Computer System

Overview

Mainly computer system consists of three parts, that are central

processing unit (CPU), Input Devices, and Output Devices. The Central
Processing Unit (CPU) is divided into two parts again: arithmetic logic
unit (ALU) and the control unit (CU). The set of instruction is in the form
of raw data.
A large amount of data is stored in the computer memory with the help
of primary and secondary storage devices. The CPU is like the
heart/brain of the computer. The user does not get the desired output,
without the necessary option taken by the CPU. The Central processing
unit (CPU) is responsible for the processing of all the instructions which
are given by the user to the computer system.
The data is entered through input devices such as the keyboard, mouse,
etc. This set of instruction is processed by the CPU after getting the
input by the user, and then the computer system produces the output.
The computer can show the output with the help of output devices to
the user, such as monitor, printer, etc.

• CPU (Central Processing Unit)

• Storage Unit
• ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)
• Control Unit
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The computer system is nothing without the Central processing Unit so,
it is also known as the brain or heat of computer. The CPU is an
electronic hardware device which can perform different types of
operations such as arithmetic and logical operation.

The CPU contains two parts: the arithmetic logic unit and control unit.
We have discussed briefly the arithmetic unit, logical unit, and control
unit which are given below:

Control Unit

The control unit (CU) controls all the activities or operations which are
performed inside the computer system. It receives instructions or
information directly from the main memory of the computer. When
the control unit receives an instruction set or information, it converts
the instruction set to control signals then; these signals are sent to
the central processor for further processing. The control unit
understands which operation to execute, accurately, and in which
order.

Arithmetic and Logical Unit

The arithmetic and logical unit is the combinational digital electronic
circuit that can perform arithmetic operations on integer binary
numbers. It presents the arithmetic and logical operation. The outputs
of ALU will change asynchronously in response to the input. The basic
arithmetic and bitwise logic functions are supported by ALU.
Storage Unit
The information or set of guidelines are stored in the storage unit of the
computer system. The storage unit provides the space to store the data
or instruction of processed data. The information or data is saved or
hold in computer memory or storage device. The data storage is the
core function and fundamental of the computer components.

Components of Computer System

The hardware and software exist on the computer. The information

which is stored through the device is known as computer software. The
hardware components of the computer system are related to electronic
and mechanical parts, and the software component is related to data
and computer programs. Many elements are connected to the main
circuit board of the computer system called a “motherboard.” There
are mainly five components of computer system.
1. Processor
The processor is an electric circuitry within the computer system. The
Central processing unit is the central processor or main processor of the
computer system. The processor carries out the instructions of the
computer program with the help of basic arithmetic and logic,
input/output operations.
2. Main Memory
The Random-Access Memory is the main memory of the computer
system, which is known as RAM. The main memory can store the
operating system software, application software, and other
information. The Ram is one of the fastest memory, and it allows the
data to be readable and writeable.
3. Secondary memory
We can store the data and programs on a long-term basis in the
secondary memory. The hard disks and the optical disks are the
common secondary devices. It is slow and cheap memory as compare
to primary memory. This memory is not connected to the processor
directly.
It has a large capacity to store the data. The hard disk has a capacity of
500 gigabytes. The data and programs on the hard disk are organized
into files, and the file is the collection of data on the disk. The
secondary storage is direct access by the CPU; that’s why it is different
from the primary storage.
The hard disk is about 100 times the capacity of the main memory. The
main difference between primary and secondary storage is speed and
capacity. There are several large blocks of data which are copied from
the hard disk into the main memory.
4. Input Devices
The user provides the set of instruction or information to the computer
system with the help of input devices such as the keyboard, mouse,
scanner, etc. The data representation to the computer system is in the
form of binary language after that the processor processes the
converted data. The input unit implements the data which is instructed
by the user to the system.
We can enter the data from the outside world into the primary storage
as the input through input devices. The input devices are the medium
of communication between the outside world and the computer
system.
5. Output Devices
The output devices produce or generate the desired result according to
our input, such as a printer, monitor, etc. These devices convert the
data into a human-readable form from binary code. The computer
system is linked or connected to the outside world with the help of
output devices. The primary examples of output devices are a printer,
projector, etc.
Computer Software
The computer software is the collection of data or instruction that tells
the computer how to work. It is a set of programs that enables the
computer to perform a specific task. It has to be “loaded” into the
computer’s storage such as hard drive, memory, Ram, etc. Anything
which stores electronically is known as software.
There are two types of software that exist in the computer system:

