COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER

INTRODUCTION
If you use a desktop computer, you might already know that there isn't any single part called the "computer." A
computer is really a system of many parts working together. The physical parts, which you can see and touch, are
collectively called hardware. (Software, on the other hand, refers to the instructions, or programs, that tell the
hardware what to do.)

The following illustration shows the most common hardware in a desktop computer system. Your system might
look a little different, but it probably has most of these parts. A laptop computer has similar parts but combines
them into a single, notebook-sized package.

Desktop computer system

A Computer is a high speed electronic device that can process entered data; correspondingly. It produces some
form of processing output. Aside from processing, the computer can also store data, either in primary or secondary
storage media.

BASIC CHARACTERISTIC OF A COMPUTER

1. Electronic – because all computers are powered by electricity
2. Programmable - because all computers are able to follow set of instructions called programs, from which
a user may derive the specific information he wants.
3. Storage Capability – because all computers are able to store data intended for later use.
4. Retrieval Capability – because all computers are able to regain stored programs and data.
5. Processing Capability – because all computers are able to process data that are transformed to useful
information/data or useful outputs.

ADVANTAGES OF USING A COMPUTER

1. Speed – nothing can match the speed of the computer. Next to a computer, for example typewriter,
calculator, pencil or pad paper, are extremely slow. Once the computer has stored data, it can process that
data into information much faster than any human being using any other tool can.
2. Accuracy – given the correct instruction, the computer provides totally and consistently accurate
information. Human in comparison are subject to human errors.
3. Repeatability – in task which requires doing by rote, nothing, not even man, matches a machine. Imagine
if a man has to do a single task such as printing names, over and over again every single day of the week;
he’d quietly go out of his mind! All things consider, if given the same task, a machine such as the computer
can do it for a million times as without complain, and in the fastest time possible.
4. Programmability – as was mentioned earlier, computers had the characteristic of being programmable. It
can be made to do exactly what a computer user wants it to. The user can be very specific about what he
wants about the type of information he wants.
If he gives the computer the correct data and explicit instruction has to how the data is to be processed, he
is bound to get the exact output that he wants.

BENEFITS OF USING A COMPUTER

1. Increase Productivity – everybody is looking for ways to get more work done faster and lesser effort
because computers can a handle a great deal of data at once, they are perfect tools to increase productivity.
In other words, they can increase the amount of work that we can do in a given amount of time.

Lecture Notes in CS 2 – Computer Fundamentals and its Applications 1

 for example, a computerized car factory can finish a hundred cars a day because of computers speed,
accuracy and systematic procedures, while an old fashioned car factory can only maybe finish five to ten
cars a day.
2. Information Management – the computer’s ability to let us store and process massive amounts of data and
its ability to convert this data to useful information makes them a perfect and excellent managing tool.
3. Improved Communications – in what ways computer made or improved communications? As a matter of
facts\ it improved communications in many ways. Example of these are the internet, text messaging,
automated teller machine (ATM), fax machine etc… and they all use satellites to relay all data and
information.

Understanding the Computer System

Computer System – composed of several components having different functions but together perform one
common objective that is to process data into meaningful information. The computer system is a collection of
component or elements that work together to perform a task, and these are the hardware, software and peopleware.
Each component plays an important role; without each other computer systems will not work properly.

1. Hardware- the physical, touchable, electronic and mechanical parts of a computer system.
A. Input Devices - Accepts data and instructions from the user or from another computer system.

Two (2) Types of Input Devices

1. Keyboard Entry – Data is inputted to the computer through a
keyboard.
Keyboard - The first input device developed for the PC. Data is
transferred to the PC over a short cable with a circular 6-pin Mini-
din connector that plugs into the back of the motherboard.
Figure 11. Keyboard
2. Direct Entry – A form of input that does not require data to be keyed by someone sitting at a keyboard.
Direct-entry devices create machine-readable data on paper, or magnetic media, or feed it directly into the
computer’s CPU.
Three Categories of Direct Entry Devices
1. Pointing Devices - An input device used to move the pointer (cursor) on screen.
Mouse - The most common 'pointing device' used in PCs. Every mouse has two buttons and most have
one or two scroll wheels.

Figure 12. Mouse

Touch screen- A display screen that is sensitive to the touch of a finger or stylus. Used in myriad
applications, including ATM machines, retail point-of-sale terminals, car navigation and industrial controls. The
touch screen became wildly popular for smart phones and tablets.

