Chapter 2 The Basic Units of a Computer System System is a group of components, consisting of subsystems or procedures that work in a coordination

fashion to achieve some objective. A computer system composed of two main components: Computer hardware and Computer software Computer Hardware Computer hardware is the physical part of the computer that you can see, you use and the parts you can touch. The hardware part of a computer system is composed of a number of interacting physical parts based on the need of the information flow. Information flows in the computer hardware. Based on information processing, we can divide computer hardware into four: 1) Input Device 2) Storage Device 3) Output Device 4) Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Fig computer system Input Devices Input devices are used to enter information into computer. They convert the data we give them into the form that can be manipulated in the computer (electronic format). Keyboard is an input device consisting of a set of typewriter-like keys that enable one to enter data into a computer. The keys on the keyboard are often classified as follows Alphanumeric keys - Letters and numbers Punctuation keys - comma, period, semicolon, etc. Special keys- function keys, control keys, arrow keys, caps lock, etc. In detail the following are descriptions of the keys of keyboard. 1

Escape key - Generally used to abort system actions. Function keys - functions vary from program to program. For example F1 is used to get help most of the times Enter key - used to enter commands or to return to blank (new) lines in a document. Backspace key - used to move the cursor backwards, deleting backward. Tab key - used to access tab stop. Caps lock key used to write small or capital letters. Shift key - used to produce upper case or lower case letters and sometimes to invoke commands Control key & Alt key - commonly used in combination with other keys to enter commands e g. Control home. Insert key - used to enter characters. Arrow keys - used to move the cursor around the display screen. Delete keys - used to delete characters. Num lock keys - used to activate/deactivate the numeric keypad. Print screen keys - used to print the contents of the screen. The arrangement of the keyboard's key may differ. The most common in English- speaking countries is the QWERTY keyboard. It is called QWERTY keyboard because the first five keys on the top row of letters spell Q, W, E, R, T, and Y. The arrangement of keys in this case is based on typewriter (alphabets and punctuation) and calculator (numeric pad). This is to make data entry easy. The other type of keyboard layout is the Dvorak Keyboard. In this layout, the most commonly used letters are placed in the most accessible places. The home keys are the five English vowel letters A, O, E, U, I (for the left hand) & the five most often used consonants (D, H, T, N, S) are the home keys for the right hand. The next most frequently used letters are on the keys one row up, the next easier position to reach. Mouse Mouse is a hand-operated device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen. It is a small object that can be rolled along a rough flat surface. Its name is derived from its shape, which looks a bit a mouse; its connecting wire that one can imagine to be the mouses tail. Mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart of Stanford Research center in 1963. Mouse can have as many as three buttons whose function depends on what program is running Left-button: for left click. E.g selecting text Right-button: for right click. E.g see property of file Middle button: for scrolling purpose. This button is sometimes missing. Most mouse are connected to the system unit by a cable or cord. There are also mouse that are not connected to system unit by a cable/cord. They are called cordless mouse (wireless mouse). They communicate with system unit using infrared light, similar technology used in remote controls, or radio waves. Mouse has roller ball at the bottom. The roller ball converts mouse movements into electronic signals. 2

Mouse pad - is a pad on which you can move a mouse. It provides more traction than smooth surfaces such as glass & wood, so they make it easier to move a mouse accurately. Advantage: -easy to use Use: making menu selection editing documents moving documents (i.e. dragging data from one location to another location) Opening and closing programs Optical Recognition Systems Optical recognition system uses light to read characters, codes, and marks, and convert them into computer understandable format. There many types of optical recognition systems: OCR (Optical Character Recognition) OMR (Optical Mark recognition) Barcode Reader I) OCR OCR are scanners that read typewritten, computer printed, and in some cases hand printed characters from ordinary documents. They scan the shape of character and compare it with predefined font shapes found in memory. Based on the comparison, they can convert the characters into computer code. Use: Enter documents found on paper into computer without the need to type it using keyboard. This makes the job easy. II) OMR OMR senses the presence or absence of a mark, such as pencil marks. It doesnt utilize letters of the alphabet. Instead, with the use of electronic scanners, marks and symbols are converted into appropriate electronic signals. It is used to process questionnaires or exams using computer. The read mark is interpreted and matched against previously entered answer key. Example, the ESLCE is corrected using this device. III) Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) It is intensively used by U.S. banking industry to input information on checking account transactions. It has been in use since the 1950s, allows checks and deposit slips to be read both by people and by machines. The machines, called magnetic ink character readers, read and convert the characters into machine code by detecting the presence of magnetized particles in the ink on the checks or deposit slips. As many as 1500 checks per minute can be read and stored. MICR uses a special ink that can be magnetized during processing. It is almost exclusively used by banking industry for processing checks. When the check is processed, the amount is written in the lower right corner.

