Unit 2: Introduction to Computer System

Unit 2: Introduction to Computer System (5hrs)

Introduction

A computer system has three main components: hardware, software, and

people. The equipment associated with a computer system is called hardware.
Software is a set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. People,
however, are the most important component of a computer system - people use
the power of the computer for some purpose. In fact, this course will show you
that the computer can be a tool for just about anyone from a business person,
to an artist, to a housekeeper, to a student - an incredibly powerful and flexible
tool.

In this chapter, you will learn the details on what is a computer system,
technical features of computer system, computer hardware, computer
software, computer system architecture and other important topics related to
the computer system.

Unit Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, you will be able to:
a. identify a computer system.
b. identify a processor, memory, peripherals and input/output of a
computer system.
c. Enumerate the different components of a computer system.
d. Deliberate and enumerate the different uses and functions of each part.
e. understand the importance of a computer system.

Topic 1: The Computer System

Learning Objectives

At the end of this topic, students will be able to:

a. identify a computer system
b. identify the different components of a computer system
c. enumerate the importance of each component

Activating Prior Knowledge

1. Divide your class into groups. Each group will choose one from the
given categories (memory, hardware and software).
2. Each group will give five examples on the category they choose.
3. On the board or on a classroom wall, a repetitive of the group will
discuss and show their output.

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Presentation of Contents

The computer system consists of both hardware and the software components.
The computer hardware components are physical components mounted within
computer case and some also connected externally.
The computer system needs to be directed to perform various user specified
operations. And therefore, the computer system needs a program which directs
the computer hardware. The computer program is also commonly referred to
as software.

What is Computer System?

A computer system is defined as a digital electronics device that can be
programmed to accept some inputs in terms of data, then process this data as
per the program instructions and provide the output in the desired format that
can be used for some meaningful work.

The computer user interacts with the application software and provides the
input data. This data is processed by the computer system with the help of
application software.

The application software in turn interacts with the operating system and the
processed data or we can call program output is then sent to the output device.
The output device could be either a monitor, speaker, printer or any other
output device.

Features of the Computer System

1. Computer System Is Programmable.
2. Computer Accepts Raw Data and Produces Information.
3. Computer System is a Digital Machine.

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1. Computer System Is Programmable

The computer system consists of both software components and hardware
components. The hardware components are physical parts that we can touch
and interact. Whereas the software is essential to drive the hardware.

The computer program (software) is an essential component of every

computer system which directs the computer to performs various tasks.
The Computer system is programmable. That means, the computer will
perform the task only as per the program instructions.

And therefore, the computer needs a program written in a programming

language to execute a particular task on the computer system.

The Computer program directs the computer system through series of

instructions. Each program instruction performs a specific part of the
operation.

2. Computer Accepts Raw Data and Produces Information.

The Computer Systems are versatile machines and can be used to perform
number of operations.

For example, a company might use the computer system for managing
employee database, customer database, inventory management, billing, record
keeping, payroll processing, accounting and many such applications.
In order to use the computer system for any database operations, a DBMS
(Database Management System) software is required.

The computer system is also used to process the raw data and produce the
information that can be used for some meaningful purpose.

The information can be used for some meaningful work such as decision
making within an organization.

3. Computer System is a Digital Machine

The Computer is a digital electronic machine. That means, computer can
understand and execute instructions on in binary which consist of only two
numbers that is 0 and 1. The binary code is also referred as machine code or
machine language.
The computers central processing unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer
system. The CPU is responsible to perform both arithmetical and logical
operations.

However, the computers micro-processor (CPU) can understand and execute

instructions only in machine code in Binary.

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So, it doesn’t really matter in which programming language you write your
program code because eventually , all computer programs must be first
converted to machine code in binary consisting of only 0 and 1.

Components of Computer System

The Computer system consist of four basic components or Units. In terms of
functionality, the computer system can be grouped in to four units.

The Computer System Components are:

1. Input Devices (Input Unit).
2. CPU (Central Processing Unit).
3. System Memory (Memory Unit).
4. Output Devices (Output Unit)

1. Input and Output Devises

1.1. Computer System Input Unit
The term “Input Unit” (Input Devises) refers to the input provided by
the user by using any input device such as keyboard, mouse, mike, camera
or any storage device in the form of input data.

The input data is operated and processed by the Central Processing Unit
(CPU) as per the program and sent to the output unit for further action.
1.2. Computer System Output Unit
The term “Output Unit” refers to the output provided by the computer CPU
after processing the user data inputs.

This output is then sent to the output device such as monitor, printer,
speaker to provide desired output to the user. The output can also be stored on
any storage device for future use.

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2. Computer System Memory Unit

The memory unit is an essential part of every computer system. The computer
system needs memory to store the program instructions and the data before
and after the processing.

The computer system memory unit consist of both temporary and permanent
memory. The Random Access Memory (RAM) is the main memory where the
operating loads the program for its execution.

The temporary memory RAM can store the data till the time the system is
powered on. Whereas, the permanent memory (disk memory) can store the
data even after the system power is switched off.

The computer system makes the use of different types of memories organized
in a hierarchical manner and together they are referred as memory unit. The
arrangement of different types of memories is referred as memory hierarchy.

The computer memory unit consist of different types of memories which

differ in capacity, access speed, physical size and the cost of the memory.

Each of the memory is optimally used in the computer system depending

upon its access speed , size and proximity to the CPU .
The computer system makes use of different types memory depending upon
the functional requirements.

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3. Computer System - Microprocessor

The central process ring unit (CPU) effectively functions as a brain of the
computer system.

The CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations and provides processing
power of the computer system.

What is Microprocessor?
The central processing unit (CPU) is also alternately referred to as
microprocessor or processor. The processor provides the processing power to
the computer system.

