Section1 - Computer Hardware
Section1 - Computer Hardware
Computer
Hardware
Section 1
Hardware
Outline
Introduction
The CPU
ALU, CU, IAS
Input Devices
Output Devices
Primary memory
RAM and ROM
Secondary Storage devices
Types of Computers
Micro, Mini, Mainframe and Super
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Introduction
Hardware
DEFINITION: The physical components of the computer system.
Backing Storage
Devices
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CPU
CU, ALU, IAS
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Input Devices
Specialised input devices
Optical Mark Reader (OMR): a special type of optical scanner used to
recognize the type of mark made. It is used where one out of a few
alternatives is to be selected and marked. It is specially used for
checking the answer sheets of examinations having multiple choice
questions.
Magnetic Ink Character Reader (MICR): generally used in banks as
there are large number of cheques to be processed every day. The
bank's code number and cheque number are printed on the cheques
with a special type of ink that contains particles of magnetic material
that are machine readable.
Optical Character Reader (OCR): scans the text optically, character
by character, converts them into a machine readable code, and
stores the text on the system memory.
Barcode reader: for reading bar coded data (data in the form of light
and dark lines). Bar coded data is generally used in labelling goods,
numbering the books, etc. It may be a handheld scanner or may be
embedded in a stationary scanner.
Magnetic stripe reader :The stripe allows this data to be input to a
computer system faster and more accurately than by typing it in. A
magnetic strip/stripe reader is used to read the data from the stripe.
This is usually done by ‘swiping’ the card through a slot on the reader.
Smart cards: Data can be stored in this memory and read back using
a ‘chip’ reader. Many types of card use this
system: id cards, phone cards, credit cards, door security cards, etc.
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Automatic Methods-sensors
Input Devices
Sensors are input devices that record data about
the physical environment around it.
Sensors send data to a microprocessor
(computer). They do not make judgements,
decisions or control any output devices.
Sensors feed control systems with data needed in
order to give the rightful output.
In this regard, sensors are input devices
Sensors are used extensively in monitoring /
measuring / data logging systems, and also
in computer control systems.
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Output Devices
Printers
Printer is an output device, which is used to print information on paper. There are two
types of printers : Impact printers and non-impact printers
Impact Printers
Impact printers print the characters by striking them on the ribbon, which is then pressed
on the paper
Characteristics of Impact Printers:
Produce multipart stationery (multiple copies of the same document at the same
time)
Produce low quality printout
Cheaper to purchase
Generally noisy
Examples of impact printers are:
Dot Matrix Printer
Daisy Wheel
Non-Impact Printers
Non-impact printers print the characters without using the ribbon. Produces printout with
a non-striking mechanism
Characteristics of Non-impact Printers
Faster in operation than impact printers (high printing speed)
They produce high quality printout
Expensive to purchase
These printers are of two types:
Laser Printers
Inkjet Printers
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Storing data
Computer memory
When we talk about ‘storing’ data, we mean putting the data in a known place.
We can later come back to that place and get our data back again.
‘Writing’ data or ‘saving’ data are other ways of saying ‘storing’ data.
‘Reading’ data, ‘retrieving’ data or ‘opening’ a file are ways of saying that we
are getting our data back from its storage location.
Computer memory is where data and programs are stored. Form of computer
memory are : cache, buffer, virtual memory, primary memory and secondary
memory
Cache: a very high speed semiconductor memory which is used to hold those
parts of data and program which are most frequently used by the CPU. The
advantages of cache memory are as follows:
Cache memory is faster than main memory.
It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.
It stores the program that can be executed within a short period of time.
It stores data for temporary use.
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Storing data
Primary vs Secondary memory
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Note: 1024 × 1024 = 1 048 576 and so on. Which means 1MB= 1024
KB
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Primary memory
RAM vs ROM
Variations of ROM
• PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory): can be modified only once by a
user. Thereafter, It can be programmed only once and is not erasable.
• EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory):can be erased by
exposing it to ultra-violet light.
• EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only
Memory): programmed and erased electrically. It can be erased and
reprogrammed about ten thousand times
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Storage device: the hardware that saves (writes) or reads the data
from storage medium e.g. hard disk drive, CD/DVD drive, card
reader, USB port etc
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Magnetic media
Fixed Hard disk- Available on all computers and is the main
method used for data storage. Used to store OS and
working data
External Hard disk- Like fixed hard disks but are usually
connected via USB. Used as backup systems to prevent loss
of data
Magnetic tapes- 1TB + : large volumes of data
Optical media
CD-700MB: Audio and small amounts of data
DVD-4.7GB: Standard definition movies and data
Blu-ray disk- (25 GB – 128 GB): HD video and large amounts
of data
Solid State media
memory stick- saving and transferring documents
Memory card- Used in Smart phones, digital cameras, MP3
players etc
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Types of computers
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Types of computers
Purpose of use
Microcomputer: used by individuals to run end user applications (home or office use)
Minicomputer: used in medium sized organisations to run commercial applications. Used
as a server computer
Mainframe: used in large organisations like banks, insurance companies for bulk data
processing
Super computers: used in areas that require sophisticated calculations e.g. scientific
simulations, nuclear science
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