UNIT III: THE

COMPUTER SYSTEM
AND ITS COMPONENTS
Objectives
At the end of the unit, the student should be able
to:

•Discuss how a computer qualifies as a system;

•Discuss the basic computer system and its components;
•List down the basic operations involved in a computer
system; and
•Discuss how a computer system works.
Computer as a System
• Consists of a number of interrelated
components that work together with
the aim of converting data into
information.
• It is defined as a general purpose
information processing machine used
to troubleshoot various problems
related to data processing.
Computer as a System
General perception as “intelligent thinking
machine”
Without programs, computers would be useless.
Programs – instructions given to the computers.
Hardware – physical parts that make up a computer.
Peripherals – any hardware connected to any part
of the computer.
Computer System Components
1. Hardware
◦Tangible part of a computer
◦Composed of electronic and mechanical
parts
2. Software
◦Intangible part of a computer
◦Consist of data and computer programs
Computer Components Connected by
Buses
Computer bus:
Connects the major components of a
computer system.
It serves as the passage of data or
signal from one component to the
other.
It combines the functions of a data
bus, an address bus, and a control bus.
Components of a Hardware
1. Central Processing Unit (CPU) – The Processor
•It is identified as the major component of
a computer.
•Also known as the “electronic brain” of
the machine.
•Contains millions of extremely tiny
electrical parts
Components of a Hardware
1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Major Components of a CPU
1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
◦It performs the arithmetic and logical
operations on the variable data.
 Major Components of a CPU
2. Control Unit (CU)
◦This unit checks the correctness of the sequence
of operations.
◦Fetches the program instructions for the memory
unit, interprets and ensures correct execution of
the program.
◦It also controls the input/output devices and
directs the overall functioning of the other units
of the computer.
Major Components of a CPU
3. Register
◦These are special-purpose, high-speed
temporary memory units that can hold
varied information.
◦Considered as “CPU’s working memory”, an
additional storage location that provides the
advantage of speed.
Major Components of a CPU
◦Types of Registers According to Purpose
◦Data Registers - can hold numeric values such
as integer and floating-point values, as well
as characters, small bit arrays and other data
◦Address Register - hold addresses and are
used by instructions that indirectly access
primary memory.
Major Components of a CPU
◦Types of Registers According to Purpose
◦General Purpose Registers - can store both
data and addresses.
◦Special Purpose Registers - hold program
state: program counter, status register,
and instruction register
Inside the CPU
•Speed is measured in Hertz (Hz)
•Speed generally corresponds to the number of actions
that the CPU can perform every second.
◦ 1 Megahertz (MHz) is 1,000,000 (1 million) Hertz
◦ 1 Gigahertz (GHz) is 1,000,000,000 (1 billion) Hertz
A typical, modern, fast CPU runs at around 2.8GHz.
That means it can perform almost 3 billion actions
every second!
Major Components of Hardware
2. Memory
•It is where data and numerous programs that
are currently being executed by the CPU are
stored
•Also called “random access memory” (RAM)
chips
Two Types of Memory
1. Main Memory
•Also called Random Access Memory (RAM)
•It is chips temporary and volatile
•When the computer is in use its main memory will
contain:
1. The operating system program
2. The application program currently in use
3. The data that is being processed
Two Types of Memory
1. Main Memory
•The storage capacity of memory is measured in Bytes.
Usually RAM can hold millions of bytes of data, so you
will see capacities measured in:
Megabytes (MB) or 1,000,000 (1 million) Bytes
Gigabytes (GB) or 1,000,000,000 (1 billion) Bytes
Two Types of Memory
2. Secondary Memory
•Store both programs and data for a long period of time
•Considered as non-volatile storage
Examples:
• Disk drives are also known as mass storage devices because of their capacity to
store relatively large amounts of data and many programs may be stored on
them.
• Magnetic Tape a sequential access storage device.
• Optical Disc: CDs and DVDs
• Flash Memories/Flash Drive
Two Types of Memory
2. Secondary Memory
•Read-Only Memory (ROM)
• It is used in most computers to hold a small, special piece of
software: the 'boot up' program.
• BIOS (Basic Input-Output System) - software runs when the
computer is switched on or 'boots up‘.
• It checks the computer’s hardware and then loads the operating
system.
Major Components of Hardware
3. Input/Output Devices
•Input devices - accepts instructions and
data from the user
•Output Unit - accepts the outputs produced
by the computer, converts them into the
user-understandable form and supplies the
converted results to the user
Major Components of Hardware
3. Input/Output Devices
•Disk Drives - provide a means for
information to be brought into (input)
and taken out of (output) the CPU and
its memory.
Input Devices
Keyboard Alphanumeric Keyboard

- Used to enter data into Numeric Keypad

computers.
PIN pad
Input Devices
Pointing Devices Mouse

- used to control the Touch Pad/Track Pad

pointer in a GUI.
Trackballs/Tracker Balls

Touch Screen

Graphics Tablet

Joystick/Joy Pad

Light Pen
Input Devices
Card Readers Magnetic Strip Reader
Plastic cards, have a strip of
- used to read stripes material that can be
from the data in many magnetised on the back.
plastic cards. (credit cards)

Smart Card/Chip Reader

Tiny chip of computer memory
embedded inside them.
Input Devices
Devices for Quick Reading of MICR Reader
Text/Codes -used in bank cheques to be read
into computer quickly and
- Used to input data fast and accurately.
more accurate.
OMR Reader
Special OMR forms are used which
have spaces that can be
couloured(pencil)

OCR Scanner
Convert images or text into actual
text file

Barcode Reader/Scanner
 Input Devices
Sensor

- Used to convert a real-world • temperature

property (e.g. temperature) • light
into data that a computer • pressure
can process. • moisture
• water level
• movement
• proximity
• switch/button
Input/Output Devices
Audio/Visual Device INPUT
• Scanner
- used to scan, capture images, • Digital Camera
videos and convert sound into • Video Camera
a signal. • Web Cam
• Microphone

OUTPUT
• CRT(Cathode Ray Tube) Monitors
• Flat Screen Monitors
• Digital/Multimedia Projectors
• Speakers/Loud Speakers
Output Devices
Printing/Plotting Dot Matrix Printer

- Used to convert a real-world Ink Jet Printer

property (e.g. temperature)
into data that a computer Laser Printer
can process.
Plotter
Basic Hardware Operation

1. Input Unit
2. Storage Unit
3. Processing Unit
4. Output Unit
Computer Software
It is a set of computer programs and
algorithms that tells a computer what to do
and how to do it.

3 Major Software Categories

1. System Software
2. Programming Software
3. Application Software
System Software
It is a software created to
control/operate the hardware, and
to provide an environment for
running the application software.

It manages and supports computer

resources and hardware operations.
System Software
1. Device Drivers - software that allows a hardware device to
be used within the computer system.
2. Operating System - the environment or platform for
application software.
Examples: Microsoft Windows, Linux, MAC OS X
3. Utilities - Software that allows the user to control
applications, files, and devices.
Examples: control panel, disk defragmenter, file manager,
anti-virus software, firewalls
 Programming Software
Software that programmers and
developers use to create, debug,
maintain, or support other
programs and applications.

Examples:
NetBeans, Turbo C,
Visual Studio
 Application Software
A set of computer programs that
allows a user to perform a specific
task.

Examples:
Microsoft Office, Mozilla Firefox,
Anti-virus Application