Introduction To
Computer Organization
and Systems
Computer
What is the Computer ?
The Computer is a set of independent physical components and devices (Hardware),
which have a specific job to do for each one and working together by Software to make up
the computer system.
Computer perform three main operations:
Look inside the computer
SOFTWARE
HARDWARE
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Computers are made of
1. HARDWARE
2. SOFTWARE
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Hardware
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Hardware
The parts of computer itself (tangible objects )
including :
CPU (or Processor) and Primary memory (or Main Memory)
Input devices i.e the keyboard and mouse
Output devices
Storage devices
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The Case (System Unit or System Cabinet)
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Hardware
1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
2. Input units
3. Output units
4. Memory (Main or Primary Memory &
Secondary or Auxiliary Memory)
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Components of a Computer System
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Data
control unit (CU)
Memory output
Arithmetic
logic RAM units
Input
Unit (ALU)
units ROM
Auxiliary Information
Memory /Knowledge
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Hardware
Input Devices ...
Organization
CPU
memory
motherboard
hard drive
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Input Devices
• Translate data from form that humans
understand to one that the computer can
work with
• Most common are keyboard and mouse
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Examples of Input Devices
1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Scanner
4. Pre-storage Devise (Disk, CD’s, … etc.)
5. Optical mark recognition (Light Pin , Bar code scanners)
6. Microphone
7. Joystick .
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Examples of Input Devices
8. Point and Draw devices
9. Trackball
10. Touchpad
11. Touch screen
12. Magnetic stripes and smart cars.
13. Digital Cameras
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Hardware Organization
CPU
memory
hard drive
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Mother-Board (or Main Board)
CPU
RAM
ROM
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Hardware Organization
CPU
memory
motherboard
hard drive
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Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• A specific chip or the processor
a CPU's performance is determined by
the rest of the computers circuitry and
chips.
• The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
performs the actual processing of data
• The speed (clock speed) of CPU
measured by Hertz (MHz)
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The CPU consists of :
Control Unit (CU)
Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU)
Some Registers
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Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Control Unit (CU)
Arithmetic Logic
Unit (ALU)
Registers
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The Control Unit (CU) :
coordinates all activities of the computer
by:
Determining which operations to perform and in what order to carry them
out.
The CU transmits coordinating control signals to other computer
components.
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The ALU :
consists of electronic circuitry to perform:
Arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division)
Logical operations (and, or, not, …) and to make some
comparisons (less-than, equal, … etc.)
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Hardware Organization
CPU
memory
motherboard
hard drive
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Primary Memory
Memory (fast, expensive, short-term memory): Enables a
computer to store, at least temporarily, data, programs, and
intermediate results.
Two general parts:
1.RAM
2.ROM
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Know How Computer Memory Is Measured
Bit
◦ All computers work on a binary numbering system, i.e. they process data in
one's or zero's. This 1 or 0 level of storage is called a bit.
Byte
◦ A byte consists of eight bits.
Kilobyte
◦ A kilobyte (KB) consists of 1024 bytes.
Megabyte
◦ A megabyte (MB) consists of 1024 kilobytes.
Gigabyte
◦ A gigabyte (GB) consists of 1024 megabytes.
Main Memory
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RAM (Main Memory)
its a primary storage or random access memory (RAM).
it temporarily holds data and programs for use during
processing (volatile)
Any information stored in RAM is lost when the computer
is turned off.
RAM is the memory that the computer uses to temporarily
store the information as it is being processed. The more
information being processed the more RAM the computer
needs.
RAM consists of locations or cells. Each cell has a unique
address which distinguishes it from other cells. 29
ROM: Read Only Memory
ROM is part of memory
Programmed at manufacturing time
Its contents cannot be changed by users
It is a permanent store
Q: Mention some examples of ROM?
A: (PROM & EPROM )
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Other Kind of Memory
PROM: Programmable Read Only Memory.
