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COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS
MODULE 3: THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

Lesson Proper

Computer Systems

We are all aware of what computers are and their immense importance in our

daily lives. It is an electronic device that not only stores data but also processes

and manipulates data to carry out functions. Upon receiving valid instructions, a

computer can perform a variety of operations.

What allows us to perform such tasks on the computer is a computer system. A

computer system is the sum total of all the components (hardware and software)

that makes up a fully functional computer.

Elements of a Computer System

There are six main elements that make up a computer system. They all interact

with each other and perform the task at hand.

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Hardware

These are all the physical aspects of a computer system. They are tangible, i.e.

you can see and touch them. Hardware components are the electronic or

mechanical instruments, like keyboard, monitor, printer etc. They help the users

interface with the software, and also display the result of the tasks being

performed.

Hardware can actually be of four types, depending on which function they

perform. The four types of hardware are;

● Input Hardware: For users to input data into the computer system.

Examples: Keyboard, mouse, Scanner

● Output Hardware: To translate and display the result of the data

processing =. Example: Monitor Screen, Printer etc

● Processing and Memory Hardware: Where data and information are

processed and manipulated to perform the task at hand. It is also the

workspace of the computer, where it temporarily stores data. Examples:

Central Processing Unit (CPU), Read Only Memory (RAM)

● Secondary Storage Hardware: Where the computer system stores data

permanently. Example: Harddisk, Pendrive etc

Software

Software is nothing but a set of programmes (computer instructions), which

helps the user to do a set of specific tasks. It helps the user interact with the

computer system with the help of hardware. Software, as you can imagine, is the

intangible aspect of the computer system.

Basically, there are six main types of software, which are as follows,

● Operating System: These specialized programmes allow the

communication between software and hardware. The operating systems

run all the other computer programmes, and even regulate the startup

process of the computer. Examples: Windows XP, Macintosh etc

● Application Software: These are designed to perform a specific task or a

bunch of tasks. They can be user-designed (specific to the user’s needs)

or readymade application software. Example: PowerPoint, Tally etc.

● Utility Software: Like operating systems, it is a system software. It helps

maintain and protect the computer system. For example, Anti-virus

software is a utility software.

● Language Processors: Software that interprets computer language and

translates it into machine language. It also checks for errors in language

syntax and fixes the problems.

● System Software: This types of software control the hardware, the reading

of the data and other such internal functions.

● Connectivity Software: The special software that facilitates the

connection between the computer system and the server. This allows the

computer to share information and communicate with each other.

People

The people interacting with the computer system are also an element of it. We

call this element the Liveware. They are the ultimate “users” of the computer

systems. There are three types of people that interact with the system, namely:

● Programmers: Professionals who write the computer programs that allow

users to interact with the computer. They must have technical knowledge

of computers and computer languages.

● System Analyst: They mainly design data processing systems, and solve

problems that arise in data processing

● End-Users: Also known as operators, they are the people who interact with

the computer system.

Procedures

These are a set of instructions, written in code, to instruct a computer on how to

perform a task, run a software, do calculations etc. There are three types of
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procedures in a computer They are;

● Hardware-Oriented Procedure: Instructs the hardware components of the

system, ensures they work smoothly

● Software Oriented Procedure: Provides instructions to launch and run

software programs

● Internal Procedures: Directs the flow of information and sequences the

data

Data

Data is essentially the raw facts and figures that we input in the computer. The

data gets processed via the computer system and becomes information, which is

processed and organized data. Information can then be used for decision-making

purposes.

The measurement of data is done in terms of “bytes”. One kilobyte (KB) is

approximately 1000 bytes, 1 megabyte (MB) is 1 million bytes and finally, 1

gigabyte (GB) is approximately 1 billion bytes.

Connectivity

This is when the computers are linked to a network. It facilitates sharing of

information, files, and other facilities. Computers can connect to a network via

LAN cables, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, satellites etc. The internet is the most obvious

example of connectivity in a computer system.