Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Organization of the computer system
A computer system is a combination of components designed to process and store data. It
comprises at least one input device, a processing unit, an output device, and a storage device,
and may contain a communications device. The components include the cpu, buses, main
memory (RAM and ROM) and peripherals. The Computer system is basically categorized
into two components. This are
1. The Computer Hardware
2. The Computer Software
2.1 The Computer Hardware
Hardware is the term used to describe the actual (physical) parts attached to the computer. i.e.,
all the internal and external parts or devices connected to the computer to communicate with
the computer like input and the output etc. (The parts visible in the block diagram of
computer)
Computer hardware falls into four categories. These are:
Input devices
Output devices
Processor
Storage devices
Input / Output Devices
Computer must have some way to put programs and data into for processing and to get results
out. i.e., there must be some way to communicate with the computer. Input / Output devices
have been developed for the purpose. Input devices feed information or Data into the
computer. Output Devices are used to retrieve information from the computer memory for
human use. The devices used to achieve computer input / outputs are different.
2.1.1. INPUT DEVICES
Keyboard
This is the most commonly used input device which resembles the typewriter keyboard. This
is the oldest input device used right from the invention of the computer. This is used to enter
any type of data into the computer it may be text, numbers or any symbolic notations.
Normally the keyboard contains 102 keys. Nowadays as the software industry is growing
rapidly accordingly many changes are brought in the layout to satisfy the needs of the soft
wares. The communication between the keyboard and the system unit is brought with the help
1
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
of a cable which transfers the bits through the bus (Group of wires carrying the bits) parallels
or consecutively.
Nowadays addition to the above keys there are many other keys included making the
keyboard as 105, 108 and so on.
Pointing Devices
Data input also involves entering commands and selecting options. Mouse, trackball, and
joystick were all developed to make this easy. Each of these devices allows the user to
identify and select the necessary command or option by moving the cursor to a certain
location on the screen or tablet and sending signal to the computer. They are used in menu-
driven programs – that is, programs that offer varying levels of means or choices to the user
to lead him or her through the program functions.
Mouse
The mouse is a handheld device connected to the computer by a small cable. As the mouse is
rolled across the desktop, a ball inside the mouse that contacts the desktop moves the cursor
across the screen. When the cursor reaches the desired location, the user usually pushes
mouse button once or twice to signal a menu selection or a command to the computer. Mouse
technology is often used with graphics-oriented microcomputers and software’s like
Windows. With special software for graphics, the mouse can be used like a pen or a
paintbrush to create figures and pattern directly on the video display screen. The keyboard
still is used to type in characters and issue some commands, depending on the software.
Scanner
It is an input device that can read text or illustrations printed on the paper and translate the
information into a form that the computer can use. It works by digitizing the image by
dividing it into a grid of boxes and representing each box with either zero or one, depending
on whether he box is filled in. the resulting matrix is called bit map, can be stored in a file.
These do not distinguish text from other figures; they represent all images as bit maps. So, to
edit text read by an optical scanner, an optical character recognition (OCR) system to
translate the image into ASCII characters is required (which usually come with the latest
scanners).
Digital Camera
Images can be put into a computer using a digital camera. These images can be manipulated
in many ways using various imaging tools. This takes a still photograph, stores it and then
sends it as a digital input into the computer, stored as digital files.
2
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
as an electronic highway between them. To temporarily store data and instructions, the CPU
has special-purpose storage devices called registers.
A. Control Unit
The control unit, a maze of complex electronic circuitry, is responsible for directing and
coordinating most of the computer system activities. It does not execute instructions itself; it
tells other parts of the computer system what to do. It determines the movement of electronic
signals between main memory and the arithmetic-logic unit, as well as the control signals
between the CPU and input -output devices. According to each specific instruction, the
control unit issues the necessary signals to other computer system components as needed to
satisfy the processing requirements. This could involve, for example, directing that data be
retrieved from a disk storage device, “telling” the printer to print the letter you just wrote, or
simply directing the arithmetic-logic unit to add two numbers.
B. Arithmetic - logic unit (ALU)
Without the arithmetic-logic unit (ALU), computers would not be able to do most of the tasks
that are useful. The ALU performs all the arithmetic and logical (comparison) functions- i.e.,
it adds, subtract, multiply, divide, and does comparisons. These comparisons, which are
basically “less than”, “greater than”, and “equal to” , can be combined into several common
expressions, such as: ”greater than or equal to” The objective of most instructions that use
comparisons is to determine which instructions should be executed next.
