Chapter 1

Types and Components of

Computer System

Types and Components of

Computer System

Contents
Hardware and Software
Computer Hardware 2
Computer Software 4
Application Software 4
System Software 7
The Main Component of Computer Systems
Input and Output Devices 8
Central Processing Unit 9
Main Memory & Secondary Storage 9
Operating Systems 11
Types of computer system
Servers 12
Personal Computer (PC) 12
Laptop 12
Tablet (netbook) 13
PDA 13
Smart Phone 13
Smart watch 13
Impact of Immerging Technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) 14
Biometrics 14
Vision Enhancement  15
Robotics 15
Quantum Cryptography 16
Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) 16
3D and Holographic Imaging 17
Virtual Reality 17
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 Hardware and Software
Types and Components of
Computer System

All Computer System Consists of two main parts Hardware & Software
Hardware Software

Tangible physical components that make up a The programs that control the computer system.
computer system which you can touch it. It is a set of instructions that make computer do
something
example, keyboard, mouse, monitor, processor,
circuit board ... etc. You cannot physically touch software, such as
word, excel, games ...etc.

Computer Hardware
Computer Hardware can be classified into Internal hardware and External hardware
A: Internal Hardware: any hardware devices suited inside computer casing

Motherboard
The main printed circuit board found in computers and contains electrical
components such as the central processing unit (CPU) and memory and
connectors for connecting external hardware devices.

Random Access Memory (RAM) Read Only Memory (ROM)

These are the memory memory chips where the contents can
chips which lose their con- be read but not written to and where
tents when the power is the contents are retained when the
removed. power is removed.

Video Card Sound Card

an expansion card that allows a com-
An expansion card that generates the signals
puter to send audio signals to audio
so that a video output de-
devices such as
vice can display comput-
speakers and head-
er data such as text and
phones.
graphics.

Network Card ( NIC ) Internal hard disk drive

an expansion card that allows a computer
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to connect to another computer A rigid magnetic material coated disk

throw network. onto which programs and data can be
stored and situated inside the casing of
the computer.

 B: External Hardware: ahardware devices connected to computer outside computer casing
Types and Components of
Computer System

Monitor

Printer

DD
lH
na
tre
Ex

Keyboard

Mouse
Speaker

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 Computer Software
Types and Components of
Computer System

Computer Software Classified into Application Software and System Software

Application Software
These are the programs that are designed to carry out certain operations for a particular ap-
plication.

Applications software cannot run on its own as it is dependent on system software, which is
the other type of software.

Word
Processor

Graphic
manipulation Spreadsheet
software

Video Editing Application Database

software Software

Control and
Photo Editing
measure
software
software

Apps
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 Types and Components of
Computer System

Used to manipulate text doc- Used to organize and manipu- Used to organize, manipulate Control software: supply in-

uments, such as an essay or a late numerical data. and analyze data. structions in order to tell
report. Numbers are organized on a Is made up of one or more ta- devices such as washing ma-
grid of lettered columns and bles. chines, automatic cookers how
Text is entered using a keyboard numbered rows. Tables consist of rows and col- to operate
and the software provides tools umns.
for copying, deleting and vari- The grid itself is made up of Each row is called a ‘record’ and
ous types of formatting. cells and rows each column is called a ‘field’.

Main functions: Main functions: Main fucntions: Main fucntions:

• creating, editing, saving and • Use of formulas to carry out • Carry out queries on data Used to issue instructions to
manipulating text calculations • produce a report sensors to take measurements
• copy and paste • ability to produce graphs • add, delete and modify data of physical quantities such as
• spell checkers • ability to do modelling and in a table. temperature, pressure etc.
• importing images ‘what if’ calculations. and input the readings into the
computer for processing

Word Processing Spread Sheet Database Control and Measure

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 Types and Components of
Computer System

Apps (short for Applications) Allows a user to manipulate Allows a user to manipulate Graphics manipulation soft-
digital photographs stored on a videos to produce an edited ware allows bitmap and vector
normally refers to the type computer. video. images to be changed.
of software that runs on cell
phones or tablets. They are usu- Allow a photographer to re- Vector graphic editors operate
ally downloaded from an ‘App move unwanted items and in a different way and don’t use
Store’ and range from games to generally ‘touch up’ a photo to Main Functions: pixels.
sophisticated software such as make it as perfect as possible.
phone banking. • Rearranging , adding and/or
removing sections of video Main Features:
Common examples include Main Functions: clips and/or audio clips • change the pixels to pro-
Change brightness • Applying colour correction, duce a different image.
• video and music streaming contrast, filters and other video en- • manipulates lines, curves
• GPS alter color saturation hancements and text to alter the stored
• camera facilities • Creating transitions be- image as required.
tween clips in the video
footage.

