CHAPTER 3

COMPUTER SYSTEM
 What is a System?
 A System is a set of interrelated and interdependent
components that work together to accomplish common
goal
 The components of the system are called subsystems.
 A subsystem is a set of elements, which is a system itself,
and a component of a larger system.
 E.g. Bank System, Ecosystem, information systems,
Biological system, Judiciary system

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 THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

 The computer system is a group of components,

consisting of subsystems or procedures that work
in a coordination fashion to achieve some
objective.
 A computer system composed of components that
are classified as Computer hardware and
Computer software.

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 Hardware
 Hardware components are the physical that we
can see , touch and directly interact with.
 accept data & instructions from a user through input
device
 store the data and instructions on storage unit
 manipulate the data according to the instructions
using processing unit
 store and/or output the results to the user by using
output device
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 Software
 Program is a collection of computer instructions that
tell the computer how to work
 a sequence of instructions to accomplish a result
 a computer processes information under the
direction of a program

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 Hardware and Software Relationships

Application
Programs

Computer Hardware
User
User Operating
Interface System

BIOS

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 Computer Hardware
 The hardware part of a computer system is composed of a
number of interacting physical parts based on the need of
the information flow.
 Basic Computer Hardware:
 System Unit
 Monitor
 Mouse
 Keyboard
 Peripheral Devices
 Printer/Plotter
 Speaker
 Scanner
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 Computer Hardware
➢Computers hardware is organized from four basic
functional units such as:
i. Input units
ii. Output units
iii. CPU (processing unit)
iv. Storage units
v. Communication Device (optional)

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 Computer Hardware

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Components of Computer Hardware

 System Unit: - Houses all the major components of the

computer
 Motherboard: - a board into which most of the basic
components of the computer are built. It contains
components such as CPU, Expansion slot, RAM and
so on.
 Expansion cards: are small circuit boards that are
used to upgrade a computer.
 Expansion slot: user to plug in expansion cards

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 Components of Computer Hardware
 CPU: - central element in the system which is the brain of the
computer. Connected number of peripheral devices to get data into
and out of the computer and to store data and program.
 RAM: - a computer chip that temporarily store dynamic data to
enhance computer performance while you are working.
 Power Supply: - converts alternating current (AC) into direct
current (DC) electricity that can be used by computer. Also lowers
voltage level.
 Hard disk drive (HDD):- is a non-volatile computer storage device
containing magnetic disks or platters rotating at high speeds
 CD/DVD drive:
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 Components of Computer Hardware

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 Computer System Component

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 Input Devices/Unit
 It is the unit used to enter data into the computer so that it
can be processed.
 It converts information from a form suitable to human beings
to one understandable by the computer.
 Common Input Devices are:

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 Input Devices
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Joystick
 Scanner
 Microphone
 Bar code reader
 OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
 OMR (Optical Mark Recognition)
 MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition)
 Web Camera
 Light Pen

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 Input Devices for Data
 Keyboards – most frequently input devices for notebooks and
desktops to enter information and commands
 Stylus – most frequently used input devices for PDAs (Personal
digital assistant) and tablet PCs to enter information and
commands

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 Input Devices for Commands
 Pointing Device – used to input commands
 Mouse – device you use to click on icons and buttons
 Trackball – similar to a mechanical mouse, but with the ball
on top

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 Input Devices for Commands
 Touchpad – dark rectangle you use to move the cursor
with your finger
 Pointing stick – a little rod, used mostly on notebooks

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 Game Controllers
 Game controller – used for gaming to control screen
action
 Gaming wheel – steering wheel and foot pedals for
virtual driving

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 Scanners
 Scanners – used to convert information that exists in visible
form into electronic form (Hardcopy to Softcopy)
 Image scanner – captures images, photos, text, and artwork
 Bar code scanner (BCS) – reads information in the form of
vertical bars
 Optical mark reader(OMR) – detects the presence or
absence of a mark
 Optical character reader(OCR) – reads characters that
appear on paper or sales tag
 Biometric scanner – scans a human physical attribute, like a
fingerprint or iris, for security purposes
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 Scanners

