Unit 1- Computer Systems and Organisation
Chapter 1 – Computer System Overview
Computer System
Computer System is the “Sum total of all the components i.e., Hardware
and Software” that makes a fully functional computer.
It contains 5 main units
Input Unit
Output Unit
Central Processing Unit
➢ System Bus
Memory Unit
Hardware
The physical components of a computer are called hardware. (The machinery
itself)
Example – Mouse, Keyboard, monitor, wires, printer etc.
Software
Set of instructions or programs that are used to perform specific task.
Note:- Computer works on the basis of IPO principle i.e., Input Process
Output.
Computer System
• It has more than one component.
• All the components are logically related and are combined together to
achieve a common goal.
• It contains all hardware and software devices.
What is Bios?
BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is a program that is used to start the computer
system after it is powered on. It also manages data flow between the computer’s
operating system and attached devices such as hard disk, keyboard
mouse and printer.
Input Unit
It accepts or reads data from outside world/user.
It is formed by attaching various input device to a computer
system.
It accepts data and converts it into computer understandable form (i.e.,
binary or machine language).
Computer works on data and instruction for example 2+5, here data is 2 and 5
and instruction is to add.
Some Input devices are – Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick, microphone, OMR
(optical mark reader), touch screen etc.
Output Unit
It sends results or processed data to outer world.
It is formed by attaching output devices to a computer.
It is used to convert results in human readable form. Some output
devices are - Monitor, printer, speaker etc.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
It is also known as processor or brain of computer.
It is control centre and processing unit of computer system.
It guides and controls the other unit of a computer system.
Examples – Intel, AMD etc.
It has many sub components like ALU, CU, Motherboard,
Registers etc.
Arithmetic and logical Unit (ALU)
It performs arithmetic operations (+, -, *, ) and logical operations. (<, <=, >,
>=, !=).
The result of logical operations is either True or False.
It gives decision making power to computer system.
Control Unit (CU)
It manages all the functioning of computer system.
It controls and guides the other components of computer systems.
It also controls the flow of data from input devices to memory and from
memory to output devices.
Memory Unit
Three types of memory
Primary Memory – Also known as main memory.
Cache Memory – Use for temporary data storage. It is the fastest memory.
Secondary Memory – Additional memory or external storage devices.
Primary Memory
It is also known as main memory. It has two types RAM and ROM
RAM ROM
Read only Memory
It is not volatile, slow and less
Random Access Memory (RAM) It
expensive.
is volatile, fast and expensive. It
We can only read data.
can read and write data.
Parts of ROM
Parts of RAM
PROM (Programmable) – One time
1. DRAM
programmable.
2. SRAM
EPROM (Erasable Programmable) – It can
DRAM (Dynamic)
be erased by using UV radiation.
It is made up of transistors and
EEPROM (Electrical Erasable
capacitors.
Programmable) – It can be erased by using
This is Slow and less expensive.
UV radiation. Selective bytes can be
Example of DRAM and work?SRAM
erased.
(Static)
Flash EEPROM – It is same like EEPROM
It is made up of flip flops.
and fast then EEPROM by it deletes fully
This is fast and expensive.
not selectively. Mask ROM – Its data is
programmed by Manufacturer.
Cache Memory
Cache memory is a very high speed semiconductor memory which can speed up
the CPU. It acts as a buffer between the CPU and the main memory. It is used to
hold those parts of data and program which are most frequently used by the
CPU.
Secondary Memory
Storage devices
These are used to store large amount of data permanently.
Types
✔ Magnetic - hard disk, floppy disk and magnetic tape.
✔ Optical – CD, DVD, Blu ray disk.
✔ Flash memory – Pen drive and memory card.
Hard disks
✔ ✔ The hard disk stores information in circular disks which are
continually spinning.
✔ These have storage capacity upto Giga bytes and Tera bytes.
Compact Disks
These are optical media.
These have storage capacity upto 700 mb.
Types
CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) – These are mainly used for CD
distribution like software, games etc.
CD-R (Compact Disk Recordable) – This CD-R data can be recorded only once.
CD-RW (Compact Disk Rewritable) – We can read and write data multiple
times.
DVDs
These are optical media.
These can store data 15 to 20 times more than CDs.
These are also of three types i.e., DVD-ROM, DVD-R and DVD-RW.
Blu ray disk
Also known as BD is an optical disc storage media format.
Its main uses are high definition video and data storage.
These have same size like CD and DVD.
Blu ray disks of today are capable of storing upto 128 GB of data.
Flash memory
A flash drive is a small and portable solid state memory i.e., it has no
moving parts like magnetic and optical drives.
These can also store upto 256 gb of data.
Memory Units
Smallest unit Bit – Binary digit (0/1)
Bit (Binary Digit) 0 or 1
4 Bit Nibble
1 Byte 8 Bit
1 KB (Kilo Byte) 1024 Byte
1 MB (Mega Byte) 1024 KB
1 GB (Giga Byte) 1024 MB
1 TB (Tera Byte) 1024 GB
1 PB (Peta Byte) 1024 TB
1 EB (Exa Byte) 1024 PB
1 ZB (Zetta Byte) 1024 EB
1 YB (Yotta Byte) 1024 ZB
1 BB (Bronto Byte) 1024 YB
The System Bus
The system bus is an electronic pathway composed of connecting cables.
These connects the major components of a computer system.
Data bus – The data carrying parts of system bus is called data bus.
Control bus – The control instruction carrying part of system bus is
called control bus.
Memory bus – The memory address carrying part of system bus is called
control bus.
Input Output (I/O) bus – These are used to connect external devices to
the System.