 Introduction to computer and its components

 Computer hardware

 Computer software

 System unit and memory

Computer:
A set of tools that helps you perform information
processing tasks.
An electronic device that inputs, stores, processes
data and generates the useful information.
 Two major components of computer:
 Hardware:
- Consists of the physical devices that make up your
computer system.
- An equipment that processes data to create
information includes input, output, storage and
processing device.
 Software (also called as a program) :
- Set of instructions that your computer hardware
executes to process information for you.
- Step by step instruction that tell the computer how to
do the work .

4
 Hardware includes all of those devices that you can touch –
monitor, keyboard, a floppy disk and etc.
 6 categories of computer hardware:
1. Input devices for capturing information.
2. Output devices for presenting information.
3. CPU and RAM for creating new information.
4. Storage devices for storing information.
5. Telecommunication devices for communicating
information.
6. Connecting devices for moving information to and from
your various hardware.

5
1. Input devices
 Captures information and translates it into a form that
can be processed and used by other parts of your
computer.
 Eg: use scanner to capture images, video camera to
capture your likeness in the form of a video, keyboard to
key in data, mouse to click the operation button, and
etc.
2. Output devices
 Takes information within your computer and present it in
a form that you can understand.
 Complement to input devices – while input devices help
you enter information into a computer system, output
devices help you see, hear or otherwise receive
information stored within your computer system.
 Eg: use a set of speakers to hear music.
6
3. CPU and RAM
 The most important components of hardware 
together make up the real brains of computer.
 The central processing unit (CPU or processor) is the chip
that carries out instructions it receives from software.
 RAM (Random Access Memory) is temporary memory
that holds software instructions and information for the
CPU. It is rather like your short-term memory  when you
turn off your computer, all information in RAM is gone.
4. Storage devices
 Temporary information storage in RAM is not enough 
need a means to more permanently store information so
you can recall and use it at a later time.
 A storage device stores information so you can recall
and use that information at a later time. Eg: disk drive,
hard drive, DVD-RW drive, CD-ROM drive.
7
5. Telecommunication devices
 Telecommunication devices help
communicate information to people in other
location. Eg: cell phones, email, digital
pagers, modem, network card and etc.
6. Connecting devices
 Computer contains a variety of connecting
devices so that information can move around
all your hardware.
 For example: you need some sort of
connection between your computer and a
printer.

8
 Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone,
Input devices – for capturing information Scanner, Digital Camera and
Web Cam
Output devices – for presenting Monitor, Speaker and Portable
H information Media Player
A Memory ,Central Processing Unit
R System unit – for creating new information
and data processing (CPU), Motherboard, Power
D Supply
W Hard Disk, Compact Disc, USB
Storage – for storing information
A Flash Drive, Memory Card
R
E Telecommunication devices – for
communicating information Modem and Network Card

Connecting devices – for moving Cables, Telephone Lines,

information to and from various hardware Satellite
 1. Uses to run computer.
2. To control and maintain the operation of

S
System computer and its devices.

O Software 3. Serve as the interface between computer

hardware, user and application software.
F 4. Example: Operating System (Windows,
T Linux,Unix) and Utility Program (Antivirus).
W 1. Program designed to make user more
A productive.
R 2. Assist user to with personal task and perform
E specific information processing task such as
Application writing term paper, and creating
presentation slide, and writing and program.
Software 3. Example: Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft
PowerPoint 2007,spreadsheets,games,
inventory program.
 All computer system have a system unit. System unit
contains most of the computer’s electronic components.
 The basic components in the system unit, including the
system board, microprocessor, memory, system clock,
expansion slots and cards, bus lines, ports, cables and
power supply units.
 System board – connects all system components to one
another.
 Microprocessor – controls operations and performs
arithmetic and logical operations.
 Memory – holds data, instructions, and information.
 System clock – emits a beats or pulse that sets the
operating pace for all of the components in the system
unit.
 Expansion slots – provide connections for expansion
cards to the system board.
11
 Expansion card – allow external devices to connect to
and expand a computer’s capability.
 Bus lines – provide data pathways that connect various
system components.
 Ports – socket for external devices to connect to the
system unit.
 Cables – connect exterior devices to the system unit via
the ports.
 Power supply unit – converts AC (alternating current) to
DC (direct current), providing power to the system unit.

12
1. Desktop system units
 Typically contain the system’s electronic components
and selected secondary storage devices.
 Input and output devices, such as mouse, keyboard
and monitor are located outside the system unit.
2. Notebook system units
 Portable and much smaller.
 These system units contain the electronic components,
selected secondary storage devices, and input devices
(keyboard and pointing device). Located outside the
system unit, the monitor is attached by hinges.
 Often called laptops.

13
3. Table PC system units
 Similar to notebook system units.
 Highly portable device that supports the use of a stylus or
pen to input commands and data.
4. Handheld computer system units
 The smallest and are designed to fit into the palm of one
hand.
 Also known as palm computer, this system contains an
entire computer system, including the electronic
components, secondary storage, and input/output
devices.
 Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are the most widely used
handheld computers.

