KEY COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

MODULE OVERVIEW

This module aims to understand the key components of a computer system consisting of Hardware, Software, and
Peopleware. Hardware pertains to the components of a computer that you could see and touch, consisting of
the case and the entirety interior of it. The maximum significant element of the hardware is a tiny rectangular
chip inside your computer recognized as the central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor. Likewise, software
relates to the instructions, or programs, that inform hardware what to do. Peopleware can pertain to something
that has to do with the function of humans in the improvement or use of computer software and hardware systems.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this, students are expected to:

1. Dissect and explain the basic elements of a computer system.
2. Explain the function and interaction of various subsystems of a digital computer.

LEARNING CONTENTS (HARDWARE)

HARDWARE

The word Hardware refers to the physical part of the machine or elements of an electronic data processing
system. It may also pertain to the equipment that performs the mechanics of operations. Each element is designed
to carry out one or more of the following functions: data preparation, input, processing, storage, and output.

Computer Hardware is the physical part of a computer, as distinguished from the computer software program
that executes or runs on the hardware. The hardware of a computer is once in a while changed, while software
programs and data are changed frequently. The term software refers to readily created, changed, or erased.
These are not like the physical components inside the computer which might be hardware.

Types of Hardware
 Input devices − keyboard, mouse, etc.
 Output devices − printer, monitor, etc.
 Secondary storage devices − Hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.
 Internal components − CPU, motherboard, RAM, etc.

INPUT DEVICES

Input is any information or commands which can be utilized by a computer. They can come directly from you or
different sources. You deliver input every time you use system or application programs.

Input devices are hardware used to translate words, sounds, images, and movements that humans recognize right
into a form that the system unit can process. Input devices are hardware devices that take data from the user of
the computer device, convert it into electric indicators, and transmit it to the processor. The main function of input
devices is to permit people to engage with the computer system. For example, a mouse permits the user to
govern the motion of the pointer (a common element in user interface design).

KEYBOARD
The keyboard is a well-known input device that helps to input data to the computer. The format of the keyboard
is like the conventional typewriter, even though there are a few extra keys furnished for appearing extra
functions.

Keyboards are of sizes 84 keys or 101/102 keys, however, now keyboards

with 104 keys or 108 keys also are to be had for Windows and Internet.

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The keys on the keyboard are as follows:

 Typing Keys - those are keys that encompass the letter keys (A-Z) and digit keys (09) which typically
provide the identical format as that of typewriters.

 Numeric Keypad - it is used to input the numeric data or cursor movement. Generally, it includes a fixed of
17 keys which are laid out at the identical configuration utilized by most adding machines and calculators.

 Function Keys - twelve keys that are located in the topmost part of the keyboard which are organized in
a row. Each function key has a different meaning and is used for several unique purposes.

 Control keys – are the keys that provide cursor and display screen control. It consists of four directional
arrow keys. Control keys additionally encompass Home, End, Insert, Delete, Page Up, Page Down,
Control(Ctrl), Alternate(Alt), and Escape(Esc).

 Special Purpose Keys - those are that keys that include special unique keys, and these are the: Enter, Shift,
Caps Lock, Num Lock, Space bar, Tab, and Print Screen.

MOUSE
Mouse is a well-known pointing tool. It is a well-known cursor-manipulator tool having a small palm-length
container with a spherical ball at its Base, which senses the movement of the mouse and sends corresponding
signs to the CPU at the same time as the mouse buttons.

Generally, it has buttons referred to as the left and the right button, and a wheel exists among the buttons. A
mouse may be used to manipulate the location of the cursor on the screen, however, it cannot be used to input
text into the computer.

Advantages
 Easy to use
 Not very expensive
 Moves the cursor faster than the arrow keys of the keyboard.

JOYSTICK
Joystick is likewise a pointing device, that is used to control the cursor point on a monitor. It is a stick having a
round ball at its lower and upper ends. The lower round ball moves in a socket. The joystick may be moved in
all four directions.