Image Scanner
Barcode
Biometric Scanner

OCR
OMR
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 Digital Cameras
 Digital camera – captures still image or video as a series of 1s
and 0s
 Digital still camera – digitally captures still images in
varying resolutions
 Digital video camera – captures video digitally
 Webcam – captures digital video for the Web

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 Microphone
 Allows the user to record sounds as input to their
computer

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 Touch screen
 Touch screen: A transparent, pressure-sensitive
covering that is attached to the screen of the monitor
 Users make selections and control programs by
pressing onto the screen

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 OUTPUT Devices
 Used to get data out of a computer so that it can be
examined, analyzed or distributed to others.
 Convert the result of the only-machine understandable
form to a form understandable by human beings.
• Monitor (LED, LCD, CRT)
• Printer
• Plotter
• Speaker
• Projector
• Headphone

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 Monitors
 A display screen to provide “output” to the user
 It is where you view the information your are working
on (LCD or CRT)
 CRT (cathode ray tube)– monitors that look like traditional TV sets
 Flat-panel display – thin, lightweight monitors that take up much less
space than CRT.
LCD
CRT

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 Monitors
 Types of flat-panel displays
 Liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor – sends
electricity through crystallized liquid between layers of
glass or plastic
 Gas plasma display (GPM)– sends electricity through
gas trapped between layers of glass or plastic
 Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Monitor. LED
computer monitors do not use cold-cathode technology
and fluorescent technology. Instead, light diodes
illuminate the screen in one of two different ways, or a
combination of both.
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Printers
 An output device that produces a hard
copy on paper
 printer is a device that accepts text and graphic
output from a computer and transfers the
information to paper, usually to standard size
sheets of paper.
 Printers vary in size, speed, sophistication, and
cost.
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Printers
 Resolution of a printer – the number of dots per square inch
(dpi) it produces
 Types of Printers
 Inkjet printer – makes images by forcing ink through nozzles
 Laser printer – forms images using the same electrostatic process that
photocopiers use
 Multifunction printer – scan, copy, and fax, as well as print

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 Plotter
 A plotter is a printer that interprets commands
from a computer to make line drawings on
paper with one or more automated pens
 Unlike a regular printer, the plotter can draw
continuous point-to-point lines directly from
graphics

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Speaker
 Used to generate or reproduce voice,
music, and other sounds

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Projector
 Projector is used to project for displaying video,
images or computer data on a screen or other flat
surface
 It is a modern equivalent of the slide projector or
overhead projector
 To display images, LCD projectors

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 MEMORY SYSTEM IN A COMPUTER

 A personal computer must have a means of

storing information and instructions so that it can
perform processing tasks on the data.
 Primary/main Memory
 Secondary/Auxiliary Memory

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 Main Memory/Primary Memory
RAM-Random Access Memory
 referred to as random access memory (RAM) because it
is possible to randomly select and use any location of the
memory directly store and retrieve data.
 The storage of data and instructions inside the primary
storage is temporary.
 It disappears from RAM as soon as the power to the
computer is switched off.
 The memories which loose their content on failure of
power supply are known as volatile memories .
 RAM is volatile memory that temporarily stores the files
you are working on.
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 Main Memory or Primary Memory

 Holds instructions and data elements which are currently

being used by the computer.
 It is the memory which is directly accessible by the control
unit and ALU.

