TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS This Section you will learn about: « HARDWARE « SOFTWARE * THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM * OPERATING SYSTEMS: o GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI) co COMMAND LINE INTERFACE (CLI) DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS. Hardware and Software Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that constitute a computer system Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a computer such as monitor, keyboard, Computer data storage, hard drive disk, mouse, system unit (graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips), etc. all of which are physical objects that you can actually touch. Computer Hardware are broadly divided into four types Input Devices : Hardware used to input data into computer system like keyboard, mouse Output Devices Hardware used to output processed data from computer system like Monitor, printer Storage Devices Hardware used to store the data like hard disk ,Pen, Drive, CD System Unit: Hardware present in System Unit Like CPU , Motherboard, Graphics Card, Data Bus, System Cables, Ports eteTYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS Computer software is a set of programs, procedures, code and related data that provide the instructions for telling computer hardware what to do and how to do it Software are broadly divided into two types + System Software: System software is any computer software which manages and controls computer hardware so that application software can perform a task. Operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X or Linux, are prominent examples of system software Application Software application software are programs that enable the end-user to perform specific, productive tasks, such as MS Word for word processing or Photoshop for image manipulation. Ga sweet Che Office Hardware and Software have a symbiotic relationship, this means that without software hardware is very limited; and without hardware, software wouldn't be able to run at all. They need each other to fulfill their potential.TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS System Software Vs. Application Software SYSTEM SOFTWARE APPLICATION SOFTWARE Enable the computer to function Usage Enable user to work effiently with documentation ‘COMPULSORY Need OPTIONAL-depends on usage and needs Each computer need one system system software Number Software Each computer can have more than ‘one application Independent- can use without application software Dependency Dependent-— application software cannot work without Application software Provide environment in which the application run Function. Provides the environment to enable user to accomplish specific task Hardware Vs. Software Software 1, Software is a set of instructions that tells a computer exactly what to do. Hardware 1, Hardware is physical parts computer that cause processing of data. | 2. Software cannot be executed without hardware. 2. Hardware cannot perform any task without software. 3. Software cannot be touched. 3. Hardware can be seen and touched. 4, Software is debugged in case of problem. 4, Hardware is repaired in case of problem. 5. Software is reinstalled ifthe problem is not solved. 5, Hardware is replaced if the problem is not solved.TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS MAIN COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS Acomputer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory. At the most basic level, a computer is a device consisting of three pieces: — A processor to interpret and execute programs — Amemory to store both data and programs — _Amechanism for transferring data to and from the outside world. The Components of a Computer ears + Allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer oleae ‘+ Hardware component that conveys information to one or more people + Case that contains the electronic components of the computer that are used to process data BolT eWay * Holds data, instructions, and information for future use cet Ta | + Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and yates information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices System Unit The system unit is a case that contains electronic components of the computer used to process data .The inside of the system unit on a desktop personal computer includes:TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYST! The motherboard is the main circuit board of the system unit Spin tar CONNECTES Back panel and I/O connectors PCI Express PC! Heatsink PA power ‘connector Inductor Integrated circuit SATA RAID Nontneriage Jumpers ° fuse readers: F CPU Fan Serial port _ lili ‘connection connector a oie ‘Screw hole Southondoe ews super 2A pATX a ATA. A SATA ATA (IDE) connector RAID Battery _ connections ‘system PROCESSOR (CPU) The central processing unit (CPU) is the part of the computer which interprets and executes the commands from the computer hardware and software. CPUs used to be made up of discrete components and numerous small integrated circuits, which were combined together on one or more circuit board/s. However, due to modern manufacturing techniques, the term microprocessor is now used instead of CPU. This is a single integrated circuit (see Figure 1.2) which is at the heart of most PCs and is also found in many household devices and equipment where some control or monitoring is needed (e.g. the engine management system in a car) CPU or Processor have Two Parts 1 Arithmetic Logical Unit(ALU): The arithmetic logic unit (ALU) performs arithmetic, comparison and other operations. 2. Control Unit: The control unit is the component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer operationsSECTION 1: TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS Flow of CPU Working beri) Teer) vn tae) ‘Secondary (backing) storageTYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS Memory Memory consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by those instructions, and the results of processing the data Stores three basic categories of items: ¥ The operating system and other system software ¥ Application programs Y Data being processed and the resulting information Memory size is measured in rs kilobytes (KB or K), megabytes Me aera (, cistes (C8) or Kilobyte KB ork ‘thousand 1,024 12 Megabyte MB 1 milion 1,048,576 500 Gigabyte G8 1 bilion 1,073,741,824 $00,000 Terabyte 18 1 lion 1,088,511,627,776 $00,000,000 The internal hard drive is the computer's main memory; this is where the applications software, disk operating system and data files are stored. The main advantage of these memories is the fast data transfer/access times and their large capacity to store data Main/internal memory (including ROM and RAM) This is the type of memory that can be read from and written to by the processor and other devices, Random access memory (RAM) is an internal chip where data is temporarily stored when running applications. This memory can be written to and read from. Since its contents are lost when power to the computer is turned off, it is often referred to as a ‘volatile’ or ‘temporary’ memory. RAM chips usually reside on a memory module and are inserted into memory slots There are Two Basic types of RAM chips exist: + Static RAM (SRAM) + Dynamic RAM (DRAM)TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS Read only memory (ROM) is a memory used to store information that needs to be