Chapter No.

A Tour of Computer System

Four Components of Computer System:
1. 2. 3. 4. Hardware System Software Application Software User

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

Hardware:
A general term used for the devices that carry out the activities of computing, storing, & communicating data Computer hardware falls into 4 categories of components: 1. Input Devices

2.
3. 4.

Processors
Output Devices Secondary Storage Devices

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

Input Devices:
1. 2. 3. Keyboards Point-of-sale Terminals Mouse

4.
5. 6. 7.

Image Scanners
Bar Code scanners & Wand Microphones Pre-recorded sources

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

The Processor:
Also called Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a device which consist of a set of electronic circuits that perform the computers processing actions Microprocessor: The smallest type of processor, with all of the processing capabilities of the control unit located on a single chip System/Mother board: The system unit in a microcomputer, located on a board mounted on the bottom of a computer base

Memory:
Also called Main Memory which holds data only temporarily
6/2/2012 Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi 4

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

Output Devices:
The results of inputting & processing data returned by the computer, either directly to the person using the system or to the secondary storage
1. 2. 3. 4. Printer Display Monitor Speakers Communication (NIC)

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

Secondary Storage Devices:
A storage medium that is external to the computer, but that can be read by the computer; a way of storing data & information outside computer itself The most widely used types of secondary storage devices: 1. 2. 3. 4. Diskettes Hard disks Optical disks Magnetic Tape

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

Programs: In charge of the Hardware
Software: The general term for a set of instructions that controls a computer or a communications link Program: It is a specific sequence of instructions that tells a computer how to perform a particular action or solve a problem Operating System: A combination of programs that coordinates the actions of a computer, including its peripheral devices and memory

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

Most popular operating systems used with PCs:
1. 2. Disk Operating System (DOS) Microsoft Windows Family of operating systems Windows 3x, Windows 9x/ME, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 2003

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

Software Packages:
An application that focuses on a particular subject, such as word processing, and is sold to businesses and the general public 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Spreadsheet Programs Word processing Programs Graphics Programs Multimedia Presentation Programs Database Management Programs

6.
7.
6/2/2012

Communications Programs
Information Systems Programs
Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi 9

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

People: The Most Important Element
Users: People who employ IT in their jobs or personal lives There are 4 types of users: 1. Hands-on users

They use IT directly, interacting with computers to perform their jobs

2. Indirect end-users They do not operate computers directly, but benefit from IT as the recipients of reports or multimedia presentations

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

10

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

3. User managers: They supervise people or activities that involve or are affected by IT

4.

Senior Managers: They incorporate ITs capabilities into their organizations products, services, & overall competitive strategies

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

11

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

Procedures:
A step-by-step process or a set of instructions for accomplishing specific results
There are four (4) categories of procedures: 1. Operations Procedures:

A procedure that describes how a computer system or application is used, how often it can be used, who is authorized to use it, and where the results of processing should go

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

12

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

2. Backup & Recovery Procedures: Backup procedure describes how and when to make extra copies of information or software to protect against losses Recovery procedure is an action taken when information or software must be restored 3. Security Procedures: A procedure designed to safeguard data centers, communications networks, computers, and other IT components from accidental intrusion or intentional damage Security software/hardware is designed to protect systems & data

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

13

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

4. Development Procedures: A procedure that explains how IT professionals should describe user needs and develop applications to meet those needs

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

14

Chapter No.2

A Tour of Computer System

Single-user System:
An IT system that stands alone, meaning it is not interconnected with other computers or shared by other people

Multi-user System:
A system in which more than one user shares hardware, programs, information, people, & procedures

6/2/2012

Assistant Professor Abdul Kabeer Kazi

15