 COMPUTER SYSTEM

A computer system is an electronic device that accepts data as input (through input
devices like, keyboard and mouse), processes the input data by performing
mathematical and logical operations (through the CPU) and gives the desired output
(through output devices like, monitor and printer). The computer also stores a large
amount of data and information, either temporarily or permanently in memory devices.
Computer works with an interaction between hardware and software.

 HARDWARE
Hardware refers to any physical component of a computer. Monitor, keyboard and
hard disk are physical components and some example of hardware. The most
important piece of hardware is a CPU. It is called the 'brain' of the computer.

 SOFTWARE
Software refers to a collection of programs. It is a set of instructions that tell the
computer about the task to be performed and how these tasks are to be performed.
Operating Systems, applications, utilities and so on, are examples of software
Both hardware and software are dependent on each other. Devices like CPU, memory
unit and hard disk are useless, they are provided with instructions and data for storage
and processing.
 WORKING OF COMPUTER
 IPO (input processing output)
 IPOS (input processing output storage)
1. Input – Command given to computer.
2. Processing – Working on the given command.
3. Output – Result of the given command.
4. Storage – saving the command.

 INPUT DEVICES
1. Keyboard: A computer keyboard is the most common and standard input device. It
is an electro mechanical device designed to transmit specialised electronic codes
when a key is pressed.
2. Mouse The mouse is an important input device. A mouse allows control of an on-
screen pointer called a cursor, which commonly looks like an arrow.

3. Digital Camera: A digital camera is very similar to the traditional camera. Digital
camera or webcam is used to capture and store data in the form of still and video
images. It has become very popular on the Internet chatting.

4. Barcode Reader: A barcode reader is a pattern printed in lines of different thickness

that can be seen on many products. A barcode reader is used to scan the barcode of a
product.

5. Joystick: Joysticks were initially used as control devices for aircraft. It is movable
stick with buttons attached to a base that helps control and record the movements
into software.
 6. Biometric Devices: Biometric devices measure human traits for authentication. This
can include, fingerprints, eye retina and iris, voice patterns, facial patterns and hand
measurements for authentication.

7. Scanner: A scanner is used to transfer printed text or pictures into a computer. The
scanned document is displayed on the monitor. Flatbed and barcode scanners are the
two most commonly used scanners.

 PROCESSING DEVICE

1. CPU: A computer works on the stored information or the instructions given with the
help of CPU (Central Processing Unit). It changes the given data into meaningful
information. This is called processing.
 OUTPUT DEVICES

1. Monitor: A monitor is a very important output device. It is also called Visual

Display Unit (VDU). The screen of a monitor is made up of tiny dots called pixels,
which are arranged in a rectangular form.

2. Printer: A printer is used to print text and pictures on paper. The printed output is
called hard copy output. There are three main types of printers: dot-matrix printer,
laser printer and inkjet printer.

3. Projector: A projector is used to project text, images and videos on a large screen. It
is commonly used in schools, colleges and offices.
 4. Speakers: Speakers produce sound from a computer. We can listen to music or any
other sound using a speaker.

 STORAGE DEVICES

1. Hard Disk: A hard disk is the main secondary storage device found Inside a
computer. It is present inside the CPU box. It can store large amount of data. All the
work done on a computer can be stored on a hard disk. Hard disks or hard disk
drives come in different storage capacities of 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2TB.

2. External Hard Disk: An external hard disk is a portable storage device that can be
connected to a computer through a USB cable. It can store a large amount of data.
You can connect the hard disk to your computer, transfer your data to it, and carry
the hard disk anywhere with you.
3. CD: CDs or Compact Discs are thin, shiny, round discs which are used to store data.
They are also called CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory). A CD can
store up to 700 MB data. They can be easily carried from one place to another. A
CD is used to store various data like text, images, audio, or video. To use a CD, we
need a CD drive in the CPU cabinet.

4. DVD: A DVD or Digital Versatile Disc looks like a CD. The storage capacity of a
DVD varies from 4.7 to 17 GB It can store songs or movies with high sound and
video quality A DVD can be single or double sided A device called DVD drive is
needed to use the DVD.

5. Blu-ray disc: A Blu-ray disc is also a circular disc like a CD or DVD. Blue-ray disc
has been named so because of the blue-violet laser technology, that is used to read
and write data on it. It is the storage device used for recording and playing video in
high-definition (HD) A blue-ray disc can store up to 50 GB.
6. Flash Drive (or Pen drive): A flash drive is a small and portable storage device
which is plugged into a computer's USB port. It is also known as pen drive or USB
drive. It is small enough to be carried in a pocket. A flash drive comes in different
shapes and storage capacities such as 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB and 1 TB.

7. Memory Card: A memory card is a storage medium for devices such as cell phones,
digital cameras and music players. Data stored in it can be transferred to a computer.
This is normally done by inserting it into a memory card reader and connecting the
reader to the computer through a USB.