Chapter 1-Types and Components of Computer Systems

1. What is hardware? Which are the two categories of Hardware?

Hardware is the physical tangible components of the computer.
Hardware could be either EXTERNAL HARDWARE or INTERNAL
HARDWARE.

2. Examples of External Hardware

➢ Mouse
➢ Keyboard
➢ Printer
➢ Scanner
➢ Monitor
➢ Plotter

3. Examples of Internal Hardware

➢ Motherboard
➢ CPU
➢ RAM
➢ ROM
➢ Graphics card
➢ Sound card
➢ HDD/SSD
➢ NIC

4. Explain the functions of the following Internal Hardware

1) Motherboard

➢ Motherboard is a printed circuit board that acts

as a hub which holds all the components of
computer together. (like CPU, memory,
connectors for input and output devices)

➢ It allows the processor and the other computer

devices to communicate with each other

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 2) Random Access Memory
➢ RAM is an internal chip Where
data is temporarily stored.
➢ The current running application will
be stored in the RAM
➢ RAM is a volatile memory

3) Read Only Memory

➢ An Internal Chip to store data
permanently.
➢ It’s used to store the
configuration data. Its contents
can’t be altered.
➢ ROM is a non-volatile memory

4) VIDEO CARD (GRAPHICS CARD)

➢ It allows computer to send graphical

information to display devices like monitor or
projector

5) SOUND CARD (AUDIO INTERFACE)

➢ It’s an integrated circuit board that provides a
computer with the ability to produce sounds
➢ Sound card also helps users to record the sound
input from the microphone

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 6) HARD DISK DRIVE(HDD) and SOLID STATE DRIVE (SSD) – are
devices used to store data.

7) NIC (Network Interface Card) – It allows computers or other devices to be

connected to a network. NIC provides a unique MAC address to the device.

5. What is an input device?

An input device allows the user to enter data or instructions to a computer
directly. It can send data to another device but can’t receive data from other
devices.
ex: Keyboard, Mouse, camera, sensor, scanner

6. What is an output device?

An output device is a hardware that takes the output data from the computer and
puts it into a human readable format.
ex: Monitor, Projector, Printer, Plotter

7. What is a software? Which are the two categories of Software?

Software are programs that control the computer system. Two types of software
are Application Software and System Software.

8. What is an Application Software? Give examples

Application software are programs that allow the user to do a specific task.
Examples
➢ WORD PROCESSOR –helps to create, edit and manipulate text documents
➢ SPREAD SHEET – a software that helps to organize and manipulate Numeric
data
➢ DATABASE –a software to store and manipulate data. It consists of multiple
tables in it
➢ CONTROL AND MEASURING SOFTWARE –helps to measure physical
quantities like temperature, pressure, heart rate etc.
➢ APPS – represents Applications- like GPS, Camera, Video streaming
➢ PHOTO EDITING SOFTWARE- allows to manipulate photographs (red eye
removal, to make collage or to touch up pics)
➢ VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE – To edit videos to add subtitles, sound etc.

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 ➢ GRAPHIC MANIPULATION SOFTWARE- allows to manipulate bitmap
and vector images
➢ Computer Aided Design (CAD) – To produce 2D, 3D diagrams in full
dimensions. It will help to estimate the manufacturing cost and to predict the
structural problems.
9. What is a System Software? Give examples
System software allow the hardware to run properly and allow the user to
communicate with the computer

Examples
➢ Compiler
It is a system software to convert a high-level language to a machine language.
The Original program is called as the SOURCE CODE and the code after
compilation is called as OBJECT CODE
➢ Linker – is a system software to combine a number of object files produced by
the compiler into a single program that could be run by the computer.
➢ Device Driver – is a system software that enables the hardware devices to
communicate with the Operating System. Without drivers, a hardware device
can’t communicate with the computer.
➢ Operating System- is a system software which acts as an interface between the
user and the computer. Operating system
• Allows Input/output operations
• Manages error handling
• Manages the loading and running of the entire system
➢ Utilities – are system software that has been designed to carry out specific tasks
on a computer like housekeeping functionalities.
Examples : Antivirus, Anti-Spyware, Disk fragmenter, backup of files, Screen
saver
➢ Applets – small applications that perform a single task on a device usually
embedded in an html page.
10.Which are the main components of a computer system
➢ Input devices
➢ Processor
➢ Output devices
➢ Memory

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 IPO CYCLE (Input -Process-Output)

INPUT PROCESSOR OUTPUT

MEMORY

11.What is CPU? What are the parts of CPU?