The purpose of the joystick is much like similar to the function of a mouse. It is primarily used in Computer Aided
Designing (CAD) and playing digital games.

LIGHT PEN
A light pen is a pointing tool that looks just like a pen. It is used to choose a displayed menu object or draw
photos on the screen. It contains a photocell and an optical system located in a small tube.

When the tip of a light pen is moved over the display monitor and the pen the
button is pressed, its photocell sensing detail detects the monitor's region and
sends the corresponding signal to the CPU.

SCANNER
A scanner is an input device, which does more like a photocopy machine. It is used when
several information or data is in the paper and wants to be transferred to the hard disk
of the computer for more manipulation.

The scanner captures images from the source which can then be converted right into a
digital form that may be stored at the disk. These images can be edited before printing.

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DIGITIZER
Digitizer is an input device that transforms analog data into digital form. Digitizer can transform a signal from
the television or camera into a chain of numbers that might be stored in a computer. They may be utilized by
the computer to produce an image of any kind the camera was pointed at.

Digitizer is likewise referred to as Tablet or Graphics Tablet because

it converts graphics and pictorial data into binary inputs. A graphic
tablet as a digitizer is used for high-quality works of drawing and
image manipulation applications.

MICROPHONE
A microphone is an input device used to input sound that will be stored in a digital form. The microphone is used
for many applications including adding a sound to a multimedia presentation or for blending music.

MAGNETIC INK CARD READER (MICR)

Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR) input device is typically utilized in banks as there are large quantities of
cheques to be processed each day. The bank's code number and cheque amount are imprinted on the cheques
with a unique sort of ink that incorporates debris of magnetic material which can be machine-readable.

This interpretation process is known as Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR).

The main advantage of MICR is that fast and prone to much fewer errors.

OPTICAL CHARACTER READER (OCR)

An optical Character Reader (OCR) is an input device utilized to analyze printed text.

OCR scans the textual content optically, character by character, transform them
into machine-readable code, and stores the textual content in the system
memory.

BAR CODE READERS

Bar Code Reader is a tool used for analyzing bar-coded data (data in the structure of light and dark lines).
Bar-coded data is typically utilized in labeling goods, numbering books, etc. It can be a hand-held scanner or
can be embedded in a stationary scanner.

Bar Code Reader scans a bar code image and converts it into an alphanumeric
value that is then fed to the computer that the bar code reader is linked to.

OPTICAL MARK READER (OMR)

An optical Mark Reader (OMR) is a unique form of optical scanner used to understand the form of the mark
made by the use of a pen or pencil. It is used in which one out of some options is to be selected and marked.

It is particularly used for evaluating the answer sheets of

examinations having multiple-choice questions.

TRACKBALL
A trackball is an input device that is utilized in a notebook or computer, as an alternative to a mouse. This is a
ball that is half inserted and by moving fingers on the ball, its pointer may be moved.

Since the entire tool isn't moved, a trackball requires much less area than a mouse.
A trackball is available in various shapes like a ball, a button, or a square.

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OUTPUT DEVICES

Output is processed data or information. Output generally takes the form of text, graphics, photos, audio,
and/or video.

An output device is any piece of computer hardware system used to connect the outcomes of data processing
carried through an information processing system (such as a computer) which converts the electronically
generated data into human-readable form. Output devices take information from the computer system and
transform it into a form that may be understood by humans.

Following are several important output devices used in computers.

 Monitors
 Printer
 Speaker and Headset

MONITORS
Monitors normally referred to as Visual Display Units (VDU), are the main output device of a computer. It makes
images from tiny dots, referred to as pixels which have been organized in a rectangular form. The sharpness of
the image relies upon the number of pixels.

There are two kinds of viewing screens used for monitors

 Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)
 Flat-Panel Display

CATHODE-RAY TUBE (CRT) MONITOR

The Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) display monitor is made of small image factors known as pixels. The smaller the
pixels, the higher the photo readability or resolution. It takes a couple of illuminated pixels to shape an entire
character, consisting of the letter 'e' within the word 'help'.