The ALU controls the speed of calculations and so receives a great deal of attention from
computer engineers trying to meet the need of the fast-paced business world. Older
microcomputers speeds are usually measured in milliseconds – 1 millionth of a second.
Larger, powerful computer’s speeds are measured in nanoseconds- 1 billionth of a second- or
picoseconds-1 trillionth of a second.
Other elements to be considered in ALU are:
a) Registers
These are special temporary storage locations within the CPU, some in Control unit and others
in ALU. Registers accept, store and transfer data and instructions that are being used
immediately. To execute an instruction, the control unit of the CPU retrieves it from the main
memory and places into the register.
Two operations take place:
(i) Instruction cycle - refers to retrieval of an instruction from main memory
(ii) Execution cycle - refers to execution of instructions and subsequent storing of the
results in the register.
4
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
b) Bus
Refers to an electrical pathway through which bits are transmitted between the various
computer components. Depending on the design of the system, several types of buses may be
present. Data Bus – carries data through the CPU & Address Bus – carries the address of the
memory location where the data is stored through the CPU.
The wider the bus, the more data it can carry at one time and thus greater the processing speed
of the Computer. The data bus of Intel 8088 processor is 8 bits wide- can carry 8 bits (1
character) at a time. The data bus of Intel 8086 processor is 32 bits wide – can move four
times the data through its data bus than Intel 8088 bus. Some supercomputers contain buses
with 128-132 bits wide.
2.1.4. STORAGE DEVICES
1. Main memory (Primary Storage Device)
Main memory also called as Primary storage, Memory and RAM is the part of the processing
hardware that temporarily holds data and instructions needed shortly by the control unit.
The earliest form of main memory was based on the vacuum tubes that were large in size and
had a very little capacity of about some bytes to store or hold. Today memory can contain 256
K- 1 Mega on a single memory chip. The main memory in today’s computer on
Function of main memory – to act as a buffer between the CPU and the rest of the computer
system components. The CPU can utilize only those instructions and data that are stored in
main memory. The main memory is RAM - name is derived with its usage as the data can be
stored and retrieved at random from anywhere on the chip in approximately the same amount
of time. It is in a volatile state i.e., when computer is off RAM is empty, When it is on,
capable of receiving and holding copy of the instructions and data necessary for processing
Because of its volatile nature, user’s work is often saved on to nonvolatile secondary storage
devices such as diskettes (Floppy or Hard). Thus functions of memory can be listed as below:
i. Storage of a copy of the main software program that controls the general operation of
the computer (such as operating system). This copy is loaded into memory when
computer is turned on (booted) and stays there as long as the computer is on.
ii. Temporary storage of a copy of application program instructions (like Word, Excel) to
be retrieved by the CPU for interpretation and execution.
iii. Temporary storage of data that are inputted from Keyboard or other input devices
until instructions call for the data to be transferred into the CPU for processing.
5
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
iv. Temporary storage of the data that has been produced as a result of processing until
instructions call for the data to be used again in the subsequent processing or to be
transferred to an output device such as screen, printer or disk storage device.
A. R A M (Random Access Memory)
RAM is termed as Main memory of computer. If the capacity of RAM is large, then it can
- Receive and use much larger programs.
- Hold copies of more than one program to support the sharing of the computer by more
than one user
- Operate faster and more efficiently.
- Hold images for creating graphics and animation.
- Work and manipulate more data at one time.
A bank of 1 K RAM chip can store 1024 bytes. Similarly 64 K RAM chip can store 64 K or
65,536 or 1024 X 64 bytes of data i.e., each RAM capable of storing a column of 65,356 bits.
as PROM burner is used to reprogram the chip. To change the instructions on EPROM chip,
the chip must be taken out of the machine and then put back when changes have been made.
This is seldom used by the computer users instead replace the EPROM with a new
programmed one.
F. Cache memory
It is used to increase the speed of transfer of instructions and data from secondary storage to
the processor. This is also a high-speed temporary storage area for the program instructions
and data. This is about 10 times faster than RAM and 100 times more expensive. As the
storage capacity is smaller than the RAM’s capacity, it holds only those instructions and data
that processor needs immediately.
G. Flash memory
It is a special type of EEPROM that can be erased and reprogrammed in blocks instead of one
byte at a time. Many modern computers have their BIOS stored on flash memory chip so that
it can be easily updated if necessary. Such BIOS is sometimes called flash BIOS.
