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Types and components of computer Systems
A computer: is a device or group of devices designed to do
something such as process information or control a system
• Computer components are classified in two main categories
1. hardware .
2. Software.
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Types and components of computer Systems
Hardware
Is the physical parts of a computer system ”the parts of the
system that you can feel or touch”
Hardware are classified in to two types:
1. Obvious Hardware “external”
2. Less obvious Hardware “Internal”
software:
The instruction and programs that control the computer system
and process data.
Software are classified in two types:
1. Applications Software
2. System Software
Main components of a general-purpose computers
The hardware of most computers can be divided into several
types of devices:
1. Input devices: it is used to put data into the computer
2. Processor: it manipulates the data given by the input
devices to give you information
3. Output devices: it is used to tell you the results that the
processors came up with “information”
4. Storage device: it is used to keep “store” the software and
data that is used
Processor
Input Device Output Device
(Main Memory)
Storage Device
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Types and components of computer Systems
Obvious Hardware:
• Computer Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Computer Case
• Printer
Types and components of computer Systems
Less obvious Hardware:
• Motherboard
• Random Access Memory RAM
• Central Processing Unit CPU
• Read Only Memory ROM
• Video Card
• Sound Card
• Hard Disk Drive HDD, Solid State Drive SSD
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Motherboard
• The motherboard is a printed circuit board
(PCB) which connects the main components
of a computer.
• Some of these components may be an integral
part of the motherboard. Such components can
include Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, a
network port and an integrated graphics card.
CPU
• The central processing unit (CPU) is the brain
of a computer. It is the part of the computer
that carries out calculations, executes
instructions and processes data.
CPU Components
1. Control Unit: controls the input and output
devices
2. Arithmetic Logic Unit: carries out calculations
and makes logical decisions
3. Memory Unit “registers”
Internal memory
ROM (Read Only Memory)
• ROM is used to permanently store
instructions known ase boot file or BIOS(
Basic input/output system) that tell the
computer how to boot (start up). It
also loads the operating system.
• ROM is Non-Volatile memory. This means
that stored information is not lost when the
computer loses power.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
• Random access memory (RAM) is memory
that is used to store currently active
programs and data.
• RAM is Volatile Memory. This means that
information stored in RAM is deleted as
soon as the computer is turned off.
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RAM and ROM differences
Video Card / Graphics card
• Graphics cards are printed circuit board that
plug into the motherboard and enables the
computer to display images on the monitor.
• New Motherboard comes with integrated
(built in)VGA
• using a separate card, the graphics
performance can be improved as a separate
processor can be used for graphics
• Graphics Processing Unit GPU: is a
processor used to accelerate the creation of
images. GPUs are used in embedded
systems, mobile phones and game consoles
Sound Card
• a sound card is used to generate the signals
needed to output sound from the computer
to a speaker or set of speakers.
• It convert the analogue data into digital
data and vice versa.
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NIC Network Interface Card
• Network Interface Cards are electronic
cards used to connect individual
computers/devices to a network.
Storage Devices
• A hard disk drive (HDD) is the most
common form of secondary storage for a
computer due to its relatively low cost per
MB
• Solid State Hard Drives (SSD's) Used in
desktop PC's and laptops in place of
magnetic hard disk drives to permanently
store data such as.
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Comparison of internal memory and backing storage
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Analogue and digital data
● Computers can only understand data which is in a binary format
(a base 2 number system where only the values 0 and 1 can be
used).
● Data in the real world is actually analogue in nature. Analogue
data is physical data that changes smoothly from one value to the
next.
● Analogue data must first be converted into digital data using
hardware known as an analogue to digital converter ADC before
being delivered to a computer.
● If the computer is controlling a device (such as a motor) then the
digital output from the computer needs to be converted into
analogue form. This is done by a digital to analogue converter
(DAC).
Analogue Digital data
data
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Software
There are two main types of software:
• System Software.
• Application Software.
System Software:
It is the basic program that allow the hardware to run properly
and allow the user to communicate with the computer.