FLAT-PANEL DISPLAY MONITOR

The flat-panel display monitor refers to a category of video devices that have
reduced volume, weight, and power requirements in contrast to the CRT. You
can hang them on walls or put on them on your wrists. Currently makes use of
flat-panel display monitors on calculators, video games, laptops, monitors,
computers, and graphic displays.

The flat-panel display is divided into two categories:

 Emissive Displays − Emissive displays are devices that transform electric power into light. For example,
plasma panels and LED (Light-Emitting Diodes).
 Non-Emissive Displays − Non-emissive displays use optical effects to transform sunlight or light from a
few different supplies into graphic patterns.

PRINTERS
A printer is an output device that is used to print data on paper.

Two Types of Printers

a. Impact Printers
b. Non-Impact Printers

A. IMPACT PRINTERS
Impact printers print the characters by striking them on the ribbon,
which is then pressed on the paper.

Characteristics of Impact Printers are the following:

 Very low consumable costs
 Very noisy

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 Useful for bulk printing due to low cost
 There is physical contact with the paper to produce an image

Types of Impact Printers

 Character printers
 Line printers

CHARACTER PRINTERS
Character printers are printers that print one character at a time.

Types of Character Printers

 Dot Matrix Printer(DMP)
 Daisy Wheel

DOT MATRIX PRINTER

In the market, one of the very famous printers is Dot Matrix Printer. These printers are famous due to their ease
of printing and low-budget price. Each character printed is within the form of a pattern of dots and the head
includes a Matrix of Pins of size (5*7, 7*9, 9*7, or 9*9) which pop out to form a character that's why it is called
Dot Matrix Printer.

DAISY WHEEL
The head is lying on a wheel and pins matching to characters is just like a
petal of a Daisy (flower) which is why it is called a Daisy Wheel Printer.
These printers are usually used for word processing in offices that require
some letters to be sent here and there with very nice quality.

LINE PRINTERS
A line printer is a kind of printer that prints one line at a time.

Types of Line Printers

 Drum Printer
 Chain Printer

DRUM PRINTER
This printer is sort of a drum in form so this is the reason why they called it a drum printer. The surface of the
drum is split into several tracks. The total tracks are identical to the scale of the paper, i.e. Paper width of 132
characters, the drum might also have 132 tracks. A character set is embossed on the track. Different character
sets existing within the market are 48-character set, 64 and 96 characters set. The one rotation of drum prints
means one line. Drum printers are fast and may print 300 – 2000 lines per minute.

CHAIN PRINTER
In this printer, a sequence of character sets is used, subsequently, it is known as Chain Printer. A standard
character set may have 48, 64, or 96 characters.

B. NON-IMPACT PRINTERS
Non-impact printers print the characters without the use of the ribbon. These printers print an entire page at a
time, accordingly, they are commonly known as Page Printers.

Types of Non-Impact Printers

 Laser Printers
 Inkjet Printers

Characteristics of Non-Impact Printers

 Faster than impact printers
 They are not noisy
 High quality
 Supports many fonts and different character sizes

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LASER PRINTERS
These are non-impact page printers. They use laser lights in producing the dots
that had to form the characters to be printed on a page.

INKJET PRINTERS
Inkjet printers are non-impact character printers primarily based on somewhat new technology. They print
characters by spraying small drops of ink into the paper. Inkjet printers produce high-quality products with
presentable features. They make much less noise due to the fact no hammering is done and these have many
forms of printing modes available. Color printing is also possible. Some prototypes of Inkjet printers can produce
more than one copy of printing also.

SPEAKERS AND HEADSETS

Audio-output devices translate audio records from the computer into sounds that humans can understand. The
maximum broadly used audio-output devices are audio systems (like speakers) and headsets.
These devices are linked to an audio jack at the system unit. The sound card is used to seize in as well as to play
back recorded sounds. Audio-output devices are used to play music, vocalize translations from one language to
another, and communicate records from the computer system to the users.

