Computer System

Definition of Computer System

Def’n : The design and arrangement of the different
part of the computer in a single unit is known as
computer system.
A computer can not perform any kind of task in the absence of any of the
component.

The Four basic component of Computer System

1) Hardware or Hardware Unit (Input ,Output, Processing and Storage )
2) Software or Software Unit
3) Data or Information
4) User
Block Diagram of Computer System
 Hardware or Hardware Unit
 Hardware is the physical device of the computer . It is the tangible part
of the computer system without hardware software can’t work.

We can define hardware as :

All the electro mechanical part of the computer system are known as
computer hardware.

OR

All the physical part of the computer system which we can touch or feel
are known as computer hardware.
Some basic hardware component of Computer System
 Input Unit
Processing Unit
Output Unit
Memory and Storage Unit
 Input Unit or Input Hardware
 Computer cannot accept data in forms similar to human
communication such as speech and hand written document. It is
necessary to present the data to the computer in a way that the
computer can understand easily. To achieved this user used Input
unit , Input hardware or Input device of a computer system.

Def’n
Input unit is used to input data and instruction into the computer
system. Input unit accept the data , convert it into the computer
readable format and provide it for processing and storage. One of
the most common example of the input unit is the keyboard and
mouse.
Some common Input devices are
• Keyboard Mouse Joystick
• Microphone Scanner Lightpen
 Processing Hardware
 Processing unit is responsible to processes the incoming data.
Processing unit fetch the data and instruction from memory and
processes the data according to the instruction.

 The main processing device of the computer CPU

 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
 CPU is the main processing device of a computer system . It is also
known as brain of the computer. It’s primary function is to execute data
and instruction.
The function of the CPU are
1. To carry out processing
2. To give command to all parts of computer
3. To perform arithmetic and logical operation

Different part of CPU

4. Arithmetic and Logical Unit
5. Control Unit
6. Registers
 Control Unit :
Control unit is responsible to control the entire operation of the
computer system. It control the device such as memory , input and output
device connected to the CPU.

 Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) :

Arithmetic and logical unit perform arithmetic and logical
operation on data and control the speed of those operation as directed by
CU. Arithmetic operation are fundamental mathematical operation like :
Addition , subtraction , Multiplication and division.

 Registers:
Register are very small and very fast temporarily memory which is
used to hold data during execution of a program. Registers are part of the
CPU (not main memory). The number of register may vary between
different processors.
 Output Unit
 Output unit accept the outputs (which are in machine coded 0,1) and
translate it to the human understandable form. That means output unit
perform just opposite to the input unit.

 Output unit is responsible for the conversion of data into human

understandable / readable form.

There are two types of Output

1. Hardcopy Output
2. Softcopy Output
 Memory and Storage Unit
 Memory unit is responsible for storing data and instruction either
temporarily or permanent.

 In a computer system there are two types of memory devices is used :

1. Primary Memory or Main Memory

2. Secondary Memory or Auxiliary Memory

 Classification of Memory
Memory Unit

Primary Memory Secondary Memory

Magnetic Optical Flash

RAM ROM Cache
Memory Memory Memory

SRAM PROM L1 CD PD
Hard
Cache /DVD /Memory
EPROM Disk
DRAM Card
L2
EEPROM Cache
 Primary Memory
 It is the main memory of the computer. It is used to
store data and instruction during the processing. It is
the only memory that is directly accessible to CPU. It
is usually expensive faster and read/write memory of
the computer and also have small storage capacity.
Processor
Primary M.

Cache
Data Processing

Secondary Data
 RAM(Random Access Memory)
 RAM stand’s for Random Access Memory. It is the read and write
memory of the computer system. It possesses random access property
that means CPU can access any memory location directly. It is the
volatile memory i.e. it stores data or information as long as power
supply is on when the power supply is goes off ,the stored content
(data) in the RAM will be lost
 There are two types of RAM
SRAM
 SRAM stores data or instruction
as long as there is power on.
 It does not require refreshing
circuit .
 It has higher speed as compare
to DRAM
 SRAM is expensive than DRAM
DRAM
 DRAM losses its data or
instruction ever if there is power
on.
 It need to be refreshed
periodically so as to retain data or
programs stored in RAM, so
refreshing circuit is needed.
 It has lower speed as compare to
SRAM
 DRAM is cheaper compare to
SRAM
 ROM (Read Only Memory)
 The ROM is a primary memory of the computer in which data and
instructions are permanently stored. It can be used only to perform
read operation , it doesn’t have writing capabilities. It is non volatile
memory of the computer. In ROM data or instruction are stored at the
time of manufacturing.

 ROM stored a special kind of instruction (BIOS) that is used to start up

the computer.

 There are three different type of ROM

1. PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory )
2. EPROM ( Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory )
3. EEPROM ( Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only
Memory)
 Types of ROM
 PROM – It stands of Programmable Read Only Memory. It is a type of
ROM which can be programmed only once. Once the Program is
written into it, it cannot be erased again.

 EPROM – It stands of Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. It

is similar to PROM , but information can be erased later on by ultra
violet light and it can be reprogrammed.

 EEPROM – It stand or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only

Memory. In this memory data can be erased and
 Cache Memory
 Cache is a special ,high speed and expensive memory placed between
RAM and CPU whose access time is closer to the processing speed of
CPU. It is made by the component of static RAM. It is usually 5 to 10
time faster than RAM.

 There are two types of cache Internal cache and External cache.
 Cache present in the CPU is known as internal cache and cache
present in outside CPU is known as external cache.
 Secondary Memory

It is the additional memory of the computer.

It is used to storing huge amount of data for
longer period of time. It is also used to
transferring the data from one computer to
another computer. It is usually cheaper
,slower and used in large storage capacity .it
is not directly accessible to CPU.
 HDD( Hard Disk Drive)
 Hard disk is a magnetic disk that is used to as secondary memory for a
mass storage of data. It stores programs , data, operating system, and
software etc. In hard disk data are stored on electro magnetic field. In a
hard disk there are different platter ,in which data are stored
Structure of Hard Disk Drive
 CD /DVD
 Compact Disk (CD)
CD stands for Compact disk and it is a optical disk that is used to store
text, graphics and sound and video. It used laser beam technology to read
and write the data. To read the data from CD , CD ROM drive is used.

DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)

DVD stands for Digital Versatile Disk. DVD has much more storage
capacity as compared to CDs. It also used laser beam technology to store
data but it can store more data than CD. DVD-ROM is required to read the
data from DVD