Ch.

1: Computer System Theory Notes

Chapter 1
Computer System

Eng. Omar El Safty Eng. Mustafa El-Komy

Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

1.1 Computer definition

• A device that receives input, processes that input, and then produces the output.
• A computer consists of two main components: hardware and software.

Input Processing Output

1.2 Hardware and Software

Hardware
Definition:
• The physical components that make up a computer system.
• Hardware can be External or Internal.

External Hardware
Definition:
Devices that are external and normally visible to the user.

Examples:
Mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, scanner, etc.

Internal Hardware
Definition:
Devices that exist inside the computer and are not normally
visible to the user.

Examples:
• CPU/Processor
• Motherboard
- Allows the processor and other computer hardware to communicate with each other
• RAM
• ROM
• Graphics Card
- Hardware used to process and display images/graphical information on a screen
• Sound Card
- Hardware that provides a computer the ability to produce sounds
• Internal HDD/Internal SSD
• Network Interface Card (NIC)

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

Software
Definition:

• Programs for:
- Controlling the operation of a computer system
- Processing of electronic data
• There are two types: Applications and System.

Applications Software
Definition and Main Purpose:
Programs that provide the services that the user requires to solve a task.
Examples:
• Word processor
• Spreadsheet
• Database
• Graphics editing
• Video editing
• Audio editing
• Apps and applets

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

System Software
Definition and Main Purpose:
Programs that provide the services that a computer requires to run properly.

Examples:
• Operating System (OS)
• Device Driver
• Compiler
• Linkers
• Utilities (for example, Anti-virus)

1.3 Computer’s main hardware components

Main Memory

Input Devices CPU Output Devices

Secondary Storage

Central Processing Unit (CPU) // Processor // Microprocessor

Definition and Main Purpose:
Hardware that processes instructions to produce an output.

Purpose and roles:

• Controls all computer operations
• Controls the input and output devices
• Controls the movement of data within the computer
• Executes instructions sent from the hardware and software
• Carries out calculations
• Makes logical decisions

CPU contains Control Unit and Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

Control Unit
Part of the CPU that controls the interactions between the different parts of the CPU.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Part of the CPU that performs calculations and logical decisions.

Main Memory // Primary Memory

Definition/Main Feature/Main Characteristic:
Internal memory that is directly accessible by the CPU.

Main Memory can be referred to as Primary Memory and Internal Memory.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Definition and characteristics/features:

• Volatile memory
• Temporary storage
• Can read from and written to
Purpose:
• Used to store data/files currently in use
• Used to store software/programs/instructions/parts of OS currently in use
• Used to store data temporarily

Volatile means that if the computer's power is turned off, the contents of RAM are lost.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Definition and characteristics/features:

• Non-volatile memory
• Permanent storage
• Can only be read from but not written to
Purpose:

• To store start-up instructions

• To store the BIOS
• To store data permanently

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a program that carries out a hardware check to
find out if all the devices are present and whether they are functional.

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

The following table summarizes the differences between RAM and ROM:
RAM ROM

Volatile memory Non-volatile memory

Temporary storage Permanent storage

Can be written to and read from Can only be read from but not written to
Used to store data, software, instructions or
Stores permanently the start-up
parts of the operating system that are
instructions/BIOS/data
currently in use
RAM Tends to have greater storage capacity ROM tends to have smaller storage capacity

Backing storage
Definition and characteristics/features:
• Non-volatile storage
• Not directly accessed by the CPU
• Slower to access than the main memory

Main Purpose:
For permanent/non-volatile storage of data.

Other functions:
• To store data that is not currently required by the CPU
• To store data to transfer it to another computer
• To allow software to be installed on the computer

Input devices
Definition and characteristics/features:
• A device that sends data to a computer for processing
• The devices are under the control of the user
• Their design is more complex than output devices

Purpose:

• Sends data to a computer for processing

• Turn input into a form the computer can understand

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

Output devices
Definition and characteristics/features:

• A device that receives data from the computer

• Devices are under the control of the computer
• Their design is less complex than input devices

Purpose:
Displays the results of processed data.

The following table summarizes the differences between Input and Output devices:

Input Devices Output Devices

An input device sends data to a computer for An output device receives data from the
processing compute

Used to turn input into a form the computer can Devices used to display the results of
understand processed data

Output devices are under the control of the

Input devices are under the control of the user
computer

Design is more complex Design is less complex

1.4 Operating systems

Definition and Main Purpose:
A piece of system software that allows the user to communicate with the computer hardware
and perform many basic tasks.

Functions of the operating system:

• Provides a user interface
• Manages user accounts
• Managing peripherals
• Memory management
• Provides system security

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

User interfaces
Command Line Interface (CLI)
Definition:
An interface in which the user would have to type commands to interact with the computer.