STORAGE DEVICE

A data storage device is a device for recording (storing) information (data). Recording can be done using
virtually any form of energy, spanning from manual muscle power in handwriting to acoustic vibrations in
phonographic recording, to electromagnetic energy modulating magnetic tape and optical discs.

A storage device might also hold information, process information, or both. The recording medium is the only
device that holds information. Devices that process information (data storage equipment) may either access a
separate portable (removable) recording medium or a permanent component to store and retrieve data.

Three Types of Memory

 Cache Memory
 Primary Memory/Main Memory
 Secondary Memory

CACHE MEMORY

Cache memory is a very high-speed semiconductor memory that can accelerate the CPU. It acts as a buffer
between the CPU and the main memory. It is used to hold those parts of data and programs that are most often
utilized by the CPU. The parts of data and programs are transferred from the disk to cache memory through
the operating system, from wherein the CPU can access them.

Advantages
The advantages of cache memory are as follows –
 Cache memory is faster than the main memory.
 It consumes less access time as compared to main memory.
It consumes much less access time compared to main memory.
 It stores the program that can be executed within a short period.
It stores the that may be carried out within a short time.
 It stores data for temporary use.

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Disadvantages
The disadvantages of cache memory are as follows –
 Cache memory has limited capacity.
 It is very expensive.

PRIMARY MEMORY (MAIN MEMORY)

Primary memory holds only those data and commands on which the computer is presently working. It has a limited
capacity and data is lost when the power is switched off. It is mostly made up of semiconductor devices. These
memories are not fast as registers. The data and information required to be processed is resides in the main
memory. It is divided into two subcategories RAM and ROM.

Characteristics of Main Memory

 These are semiconductor memories.
 It is known as the main memory.
 Usually volatile memory.
 Data is lost in case the power is switched off.
 It is the working memory of the computer.
 Faster than secondary memories.
 A computer cannot run without primary memory.

SECONDARY MEMORY

This kind of memory is likewise referred to as external memory or non-volatile. It is slower than the primary
memory (main memory). These are used for storing data/information permanently. CPU directly does not access
these memories, alternatively, they may be accessed through input-output routines. The contents of secondary
memory are first transferred to the primary memory, after which the CPU can get admission to it. For example,
disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.

Characteristics of Secondary Memory

 It is magnetic and optical memory.
 It is called the backup memory.
 It is a non-volatile memory.
 Data is permanently stored even if power is switched off.
 It is used for storage of data in a computer.
 The computer may run without secondary memory.
 Slower than the main memory.

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

includes the following features:

 CPU is considered the brain of the computer.
 CPU performs all types of data processing operations.
 It stores data, intermediate results, and instructions (program).
 It controls the operation of all components of the computer.

Three Components of CPU

 Memory or Storage Unit
 Control Unit
 ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

SYSTEM BOARD (MAIN BOARD OR MOTHERBOARD)

The system board is likewise called the mainboard or motherboard. The system board controls communications
for the whole computer system. Every component inside the system unit connects to the system board.

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All external devices along with the keyboard, mouse, and monitor connect with the system board. It acts as
a data path and traffic monitor, permitting the various component to communicate effectively with one another.

Features of Motherboard
 Motherboard varies significantly in helping various types of components.
 The motherboard helps a single type of CPU and a few types of memory.
 Video cards, hard disks, and sound cards have to be compatible with the motherboard to function
properly.
 Motherboards, cases, and power supplies must be compatible to work properly together.

LEARNING CONTENTS (SOFTWARE)

SOFTWARE

Software is another name for programs. Programs are the commands that inform the computer of a way to
process data into the form you want. In most cases, for words software and programs are interchangeable.

