Working Model of the

Computer

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Department of Mathematics
&
Computer Science
Faculty of Natural Sciences
The Open
University of Sri Lanka1
DMCS

Working Model of the

Computer
What happens when you turn on your computer?
When you switch on the computer it will undergo an
operation called bootstrap which loads initial instructions
that are required to start the computer.
Then it checks the equipments connected to computer for
its correct size and the health if it is ok then it will proceed
to next step. The self checking operation is called POST
(power on self test).

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Cont
Computer will check the instructions stored in BIOS (basic
input output system) to look for computer program
(operating system) which is the main computer program
control all the computer activities. This operating system
can be either stored in removable media or in a disk inside
computer.

After loading the operating system to computer

memory it will process the operating instructions given
to it either by user or by a scheduled computer
program.
The process of step 1 to 4 is called booting process of
a Computer.
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Types of Computers
Desktop personal computers
Designed to meet the computer needs of
an individual
Fits on a desk and runs on power from an
electrical wall outlet.
Laptop
A portable, compact computer that can
run on an electrical wall outlet or a
battery unit.
All components (keyboard, mouse, etc.)
are in one compact unit.
Usually more expensive than a desktop.
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Cont
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
A computer that fits into a pocket,
runs on batteries, and is used while
holding the unit in your hand.
Typically used as an appointment book,
address book, calculator, and notepad.
Mobile Phone
Most of the capabilities closer to
computers.

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Essential Components of a
Computer

System Unit

Monitor

Keyboard

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Mouse

Cont

Data Input via

Keyboard and
Mouse

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Data Process
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Display
Output
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Computer Software &

Hardware

Hardware

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Software

DMCS

What is Software?
Software is a useful set of instructions
that is written by human which runs on
computer in order to do a useful task or
tasks

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Cont
No software in computers
Computers worked from the
mechanical input/punched
Output card inputs and produced the
output, processing of
materials all built on to
hardware itself

Input

Hardware

Input

More user interaction

Run on specific hardware
ex: If you have a program
that can write to a
Software
Output
hard disk but it needs to be
modified to write to a floppy
Hardware
disk and so on.
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Input

Software
Supporting
Hardware
Hardware

Software
Input

Operating
System
Hardware

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Software should support all

the equipment fitted in to
computer
Output Program became extensively
big
Developer should know all
the equipment that can be
fitted

Operating system handles

the coordination with
equipments
Output It provides the environment
for other program to run
Software should run on the
single operating system
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Classifications of Software
Programs
Application
Software

Allows end users to accomplish

one or more specific task

System
Software

Helps run the computer

hardware and computer system

Programming
Software

program or an application that

software developers use to
create, debug, maintain
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