Fig Check that uses magnetic ink The numbers you see at the bottom of the check uses magnetic ink. Advantage: It allows both computer and human being to read data IV)Bar Code Reader Bar code reader is a peripheral that reads bar codes printed on products. Bar code uses a pattern or symbols to represent data. It consists of vertical lines and spaces of different width. There are different kinds of bar codes; the most commonly used is called UPC (Universal Product Code). It is used to identify product manufacturer, product number, etc.

Fig bar code and bar code reader respectively Use: used in super market, grocery, etc to identify products and their price. Speech Recognition Systems Speech recognition is the ability of computers to recognize human speech. We use microphone to enter the speech into computer. The computer then processes the speech and performs the action ordered by speech. It allows: To issue/enter commands to the computer. For example, instead of going to start button-> programs->Microsoft Word to open Microsoft Word, we simply speak into the microphone of the computer Open Microsoft Word. Then the computer opens the program. To enter data using dictation instead of typing from keyboard. This makes data entry very easier. This is the latest technology and is still under research. Light Pen 4

Light pen is a light sensitive pen like device that is used in conjunction with computer monitor. It is used by touching the screen with this device to create or modify graphics. A light cell in the tip of the pen senses light from the screen to determine the pens location on the screen.

Fig light pen and monitor Use: to draw directly on the screen by using the screen as paper to select options for processing (to select from menu) Joystick Joystick uses the movement of vertical stem to direct pointer on the screen. Often used with computer games It has buttons you can press to activate events. Touch Screen Touch screen allow you to use finger instead of mouse or related input device. It lets you to enter data or command (e.g. button click) by touching areas of the screen. It enables you perform activities you perform with mouse using your finger. It is not used to enter large amounts of data. Used: To issue a command to software to perform a particular task like menu selection, button click, etc To choose from a list of options Advantage: They are easy to use They are easy to learn even by no technical people They are used to provide information in hotels, airports, and other public areas.

Output Devices Output devices are used to get data out of a computer so that it can be examined, analyzed or 5

distributed to others. It converts information from machine-understandable form to a human understandable form. Two types of output: Soft copy: displayed on monitor, projector, or similar devices Hard copy: printed on paper Examples The Visual Display Unit (VDU) or monitor or screen Printers (dot matrix, daisy wheel, laser printers) Plotters Voice (audio) response unit Disk drives Monitor Monitor is the most frequent type of output device. It consists of a display surface called screen which displays output to the user. Image is displayed on monitors using pattern of lighted dots. Each of these lighted dots is called pixel a short form of picture element. There are three types of monitor: 1) CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) 2) LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 3) Plasma display CRT Monitor CRT is similar in size and technology to televisions. It uses electron guns that emit electrons. These electrons are directed towards phosphorous coated screen. The phosphorous coat glows (emits light) when hit by electron from electron guns, thus creating visible things that we see. Disadvantage: -large size (bulky) - consumes much power