Examples:
1. Operating System
2. Device Drivers
3. Utilities
4. Compiler
5. Interpreter
6. Linker
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1. Operating Systems:
Is a software that manages the general
operation of a computer system
The general tasks for a typical operating
system include:
• control of the operation of the input,
output and backing storage devices
• supervising the loading, running and
storage of applications programs
• dealing with errors that occur in
application programs
• maintaining security of the whole
computer system
• maintaining a computer log (which details
computer usage)
• allowing communication between the user
and the computer system (user interface).
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User interface
User interface represents the way of communication between a user and
the computer system. Type of user interface:
1. Command line interface
2. Graphical user interface
3. Dialogue interface
4. Gesture-based interface
Command line interface CLI
It allows a user to enter text commands to which the computer system will
respond. The computer system will respond by producing results in a text
format.
• They are also useful for technical users who need to carry out complex
operations.
• CLIs use very little memory so they are useful in old systems
There are two reasons that make it difficult to use a CLI OS
1. The user must know all the commands
2. The user must be careful not to make any typing errors.
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Graphical user interface
• It’s a user interface that uses graphics to stand for more complicated
actions that user wants the computer to carry out
• The four elements of GUI OS are: Windows, Icons, Menu, and Pointer
WIMP
• It is the most common type of interface that we use is a graphical user
interface (GUI). GUIs are found on desktop computers, tablet
computers, mobile phones, televisions, set-top boxes, photocopiers and
some in-car entertainment systems.
• Complex GUIs require a lot of memory to operate.
• are easy to learn because commands are represented by pictures and
menus provide options that can be selected.
Copy Past
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Advantages and disadvantages of CLI and GUI interfaces
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Dialogue interface
• A dialogue interface refers to using the spoken word to communicate
with a computer system.
• Dialogue interfaces are very popular with mobile devices, including
mobile phones and in-car entertainment systems.
• A big advantage of dialogue interfaces is that no hands are required,
which makes them suitable for use in cars or when holding a telephone.
• They are suitable for systems such as home automation where voice
commands can be given from anywhere to control equipment such as
lights, entertainment systems and curtains.
• The main problem with this type of interface is the computer system’s
ability to recognize the spoken word.
• Things that make it difficult for the computer to understand the voice
command: accents, different voices, stammers and background noise
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Gesture-based interface
• Gesture-based interfaces will recognize human motion. This could
include tracking eyes and lips, identifying hand signals or monitoring
whole body movement.
• There are many applications of gesture-based interfaces including
gaming.
• Many computer systems, including mobile devices, are now starting to
accept hand gestures as a way of controlling objects on screen. For
example, a swipe of the hand across a screen may close a program.
• A person who has no control from the neck downwards could control a
computer system with their eyes because the computer can track the
movement of each eye.
• One of the biggest problems with gesture interfaces is accuracy.
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Advantages and disadvantages of dialogue-based and
gesture-based interfaces
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Device driver:
Is the name given to software that enables one or more hardware devices to
communicate with the computer's operating system.
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Utility programs:
are programs that help to manage, maintain and control computer resources.
Examples include:
antivirus
deals with other threats such as adware and spyware as well as viruses.
It has two main functions.
1. monitoring the system for viruses and malware.
2. scanning the system. check for viruses or malware that may already be
on a system.
backup of files
Backup utilities create a second copy of data and programs that are in
storage.
Data compression
Data compression utilities will reduce the original size of files so that they
use up less storage space
Formatting
When a disc is prepared for first time use, it needs to be formatted.
Formatting is the process of organizing the tracks on the disc into sectors.
Each sector is where data will be stored.
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Compilers
• A compiler is a computer program that translates a program written in a
High level language (HLL) into machine code (Code that is understood
by the computer) so that it can be directly used by a computer to
perform a required task.
• The file containing the machine code is known as an executable file
because it can be executed by the processor (object file).
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Linkers
• A computer program that takes one or more object files produced by a
compiler and combines them into a single program that can be run on a
computer.
• Many programming languages allow programmers to write different
pieces of cods, called modules, separately. This simplifies the
programming task since It allows the program to be broken up into
small, more manageable sub-tasks. It is necessary to put all the modules
together to form the final program. This is the job of the linker.
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Application Software
1. Word processing software is used to manipulate text documents.
Some of Word Processors functions include:
• creating, editing, saving and manipulating text
• copy and paste functions
• spell checkers
• importing photos/images into a structured page format
• translation into other languages.
