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Computer System (Lesson 2)

A computer has several key characteristics: speed, accuracy, efficiency, and versatility. It can store large amounts of data and retrieve it quickly. Computers can be classified by their physical size (supercomputers, mainframes, mini computers, microcomputers) or technology (analog, digital, hybrid). The central processing unit manages the operating system and software, performing calculations with arithmetic, logical, and memory components. Computer memory includes both volatile primary memory like RAM and non-volatile secondary memory.

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8 views

Computer System (Lesson 2)

A computer has several key characteristics: speed, accuracy, efficiency, and versatility. It can store large amounts of data and retrieve it quickly. Computers can be classified by their physical size (supercomputers, mainframes, mini computers, microcomputers) or technology (analog, digital, hybrid). The central processing unit manages the operating system and software, performing calculations with arithmetic, logical, and memory components. Computer memory includes both volatile primary memory like RAM and non-volatile secondary memory.

Uploaded by

qshmkdjtuakrppwxet
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Characteristics of a computer

Speed
A computer takes only few seconds to perform
calculations. It can perform more than million
instructions per second.

Accuracy
A computer provides correct outputs when correct
data and instructions are given.

Efficiency
A computer never gets tired. It can work round the
clock with the same level of accuracy.

Versatility
A computer can perform many tasks simultaneously.
This is a special feature of a computer.

Storing and retrieving


A computer can store large number of data and
information in a relatively small unit and we can
retrieve them quickly and easily when needed.

Computers can be classified by


Physical size
Technology used
According to physical size

Super computers
Large size, expensive and rare
Used for scientific engineering functions and to solve
complex mathematical problems

Eg- NASA, large scale businesses, military purposes

Mainframe computers
Relatively less size, computing power, expensive.
Uses, connect to one computer for sharing, saving
and retrieving data.

Eg- Large commercial institutions, e-business,


super computer transactions done using the internet.
Main = Server computers (present name)

Mini computers
Relatively less size, computing power and expensive.
Also called common purpose computers.
Few uses get connected to the main computer for
sharing data and information.

Eg - Medium scale institutions like banks.


Micro computers
Small computers meant for personal use.
Small memory capacity, smaller in size, less speedy,
less expensive.
Consume little electricity.

Eg- Laptops, Hand held, smartphones.

According to the technology


Analog computers
Digital computers
Hybrid computers

Analog computers
Use analog signals such as (speed, pressure,
temperature).

Eg- Speedometers, road lamps with sensors,


meteorological devices.

Digital computers
Day-to-day life computers use digital signals.

Hybrid computers
Combination of analog and digital signals.
Eg- ECG machine
(check the function of the heart beat)
Identifying the function of the heart - analog

Converted analog signals (digital) are printed by this


machine.

Physical components
• Input devices

1) Keyboard
Design format of a conventional type writer but
provide additional keys.

2 types- 101/102 keys and 104/108 keys

2) Pointing devices
Mouse- most popular pointing device
(Touch pad can be used instead)
Touch screen
Joy stick
Light pen- (used in Computer Aided Designs) CAD

3) Imaging and video input devices


Digital camera (display screen - output)
Webcam (view a user connected to the computer
through internet)
Closed Circuit TV (CCTV)
Road safety
Security of premises

4) Scanners
Flatbed scanner
(Scanned image or document is captured by laser
beams and converted to digital data)
Barcode reader
(Barcode is converted to an alphanumeric value by it
and fed to the computer)

Alphanumeric - consisting of both letters and numbers

Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR)


Banks use to check accuracy of cheques.
Check bank code and bank account number.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)


Capture text in a document and edit.
Used in libraries and government institutions.

Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)


Recognize marks made using pen or pencil.
Check filled documents and correct MCQs.
Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
Read the numbers in a card to do bank transactions.

5) Microphone- feed sound to computer.

• Output devices
1. Soft copy
2. Hard copy
3. Sound

Soft copy
Output on the screen

Monitor/screen
Also known as Visual Display Unit (VDU)

A- Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitor


Large in size, consume more electricity

B- Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitor


Flat screen type technology display utilize two sheets
of polarizing material with a liquid crystal solution
between them.
C- Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Better brightness, low electricity consumption.
Used for symbols, billboards, name boards.

Multimedia Projector
Output to wide screen to view by many people.
Display presentations
Conduct business meetings
Videos for entertainment

Hard copy
Tangible computer outputs.

Impact printers
Primary level in printing technology. When head or
needle strike, noise occurs.Ink is not expensive.
Used in banks and shops (receipts)

A- Dot Matrix Printer


Printer’s head strikes on the inked ribbon with needle
like tips. Letters are printed as small dots.

B- Line Printer
Prints one row at a time. About 3000 lines per minute.
Non Impact printers
Not operated by striking a head against a ribbon.
Not noisy
The printers are better and quick
Running cost is more expensive than impact printers.

A- Laser Printer
The toner (dried ink) produces quality printout.
Black and white, colour laser printers are available.

B- Bubble/Ink Jet Printer


Liquid ink is kept in cartridges. Ink is deposited on
paper through small nozzles and produce the print.

C- Thermal Printer
Heat is used to produce document.
Commonly used in businesses to print receipts in ATM
and to print labels.

D- Plotter
Commonly used in computer based planning.
A plan is drawn by moving a pen on the paper.

Eg- Architectural Designs


Town planning
Designing sailing boats
Sounds
Designed for personal and common purpose which
give sound outputs.

Speaker
Head phones

Central Processing Unit

• Main component of a computer.


• Functions according to the given commands.
• Manages the operating system and application
software.

3 main components
1. Arithmetic and logical unit (ALU)
2. Control unit (CU)
3. Memory registers

Perform all mathematical and logical functions.

Control all devices of a computer.

Temporarily stores data needed for the function of


ALU and the information produced by ALU.
Computer speed

Clock speed of a computer - Hertz (Hz)


Computer speed - Megahertz (MHz)
Gigahertz (GHz)

Computer Memory

Main memory Secondary memory

RAM ROM

Primary Memory
Can be directly accessed by CPU.

RAM
Temporarily stores data.
Will be be deleted when computer switched off.
Therefore also called volatile memory.
Data coming to input and sent to output are in here.
RAM has read & write facility.

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