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Computer System Overview

This chapter dives into the fundamentals of computer systems, covering hardware,
software, key components, and memory types.

What is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic machine that runs on electricity and follows the IPO
principle:

Input -> Process -> Output

It takes input, processes it, and displays the required output.

Hardware vs. Software

Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer:

Physical components of the computer that you can see, touch, and feel
e. g. , monitor, mouse.

Software
Software is a set of instructions needed to operate a computer:

A set of instructions that tells the computer what to do. Examples include
utility software and antivirus software.

Components of a Computer
A computer system comprises five main components:

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Input Devices: Used to give input to the computer e. g. , keyboard, mouse.

Output Devices: Used to display the result e. g. , monitor, printer.
CPU CentralP rocessingU nit: The brain of the computer, responsible for
processing data and instructions.
Primary Memory: Used to hold data and instructions temporarily.
Secondary Memory: Used for permanent storage.

CPU CentralP rocessingU nit

The CPU is divided into three components:

ALU ArithmeticandLogicU nit: Performs arithmetic

plus, minus, multiplication, division and logical operations

lessthan, greaterthan, etc..

CU ControlU nit: Controls and supervises the processing.

Registers: Small data-holding spaces within the CPU used to hold processing
information temporarily.

Memory

Memory Explained
Memory is similar to a cupboard with partitions called memory cells. Information is
stored in these cells in the form of bits binarydigits. A bit is the elementary unit of
memory, with two possible values: 0 and 1.

Memory Measurements

Unit Equivalent

8 Bits 1 Byte
KB 1024 Bytes
MB 1024 KB
GB 1024 MB
TB 1024 GB

Every higher unit equals 2 10

1024 of its lower unit.

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Types of Memory

Primary Memory
Primary memory is divided into two types:

RAM RandomAccessM emory

ROM Read − OnlyM emory

RAM RandomAccessM emory

RAM allows random access to any memory location. It is used for manipulating data
during processing. RAM is volatile, meaning its contents are erased when power is
off temporarystorage.

RAM is further divided into:

DRAM DynamicRAM : Made of transistors and capacitors. Access time is

between 20 to 70 nanoseconds.
SRAM StaticRAM : Made of flip-flops. Access time is around 10 nanoseconds,
making it faster than DRAM.

ROM Read − OnlyM emory

ROM allows only read operations; data cannot be written into it under normal
circumstances. It is non-volatile, meaning contents are permanently stored even
when the power goes off. However, ROM is slower than RAM.

Variations of ROM:

PROM P rogrammableROM : User-programmable memory. Information is

burned using a ROM burner.
EPROM ErasableP ROM : Data can be erased using UV radiation.
EEPROM ElectricallyErasableP rogrammableROM : Selective bytes can be
erased electrically.
Flash EEPROM: Similar to EEPROM but erases the full data and is faster.
Mask ROM: Information is written by the IC manufacturer, not the user.

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Cache Memory
Cache memory is a high-speed memory placed between the CPU and primary
memory. It stores the most recently accessed data to match the CPU's speed.

Secondary Storage Devices

Secondary storage devices store large amounts of data permanently.

Hard Disk: Consists of circular disks coated with magnetic material. Data is
recorded by a read-write head. Storage capacity varies from GB to TB.
CD CompactDisc: An optical media that is cheap. Storage capacity is up to 700
MB.
CD-ROM: Read-only memory.
CDR CompactDiscRecordable: Data can be written only once.
CDRW Rewritable: Data is erasable, and can be written multiple times.
DVD DigitalV ersatileDisc: An optical media faster than CD. Storage capacity
is up to 17 GB. Types are similar to CD DV D − ROM , DV D − R, DV D − RW .
Flash Memory: Small, portable, and cheap. Storage capacity ranges from 256
MB to 128 GB.
Blu-ray Disc: An optical storage media using a blue-violet laser. It stores HD
videos and data with a storage capacity of up to 128 GB and beyond.

System Bus
A bus in real life carries people from one place to another place.

Computer Buses
In computers, a bus is an electronic pathway, composed of cables, that connects the
major components.

There are different types of buses:

Data Bus: Carries data.

Control Bus: Carries instructions and controls signals.
Address Bus: Carries memory addresses.
I/O Bus: Connects input, output, and external devices to the computer.

Mobile System Components

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The primary components of a mobile system include the mobile processor, display
system, camera, memory, storage, and battery.

Mobile Processor CP U
The mobile CPU is the brain of the mobile device.

Receives commands
Performs calculations
Plays audio and video
Stores information
Sends signals throughout the device

The CPU is divided into two parts:

Communication Process Unit: Responsible for phone calls.

Application Process Unit AP U : Governs and controls all operations by running
mobile apps.

Display System
The display system provides:

Display facilities
Touch-sensitive interface
Touch-sensitive keyboards

Camera
The camera includes image processing packages and integrated image signal
processors, offering features like:

Image capturing
Higher resolution support
Image stabilization
Other enhancements

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Memory
Mobile devices use two types of memory:

RAM RandomAccessM emory: Working memory.

ROM Read − OnlyM emory: Internal storage that stores the operating system
and pre-installed apps, not directly accessible to the user.

Storage
External Storage: SD cards are used to store user data.

Battery P owerM anagementSystem

Provides power to the mobile system, including the battery and charger.

Software Types
Software is a set of instructions for the smooth functioning of the computer. The
types of software are system software and application software.

System Software
System software controls the internal operations of the computer.

There are two types of system software:

Operating System
Language Processor

Operating System OS
The operating system serves as an interface between a user and
hardware. It is the most important software of the computer system.

Types of operating systems include:

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Single-user
Multi-user
Multi-programming
Multiprocessing

Language Processor
A language processor converts other high-level languages or Assembly
Language into binary language, which the computer understands.

There are three types of language processors:

Assembler
Interpreter
Compiler
Language
Description
Processor

Assembler Converts Assembly Language programs into machine code.

Converts high-level language programs into machine code line by
Interpreter
line.
Converts the entire high-level language program into machine code
Compiler
at once. It's like the interpreter but works on the whole file at once.

Application Software
Application software refers to a set of programs designed to carry out
specific applications.

Application software is categorized into four types:

Packages
Utility Software
Customized Software
Developer Tools

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Category Description

General application software that makes computers useful for people,

including word processing software e. g. , M SW ord, spreadsheets
Packages
e. g. , M SExcel, database management systems, desktop publishing

software, and graphics/multimedia/presentation software.

Performs housekeeping functions for the computer, such as text editors
Utility
for creating and editing text files, backup utilities, compression utilities,
Software
disk defragmenters, and antivirus software.
Tailor-made to perform specific tasks according to user requirements,
Customized
examples include hotel management systems and payroll management
Software
systems.
Developer
Used to create, test, and debug software.
Tools

Libraries
In computer science, libraries contain pre-written code, functions, and
classes that are stored. These can be used for the development of new
code.

Examples of libraries include:

SciPy
Pandas inP ython

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