There are two types of software

 System Software
 Application Software

SYSTEM SOFTWARE
The user often interacts with application software. System software allows the application software to have
interaction with the computer hardware. System software is a "background" software program that facilitates
the computer to manage its internal resources.

System software is not a single program. Rather it is a collection of programs including the following:

OPERATING SYSTEM is a program that coordinates computer resources, offers an interface between the users
and the computer, and runs applications. Microsoft's Windows 8 and Apple's Mac OS X are two of the best-
identified Operating Systems.

Every computer has an operating system and each operating system executes a variety of functions.
These functions may be labeled into three groups: managing computer resources, providing a user interface, and
running applications.

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 Resources. These programs coordinate all the computer's assets which include memory, processing, storage,
and devices like printers and monitors. They also monitor system performance, schedule jobs, provide
security, and start up the computer.
 User Interface. Users engage with application programs and computer hardware through a user interface.
Several older operating systems use a character-based interface wherein users communicated with the
operating system through written commands like "Copy A: assign.doc to C:". Almost all modern operating
systems use a graphical user interface (GUI).

 Application. These programs load and run applications like word processors and spreadsheets. Several
operating systems help multitasking, or the capacity to interchange among applications stored in memory.
With multitasking, you can have Word and Excel running at the same time and easily switch between the
two. The software which you are presently working on is defined as running in the foreground. Different
software or programs are running in the background.

DEVICE DRIVERS are specialized programs designed to allow particular input or output devices to communicate
with the rest of the computer system.

Examples of Device Drivers

 Printers
 Video Adapters
 Network Cards
 Sound Cards
 Local buses of various sorts—in particular, for bus mastering modern systems
 Low-bandwidth I/O buses of various sorts (for pointing devices such as mouse, keyboards, USB, etc.)
 Computer Storage devices such as hard disk, CD-ROM, and floppy disk buses (ATA, SATA, SCSI)
 Implementing support for different file system
 Image scanners
 Digital Cameras

UTILITIES also called service programs to carry out specific tasks associated with managing computer resources.
There are loads of various software applications. The maximum vital are:

 Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs that understand and accurate problems, preferably before
they become serious.

 Antivirus programs guard your computer system against viruses or different damaging programs that
could invade your computer system.

 Uninstall programs that permit you effectively cast off unneeded applications and associated documents
from your hard disk.

 Backup programs that make copies of documents for use in case the originals are misplaced or damaged.

 File compression programs lessen the scale of documents so that they use much less storage space and
may be sent more efficiently over the Internet.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Application software is probably defined as end-user software. Three kinds of application software are general-
purpose, specialized, and mobile apps.

 General-Purpose Applications are broadly utilized in almost all professional areas. They are sorts of
programs you need to recognize to be considered computer competent. One of those general-purpose
applications is a browser to navigate, explore, and locate information on the Internet. The three most widely
used browsers are Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Google Chrome.

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 Specialized Applications encompass thousands of different programs which can be more narrowly focused
on precise disciplines and occupations. Two of the best-known are graphics and web authoring programs.

 Mobile Apps or Cellular Applications are small programs designed for cellular gadgets such as
smartphones, tablet computers, and different cellular gadgets. There are over half of million apps.
The very famous cellular apps are for text messaging, internet browsing, and connecting to social networks.

LEARNING CONTENT (PEOPLEWARE)

PEOPLEWARE

The term “peopleware” represents the personnel concerned with system analysis, programming, computer
operations, system maintenance, and the like. Systems analysis and design are the roles of the systems analyst.
Program development is the specialty of the programmer. Systems development is the job of
computer operators, input data preparation staff, and output preparation clerks. Output preparation includes
collating, busting, and binding the reports before they are delivered to the user. Commonly, analysts do
certain programming in addition to analysis. Correspondingly, programmers do certain systems work in addition
to programming. Such an arrangement distributes the overall workload among the existing staff. It also helps
programmers prepare for greater involvement in systems analysis in the future.