While the actual size may vary, each type of SU has the same
basic system components including system board,
microprocessor, and memory. However…
HOW DO WE AS HUMAN BEINGS COMMUNICATE WITH AND
CONTROL ALL THIS ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY… ???
14
  Computers cannot recognize information the same way you
and I can.
 People follow instructions and process data using letters,
numbers and special characters. For example: if we wanted
someone to add the numbers 3 to 5 together and record
the answer, we might say “please add 3 and 5.”
 However… the system unit, is electronic circuitry and
CANNOT directly process such a request because it
CANNOT UNDERSTAND.
 Therefore…
 Before any process can occur within the system unit, a
conversion must occur from what we understand to what
the system unit can ELECTRONICALLY process.

What is the most fundamental statement you can make

about ELECTRICITY ???
15
 It is simply this:
 It can be either on or off. Indeed, there are many forms
of technology that can make use of this two-state
on/off, yes/no, present/absent arrangement.
 For instance, a light switch may be on or off, or an
electric circuit open or closed.
 This is the reason, then, that a two-state or binary system
is used to represent data and instructions.

What is the BINARY SYSTEM ???

16
 The decimal system that we’re all familiar with has 10 digits
(0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
 The binary system, however consists of only two digits (0
and 1). Each 0 or 1 is called a bit (short for binary digit).
 In the system unit, the 0 can be represented by electricity
being off, and the 1 by electricity being on.
 In order to represent numbers, letters, and special
characters, bits are combined into groups of eight called
bytes. Each byte typically represents one character.

Now, let us consider an important question…

HOW ARE CHARACTERS REPRESENTED AS 0s AND 1s

(“off” and “on” electrical states) IN THE COMPUTER ???

17
  The answer is…
by using of Binary Coding Scheme…

Code Uses
ASCII  stands for American Standard
(pronounced “as-key”) Code for Information Interchange.
The most popular,
 most widely used for
use 8 bits (1 byte)
Microcomputers
EBCDIC  stands for Extended Binary
 (pronounced
When “eb-see-
you press key on Coded Decimal Interchange
the keyboard, a character is
dick”)
automatically convertedCode.
into a series of electronic pulses
 developed by IBM and is used
that the system can recognize.
primarily for large computers
Unicode  a 16-bit code originally designed
to support International languages
like Chinese and Japanase.

18
 The system board is also known as the main board or
motherboard.
 It is the communications medium for the entire computer
system. Every components of the system unit connects to
the system board.
 It acts as a data path allowing the various components to
communicate with one another.
 For example, external devices such as the keyboard, mouse
and monitor could not communicate with the system unit
without the system board.
 It is a large flat circuit board covered with a variety of
different electronic components including sockets, slots and
bus lines.

19
 In a microcomputer system, the central processing unit (CPU) or
processor is contained on a single chip called microprocessor.
 The microprocessor is “brains” of the computer system.
 It has two basic components:
1. Control unit :
 Tells the rest of computer system how to carry out a program’s instructions.
 It directs the movement of electronic signals between memory, which
temporarily holds data, instructions, and processed information, and the
arithmetic logic unit.
 It also directs these control signals between the CPU and input/output devices.
2. Arithmetic logic unit :
 Usually called ALU, performs two types of operations: arithmetic and logical.
 Arithmetic operations as you might expect, are the fundamental math
operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).
 Logical operations consist of comparison of two pieces of data (=, <, >)

20
 Chip capacities are often expressed in word sizes. A word is
the number of bits (such as 16, 32, or 64) that can be
accessed at one time by the CPU.
 The more bits in a word, the more powerful and faster the
computer is.
 Eight bits group together to form a byte. So, a 32-bit-word
computer can access 4 bytes at a time. Then, a 64-bit-word
computer can access 8 bytes at a time. (Therefore, the
computer designed to process 64-bit-word is faster).
 The two most significant recent developments in
microprocessors are:
1. 64-bit processor
 powerful and faster microcomputer.
2. Dual-core chip
 provides two separate and independent CPUs
 allows a single computer to run two programs at the same
time – parallel processing
21
 Memory is a holding area for data, instructions, and
information.
 Like microprocessors, memory is contained on chips
connected to the system board.
 There are three well-known types of memory chips:
1. Random-access memory (RAM)
 Hold the program (sequence of instructions) and data that
the CPU is presently processing.
 Called as temporary or volatile storage – everything in most
types of RAM is lost as soon as the microcomputer is turned
off (also lost if there is a power failure or other disruption of
the electric).
 Cache memory or RAM cache improves processing by
acting as a temporary high-speed holding area between the
memory and the CPU  computer detects which information
in RAM is most frequently used. It copies that information into
the cache. When needed, the CPU can quickly access the
information from the cache.
22
2. Read-only memory (ROM)
 ROM chips have programs built into them at the factory.
 Unlike RAM chip, ROM chips are not volatile and cannot be
changed by the user.
 “Read only” means that the CPU can read, or retrieve data and
programs written on the ROM chip. However, the computer
cannot write (encode or change) the information or instructions.
 Typically contain special instructions for detailed computer
operations. For example: instructions to start a computer.
3. Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)
 CMOS chip provides flexibility and expandability for a computer
system.
 It contains essential information that is required every time the
computer system is turned on - current date and time, amount
of RAM, type of keyboard, mouse, monitor and disk drive.
 Unlike RAM, it is powered by a battery and does not lose its
contents when the power is turned off. Unlike ROM, its contents
can be changed to reflect changes in the computer system –
such as increased RAM and new hardware devices.