2. Secondary Storage Device
The term primary storage refers to the main memory of a computer, where both data and
instructions are held for immediate access and use by the computer’s central processing unit.
Most primary storage is considered a volatile form of storage, meaning that the data and
instructions are lost when the computer is turned off.
Secondary storage (or auxiliary storage) is any storage device designed to retain data and
instructions (Programs) in a more permanent form.
Secondary storage is nonvolatile, meaning that the data and instructions remain intact
when the computer is turned off.
The information is stored in files. A file is made up of a group of related records. A
record is defined as a collection of related characters or bytes of data. Field is defined as
7
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
a collection of related characters or bytes of data and a byte or character of data is made
up of 8 bits.
There are different types of secondary storage devices available. They are also in some
context termed as input output devices as we store as well as retrieve data from them. Some
were used during the earlier generations of computers. Nowadays diskettes, CD-ROM’s and
small magnetic tapes are familiar storage devices.
A. Magnetic Tape
Magnetic tapes are particularly popular form of secondary storage because of their high data
density (number of bytes of information per inch of tape). They are made of Mylar-based
plastic film which can be magnetized. Information is stored on magnetic tape by running the
tape over an electromagnetic read/write head. Magnetic tapes typically have seven or nine
tracks.
Disadvantages are:
- While accessing information, the entire tape must be read sequentially which results in
slow access time.
- Sensitive to distortion by environmental influences such as dust, humidity and
temperature variations.
B. Magnetic Disks
Magnetic disks are metal disks coated with ferrous oxide. They allow for random access of
information and overcome the slow access time found in tapes. Disks are usually grouped
together into a disk pack separated by small air spaces to allow access for read/write heads.
These are numbered from 0 to 199 starting from the perimeter of the disk. Tracks of the same
number on all adjacent disks are referred to as a cylinder of the disk. The disk pack is
mounted on a magnetic disk drive which rotates the disk at speed up to 1000 revolutions per
8
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
second. Because of the more sophisticated hardware and software is required to access
information directly cost of magnetic disk is greater than magnetic tape.
I. Floppy disk
A floppy disk is an obsolescent data storage medium that is composed of a disk of thin,
flexible ("floppy") magnetic storage medium encased in a square or rectangular plastic shell.
Floppy disks are read and written by a floppy disk drive or FDD, the initials of which should
not be confused with "fixed disk drive", which is another term for a hard disk drive. Invented
by IBM, floppy disks in 8-inch (200 mm), 5¼-inch (133⅓ mm), and the newest and most
common 3½-inch (90 mm) formats enjoyed many years as a popular and ubiquitous form of
data storage and exchange, from the mid-1970s to the late 1990s. They have now been
superseded by flash and optical storage devices.
than the text or numerical data. The data recorded on optical media is not damaged by stray
magnetic fields and surface problems like fingerprints, dust, scratches and so on.
Examples of optical disks are: CD-ROM, CD-RW drive, Magneto-optical (MO) drives
Operating system
The operating system is the most important computer software. An operating system is a set
of programs that controls the overall operation of the computer. It directs all processing
activities within the computer, calling in other systems software when needed, scheduling
jobs, allocating storage facilities, activating input and output devices and many other tasks to
ensure the proper and efficient use of hardware by application programs. The operating
system sits between the hardware and the other software. This view is shown in figure below.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
OPERATING SYSTEM
HARDWARE
10
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
That part of an operating system which controls the activities and operations of the other
components of the operating system are called executive (or supervisor or kernel).
Operating systems can be classified depending on the number of programs they can handle
and the number of users that can be working on the system at a time.
Most operating systems are single tasking. This means that only one program can be run
on the computer at a time. If you are working on a spreadsheet program and want to use
another program for word processing, you must remove the first program from the
computer’s internal memory and load the other program. A single-tasking operating
system cannot handle two or more programs at the same time. One example of single-
tasking operating system is MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System.
Some new integrated programs are designed to run more than one program at a time and
to go back and forth between these programs. For these programs a multi-tasking or
concurrent processing operating system that supports more than one program at a time
must be used. When more than one program is loaded into the computer, you can work
on only one of them at a time. One example of multi-tasking operating systems is Ms
Windows.
11
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
The other subdivision of system software is language software, which are used by
programmers to develop application programs. Language software is a generic name
consisting of various programs that serve as compilers and translators to develop programs in
a number of different programming languages.
