COMPONENTS OF

COMPUTER SYSTEM
 1.0
THE COMPUTER
SYSTEM
Computer Hardware
 COMPUTER HARDWARE
● Are physical/tangible parts of a computer.
● Enables a user to perform major functions such as input,
output, storage, communication, processing, and more.
 SYSTEM UNIT
● Is the overall structure that
houses the processor, memory,
and electronic components of the
computer that are used to
process data.
● All input and output devices are
connected into the system unit.
● It holds and protects most
components of a computer.
 MONITOR
● Acts as the primary display of the
unit where the user interface and
programs are reflected.
 SPEAKER
● Sound system device that
produce audio output from the
computer.
 PRINTER
● Prints paper documents,
photographs, and other outputs
called hard copies which are
physical versions of the
documents.
 KEYBOARD
● Primary input device used to
input alphanumeric data and
commands to the computer.
 MOUSE
● Primary input device used to
navigate and interact with the
monitor output.
 MICROPHONE
● Converts sound into an electrical
signal.
 CD/DVD DRIVE
● Uses laser light or
electromagnetic waves within or
near the visible light spectrum as
part of the process of reading or
writing data to or from optical
discs.
 HARD DRIVE
● Is an electro-mechanical data
storage device that stores and
retrieves digital data using
magnetic storage with one or
more rigid rapidly rotating
platters coated with magnetic
material.
 CD/DVD DISCS
● Is a digital optical disc data
storage format.
 1.1
THE COMPUTER
SYSTEM
Elements of a Computer System (Input)
 INPUT DEVICES
● Are devices used for entering data or instructions to the central processing
unit. Are classified according to the method they use to enter data.
○ Keying Devices – Are devices used to enter data into the computer using
a set of Keys.
○ Pointing Devices – Are devices that enter data and instructions into the
computer using a pointer that appears on the screen. The items to be
entered are selected by either pointing to or clicking on them.
○ Scanning Devices - Are devices that capture an object or a document
directly from the source. They are classified according to the technology
used to capture data.
 KEYING DEVICES
The keys on your keyboard can be divided into several groups based on function:

● Typing (alphanumeric) Keys – These keys include the same letter, number,
punctuation, and symbol keys found on a traditional typewriter.
● Special (Control) Keys – These keys are used alone or in combination with
other keys to perform certain actions.
● Function Keys – The function keys are used to perform specific tasks. They are
labelled as F1, F2, F3, and so on, up to F12. The functionality of these keys differs
from program to program.
● Cursor Movement (Navigation) Keys – These keys are used for moving around
in documents or Web Pages and editing text. They include the arrow keys,
HOME, END, PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN, DELETE, and INSERT and ARROW KEYS.
● Numeric Keypad – The numeric keypad is handy for entering numbers
quickly. The keys are grouped together in a block like a conventional calculator
or adding machine.
KEYING DEVICES
 POINTING DEVICES
● A mouse usually has two buttons: a primary button (usually
the left button) and a secondary button. Many mice also
have a wheel between the two buttons, which allows you to
scroll smoothly through screens of information.
● When you move the mouse with your hand, a pointer on
your screen moves in the same direction.
● When you want to select an item, you point to the item and
then click the primary button. Pointing and clicking with
your mouse is the main way to interact with your computer.
POINTING DEVICES
 POINTING DEVICES
● Clicking (single-clicking) – To click an item, point to the item on the
screen, and then press and release the primary button (usually the
left button).
● Double-clicking – To double-click an item, point to the item on the
screen, and then click twice quickly. If the two clicks are spaced too
far apart, they might be interpreted as two individual clicks rather
than as one double-click.
● Right-clicking – To right-click an item, point to the item on the
screen, and then press and release the secondary button (usually the
right button).
 SCANNING DEVICES
● Scanners – Used to capture a source document and converts it into
an electronic form.
● Document Readers – Are documents that reads data directly from
source document and convey them as input in the form of electronic
signal.
● Barcode Readers – is a hand-held or stationary input device used to
capture and read information contained in a barcode.
 1.2
THE COMPUTER
SYSTEM
Elements of a Computer System (Processing)
 PROCESSING
● Commonly known as the CPU or
processor, this is the brain of the
computer. It interprets and carries
out the basic instructions to
operate a computer.
 FUNCTIONS OF CPU
● Process data.
● Control sequence of operations within the computers.
● It gives command to all parts of a computer.
● It control the use of the main memory in storing of data and
instructions.
● it provides temporary storage (RAM) and permanent storage(ROM)
of data.
 1.3
THE COMPUTER
SYSTEM
Elements of a Computer System (Storage)
 STORAGE
● A system might have one or more
hard drives, an optical drive, a tape
drive, or, for really old systems, a
floppy drive.
● A hard drive, also called a hard disk
drive (HDD), is permanent storage
used to hold data and programs.
● SSDs replace traditional hard disk
drives (HDDs) in computers and
perform the same basic functions as a
hard drive. But SSDs are significantly
faster in comparison.
 1.4
THE COMPUTER
SYSTEM
Elements of a Computer System (Output)
 OUTPUT DEVICES
● Is any hardware device used to send data from a computer to
another device or user.
● Most output peripherals are meant for human use, so they receive
the processed data from the computer and transform it in the form
of audio, video, or physical reproductions.
● Typical examples of output devices are monitors and projectors
(video), headphones and speakers (audio), or printers and plotters
(physical reproduction in the form of text or graphics).
 1.5
THE COMPUTER
SYSTEM
Elements of a Computer System
(Communication Devices)
 COMMUNICATION DEVICES
● A device capable of transmitting an analog or digital signal over the
telephone, other communication wire, or wirelessly.
● A classic example of a communication device is a computer
modem, which converts a computer's digital information to an
analog signal for transmission over a telephone line.