2. Database software is used to organize, manipulate and analyze data
Some of Database functions include:
• ability to carry out query on database data and produce a report
• add, delete and modify data in a table.
3. Spreadsheet software is used to organize and manipulate numerical data and create
graphs and charts
Some of Spreadsheet functions include:
• use of formulas to carry out calculations
• ability to produce graphs
• ability to do modelling and ‘what if‘ calculations.
4. Control and measuring software designed to allow a computer or microprocessor to
interface with sensors so that it is possible to:
• measure physical quantites in the real world (such as temperatures)
• control applications (such as a chemical process)
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Types and components of computer Systems
Application Software
5. Apps (Application): refers to the type of software that runs on mobile
phones or tablets. Examples:
• video and music streaming
• GPS (global positioning systems
• camera facilities
6. Photo editing software allows a user to manipulate digital photographs
stored on a computer.
6. Video editing software allows a user to manipulate videos to produce an
edited video.
Some of its functions include:
• rearranging, adding and/or removing sections of video clips And/or
audio clips
• applying color correction, filters and other video enhancements
• creating transitions between clips in the video footage.
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Types and components of computer Systems
Application Software
8. Graphics manipulation software allows bitmap and vector images to be
changed.
8. Presentation application are used to create slide shows and presentations
8. Desktop-publishing(DTP) packages are used to produce posters,
newsletters and magazines
9. Computer-aided design package are used to produce detailed designs and
plans
10. Communications software such as web browsers and email programs are
used to access the internet , sending and receiving emails
11. Web page editors are used to create web pages.
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Types of computers
PC/desktop computers
Advantages
1. Spare parts and connections tend to be standardized, which
usually results in low costs.
2. Desktops tend to have a better specification for a given price.
3. The large casing allows good dissipation of any heat build-up.
4. Power consumption is not critical
Disadvantages
1. Desktops are not particularly portable.
2. All the components need to be hooked up by wiring, which can
be quite complex and clutters up the desk space.
3. it is necessary to copy files, etc. when you want to do some work
elsewhere.
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Types of computers
Laptop computers
The key features of laptop are:
• low weight
• low power consumption and also long battery life
• a processor that does not generate too much heat.
Advantages
1. They are very portable
2. There are no trailing wires, etc.
3. They can take full advantage of WiFi
4. Since they are portable, they can link into any multimedia
system.
Disadvantages
1. Since they are portable, they are easy to steal!
2. They have limited battery life so the user may need to carry a
heavy adaptor.
3. The keyboards and pointing devices can sometimes be awkward
to use.
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Types of computers
Tablet
Features of tablets include:
• high-definition, anti-glare displays
• front- and back facing camera
• lower weight and longer battery life than laptops
• Bluetooth connection to printers and other devices
• flash (solid state) memory and cloud storage facilities to back up
and synchronize data sources
• sensors to carry out the following functions:
• Proximity sensors to detect if the device is close to, for
example, the ear(which allows it to block unintended
‘touches’)
• Accelerometer, which detects movement and orientation of
the device
• Sophisticated speech-recognitions systems
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Types of computers
Advantages of tablets compared to laptops:
• very fast to switch on
• fully portable
• touch-screen technology
• can use several Apps as standard (such as built-in camera)
• generate not much heat / they use solid-state technology
• battery life of a tablet is a lot longer
• when the power button is pressed it goes into standby but remains
connected to the internet
Disadvantages of tablets compared to laptops:
• they often have limited memory or storage compared to a laptop
• they can be expensive to run if the internet is being accessed via
3G/4G/5G mobile phone networks
• typing on a touch screen can be slow and error-prone
• transferring of files often has to be done through an application store
• laptops tend to support more types of file format than tablets
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Types of computers
Smartphones
Features of Smartphones include:
• send/receive emails
• surf the net
• global positioning system
• calendar functions
• telephone banking (send and receive money using banking
Apps)
• Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
• using the internet, which also allows video calling
• streaming of videos
• streaming of music
• instant access to social networks
• instant messaging.