Programming languages can be classified into two – low level and high-level programming
languages.
a. Machine Language
A program consists of a sequence of instructions. A specific computer has a specific
set of instructions, which are fixed during the design of the machine. This set of
instructions constitutes what is commonly known as the machine language and the
instructions in a program must be drawn from this set. A machine language instruction
normally consists of the operation code and the actual addresses of the operands in
memory. Both the operation code as well as the actual addresses should be given in
binary. Writing using binary code is called Machine Language Programming.
Programs written in machine language are directly executable. Hence, they do not
need further translation.
b. Assembly Language
Assembly language is similar to machine language in the sense that in most cases
there exists a one to one correspondence between the machine language instructions
and the assembly language instructions. However, instead of binary codes we use
symbolic codes (called mnemonics) in the assembly language and obviously this is an
advantage. Assemblers are used to translate programs written in assembly language
into machine code, which can be executed on the target computer.
c. High Level Programming Languages
12
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
Compilers translate programs written in a high level language into machine code, which
can be executed on the target computer. A compiler reads the source program statement
by statement, translates it into an equivalent machine code, and produces the object
program file, which is then executed without the presence of the compiler. Interpreters
are other form of programs that translate programs written in a high level language into
machine code. Unlike a compiler, an interpreter reads one statement of the source
program translates it and executes it immediately. It then goes to the next statement until
the source program is exhausted. As a result, it doesn’t produce an executable object
program file.
Application Software
Application software refers to those programs developed to meet particular user requirements
for specific applications, e.g. producing a payroll. In addition to the programs, the package
also includes documentation, which instructs the user, how to use and maintain the package.
Such programs are normally to be supplied by an independent software supplier. Package
programs are generally available for application, which are common to many users.
The user is saved from the effort and expense of producing these programs
Small organizations with limited staff expertise may purchase these packages along
with a computer so that they can use the computer immediately for their purpose
13
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
Highly experienced programmers will normally develop these programs and hence the
reliability of these programs will be very high.
They may not be tailor made to user’s requirements and hence perforce modification
according to the user’s specification. This will result in wastage of time and effort.
The user will have less control over the quality of work and service provided by the
supplier of the package.
Some packages need regular updating (example: payroll package) the user may be
heavily reliant on the package supplier to provide the necessary update.
One can compare the advantages of word processing to that of an ordinary typewriter. Many
word processing programs are on the market. Many of them allow you to accomplish the
basic functions, like entering and editing text. Word Processors differ from one another in the
ease with which you can edit text and how much more you can do with the program,
especially when formatting documents for printing.
The following are examples of word processing software: -
Ms Word
WordPerfect
WordStar
14
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
Spreadsheet Software
Today, the microcomputer and the electronic spreadsheet have taken all of the drudgery out of
analysis.k It may take as much time to gather the data needed to analyze a situation, but that
is where the similarity between the old and the new methods ends. You can quickly create a
model of a situation on a spreadsheet by entering labels, numbers, and formulas. Details are
entered into the computer and recorded in pre-designed rows and columns to form a grid of
cells. The relationship of each cell in the grid can be defined for performing specific
computations. Using the program’s built-in functions, you can perform complicated
calculations such as net present value, internal rates of return, and monthly payments on a
loan. You can then use the completed model to explore “what if” questions. If you change
any variable – for instance the price, discount, or sales pattern the model will recalculate a
new result automatically and instantly.
There are many spreadsheet programs available and more are sure to come. Each spreadsheet
is slightly different from the others.
Database Management
15
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
The concept behind database management programs is simple. They allow you to store
information on a computer, retrieve it when you need it, and update it when necessary. You
can do these things with index cards, but database management programs do them more
quickly and easily. For instance, you can store large mailing lists, inventory records or billing
and collect information in lists stored in files and manipulate them, one file at a time, with the
database management program.
Computer Graphics
Computer graphics is the technique of creating, editing, displaying, and printing graphs,
diagrams, charts, and images in a computer system.
The old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words applies to computer graphics. At a
glance, graphics can convey information that could be difficult or even impossible to put into
words. Education and entertainment programs make extensive use of on screen graphics.
Integrated Packages
16
Arba Minch University Faculty of Computing and Software engineering
Integrated packages are usually a good choice for small businesses, which have a limited
budget for software acquisition and do not need sophisticated facilities from each area of
application.
17