Chapter 2

Introduction to Personal
Computer Components
Introduction to Computer Science
Reminder
Computer

Data Processing

Characteristic features of Computers

Computers’ evolution to their present form

Computer generations

Characteristic features of each Computer generation

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Learning Objectives
➢ Basic operations of a Computer System
➢ Basic organization of a Computer System
➢ Input unit and its functions
➢ Output unit and its functions
➢ Storage unit and its functions
➢ Types of storage used in a Computer System

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Learning Objectives
➢ Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
➢ Control Unit (CU)
➢ Central Processing Unit (CPU)
➢ Computer as a system

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Basic operations of a Computer System
Inputting Storing Processing Outputting Controlling

The process Saving data & Performing The process Directing the
of entering instructions arithmetic or of producing manner and
data and to make them logical useful sequence in
instructions readily operations on information which all of
into the available for data to or results for the above
computer initial or convert them the user such operations
system additional into useful as a printed are
processing information report or performed
whenever visual display
required

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Basic organization of a Computer System

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Input unit functions
➢ It accepts (or reads) instructions and data (numbers, words,
actions, …) from outside world.
➢ It converts these instructions and data to computer acceptable
form.
➢ It supplies the converted instructions and data to the computer
system for further processing.
➢ Examples of input devices include keyboard, mouse, barcode
readers, Optical Character Readers (OCR).

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Output unit functions
➢ It accepts the results produced by the computer, which are in
coded form and hence, cannot be easily understood by us.
➢ It converts these coded results to human acceptable (readable)
form.
➢ It supplies the converted results to outside world.
➢ Examples of output devices include monitors, screens, printers
and speakers.

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Storage unit functions
The storage unit of a computer system holds (or stores) the
following:
➢ Data and instructions required for processing (received from input
devices)
➢ Intermediate results of processing
➢ Final results of processing, before they are released to an output
device

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Two Types of Storage
1. Primary Storage
➢ Used to hold running program instructions
➢ Used to hold data, intermediate results, and results of ongoing
processing of job(s)
➢ Fast in operation
➢ Small Capacity
➢ Expensive & Volatile (looses data on power dissipation)

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Two Types of Storage
2. Secondary storage
➢ Used to hold stored program instructions
➢ Used to hold data and information of stored jobs
➢ Slower than primary storage
➢ Large Capacity & Lot cheaper than primary storage
➢ Retains data even without power

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Two Types of Storage
Random Access
Memory (RAM) Solid State Storage
devices (USB
Read Only memory sticks)
Memory (ROM)
Primary Optical Storage
Secondary devices (CD, DVD
Storage Storage and Blu-ray discs)
Cache
Memory
magnetic storage
devices (Hard
Flash disk drives)
Memory

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Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
➢ Arithmetic and Logic Unit of a computer system is the place
where the actual executions of instructions takes place during
processing operation.
➢ It does basic mathematical calculations like addition, subtraction,
division, multiplication, etc.
➢ It can perform logical functions like the comparison of data.

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Control Unit (CU)
➢ Control Unit of a computer system manages and coordinates the
operations of all other components of the computer system.
➢ The Control Unit collects data from input units and sends it to
processing units depending on its nature.
➢ It also transmits processed data to output units for users.

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Central Processing Unit (CPU)
➢ It is the brain of a computer system
➢ It is responsible for controlling the operations of all other units of
a computer system

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The System Concept
A system has following three characteristics:
1. A system has more than one element.
2. All elements of a system are logically related.
3. All elements of a system are controlled in a manner to achieve the system
goal.
A computer is a system as it comprises of integrated components
(input unit, output unit, storage unit, and CPU) that work together to
perform the steps called for in the executing program.

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Elements of a Computer System

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Keywords / Phrases
▪ Arithmetic Logic Unit ▪ Inputting ▪ Read Only Memory
▪ Cache Memory ▪ Magnetic storage device ▪ Secondary storage
▪ Central Processing Unit ▪ Optical storage device ▪ Solid state storage
▪ Computer system ▪ Output interface ▪ Storage unit
▪ Control Unit ▪ Output unit ▪ Storing
▪ Controlling ▪ Outputting ▪ System
▪ Flash Memory ▪ Primary storage
▪ Input interface ▪ Processing
▪ Input unit ▪ Random Access Memory

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