permanent. It is often used to contain, for example, configuration data for a computer system. These chips cannot be altered and can only be read from (hence their name). One of the main advantages js that the information stored on the ROM chip is not lost even when power is lurned off to the computer. They are often referred to as ‘non-volatile’ memories. Two Types of ROM + A PROM (programmable read-only memory) chip is a blank ROM chip that can be written to permanently + EPROM which can be erased BIOS (basic input/output system). ROM also contains some coding known as the boot file. When the computer is tumed on, the BIOS carries out a hardware check to find out if all the devices are present and whether they are functional. Then it loads the operating system into the RAM. The BIOS stores the date, time and system configuration in a non-volatile chip called a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor), which is usually battery powered Both types of memory are referred to as Immediate Access Storage (IAS) because the hardware can access the data so quickly compared to data in backing storage.TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYST! OPERATING SYSTEM An OS is a set of programs that controls how the hardware of a computer works... Itis the means of communication between the user and the computer, deals with the loading and running of application programs and manages the transfer of data and files to and from the peripheral devices Functions of Operating System The OS acts like a bridge between the applications software and the computer hardware. Users need applications software to carry out tasks, the software needs the operating system in order to communicate with the hardware Accepts data from input devices and transfers it to the computer's memory. Makes sure any output is sent to the correct output device. Manages the transfer of data between the computer's memory and backing storage devices. Allocates memory space to programs and data. Loads applications software into memory and controls the running of them. Deals with any errors that occur when a program is being run and informs the user. Provides a human computer interface for the user Manages system security by restricting access to prevent unauthorised access to the system.TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS Utility Program is a type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks. Examples of Utility Programs : Windows Explorer (File/Folder Management), Compression Tool, Anti-Virus Utilities, Disk Defragmentation, Disk Clean, BackUp, WinZip, WinRAR etc... USER INTERFACE Auser interface controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen There Are Two User interface provided by Operating System Graphical User Interface (GUI): User interact the system through WIMP environment- Windows, Icon, Menus, and Pointers (WIMP). GUIs are small pictures that represent actions, and they can be selected by ‘clicking’ on them with the mouse. Example of GUI interface Windows & Mac OS Command line interfaces(CLI) CLs require a user to type in instructions in order to choose options from menus, open software etc. There are often a number of , commands that need to be typed in, for aw example, to save or load a file. The user et ent a therefore has to leam a number of commands just to carry out basic operations. [i——————n It is also slow having to key in these commands every time an operation has to be carried out. However, the advantage of CLI is that the user is in direct communication with the computer and is not restricted to a number of pre-determined options. Example DOSTYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYST! Types of computers There are many types of computer systems in existence. This section summarizes some of the more common types currently available. PC/desktop computers PC/desktop usually refers to a general purpose computer which is made up of separate monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor unit (see Figure 1.1). The term PC (personal computer) usually refers to computer systems which are IBM- compatible, thus distinguishing them from, for example, Macintosh systems. Advantages © Spare parts and connections tend to be standardised, which usually results in low costs * Desktops tend to have a better specification (e.g. faster processor) for a given price(often due to size and construction constraints in laptops). © The large casing allows good dissipation of any heat build-up. Disadvantages © Desktops are not particularly portable since they are made up of separate components. * Allthe components need to be hooked up by wiring, which can be quite complex and clutters up the desk space * Because they are not particularly portable, it is necessary to copy files, etc. when you want to do some work elsewhere (e.g. at home) Laptop computers Laptop (or notebook) refers to a type of computer where the monitor, keyboard, pointing device and processor are all together in one single unit. The key features you would expect to find in a laptop are: © low weight (to aid portability) © low power consumption (and also long battery life) ® a processor that does not generate too much heat (cooling is very important), Advantages They are very portable, since the monitor, pointing device, keyboard, processor and backing store units are all together in one single box. © There are no trailing wires, etc. because everything is in one single unit, © They can take full advantage of WiFi i * Since they are portable, they can link into any multimedia systemTYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS Disadvantages Since they are portable, they are easy to steal! They have limited battery life so the user may need to carry a heavy adaptor. * The keyboards and pointing devices can sometimes be awkward to use. * Heat dissipation is more difficult due to the structure of the laptop computers. Netbooks Netbook is a term used to describe a computer that can almost fit onto a hand and is a smaller version of a laptop. These used to be known as palmtop computers, but this term now generally applies to much smaller devices which use touch screens and often a stylus to key in data (see below) Advantages Netbook computers have many of the features of laptops and therefore have similar advantages and disadvantages. Disadvantages In addition to the disadvantages listed above for laptops: netbooks don't have optical drives the keyboards are only about 80 per cent the size of laptop keyboards they lack some of the features found in larger machines, principally due to the size constraints and to the fact that they are cheaper to purchase. Personal digital assistants Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are small handheld computers that usually come with a touch screen that is activated using a stylus. Data (e.g. text) is entered by using a keyboard that appears on the touch screen. Originally, these devices were used as personal organisers but their use has expanded somewhat to include new generation mobile phones, data loggers, satellite navigation systems, etc. Many PDAs now have basic database, word-processing and spreadsheet facilities. Advantages * They can be used anywhere because of their size. © They are very lightweight and are more portable than laptop computers. Disadvantages © It is difficult to enter text quickly. © They have very limited capabilities due to the software and the operating system used.