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Types of computers
Advantages of smartphone compared to laptops:
• They are very small in size therefore very easy to carry
• can use them to make phone calls as well as connect to the internet
while on the move
• they have hundreds of Apps
• they have a reasonable battery life compared to laptops.
Disadvantages of smartphone compared to laptops:
• the small screens make pages difficult to read and small keyboards
make typing things in more difficult and slower.
• web browsing and photography can drain the battery quickly
• memory size in most phones isn’t very large when compared to
laptops and PCs
• not all website Features are compatible with smartphone operating
systems
• much easier to lose because of their small size
• the data transfer rate using mobile phone networks is slower
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Types of computers
Phablet
Some of the latest smartphones have been designed as a hybrid between
a tablet and a smartphone. They have much larger screens than a
smartphone but are smaller than a tablet. All the features of a
smartphone (described earlier) also apply to phablets together with the
typical features of a tablet.
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Impact of emerging technologies
Emerging technologies
Technologies that are likely to make a great impact on our everyday
lives in the future.
Artificial intelligence AI
• Science of getting computers to learn in a similar way to the way
the human brain learns new things.
• Creating computer programs or computer systems that behave in a
similar way to the human brain by learning from experience and
carries out a task that requires some degree of intelligence such
as: the use of language, recognising a person’s face, the ability to
operate machinery, and analysing data to predict the outcome of a
future event
• It is a reasoning process performed by computers that allow the
computer to:
⮚ Draw deductions
⮚ Produce new information
⮚ Modify rules or write new rules.
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Impact of AI
⮚ An autonomous (driverless) vehicle – we already have driverless trains and
autopilots on aeroplanes, but future developments include driverless cars.
⮚ Robotic research is leading to improvements in technology to help
amputees and people with disabilities.
⮚ Robots are used to help people carry out dangerous or unpleasant tasks
⮚ could lead to many job losses in a number of areas
⮚ dependency on technology and the inability to carry out tasks done by
robots could be an issue in the future
⮚ loss of skills as humans have been replaced by machines and software
applications.
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Extended reality
It refers to real and virtual combined environments. There are three
common examples :
• augmented reality (AR)
• virtual reality (VR)
• mixed reality (MR)
Augmented reality (AR)
It is a technology that puts one image on another so that they can be seen
combined, a computer-generated image on the users view of the real
world thus providing a composite view. It has the following features:
• allow the user to experience the relationship between digital (virtual) and
physical (real) worlds
• virtual information and objects are overlaid onto real-world situations
• the real world is enhanced with digital details, such as images, text and
animation
• the user can experience the AR world through special goggles or via
smartphone/phablet screens
• the user is not isolated from the real world and is still able to interact and
see what is going on in front of them
• examples include the Pokémon GO game which overlays digital creatures
onto real-world situations.
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Virtual reality
Virtual reality is an artificial environment created by computer
software that you can explore and interact with. The user makes
use of data goggles, sensor Suits, data gloves or data helmets to get
a feeling of reality (that is, the feeling of ‘being there’).
Features of virtual reality include:
• the ability to take the user out of the real-world environment
into a virtual (unreal) digital environment
• in contrast to AR, the user is fully immersed in a simulated
digital world
• users must wear a VR headset or a head-mounted display which
allows a 360° view of the virtual world (this ‘fools’ the brain
into believing they are walking on an ocean bed, walking in an
alien world or inside a volcano)
• this technology can be used to good effect in: medicine
(teaching operation procedures), construction, engineering and
the military.
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Virtual reality
The technology is used in:
• military applications (for example, training to use a new tank)
• education (for example, looking inside an ancient building as part of a
history lesson)
• healthcare (for example, as a diagnostic tool)
• entertainment (for example, games where gloves, goggles or helmets
are worn to give realism to the scenario and even to give images or
sound to make it seem very real)
• real estate (for example, allowing people to ‘look around’ houses that
are for sale)
• engineering (for example, seeing how new designs will look)
• sport (for example, a golfer trying to improve their swing can use this
technology and get feedback to improve their game)
• media (for example, special effects in films such as The Matrix)
• scientific visualization (for example, looking at molecular structures in
chemistry).
Mixed reality (MR)
It is the merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments
and visualizations, where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact
in real time.
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