Fig CRT monitor and electron gun Yoke: moves electron beams across and down the screen by generating electromagnetic field Electron beams: negatively charged electrons moving towards the screen form electron guns Crystal Display Crystal display is most commonly used in digital watches, clocks, calculators, etc. In computer, they are commonly used for portable computers. E.g. laptop. Liquid crystal uses liquid crystal for display purpose, not electron guns. The liquid crystal is deposited between sheets of polarizing material. Advantage over CRT: -small size which makes it easy to transport -consumes less power which makes it suitable for laptop. Gas Plasma Gas plasma substitutes neon gas for liquid crystal. The neon gas glows and produces pixels that form picture. It is used for portable computers Advantage: Better display quality than LCD but more expensive than LCD Printer There are two types of output: Soft copy: is information that is displayed on monitor, projector, etc. Hard copy: a data that is printed on paper. Printer is a device that enables us to produce a hard copy of data/information. They have varying speeds, capabilities, and printing methods. Based on the way they print, printers are divided into two: Impact printers Non-impact printer Impact printers Impact printer transfer printable material onto paper by striking paper, ribbon, and character together. Most of such printers take continuous form of paper. Some of impact printers are: Dot-matrix Printer They print by striking wire pins against an inked ribbon. The print head of such printers contains pins. When this pin is pressed against a ribbon and paper, it prints small dots. The combination of small dots printed closely forms a character.

Daisy-wheel Printer It has a plastic or metal wheel on which the shape of each character stands out in relief. A hammer presses the wheel against a ribbon producing characters on paper. Disadvantage: They cant print graphics Non-Impact Printers They print without having a mechanism that strikes a paper. They print by spraying ink or by 7

using heat and pressure to fuse black powder onto paper. The various types of non-impact printer include: Ink Jet Printers An ink jet printer sprays tiny drops of ink onto paper. The print head of such printers contains a nozzle which has many holes. Ink is propelled by heat or pressure through the nozzle holes and form character or image on the screen. Produce high quality print Quiet because the paper is not struck Heavy weight paper is recommended Laser Printer They work similarly to photocopying machine. They convert data from computer into a laser beam (kind of light), why they are called laser printer. They use mirrors to direct light onto a drum which in turn produce characters on paper. The drum is light sensitive material that becomes charged when it is hit by light. The charged areas of the drum attracts ink from toner and the ink is transferred onto paper. A heating material heats the ink and attach it onto ther paper. It produces high quality print. Thermal printers Thermal printers use heat to transfer inks from ink sheets onto printing surface. They produce high-quality print. Because of this, they are used to produce high quality color artwork and text. They can use plain paper but produce best result on chemically treated papers. Plotters Plotters are used to produce high-quality drawings such as bar charts, maps, architectural drawings, and three-dimensional drawings. Can produce high quality multi-color documents Can print on large size papers, which most printers cant handle. Storage Devices Two types of storage devices: Primary storage device: data is lost when computer is off. Secondary storage device: stores data permanently Secondary Storage Secondary storage (also called auxiliary storage), takes many forms. It includes punched cards, punched paper tape, magnetic tape, magnetic disk and optical disk. Based on information access, secondary storage devices are divided into two: Sequential Access: information is accessed sequentially. To access information on such media, we start from the beginning and read through to the end. Jumping to some part is not possible. E.g. tape recorder cassette Random Access: information can be accessed in any order. You can access the first or the last part of information by jumping others. E.g. floppy disk 8

Sequential Access Medias 1) Punched Cards Punched cards are one of the oldest and most familiar data storage devices. There are two types of punched cards, 80 columns and 96 columns, and the first one is a standard punched card. Data is stored on punched cards by cutting parts of the paper out and leaving other parts intact. The cut part (hole) may represent binary 1 and the intact part represents binary 0.

Fig punched card 2) Punched Paper Tape It is similar to punched card, except it is a continuous strip of paper Punched paper tape is a continuous strip of paper used to store data in much the same manner as punched cards. This storage media is less expensive and more compact than punched cards. 3) Magnetic Tapes During 1950s and 1960s, magnetic tape was the primary method of storing large amount of data. Today they are used primarily for back up purposes. It consists of thin ribbon plastic called tape. One side of the tape is coated with iron-oxide, a material that can be magnetized. By magnetizing and demagnetizing the tape, computer stores data on it.