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 ROM - Read only memory
 ROM is integrated into the circuitry of the computer and can
not be altered without altering the computer circuitry.
 The memories, which do not loose their content on failure of
power supply, are known as non-volatile memories.
 ROM is non-volatile memory.
 The storage of program and instructions in the ROM is
permanent.
 The ROM stores some standard processing programs supplied
by the manufacturers (BIOS) to operate the personal computer.
 The ROM can only be read by the CPU but it cannot be
changed.
 The basic input/output program is stored in the ROM that
examines and initializes various equipment attached to the PC
when the switch is made ON.
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 ROM
 ROM provides startup instructions when the
computer is turned on.
 You can not store any data in ROM.
 The instructions in ROM are set by the
manufacturer and cannot be changed by the user.
 ROM is non-volatile memory that permanently
stores instructions for your computer.
 Every computer needs an operating system.
 This is a special computer program that must be
loaded into memory as soon as the computer is
turned on.
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  ROM is Pre-programmed and now technology
allows
 PROM: programmable ROM

• Only written once

 EPROM: erasable PROM

• Use ultraviolet light to erase data

 EEPROM: electronically EPROM

• Can be erased using electronic impulses

(higher voltages)

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 SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICE/SSD
 A secondary storage device refers to any non-volatile
storage device that is internal or external to the
computer. It can be any storage device beyond the
primary storage that enables permanent data storage
 Alternatively referred to as external memory,
secondary memory, and auxiliary storage, a secondary
storage device is a non-volatile device that holds data
until it is deleted or overwritten

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 Secondary Storage Device
 Most widely used secondary storage devices
are magnetic tapes and magnetic disk.

 Storage devices hold data, even when the

computer is turned off.

 Data can be accessed in Direct or Sequential

way.

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 Data Access Methods

The way the device allows access to the data stored on it.
 Sequential Access Method
 Data is stored sequentially
 Search for data is slow
 Used with magnetic tape, Punched cards
 Direct/Random Access Method
 Where a reading device can directly go to the data
 Search for data is faster

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 Random Processing Medias
✓Magnetic Disk
 Hard Disk
 Floppy Disk
 Zip disk

✓Optical Storage Media

 CD
 DVD
 Blu-ray

✓Flash Memory media

 Flash Memory Drive
 Flash Memory cards

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 Magnetic Tape
 Magnetic Tape is a recording medium that used
for recording analogue or digital data.
 The capacity of tape media are generally on the
same order as hard disk drives (The largest being
about 5 Terabytes in 2011).
 Magnetic Tapes generally transfer data a bit
slower than hard drives, however magnetic tapes
are cheaper and are more durable.

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 Hard Disk
 Hard disk is a magnetic storage with one or more
thin metal platters sealed inside the drive
 The hard disk drive is the main, the largest and
the fastest data storage device in a computer.
 It is a non-volatile, random access digital
magnetic data storage device.
 Largest storage capacity, approximately the same
as Magnetic Tapes.
 Hard drives can be used internally and externally
in a computer system.

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  A Hard Disk is divided into tracks and sectors.
 Data on this hard disk is positioned into these tracks and
sectors

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 Floppy Disk
Floppy disk – removable storage medium that holds 1.44 MB

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Zip disk
 Zip disk – high capacity (100 MB, 250 MB, and 750 MB)
removable storage medium

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 Optical/Laser Disks
 Optical storage media – plastic discs on which information is
stored, deleted, and changed using laser technology
 Optical disk is an electronic data storage medium from which data
is read and written to by using a low-powered laser beam.
 There are three basic types of optical disks:
 Read-only
 Write once read many
 Rewritable
 Three main types of optical disks are:
 CD
 DVD
 Blu-ray

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 CD-Compact Disk
 A standard data storage capacity up to 700 MB of data,
or about 70 minutes of audio.
 There are three types of CD:
 CD-ROM (CD-Read Only Memory)
 These disk can only be read
 CD-R
 CD-Recordable of the type of Write Once Read Many times(WORM)
 CD-RW
 CD-Rewritable, these disks can be erased and rewritten at any time.

