PART 1

C H A P T E R 1 : O V E RV I E W O F A
COMPUTER SYSTEM

CSC118 FUNDAMENTALS OF ALGORITHM DEVELOPMENT

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 LESSON OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this chapter, students should be able to
describe:

 A computer and its components

 Computer hardware
 Computer software
 System unit (CPU & RAM )
 
 

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 WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

1 A computer is an electronic device,

2 operating under the control of instructions stored

in its own memory,

3 that can accept data, process the data according

to specified rules,

4 produce results,

5 store the results for future use

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 COMPUTER COMPONENTS

HARDWARE SOFTWARE
Consists of the physical devices Series of (step-by-step) instructions
that make up your computer system. that tell the computer how to do its work.
(It is also called a program)

An equipment that processes data Set of instructions that your computer

to create information includes hardware executes to process
input, output, storage and information for you.
processing device.

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 COMPUTER HARDWARE
6 categories / types of computer hardware:

• Allows user to enter data and instructions

into a computer.
• Captures information and translates it into a
form that can be processed and used by other
parts of your computer.
• Eg: use scanner to capture images, video
camera to capture your movement in the form
of a video, keyboard to key in data, mouse to
INPUT DEVICES click the operation button, microphone to
enter voice into the computer and etc.

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 COMPUTER HARDWARE
6 categories / types of computer hardware:

• Hardware component that conveys

information to one or more people.
• Takes information within your computer and
present it in a form that you can understand.
• Output devices help you see, hear or otherwise
receive information stored within your
computer system.
• For e.g.: use a set of speakers to hear music,
printer that produces text and graphics on
OUTPUT DEVICES physical medium such as paper, monitor
which displays text, graphics, and videos on a
screen

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 COMPUTER HARDWARE
6 categories/ types of computer hardware:

• The most important components of hardware

-together make up the real brains of computer.
• The central processing unit (CPU or
processor) is the chip that carries out
instructions it receives from software.
• RAM (Random Access Memory) is
temporary memory that holds software
instructions and information for the CPU. It is
CPU & RAM rather like your short-term memory - when
you turn off your computer, all information
in RAM is gone.

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 COMPUTER HARDWARE

• Temporary information storage in RAM is not

enough - need a means to more permanently
store information so you can recall and use it
at a later time.
• A storage device stores information so you can
recall and use that information at a later time.
Eg: disk drive, hard drive, DVD-RW drive,
STORAGE DEVICES CD-ROM drive.

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 COMPUTER HARDWARE

• Telecommunication devices help

communicate information to people in
other location. E.g.: cell phones, digital
pagers, modem, network card and etc.
TELECOMMUNICATIO
N DEVICES

• Computer contains a variety of connecting

devices so that information can move around
all your hardware.
• For example: you need some sort of connection
(cable) between your computer and a printer.
CONNECTING
DEVICES

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 COMPUTER HARDWARE
# CATEGORIES / TYPES EXAMPLES

Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Scanner,

1 INPUT DEVICES – for capturing data
Digital Camera and Web Cam

2
OUTPUT DEVICES – for presenting Monitor, Speaker and Portable Media
information Player

3
SYSTEM UNIT – for creating new Memory ,Central Processing Unit (CPU),
information by data processing Motherboard, Power Supply

Hard Disk, Compact Disc, USB Flash Drive,

4 STORAGE – for storing information Memory Card

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TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES – for Modem and Network Card
communicating information

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CONNECTING DEVICES – for moving Cables, Telephone Lines, Satellite
information to and from various hardware

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 COMPUTER SOFTWARE
2 categories/types of computer software:

 To run the computer.

 To control and maintain the operation of
SYSTEM computer and its devices.
SOFTWARE  Serve as the interface between computer
hardware, user and application software.
 Example: Operating System (Windows,
Linux,Unix) and Utility Program (Antivirus).

 Program designed to make user more productive.

 Assist user to with personal task and perform
APPLICATION specific information processing task such as
SOFTWARE writing term paper, and creating presentation slide
 Example: Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft PowerPoint
2013, spreadsheets, games, inventory program.

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SYSTEM UNIT

SYST E M U N I T

 All computer system have a system unit.

System unit contains most of the
computer’s electronic components.
 The basic components in the system unit,
including the system board,
microprocessor, memory, system clock,
expansion slots and cards, bus lines, ports,
cables and power supply units.

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SYSTEM UNIT

SYST E M U N I T

 System board – connects all system

components to one another.
 Microprocessor – controls operations and
performs arithmetic and logical operations.
 Memory – holds data, instructions, and
information.
 System clock – emits a beats or pulse that
sets the operating pace for all of the
components in the system unit.

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SYSTEM UNIT

SYST E M U N I T

 Expansion slots – provide connections for

expansion cards to the system board.
 Expansion card – allow external devices to
connect to and expand a computer’s capability.
 Bus lines – provide data pathways that
connect various system components.
 Ports – socket for external devices to connect
to the system unit.
 Cables – connect exterior devices to the system
unit via the ports.
 Power supply unit – converts AC (alternating
current) to DC (direct current), providing
power to the system unit.

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 SYSTEM UNIT
4 basic types of microcomputer system units:

 Typically contain the system’s electronic

components and selected secondary storage
devices.
 Input and output devices, such as mouse,
keyboard and monitor are located outside
DESKTOP the system unit.

 Portable and much smaller.

 These system units contain the electronic components,
selected secondary storage devices, and input devices
(keyboard and pointing device). Located outside the
system unit, the monitor is attached by hinges.
 Often called laptops.
NOTEBOOK
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 SYSTEM UNIT
4 basic types of microcomputer system units:

 Similar to notebook system units.

 Highly portable device that supports the use
of a stylus or pen to input commands and
data.
TABLET PC

 The smallest and are designed to fit into the palm of

one hand.
 Also known as palm computer, this system contains an
entire computer system, including the electronic
components, secondary storage, and input/output
devices.
HANDHELD  Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are the most widely
COMPUTER used handheld computers.

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