Fig magnetic tape Disadvantage: Sequential access Back up is a data that is stored in a different place than the original computer where data is used. This is to avoid the danger of data loss due to disasters. If the original data is lost, the copy will be used. Read-Write head: writes data on the tape or reads data from tape. Random Access Storage Media Data can be accessed in any order. 9

Magnetic Disks Magnetic disk is the most widely used storage medium on all computers. It consists of a round piece of plastic or metal the surface of which is covered with magnetic material. Magnetic disks offer: High storage capacity Reliability Fast date access during reading or writing to disk. Magnetic disks are metals or plastic platters coated with ferrous oxide, an easily magnetizable material. They allow for random access of information and overcome the slow access time commonly found in tape files. Examples: floppy disk, hard disk Floppy Disks They are also called diskette. It is made up of thin Mylar plastic which is coated with metal oxide. Data is stored as electromagnetic charges on the plastic coat. It stores data by means of magnetizing and demagnetizing the metal oxide. Floppy is an easily removable storage used to transport data from one computer to another. It is used to store programs and data for a longer period outside the computer system. Often used with mini and micro computers. Data is stored in concentric circles called tracks.

Fig sector and track Each track is further divided into sectors. A sector stores the amount of information that can be read or written in single operation.

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The most widely used type of floppy disks is the 5.25 inch and the 3.5 inch wide floppy disks. Each has two different storage capacity. 31/2 inch: -can store 1.44MB of data on double side high density -can store 720kb of data on single side low density 51/4 inch: -can store 1.2MB of data on double side high density -can store 360kb of data on single side low density Density refers to the number of bits that can be recorded on one-inch of track. High density: increased storage capacity Low density: low storage capacity Rules for handling Floppy Disks Floppy disks are magnetic devices which stores data on them. Improper handing of floppy disks may result in loosing the data stored on the disk. It is therefore necessary to know the following rules to protect your disks and/or your data on it from damage. Never place the disk near magnetic devices, keep the disk away from your telephone since telephone boxes contain magnetic units. Always place disks back into their envelope when you are not using them. Never touch your floppy disk media. Never smoke near floppy disks. Store your floppies in a safe location. Keep at room temperature in the range of 10 to 50 oc Always make a backup copy of your floppy disk. Disk drive: is part of a computer system which reads from and writes data on a disk. Hard Disk A high capacity magnetic disk made up of metal which can be fixed in the system unit of the computer. It serves as a secondary storage and it enables very fast accessibility of data. Accessing data from hard disk is faster than from floppy disks. The disks, which are usually grouped together into a disk pack are separated by small air spaces to allow access for read-write head. Each disk is subdivided into tracks and sectors on which information is stored. The disk pack is mounted on a magnetic disk drive which rotates the disk at speed up to 1,000 revolutions per second.

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Fig hard disk Platters are grouped together to form hard disk. The amount of time it takes to retrieve (or store) data from (or to) disk is called the disk access time. It rotates at high speed and this is measured in terms of revolutions per second. Data is stored on hard disks by magnetizing and demagnetizing the surface each cylinder. They store data on both sides of the cylinder i.e two sided. It is read-write head that reads or writes data from hard disk. Optical Disk Optical disks use laser light to read or write data from optical disk. Laser: light amplified stimulated emission of rays. Optical disks use high powered laser light to burn microscopic holes on the surface of the disk to store data. Burned out part is called pit, and the non-burnt part is called land. Land may represent binary 0 and pit binary 1.

Fig CD pit and land Optical disks use low powered laser to read data. There are two most common types of optical disks: CD (Compact Disc) DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) CD (Compact Disc) CD can store 700BM of information. Data is stored only on one side of the disc.There are three basic types of CDs: 1) CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) 2) CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable) 12

3) CD-RW (Compact Disc Read-Write) CD-ROM This kind of is read only i.e. you cant write data to such CDs or you cant erase from them. Data is only accessed/read from these CDs. CD-R It is also called WORM (Write Once and Read Many). These CDs can be written on once. But then after, you cant rewrite on it or erase data from it. After you first wrote data on such discs, then only thing you can do to read data from them. CD-RW They are also called erasable optical discs. You can write data as many times as you want on such CDs. You can also erase the content of such CDs. DVD DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disc. But some people mistakenly call it Digital Video Disc. It is a new technology that is introduced recently. It is similar to CD except that it can store large amounts of data and it has narrow tracks than CD. It can store 4.7-17GB of information. Central Processing Unit It is also called microprocessors or processors. A microprocessor is a semiconductor device consisting mostly one software controlled LSI chip which performs the functions of automatic data processing. Processors are not optimized to perform complex numerical calculations and other special tasks (graphics manipulations). For this purpose specialized coprocessors which are also called math-coprocessors have been developed to increase the processing capability of a computer and speed up complex mathematical floating-point calculations. The coprocessors operate in parallel with CPUs. CPU executes instructions and performs the computer's processing activities. It is also known as processor or microprocessor. It functions the same purpose as the human brain for human being. It is called the brain of the computer. CPU has three sub-components: Control Unit (CU) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) Memory The three sub components are connected by a cable like device called bus. It facilitates communication between the parts. It is used to transfer data between these sub components.