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 DVD-Digital Versatile/Video Disk

 An optical disc storage media format that can be used

for data storage.
 The DVD supports disks with capacities of 4.7 GB to 17
GB.
 There are three types of DVD's:
 DVD-ROM
 DVD-Read Only Memory and they function the same way Read Only Memory Does
 DVD-R
 DVD-Recordable of the type of Write Once Read Many times (WORM)
 DVD-RW
 DVD-Rewritable, these disks can be erased and rewritten at any time.
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51
 Blu-ray
 New standard in storage
 Blu-Ray
 New disks use blue laser light instead of the red laser
light used in traditional CD/DVD players
 Disks may ultimately hold
 Over 30GB on one-sided disks
 Over 50GB on two-sided disks

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 Flash Drive/USB
 A flash drive is a small external storage device,
typically the size of a human thumb that consists
of flash memory.
 USB flash drives are removable and rewritable
reads and writes to flash memory.
 They are inexpensive and durable.
 USB Flash drives vary in sizes from 8 Megabytes to
512 Gigabytes. More commonly used sizes vary from
2 Gigabytes -64 Gigabytes.

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 Flash Memory cards
 Flash memory is an EEPROM non-volatile
computer storage chip. These Memory cards
currently vary in sizes between 1GB -32GB

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 Storage Capacity
 Byte – The amount of space in memory or on a
disk needed to store one character.
 0 or 1=bit
 8 bits = 1 Byte
 Kilobyte= 103 bytes=1000 bytes
 Megabyte=106 bytes
 Gigabyte=109 bytes
 Terabyte=1012 bytes
 Petabyte= 1015 bytes
 Exabyte= 1018 bytes
 Zettabyte=
 Yottabyte=
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 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 CPU is the brain of any computer system. It makes all
sorts of calculations and directs different parts of the
computer functions by activating and controlling the
operations.
 The task of performing operations like arithmetic and
logical operations is called processing.
 CPU takes data and instructions from the storage unit
and makes all sorts of calculations based on the
instructions given and the type of data provided. It is
then sent back to the storage unit
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 CPU-Central Processing Unit
 CPU is the most important component of the computer
system
 Consists of the Control Unit & Arithmetic Logic Unit
 The two parts work together to electronically control
the function of the computer.
 The different parts of the CPU are inter connected by a
cable like device called BUS, which is used to facilitate
communications between the parts. Buses are used to
transfer data, address and control code (signal).
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 Central processing unit (CPU)
Consists of Three components
 ALU-Arithmetic logic unit
 CU-Control unit
 Register

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 ALU-Arithmetic Logic Unit

 After you enter data through the input device it is

stored in the primary storage unit (RAM).
 Data is transferred to ALU from storage unit when
required.
 After processing the output is returned back to
storage unit for further processing or getting stored.
 The actual processing of the data and instruction are
performed by Arithmetic Logical Unit.

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 ALU- Arithmetic Logic Unit
 The major operations performed by the ALU are
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, logic and
comparison.
 Arithmetic logic unit
 Arithmetic Unit
 Performs mathematical calculations
 Addition, Subtraction, Division…..
 1+2*3-4^2/2
 Logic Unit
 logical comparisons.
 Is used to make a decision on the logical operation
 AND,OR,>,<,>=,<=,==,!= ……

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 Control Unit (CU)
 CU performs all the control functions of the computer.
 The control unit determines the sequence in which
computer programs and instructions are executed.
 CU coordinates the activities of input/output devices
 Therefore it is the manager of all computer operations
 The CU directs the operation of the memory, ALU and
input and output devices how to respond to the
instructions that have been sent to the processor

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 Machine Cycle
 The steps performed by the computer
processor (CPU) for each machine
language instruction received.

 The machine cycle is a 4 process cycle

that includes reading and interpreting
the machine language, executing the
code and then storing that code

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 Instruction phase
Step 1: Fetch instruction
Step 2: Decode instruction
Execution phase
Step 3: Execute the instruction
Step 4: Store the results

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 In the Instruction phase
✓ The computer’s CU fetches the instruction to be
executed from main memory (RAM).
✓ Then the instruction is decoded/interpreted by the
CU so the central processor unit can understand
what is to be done.

 In the Execution phase

✓ The ALU does what it is instructed to do.
✓ Then the results are stored in the registers/memory.

