Types and Components of Computer systems

Hardware
● Tangible physical components of a computer system
● You can feel it or touch it
● Internal hardware devices
○ Processor
○ Motherboard
○ RAM and ROM
○ Video and sound cards
○ Internal hard disk drives
● External hardware devices
○ Monitor
○ Keyboard
○ Mouse
○ Printer
○ External storage devices

Software
● Programs that control computer systems
● Set of instructions that make computer do something
● You cannot physically touch software
● Application software
○ Programs that allow the user to do specific task
○ Design to carry out tasks
○ Can be general purpose software or custom-made software (specialist software)
○ E.g. spreadsheets, databases, word processing
● System software
○ Programs that allow the hardware to run properly
○ Control computers hardware and application program
○ Communication with user
○ E.g. operating system, device drivers, compilers

Components of computer system

● CPU
○ Processing done by central processing unit
○ Three main components
■ Control unit → coordinates input and output devices and carries out program instructions
■ Arithmetic and logical unit (ALU) → performs calculations and logical comparison
■ Immediate access store (IAS) → holds data and program instruction in current use
○ Microprocessor
■ Used instead of CPU
■ Single integrated circuit
● Internal/ Main memory
○ Stores all data → application software, operating system, data files
○ Consists of ROM and RAM
○ Both RAM and ROM are integrated chips
● RAM
○ Random access memory is an internal chip where data is stored temporarily
○ Memory can be written to and read from
○ RAM > ROM
○ Stores anything that needs to be changed
○ All programs and data being used are on RAM
○ Contents lost when computer is turned off
○ Referred to as volatile memory
● ROM
○ Read only memory is memory used to store permanent information
○ Used to contain configuration data for computer science
○ Chips cannot be altered, only read from
○ Data not lost when computer is turned off
○ Referred to as non-volatile memory
● BIOS
○ ROM contains boot files, referred to as BIOS (basic input/output system)
○ Tells computer what to do when it starts
○ Does hardware check when computer is turned on
○ Then it leads operating system into RAM
○ BIOS stores date, time and system configuration

● Input devices
○ Purpose is to provide data for processing
○ Data is raw facts which alone have no meaning
○ Examples: keyboard, mouse

● Output devices
○ Displays result of processing
○ Information is processed data which has been given meaning
○ Examples: monitor, printer

● Secondary/ backing storage

○ Stores data/ information and programs not being used at current time
○ Backing store device = reader or recorder
■ Example: hard disk drive
○ Backing store media = hardware containing data
■ Example: hard disk

● Operating systems
○ Enables users to communicate with computer systems
■ Controls operation of input and backing storage
■ Supervises loading, running and storage application program
■ Deals with error in application programs
■ Maintains a security of whole computer systems
■ Maintains a computer log
■ Two main types of interfaces: CLI and GUI
● CLI (command line interface)
○ Types commands to tell the computer what to do
■ The user must know all the commands
■ Must not make typing errors
○ Used by technicians
○ Can access everything on the computer system
○ GUI users can only access places they have icons for

● Advantages of CLI
○ Knowing the correct commands, this can be much faster than any other interface type
○ Users much less RAM than any other interface type
○ Low resolution, cheap monitors can be used
○ CLI does not require Windows to run

● Disadvantages of CLI
○ Can be confusing
○ Commands must be typed precisely, if there is a spelling error, the command will fail
○ If you mistype an instruction, it is often necessary to start all over again
○ Large number of commands need to be learned

● GUI (graphical user interface)

○ Uses graphics to stand for the complicated actions
○ Uses icons
○ Uses a mouse to select the icons
○ Screen divided into windows allows different things on each
○ WIMP - windows icons menus pointers

● Advantages of GUI
○ Easy to use because requires little IT knowledge
○ Easy to explore and find your way around the system
○ Do not have to learn complicated commands
○ Exchange data between different software
○ Good help facilities provided with GUI’s

● Disadvantages of GUI
○ Larger amount of hard disk space than other interfaces
○ Significantly more memory (RAM) to run than other interface type
○ GUI use more processing power than other types of interfaces
○ Gui can be slow for experienced programmers to use, they find CLI much faster

● Desktop/ personal computers

○ Refers to general purpose computers
○ PC refers to IBM compatible computers, distinguishing them from the Macs
○ Made up of separate monitor, keyboard, mouse and processing unit

● Advantages
○ Spare parts standardised results in low costs
○ Tend to have better specifications
○ Large casing allows good dissipation of heat build up
● Disadvantages
○ Not portable since they are made up of separate components
○ Wiring clutters up desk space
○ Necessary to copy files as they aren’t portable

● Laptop/ notebook computers

○ Refers to computers where monitor, keyboard, pointing device and processor together in a
single unit
○ Extremely portable systems
■ Low weight
■ Low power consumption
■ Processor doesn’t generate too much heat

● Advantages
○ Portable because monitor, pointing device, keyboards, processor and backing store units are
together in one boc
○ No trailing wires
○ Full advantage of wifi
○ cn an link to any multimedia system

● Disadvantages
○ Easy to steel
○ Limited battery, need to carry charger
○ Keyboard and pointing device awkward to use
○ Heat dissipation is difficult due to laptop structure

● Tablet computers
○ These are small handheld devices that can perform many functions that PCs and laptops do
○ Often use touch screens to operate
○ On-screen virtual keyboard replaces physical keyboard
○ Often used by graphic designers to digitize their content with a stylus pen
○ Can be used like a PC and and smartphone

