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The Computer System

A computer system is defined as a collection of hardware, software, and liveware designed to process and present information. Key components include computer hardware (physical devices), software (programs), and liveware (users). The hardware consists of input, processing, storage, output, and communication devices, with the central processing unit (CPU) serving as the core component that manages operations and data processing.

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4 views

The Computer System

A computer system is defined as a collection of hardware, software, and liveware designed to process and present information. Key components include computer hardware (physical devices), software (programs), and liveware (users). The hardware consists of input, processing, storage, output, and communication devices, with the central processing unit (CPU) serving as the core component that manages operations and data processing.

Uploaded by

jowindel mandabon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Computer System

Definition: Is a collection of entities (hardware, software and liveware) that are designed to receive, process,
manage and present information in a meaningful format.

COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

 Computer hardware - Are physical parts/ intangible parts of a computer. eg Input devices, output
devices, central processing unit and storage devices
 Computer software - also known as programs or applications. They are classified into two classes
namely - system software and application software
 Liveware - is the computer user. Also, kwon as orgware or the humanware. The user commands the
computer system to execute on instructions.
a) COMPUTER HARDWARE

Hardware refers to the physical, tangible computer equipment and devices, which provide support for
major functions such as input, processing (internal storage, computation and control), output, secondary storage
(for data and programs), and communication.

HARDWARE CATEGORIES (Functional Parts)


A computer system is a set of integrated devices that input, output, process, and store data and information.
Computer systems are currently built around at least one digital processing device. There are five main
hardware components in a computer system: Input, Processing, Storage, Output and Communication devices.

1. INPUT DEVICES
Are devices used for entering data or instructions to the central processing unit. Are classifie
according to the method they use to enter data.

A. KEYING DEVICES
Are devices used to enter data into the computer using a set of Keys eg Keyboard, key-to- storage and
keypad.

Three Types of Keys:


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. <Shift>, <Ctrl>, <Alt>, <Home>, <Scroll Lock> etc. These keys are used alone
or in combination with other keys to perform certain actions. The most frequently used control keys are
CTRL, ALT, the Windows key, and ESC.
 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
WebPages 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.

B. 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.e.g mice, joystick, touch
sensitive screen, trackballs

1. THE MOUSE

A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your computer screen. Although mice come in
many shapes, the typical mouse does look a bit like an actual mouse.
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.
Most mouse actions combine pointing with pressing one of the mouse buttons. There are four basic ways to use
your mouse buttons:.

a. 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).
Clicking is most often used to select (mark) an item or open a menu. This is sometimes called single-
clicking or left-clicking.
b. 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.
Double-clicking is most often used to open items on your desktop. For example, you can start a program or
open a folder by double-clicking its icon on the desktop.
c. 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).

C) SCANNING DEVICES

Are devices that capture an object or a document directly from the source. They are classifie according
to the technology used to capture data e.g. Scanners and Document readers.
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. e
Types of Document Readers

i) Optical Mar Reader (OMR)

ii) Barcode readers

iii) Optical Character Readers

Magnetic Readers
Reads data using magnetic ink.t uses principle of magnetism to sense data which have
been written using magnetized ink.

THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT ( C P U)

Is the brain or the heart of a computer. Is also known as processor and consist of three units namely -
i) Control Unit ( C U)
ii) Arithmetic logic Unit ( A L U)
iii) Main Memory unit ( M M U)

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 data. 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. Peripheral devices can be external such as
a mouse, keyboard, printer, monitor, external Zip drive or scanner or internal, such as a CD-ROM drive, CD-R
drive or internal modem. Internal peripheral devices are often referred to as integrated peripherals. There are
two types according to shape: tower and desktop.

Tower System Unit Desktop System Unit


A motherboard (mainboard, system board, planar board or logic board) is the main printed circuit
board found in computers and other expandable systems. It holds many of the crucial electronic components of
the system, such as the central processing unit (CPU) and memory, and provides connectors for
other peripherals.
Motherboard

TYPES OF PROCESSORS
I) Comples Instruction Set Computers (CISC)
ii) Reduced Instruction Set Computers (RISC)

FUNCTIONS OF CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT


- Process data
- Control sequence of operaions 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

THE CONTROL UNIT


Is the center of operations for the computer system, it directs the activities of the computer system.
Funlctions of Control Unit

COMPUTER SYSTEM
Definition: Is a collection of entities(hardware,software and liveware) that are designed to receive, process,
manage and present information in a meaningful format.

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