 The Instruction and Execution phases together make

up one machine cycle.

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 Word length
 Data is moved within a computer system in units
called bits, which is a binary digit (0 or 1)
 The number of bits the CPU can process at one
time, or the word length of the CPU is factor affecting
overall system performance.
 CPUs have evolved to 8, 16, 32, and 64 bits
 Bits (Binary Digits): smallest form of data in a
computer
 Bits, can be “0” or “1”, “true” or “false”, “yes” or
“no”, or “on” or “off”.
 Word: number of bits that can be processed as a unit

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 Measuring the speed of CPU
 Hertz or per second is used as unit to measure
the processing capability of CPU.
 Kilo = Khz ~ 1000hz
 Mega =Mhz=106hz
 Giga = Ghz
 Terra=Thz
 Peta=Phz

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 Computer Software
 The finite set of instructions (steps) that the computer
follow to perform a given job is called a software (program).
 The software give precise instructions to the hardware in
order to solve problem. Software and Hardware have to
work together to produce meaningful result.
 Software makes the interface between the user and the
computer hardware.
 Any program to be executed first, it should loaded in the
main memory (ROM).
 The process of software development is called programming.

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 TYPES SOFTWARE

System Software

Application Software

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 Application Software

 Application software is software developed to do

user specific tasks such as word processing,
spreadsheet and database management.
 Application software (app for short) is
software designed to perform a group of
coordinated functions, tasks, or activities for the
benefit of the user.
 It is developed using the programming language
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 Examples of Application Software

 Microsoft word, MS-Access, Microsoft Excel

 Auto CAD
 Media Players
 Peachtree
 Animation and 3D Graphics
 Website Creation and Management
 Financial Management
 Internet browsers
 Video Editing
 Educational Games and Tutorials
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 System software
 The system software handles the computer hardware so
that the user can operate the computer with little
knowledge about the computer hardware.
 The system software checks the free space of the hard
disk before copying files
 It Constitutes those programs which facilitates the work
of the computer hardware.
 It organizes and manages the machine’s resources,
handles the input/output devices.

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 System software
 It controls the hardware by performing functions that
users shouldn’t have to or are unable to handle.
 System programs make complex hardware more user
friendly.
 It acts as intermediate between the user and the
hardware.
 It enables the computer understand programming
languages i.e. it serves as means of communication
between user and a computer.

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 Types of System software
Operating system
Language software
Utilities

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 Operating system (OS)
 An operating system is a program that acts as
the link between you, the computer’s software
and hardware resources.
 OS is the foundation software onto which all
other application programs are loaded.
 OS is the master program of your system that
allows you to run application programs.

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 Operating system
 Operating System software manages most of your
computer’s activities, including the allocation of
computer resources, maintenance of files, and running
of application software.
 The first segment of the operating system software is
contained in the ROM of your computer. This software
tests the internal components and circuitry of the
computer when it is turned on.

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 Types of OS
 Windows Operating System
 Most popular operating system.
 Supports a vast array of application software and
peripheral devices.
 Example of MS OS
 MS-DOS (Disc Operating System)
 MS-DOS 1.x
 MS-DOS 2.x – Support for 10 MB hard disk drives
 MS-DOS 3.x
 MS-DOS 4.0 (multitasking) and MS-DOS 4.1
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 Microsoft Windows operating system

 Windows 1.0 (1985)  Windows XP (2001)

 Windows 2.0 (1987)  Windows Vista (2006)
 Windows 3.x (1990, 1992)  Windows 7 (2009)
 Windows 95 (1995)  Windows 8 (2012)
 Windows 98 (1998)  Windows 8.1 (2013)
 Windows 2000 (2000)  Windows 10 (2015)
 Windows ME (2000)  Windows 10 (Anniversary
Update)(2016)

