Eman Sabry

CHAPTER 1
TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Hardware & Software
Hardware
➢ physical components of a computer system
➢ You can touch it

Internal Hardware Devices: External Hardware Devices:

➢ Processor ➢ Monitor
➢ Motherboard ➢ Keyboard Mouse
➢ RAM & ROM ➢ Printer
➢ Video & Sound Cards ➢ External Storage Devices

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Software
➢ Programs that control computer systems
➢ Set of instructions that make computer do something
➢ You cannot physically touch software

We Have Two types of software:

Application software: System Software:

o Programs that allow the user to do o Programs that allow the
specific task hardware to run properly
o Design to carry out tasks o Control computer's hardware
o Can be general purpose software or and application program
custom-made software (specialist o Communicate with user
software) o E.g. Operating system, device
o E.g. Spread sheets, databases, drivers, compilers
word processing

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The Main Components of Computer Systems
CPU
o Processing done by central processing unit
o Three main components:
o Control unit - coordinates input and output
devices and carries out program instructions
o Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU) -
performs calculations and logical comparison:
o Immediate access store (IAS) - holds data and program instruction in
current use

Microprocessor:
o Used instead of CPU
o Single integrated circuit

Internal/Main Memory
o Stores all data: application software, operating system, data files
o Consists of ROM and RAM
o Both RAM and ROM are integrated chips
RAM:
Random Access Memory (RAM) is an internal chip where data is stored
temporarily
o Memory can be written to and read from
o RAM > ROM (usually; except washing
machines)
o Stores anything that needs to be changed
o All
program and data being used are on
RAM
o Contents lost when computer is turned off
o Referred to as volatile memory

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ROM:
Read Only Memory (ROM) is memory used to store permanent information
o Used to contain configuration data for a computer etc.
o Chips cannot be altered, only read from
o Data not lost when computer is turned off
o Referred to as non-volatile memory
➢ BIOS
o ROM contains boot file, referred to as BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)
o Tells computers what to do when it first starts
o Does hardware check when computer is turned on
o Then it loads operating system into RAM
o BIOS stores date, time and system configuration

Input & Output Devices

• Input devices:
Purpose is to provide data for processing
Data is raw facts which alone have no
meaning
o Examples: keyboard, mouse

• Output devices:
Displays result of processing
Information is processed data which has
been given meaning

Examples: monitor, printer

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Secondary/Backing Storage
• Stores data/information & programs not
being used at current time
• Backing store device = reader or recorder
o Example: Hard disk drive
Backing store media = hardware
containing data
o Example: Hard disk
Basic Computer Model

Operating Systems
o• Enables users to communicate with computer systems
o• Controls operation of input, output & backing storage
o• Supervises loading, running & storage of application program
o• Deals with error in application programs
o• Maintains security of whole computer system
o• Maintains a computer log
Two main types of interfaces: CLI & GUI
CLI - Command Line Interface
o Typescommands to tell the computer
what to do
o The user must know all the commands
o Must not make typing errors
o Used by technicians
o Can access everything on the computer
system
o GUIusers can only access places they
have icons for

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Advantages
o Knowing the correct commands, this can be much faster than any other interface
type
o Uses much less RAM than any other interface type
o Low resolution, cheap monitors can be used
o CLI does not require Windows to run
Disadvantages
o Can be confusing
o Commands must be typed precisely, if there is a spelling error the command
will fail
o If you mistype an instruction, it is often necessary to start all over again
o Large number of commands need to be learned

GUI - Graphical User Interface

o Uses
graphics to stand for the
complicated actions
o Uses icons
o Uses a mouse to selector the icons
o Screendivided into windows allows
different things on each
o WIMP - Windows Icons Menus Pointers
Advantages
o Easy to use because requires little IT knowledge
o Easy to explore and find your way around the system
o Do not have to learn complicated commands
o Exchange data between different software
o Good help facilities provided with GUIs
Disadvantages
o Larger amount of hard disk space than other interfaces
o Significantly more memory (RAM) to run than other interface type

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o GUI use more processing power than other types of interfaces
o GUI can be slow for experienced programmers to use, they find CLI much faster

Dialogue-based user interfaces

Use the human voice to give commands to a computer system.

