People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

UUniversity of Algiers 1 Benyoucef Benkhedda
Faculty of Sciences
Department of Materials Science

Bachelor's Degree Course 1 (Semester 1).

Computer Science 1

Field: Material Sciences.

Email: [email protected] Teacher: Mr. A.BOUDJIDJ

Course: computer science 1

Part 1: Office Automation & Web Technology

 Part 1
Chapter two
The computer components will be detailed. More precisely, we will identify and define the role of each of these
components, via the explanation of “the functioning of a computer” according to the principles of the Von
Neumann machine.
 Chapter 2
Computer architecture
(The different hardware components)
 Chapter 2: Computer architecture

Introduction
1- Computer operating principle
1.1 Von Neumann architecture
1.1.1 Example of operation of the Von Neumann model
2- Component of a computer
2.1 Central unit
2.2 The processor
2.3 Motherboard
2.4 Definition of memory
2.4.1 Memory characteristics
2.4.1.1 Capacity (size)
2.4.1.2 Volatility
2.4.1.3 Information access mode (read/write)
2.5 Central memory
2.6 Read-only memories
2.7 The graphics card
 Chapter 2: Computer architecture

2.8 Definition of a device (peripheral)

2.8.1 Input devices
2.8.1.1 The Mouse
2.8.1.2 The Keyboard
2.8.1.3 Keyboard operating principles
2.8.1.4 The Scanner
2.8.2 Output devices
2.8.2.1 The screen
2.8.2.2 The printer
2.8.3 Input/output devices
2.8.3.1 Definition of a Hard Disk
2.8.3.2 Link between SATA hard drive and motherboard
2.8.3.3 SSD hard drive
2.8.3.4 SATA port
2.8.3.5 Flash memory
2.8.3.6 CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory)
 Chapter 2: Computer architecture

2.8.4 Input-output connectors on the motherboard

2.8.5 The sound card
2.8.6 The network card
2.8.7 Power supply
2.8.8 Speakers
2.8.9 Computer bus
2.8.10 Chipset
3- Conclusion
Introduction

A computer is a programmable electronic machine, it processes information in binary form, under the control of recorded programs. It can acquire and store
information, carry out processing of data received as input, and restore them in another form as output, different types of data which can be processed: texts,
images, sounds, numbers, etc.
It is mainly composed of two parts:
➢ Hardware or physical part : this is the set of modular electronic components (one component can be replaced by another in order to improve the
performance of the computer).
➢Software part : it is a set of programs ensuring the management and control of the hardware part of the computer. It's the operating system and these
applications.

1
Introduction

Computer

2 1
Hardware
Software (or physical)
part part

2
Introduction

1- internal
components
1 Hardware
Computer (or physical)
part
2- Peripherals

3
Introduction

Computer hardware components are divided into two main categories:

1- internal components: internal components are the parts of the computer that are always placed inside the
central processing unit (case) and more precisely on the motherboard.

2- Peripherals: are the parts of the computer that are usually placed outside the case but which sometimes
can be placed inside the case. For example, even though the hard drive is often placed inside the case, it is
considered a peripheral since it is possible to get an external hard drive that works outside the case

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Introduction

Chapter 02 Objective
This chapter allows the student to:
Become familiar with the hardware components of the computer.
Understand the operating principle of a computer
✓ Identify the different ports and integrated circuits on the motherboard.
✓Understand the role of each component of the motherboard.
✓ Know the role of each component in the computer.

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1- Computer operating principle

John von Neumann (1903-1957), was a Hungarian-American mathematician and physicist. He made important
contributions to quantum mechanics, functional analysis, set theory, computer science, economics and many other
areas of mathematics and physics.

1.1 Von Neumann architecture

The Von Neumann model, developed in 1946, is the basis of a stored program computer in which data and instructions are in the same electronic memory. The
Von Neumann model was developed as early as World War II, however it is one of the most popular architectures still today. It is a universal machine model
(non-specialized) which characterizes machines having the following elements:
- A memory containing program (instructions) and data, - An arithmetic and logic unit (UAL or ALU): It is responsible for processing arithmetic or Boolean
operations.
- A unit allowing the exchange of information with peripherals: the input/output unit ( or I/O),
- A control unit (UC): It is responsible for controlling and managing all the different components of the computer (controlling exchanges, managing the
sequence of different instructions, etc.).
These devices enable the implementation of the basic functions of a computer: data storage, data processing, data movement and control. The schematic
operation is as follows: the CPU
1. extracts an instruction from memory,
2. analyzes the instruction,
3. searches the memory for the data concerned by the instruction,
4. triggers the appropriate operation on the ALU or I/O,
5. Store the result in memory if necessary. 6
1- Computer operating principle

