TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

HARDWARE: The physical components that make up a computer.

Hardware falls into two categories.

1. Internal Hardware:
1.1. Motherboard: It is a printed circuit board that allows the hardware components to
function and communicate with each other.
1.2. Central Processing unit: CPU interprets and executes the commands from the computer
hardware and software. It has two parts; Control Unit (CU) which controls the I/O devices
and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) which carries out calculations and performs logical
decisions.
1.3. RAM: It is a volatile memory where data is temporarily stored when running applications.
1.4. ROM: It is permanent memory and contains the start-up instructions of the computer
system.
1.5. Video Card: It allows the computer to send graphical information a monitor or projector
etc.
1.6. Sound Card: It allows the computer to produce sound that can heard through speakers
or headphones.
1.7. HDD/SSD: Computer’s main memory where operating system, application software and
all the data is stored.
2. External Hardware: Keyboard, mouse, printer and monitor etc.

SOFTWARE: A program or instruction that controls the computer system.

1. Application Software: It allows the user to do a specific task.

1.1. Word Processor: It is used to manipulate (create, edit, copy, paste) the text documents
such as essay or report.
1.2. Spreadsheet: This software is used to manipulate the numerical data. By using formulas
this software can do calculation and produce graphs.
1.3. Database: It is used to organize, manipulate and analyze data. It has ability to carry out
queries and produce a report.
1.4. Control and measuring software: It measures physical quantities by using sensors and
used in control applications.
1.5. Apps: It refers to the type of software that runs on mobile phones or tablets.
 1.6. Photo editing software: It allows a user to manipulate digital photographs stored on a
computer.
1.7. Video editing software: It allows a user manipulate (rearranging, adding or removing
audio sections, creating footage) videos to produce an edited video.
1.8. Graphics manipulation software: It allows bitmap and vector graphics to be changed.

2. System Software: Program/software that allow the hardware to run properly and allow the
user to communicate with the computer.
2.1. Operating System: The operating system is essential software running in the background
of a computer. It manages many basic functions such as input/output operations, error
handling, multi-tasking, batch processing, and security and user logins.
2.2. Utilities: These are designed to carry out specific tasks on a computer, e.g. antivirus, anti-
spyware, disk repair, file management and disk defragmenter.
2.3. Compiler: It is used to translate high level language into machine code.
2.4. Linkers: It is a computer program that takes one or more object files produced by a
compiler and combines them into a single program that can be run on a computer.
2.5. Device Driver: This software enables one or more hardware devices to communicate
with the computer’s operating system. Without drivers, a hardware such as printer
would not be able to work with the computer.

TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM

1. Command line interface (CLI): It requires a user to type in instructions to choose

options from the menu. It is usually used by programmers, analyst or technicians who
wants direct communication with a computer or to develop a new software.
Advantages:
a. User is in direct communication with the computer.
b. It is possible to alter computer configuration.
c. User is not restricted to a number of predetermined options.

Disadvantages:

a. User needs to learn commands.

b. All commands are to be typed in.
c. Commands must be in correct format.
 2. Graphical User Interface (GUI): It allows the user to interact with a computer using
pictures or icons (symbols). It uses various technologies such as WIMP (windows icon
menu and pointing device), in which a mouse is used to control the curser and icons are
selected.
Advantages:
a. The user does not need to learn the commands.
b. It is user-friendly.
c. A pointing device is used to click an icon to lunch the application.

Disadvantages:

a. This type of OS needs more memory.

b. The user is limited to icons provided on the screen.

TYPES OF COMPUTER:
1. Personal/Desktop Computer (PC): It refers to a general purpose computer that is made
up of a separate monitor/LED/LCD, keyboard, mouse and processing unit.

Advantages:

a. Spare parts are standardized and have lower cost.

b. Better specification for a given price.
c. Fixed in one location results in less likelihood of getting damaged.
d. As they are not moved around internet access is more stable.

Disadvantages:

a. These are not portable.

b. They take more desk space.
c. All the components are to carry away if it is necessary to move it.

2. Laptop/Notebook: It refers to a type of computer where the monitor, keyboard, mouse

and processor are all together in one single unit.