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Control Unit As human brain control the body, control unit controls the computer. Control Unit does not execute instruction by itself, i.e. does not carry out instruction, but it directs other processing elements to execute instruction. It retrieves instruction from memory and this process is called fetch instruction. After fetching instruction, it translates that instruction into computer understandable format and sends signals to other computer hardware units to carry out the instruction. This process (the process of translating instruction) is called decoding. Arithmetic Logic Unit The purpose of ALU is to execute instruction. It performs two operations: Arithmetic operation Logic Operation Arithmetic operation: this includes mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc. If you give your computer the instruction 2+3, this will be included in arithmetic operation and it is executed by Arithmetic Unit. Logical Operation: this is concerned with the comparison of data and it is called logical operation. It includes operators like less than, greater than, equal to, less or equal to, greater or equal to, different from, etc. e.g. if mark>80, grade is 'A'. Arithmetic Logic Unit has two parts: Arithmetic Unit: perform arithmetic operations Logic Unit: performs logical operations Registers When instruction is loaded from main memory, it is placed first in registers to wait instruction from control unit. Registers are temporary storage location for data prior to execution in ALU. There are different types of registers. E.g. data register, program counter, address register, etc. How CPU Works CPU operates by performing the following four operations, i.e. instruction execution has four steps: 1) Fetch instruction Instruction cycle 2) Decode instruction 3) Execute instruction Execution cycle 4) Store result Fetch Instruction: fetching instruction is getting instruction from memory. Instructions are stored in memory and wait execution. The Control Unit gets the instructions from memory and brings it for execution. It keeps track of which instruction is to be executed next. Decode Instruction: translating instruction into commands that the computer can process. Decoding understands what the instruction is about and what it tells the computer to do. Execute Instruction: the actual processing of the commands i.e carrying out what the instruction order the computer to do. 14

Store Result: writing the result of executed instruction into memory. Example: suppose we give the following two instructions to the computer 2+3 3*4 When we write these instructions, first they are stored in memory (RAM) and wait for execution. The first step in carrying out instruction is getting the instruction from memory. The control unit gets the first instruction 2+3 and sets pointer to next program to be executed i.e. 3*4. This is the fetching process. Then the CU translates the instruction and it finds out that the instruction tells the computer to add 2 and 3 together. This is translating or decoding instruction. After decoding CU sends control message to ALU based on the interpretation done in step 2. The ALU adds the numbers and gets the result which is 5. This process is called execution. The last step is storing the result of execution, 5 in this case, in memory back. This process is called storing the result. CPU speed is measured in Hertz. Hertz is the number of cycles per second. 1Hz=1cycle per second 20Hz=20 cycle per second Larger units are KHz (Kilo Hertz), MHz (Mega Hertz), GHz(Giga Hertz), etc. 1KHz=1000Hz 1MHz=1000 KHz 1GHz=1000MHZ Current CPUs are as fast as 2-3GHz (2-3 billion cycles per second) Based on the number of instruction set they can execute, we have two types of CPU: RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) CISC(Complex Instruction Set Computer) CISC: uses large number of basic instruction i.e larger number of instruction set could be executed in such CPUS.This is the most commonly used type of CPU. E.g. Intel Pentium RISC: Use fewer instruction sets. The design is simpler and less costly. Faster than CISC Main Memory Main memory refers to integrated circuit that stores program instructions and data. Memory stores three things: Operation system software instructions Application software instruction Data that is being processed There are three types of primary memory: RAM (Random Access Memory) ROM (Read Only Memory) 15

CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) RAM RAM is temporary storage i.e. the data is lost when the computer is off unlike secondary storage. Because of this it is called volatile memory. Why is it volatile? It uses electric power to store data. When you write anything on your computer, first it is stored on RAM. When you save the file, it is transferred into secondary storage. RAM has differing capacity, the common ones being 128, 256, and 512. It is directly accessible by CPU. It is called RAM because each memory location can be accessed randomly using memory address. Each unit in RAM has memory address by which it can be easily accessed/referenced. ROM ROM store information permanently. They have programs built into them at the factory and that program could not be changed or erased by the user, but read. It is non-volatile, read-only (not changeable). Read-only means data can't be altered or erased but read. ROM contains special instruction that the computer uses when it is turned on. E.g instruction that starts the computer, instruction that displays information on screen, etc. There are three kinds of ROM: ROM (Read Only Memory) PROM (Programmable ROM) EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) PROM: this kind of ROM can be written by user once. But, you can't erase or write to it more than once; you can only read from. EPROM: this kinds of ROM can be written to or erased as many times as the user wants. It is like CD-RW. EEPROM: similar to EPROM, it can be re-written to or erased. But we use electrical power to erase the contents here. CMOS CMOS contains essential information that is required when the computer is turned on. E.g. RAM size, type of mouse, etc. Non-volatile, but modifiable to incorporate changes. It is powered by battery when computer is off. Computer Software A computer hardware is directed by a set of instructions. Without these instructions, computer can do nothing. These set of instructions are called software (also called programs). We use programming languages to write these instructions. Examples of programming language includes C, C++, Visual Basic, Java, etc. Examples of instruction are:

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Cout<<"This line sends information to screen."; Cin>>x; The first instruction prints This line sends information to screen on the monitor. The second line accepts input from user. Softwares are categorized into two: System Software Application Software System Software System software consists of programs that are related to controlling the actual operations of the computer equipment/resource. There are three types of system software: Operating System Utility Software Language translators Operating system manage resources, provides a user interface, and run application softwares. It organizes resources such as keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor, etc. It also presents GUI (Graphical User Interface) to the user for easy use of computer. It makes complex hardware more user friendly i.e. it acts between the user and hardware. A) Operating system Operating system coordinates the activity between the user and the computer. An operating system has four major functions. I Process management In operating system terms, a process is a program or part of a program that can be executed separately. The operating system does the task of managing these processes that are being executed and waiting to be executed. There are different ways of managing processes: Single tasking Multitasking multiprocessing II Input/output Management The I/O manager coordinates the computers communication with outside world, flow of data to the display screen and other output devices (printers/ plotters) and from the key board or other input devices. Handles the flow of data to and from the disk drives (file management). Handles the process of preparing a disk for use, the copying, renaming, erasing task of a file. III Memory Management During processing, some area of memory are used to store the operating system instructions, application program instructions, and data to be processed. It is the task of operating system to allocate or assign each of these items to a memory area. IV System Administration 17

Operating system as a system administrator manages the performance of the system (e.g response time), system security (username and password), and storage device management (deleting files, renaming files, formatting disks, creating directories, etc). Types of Operating System 1) Based on the number of programs they can handle at a time Based on the number of programs they can run a time, operating systems are divided into two: Single tasking os: on such system, only one program can be run on the computer at a time. To run another program, you have to close the first program and load another program. For example, if you are working on Microsoft Word and in addition if you want to open Microsoft Excel, first you have to close Word first because you cant open two programs at the same time. Then you can open Excel. Single tasking os cant handle more than one program at a time. Examples of such operating systems are MS-DOS, and PC-DOS which were used in 1980s. Multi-tasking os: on such systems you can run as many programs as you like. You can work on Word and Excel at the same time. Such systems can handle more than one program at a time. Examples Windows 2000, Windows XP, Macintosh, etc. 2) Based on the number of users they can serve at a time Based on the number of users they can serve at a time, we divide os into two: Single User: they can serve only one user at a time. They cant serve more than one user at a time. E.g. Windows 95, Windows 98/2000/xp, etc Multi User: lets more than one computer to access the computer at one time. E.g. Unix This is done via network that connects terminals to the multi user computer. B) Utility Programs Utilities are programs that make computing easier. They perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources or files. There are different utility programs: i) Troubleshooting programs: enable us to recognize and correct computer problems before they become serious. ii) Anti-virus programs: they protect your computer against viruses or other malicious programs that damage computer. E.g MacAfee, Sophos, Norton, etc. iii) File compression programs: are used to reduce the size of files or data so that it takes less storage space or network band. E.g WinZip, WinRAR, etc. iv) Uninstall programs: these softwares enable us to safely and completely remove unneeded programs/softwares from your computer. v) Back up softwares: with the help of this software, we can make copies of files to be used in case of the original data is lost/damaged. This copy is called back up. vi) Screen savers: helps to prevent your work from being seen by others if you leave your computer idle for some time. C) Language translators 18