Central Processing Unit is known as the Brain of the Computer. It’s also
referred as microprocessor.

Components of CPU

1) ALU – Arithmetic Logic Unit -It carries out Arithmetic calculations and
logical decisions.
2) CU – Control Unit – It controls the signals between the input/output devices
and the processor.
3) Immediate Access Store (cache memory)- holds the currently using data and
instructions to be immediately processed by CPU.

12. Which are the two types of memory?

Primary Memory /Main memory – It is directly accessible by the CPU. It
holds the current running data and related instructions. RAM and ROM are part
of Primary memory.

Secondary memory – The contents of secondary memory first get transferred

to the primary memory and then are accessed by the processor. HDD and SSD
are example of Secondary memory.

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 13. Write the difference between RAM and ROM
RAM (Random Access Memory) ROM (Read Only Memory)
Read and write memory Its contents can’t be altered.

Volatile memory- Its contents are lost Nonvolatile memory- Its contents are
when power to the computer is turned not lost when power to the computer
off is turned off

The current running application will It stores BIOS and other configuration
be stored in the RAM. RAM can be data needed to start the computer
increased in size to improve
computer’s operational speed.

14. What is BIOS? What are the functions of BIOS?

Basic Input Output System is a code stored in ROM. BIOS is also known as
the BOOT FILE.
➢ It tells the computer what to do when it starts up.
➢ BIOS carries out a hardware check to find out if all the devices are
present and are functional. Then it loads the Operating system into the
RAM

15.What is CMOS?
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. It is a battery powered nonvolatile
chip stored in BIOS. CMOS stores the date, time and system configuration.

16.What is an Operating System? Give two examples

Is a system software that acts as an interface between the user and the computer
Windows 11, Linux, Unix

17.Write the tasks done by the Operating system

➢ Controls the operations of Input, output and backing storage system
➢ Supervises loading, running and storage of applications
➢ Deals with errors that occur in application programs
➢ Maintains the security of whole computer system
➢ Maintains a computer log

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 18.Name four user Interfaces
➢ CLI (Command Line Interface)
➢ GUI (Graphical User Interface)
➢ Dialogue based User Interface
➢ Gesture based User Interface

19. Write the advantages and disadvantages of CLI

Command Line Interface requires
the user to type in the commands.
Programmers, Analysts and
Technicians use this interface to
communicate with the computer
directly.

Example: Windows has a CLI called Command Prompt

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
The user is in direct communication User has to learn a number of
with the computer commands to carryout basic operations
User is not restricted to a number of All commands must be typed in the
predetermined options correct format
Using commands in this interface it is If the commands are wrong then you
possible to alter the computer will have to retype the commands
configuration settings which could be time consuming

20.Write the advantages and disadvantages of GUI

GUI allows users to interact with the
computer using pictures and icons
rather than writing a number of
commands. This interface is suitable
for users to play games, edit
pictures or to run any software.

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 ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
User does not have to learn any It uses more computer memory than
commands CLI
GUI is very User friendly. It uses User is limited to the icons provided
WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus, on the screen
Pointers) feature
Icons represent applications and click GUI needs an operating system such
on an icon to launch the application as windows to operate, which uses up
considerable memory

21.Name some post-WIMP interactions

Pinching on the screen to zoom it out, Rotating the screen

22. Dialogue based User Interface – works based on the human voice commands
[Ex: Microsoft Cortana, Google Now, Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa]

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Very useful for drivers to give voice Sometimes commands not get
commands to do any task without recognized and need to be repeated.
getting their hands off the steering
wheel
Useful for people with disabilities to Could be complex to set up
carry out tasks
Could be used as a security feature as Users need to know which commands
voice recognition could be used to to be used.
identify a person

23. Gesture based Interface- rely on human interaction by the moving of hands,
head or feet. It uses computer vision and image processing techniques.
Ex: Rotating a finger clockwise near the radio will increase the volume and the
same gesture in anti-clockwise will reduce the volume

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 ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Replaces mechanical input devices Unintentional movements could be
picked up.
No physical contact required Works fairly near to the sensor
No special training needed to use it May only accept a limited number of
gestures at a time.