Advantages:

a. Lightweight.
b. Portable.
c. User can take full advantage of Wifi.
 d. There are no trailing wires.

Disadvantages:

a. Since they are portable, they are easier to steal.

b. They have limited battery life.
c. They are expensive than desktop computers.

3. Tablets: Refers to a new internet-enabled portable mobile phone like device having touch
screen multi touch technology, cameras, and microphones.

Advantages:

a. Very fast to switch on.

b. Fully portable.
c. Built-in apps.
d. Battery life is lot longer than laptop.
e. Remains connected to the internet in standby mode.

Disadvantages:

a. Limited memory and storage space.

b. Can be expensive.
c. Typing on touch screen can be slow.
d. Does not support all file formats.

4. Smartphones: Allow phone calls but also have an operating system (iOS, Android or
Windows) which allow a number of apps to run on a touch screen. They have numerous
functions such as send/receive email, GPS, VoIP, streaming music, Calendar, sms, Alarm
and clock.

Advantages:

a. Small in size and weight.

b. Can use them to make phone calls and instant messaging.
c. Reasonable battery life time.
d. As they use Wifi, they can be used anywhere.
e. They have hundreds of Apps (such as camera facility, Mp3 etc)
 Disadvantages:

a. Small screens make pages difficult to read.

b. Web browsing on mobile data can drain a lot of battery.
c. Easy to get theft.
d. Data transfer rate using mobile phone is slow as compared to computers.

5. Smartwatches: allow a user to wear a mini-computer on their wrists. They are touch
screen and offer the almost the same function as smartphone and also have the ability to
link with smartphones using Bluetooth technology. They offers internet connectivity,
phone calls, messaging, GPS and fitness health monitoring capability.

Advantages:

a. Easy to monitor health and fitness.

b. More convenient to use since they deliver notifications straight to the user’s
wrist.

Disadvantages:

a. Small screens.
b. More often unattractive as compared to normal watch.

6. Mainframe Computers: The term is used for a large very powerful computer system used
to run commercial applications such as banking. They have several CPUs, very fast
processors, huge storage and multiple operating systems.

IMPACT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

1. Artificial intelligence (AI) biometrics: It uses dynamic profiling – the system learns by
using AI about a person’s fingerprint on every scan. This means a person does not have
to worry about getting finger in exactly the right place every time on the scanner. Facial
recognition system can be compromised by small changes such as beard growth or
wearing hat etc, new system use AI to learn from scanning a number of faces and can pick
out these soft biometric features.
2. Vision Enhancement:
1. Low-vision enhancement systems (LVES): use a video technology attached with
headset connected to a computer. This system allows image to be projected inside
the headset in front of eyes and bring the image close for examination.
2. Night-enhancement systems (NVES): amplifies infrared light and vision light so
that an image can still be seen in darkness.

3. Robotics: They are used in manufacturing industry such as in car factories to weld
car bodies, spray body panels and to fit items. Drone is another application of
robotics, it is used both in military and civilian disciplines. It can use to survey
landscape, investigate weather phenomena or for search and rescue purposes.
Robots are also in use in surgical procedures. It allows to perform complex,
precision, flexible surgical techniques.

4. Quantum cryptography: It helps to protect data transmitted over optical fiber. It

is based on the use of light and its physical properties to produce a unbreakable
cryptography system.

5. Computer assisted translation (CAT): is a form of language translation in which a

human translator uses computer hardware to support and facilitate the
translation process. It uses terminology database which grow and learn from
translation and translation memories which insert known translation from certain
words, phrases or sentences.

6. 3-D and holographic imaging: It is a technology that allows 3-D images to be

produced. The technology uses laser light, interference, diffraction and light
intensity recording to produce a holographic image.

USES:
a. Computer aided designs (CAD)
b. Architecture
c. Simulations
d. Cinema
e. Gaming
f. Advertisement
g. Medical imaging

7. Virtual Reality: it is the artificial environment created by software. User makes

use of data googles, sensor suits, data gloves or helmets to get the feeling of
reality.
USES:
a. Training in nuclear reactor
b. Training of Military personnel
c. Educational tour of an ancient building.
d. Entertainment, engineering and scientific visualization.