non-volatile. It is
slower than the main memory. These
are used for storing data/information
permanently. CPU directly does not
access these memories, instead they
are accessed via input-output routines.
The contents of secondary memories
are first transferred to the main
memory, and then the CPU can
access it. For example, disk, CD-ROM,
DVD, etc.
Secondary Memory
Characteristics of Secondary Memory
● These are magnetic and optical memories.
● It is known as the backup memory.
● It is a non-volatile memory.
● Data is permanently stored even if power is switched off.
● It is used for storage of data in a computer.
● Computer may run without the secondary memory.
● Slower than primary memories.
Motherboard
Description of Motherboard
The motherboard is mounted inside the case and is
securely attached via small screws through pre-drilled
holes. Motherboard contains ports to connect all of the
internal components. It provides a single socket for CPU,
whereas for memory, normally one or more slots are
available. Motherboards provide ports to attach the floppy
drive, hard drive, and optical drives via ribbon cables.
Motherboard carries fans and a special port designed for
power supply.

There is a peripheral card slot in front of the motherboard

using which video cards, sound cards, and other
expansion cards can be connected to the motherboard.

On the left side, motherboards carry a number of ports to

connect the monitor, printer, mouse, keyboard, speaker,
and network cables. Motherboards also provide USB
ports, which allow compatible devices to be connected in
plug-in/plug-out fashion. For example, pen drive, digital
cameras, etc.
Features of Motherboard
A motherboard comes with following features −
● Motherboard varies greatly in supporting various types of components.
● Motherboard supports a single type of CPU and few types of memories.
● Video cards, hard disks, sound cards have to be compatible with the motherboard to function properly.
● Motherboards, cases, and power supplies must be compatible to work properly together.
Popular Manufacturers
Popular Manufacturers
Following are the popular manufacturers of the motherboard.
● Intel
● ASUS
● AOpen
● ABIT
● Biostar
● Gigabyte
● MSI
Thank you!
References:
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