CSC111

Introduction to Computer Science

Computer Hardware
Functional units of a Computer
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Main Memory
Peripheral Units
Input Devices
Output Devices
Auxiliary Storage Devices

The hardware is divided into three areas or separate units for its
operation:
Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Processor
Main Memory
Peripheral Units or Electrical Gadgets
 Computer Hardware
The hardware refers to the physical components or functional units of a
computer which make up the computer configuration

The design and construction of the hardware of a particular computer is

referred to as its architecture or configuration

The hardware components provide the physical interface to a computer

system

What is hardware?
A.A program to process words
B.A physical component of a computer
C.A database of facts
D.A computer programming book
 Functional Units of a Computer
The physical parts that make up a computer consists mainly of four
basic units, these parts are known as hardware, namely:
input unit,
storage unit,
Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Processor
output unit.

Any hardware device connected to the computer or any part of the

computer outside the CPU and the working memory is known as a
Peripherals

Central Processing unit further includes Arithmetic logic unit and

control unit, as shown in the Figure
Hardware Organization

CPU

memory

motherboard

hard drive
Hardware Components
Components of a Computer System
Central
Central Processing
Processing Unit
Unit (CPU)
(CPU)
Data
control unit (CU)

Memory output
Arithmetic
Logic Unit RAM units
Input
(ALU)
units ROM

Auxiliary Information
Memory /Knowledge
Functional units of a Computer
 Functional Units of a Computer
A computer performs five major operations or functions irrespective of

its size and make. These are

it accepts data or instructions as input,

it stores data and instruction

it processes data as per the instructions,

it controls all operations inside a computer, and

it gives results in the form of output.

Input and Output
The data or instructions you type into the computer are called
input

The result of the computer processing your input is referred to as

output

Peripheral devices accomplish input and output functions

Input
Input unit – Input unit is a unit that accepts any input device. The input
device is used to input data into the computer system

This unit is used for entering data and programs into the computer
system by the user for processing.

Most common are keyboard and mouse

Selector Buttons

Function of input unit:

It converts inputted data into binary codes
It sends data to main memory of computer
 Input Devices
 You use an input device, such as a keyboard or
a mouse, to input data and issue commands
 Keyboard
 Ergonomic

 Pointing device
 Controls the pointer
 Mouse
– Scroll wheel
 Trackball
 Touch pad
 Pointing stick

 Scanner
Output
Output Unit –Output unit is a unit that constituents a number of
output device. An output device is used to show the result of
processing.

The output unit is used for storing the result as output produced
by the computer after processing.

Function of Output unit:

it accepts data or information sends from main memory of computer

It converts binary coded information into HLL or inputted languages.

 Output Devices
 Output devices show you
the results of processing
data
 Monitor
 Flat panel
 LCD
 CRT
 Printer
 Laser
 Inkjet
 Dot matrix
Storage Unit
 Storage Unit – The storage unit is used for storing data and
instructions before and after processing
 Storage Media
 A computer file is a named collection of stored data

 An executable file contains the instructions that tell a computer

how to perform a specific task

 A data file is created by a user

 Storage Media
 Magnetic media
 Hard disk
 Tape
 Floppy disk
 Storage Media
 Optical storage device
 CD
 DVD
 CD-R
 CD-RW
 CD-ROM
 Storage Media
 Flash memory
 Flash memory cards
 USB flash storage device
 USB drive (flash drive)
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The task of performing operations like arithmetic and logical operations is
called processing.

It 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

Central Processing Unit (CPU) – CPU is called the brain of a computer.

An electronic circuitry that carries out the instruction given by a

computer program.

CPU can be sub classified into three parts.

Control unit (CU)
Arithmetic & Logic unit (ALU)
Control Unit (CU)
Coordinates all activities of the computer by:

Determining which operations to perform and in what order to carry

them out.

The CU transmits coordinating control signals to other computer

components.

Controlling of all operations like input, processing and output are performed by
control unit. It takes care of step by step processing of all operations inside
the computer
the control unit manages the various components of the computer. It reads
instructions from memory and interpretation and changes in a series of signals
to activate other parts of the computer.
It controls and co-ordinate is input output memory and all other units.
Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU)
Consists of electronic circuitry to perform:

Arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)

Logical operations (and, or, not, …) and to make some comparisons (less-
than, equal, … etc.)

All calculations and comparisons, based on the instructions provided, are

carried out within the ALU.
It performs arithmetic functions like addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division and also logical operations like greater than, less than and equal to etc
The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs simple arithmetic operation
such as +,-, *, / and logical operation such as >, <, =<, <= etc.
Function of CPU
It controls all the parts and software and data flow of computer.

It performs all operations.

It accepts data from input device.

It sends information to output device.

Executing programs stored in memory

It stores data either temporarily or permanent basis.

It performs arithmetical and logical operations.

Memory Unit (MU)
Memory is used to store data and instructions before and after

processing.

Memory is also called Primary memory or internal memory. It is used to

store data temporary or permanently.