● Advantages
○ Small light and portable
○ Built in cameras for photos and videos
○ Touchscreen can be used with a stylus pen
○ Long battery life

● Disadvantages
○ Less storage spaces
○ Lacks power of laptop/pc
○ Digital keyboard can be difficult to use
○ Touchscreen may be difficult to use for detailed work

● Smartphone
○ Modern phones that can perform similar tasks to all the above
○ Main use of smartphones is social media and day to day planning
○ Use varies from person to person
● Advantages
○ Smallest lightest most portable
○ integrated/ virtual keyboard
○ Often the least expensive device
○ More practical for day-to-day use

● Disadvantages
○ Small screen may be difficult to use
○ Not as powerful as other devices
○ Often has the lowest battery life
○ Small size makes it easy to steal/lose

● Artificial intelligence (AI)

○ Technology that focuses on creating a computer system that can closely mimic or stimulate
human intelligence
○ AI can be used to
■ Enhance video games and computer tactics
■ Helo decision making steps in expert systems
■ Make robots to imitate human behaviour
■ Understand different human languages
○ Impact on everyday life
■ Can be used to accurately predict hazardous weather conditions and signal warnings
automatically
■ Take over menial tasks for humans; increasing our leisure time
■ Can be used for safer automated travel; cars that can drive and park by themselves
■ Increases home safety by being able to tell the difference between owner and intruder,
call authorities automatically
■ Improved medical care as decision making skills and precision can be enhanced

● Biometrics
○ A part of a person’s body is used to identify that individual
○ Can be
■ Fingerprints, retina, iris, face, voice
○ These are all unique to everyone thus can be used as an authentication technique
○ Must be added initially to a system to use as identification
○ Impacts on everyday life
■ Better security at the airport since most use at least one form of biometric check
■ Increased security in certain places as only authorised personnel can gain entry
■ Reduced vehicle theft since newer car doors come with a fingerprint lock on the door
handle
■ More secure mobile devices as most now have some sort of biometrics integrated into
them

● Vision enhancement
○ LVES → low vision enhancement systems; video projected inside a headset in front of the
user’s eyes. Brings the object closer for the viewer
○ NVE → night vision enhancement; amplifies visible and infrared light. Light passed through
image intensifier tube where light is converted to electrons, then amplified and then light up
screen with phosphor dust
● Robotics
○ Programmed machinery widely used to do physically demanding tasks
○ Can be automated or manually operated
○ Used to perform several tasks
■ Dangerous jobs such as bomb disposal
■ Exploring extreme environments such as volcanoes
■ Repetitive manufacturing jobs cuh as welding
■ Moving heavy objects such as large engines
○ Impacts on everyday life
■ Increased personal time since robots can take over domestic chores
■ Increased manufacturing efficiency since robots are much faster and less expensive
than human labour
■ Unemployment as robots replace humans in autonomous jobs
■ Safer working environments since robots can perform tasks that are too dangerous for
humans

● Quantum cryptography
○ Technology that allows messages and data to be sent with complete privacy, basically,
advanced encryption
○ Older encryption is based on mathematics, but this new tech uses physics
○ Makes it much more complex to decrypt

● Quantum Cryptography
○ Technology that allows messages and data to be sent with complete privacy; basically,
advanced encryption
○ Older encryption is based on mathematics, but this new tech uses physics
○ Makes it much more complex to decrypt
○ Impacts on everyday life:
■ Completely secure voting ensuring that votes cannot be tampered with or changed
■ Completely secure communication eliminating the risk of being read/heard by the wrong
eyes/ears
■ Completely secure bank transactions so money goes exactly where it is intended
■ Completely secure personal information preventing hackers access to intrusive details
about a person

● Computer Assisted Translation (CAT)

○ When human translators use computer software to help in the translation process
○ Can reduce translation time
○ May not be 100% accurate
○ Common CAT tools
■ Spell checkers
■ Translation memory software
■ Language search-engine software
○ Impacts on everyday life:
■ More accurate documents since most software can automatically detect errors
■ More multilingual society since anyone with an internet connection can now essentially
learn multiple languages using translators
■ Quicker translations
● 3D & Holographic Imaging
○ Technology that makes images appear to be 3-dimensional by adding a layer of depth
○ Holograms use 2 regular 2D images and manipulate
○ Different laser beams are used to record the 2D image onto a single photographic plate
○ This creates an illusion of one 3D images
○ Impact on everyday life:
■ Improved security since majority of credit/ID cards, bank notes use holograms to prevent
forgery
■ Better movie experiences since 3D viewing can provide a more immersive experience
for the audience
■ Greater data storage since holographic layers can potentially decrease the thickness of
disc storage

● Virtual Reality (VR)

○ When computers create an artificial environment that users can virtually interact with
○ Uses:
■ Allow architects to walk around a virtual version of their design
■ Training soldiers for combat by allowing them to fight against virtual enemies
■ Training surgeons by allowing them to operate on virtual patients
■ Playing games and enhance the level of immersion
○ General VR equipment:
■ Eye goggles that produce 3D images to develop the artificial environment
■ Special gloves or controllers to perform precise actions inside the simulation
■ Headphones to control what is heard in the virtual world
■ Powerful computer to run the entire VR system in real time
○ Impacts on everyday life:
■ Improved medical surgeons/soldiers
■ Stronger buildings
■ Treatment of phobias as certain situations can be treated using simulations
■ More realistic education as students can learn in a more interactive environment