Application Photo Editing Video Editing Graphic Mainpulation

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 System Software
Types and Components of
Computer System

System software: are programs that control the computer Operating

System
hardware directly by giving the step-by-step instructions
that tell the computer hardware what to do.
Utilities Driver
System software therefore operates and controls the
computer hardware. System Software

Operating System
Running in the background of a comput- linker
Complier
&
er system. Interpreter

It manages many of the basic functions. Compiler

Without the OS, users can not work with
computers on a day-to-day basis. A computer program that translates a pro-
gram written in a high-level language (HLL)
Operating systems allow: into machine code so that it can be directly
• input/output operations used by a computer to perform a required
• users to communicate with the com- task.
puter
• error handling to take place The original program is called the source
• the loading and running of programs code and the code after compilation is
to occur called the object code.
• managing of security

Utility Programs Linker

Utility programs are software that has
been designed to carry out specific tasks A linker (or link editor) is a computer program
on a computer. Essentially, they are pro- that takes one or more object files produced
grams that help to manage, maintain and by a compiler and combines them into a single
control computer resources. program that can be run on a computer.

Example of Utility Programs

• antivirus Device Driver
• anti-spyware Is a software that enables one or more hard-
• backup of files ware devices to communicate with the com-
• disk repair puter's operating system.
• file management
• security Without drivers, a hardware device (for ex-
• screensavers ample, a printer) would be unable to work
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• disk defragmenter. with the computer.

 The Main Component of Computer Systems
Types and Components of
Computer System

Main (Primary) Storage

Input Central Processing Unit Output

Devices CPU Devices
(AL unit + Control unit)

Backing (Secondary Storage)

Input and Output Devices

The Input Devices The Output Devices

These are used to get raw data into the

Once the raw data has been processed it
computer ready for processing by the
becomes information. This information
CPU.
needs to be output from the computer
using an output device.
Example :
mouse, keyboard, touch screen, micro-
Examlpe:
phone, optical mark readers, optical char-
monitors, printers, speakers, plotters, Dis-
acter readers, etc.
play Projector etc.

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 Central Processing Unit
Types and Components of
Computer System

The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• A part of the computer that interprets &

executes the command from hardware Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
and software • make the arithmatic operations
• Made of components and numerous • Make logical decision
small integrated circuits combined • Immediate access the RAM
• It is the heart of every PC
• Found in many household devices
Control Unit (CU)
• Controlling the Input and output
The Central Processing Unit contains
devices
• Control the fetch and execute
• Arithmatic & Logic Unit
cycle
• Control Unit

Main Memory & Secondary Storage

Random Access Memory (RAM) Read Only Memory (ROM)
Random Access Memory (RAM) Read-Only Memory (ROM)
• The currently used application • Store information that needs to be
located in RAM even Operating permanent.
System. • It is often used to contain, configu-
• data stored temporarily. This mem- ration data for a computer system.
ory can be written to and read • cannot be altered (Deleted or up-
from. dated by end user)
• Data lost when power to the com- • Data not lost when computer is
puter is turned off (volatile) turned off (non-Volatile)

Internal Storage
The internal Storage
• The main internal Storage
• Very large in capacity
• Fast Data transferee / Access.

What is EPROM ?

EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) is programmable read-only memory

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(programmable ROM) that can be erased and re-used.

EPROMs are generally employed for programs designed for repeated use (such as the BIOS)
but that can be upgraded with a later version of the program.

 What Is BIOS and CMOS ?
Types and Components of
Computer System

ROM also contains some coding known as the boot file.

This code tells the computer what to do when it first starts up;
it is often referred to as the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System).

BIOS do a hardware check at the startup to find out if all the devices are present
and whether they are functional.

Then it loads the operating system into the RAM

The BIOS stores the date, time and system configuration in a non-volatile chip called
CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)- this is usually battery powered.