1.1 Von Neumann architecture

The Processor

Picture 1 : The Von Neumann model,

Picture 2 : Computer and its peripherals

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2- Component of a computer
3
• 1 – Monitor
4 2
• 2 - Motherboard
5
• 3 – Processor

• 4 - Connectors 7 1
6
• 5 - RAM

• 6 - Expansion card 11
8
• 7 - Power supply

• 8 - CD player 9
10
• 9 - hard drive

• 10 - keyboard

• 11 - Mouse 12

• 12 - Printer
Figure 4: Computer and its peripherals 8
2- Component of a computer

2.1 Central unit

The central processing unit is the core of a computer system. It usually comes
in the form of a rectangular box placed on or under your desk. Inside this box Processor

are many electronic components that process information. All these Motherboard
components are connected to a motherboard using specific ports.

The most important component is the central processing unit (CPU) or

microprocessor, which acts as the “brains” of the computer. Random access hard drive
memory (RAM), which temporarily stores information used by the CPU
Power supply
during computer operation. Information stored in RAM is erased when the
computer is turned off.

The computer has one or more disk drives. The disk retains information
permanently, even when the computer is turned off. All parts of the computer
soundcard Graphic card
network card
are connected to the central unit using connection cables.

Figure 5: Central unit and its components

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2- Component of a computer
2.2 The processor
In 1971, the company INTEL (Integrated Electronics) succeeded in placing all the transistors which constitute a processor on a single integrated circuit, a
processor (or Central Processing Unit CPU) for processing information stored in central memory.

The processor performs the functions of the central processing unit in a computer. However, it is the brain of all intelligent machines. A fan is used to
reduce its often high temperature and reduce the risk of overheating. There can be several processors in a computer. In usage, the abbreviated form
processor is also used in the sense of “microprocessor”.

Figure 6: Intel processor examples (Core i7) Figure 7: Examples of processors

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2.2 The processor
Companies
• Intel
• AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) Ryzen ex: Ryzen 3 : equivalent to Intel Core i3
• IBM
• Samsung
…

Generation characteristic

Intel Core i7 7700K

i5 5300U
i3 3400H

i7 6700T less energy low-processor (for office use)

i7 6700X ou K consumes energy powerful
i7 6700 E integrated into the motherboard

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2- Component of a computer

2.3 Motherboard

1/Power supply connectors

2/The socket

3/CMOS and its battery

4/The BIOS
5/Connectors:
➢ RAM
➢ input/output
➢ extension

6/The chipset
7/Connection buses

Figure 8: Motherboard 12
2- Component of a computer

2.4 Definition of memory

A memory is a device capable of recording information, retaining it (memorizing it) and restoring it (possible to read or recover it subsequently). The
memory can be in the processor (registers), internal (central or main memory) or external (secondary memory).
2.4.1 Memory characteristics

2.4.1.1 Capacity (size)

The size of a memory is the number (amount) of information that can be recorded (memorized) in this memory. The capacity can be expressed in: Bit: a
bit is the basic element for the representation of information. Byte: 1 Byte = 8 bits (seen in chapter 01)

2.4.1.2 Volatility
If a memory loses its contents (information) when the power source is cut off then the memory is said to be volatile. If a memory does not lose (retain) its
contents when the power source is cut off then the memory is said to be non-volatile (permanent or stable memory).

2.4.1.3 Information access mode (read/write)

in a memory we can perform the operation of:
➢ reading: recover/restore information from memory.
➢ write: record new information or modify information already existing in memory.
➢ There are memories that offer both read/write modes, these memories are called random access memories.
➢ There are memories that only offer the possibility of reading (it is not possible to modify the contents). These memories are called dead memories.

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2- Component of a computer
2.5 Central memory
Random Access Memory (or RAM), it is the Central Memory (MC) it represents the work space of the computer,
read and write access, it is a volatile memory (the conservation of its contents requires the permanence of its
electrical supply).
RAM is the main organ for storing information used by the processor; to execute a program it must be loaded
(copied) into RAM.
RAM access time and capacity are two elements that influence the execution time of a program (machine
performance). Figure 9: RAM

The RAM capacity is limited, but there is always the possibility of expansion. For communication with other parts
of the computer, RAM uses buses (address bus and data bus)

2.6 Read-Only Memories

A type of memory allowing data to be stored in the absence of electrical current, it is Read Only Memory (ROM),
non-volatile memory because it does not clear when the system is turned off.
This type of memory makes it possible to retain the data necessary for starting the computer. Different ROM type
memories contain data essential for startup such as the BIOS.
Figure 10: ROM

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2- Component of a computer

2.7 The graphics card

The graphics card is a component of the central processing unit responsible for
displaying on the screen: images, windows, the desktop, etc. Powerful graphics cards
also have the role of managing 3D displays (video games). The main manufacturers of
graphics cards are Nvidia and ATI.
The graphics card sends images stored in its own memory to the screen, at a frequency
and in a format which depend on the one hand on the connected screen and the port to
which it is connected, and on its internal configuration on the other Hand.

