Learning Outcomes

CL 1.4 – 1.5 Basic Components

Classification of hardware components
Classification of software
Data gathering methods
Computer System o Manual methods o Semi-automated and automated
Data validation methods
o Data type check o Presence check
o Range check o Length check
Modes of data input
o Direct and remote o Online and offline
Data processing
Anuradha Dissanyake
o Batch o Real time
MSc (IT), BSc (IT), SCJP, MIEE
Output methods
Storage methods

Basic Components Classification of hardware components

• Hardware • Input Devices

• Software • Output Devices
• Firmware • Processing Devices
Firmware is a computer program that is "embedded" in a hardware • Networking Devices
device(ROM ) • Memory Devices
• Liveware
Liveware refers computer users.

Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE 1

 Input Devices
These are used to feed data and instructions to a computer system.

–Keyboard
–Pointing Devices (mouse, touch pad, track ball, joy stick , touch screen, remote controller)
–Direct input devices (barcode reader, magnetic stripe reader, smart card reader)
–Image & video input devices (digital camera, web cam, CCTV)
–Scanning devices (scanner, MICR, OMR, OCR, document scanner)
–Graphic Tablet
–Digitizer
–Microphone
– Document Scanner

Advantages of direct entry input device over keyboard

entry input device
• Automatically capture data, images or videos. No need human involvement
to input data into the system. Therefore, data entry cost is reduced
• Accurate –The data can be input without any human errors
• Less time –Data input process is more efficient.
Document Scanner

Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE 2

 Output Devices Monitor/ Visual Display Unit (VDU)
1. CRT Monitor (Cathode Ray Tube Monitor)
• Monitor In CRT monitor, images are produced when an electron beam strikes a phosphorescent surface
Disadvantages: flickering , need more space, more heat generating, more power consumption
• Printer Advantages: low cost, more viewing angles
• Headset
2. Flat panel display
• Speaker • LCD Monitor (Liquid Crystal Display )
The display screen made with TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology, this has a transistor for each pixel.
• Earphones
These are non-emissive displays which use optical effects to convert light into graphics patterns.

• LED Monitor (Light Emitting Diode Monitor)

Flat screen monitor used as a computer monitor or television screen. These are emissive displays that
convert electrical energy into light.

Advantages: More reliable , Generate low heat , consume less power , Higher dynamic contrast ratio ,
Longer lifespan and less environmental impact , More colorful , Less space

Dot matrix

Printer

• Impact : print the characters by striking them on a ribbon, which is then

pressed on the paper.
Eg: Dot matrix, Line, Daisy wheel, Cylinder/ Drum, Ribbon

•Non-Impact : These printers print a complete page at a time, thus it also

called as Page Printers. Till
Eg: Bubble/ Ink jet, Laser, Thermal/ Till, plotter/ Dye sublimation

Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE 3

 BASIS FOR
IMPACT PRINTERS NON-IMPACT PRINTERS
COMPARISON Memory devices
Contain Electromechanical print head No electromechanical device
The memory is used to store data and instructions. The memory is divided into large number of
Mechanism Printing is done by hammering It prints by depositing ink in small parts called cells. Each location or cell has a unique address.
a set of metal pin or character any form. • Memory classification
set. 1. Cache Memory - Cache memory is a very high speed memory which acts as a buffer between
the CPU and the main memory. It is used to hold data and programs which are most frequently
Multiple copies Can be created Hard to produce multiple used by the CPU.
copies.
Generates Characters output Character output and photo- 2. Primary Memory/Main Memory- Primary memory holds data and instructions which the
computer is currently working. It has a limited capacity and data is lost when power is switched
quality images. off (volatile). It is generally made up of semiconductor device.
Noise Operation produces noise Works silently
3. Secondary Memory/ Auxiliary/ External/ non-volatile - It is slower than the main memory.
Pace/ speed Slow Faster These are used for storing data & information permanently. CPU does not access these
Example Dot matrix, Daisy wheel, line, Plotter, Dye sublimation, memories directly instead they are accessed via input-output routines.
drum printers inkjet, thermal, laser printers

Processing Devices Networking Devices

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)/ microprocessor Computer networking devices are physical devices which are required for
The central processing unit is the most important processing device of a computer. It is the communication and interaction between devices on a computer network.
intelligent part of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, as
well as all the functions of a computer. Without a CPU, a computer cannot perform any of the
operations
Main components : Eg: Hub, Switch, Bridge, Router, Gateway, Modem, Network Interface Cards
ALU (arithmetic logic unit) - performs mathematical and logical operations
(NICs) / Ethernet card
CU (control unit) - directs all the processors operations.

• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

GPU is a specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to
accelerate the creation of images and also applied for parallel processing, video rendering, gaming,
rendering of 3D graphics, AI, etc.
GPUs are used in embedded systems, mobile phones, personal computers, workstations, and game
consoles.

Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE 4

 Classification of Software Operating System (OS)

 Systems Software • A program that acts as an intermediary between a user and the computer
hardware. This controls the execution of all kinds of programs.
• Operating system
• Application programs usually require an operating system to function.
• System utilities
• Translators Eg: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Ubuntu, Android, etc.

• Why we need an OS?

 Application Software
 Computer hardware is complex.
• Tailor made/ customized / bespoke / special purpose  Each type of Computer hardware is different.
• Off the shelf / ready-made / packaged /general purpose  Instruction required to manage different hardware components are different.
 Resource allocation is complex.

Utilities Translators

• Utility software is system software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize used to translate assembly or high level languages into machine language
or maintain a computer.
Eg: Disk cleanup
Disk defragmentation • Assembler
Disk formatting • Compiler
Disk partitioning
Scandisk
• Interpreter
Virus Guard • Hybrid
Device driver
Backup
Screen server

Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE 5

 Ready-made Customized

Advantages Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages

Initial cost is low Might have to pay for features that are not
Specific Solution Can take long time to develop
required Quality support and maintenance Development cost
Less errors and well tested (reliability) Not industry- specific Expandable/ Scalable Error prone and less tested
High quality Poor scalability (Expandability)
Step by step documentation More risk

High availability Limited control

Good documentation with in-built and Source code hidden

ongoing support

Open Closed
Classification of Software Free of cost A paid software
Source code is available and it is free to Source code is not available
use, modify or redistribute
• Open Source -source code is available and it is free to use, modify or
redistribute. Quality is low Quality is high
• Closed Source (/Proprietary )- source code is not available and user should User guides are written for developers Documentation is usually well-written
have the permission given by owner of the software to use this type of
software
Less secure More secure
anyone can fix bugs, add features, and can be fixed only by the vendor
improve performance within a
relatively short amount of time

User friendliness is less User friendliness is high

Less stable More stable

Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE 6

 Steps in data processing Data gathering methods

o Manual methods
• Interviews
o Data gathering
• Questionnaires
o Data validation • Observation
o Data processing • Document review
o Data output o Semi-automated and automated methods
• OMR (Optical Mark Reader)
o Data storage • OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
• MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition)
• Magnetic strip readers
• Bar code readers
• Sensors and Loggers

Interview
• Time consuming
• Detailed questions and answers may helpful for making the discussion fair
enough to capture deserved data.
• Interviews are performed in groups or on a one-on-one basis.
• The data can be collected using stenography, video recordings, audio recordings,
or written notes.
• The physical presence of a persistent, well-trained interviewer can significantly
improve the response rate.
• Successful of an Interview is depend on communication skills of interviewer and
on willingness of interviewee to participate in interview
• Allows interviewer to observe interviewee’s body language
• To ensure the effectiveness of the whole exercise, the interviewers must be well-
trained in the necessary soft skills and the relevant subject matter.
Questionnaire
• May be incomplete and inaccurate
• It’s a fast method to collect data from large amount of peoples
• Most suitable for gathering quantitative data and answering
anonymously
• Can collect data either through mail, phone or online/ offline.
• Respondents can take these questionnaires at a convenient time and
think about the answers at their own pace.
• Response rates can be quite low.
• May helpful to gather fair and confident data.

Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE 7

 Observation
• Collect data by monitoring where and when an event or activity is occurring
• Does not rely on people’s willingness to provide information
• Directly see what people do rather than relying on what they say
• The limitation of observations is that it consumes time and it affects the behavior
of the participants.
• Effective way of collecting data with minimal intrusion.
• Infrastructure requirement and preparation time are minimal for simple
observations.
• Analysis may rely heavily on experts who must know what to observe and how to
interpret the observations once the data collection is done.
• There is a possibility of missing out on the complete picture.
Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
• OMR is a scanning device to capture human-marked/pencil marks data
from specially designed form or document such as surveys and tests (MCQ
answer sheets).
• Read quickly and with very low error rates.
• Detect the presence or absence of a mark in a predetermined position
Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE
Document review
• Good source of background information
• Information may be inapplicable , disorganized ,unavailable , incomplete,
inaccurate or out of date
• Time consuming
• It includes checking the existing data from databases, reports, minutes of a
meeting, financial records, and newsletters etc.
• It is a cost-effective technique for data collection.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
• Convert images of written or printed text into a editable text
• It is widely used as a form of data entry from printed paper data
records,such as passport documents , invoices, bank statement, receipts,
business card, or other documents.
• Also this technology involving telegraphy and creating reading devices for
the blind, Automatic number plate recognition
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 Magnetic Ink Character Recognition/Reader (MICR)
• Supports to input specially-formatted characters printed in special
magnetic ink.
• Used mainly in banking industry to ease the processing and clearance of
cheques and other documents.
• These characters are printed in magnetic ink or toner usually containing
iron oxide
• It is accurate and fast.
Sensors
• Sensors can be used to quickly gather data from different locations to a single
data center.
• Sensors are used to detect physical quantities outside a computer such as light,
temperature and pressure.
• They collect data automatically at regular intervals.
• In order to process input from sensors, a device called an 'Analogue to Digital
Converter (ADC) must be connected between the computer and the sensor.
• Sensor networks are consisting of variety of electronic sensors. Each node in a
wireless sensor network is equipped with one or more sensors in addition to a
microcontroller, wireless transceiver, and energy source.
Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE
Magnetic stripe card / swipe card reader
• Magnetic strip readers use to read data stored in a magnetic strip attached
on credit cards, bank ATM cards, insurance cards , licene card , swipe cards
for doors etc.
Bar code readers
• Use visible light to scan and read barcodes which contain data to be input
into computer systems.
Loggers/ data recorder
• A data logger is an electronic device that automatically collect and
store data. Collected data can then be uploaded to a computer.
(Temperature detector, rainfall detector, wind speed detector)
• Recording data over time or in relation to location without the need
for direct coupling to a computer
• These are generally small, battery powered, portable, and equipped
with a microprocessor, internal memory for data storage, and sensors.
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 Data Validation

• Validation is one way of trying to reduce the number of errors in the data
being entered into your system.
• The validation is performed by the computer at the point when you enter
data.
• It is the process of checking the data against the set of validation rules.
• Type check
The type check will ensure that the correct type (numeric/text/date/currency
etc) of data is entered into that field.
E.g. Check that age is numeric.
(a date data type will ensure that a date you have entered can actually exist
e.g. it would not allow you to enter the date 31/02/07)

• Presence check
There might be an important piece of data that you want to make sure is
always required. The presence check makes sure that a critical field cannot
be left blank (data entry field is not blank), it must be filled in.
E.g. Check that a NIC is always entered into each record.

Modes of data input

• Range check Direct and remote –

The range check is commonly used when you are working with data which • Direct data input: Data is input into the system directly without direct user
consists of numbers, currency or dates/times. Check whether the data is in interference.
allowed range.
Eg. The age of a person should be in the range 0 to 120 years. E.g. barcodes being read at a supermarket so that the product can be identified
Marks have to be between 0 and 100 account details being read directly from the chip embedded in the credit card
To achieve a B grade you must score between 75 to 84
• Remote entry/indirect: System is designed specially to store data. Data storing and
• Length check transactions are taking place in different geographical places.
A set of data which always has the same number of characters.
Eg. Telephone number must has 10 numbers.

Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE 10

 Online
• The data is input using internet service at the same time transaction taking
place
• Online data entry is the entry of information to a specific database
according to a client's instructions with the use of internet services.
• It is also very cost effective because companies can save overhead costs
and can ensure reliable and efficient service.
Data Processing
Batch processing
• It is easy to handle huge amount of data as a batch.
• Group of transactions collected over a period of time, entered, processed
and then the batch results are produced.
• Eg: billing systems , pay-roll system.
• Advantages:
Efficient way of processing high volume of data,
more economical.
can postpone batch processes
Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE
Offline
• Data of different transactions input after a specific time period as a batch
in offline method.
• The entry of information to a specific database according to the client's
instructions without the use of any internet service.
• Examples of information handled are filling up of offline forms,
reformatting of data to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel formats and
collection of information from databases.
Data Processing
Real time processing
• There is a continual input, process and output of data. Data has to be
processed in real time.
• It has the ability to respond almost immediately.
• Data input, processing and output as well as data storing occur
simultaneously.
• Any type of monitoring system, booking system, computer controlled
systems such as automated production line, an aircraft auto-pilot, the
system controlling a nuclear power stations, radar system are using real
time processing.
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 Output methods Storage methods

• On-screen output • Remote storage such as cloud space can be used to store data securely. To
• Printer output/ hardcopy get remote data when needed it is required the access to the internet.
• Voice output • Local storages such as Hard Disks Drives, Compact Disk, Digital Versatile
Disks and Tape Drives can be used to store data of a local computer.
• Music output
• Local storage :
• Projector output
Secondary Storage
Primary Storage Device
Device
Size Smaller Larger
Data Retention Temporary Permanent
Location Internal Internal / External
RAM, Cache Memory, Hard disk, Compact Disk
Examples
ROM (Non-volatile) Drive, USB storage device

Anuradha Dissanayake, MSc(IT), BSc(IT),SCJP,MIEE 12