Computers

CHAPTER 2
Where are ▪ Computers have become ubiquitous
computers ▫ Equipment
used? ▸ TV + Microwave + mobile phones

▫ Link business trips

▸ Computer conferencing and
TelePresence systems

▫ Businesses
▸ Manufacturing processes
What is a ▪ Machine
computer? ▫ Accepts data which is entered into the
machine
1+1

▪ Processes
▫ The data entered
▫ Without human assistance
▫ By means of instructions which are stored

▪ Supplies information requested

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Components
of a Hardware Software
computer • Physical • Programs
devices written in
• Keyboard computer
• Monitors language
• Processing • Binary code: 0s
units and 1s
 Building blocks of a computer

ALU Control unit

Arithmetic
Performs instructions Control unit Tells computer what to
Logic Unit
Relational operations do
Central Processing Unit =
Heart of PC

Input devices Motherboard Output devices

Bus: Links devices Main memory

to the computer (stores data and
(Internal/external) instructions)
Measuring computer power

• Number of instructions per second

Speed • 1/1000 = Millisecond
• 1/1000 000 = Microsecond

• Computers don’t make mistakes

• 1.00000000000002
Accuracy • 1.00000000000003
• 2 different values to the computer

• Storage = Saving data in computer memory

Storage and •
•
Retrieval = Accessing data from memory
Data is stored in bits
retrieval •
•
A bit = single value of 0 or 1
8 bits = 1 byte
 Arithmetic
Central Logic Unit
Control unit

Processing
Unit ▪ Single processor VS Multi processor

▪ Multi processor
▫ More than one central processing unit
▫ Performs better than a single processor

▪ What is a dual-core processor then ?

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Input ▪ Send data and information to
devices computer

▪ Types of devices:
▫ Keyboard
▫ Mouse
▫ Touch screen
▫ Tablet

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Output ▪ Capable of representing
devices processed information from
computer

▪ Types of devices:
▫ Computer screens = soft copy
▫ Printers = hard copy

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Memory
2 types
devices

Secondary
Main memory
memory

Looses data if Keeps data

Not stable electricity is Stable when computer
interrupted is switched off

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Memory Semiconductor chips which can be volatile
devices: or non-volatile
Main
memory 1. Volatile memory
▫ RAM = Random access memory
device ▸ Data can be written and read on RAM
▫ Cache RAM
▸ Stores newly acquired memory

2. Non-volatile memory
▫ ROM = Read-only memory
▫ Data can not be written to memory
▫ Data can read from memory
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Memory Nonvolatile memory
devices: Used for storing large data & volumes for
Secondary long periods
memory
3 Main
types

Magnetic disk Magnetic tape Optical disc

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 ▪ Magnetic disk
Memory ▫ Random access processing = data is
devices: obtained in any order, regardless of its
order on the surface
Secondary
memory ▪ Magnetic tape
▫ Stores data sequentially = backup storage
(not used that much)

▪ Optical disc
▫ Store large amounts of data + durable
▫ CD-ROM = Compact disc read-only
memory
▫ WORM = write once, read many
▫ DVD = digital versatile disc 13
 Memory ▪ “Redundant array of independent disks”
devices: RAID
Secondary ▫ Collection of "disk drives" that are used
memory for fault tolerance and improved
performance
▫ Used in large network systems =
improve network reliability
• Flash stick
• External hard drive ▪ Cloud storage
• Memory card
▫ Online storage and backup
▫ Various virtual servers operated by
third parties
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Google data storage
 ▪ Storage Area Network
Network ▫ Dedicated high-speed network
storage consisting of both hardware and
software
▫ Connect and manage shared storage
devices
▫ Makes storage devices available to all
servers on a network
▪ Network-attached storage
▫ Network-connected computer
dedicated to providing file-based data
storage services to other network
devices
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 ▪ LAN
Networks ▫ Connects workstations and devices that
are near to each other and owned by
one party
▪ WAN
▫ Spread over several cities, states and
even countries and are usually owned
by multiple parties
▪ MAN
▫ Is designed for data communication
between various organisations in a city,
and sometimes between nearby cities

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 Program
language

An example of
source code…

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Program ▪ Source code is used to write processing
language instructions or program the computer…

▪ Provides step-by-step instructions for

performing a specific task.

▪ Written in a language which the computer can

understand.

▪ The language selected depends on the problem

which needs to be solved as well as the type of
computer being used.
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Program ▪ Source code
language ▫ programmed using object code
▪ Object code
▫ consists of binary 0s and 1s
▪ Binary
▫ Binary digits 0s and 1s (bits) used to
store and write data and instructions
Classification ▪ Classification of computers are based
of computers on the following criteria:
▫ Cost
▫ Amount of memory
▫ Speed
▫ Sophistication
Software ▪ All the programs that run a computer
system

Two types

Operating Application
System software software
 ▪ Set of programs for controlling and managing
Operating computer hardware and software.
System ▪ Provides an interface between a computer and
Software the user.
▪ Increases computer efficiency by helping users
share computer resources and performing
repetitive tasks for users.
▪ Repetitive tasks for users to perform .

Task Resource Data

Communication
management allocation management
 ▪ Commercial software = purchased
Application
software ▪ In-house development = self
developed

Word processing
MS Word Data basis Spreadsheets
MS Access MS Excel

Project
Management Desktop Publishing Financial
MS Projects Adobe Pastel

Presentation Graphs Computer aided

MS Powerpoint MS Excel design