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Lecture 1 COAL

The document discusses various types of computer systems, including personal computers, servers, mainframes, embedded systems, supercomputers, and distributed systems, highlighting their unique functions and characteristics. It also covers the role of operating systems in managing hardware resources and facilitating user interaction, as well as the concept of information represented as bits and the importance of context in interpreting data. Key points emphasize the interplay between hardware, software, and data types in efficient information processing.

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14 views13 pages

Lecture 1 COAL

The document discusses various types of computer systems, including personal computers, servers, mainframes, embedded systems, supercomputers, and distributed systems, highlighting their unique functions and characteristics. It also covers the role of operating systems in managing hardware resources and facilitating user interaction, as well as the concept of information represented as bits and the importance of context in interpreting data. Key points emphasize the interplay between hardware, software, and data types in efficient information processing.

Uploaded by

shoaib
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LECTURE 5

COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND


INFORMATION BITS

Computer Systems and Their Types


COMPUTER SYSTEM

• A computer system is an integrated combination of hardware (physical


components) and software (programs) designed to process data, execute
instructions, and perform tasks. Key components include processors, memory,
storage devices, operating systems, and networks.
• Personal Computers (PCs): Designed for individual use (e.g., desktops,
laptops).
• Servers: Provide resources/services to other computers over networks (e.g.,
web servers, file servers).
• Mainframes: High-performance systems for large-scale data processing (e.g.,
banking systems).
• Embedded Systems: Specialized computers within devices (e.g., IoT devices,
car control systems).
• Supercomputers: Extremely powerful systems for complex calculations (e.g.,
weather modeling).
• Distributed Systems: Multiple computers working together over a network
(e.g., cloud computing).
PERSONAL COMPUTERS (PCS)

• Personal Computers are general-purpose systems designed for


individual use. They include desktops, laptops, and
workstations, and are optimized for tasks like web browsing,
document editing, gaming, and multimedia. Modern PCs run
operating systems like Windows, macOS, or Linux and are built
with modular hardware (e.g., CPUs, RAM, SSDs) for easy
upgrades. Their affordability and versatility make them
ubiquitous in homes, schools, and offices. Over time, PCs have
evolved to support advanced applications such as video
editing, AI-driven software, and virtual reality.
SERVERS

• Servers are specialized computers that provide resources,


services, or data to other devices (clients) over a network.
Examples include web servers (hosting websites), file servers
(storing shared data), and database servers (managing large
datasets). They prioritize reliability, scalability, and high
uptime, often featuring redundant power supplies, RAID
storage, and error-correcting memory. Servers typically run
server-grade OSs like Linux, Windows Server, or UNIX and are
deployed in data centers. Cloud computing relies heavily on
distributed server farms to deliver on-demand services
globally.
MAINFRAMES

• Mainframes are powerful, high-capacity systems used for


mission-critical applications requiring massive transaction
processing, such as banking, airline reservations, and
government databases. They excel at handling thousands of
simultaneous users and tasks with unparalleled reliability and
security. Mainframes use advanced fault tolerance (e.g., hot-
swappable components) and virtualization to optimize resource
usage. Unlike servers, they are designed for vertical
scaling (adding more power to a single system) and are often
used in industries where downtime is catastrophic.
EMBEDDED SYSTEMS

• Embedded systems are dedicated computers integrated into


larger devices to perform specific functions. Examples include
microcontrollers in washing machines, car engine control units
(ECUs), medical devices, and IoT sensors. They are optimized
for real-time operation, low power consumption, and minimal
hardware footprint. Unlike PCs, they run firmware or real-time
operating systems (RTOS) and lack user-installable software.
Embedded systems dominate industries like automotive,
healthcare, and consumer electronics, enabling automation
and smart functionality.
SUPERCOMPUTERS

• Supercomputers are ultra-high-performance systems designed


for complex scientific calculations, such as climate modeling,
nuclear simulations, or genomic research. They use parallel
processing architectures with thousands of CPUs/GPUs working
together to achieve petaflop-level speeds. Examples include
Frontier (the world’s fastest as of 2023) and Japan’s Fugaku.
Supercomputers are housed in specialized facilities with
advanced cooling systems and consume massive amounts of
power. They are critical for advancing research in physics,
chemistry, and AI.
DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS

• Distributed systems consist of multiple interconnected


computers collaborating to achieve a common goal. Examples
include cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud), peer-to-peer
networks (Bitcoin), and clustered computing environments.
They emphasize horizontal scaling (adding more machines)
to enhance fault tolerance, load balancing, and performance.
Technologies like Hadoop (for big data) and blockchain rely on
distributed architectures. These systems are foundational to
modern internet services, enabling seamless scalability and
global accessibility.
OPERATING SYSTEM (OS)

• Definition: An OS is system software that manages hardware


resources, provides services to applications, and acts as an
intermediary between users and computer hardware.
ITS COMPONENTS

• Kernel: Core component handling memory, processes, and hardware interactions (e.g.,
scheduling tasks, managing interrupts).
• Process Management: Controls program execution, multitasking, and resource allocation (e.g.,
CPU time, priorities).
• Memory Management: Allocates RAM to processes, optimizes virtual memory, and prevents
conflicts.
• File System: Organizes data storage (files/directories) on disks and manages read/write
operations.
• Device Drivers: Software modules enabling communication between hardware (printers, GPUs)
and the OS.
• User Interface (UI): CLI (Command Line) or GUI (Graphical) for user interaction (e.g., Windows
Explorer, Linux Terminal).
• Security: Implements access control, encryption, and user authentication to protect data.
• Networking: Manages network connections, protocols (TCP/IP), and data transmission between
systems.
• I/O Management: Coordinates input/output operations between peripherals (keyboard, mouse)
and applications.
• Examples: Windows (GUI-focused), Linux (modular kernel), macOS (Unix-based). The OS ensures
efficient, secure, and user-friendly computing
INFORMATION: BITS AND
CONTEXT

• Information is data that has meaning. In computing, it is represented as bits


(binary digits: 0s and 1s).

• Bits: Raw binary data with no inherent meaning. For example, 01000001 is a
sequence of bits.

• Context: The interpretation rules applied to bits to give them meaning. The
same bits can represent different things depending on context:

• Example: 01000001 could be:

• The integer 65 (in binary-to-decimal conversion).

• The character 'A' (in ASCII encoding).

• A machine instruction (e.g., part of a program).


KEY POINTS:

• Hardware/Software Context: Processors, compilers, and operating systems


provide context. For instance, a compiler translates code into machine-
readable bits, while the CPU interprets them as instructions.

• Data Types: Integers, floating-point numbers, text, and programs are all
stored as bits but decoded differently based on usage (e.g., arithmetic
operations vs. text rendering).

• This interplay of bits + context underpins how computer systems store,


process, and communicate information efficiently.

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