2.8 Definition of a device (peripheral)

A “peripheral” means electronic equipment that can be connected to a computer via
Figure 11: Graphics card
one of its input-output interfaces (serial port, parallel port, USB bus, FireWire bus,
SCSI interface, etc.), most often via a connector. These are therefore the computer
components external to the system unit. The role of computer peripherals is to bring
information into and/or out of a computer.

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2- Component of a computer

2.8.1 Input devices

These units allow the user to enter data, commands and programs that will be managed by the processing unit. This data, whatever its form, is translated into
identifiable configurations by the computer.

2.8.1.1 The Mouse

Souris à deux boutons et une molette

The mouse is a pointing device used to move a cursor on the screen and allows you to select, move and manipulate
objects using buttons. We therefore call “click” the action consisting of pressing (clicking) on a button in order to
perform an action.
The mouse was invented in 1963 by Douglas Engelbart of the Stanford Research Institute and introduced to the
public in 1968. Standard PC mice today have a wheel in addition to their two buttons; the wheel (a special button)
which can be turned (mechanical wheels) as well as pressed. Figure 12 : The Mouse

2.8.1.2 The Keyboard

A computer keyboard is a computer input device consisting of keys that send instructions to the machine
when pressed.
Keycaps are a set of electronic switches similar to the buttons on a mouse, remote control, or game console
controller. They are frequently printed or engraved with symbols, letters, numbers, words, or images and Figure 13: The Keyboard

essentially allow a user to enter characters to write text or communicate instructions.

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2- Component of a computer

2.8.1.3 The Scanner

A scanner is an input device that allows you to scan documents, such as text files in paper format,
diplomas, invoices, photos, etc., when scanned, these are converted into a digital image.
The scanner actually analyzes the document by measuring its reflectance using a light ray. The
reflected light is then transformed into an electrical signal which is digitized and transferred to the
computer.

Figure 15 : The Scanner.

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2- Component of a computer

2.8.2 Output devices

These units allow the user to receive results of calculations or data manipulations carried out by the computer. Printer screen

2.8.2.1 The screen

A computer monitor is a computer video output device. It displays images generated by the computer's
graphics card. Due to the elevated screen refresh rate, it gives the impression of movement. It therefore
allows you to work pleasantly, watch videos, films, play video games, enter texts, etc.

2.8.2.2 The printer

A printer is a machine used to obtain a document on paper from a computer model of the document
(Transfers data from a computer to paper). For example, a text written using word processing software on
Figure16 : The screen
a computer can be printed to obtain a paper version (this is a change in the information medium).
Printers were designed from the appearance of the first computers, to allow the consultation and
conservation on paper of the results produced by computer programs.
Indeed, at the time of the first computers, screens did not yet exist and the methods of storing information
were very rudimentary and very expensive. Over time, printers have evolved enormously in their method
of printing and pulling paper, but also in their printing quality, their size and their cost.

Figure17 : The printer

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2- Component of a computer

2.8.3 Input/output devices

A large number of devices are both input and output devices. The modem, for example, allows you to send or receive information from the outside world:
electronic mail, Internet browsing, but also sending and receiving faxes, computer telephony (VoIP, Voice over IP).
Network cards allow several computers to be linked together to create a local network of computers, which allows files or resources such as a network
printer or scanner to be shared. There is also the whole range of mass storage: hard drive, memory card, floppy disk drive, DVD drive, USB key.
Likewise, computer monitors when equipped with a touch screen.

2.8.3.1 Definition of a Hard Disk

The hard drive is the organ used to store data permanently, unlike the RAM, which is erased each time the
computer is restarted. Hard drives are sometimes referred to as mass memory because of the large amount of
data they can store. This device contains all the data that may be used by the computer at any time. It contains :
The operating system.
User software.
Files created by the user using their software.
The main brands of hard drives are Maxtor, Seagate, Western Digital and Samsung.
Figure 18 : Hard Disk HDD

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2- Component of a computer
2.8.3.2 Link between SATA hard drive and motherboard
The hard drive is connected to the motherboard via a hard drive controller interfacing between the
processor and the hard drive. The hard disk controller manages the disks attached to it, interprets the
commands sent by the processor and routes them to the respective disk. We generally distinguish the
following interfaces:
IDE (ATA): Despite the official name "ATA", this standard is better known under the commercial Figure 19 : Ribbon cable IDE

term IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics). The ATA standard allows storage devices to be connected
directly to the motherboard using an IDE cable (or ribbon cable) generally composed of 40 parallel
wires and three connectors (a connector for the motherboard, generally blue, and the connectors
remaining for two storage devices, black and gray respectively).

