Basic Elements of Computer System

A class lecture for BTCA- IT, BTCCIT, BTCMAD, BTCCN & BTCMM
((Lecture 2))
Objective: This is an introductory session to a computer system to instill a student with
basic knowledge of a computer system.
The Computer System

❑ Quick review:-
✓ What is a computer system? Can you mention those systems?
✓ Why do we call it “a system”?
 Computer System
• Is a collection of entities that are designed to receive, process, manage and
present information in a meaningful format.
• A computer system is a set of integrated devices that input, output, process,
store data/information, and sometimes can be used to transmit such
data/information from one point to the other. Computer systems are
currently built around at least one digital processing device.
Basic Elements of Computer System
 Basic Elements of Computer System
• Computer elements mean the complete ecosystem of a computer, on the
basis of which the computer executes any instruction. These computer
elements are dependent on each other elements.
• There are mainly six elements of the computer which are Hardware,
Software, User/People, Data, Procedures, and Connectivity/Communication.
1. Hardware
 COMPUTER HARDWARE
• Hardware refers to the physical, tangible computer equipment and devices,
which provide support for major functions such as input, processing
(internal storage, computation and control), output, secondary storage (for
data and programs), and communication.
 Categories of hardware parts
There are five main hardware components in a computer system:
✓ Input,
✓ Processing,
✓ Storage,
✓ Output
✓ Communication devices.
 Hardware
• Are physical parts/ intangible parts of a computer. eg Input devices, output devices, central
processing unit and storage devices.
• Parts of a computer system that we can see and touch on that computer part, such parts are
called hardware.
• Hardware parts such as keyboard, mouse, CPU, monitor, printer, scanner.
✓ Keyboard - The keyboard is the hardware device of the computer and the keyboard is the
main part of the computer through which the user inputs the data in the computer.
✓ Mouse - A computer mouse is also a hardware device that is also known as a pointing
device. With the use of the mouse, the user's work is done in minutes.
 Hardware
✓ CPU - The full name of the CPU is Central Processing Unit, it is also a
hardware device. CPU is also called the brain of the computer.
✓ Monitor - The monitor is a screen and the monitor is also a hardware device,
which the user sees an output result.
✓ Printer - A printer is also a hardware device that is used to print a soft copy.
✓ Scanner - A scanner is also a hardware device that is used to scan hard copies
of any kind.
 Hardware
• Hardware can be used as input, processing and memory, secondary storage
and output.
✓ Examples of input hardware are Graphics Tablets, Video Capture,
Trackballs, Barcode reader, Digital camera, MIDI keyboard, Gamepad,
Joystick, Keyboard, Cameras, Microphone, Mouse, Scanner, Webcam,
Touchpad, Microphone, Electronic Whiteboard, OMR, OCR, Pen Input,
Punch card reader, MICR (Magnetic Ink character reader), Magnetic Tape
Drive, etc.
 Hardware
✓ Examples of processing and memory hardware are Central Processing Unit
( CPU ), Motherboard, Random Access Memory ( RAM ), etc.
✓ Examples of secondary storage hardware are Hard Disk Drive, Solid State
Drive, Pen Drive, etc.
✓ Examples of output hardware are Monitor, Printer, Plotters, Headphones,
Computer Speakers, Projector, Sound Card, Video Card, Visual Display Unit,
LCD Projection Panels, etc.
Processing hardware
Processing hardware
Processing hardware
Processing hardware
Processing hardware
Processing hardware
Output devices
Output hardware
Output hardware
Output hardware
INPUT DEVICES
 INPUT DEVICES
• Are devices used for entering data or instructions to the central processing
unit. Are classified according to the method they use to enter data.
(a) KEYING DEVICES
• Are devices used to enter data into the computer using a set of Keys, for
example a Keyboard.
 The keyboard
• Keyboard (similar to a typewriter) is the main input device of a computer . It contains
three types of keys-- alphanumeric keys, special keys and function keys. Alphanumeric
keys are used to type all alphabets, numbers and special symbols like $, %, @, A etc.
Special keys such as <Shift>, <Ctrl>, <Alt>, <Home>, <Scroll Lock> etc. are used for
special functions. Function keys such as <Fl>, <F2>, <F3> etc. are used to give special
commands depending upon the software used e.g.F5 reloads a page of an internet
browser. The function of each and every key can be well understood only after working
on a PC. When any key is pressed, an electronic signal is produced. This signal is
detected by a keyboard encoder that sends a binary code corresponding to the key
pressed to the CPU. There are many types of keyboards but 101 keys keyboard is the
most popular one.
 Keyboard and its major parts
• MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE KEYBOARDS- these are the 5 major
functions, these are the Function keys (All F keys), Alphanumeric keys, 9 Special
keys, Cursor keys (Arrow), and the numeric keypad.
• COMPOSITION OF ALPHANUMERIC CHARACTER- is the biggest part
of the PC keyboard, it is the letters from A-Z, numeric numbers from 0-9,
characters are symbols and punctuation, and the special keys.
• SYMBOLS, PUNCTUATION, AND SPECIAL KEYS BELONG TO
ALPHANUMERIC CHARACTER- these are the symbols and punctuation both
located in upper and lower cases. And the special keys position left bottom and the
right side of this part.
