Programming

Hardware &
Software
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COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Software / Slide 2

Hardware

Four components of a computer system:

CPU - central processing unit
Makes decisions, performs computations, and
delegates input/output requests
Memory: Disk Drives, CD drives, Tape drives, USB
flash drives.
Stores information
Input devices: Keyboard, Mouse,
Gets information from the user to the computer
Output devices: monitor
Sends information from computer to the user
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COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Software / Slide 3

Hardware
M e m o ry

O u tp u t
D e v ic e s

In p u t
D e v ic e s

C PU

COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Software / Slide 4

CPU

Brains of the computer

Arithmetic calculations are performed using the
Arithmetic/Logical Unit (ALU).
Registers
Control unit decodes and executes instructions
Arithmetic operations are performed using binary
number system
0110 1101 1100 1111 0001

COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Software / Slide 5

Input and Output Devices

Accessories that allow computer to interface

with user
Common input and output devices
Speakers
Mouse
Scanner
Printer

Joystick

Keyboard

Microphone

CD-ROM

COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Software / Slide 6

Types of Computer Jobs

Application level
jobs: word processor, graphics designer,
HTML designer, program tester
Programmer level
jobs: C++ programmer, DSP programmer
Systems level
jobs: operating system designer,
web master, systems maintenance staff
Hardware level
jobs: VLSI chip designer, hardware designer
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COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Software / Slide 7

S o ftw a re

S y s te m
S o ftw a re

A p p lic a tio n
S o ftw a re
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COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Software / Slide 8

Software

Application software
Easy-to-use programs designed to perform
specific tasks
System software
Programs that support the execution and
development of other programs
Two major types
Operating systems
Translation systems (compilers & linkers)
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COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Software / Slide 9

Compiler: It is a computer program (or a set of

programs) that transforms source code written in a
programming language (the source language) into
another computer language (the target language),
with the latter often having a binary form known as
object code.

Linkers: It is a computer program that takes one or

more object files generated by a compiler and
combines them into a single executable file, library
file, or another object file.
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COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Software / Slide 10

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COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Software / Slide 11

Computer Software Relationships

User Interface Application Programs

User Interface

Operating System

User Basic Input and Output Services (BIOS)

needed for a computer to boot up
Interface

Computer Hardware

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COMP102 Prog. Fundamentals I: Software / Slide 12

Application Software

Application software makes computer popular and

easy to use .
Common application software:
Microsoft Word, WordPerfect
PowerPoint
Internet Explorer
Photo Shop

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