USES :
o In some luxury modern cars, where voice activation is used to control
devices such as the in-car entertainment system or satellite navigation
system.
o This type of interface could also be used in the home; by using voice
commands, it is possible to switch on/off lights, operate electronic
equipment and so on. In recent years.
o Amazon Alexa, Google Now, Apple Siri and Microsoft Cortana have all
been developed to interact with a human by recognising verbal
commands. These devices act as a personal assistant

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Gesture-based interfaces
Rely on human interaction by the moving
of hands, head or even the feet.
Gesture recognition allows humans to
interface with a computer in a more natural
fashion without the need for any
mechanical devices. This type of interface
uses techniques known as computer vision
and image processing.

Uses:
o Rotating a finger clockwise near the radio will increase the sound
volume.
o Opening the thumb and next finger will change the track being listened.
o Moving the foot under the rear bumper of the car automatically opens
the boot lid.
o Moving a hand near a window switch automatically opens a window.

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Quantum Cryptography
Technology that allows messages
and data to be sent with complete
privacy; basically, advanced
encryption
Older encryption is based on
mathematics, but this new tech uses
physics
Makes it much more complex to decrypt

Impacts on everyday life:

o Completely secure voting ensuring that votes cannot be tampered with
or changed
o Completely secure communication eliminating the risk of being
read/heard by the wrong eyes/ears
o Completely secure bank transactions so money goes exactly where it is
intended
o Completely secure personal information preventing hackers access to
intrusive details about a person

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Types of Computer
Desktop/Personal Computers
Refers to general purpose computers
PC refers to IBM compatible computers, distinguishing them from the
Macs
Made up of separate monitor,
keyboard, mouse and processing unit
Advantages
o Spare parts standardized results in low
costs
o Tend to have better specifications
o Large casing allows good dissipation of
heat build up
Disadvantages
o Not portable since they are made up of
separate components
o Wiring clutters up desk space
o Necessary to copy files as they aren't portable

Laptop/Notebook Computers
Refers to computers where
monitor, keyboard, pointing device
and processor together in a single unit
Extremely portable systems
o Low weight
o Low power consumption
o Processor doesn't generate too much
heat
Advantages
o Portable because monitor, pointing device, keyboard, processor & backing
store units are together in one box
o No trailing wires o Full advantage of Wi-Fi
o Can link into any multimedia system

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Disadvantages
o Easy to steal
o Limited battery; need to carry charger
o Keyboard and pointing device awkward to use
o Heat dissipation is difficult due to laptop structure

Tablet Computer
o These are small hand-held devices that
can perform many functions that PCs &
laptops do.
o Often use touch screens to operate .
o On-screen virtual keyboard replaces
physical keyboard.
o Often used by graphic designers to
digitalize their content with a stylus pen.
o Can be used like a PC and/or a
Smartphone.

Advantages:
o Small light & portable
o Built in cameras for photos & videos
o Touchscreen can be used with a stylus pen
o Long battery life
Disadvantages:
o Less storage spaces
o Lacks power of laptop/PC
o Digital keyboard can be difficult to use
o Touchscreen may be difficult to use for detailed work

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Smartphone
o Modern phones that can perform
similar tasks to all the above.

o Main use of smartphones is social

media & day-to-day planning.
o Use varies from person to person.

Advantages:
o Smallest lightest most portable
o Integrated/virtual keyboard
o Often the least expensive device
o More practical for day-to-day use

Disadvantages:
o Small screen may be difficult to use
o Not as powerful as other devices
o Often has the lowest battery life
o Small size makes it easy to steal/lose

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Impact of Emerging Technologies
o Thisis technology that is being newly developed
o These can have several impacts on our society

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

o Technology that focuses on creating a computer system that can closely mimic
or simulate human intelligence

AI can be used to:

o Enhance video games and computer
tactics
o Help decision making steps in expert
systems
o Make robots to imitate human behavior
o Understand different human languages