Motherboard

The motherboard is a printed circuit board founded in all

computer.
Allow the processor and other computer hardware to
function and work with each other
Contains several sockets and slots to connect the other
components

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 Operating Systems
Types and Components of
Computer System

Operating system are programs that control the hardware directly by giving
the step-by-step instruction that tell the computer hardware what to do.

Operating System main tasks

• Handel input and output
• Recognizing hardware
• Handel Storage data
• Maximize the use of Memory
• Handel Interrupts

Command Line Interface (CLI) Vs Graphical User Interface (GUI)

The way the operating system communicates with a user is called the interface
and there are two common interfaces in use, and these are:

A. Command Line Interface B. Graphical User Interface

Advantages: Advantages:
• Does not use more space on desk • Very easy to use (user can use directly with-
• Does not need more memory out learn)
• Does not need powerful processor to run • Allow user to interact with PC, MP3 Player,
Disadvantages: Mobile Devices
• Use command, so it hard to remember and • have number of features such as Windows,
learn Icons, Menus, Pointers (WIMP)
• Command must be typed correctly and in • Using pictures
specific order • Multitasking (several window can be open
at the same time)
• No command to remember
• Easy to Transfer data from one application
to another application
Disadvantages:
• Take more space on desk
• Require more memory
• Experience user find CLI fast to use
• Require power processor to run the latest
version
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 Types of computer system
Types and Components of
Computer System

Servers
Advantages: Disadvantages:
• Used for large and powerful computer systems • Require large room space (Low tem-
• usually used to run commercial applications, perature)
where huge amounts of data need to be stored • Expensive to operate and maintain
• Can have more than 1 CPU • Can not be used at home or as per-
• Very fast processing speeds sonal computer
• Can support multiple OS’
• Huge amounts of storage capacity
• Huge internal memories
• Often operate through batch processing or
time sharing

Personal Computer (PC)

Advantages: Disadvantages:
• General-purpose computer • Not portable so it is Necessary to
• separate monitor and keyboard, mouse copy files if you want to do work
• Better specification when compared to Laptop somewhere else.
• Large Case allow good wasting heat • Take large space on Desk
• Easy to Upgrade and Customization • Purchase Keyboard and mouse Sep-
arately
• Heavy weight compared to Laptop
and other portable types of com-
puters.
• Using outlet power, so when power
is off you will lose unsaved work.

Laptop
Advantages: Disadvantages:
• monitor, keyboard, pointing device and pro- • Easy to steal and full down
cessor are all together in one single unit • They have limited battery life so
• Portable the user may need to carry a heavy
• Does not take space on desk as keyboard and adaptor / charger.
mouse are embedded • The keyboards and pointing devices
• Using battery, so when power goes off you will can sometimes be awkward to use.
not lose unsaved work suddenly. • Heat dissipation is more difficult
• Long life battery due to the structure of the laptop
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• No wires computers
• Can run all software that can be run on PC

Types and Components of

Tablet (netbook)
Computer System

Advantages: Disadvantages:
• Fast boot time, • Typing on touchscreens can be awk-
• Using virtual keyboard ward and slow
• Light-weight and long-time battery • keyboard size is small
• Using Wi-Fi or 3G/4G/5G to con- • Don’t support as many file types as
nect to internet other computers
• Do not generate any heat • Not all Application run on Laptop or
• Can go on standby PC and run-on Tablet
• Does not have optical drive
• Use less memory than laptop or PC
PDA
Advantages: Disadvantages:
• Personal Digital assistance • Difficult to enter text quickly
• are small handheld computers • Not combatable with all software
• Have a touch screen that is activated using a
stylus
• Can be used anywhere
• More portable than laptop.

Smart Phone
Disadvantages:
Advantages: • Harder to upgrade to repair
• Allow phone calls • On screen keyboard are small and
• Connect to internet using Wi-Fi or 3G/4G/5G hard to use
• Send / Receive mail • Small screen make them very diffi-
• Calendar cult to use
• Streaming of videos/music
• Social network
• Instant messaging
• Easiest type to use when on the move

Smart watch
Advantages:
• Allow the user to wear a small-computer on Disadvantages:
their wrists • Large smartwatch make them un-
• allows the user to access the same features comfortable
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which the smartphone with holds • Small Screen Size

• Very convenient since notifications are deliv-
ered to the user’s wrist
• Very easy to use (Esp. for monitoring health
and fitness)