The CPU performs number of vital functions. One of the main function of the
CPU is to execute the computer program.

What is CPU Machine Cycle?

The operating system loads the program instructions and associated data into
the main system memory RAM. The CPU fetches the data and program
instructions from the main memory.
The CPU executes the computer program by repetitively performing a
machine cycle which is a basic operation of the processor. The machine cycle
consists of four steps. These machine cycle steps are:
 FETCH
 DECODE
 EXECUTE
 STORE

Computer Hardware
All the physical components inside the computer cabinet and the input /
output gadgets attached to the computer are referred as hardware components.

The hardware components inside the computer cabinet are

referred as internal components such as motherboard. The external hardware
components attached to the computer system are also referred as
peripheral devices such as keyboard, mouse, monitor.

Computer Software
The computer software is a set program instructions designed to perform a
specific tasks. A computer program is written in computer programming
language such as C , C++ , Java , python and so many other languages.

The computer system makes use of two types of software.

A. System Software

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The System software is used by the system itself manage and control the
system hardware components. The operating system communicates with
the hardware components through system software.
The System software includes Operating System (OS), device drivers and
other system utility programs.

B. Application Software.
The application software provides an interface to the computer user to
perform a specific job on the computer system. For example, writing
document, making presentation or managing accounts.
Application software are installed on the system to provide specific
functionality to the system. The application software is designed and
developed to satisfy a specific need of the computer user.
For example, MS Office, accounting
software, engineering drawing software(AutoCAD) are some of commonly
used application software.

Topic 2: Processing Unit

Learning Objectives

At the end of this topic, students will be able to:

a. Determine a processing unit
b. Analyze the functions of a processing unit
c. Understand how a processing unit execute for an instruction

Presentation of Contents

In a computer the processor is the center of activity. The processor, as we

noted, is also called the central processing unit (CPU). The central processing
unit consists of electronic circuits that interpret and execute program
instructions, as well as communicate with the input, output, and storage
devices.

Central Processing Unit (CPU) consists of the following features:

 CPU is considered as the brain of the computer.

 CPU performs all types of data processing operations.
 It stores data, intermediate results, and instructions (program).
 It controls the operation of all parts of the computer.

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CPU itself has following three components.

 Memory or Storage Unit

 Control Unit
 ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

Memory or Storage Unit

This unit can store instructions, data, and intermediate results. This unit
supplies information to other units of the computer when needed. It is also
known as internal storage unit or the main memory or the primary storage or
Random Access Memory (RAM).

Its size affects speed, power, and capability. Primary memory and secondary
memory are two types of memories in the computer. Functions of the memory
unit are:

 It stores all the data and the instructions required for processing.
 It stores intermediate results of processing.
 It stores the final results of processing before these results are released
to an output device.
 All inputs and outputs are transmitted through the main memory.

Control Unit

This unit controls the operations of all parts of the computer but does not carry
out any actual data processing operations.

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Functions of this unit are:

 It is responsible for controlling the transfer of data and instructions

among other units of a computer.
 It manages and coordinates all the units of the computer.
 It obtains the instructions from the memory, interprets them, and
directs the operation of the computer.
 It communicates with Input/Output devices for transfer of data or
results from storage.
 It does not process or store data.

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

This unit consists of two subsections namely,

 Arithmetic Section

o Function of arithmetic section is to perform arithmetic

operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division. All complex operations are done by making repetitive
use of the above operations.
 Logic Section

o Function of logic section is to perform logic operations such as

comparing, selecting, matching, and merging of data.

Processing Unit Executing Computer Instruction

It is the central processing unit that actually transforms data into information.
Data is the raw material to be processed by a computer. Such material can be
letters, numbers, or facts like grades in a class, baseball batting averages, or
light and dark areas in a photograph. Processed data becomes information,
data that is organized, meaningful, and useful. In school, for instance, an
instructor could enter various student grades (data), which can be processed to
produce final grades and perhaps a class average (information). Data that is
perhaps uninteresting on its own may become very interesting once it is
converted to information. The raw facts (data) about your finances, such as a
paycheck or a donation to charity or a medical bill may not be captivating
individually, but together, these and other acts can be processed to produce the
refund or amount you owe on your income tax return (information).

Computer memory, also known as primary storage, is closely associated with

the central processing unit but separate from it. Memory holds the data after it
is input to the system and before it is processed; also, memory holds the data
after it has been processed but before it has been released to the output device.
In addition, memory holds the programs (computer instructions) needed by the
central processing unit.

Processing Unit Executing Complete Instruction

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Four Different Types Of Basic Operations:

 Fetch information from memory to CPU
 Store information to CPU register to memory
 Transfer of data between CPU registers.
 Perform arithmetic or logic operation and store the result in CPU
registers.

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UNIT SUMMARY

In this chapter, you’ve learned that a computer is a machine that can be

programmed to accept data (input), process it into useful information (output),
and store it away (in a secondary storage device) for safekeeping or later
reuse. The processing of input to output is directed by the software but
performed by the hardware.

To function, a computer system requires four main aspects of data handling:

input, processing, output, and storage.

Furthermore, input devices accept data in a form that the computer can use;
they then send the data to the processing unit. The processor, more formally
known as the central processing unit (CPU), has the electronic circuitry that
manipulates input data into the information people want. The central
processing unit executes computer instructions that are specified in the
program. Output devices show people the processed data-information in a
form that they can use. Storage usually means secondary storage. Secondary
storage consists of devices, such as diskettes, which can store data and
programs outside the computer itself. These devices supplement the
computer's memory, which, as we will see, can hold data and programs only
temporarily.

REFERENCES

“Introduction to Computers”,
[Link]

“Learn Computer Science”,

[Link]
system-computer-system/

“Execution of a Complete Instructions”, [Link]

complete-instructions/

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