Figure 13. Touch Screen Devices

Light Pen - A light-sensitive stylus wired to a video terminal used to draw pictures or select menu options.
The user brings the pen to the desired point on screen and presses the pen button to make contact.

Lecture Notes in CS 2 – Computer Fundamentals and its Applications 2

 Figure 14. Light Pen

Digitizer Tablet - A graphics drawing tablet used for sketching new images or tracing old ones.
Also called a "graphics tablet," the user contacts the surface of the device with a wired or wireless pen or
puck. Often mistakenly called a mouse, the puck is officially the “tablet cursor."

Figure 15. Digitizer Tablet

2. Scanning Devices- A device that can read text or illustrations printed on paper and translates the
information into a form the computer can use.

Figure 16. Image scanner Figure 17. Bar Code Reader

3. Voice- Input Devices - Audio input devices also known as speech or voice recognition systems that allow a
user to send audio signals to a computer for processing, recording, or carrying out commands. Audio input
devices such as microphones allow users to speak to the computer in order to record a voice message or
navigate software.

Figure 18. Microphones

B. Output Devices - Any piece of computer hardware that displays results after the computer has processed the
input data that has been entered.
1. Computer Display Monitor- It displays information in visual form, using text and graphics. The
portion of the monitor that displays the information is called the screen or video display terminal.

Lecture Notes in CS 2 – Computer Fundamentals and its Applications 3

Types of Monitor
a. CRT Monitors - Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) were the only type of displays for use with desktop PCs. They
are relatively big (14" to 16" deep) and heavy (over 15 lbs).

Figure 19. Cathode Ray Tube Monitor Figure 20. Liquid Crystal Display Monitor

b. LC D Monitors - Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology has been used in laptops for some time. It has
recently been made commercially available as monitors for desktop PCs.

c. LED Monitors (Light Emitting Diode) - A display and lighting technology used in almost every electrical
and electronic product on the market, from a tiny on/off light to digital readouts, flashlights, traffic lights and
perimeter lighting.

Figure 21. Light Emitting Diode Monitor

d. LCD Projectors- utilize two sheets of polarizing material with a liquid
crystal solution between them. An electric current passed through the liquid
causes the crystals to align so that light cannot pass through them. Each crystal,
therefore, is like a shutter, either allowing light to pass through or blocking the
light.
Figure 22. LCD Projector
3. Smart Board - A type of display screen that has a touch sensitive transparent panel covering the screen,
which is similar to a touch screen.

Figure 23. Smart Board

4. Printer - A device that prints text or illustrations on paper.
Types of printer
Ink-Jet or Bubble-Jet Printer - prays ink at a sheet of paper. Ink-jet printers produce high quality text and
graphics Figure 24. Ink- Jet Printer
Laser Printer - Uses the same technology as copy machines. Laser printers
produce very high-quality text and graphics.

LCD and LED Printer- Similar to a laser printer, but uses liquid crystals or
light-emitting diodes rather than a laser to produce an image on the drum.
Figure 25. Laser Printer
Line Printer - Contains a chain of characters or pins that print an entire line at one time. Line printers are very
fast, but produce low-quality print.

Lecture Notes in CS 2 – Computer Fundamentals and its Applications 4

 Thermal Printer- An inexpensive printer that works by pushing heated pins against heat-sensitive pa pe r .
Thermal pri nters a re wi del y used i n c al cula tors a nd fa x machines.

Figure 26. LCD Printer Figure 27. Line Printer Figure 28. Thermal Printer

5. Speakers - Used to play sound. They may be built into the system unit or connected with cables. Speakers
allow you to listen to music and hear sound effects from your computer.

C. Storage Devices – This device holds data, information and instruction.

A. HARD Disk Drive (HDD) - store information in magnetic particles
embedded in a disk usually a permanent part of computer, it can store large
amount of information and retrieve that information very quickly. It usually
contains operating system and application software.
Figure 8. Hard Disk Drive
- Also known as hard drive, is a magnetic storage device that is installed
inside the computer. The hard drive is used as permanent storage for data.
In a Windows computer, the hard drive is usually configured as the C:
drive and contains the operating system and applications.

B. Optical Disk / Optical Drive- An optical drive is a storage device that uses
lasers to read data on the optical media. There are three types of optical drives:
Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and Blu-ray Disc (BD). Figure 9. CD ROM

Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) - Designed to optically access data stored on a DVD. A laser moves back and
forth near the disk surface and accesses data at a very fast rate.
C. Removable Disk – Flash Disk, Memory Card

Figure 10. Cards and Card Reader

MEMORY – it holds data and information for quick retrieval by the CPU.
A. ROM (Read Only Memory) – critical information and instruction is permanently stored in ROM. It also called
NONVOLATILE Memory.
B. RAM (Random Access Memory) – it also called Volatile Memory. It holds instruction and data temporarily.

