An Overview of The Computer System: Lecture One

INTRODUCTION
AN OVERVIEW OF THE
COMPUTER SYSTEM
LECTURE ONE
LECTURER MR. YONIS ABUKAR
THIS LESSON INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING
SECTIONS:
• The Parts of a Computer System
• Looking Inside the Machine
• Software: Bringing the Machine to Life
• Characteristics of computer
THE PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
• What is a Computer?
• Hardware
• Software
• Data
• Users
THE PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
• What is a Computer?
• A computer is an electronic device used to process data.
• A computer can convert data into information that is useful to people.
• A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions (software)
stored in its own memory unit, that can accept data (input), manipulate data (process),
and produce information (output) from the processing. Generally, the term is used to
describe a collection of devices that function together as a system.
• A complete computer system includes four distinct parts:
• Hardware
• Software
• Data User
THE PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM -
HARDWARE
• A computer's hardware consists of electronic devices;
the parts you can see and touch.
• The term "device" refers to any piece of hardware used

by the computer, such as a keyboard, monitor, modem,
mouse, etc.
THE PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM -
SOFTWARE
• Software - also called programs - consists of organized sets of instructions for
controlling the computer.
• Some programs exist for the computer's use, to help it manage its own tasks
and devices.
• Other programs exist for the user, and enable the computer to perform tasks
for you, such as creating documents.
THE PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM - DATA
• Data consists of raw facts, which the computer can manipulate and process into
information that is useful to people.
• Computerized data is digital, meaning that it has been reduced to digits, or

numbers. The computer stores and reads all data as numbers.
• Although computers use data in digital form, they convert data into forms that
people can understand, such as text, numerals, sounds, and images.
THE PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM - USERS
• People are the computer's operators, or users.
• Some types of computers can operate without much intervention from people,
but personal computers are designed specifically for use by people.
WHAT DOES A COMPUTER DO?
COMPUTERS CAN PERFORM FOUR GENERAL OPERATIONS,
WHICH COMPRISE THE INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE.
 INPUT
 PROCESS
 OUTPUT
 STORAGE
• Input, Process, Output, & Store data
Input Process Output
Store Data
DATA AND INFORMATION
• All computer processing requires data, which is a collection of raw

facts, figures and symbols, such as numbers, words, images, video and
sound, given to the computer during the input phase.
• Computers manipulate data to create information. Information is
data that is organized, meaningful, and useful.
• During the output Phase, the information that has been created is put
into some form, such as a printed report.
• The information can also be put in computer storage for future use.
WHY IS A COMPUTER SO POWERFUL?
• The ability to perform the information processing

cycle with amazing speed.
• Reliability (low failure rate).
• Accuracy.
• Ability to store huge amounts of data and
information.
• Ability to communicate with other computers.
HOW DOES A COMPUTER KNOW WHAT TO DO?
• It must be given a detailed list of instructions, called a

compute program or software, that tells it exactly
what to do.
• Before processing a specific job, the computer
program corresponding to that job must be stored in
memory.
• Once the program is stored in memory the compute
can start the operation by executing the program
instructions one after the other.
LOOKING INSIDE THE MACHINE
•Types of Hardware
• The CPU
• Memory
• Input and Output Devices
• Storage Devices
LOOKING INSIDE THE MACHINE -
TYPES OF HARDWARE
• A computer's hardware devices are categorized as follows:
• Processor
• Memory
• Input and output (I/O) devices
• Storage devices
LOOKING INSIDE THE MACHINE - THE CPU
• The procedure that transforms raw data into useful information is called processing.
This function is divided between the computer's processor and memory.
• The processor is also called the central processing unit (CPU). It manages all devices
and performs the actual processing of data.
• The CPU consists of one or more chips attached to the computer's main circuit board
(the motherboard).
Central Processing Unit
The microprocessor, the brains of the computer. Referred to a CPU or

processor
Housed on a tiny silicon chip
Chip contains millions of switches and

pathways that help your computer make
important decisions.
CON…
CPU knows which switches to turn on and which to turn

off because it receives its instructions from computer
programs (software).
CPU has two primary sections:

Arithmetic/logic unit
Control unit
Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU):
- Performs arithmetic computations and logical
operations; by combining these two operations
the ALU can execute complex tasks.
- Arithmetic operations include addition,
subtractions, multiplication, and division.
- Logical operations involve comparisons.
Control Unit: is the “boss” and coordinates all of the CPU’s
activities.
Uses programming instructions, it controls the flow of
information through the processor by controlling what happens
inside the processor.
We communicate with the computer through programming
languages.
Examples: COBOL, C++, HTML, Java Script or VisualBasic.net
Memory
Found on the motherboard
 Short term
Random Access Memory (RAM)
 Long term
Read Only Memory (ROM)