Keyboard parts and functions
 Organisation of keys on the keyboard
The keys on your keyboard can be divided into several groups based on function:
• Typing (alphanumeric) keys. These keys include the same letter, number, punctuation, and symbol keys
found on a traditional typewriter.
• Special (Control) keys. These keys are used alone or in combination with other keys to perform certain
actions. The most frequently used control keys are CTRL, ALT, the Windows key, and ESC.
• Function keys. The function keys are used to perform specific tasks. They are labelled as F1, F2, F3,
and so on, up to F12. The functionality of these keys differs from program to program.
• Cursor Movement (Navigation) keys. These keys are used for moving around in documents or
WebPages and editing text. They include the arrow keys, HOME, END, PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN,
DELETE, and INSERT and ARROW KEYS.
• Numeric keypad. The numeric keypad is handy for entering numbers quickly. The keys are grouped
together in a block like a conventional calculator or adding machine.
 INPUT DEVICES
(b) POINTING DEVICES
• Are devices that enter data and instructions into the computer using a
pointer that appears on the screen. The items to be entered are selected by
either pointing to or clicking on them. e.g mice, joystick, touch sensitive
screen, trackballs.
 THE MOUSE
• A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your
computer screen. Although mice come in many shapes, the typical mouse
does look a bit like an actual mouse. It's small, oblong, and connected to the
system unit by a long wire that resembles a tail and the connector which can
either be PS/2 or USB. Some newer mice are wireless.
• A mouse usually has two buttons: a primary button (usually the left button)
and a secondary button. Many mice also have a wheel between the two
buttons, which allows you to scroll smoothly through screens of
information.
 THE MOUSE … cont!
• When you move the mouse with your hand, a pointer on your screen moves
in the same direction. (The pointer's appearance might change depending on
where it's positioned on your screen.) When you want to select an item, you
point to the item and then click (press and release) the primary button.
Pointing and clicking with your mouse is the main way to interact with your
computer. There are several types of mice: Mechanical mouse, optical
mouse, optical-mechanical mouse and laser mouse.
 THE MOUSE … cont!
Basic parts
• A mouse typically has two buttons: a primary button (usually the left button)
and a secondary button (usually the right button). The primary button is the
one you will use most often. Most mice also include a scroll wheel between
the buttons to help you scroll through documents and WebPages more easily.
On some mice, the scroll wheel can be pressed to act as a third button.
Advanced mice might have additional buttons that can perform other
functions.
THE MOUSE … cont!
 THE MOUSE … cont!
Holding and moving the mouse
• Place your mouse beside your keyboard on a clean, smooth surface, such as a
mouse pad. Hold the mouse gently with your index finger resting on the
primary button and you thumb resting on the side. To move the mouse, slide
it slowly in any direction. Don't twist it—keep the front of the mouse aimed
away from you. As you move the mouse, a pointer (see picture) on your
screen moves in the same direction. If you run out of room to move your
mouse on your desk or mouse pad, just pick up the mouse and bring it back
closer to you.
THE MOUSE … cont!
 THE MOUSE … cont!
• Pointing to an object often reveals a descriptive message about it. The
pointer can change depending on what you're pointing at. For example, when
you point to a link in your web browser, the pointer changes from an arrow
to a hand with a pointing finger .
 THE MOUSE … cont!
• Most mouse actions combine pointing with pressing one of the mouse
buttons. There are four basic ways to use your mouse buttons: clicking,
double-clicking, right-clicking, and dragging.
✓ Clicking (single-clicking)
To click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release the
primary button (usually the left button). Clicking is most often used to select
(mark) an item or open a menu. This is sometimes called single-clicking or left-
clicking.
 THE MOUSE … cont!
✓ Double-clicking
To double-click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then click twice
quickly. If the two clicks are spaced too far apart, they might be interpreted as
two individual clicks rather than as one double-click. Double-clicking is most
often used to open items on your desktop. For example, you can start a
program or open a folder by double-clicking its icon on the desktop.
 THE MOUSE … cont!
✓ Right-clicking
To right-click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release the
secondary button (usually the right button).
Right-clicking an item usually displays a list of things you can do with the item. For
example, when you right-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop, Windows displays a
menu allowing you to open it, empty it, delete it, or see its properties. If you are unsure
of what to do with something, right-click it.
 INPUT DEVICES
(c) SCANNING DEVICES
• Are devices that capture an object or a document directly from the source.
They are classified according to the technology used to capture data e.g.
Scanners and Document readers.
(i) Scanners
• Used to capture a source document and converts it into an electronic form.
Example are - FlatBed and HandHeld scanners.
Scanners
Scanners
 SCANNING DEVICES