1. System Software
System Software is the collection of programs which can provide a
platform for other software. There are different types of system
software which includes an operating system such as macOS, Ubuntu,
and Microsoft Windows, etc.
Operating system
The operating system is system software that manages computer
hardware, software resources, and provides common services for the
computer program. It works as an interface between the user and
computer hardware.
 2. Application software
The Application software is designed to perform a group of coordinated
functions, tasks, or activities for the benefit of the user. There is various
type of application such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, an
accounting application, a web browser, an email client, a media player,
a file viewer, etc. The application software is a program or group of
programs which is designed for the end-users. Some application
software is given below:
1. Word processing software
2. Spreadsheet software
3. Desktop publishing software
List of Computer Hardware Components
The computer hardware includes the physical parts or components of
the computer, such as to monitor, keyboard, mouse, motherboard, etc.
We need software for the instructions that can be stored and run by
the hardware. The software is always required to execute any
command or instruction.
Computer Memory
The computer memory is the storage space in the computer and
related to the hardware integrated circuits. It can store the information
for immediate use on the computer. The memory is a crucial element
of the computer system. Memory and data storage can be measured in
the megabyte, gigabyte, and terabyte. The computer cannot perform
even a simple task without memory.
Mainly two types of memory exist in the computer system, which is
given below:
 1. Primary memory
The primary memory or volatile memory is the one which loses its
content or data when the computer or hardware device shuts down
suddenly. The primary memory is directly accessed by the central
processing unit. Various types of memory exist in computer memory,
such as cache memory, ROM, etc.
There are two types of primary memory which are given below:
1.1. RAM (Random Access Memory)
Random-access memory is a type of computer memory that can be
accessed randomly. It consists of one or more memory modules that
are used for temporary data storage. The RAM is generally located on
the motherboard. Random-access memory is the computing system,
where the storage of data is actively using. The RAM (Random access
memory) contains multiplexing and demultiplexing circuitry. The RAM
is found in servers, PCs, tablets, smartphones, etc.
It is also divided into two parts:
I) SRAM (Static Random Access Memory)
The Static Random Access Memory is a semiconductor type Random
access memory. It is faster and more expensive. The Static RAM is used
for the CPU cache. It holds the data or information as long as the
electric power is supplied.It stores the bit of data or information on
four transistors using two cross-coupled inverters. To access, transistors
are used to manage the availability forthe memory cell during reading
and write operation.
II) DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)
The Dynamic Random Access Memory is used to store data or program
code. It is a common type of memory used in personal computers,
workstations, and servers.
The Dynamic RAM stores every bit of data into separate passive
electronic component inside an integrated circuit board. The DRAM has
one capacitor and one transistor per bit, but the Static Random Access
Memory requires six transistors. Millions of capacitors and transistors
can fit on a single memory chip in SRAM.

1.2. ROM (Read-only memory)

The data or information is pre-recorded in the Read-Only Memory.
Once the data has been written onto the ROM chip, it cannot be
removed. We can access that data at any time, and it is readable only.
We are not able to write on ROM like RAM memory. The ROM is a
nonvolatile memory. There are four basic types of Read-only memory
which are given below:
I) PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory)
The Programmable Read-Only Memory is the memory that can be
modified once and read many times by the user according to the
requirement. It is a memory chip, so once the data written onto the
PROM, it remains there forever. To write the data onto PROM chip, we
need a unique device which is known as PROM programmer or PROM
burner.
II) EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory)
EPROM is a Programmable Read-Only Memory. This memory is
erasable and re-usable according to the requirement. It is a non-volatile
type of memory. The Dov Frohman develops the Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory in 1971 at Intel.
There is a transparent quartz crystal window at the top of this memory
which allows the UV light to erase the data. The data or information on
the EPROM memory can be deleted in a limited number of times.
III) EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only
Memory)
The EEPROM memory is integrated into microcontrollers for smart
cards and remote keyless systems and other electronic devices to store
a small amount of data or information. This memory has a limited life
to erase and reprogramming of data or information. It is organized as
the arrays of floating-gate transistors.
IV) Flash memory
Flash memory is an Electrically Erasable Programming Read-Only
Memory. It is non-volatile memory chips which are used to the storage
and transfer the data or information between the personal computer
and digital devices. The flash memory can be electronically programmed
and erased.
2. Secondary memory
Secondary memory or non-volatile memory is the memory where
programs and data or information is stored in the long term basis.
There are two common storage devices: Hard disk and Optical disk. It is
not connected directly to the processor. Secondary memory has a large
capacity to store the data. It is slow in speed and cheap memory.
Hard disk
The hard disk is an electromechanical data storage device. It uses
magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital information. The hard
disk drive contains magnetic disk or platters rotating at high speed. It
stores the data or information permanently. When the platters rotate
the arm with the read/write head extends across the platters then, arm
writes new data on the platters and read new information or data from
them.

Language Processors
Since a computer hardware is capable of understanding only machine
level instructions, So it is necessary to convert the HLL into Machine
Level Language. There are three Language processors:
I) Compiler: It is translator which coverts the HLL language into
machine language in one go. A Source program in High Level
Language get converted into Object Program in Machine Level
Language.
II) Interpreter: It is a translator which converts the HLL language
into machine language line by line. It takes one statement of
HLL and converts it into machine code which is immediately
executed. It eliminate the need of separate compilation/run.
However, It is slow in processing as compare to compiler.
III) Assembler: It translate the assembly language into machine
code.
Mobile system organization
Mobile system are tiny computers in your hand. These days major
components of a mobile system are integrated on a single chip called
System on a Chip (Soc). The SoC chips consume less power compared to
other alternatives. The functional components of mobile system are:
1. Mobile Processors
This is the brain of a smartphone.
2. Display Subsystem
It is responsible for providing display facilities.
3. Camera subsystem
It is designed to deliver a tightly bound image processing.
4. Mobile System memory
It is designed for storage of data.
5. Storage
It is the external storage, which is also called expandable
storage.
6. Power management System
It is responsible for providing power to a mobile System.