Advantages of using CLI:

• Uses less amount of hard disk space than GUI
• Needs less amount of RAM to run than GUI
• Uses less processing power than GUI
• The user is not limited to pre-determined options as with the GUI

Disadvantages of using CLI:

• Commands must be learned and memorized by the user
• Commands must be typed in exactly
• More prone to errors in data entry
• Takes time to type in commands

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

Graphic User Interface (GUI)

Definition:
• Interface built around graphical items
• It uses a WIMP system (windows, icons, menus,
and pointer)

Features of GUI:
• Windows: Regions of the screen used to display data
• Icons: Small pictures that are used to represent folders, software, etc.
• Menus: Lists of options the user can select from
• Pointer: An arrow used to navigate the screen and select things on the screen

Advantages of using GUI:

• Easy to use especially for a beginner
• Commands tend to be intuitive
• No need to learn complex commands
• Commands do not need to be typed in therefore less typing errors

Disadvantages of using GUI:

• GUI takes up a large amount of hard disk space (due to graphics)
• GUI needs a significant amount of RAM to run (due to graphics)
• GUI uses a lot of processing power
• Restricted to pre-determined options

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

Dialogue-based interface
Definition:

• Software that interacts through speech recognition

• Uses spoken words to carry out actions

Advantages:
• Fast form of data entry
• Simple to use
• Allows hands free control
• Distraction free interface (which is safer for drivers)
• In a home, it is very useful for people with disabilities

Disadvantages:
• Can be complex to set up
• The user needs to know which commands can be used
• Unreliable as commands may not get recognized or need to be repeated several times
• Limited access due to the number of commands stored
• Need to be ‘trained’ by the user

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

Gesture-based interface
Definition:

• Where the human body interacts with the device

• Where a human gives a command ...
• … without using a keyboard/mouse/pointing device

Advantages:
• Fast form of data entry
• Do not require additional devices
• The screen lasts longer as no physical contact with the user
• Very natural interface for a human user

Disadvantages:
• The device can be triggered accidentally
• Not as accurate as other interfaces
• Reduced commands
• Requires a good camera
• Uses a lot of processing power
• Gestures must be learnt correctly (otherwise they will not be identified)

1.5 Types of Computers

Desktop computers
Advantages of using desktop computers:

• Less chance of being stolen compared to mobile computers

• Tends to have better specifications for a given price than mobile
computers
• Easier to upgrade compared to mobile computers
Disadvantages of desktop computers:

• Not very portable

• Larger footprint than other types of computers
• They need a constant power supply so they can’t be used in case of a power cut

Footprint refers to the physical space that a device consumes.

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

Uses of desktop computers:

• Office and business work

• Educational use
• Used as a gaming device
• General entertainment

Mobile computers
Definition:
A group of computers that are more portable than desktop computers.
Examples:

• Laptop computers
• Tablets
• Smartphones
• Phablets

Main uses of mobile computers:

• Communication
• Office and business work
• Educational use
• Used as a gaming device
• General entertainment
• Used to control devices remotely

Examples of uses of mobile devices for communication:

• Make/receive phone calls
• Text messaging
• Instant messaging
• Video calls
• Surfing the internet
• Sending and receiving emails
• Streaming of music/videos

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

Laptop computers
Advantages of laptops:

• Lightweight to aid portability

• Smaller footprint compared to desktop computers
• Low power consumption
• Low heat generation
• Has a built-in battery, so it can be used if there’s a power cut
• Tends to have bigger screen than tablets/phablets/smartphones which:
- Results in less strain on the eye
- Is easier to see written content

Disadvantages of laptops:
• Easier to lose/be stolen compared to desktop computers
• It is not always possible to upgrade them

Tablets
Advantages of tablets:

• Lightweight to aid portability (more than laptops)

• Small footprint (less than laptops)
• Low power consumption (less than laptops)
• Low heat generation (less than laptops)
• Uses touchscreen technology, which is simple to use
• Has a built-in battery, so it can be used if there’s a power cut

Disadvantages of tablets compared to laptops:

• Easier to lose/be stolen than laptops and desktop computers
• Compared to a physical keyboard, typing on a touchscreen can:
- Be slower to use
- Be harder to use
- Cause more typing errors
• Supports fewer types of file formats than laptops and desktop computers

Smartphones
Advantages of smartphones:

• Lightweight to aid portability (more than laptops and tablets)

• Small footprint (less than laptops and tablets)
• Has a built-in battery, so it can be used if there’s a power cut
• People are more likely to have a smartphone with them than other types of computers

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Ch.1: Computer System Theory Notes

Disadvantages of smartphones:
• Easier to lose/be stolen than other types of computers
• Smaller onscreen keyboards which:
- Make typing slower
- Cause more typing errors
- Make typing more difficult

Phablet
Definition:

• A computer that is a hybrid between a tablet and a smartphone

• A tablet that functions as a smartphone
• The device size is between a smartphone and a tablet

Phablets have all the features of a typical smartphone and a tablet!

Characteristics of computers are their advantages and disadvantages.

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