Computers

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 Computer System

A computer system consists of three primary

units:
Input units – accept data
Processor unit – processes data by performing
comparisons and calculations
Output units – present the results

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 COMPUTER SYSTEM
MONITOR

PROCESSOR

KEYBOARD

Storage
devices

PRINTER
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 Input Devices
Data are facts, numbers and characters that are
entered into the computer via keyboard.
Other types of input devices are mouse,
joystick, light pens, scanners, camera, etc.

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Computer Input Devices
 Keyboard  Touch screen
 Mouse/Trackball  Bar code reader
 Joystick  Scanner
 Light pen  Microphone
 Pointing Stick  Graphics Tablet
 Touchpad  Digital Cameras

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 Processor Unit
Two main parts:
CPU – where the actual processing
takes place; and
Main memory – where data are
stored.
The contents of main memory can be
transferred to auxiliary storage devices
such as hard disks, floppy diskettes, zip
disks, compact disks, or USB flash disk.

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 Central Processing Unit

The microprocessor, the brains of the

computer. Referred to a CPU or
processor

Housed on a tiny silicon chip

Chip contains millions of switches and

pathways that help your computer
make important decisions.
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 CPU knows which switches to turn on
and which to turn off because it
receives its instructions from
computer programs (software).

CPU has two primary sections:

Arithmetic/logic unit
Control unit
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Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU):
- Performs arithmetic computations and
logical operations; by combining these two
operations the ALU can execute complex
tasks.
- Arithmetic operations include addition,
subtractions, multiplication, and division.
- Logical operations involve
comparisons.
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Control Unit:
Unit is the “boss” and
coordinates all of the CPU’s activities.
Uses programming instructions, it
controls the flow of information through
the processor by controlling what
happens inside the processor.
We communicate with the computer
through programming languages.
Examples: COBOL, C+
+, HTML, Java Script or
VisualBasic.net
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Memory

Found on the motherboard

 Short term

Random Access Memory (RAM)

 Long term

Read Only Memory (ROM)

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Random Access Memory (RAM)

Memory on the motherboard that is short

term; where data, information, and
program instructions are stored
temporarily on a RAM chip or a set of RAM
chips. Known as the main memory.
This memory is considered volatile.
The computer can read from
and write to RAM.
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When the computer is turned off or if
there is loss of power, what ever is
stored in RAM disappears.

“Temporary Memory” – Short Term

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Read-Only Memory (ROM)
Memory on the motherboard that is
long term; where the specific
instructions that are needed for the
computer to operate are stored.
This memory is nonvolatile and
your computer can only read from
a ROM chip.

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The instructions remain on the chip
regardless if the power is turned on
or off.
Most common is the BIOS ROM;
where the computer uses instructions
contained on this chip to boot or
start the system when you turn on
your computer.

“Permanent Memory” –
Long Term
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Output Unit
After the data has been
processed, the results are output
in the form of useful information.
Output units such as monitors
and printers make the result
accessible for use by people.

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 Computer Output Devices

Monitor:
Monitor screen that Speakers:
Speakers allow you
display information such to hear voice,
music, and other
as text, numbers, and sounds from your
pictures-softcopy. computer.
Printer: gives you Modem: allows you
information from the to use your
computer in printed form computer to
– hardcopy. communicate with
other computers.
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Input Devices
 Keyboard.
 Mouse.

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The Parts of a Computer System

• A complete computer system includes four distinct

parts:

Hardware
Software
Firmware
User

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