EPROM: Erasable Programmable Read Only
Memory
Cache Memory
Registers: not part of the main memory.
Q : Registers are part of “ …… ” ?
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Secondary Storage
Stores data and programs permanently:
its retained after the power is turned off
Examples
• Hard Drive (Hard Disk)
Located outside the CPU, but most often
contained in the system cabinet
• Floppy Disk
• Optical Laser Discs
CD-ROM, CD-RW, and DVD
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Kinds of Disk Drives
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Common Secondary Media
• Diskettes
– Data represented as magnetic spots on removable
flexible plastic disks
– Most common size is 3 1/2 inches, in a rigid plastic
case
– Disk drive holds the diskette, reads or retrieves
the data and writes or stores data
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Common Secondary Media
• Hard drive
– Data is represented magnetically as with
diskettes
– Normally more than one rigid platter in a
sealed unit
– These disks are not removable
– Significantly more capacity and faster
operating than diskettes
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Optical Laser Discs
CD ROM & DVD’s
◦ Data is represented as pits and lands
◦ Some kinds are read only (CD-ROM) and some Kinds are rewritable (CD-RW)
◦ Significantly more capacity and faster operating than diskettes
DVD: Digital Video Disk 36
Common Secondary Media
Approximate printed
Disk size Amount of storage
8.5 x 11 inch pages
5.25 low density 360 Kb 180 pages
3.5 low density 720 Kb 360 pages
5.25 high density 1.2 Mb 600 pages
3.5 high density 1.44 Mb 720 pages
CD 700 MB a small library
DVD 8.5 GB a feature length movie
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Common Secondary Media
tapes
Panasonic's LS120 3.5 inch diskettes
Iomega's Zip & Jazz disks
VCR tape (Video Cassette Recorder )
Flash USB disks
MMC (Multi Media Card )
SD
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Hardware Organization
CPU
memory
hard drive
Output … 39
CPU
Output Devices
Pieces of equipment that translate the
processed information from the CPU into a
form that humans can understand.
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Output Devices
Monitors
Printers
Dot matrix printers
Ink jet printers
Laser printers
Sound Blasters (Sound Card By Creative Lab)
Controlling other devices
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Software
The instructions that tell the computer
what to do
1. Application Software - helps end-users
perform general purpose tasks
2. System Software - enables application
software to interact with the computer
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System Software
THE MOST IMPORTANT
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
IS THE
OPERATING SYSTEM
EXAMPLES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS:
WINDOWS XP, DOS, APPLE, UNIX
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System Software
• The software that controls everything
that happens in a computer.
• Background software, manages the
computer’s internal resources
Resources examples : CPU, RAM , I/O devices, …
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All hardware and software are under the control of the operating system.
Among other things, the operating system:
1. Determines how valuable RAM is allotted to programs.
2. Performs tasks related to file management.
3. Sets priorities for handling tasks.
4. Manages the flow of instructions, data and information to and from the
processor (CPU).
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Examples of Microcomputer
Operating System Software
• DOS - original standard for IBM
compatibles
• Windows - a graphical operating
environment
Windows VISTA, XP, millennium,
2000, 98, and 95
Continue … 46
Examples of Microcomputer
Operating System Software Cont.
• Windows NT - for powerful workstations &
networks
• OS/2 - competitor to Windows 2000
• Macintosh Operating System
• Unix - originally for minicomputers, now used
on microcomputers and Internet servers
Question: List some examples of operating
systems ?
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Application Software
Packaged Custom
• Packaged - “off the shelf”, pre-written
programs ( General purpose)
• Custom - written for an organization’s
specific purpose (Special purpose)
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Application Software – Basic Tools
• Word processors– example: Microsoft
word
• Spreadsheets-- example: Microsoft
Excel
• Database managers-- example:
Microsoft Access
• Graphics-- example: Photoshop
Spreadsheets: Computer software that allows the user to enter
columns and rows of numbers in a accounting book like format.
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