What is a computer system?

• A computer system is a basic, complete and

Introduction to functional computer, including all the
Computer Systems hardware and software required to make it
functional for a user.
COMP106 Computing for Natural Scientists

• It should have the ability to receive user

input, process data, and with the processed
data, create information for storage and/or
output.
Prepared by Dr B van Niekerk

What is a computer system? What is a computer system?

• Computer functions:
• Receive input
• Manipulate / process data
• Store data
• Distribute / communicate data
• Output / display data/information

What is a computer system? What is a computer system?

• Component categories:
• Hardware Communications
• Software
• Protocols

• Input devices Software Hardware Data

• Output devices
• Storage devices
• Processing
• Communication
User

1
What is data and information? What is information?
Data vs Information
Data
What do these numbers mean? Raw facts/figures.
27, 28, 31, 35, 30, 25, 24 No context.
Add this: Maximum Temp, DBN
OR Information
Data: 01001000 01100101 01101100 Organised data.
01101100 01101111 Has some meaning.
Info: Hello

What is information? What is information?

Miles Kingston

Some more terms What is an information system?

Process
Steps taken to change/modify
data/information, or to complete a task.

System
A collection of components that takes an
input which is processed and provided as
an output

2
 What is an information system? Quality Information

Information needs to be useful. The

DATA DATABASE PROCESS INFORMATION following qualities are needed:
• Timeliness
• Integration with other data and
Database:
Collection of relevant data organised/structure into a series of information
relevant files/records • Consistency and accuracy
Database Management System:
• Relevance
Software that creates, organise, manage, and maintain
databases.

Quality Information What is the module about?

Importance of
quality information:
Computer Literacy
Knowing how to use computers and common
software (productivity suites) to perform basic
tasks.

Information Literacy
[Link]
ctor/computing/it/it-hiccups- Knowing where and how to find information, and
of-the-week-digital-navigation-
error-leads-to-dismantling-of- present it in a scientific way with the software.
us-navy-ship

Next time:

Computer basics
Hardware Components
Input/output
Memory