 Impact of Immerging Technology
Types and Components of
Computer System

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Technology that focuses on creating a computer system
that can simulate human intelligence

AI can be used to
• Enhance video games and computer tactics
• Help decision making steps in expert systems
• Make robots to imitate human behavior
• Understand different human languages

Impact on everyday life

• Can be used to accurately predict hazardous weather
conditions and signal warnings automatically
• Take over menial tasks for humans;
• increasing our leisure time.
• Can be used for safer automated travel;
• cars that can drive and park by themselves
• Increases home safety by being able to tell the difference between owner & intruder;
• call authorities automatically
• Improved medical care as decision making skills and precision can be enhanced

Biometrics
A part of a person’s body is used to identify that individual
Can be:
• Fingerprints
• Retina
• Iris
• Face
• Voice

Because these are all unique to everyone thus can be used

as an authentication technique
It must be added initially to a system to use as identification

Impacts on everyday life

Better security at the airport since most use at least one form of biometric check if not
more
Increased security in certain places as only authorized personnel can gain entry
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Reduced vehicle theft since newer car doors come with a fingerprint lock on the door
handle
More secure mobile devices as most now have some sort of biometrics integrated into
them

 Vision Enhancement
Types and Components of
Computer System

LVES: Low Vision Enhancement Systems:

video projected inside a headset in front of the user’s eyes.
Brings the objects closer for the viewer.

NVE: Night Vision Enhancement amplifies visible and in-

frared light.
Light passed through image intensifier tube where light is
converted to electrons, then amplified (increase in no.) and
then light up screen with phosphor dust.

Robotics
Programmed machinery widely used to do physically demanding tasks
Can be automated or manually operated

Used to perform several tasks:

• Dangerous jobs such as bomb disposal
• Exploring extreme environments such as volcanoes
• Repetitive manufacturing jobs such as welding
• Moving heavy objects such as large engines

Impact on everyday life

• Increased personal time since robots can take over domestic chores
• Increased manufacturing efficiency since robots are much faster and less expensive than
human labor
• Unemployment as robots replace humans in autonomous jobs
• Safer working environments since robots can perform tasks that are too dangerous for
humans
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 Quantum Cryptography
Types and Components of
Computer System

Technology that allows messages and data to be sent with complete privacy
basically, advanced encryption
The older encryption is based on mathematics, while the quantum
cryptography uses physics which makes it much more complex to
decrypt

Impact on everyday life

Completely secure voting ensuring that votes cannot be tampered
with or changed
Completely secure communication eliminating the risk of being read/heard by
the wrong eyes ears
Completely secure bank transactions so money goes exactly where it is intended
Completely secure personal information preventing hackers' access to intrusive
details about a person

Computer Assisted Translation (CAT)

When human translators use computer software to help in the translation process
Can reduce translation time
May not be 100% accurate

Common CAT tools:

• Spell checkers
• Translation memory software
• Language search-engine software

Impacts on everyday life:

More accurate documents since most software can automatically detect errors
More multilingual society since anyone with an internet connection can now essentially learn
multiple languages using translators
Quicker translations
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 3D and Holographic Imaging
Types and Components of
Computer System

Technology that makes images appear to be 3- dimen-

sional by adding a layer of depth
Holograms use 2 regular 2D images and manipulate them
to produce a 3-dimensional image
Different laser beams are used to record the 2D images
onto a single photographic plate
This creates an illusion of one 3D images

Impact on everyday life:

Improved security since majority of credit/ID cards & bank
notes use holograms to prevent forgery
Better movie experiences since 3D viewing can provide a
more immersive experience for the audience
Greater data storage since holographic layers can poten-
tially decrease the thickness of disc storage

Virtual Reality
When computers create an artificial environment that users
can virtually interact with
Uses:
Allow architects to walk around a virtual version of their
design
Training soldiers for combat by allowing them to fight
against virtual enemies
Training surgeons by allowing them to operate on virtual
patients
Playing games and enhance the level of immersion

General VR equipment:
Eye goggles that produce 3D images to develop the artificial environment
Special gloves or controllers to perform precise actions inside the simulation
Headphones to control what is heard in the virtual world
Powerful computer to run the entire VR system in real time

Impacts on everyday life:

Improved medical surgeons/soldiers
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Stronger buildings
Treatment of phobias as certain situations can be treated using simulations
More realistic education as students can learn in a more interactive environment