Figure 11. Examples of RAM

 Primary storage- (internal storage, main memory or memory) is the computer's working storage space that
holds data, instructions for processing and processed data (information) waiting to be sent to Secondary
storage. Physically, primary storage is a collection of RAM chips.

 Major hardware components of a computer system

The system unit is the core of a computer system. Usually it's a rectangular box placed on or underneath your
desk. Inside this box are many electronic components that process information. The most important of these
components is the central processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor, which acts as the "brain" of your computer.
Another component is random access memory (RAM), which temporarily stores information that the CPU uses
while the computer is on. The information stored in RAM is erased when the computer is turned off. Almost every
other part of your computer connects to the system unit using cables. The cables plug into specific ports(openings),
typically on the back of the system unit. Hardware that is not part of the system unit is sometimes called
a peripheral device or device.

Lecture Notes in CS 2 – Computer Fundamentals and its Applications 5

 System unit
The following list represents a basic set of hardware found in most PCs.
1. System Unit- The main part of a microcomputer, sometimes called the chassis. It includes the following
parts: Motherboard, Microprocessor, Memory Chips, Buses, Ports, Expansion Slots and Cards.

Figure 1. Tower Type System Unit

2. Motherboard / Mainboard / System Board- The main

circuit board of a computer. It contains all the circuits and
components that run the computer.

Figure 2. Modern Motherboard

3. CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The processor is the main “brain” or “heart” of a computer system. It
performs all of the instructions and calculations that are needed and manages the flow of information through
a computer.

Figure 3. Examples of CPU (Intel Core 2 Duo and AMD Athlon)

5. Expansion Bus - A bus is a data pathway between several hardware components inside or outside a computer.
It does not only connect the parts of the CPU to each other, but also links the CPU with other important
hardware.
6. Adapters- Printed-circuit boards (also called interface cards) that enable the computer to use a peripheral
device for which it does not have the necessary connections or circuit boards. They are often used to permit
upgrading to a new different hardware.
7. Power Supply Unit (PSU) - Installed in the back corner of the PC case, next to the motherboard. It converts
120vac (standard house power) into DC voltages that are used by other components in the PC.

Lecture Notes in CS 2 – Computer Fundamentals and its Applications 6

Figure 5. Expansion Bus Figure 7. Power supply Figure 6. Adapter (Network Adapter)

8. Heat sink- Components with fins that cools the processor

9. Ports - External connecting sockets on the outside of the computer. This is a pathway into and out of
the computer. A port lets users plug in outside peripherals, such as monitors, scanners and printers.

Table 1. The Ports and their function

Type of Port Function Illustration
Serial Port
Intended for serial type mouse and older camera

Parallel Port Also called as printer port. This is only for old model
printer. It has 25 pins. It is a female port.
VGA (Video
Graphic Used to connect monitors. It has 15 pins and it is a
female port.
Array) Port
USB (Universal
Serial
Bus) Port High speed serial interface that is used with almost all
devices. It is used to connect latest model printers, pen
drives, cell phones etc. it has 4 pins.

PS/2 Port
Simple, 6-pin, low-speed Serial connections commonly
dedicated to a keyboard and mouse.
Power Port
Intended for power cord.

Type of Port Function Illustration

S-Video Port S-Video connections are available on certain source
components and video display devices, and offer a
higher level of video performance over composite video
signals.
Audio Port
Intended for plugging in the speaker or headset.

LAN (Local A p h ys i c a l i n t e r f a c e oft e n used for terminating

Area twisted pair type cables used to connect computers onto
Networking) a local-area networks (LAN), especially Ethernet RJ-45
Port connectors

10. Cables and Wires- A cable is most often two or more wires running side by side and bonded, twisted or
braided together to form a single assembly, but can also refer to a heavy strong rope.

Lecture Notes in CS 2 – Computer Fundamentals and its Applications 7

Table 2. The Cables and Connectors
Illustration Function

These jacks are intended for the PS/2 port specifically for
PS/2 type of keyboard and mouse.

This type of jack is intended for the audio and

microphone port.