2.8.3.3 SSD hard drive

A Solid-State Drive (SSD) is a computer hardware allowing the storage of data on flash memory. The
English term solid-state means that this hardware is made of solid-state semiconductor memories, as
opposed to the older technology of hard drives, on which data is written to a rapidly rotating magnetic
medium.
Figure 20 : SSD hard drive

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2- Component of a computer
2.8.3.4 SATA port
Serial ATA: The Serial ATA standard appeared in February 2003 to overcome the limitations of the ATA
standard (better known as "IDE" and retroactively called Parallel ATA), which uses a parallel transmission
mode. The Serial ATA standard is based on serial communication. In data transfer, SATA is faster than IDE.

2.8.3.5 Flash memory

Flash memory is a rewritable semiconductor mass memory, that is to say a memory having the characteristics
of a random access memory but whose data does not disappear when the power is turned off. Flash memory
stores bits of data in memory cells that are retained when the power supply is removed. Figure 21: SATA connector and port

2.8.3.5 Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM)

A CD-ROM is an optical disk 12 cm in diameter, 1.2 mm thick, with a circular hole 15 mm in diameter in the
middle. It stores all kinds of digital information (650 MB) ( music, images, videos, text, software, etc.) A CD-
ROM only contains non-modifiable data; it can be read by a CD player.
Figure 21 : CD-ROM

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2- Component of a computer

2.8.4 Input-output connectors on the motherboard

The motherboard has I/O connectors grouped on the rear panel of the case as shown in Figure 22

Figure 22: motherboard I/O connectors

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2- Component of a computer

a.Serial port (DB 9 pin, DB 25 pin) DB 9 pin

Called RS-232 or COM port
PCs generally have 2 serial ports (called COM1 and COM2) used by
slow peripherals (mouse, external modem)
Low bit rate: from 300 to 115,000 bits/s
Nowadays, we no longer produce peripherals that plug into the serial
DB 25 pin
port (replaced by USB)
b. Parallel port (DB 25 pin)
Called LPT port. Faster than serial port. Used for connecting printer and
scanner
DB 25 pin
3. PS/2 port (6 pin)
Only used for keyboards and mouse. Different colored plugs and
connectors (purple for keyboard, green for mouse)

6 pin

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2- Component of a computer
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
- “hot plug-and-play”: a device can be hot plugged and unplugged and
is automatically recognized by the system (in most cases)

Port VGA (DB 15 broches)

To connect the screen. Datashow

RJ45 port
A computer equipped with an external or integrated network card has
an RJ-45 jack to connect the computer to a network

Audio jacks (Line-In, Line-Out and Microphone)

allowing you to connect loudspeakers and a microphone

The HDMI connector

is a digital connector, capable of carrying audio and video, mainly found on
consumer monitors intended for multimedia. It allows you to connect
audio/video equipment (ADSL TV decoder, Blu-Ray player, etc.) or a game
console, in addition to the computer. 24
2- Component of a computer
2.8.5 The sound card
The main function of this card is to manage all sounds emitted to send them to the speakers or received
by the computer. It comes in the form of a peripheral that can be connected to the computer via a PCI,
PCI Express, PCMCIA (for laptop) USB or Firewire bus.

2.8.6 The network card

The network card (called Network Interface Card and denoted NIC) constitutes the interface between
the computer and the network cable. The function of a network card is to prepare, send and control data
Figure 23: Sound card
over the network, which is how you access the Internet. You can also connect several computers
together at home or in the office, all by connecting them with cables to their network card.

Figure 24: Network card

25
2- Component of a computer

2.8.7 Power supply

Like any electrical device, the computer needs a source of electrical energy. Normally this is the network
electric, the sector (220V or 110V depending on where you are). The power supply is responsible for
transforming this source into acceptable voltage for the various components, namely the card, hard drives
and other storage devices.

Figure 25: Power supply

2.8.8 Speakers
Speakers are used to play sound. They can be built into the system unit or connected using cables.
The speakers allow you to listen to music and hear sound effects coming from the computer

Figure 26: Speakers

26
2- Component of a computer

2.8.9 Computer bus

Set of electrical lines (cables, printed circuit tracks, etc.) connecting the different components of a computer
and allowing the exchange of information between them

2.8.10 Chipset
It is the main electronic component of the motherboard. It manages data flows between the processor and
other components.
Figure 27: Chipset

3- Conclusion
A computer system is mainly made up of two parts hardware and software in the previous part of the course we talked about the hardware of the
main organs the processor the RAM… etc. as well as the operating principle of a computer,
In the next chapter we will explore the second part of the computer system which represents the software side (Operating System, and other
applications), this very important part which shows how communication is done between man and machine.

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