Peopleware can discuss something that has to do with the role of people in the improvement or use
of computer software and hardware systems, such as such problems as developer productivity,
teamwork, group dynamics, the psychology of programming, project management, organizational factors,
human interface design, and human-machine-interaction.

LEARNING ACTIVITY

Self-check Questions

Name:_____________________________________ Course/Year:_________ Date:________ Score:_______

IDENTIFICATION: Answer the following statements. Write your answers in the blank space provided before
each number.
_______________ 1. It controls communications for the whole computer system.
_______________ 2. Programs that coordinate computer resources, offer an interface between the users and
the computer and run applications.
_______________ 3. Refers to the physical part of the machine or elements of an electronic data processing
system.
_______________ 4. A very high-speed semiconductor memory that can accelerate the CPU.
_______________5. Hardware is used to translate words, sounds, images,
and movements that humans recognize right into a form that the system unit can process.
_______________ 6. These printers print an entire page at a time, accordingly, they are commonly known as
Page Printers.
_______________ 7. A non-impact character printer primarily based on a somewhat new technology. They
print characters by spraying small drops of ink into the paper to produce high-quality products with
presentable features.
_______________ 8. It makes copies of documents for use in case the originals are misplaced or damaged.
_______________ 9. Two subcategories of Primary Memory.
_______________ 10. The personnel is concerned with system analysis, programming, computer operations,
system maintenance, and the like.
_______________ 11. Any piece of computer hardware system used to connect the outcomes of data
processing carried through an information processing system (such as a computer) that converts the
electronically generated data into human-readable form.
_______________ 12. Specialized programs are designed to allow particular input or output devices to
communicate with the rest of the computer system.
_______________ 13. A “background” software program that facilitates the computer to manage its internal

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resources.
_______________ 14. The brain of the computer.
_______________ 15. An input device that transforms analog data into digital form.
_______________ 16. This kind of memory is likewise referred to as external memory or non-volatile.
_______________ 17. Audio-output devices translate audio records from the computer into sounds
that humans can understand.
_______________ 18. Also called service programs carry out specific tasks associated with managing
computer resources. There are loads of various software applications.
_______________ 19. A well-known input device that helps to input data to the computer.
_______________ 20. Normally referred to as Visual Display Units (VDU), are the main output device of a
computer.

ACRONYM:

1. OMR -____________________________________
2. ROM -____________________________________
3. OCR -____________________________________
4. DMP -____________________________________
5. CPU -____________________________________
6. MICR -____________________________________
7. CAD -____________________________________
8. CD -____________________________________
9. RAM -____________________________________
10. ALU -____________________________________

ESSAY: Give your idea about the given statements.

1. What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

2. Identify and describe the parts of the Motherboard.
3. What are the desktop operating systems? Differentiate Windows, macOS, and Unix-Linux.
4. Identify the different types of Secondary Storage and discuss the most important characteristics of
secondary storage.

SUMMARY

 The components of Computer Systems are Hardware, Software, and Peopleware.

 Hardware is the tangible part of computer systems that consist of Input devices, Output devices, Secondary
Storage devices, and Internal components
 Software is also known as programs that consist of system software and application software.
 System Software is not a single program that consists of an operating system, device drivers, and utilities.
 Application Software is the end-user software and the three kinds are general-purpose, specialized, and
mobile apps.
 Peopleware has to do with the role of people in the improvement or use of computer software
and hardware systems.

REFERENCES

Book and E-book

(2014) Computing Essentials, McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.
T. O'Leary, L. O'Leary (2014) Computing Essentials, McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.
Wiley (2014) Computing Fundamentals DIGITAL LITERACY EDITION, Faithe Wempen (ebook)
Volante, Tam (2014), Fundamentals of Information Technology, Unlimited Books Library Services & Publishing Inc.
Juny Pilapil La Putt (2012), Introduction to Computer Concepts, National Bookstore

Web-links
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_fundamentals/computer_components.htm
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Introduction_to_Computer_Information_Systems
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