Types of computers
1. PERSONAL COMPUTER /DESKTOP
ADVANTAGES
➢ Standardized spare parts results in lower cost
➢ Better price /performance ratio
➢ Power consumption not critical as always plugged in
➢ Stable internet connection as it is not being moved around
➢ Less chance of getting damaged as are fixed in a location
DISADVANTAGES
➢ Not portable
➢ It is necessary to copy files from the device if it has to be used anywhere else
➢ The separate components and the wires clutter the desk space.
Uses
➢ Used as a gaming device.

➢ For office and business work

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 2. LAPTOP (Notebook)

ADVANTAGES

➢ All components are in a single unit

➢ Portable
➢ Can be linked to any multimedia systems
➢ Can take full advantage of Wi-Fi

DISADVANTAGES
➢ Limited battery life so needs to carry a heavy adapter
➢ Portable so easier to get stolen
➢ Keyboards and pointing device can be awkward to use if users are not familiar with the
device.

3. TABLET

Features
➢ High definition anti-glare glasses
➢ Front and back cameras
➢ Virtual Keyboard (keyboard is a part of touch screen and keys are
activated by touching them with fingers or stylus)
➢ Bluetooth connection to printers and other devices
➢ Less weight
➢ Presence of Sensors
Proximity sensor- to detect nearby objects. To identify unintended touches
Accelerometer – a sensor to identify the movement of the device and change the window orientation
accordingly.

PHABLET – a hybrid between TABLET and SMART PHONE.

ADVANTAGES
➢ Smaller footprint

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 ➢ Fully Portable
➢ Very fast to switch on
➢ Generates no heat as it uses SSD
➢ Less susceptible to viruses
DISADVANTAGES
➢ Limited storage compared to Laptop
➢ Typing could be error prone because of smaller screen size
➢ Internet access could be expensive if accessed through mobile phone networks.

4. SMART PHONES
Features
➢ Sending/receiving emails
➢ Instant Messaging
➢ GPS
➢ Calendar functions
➢ VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
➢ Telephone banking /online shopping through apps
➢ Instant access to social networks
➢ Streaming of video/audio

Advantages
➢ Portable as lighter in size
➢ Can make phone calls/internet access while on move
➢ Reasonable battery life compared to laptops
➢ Have hundreds of Apps

Disadvantages
➢ Small screen makes reading difficult and small keyboard makes typing difficult
➢ web browsing and photography can drain the battery
➢ Memory size is small as compared to laptop/pc
➢ Data transfer rate using mobile phone network is slower than Wi-Fi.

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 5. What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence is a machine or application that can simulate human intelligence. AI can do
human tasks which requires decision making and problem-solving skills

6. Name some areas where AI brought massive positive impacts

➢ Accurate weather predictions
➢ Expert systems to diagnose patient’s illness based on the symptoms entered
➢ Driverless vehicles which can reduce the number of road accidents
➢ Robots can be used to carry out dangerous tasks like bomb disposal, entering to
nuclear disaster areas.
➢ Used in manufacturing Industries – to spray paint or weld car bodies, to fix the wind
shield
➢ Use of Drones - Unmanned flying devices used by military and civilians
➢ Robots could be used perform complex surgeries with more precision, flexibility and
control
7. Name some negative impacts of AI
➢ Could lead to Job losses
➢ Humans are more dependent on technology and they are unable to carry out tasks
➢ Loss of skills

8. What is Extended Reality (XR)

XR is a combination of real and virtual environment.
Examples of XR
➢ Augmented Reality (AR)
➢ Virtual Reality (VR)
➢ Mixed reality (MR)

9. What is Augmented Reality (AR)?

➢ In AR virtual information and objects are overlaid into real world situations
➢ Users can experience AR through special goggles or via smartphone screens
➢ Here users are not isolated from the real world

10. Impacts of AR
➢ To try out rescue procedures before doing the real operation
➢ For entertainment. AR enables you to interact with your favorite celebrity
➢ To try out a makeup or costume before shopping it.
➢ Enables doctors to build a 3D image of the patient’s body using their CT scan before
performing a surgery.

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 11. What is Virtual Reality (VR)?

Users are fully immersed into a simulated digital world. Using

VR headsets, data goggles, sensor gloves make them believe
that they are in the space or inside a volcano.

12. Impacts / Uses of VR

➢ Used in scientific visualization (to demonstrate the molecular structure of elements)
➢ Military applications to train soldiers for combat or to use a new tank
➢ For training the surgeons with a virtual patient
➢ For architectural purposes and in real estate so to view the virtual design of a building before
its construction
➢ In sports, ex: For a golfer to improve his swing.

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