Impact on everyday life:

o Can be used to accurately predict hazardous weather conditions and signal
warnings automatically
o Take over menial tasks for humans; increasing our leisure time
o Can be used for safer automated travel; cars that can drive and park by
themselves
o Increases home safety by being able to tell the difference between owner &
intruder; call authorities automatically
o Improved medical care as decision making skills and precision can be enhanced

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Biometrics
A part of a person’s body is used to identify that individual
Can be:
o Fingerprints
o Retina
o Iris
o Face
o Voice

These are all unique to everyone thus can be used as an authentication

technique
Must be added initially to a system to use as identification

Impacts on everyday life:

o Better security at the airport since most use at least one form of
biometric check if not more
o Increased security in certain places as only authorized personnel can
gain entry
o Reduced vehicle theft since newer car doors come with a fingerprint
lock on the door handle
o More secure mobile devices as most now have some sort of biometrics
integrated into them

Vision Enhancement
o LVES: low vision
enhancement systems: video
projected inside a headset in
front of the user’s eyes. Brings
the objects closer for the
viewer. NVE: Night
vision enhancement: amplifies
visible and infrared light. Light
passed through image
intensifier tube where light is converted to electrons, then amplified

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(increase in no.) and then light up screen with phosphor dust.
o Electrons pass through another tube where they are amplified to
produce more electrons. Amplified electrons pass through to the end of
the tube where they hit a screen coated in phosphor dots that glow
when collided with. this creates an image several times brighter and
clearer than the original

Robotics
Programmed machinery widely used to do
physically demanding tasks
Can be automated or manually operated
Used to perform several tasks:
o Dangerous jobs such as bomb disposal
o Exploring extreme environments such
as volcanoes
o Repetitive manufacturing jobs such as
welding
o Moving heavy objects such as large
engines
Examples of robotics:
Drones: used by civilians in surveying the landscape with GPS, and checking
weather phenomena. Drones are also used by military for reconnaissance
missions
Robots in surgical procedures: allow the surgeons to perform the procedures
with more precision, flexibility and control.
Impacts on everyday life:
o Increased personal time since robots can take over domestic chores
o Increased manufacturing efficiency since robots are much faster and less
expensive than human labour
o Unemployment as robots replace humans in autonomous jobs
o Safer working environments since robots can perform tasks that are too
dangerous for humans.

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Computer Assisted Translation (CAT)
When human translators use
computer software to help in the
translation process
Can reduce translation time
May not be 100% accurate
Common CAT tools:

o Spell checkers
o Translation memory software
o Language search-engine software

Impacts on everyday life:

o More accurate documents since most software can automatically detect
errors
o More multilingual society since anyone with an internet connection can
now essentially learn multiple languages using translators
o Quicker translations

3D & Holographic Imaging

Technology that makes images appear to be 3- dimensional by
adding a layer of depth
Holograms use 2 regular 2D images and manipulate them to produce
a 3-dimensional image
Different laser beams are used to record the 2D images onto a single
photographic plate
This creates an illusion of one 3D images
Impact on everyday life:
o Improved security since majority of credit/ID cards & bank notes use
holograms to prevent forgery
o Better movie experiences since 3D viewing can provide a more immersive
experience for the audience
o Greater data storage since holographic layers can potentially decrease the
thickness of disc storage

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Virtual Reality (VR)
When computers create an artificial environment that users can virtually
interact with
Uses:
o Allow architects to walk
around a virtual version of their
design
o Training soldiers for combat
by allowing them to fight
against virtual enemies
o Training surgeons by
allowing them to operate on
virtual patients
o Playing games and enhance the level of immersion

General VR equipment:
o Eye goggles that produce 3D images to develop the artificial environment

o Special gloves or controllers to perform precise actions inside the simulation

o Headphones to control what is heard in the virtual world
o Powerful computer to run the entire VR system in real time

Impacts on everyday life:

o Improved medical surgeons/soldiers
o Stronger buildings
o Treatment of phobias as certain situations can be treated using simulations
o More realistic education as students can learn in a more interactive
environment

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