Language translators are used to convert the programming instruction written by users into binary code that the computer can understand. They are written for specific programming languages and computer system. Application Software Application software performs useful work for the user. These useful work could be: Word processing-document creation Spreadsheet-electronic calculation Email/communicating-email sending and reading Users use these softwares to perform different activities like calculation, video editing, word processing, presentation, etc. Some of the uses of application software: i) Word Processing This is the most widely used computer application. Word processing is the use of computer to produce documents that consist primarily of text. Such documents can also contain pictures, drawing, photograph, etc. Used for: Writing letter Writing memos Producing reports Some of the softwares used for word processing include: Microsoft word Corel WordPerfect Lotus WordPro WordStar ii) Spreadsheet Software Spreadsheet software is used to organize, manipulate, and graph numeric information. It enables us to do financial analysis, and other complicated mathematical calculation electronically. E.g interest rate, payroll, etc. Some of the softwares used for this purpose include: Lotus 1-2-3 Microsoft Excel Quatropro iii) Database Management system (DBMS) Database is a collection of related data that is stored in computer. DBMS organizes the collection of data so that information can be retrieved easily. Database softwares allow you to create a database and to retrieve, manipulate, and update the data. Database may contain one or more tables. The following table and other related tables together form databse. Employee table Name 1 2

ID

DOB

Department

Salary

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Softwares that are used for DBMS: Microsoft Access Oracle SQL FoxPro Dbase IV iv) Presentation Graphics Presentation graphics helps you to create professional and exciting presentations that could be used in meeting, group discussion, etc. Such softwares enbable you to incorporate charts, graphics, sound, etc in your presentation. Softwares used for this purpose include: Microsoft PowerPoint Lotus Freelance Graphics Corel Presentations v) Accounting software Accounting software enables companies to record and report their financial transactions. Tasks done by these software include: Invoicing Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Payroll Inventory General Ledger Purchase orders, etc Softwares used for this purpose: Peachtree accounting Intuit QuickBooks vi) Computer Aided Design It is used to create design for products, new buildings, etc. They are used by engineers. Example of softwares used for this purpose include: AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Parametric Vii) Communication They are used to transfer data from one computer to another. They enable computers to send and receive data of any kind such as text, graphics, fax documents, etc. Some of the softwares used for this purpose are: Netscape Navigator-to work on internet Internet Explorer-to work on internet Procom Plus Crosstalk

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Viruses, Trojan Horses and Worms Virus Virus is a malicious (destructive) program/software that damages computer. It copies itself on to other programs and spreads through multiple computer system. They may damage the files on that computer or attack the system in general. Some of actions performed by virus include: Duplicating themselves on your computer to consume storage space your computer runs out of memory. Delete or modify your files(documents) Damage your software Damage your hardware, etc. Worm Worm is a malicious program like virus. But it does not need help to move from one computer to another which virus cant do. Virus need help to move from one computer to another. It destroys the computer system like virus. Trojan Horse Trojan horse software that seems to perform useful activity but who has malicious programs in it. It may damage files, and perform other harmful actions on your computer. It does not replicate itself. For example, you may think that the program is computer game and you start playing. While you are playing, the game starts to affect your computer inside.

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