Kirjaudu Luo tili

Subjects

Kenya> Anin Girls High> Subjects> Computer St

The Computer System

Jaa

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. eg 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 - sytem software and
application software
Liveware - is the computer user. Also kwon as
orgwareor 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 di!ers 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.

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)

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 o!.

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.

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

↑ Sivun alkuun

Saavutettavuus Yksityisyydensuoja

Ohjeet

Lähetä palautetta Peda.net-ylläpidolle

Tämän sivun lisenssi Peda.net-yleislisenssi