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 Linux OS
 Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991
 Open-source product
 Only the kernel of an OS
 Several distributions available with capabilities/applications that
form a complete OS
Examples:
 Caldera
 OPENSUSE
 MINT
 UBUNTU
 FEDORA
 Slackware
 RedHat Linux
 CentOS
 Debian
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 Mac OS
 For Macintosh computers.
 Proprietary system.
 Mac OS X
 Jaguar (OS X.2)
 Panther (OS X.3)
 Tiger (OS X.4)
 Yosemite
 Mavericks
 Mountain Lion
 Lion
 Snow Leopard
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 Function of Operating system
An operating system has the following functions
✓ Coordinates, or supervises the activity of the computer
system.
✓ Decides where programs and data should be stored in the
computer memory.
✓ Handles communications among the computer components,
applications software and the user.
✓ Controls the saving and retrieving of files to and from disks in
the disk drive.
✓ It performs all its controlling tasks without the involvement or
awareness of the user.
✓ Handles the process of preparing a disk for use, the copying,
renaming, erasing task of a file.
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 Utilities
 Help to perform maintenance or correct problems with a
computer system
 Utilities includes device drivers and Troubleshooting
capabilities.
 Utilities provide file management capabilities such as
copying, moving or renaming a file.
 Norton Utilities includes an undelete function that can
recover deleted files.
 Virus-detection and recovery utilities
 Spam and pop-up blocker utilities
 Network and Internet utilities
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 Programming Language
(Language Software)
 Language software are used by programmers to develop
application software and translate programs to machine
code.
 Basic building blocks of any software.
 Programming languages allow a programmer to write
instructions that a computer can understand.
 Language software is a generic name consisting of various
programs that serve as editors & translators to develop
programs in a number of programming languages.
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 Language Software
(Programming Languages)
Programming languages
➢Machine language

➢Assembly language

➢High level language

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 Machine Language
(Low-level language)
 A computer’s machine language consists of strings of binary
numbers and is the only language that the CPU directly
understands.
 Machine language uses machine codes (strings of binary digits)
to write computer programs. Early computer programs were
written using machine language.
 Each instruction tells the CPU what to do, the length, and
location of the data fields that are involved in the operation
 Typical operation involve reading, adding, subtracting, writing.

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 Assembly Language
(low level language)
 Assembly language is a bit higher than machine
language, but it is still ‘low’ in the sense that the
programmer must spend some time thinking of
the instructions that the particular computer can
execute, rather than spending all his time in
solving the problem.
 This language lies between high-level languages
and machine languages
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 High Level Programming
Language
 It is human Oriented Language because it is more related with
human language. It is machine independent. A programmer may
not be needed to know the details of the internal logical
structure of a computer.
 It is block structured that composed of blocks starting with
BEGIN and terminating with END. It can be used for scientific
and file processing applications.
 The high level programming languages are problem oriented
unlike the machine language, which is machine oriented
programming language.
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 Language Software Translators
 Translator:-is a program that converts one or more languages
to another language. The three types of translators are
assemblers, Compilers and interpreters.
1. Assemblers:- is a program that translates assembly
languages into machine code.
2. Compiler:-is a program that translates a high level
language into machine code. (PASCAL, FORTRAN, COBOL)
3. Interpreter:- is a program that translates each
instruction of high level language & executes the
instruction before translating the next instruction
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 Summary
• Computer system: combination of hardware and software
• Computer hardware: input devices, central processing unit, storage devices, and output devices
• Input devices
• Keyboard based
• Optical and audio
• Graphical
• CPU: ALU, CU, and Register
• Storage devices: primary and secondary
• Primary: RAM, ROM
• Secondary: hard disk, magnetic tape, CD, DVD, blue-ray, …(Magnetic and optical)
• Output devices: monitor, scanner, plotter (Graphical, textual (soft and hard copy))
• Computer software: system software and application software
• System software: operating system such as windows, UNIX, … and utility software (diagnostic
tools) such as antivirus
• Operating system is the soul of the computer, and a computer without operating system is
dead
• Application software: word, excel, PowerPoint, CAD, …are installed on top of the operating
system;
• Application software are task specific
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