23
 The system clock is located on a small specialized chip that
produces precisely timed electrical beats or impulses.
 The system clock emits a beat or pulse that sets the
operating pace for all of the components in the system unit.
 A computer’s system clock has a fixed speed that cannot
be varied. For that reason, a computer system’s clock
speed is an important measurement indicating the speed
of processing or power of a computer system.
 The clock speed or clock rate for powerful microcomputers
is measured in gigahertz (GHz) or billions of beats per
second – the faster the clock speed, the faster the
computer can process instructions.

24
 Most microcomputers have open architecture – allow users to
expand their systems by providing expansion slots on the
system board.
 Users can insert optional devices known as expansion cards
into these slots.
 There are a wide range of different types of expansion cards.
Some of the most commonly used expansion cards are:
1. Video cards: also known as graphics cards. These cards connect
the system board to the computer’s monitor. The cards convert the
internal electronic signals to video signals so they can be displayed
on the monitor.
2. Sound cards: accept audio input from a microphone and convert it
into a form that can be processed by the computer. These cards
convert internal electronic signals to audio signals so they can be
heard from external speakers.
3. Modem cards: also known as internal modem. These cards allow
distant computer to communicate with one another by converting
electronic signals from within the system unit into electronic signals
that can travel over telephone lines and other types of connection.
25
3. Network interface cards (NIC): also known as network
adapter cards, are used to connect a computer to one or
more other computers – users can share data, programs
and hardware. NIC typically connects the system unit to a
cable that connects to the network.
4. TV tuner cards: can watch television, capture video, and
surf the internet at the same time.

Expansion cards fit into slots on the system board

26
  A bus line also known simply as a bus – connects the parts of the
CPU to each other.
 Buses also link the CPU to various other components on the system
board.
 A bus is a pathway for bits representing data and instructions. The
number of bits that can be travel simultaneously down a bus is
known as the bus width.
 A bus is similar to a multilane highway that moves bit rather than
cars from one location to another. The number of traffic lanes
determines the bus width.
 A highway (bus line) with more traffic lanes (bus width) can move
traffic (data and instructions) faster – is an important factor relating
to the speed and power for a particular computer. For example, a
64-bit bus is twice as fast as a 32-bit bus.
 Every computer system has two basic categories of buses:
1. System buses: connect the CPU to the memory on the system
board.
Figure 8: Bus 2. Expansion buses: connect the CPU to other components on the
system board.
27
 A port is socket for external devices to connect to the system unit.
 Some ports connect directly to the system board while other
connect to cards that are inserted into slots on the system board.
 Many ports, like the mouse, keyboard, and video ports, are for
specific devices. Others, like those listed below, can be used for a
variety of different devices.
1. Serial ports:
 are used for a wide of purposes. They are often used to
connect a mouse, keyboard, modem, and many other
devices to the system unit.
 Send data one bit at a time and very good for sending
information over a long distance.
2. Parallel ports:
 are used to connect external devices that need to send or
receive a lot of data over a short distance.
 Typically send eight bits of data simultaneously across eight
parallel wires.
 Mostly used to connect printers to the system unit.

28
3. Universal serial bus (USB) ports:
 gradually replacing serial and parallel ports.
 Faster, and one USB port can be used to connect
several devices to the system unit.
4. FireWire ports:
 also known as high-performance serial bus (HPSB) ports.
 As fast as USB 2.0 ports and provide connections to
specialized FireWire devices such as camcorders.

Ports
29
 A computer (or computer system) is a set of tools that helps
you perform information-processing tasks.
 Your computer tools are either hardware or software.
 Software
 System software: for technology-specific and essential tasks.
 Application software: for specific tasks such as writing a paper
or managing inventory.
 Hardware
 Input devices: such as a mouse for capturing information.
 Output devices: such as a printer for presenting information.
 CPU and RAM: your computer’s brain, for creating new
information.
 Storage devices: such as a disk for storing information.
 Telecommunication devices: such as a modem for
communicating information to other people.
 Connecting devices: such as a port for moving information
around all your hardware.

30
 System unit contains electronic components.
 Four basic types are: desktop, notebook, tablet PC, and handheld.
 Data and instructions can be represented electronically with a two-
state or binary system of numbers (0 and 1). Each 0 or 1 is called a
bit. A byte consists of eight bits and represents one character.
 Binary coding schemes convert binary data into characters. Three
such schemes are:
 ASCII – the most widely used for microcomputers.
 EBCDIC – developed by IBM; used primarily by larger
computers.
 Unicode – 16-bit code; originally designed to support
international languages like Chinese and Japanese.
 To be a competent end user, you need to understand how data
and programs are represented electronically.
 Additionally, you need to understand the functionality of the basic
components in the system unit: system board, microprocessor,
memory, system clock, expansion slot and cards, bus lines and
ports.
31