(ii) Document readers

• Read data directly from source document and convey them as input in the
form of electronic signal.
Types of Document Readers.. JUST EXAMPLES
✓ Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
✓ Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
✓ Barcode readers
Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
 Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
• Optical Mark reading (OMR) is a method of entering data into a computer system.
Optical Mark Readers read pencil or pen marks made in pre-defined positions on paper
forms as responses to questions or tick list prompts. The OMR data entry system contains
the information to convert the presence or absence of marks into a computer data file.
• The OMR technology could be used if data is to be collected from a large number of
sources simultaneously, a large volume of data must be collected and processed in a short
period of time, information mainly comprises the selection of categories or "tick box"
answers to multiple- choice questions.
• See the example of OMR based questionnaire form on the next slide…
Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
 Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
• The use of technology to distinguish printed or handwritten text characters
inside digital images of physical documents, such as a scanned paper document.
The basic process of OCR involves examining the text of a document and
translating the characters into code that can be used for data processing. OCR is
sometimes also referred to as text recognition.
• The process of OCR is most commonly used to turn hard copy legal or
historic documents into PDFs. Once placed in this soft copy, users can edit,
format and search the document as if it was created with a word processor.
 Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
• OCR systems are made up of a combination of hardware and software that is
used to convert physical documents into machine-readable text. Hardware, such
as an optical scanner or specialized circuit board is used to copy or read text
while software typically handles the advanced processing. Software can also take
advantage of artificial intelligence (AI) to implement more advanced methods of
intelligent character recognition (ICR), like identifying languages or styles of
handwriting.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
 Barcode readers
• A barcode reader is an optical scanner that can read printed barcodes, decode
the data contained in the barcode and send the data to a computer. Like a
flatbed scanner, it consists of a light source, a lens and a light sensor
translating for optical impulses into electrical signals
Barcode readers
2. Software
 Software
• Software is a set of programs. Many computer programs combine to form a single
software. In which the user interacts with the computer system with the help of
software.
• The programs of the computer that we can see but cannot touch, that program is
called software.
• There are two types of computer software: -
✓ System Software
✓ Application Software
 3. User
• A user is a person who utilizes a computer or network service. A user often
has a user account and is identified to the system by a username (or user
name).
4. Data
 Data
• The facts and figures that are fed into a computer for further processing are called
data.
• Data is raw until the computer system interprets it using machine language, stores it
in memory, classifies it for processing and produces results in conformance with the
instructions given to it.
• Processed and useful data is called information which is used for decision making.
• Whatever is stored in your computer is data like - audio, video, text, image, etc.
 5. Procedures
• A step by step series of instructions to perform a specific function and achieve
desired output.
(a) Hardware oriented procedure: It defines the working of a hardware component.
(b) Software oriented procedure: It is a set of detailed instructions for using the
software.
(c) Internal procedure: It maintains the overall internal working of each part of a
computer system by directing the flow of information.
 6. Connectivity
• When two or more computers are connected to each other, they can share
information and resources such as sharing of files (data/music etc.), sharing
of printer, sharing of facilities like the internet etc. This sharing is possible
using wires, cables, satellite, infra-red, Bluetooth, microwave transmission etc.
Connectivity
Computer system
Block diagram of a computer
A Computer System - diagram
 THE END

Thank you