S-video jack is obviously for

S-Video port

This monitor jack is intended for the VGA (Video

Graphic Array) port

This USB (Universal Serial Bus) plug is intended for

USB port. Modern or new model of peripherals like
printer, camera, scanners and even other portable
computer attachments used USB type of plugs.
This printer cable jack is intended for the parallel
port.

RJ45 ("RJ" in RJ45 stands for "registered jack," since it

is a standardized networking interface and the "45"
simply refers to the number of the interface standard) is a
type of connector commonly used for Ethernet
networking.

Power cord is the most important cord because it

connects the computer to the main source of electricity to
make it functional.

2. Software is the set of instructions (also called a Program) that guides the hardware to operate effectively.
Software can be split into two main types:
Software
 Engineer’s point of view – programs, documents, and data that are computer software.
 User’s point of view – the resultant information that somehow makes the user’s world better.
Today software takes on a dual role. It is a product and, at the same time, the vehicle of delivering the
product.
Software Characteristics
 Software is a logical rather than a physical system element.
 Software is developed or engineered, it is not manufactured in the classical sense.
 Software doesn’t “wear out”.
◦ It just deteriorates
 Although the industry is moving toward component-based assembly, most software continues to be
custom built.
Types of Software
1. System Software
 Written to service other programs e.g., compilers – process complex but determinate, information
structure
 Operating system process largely indeterminate

Lecture Notes in CS 2 – Computer Fundamentals and its Applications 8

Types of System Software
a. Operating system software
An operating system (OS) is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide
common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system
software in a computer system. Without an operating system, a user cannot run an application program on
their computer (unless the application program is self-booting).

Examples of popular modern operating systems include android, iOS, Linux, Mac OS X and Microsoft
Windows, but don't use these names in the exam!

b. Utility programs
Utility software is a type of system software which has a very specific task to perform related to the working
of the computer, for example anti-virus software, disk defragment etc. Utility software should not be
confused with application software, which allows users to do things like creating text KDE System Guard
monitoring the CPU usage, processes and memory usage

Examples of utility software include:

Virus scanner - to protect your system from Trojans and viruses
Disk defragmenter - to speed up your hard disk
System monitor - to look at your current system resources
File managers - to add, delete, rename and move files and folders

c. Library programs
Library programs are collections compiled routines which are shared by multiple programs, such as the
printing function. Library programs contain code and data that provide services to other programs such as
interface (look and feel), printing, network code and even the graphic engines of computer games. If you
have ever wondered why all Microsoft Office programs have the same look and feel, that is because they
are using the same graphical user interface libraries. For computer games a developer might not have the
time and budget to write a new graphics engine so they often buy graphical libraries to speed up
development, this will allow them to quickly develop a good looking game that runs on the desired
hardware. For example Battlefield 3 and Need for Speed both use the same Frostbite engine. Most
programming languages have a standard set of libraries that can be used, offering code to handle
input/output, graphics and specialist maths functions. You can also create your own custom libraries and
when you start to write lots of programs with similar functionality you'll find them very useful. Below is
an example of how you might import libraries into VB.NET:
'imports the libraries allowing a program to send emails
Imports System.Net.Mail
'imports the libraries allowing a program to draw in 2D
Imports System.Drawing.Drawing2D
d. Translator software
The final type of system software that you need to know is translator software. This is software that allows
new programs to be written and run on computers, by converting source code into machine code. There are
three types that we'll cover in a lot more detail shortly:
Assembler - converts assembly code into machine code
Interpreter - converts 3rd generation languages such as javascript into machine code one line at a time
Compiler - converts 3rd generation languages such as C++ into machine code all at once
2. Application Software
 Set of computer programs designed to permit the user to perform a group of coordinated functions,
tasks, or activities.
Types of Application Software
 Word Processing Software: This software enables users to create and edit documents. The most
popular examples of this type of software are MS-Word, WordPad and Notepad among other text
editors.
 Database Software: Database is a structured collection of data. A computer database relies on
database software to organize data and enable database users to perform database operations. Database
software allows users to store and retrieve data from databases. Examples are Oracle, MSAccess, etc.
 Spreadsheet Software: Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some examples of spreadsheet
software. Spreadsheet software allows users to perform calculations using spreadsheets. They
simulate paper worksheets by displaying multiple cells that make up a grid.