Random Access Memory (RAM)
Memory on the motherboard that is short

term; where data, information, and program
instructions are stored temporarily on a RAM
chip or a set of RAM chips. Known as the
main memory.
This memory is considered volatile.
The computer can read from and write to RAM.
When the computer is turned off or if
there is loss of power, what ever is
stored in RAM disappears.
“Temporary Memory” – Short Term

Read-Only Memory (ROM)
Memory on the motherboard that is long term;
where the specific instructions that are needed for
the computer to operate are stored.
This memory is nonvolatile and your computer can
only read from a ROM chip.
CON…..
The instructions remain on the chip regardless if the power is

turned on or off.
Most common is the BIOS ROM; where the computer uses
instructions contained on this chip to boot or start the
system when you turn on your computer.
“Permanent Memory” – Long Term

LOOKING INSIDE THE MACHINE -
INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES
• Input devices accept data and instructions from the user or from
another computer system. The keyboard and mouse are examples of
input devices.
• Output devices return processed data back to the user or to
another computer system. The printer and monitor are examples.
• Communications devices (such as modems and network interface
cards) perform both input and output, allowing computers to share
information.
LOOKING INSIDE THE MACHINE - STORAGE
DEVICES
• Storage devices hold data not currently being used by the CPU. Data is commonly
stored on a magnetic or optical disk. Each type uses a special medium for storing
data on its surface.
• A disk drive is a device that reads data from and writes data to a disk. Most new
computers feature a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, and an optical disk drive.
• The most common optical storage devices are CD- ROM and DVD-ROM drives.
SOFTWARE: BRINGING THE MACHINE TO
LIFE
• What is Software?
• System Software
• Application Software
BRINGING THE MACHINE TO LIFE -
WHAT IS SOFTWARE?
• Software is a set of electronic instructions that tells the
• computer how to do certain tasks. A set of instructions is often called a program.
• When a computer is using a particular program, it is

• said to be running or executing the program.
• The two most common types of programs are system

• software and application software.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
• System software exists primarily for the computer itself, to help the computer perform
specific functions.
• One major type of system software is the operating system (OS). All computers require
an operating system.
• The OS tells the computer how to interact with the user and its own devices.
• Common operating systems include Windows, the Macintosh OS, OS/2, and UNIX .
APPLICATIONS
• Application software tells the computer how to accomplish tasks the user requires, such as
creating a document or editing a graphic image.
• Some important kinds of application software are:

• Word processing programs Spreadsheet software
• Database management Presentation programs
• Graphics programs Networking software
• Web design tools and browsers Internet applications
• Communications programs Utilities
• Entertainment and education Multimedia authoring
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS
 Automatic: Given a job, computer can work on it automatically without human

interventions
 Speed: Computer can perform data processing jobs very fast, usually measured in
microseconds (10-6), nanoseconds (10-9), and picoseconds (10-12)
 Accuracy: Accuracy of a computer is consistently high and the degree of its accuracy
depends upon its design. Computer errors caused due to incorrect input data or unreliable
programs are often referred to as Garbage- In-Garbage-Out (GIGO)
 Diligence: Computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of concentration. It can
continuously work for hours without creating any error and without grumbling
 Versatility: Computer is capable of performing almost any task, if the task can be
reduced to a finite series of logical steps
 Power of Remembering: Computer can store and recall any amount of information
because of its secondary storage capability. It forgets or looses certain information only when
it is asked to do so
 No I.Q.: A computer does only what it is programmed to do. It cannot take its own decision
in this regard
 No Feelings: Computers are devoid of emotions. Their judgement is based on the

instructions given to them in the form of programs that are written by us (human beings)

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INTRODUCTION

• The term "device" refers to any piece of hardware used

• Computerized data is digital, meaning that it has been reduced to digits, or

• People are the computer's operators, or users.

Input Process Output

• All computer processing requires data, which is a collection of raw

• The ability to perform the information processing

• It must be given a detailed list of instructions, called a

The microprocessor, the brains of the computer. Referred to a CPU or

Housed on a tiny silicon chip

Chip contains millions of switches and

CPU knows which switches to turn on and which to turn

CPU has two primary sections:

Found on the motherboard

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Memory on the motherboard that is short

“Temporary Memory” – Short Term

The instructions remain on the chip regardless if the power is

“Permanent Memory” – Long Term

• When a computer is using a particular program, it is

• The two most common types of programs are system

• Some important kinds of application software are:

 Automatic: Given a job, computer can work on it automatically without human

 No Feelings: Computers are devoid of emotions. Their judgement is based on the

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