Computer’s memory can be classified into two types;

primary memory and
secondary memory
 Memory
 Random access memory (RAM)
 Volatile memory
 SDRAM
 Cache memory (RAM cache or CPU cache)
 Virtual memory
 Memory
 Read-only memory (ROM)
 BIOS
 Nonvolatile memory
 Complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory
(CMOS)
 Semipermanent memory
Primary Memory
Also known as main memory.

Main memory is directly or indirectly connected to the central

processing unit via a memory bus.

The CPU continuously reads instructions stored there and

executes them as required.

Example:
– RAM
– ROM
Primary Memory
Primary Memory can be further classified as RAM and ROM.
RAM or Random Access Memory
It is the place in a computer where the operating system, application
programs and the data in current use are kept temporarily so that they
can be accessed by the computer’s processor.

It is said to be ‘volatile’ since its contents are accessible only as long
as the computer is on.

The contents of RAM are no more available once the computer is

turned off.

This is the part of the computer that stores operating system software,
software applications and other information for the central processing unit
(CPU) to have fast and direct access when needed to perform tasks.
ROM or Read Only Memory :

 Programmed at manufacturing time and contains manufacturer’s

instructions.

 Its contents cannot be changed by users

 It is a permanent store

ROM or Read Only Memory is a special type of memory which can only be read
and contents of which are not lost even when the computer is switched off.
ROM also stores an initial program called the ‘bootstrap loader’ whose
function is to start the operation of computer system once the power is turned
on.
Secondary Memory
Secondary/auxiliary memory is storage. It is not directly accessible by

the CPU.

Computer usually uses its input/output channels to access secondary

storage and transfers the desired data using intermediate area in primary

storage.

Secondary storage devices are of two types;

Magnetic devices include hard disks and
Optical storage devices are CDs, DVDs, Pen drive, Zip drive etc.
Secondary Storage

 Stores data and programs permanently: its

retained after the power is turned off
 Examples

• Hard Drive (Hard Disk)

Located outside the CPU, but most often

contained in the system cabinet

• Floppy Disk

• Optical Laser Discs

CD-ROM, CD-RW, and DVD
Kinds of Disk Drives

32
 Common Secondary Media
• Diskettes
– Data represented as magnetic spots on removable
flexible plastic disks
– Most common size is 3 1/2 inches, in a rigid plastic
case
– Disk drive holds the diskette, reads or retrieves
the data and writes or stores data
 Common Secondary Media
• Hard drive

– Data is represented magnetically as with

diskettes
– Normally more than one rigid platter in a
sealed unit
– These disks are not removable
– Significantly more capacity and faster
operating than diskettes
 Common Secondary Media
 Optical Laser Discs
 CD ROM & DVD’s
 Data is represented as pits and lands
 Some kinds are read only (CD-ROM) and some Kinds are
rewritable (CD-RW)
 Significantly more capacity and faster operating than diskettes

DVD: Digital Video Disk

Peripheral Units
According to the most technical definition, the only pieces of a computer not
considered to be peripherals are the central processing unit, power supply,
motherboard, and computer case.

A peripheral is a “device that is used to put information into or get information

out of the computer. There are three different types of peripherals:
i) Input
ii) Output
iii) Storage

A peripheral device is generally defined as any auxiliary device such as a computer

mouse or keyboard, that connects to and works with the computer in some way.
Other examples of peripherals are expansion cards, graphics cards, image
scanners, tape drives, microphones, loudspeakers, webcams, and digital cameras.
RAM—random access memory—straddles the line between peripheral and primary
component; it is technically a storage peripheral, but is required for every major
function of a modern computer and removing the RAM will effectively disable any
modern machine.
Many new devices such as digital watches, smartphones and tablet computers have
interfaces which allow them to be used as a peripheral by a full computer, though
they are not host-dependent as other peripheral devices are.
Peripheral Units
Input Devices
In computing, an input device is a peripheral (piece of computer hardware
equipment) used to provide data and control signals to an information processing
system such as a computer or other information appliance. Examples of input
devices include keyboards, mice, scanners, digital cameras and joysticks.

Output Devices
An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to
communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information
processing system (such as a computer) which converts the electronically
generated information into human-readable form.

Auxiliary Storage Devices

They are cheaper forms of storage that can store a lot of information until they
are needed. They can also be called off-line storage media.
There are many types, but the most common types are magnetic disks and
tapes. These are now available in many different varieties to facilities the
needs of various types and size of computers, the volume of records to be
held in backing storage, and data transfer speed requirement.

Common Peripherals
Input: Keyboard, Computer mouse, Graphic tablet, Touchscreen, Barcode
reader, Image scanner, Microphone, Webcam, Game controller, Light pen,
Scanner, Digital camera.

Output: Computer display, Printer, Projector, Speaker, Storage devices,

Floppy disk drive, Flash drive, Disk drive, Smartphone or Tablet computer

Storage interface: CD/DVD drive, Input/Output, Modem, Network

interface controller (NIC)
 Processing Hardware
 The motherboard is
the main electronic
component of the
computer
 Circuit board
 The microprocessor is
one of the most
important pieces of
processing hardware on
the motherboard
 Cards are removable
circuit boards