Lecture Notes in CS 2 – Computer Fundamentals and its Applications 9

  Multimedia Software: They allow users to create and play audio and video files. They are capable
of playing media files. Audio converters, audio players, burners, video encoders and decoders are
some forms of multimedia software. Examples of this type of software include Real Player and Media
Player.
 Presentation Software: The software that is used to display information in the form of a slide show
is known as presentation software. This type of software includes three functions, namely, editing that
allows insertion and formatting of text, methods to include graphics in the text and a functionality of
executing slide shows. Microsoft PowerPoint is the best example of presentation software.
 Enterprise Software: It deals with the needs of organization processes and data flow. Customer
relationship management or the financial processes in an organization are carried out with the help of
enterprise software.
 Information Worker Software: Individual projects within a department and individual needs of
creation and management of information are handled by information worker software. Documentation
tools, resource management tools and personal management systems fall under the category of this
type of application software.
 Educational Software: It has the capabilities of running tests and tracking progress. It also has the
capabilities of a collaborative software. It is often used in teaching and self-learning. Dictionaries like
Britannica and Encarta, mathematical software like MATLAB and others like Google Earth and
NASA World Wind are some of the well-known names in this category.
 Simulation Software: Used to simulate physical or abstract systems, simulation software finds
applications in both, research and entertainment. Flight simulators and scientific simulators are
examples of simulation software.
 Content Access Software: It is used to access content without editing. Common examples of content
access software are web browsers and media players.
 Application Suites: An application suite is an important type of application software. It consists of
a group of applications combined to perform related functions. OpenOffice and Microsoft Office are
the best examples of this type of application software. These application suites, as you know, come
as bundles of applications like word processors, spreadsheets, presentation software, etc. Applications
in the suite can work together or operate on each other's files.
 Software that aid Engineering and Development of Products: These software are used in the
design and development of hardware and software products. Integrated development environments
(IDE) and computer language editing tools fall under this type of application software. Interestingly,
software products are developed using other software, and software communicate with one another
through software. Application programming interfaces which aid the communication of two or more
software are examples of this application software type.

Ownership Rights and Delivery Methods:

Commercial Software: Installation in number of computers is specified by the software vendor/producer.
User only buys the license to use it. User does not buy the software. He/she may not be allowed to install
a software more than one machine. A demo version of software may exist for free but demo version does
not include all the key components of the software.
Shareware: May be free of charge or the software company may charge a nominal fee. Users can download
these kinds of software from the Internet. Example: Real Player full version, MP3 player full version,
different games downloaded from the Internet.
Freeware: Software that are given away for free by the vendor/producer. Example: Real Player trial
version, MP3 Player trial version etc.
Installed software Vs. Web-Based Software:
Installed Software: Software you buy from market or download from the Internet to your computer. The
software is physically installed in your computer and runs from your Hard Drive. Usually these kinds of
software are wrapped inside a CD case when you buy it from market. Example: MS Office, Games etc.
Web Based Software: Software that are run from the Internet. Example: Online games, Virus protection
software that you download from Internet etc.
3. Programming Languages – Application Software used to create another application or program.
3. Peopleware - Refers to people involved in the data processing operations. Together with the software and
hardware, peopleware completes the three attributes of the highly dynamic computer technology. Peopleware plays
a significant role in the development and advancement of the hardware and software systems, as well as
programming, project management, interface design and the human-machine interaction.

Lecture Notes in CS 2 – Computer Fundamentals and its Applications 10

The following are examples of Peopleware:
● Computer Engineers
The Computer Engineers are commonly engage in software design and application to address the needs of a
particular industry or sector. The Computer Engineers are primarily responsible for the update in the software as
well as providing additional customization of current software to ensure the system's functionality. In addition to
this, the field of robotics needs the expertise of a Computer Engineer to improve its designs and functions
proficiently.
● Software Engineers
The Software Engineer is primarily responsible for the design and development of the software of the computers,
as well as its testing and evaluation. They usually work on computer chips to ensure that it is functioning well and
suited to the company's needs.
● Information Technology Specialists
The IT Specialists are tasked to plan and coordinate the installation, operation, troubleshooting and maintenance
of the computer's software and hardware systems. They ensure that the necessary security programs, procedures
and policies are implemented to guaranty the company's data are safe and secure.
● Website Designer
Website designers engage in the construction of the navigation schemes of a website. Their job also includes
putting together online content and applications in the internet. They also work on the web page's layout as well
as the strategic placement of the useful and practical information about the website. At times, they are also
responsible for conceptual design and branding.
● Computer Technicians
These technicians are in charge with the repair and maintenance of computers and its servers. They also build or
configure new hardware as well as installing and bringing up to date the software. They are also tasked with the
creation and maintenance of computer network

Lecture Notes in CS 2 – Computer Fundamentals and its Applications 11