TOPIC 1.

1 - GENERAL OVERVIEW OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

COMPUTER SYSTEM

Definition: A computer system is a collection of entities (hardware, software and

livewares) that are designed to receive, process, manage and present information in a
meaningful format.

COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

 Computer hardware - Are physical parts/ tangible parts of a computer. The

include Input devices, output devices, central processing unit and storage devices.
 Computer software: They are classified into two classes namely - system
software and applications 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.

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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 into the computer. They are classified
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.

i) The keyboard

Keyboard (similar to a typewriter) is the main input device of a computer. It contains

three types of keys-- alphanumeric keys, special keys and function keys. Alphanumeric
keys are used to type all alphabets, numbers and special symbols such as $, %, @, A
etc. Special keys such as <Shift>, <Ctrl>, <Alt>, <Home>, <Scroll Lock> etc. are used
for special functions. Function keys such as <Fl>, <F2>, <F3> etc. are used to give
special commands depending upon the software used e.g.F5 reloads a page of an
internet browser. The function of each and every key can be well understood only after
working on a PC. When any key is pressed, an electronic signal is produced. This signal
is detected by a keyboard encoder that sends a binary code corresponding to the key
pressed to the CPU. There are many types of keyboards but 101 keys keyboard is the
most popular one.

How the keys are organized

The keys on the 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. 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.
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  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.

i) 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. It's small, oblong, and connected to the system unit by a long wire that
resembles a tail and the connector which can either be PS/2 or USB. Some newer mice
are wireless.

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.

When you move the mouse with your hand, a pointer on your screen moves in the same
direction. (The pointer's appearance might change depending on where it's positioned on
your screen.) When you want to select an item, you point to the item and
then click (press and release) the primary button. Pointing and clicking with your mouse
is the main way to interact with your computer. There are several types of mice:
Mechanical mouse, optical mouse, optical-mechanical mouse and laser mouse.

Basic parts

A mouse typically has two buttons: a primary button (usually the left button) and
a secondary button (usually the right button). The primary button is the one you will use
most often. Most mice also include a scroll wheel between the buttons to help you scroll
through documents and WebPages more easily. On some mice, the scroll wheel can be
pressed to act as a third button. Advanced mice might have additional buttons that can
perform other functions.

Holding and moving the mouse

Place your mouse beside your keyboard on a clean, smooth surface, such as a mouse
pad. Hold the mouse gently with your index finger resting on the primary button and
you thumb resting on the side. To move the mouse, slide it slowly in any direction.
Don't twist it—keep the front of the mouse aimed away from you. As you move the
mouse, a pointer (see picture) on your screen moves in the same direction. If you run
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out of room to move your mouse on your desk or mouse pad, just pick up the mouse and
bring it back closer to you.

Pointin
g to an object often reveals a descriptive message about it.The pointer can change
depending on what you're pointing at. For example, when you point to a link in your
web browser, the pointer changes from an arrow to a hand with a pointing finger.

Most mouse actions combine pointing with pressing one of the mouse buttons. There
are four basic ways to use your mouse buttons: clicking, double-clicking, right-clicking,
and dragging.

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.

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.
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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.

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).

Right-clicking an item usually displays a list of things you can do with the item. For
example, when you right-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop, Windows displays a
menu allowing you to open it, empty it, delete it, or see its properties. If you are unsure
of what to do with something, right-click it.

C) SCANNING DEVICES
Are devices that capture an object or a document directly from the source. They are
classified according to the technology used to capture data e.g. Scanners and Document
readers.
i) Scanners
Used to capture a source document and converts it into an electronic form.
Examples are - FlatBed and HandHeld scanners.

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ii) Document readers
Are devices that read data directly from source document and convey them as input in
the form of electronic signals.

TYPES OF DOCUMENT READERS

i) Optical Mark Reader (OMR)

ii) Barcode readers

iii) Optical Character Readers

b) Magnetic Readers
Is a hardware device that reads the information encoded in the magnetic stripe.

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OTHER PARTS OF THE COMPUTER

THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (C P U)

Is the brain or the heart of a computer. It is also known as processor and consists of
three units, namely -
i) Control Unit ( CU)
ii) Arithmetic logic Unit ( ALU)
iii) Main Memory unit ( MMU)

SYSTEM UNIT

The system unit is the core of a computer system. Usually, it is 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. There are two
types according to shape: tower and desktop.

RAM

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. Thus, the RAM is volatile.

Almost every other part of the computer connects to the system unit using cables. The
cables plug into specific ports (openings), typically at the back of the system unit.

PERIPHERAL DEVICES

Hardware that is not part of the system unit are sometimes called peripheral devices or
Input/Output (IO) devices. 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.

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Tower System Unit

MOTHERBOARD

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. Below is the
motherboard:

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 Motherboard

FUNCTIONS OF CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT

- Process data
- Control sequence of operations 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.