CSC 101 : Introduction to Computer Science

WEEK 3
 The System (Mother) Board

• contained within the CPU

• all vital computer part are plugged directly to the
system board.
• Other items such as the hard disk are attached to
the system board, either directly or via cables.
These boards are getting smaller and smaller as the
components become more integrated

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3
 Main Memory
The main memory is also called Internal storage or
primary storage/memory. The Internal memory of a
computer is an integral element of the processing unit
and may be referred to as the computer’s working
memory. It is used for storing software in the form of
operating system, application programs and utility
routines, etc.

Internal storage has to be complimented by external

storage, that is, storage external to the processor, which
is referred to as “BANKING STORAGE”. This is used for
mass storage whereas internal storage is used for
immediate access requirements. 4
 The Control Unit

coordinates and supervises all activities within CPU.

(i) Receives instructions from the input unit and decode
the instruction.
(ii) Fetches data from the main memory and generates
signals that are required to act on and execute the
instruction.
(iii) Keeps constant touch with input equipment,
coordinates and keeps tracks of the instructions that
have been executed.
(iv) It does not partake in the processing function or store
data, rather directs the sequence of operations in and
outside the CPU. 5
(iii) The Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

This is the unit where arithmetic and

logical operations are carried out. It
perform arithmetic operation such as
addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, logical operation (AND, OR, NOT)
and relational operations (<, >, <=, >=, =,
<>).
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 Random Access Memory (RAM)
• main 'working' memory used by the computer
• modern computer can effectively house as much
RAM as you can afford to buy.
• modern computers are supplied with over 128 MB
of RAM.
• a Microsoft Windows based computer will operate
faster if you install higher size RAM
• Data and programs stored in RAM are volatile (i.e.
The information is lost when you switch off the
computer).
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 (3) STORAGE UNIT
Read only Memory (ROM)
This unit is also known as Secondary storage, Auxiliary
storage, Backing storage or External storage. Data
coming to the computer are received by the memory
and passed to a permanent storage device. This
memory is used to store data not currently being
operated on but which will be transferred to the main
storage when required. Secondary storage is non-
volatile and retains data even when the computer is
turned off. There are many kinds of secondary
storage; the most common ones are magnetic tape,
magnetic disk and compact disk. 8
 Difference between ROM and RAM

Primary (RAM) Secondary (ROM)

1 Primary storage/memory is also Secondary storage or memory is also

called Internal or main storage called External or auxiliary storage

2 It has high speed It has low speed low

3 It is very expensive It is not expensive

4 It holds data or programs It holds data or programs

temporary permanently

5 It holds programs and data in It holds program or data that will

current use in CPU still be used in primary storage

6 It is faster It is not fast (as primary)

7 It holds less data It holds large volume of data or files

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(4) OUTPUT UNIT
An output unit is a medium which a computer uses to
produce out processed or computed results for users
in readable form. Results are either soft copy or hard
copy type. A software copy output is the result
displayed on the monitor while hardcopy is the output
printed on paper.
Output devices on the other hand, decode the data into
information. Examples are:
Monitors
Printers
Plotters
Computer Output Microfilm (COM)
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
 COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Software can be defined as the sets of instruction and
procedures passed to the computer to perform certain
activities or tasks. That is, it is the set of instruction
directed to a computer system to perform a specific
task. It is often called computer program. It is the
program, which direct the operations of computer
systems. It is the invisible part of the computer system.
Without the software, the computer system is useless.

There are two types of software namely:

• System software
• Application software 11
 SYSTEM SOFTWARE

System software is sets of one or more programs designed

to control and supervise the operation and performance of
a computer system. They are the software that acts as
interface between the hardware and the user or computer
resources. The overall control of the hardware operations
and the user self-written programs is done by the system
software.

The systems software may be divided into the following:

Operating systems
Utilities and service programs
Translators
Database Management System 12
Operating System (OS): is a software that manages the
resources of the computer. The workings of all hardware
components as well as execution of application
programs are controlled by the operating systems (OS).
Those programs are concerned with the internal control and
co-ordination of all aspects of the computer system,

Utilities and service programs: are used for general

housekeeping on the computer. They are system
programs that provides useful service to the user of the
computer by providing facilities for performing common
tasks in a routine nature. These tasks are: Formatting a
disk, copying of files, sorting, printing, editing, back-up
e.t.c 13
These services include translators
for any languages supported by the
system and utility programs such as
program editors and other aids to
programming;
- graphical user interfaces (GUls)
providing intuitive, easily learned
methods for using microcomputer
systems. 14
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE

• Application software or program is a computer

program designed to help users perform a certain
kind of activity. Depending on the task(s) for which
it was designed, an application program can
manipulate text, numbers, graphics or a
combination of these elements.

• Application software consists of a number of

programs designed to perform specific tasks for
users.
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 SUMMARY
Computer is made up of two components:
Hardware Component
Software Component

Hardware Component
The Hardware has the following basic components:
 Input Unit
 The Central Processing Unit
 Storage Unit
 Output Unit
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Software Component
There are two types of software namely:
• System software
• Application software

The systems software may be divided into the

following:
• Operating systems
• Utilities and service programs
• Translators
• Database Management System
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• What is an Operating System?
An operating system (OS) is the interface between
the user and the hardware. It implements a virtual
machine that is
• easier to program than bare hardware
• OS provides standard services (an interface) which
are implemented on the hardware, including:
Processes, CPU scheduling, memory
• Management- file system, networking
• OS coordinates multiple applications and users in a
fair and efficient manner - The goal of OS
development is to make the machine convenient
to use and efficient 18
Why Study Operating Systems?
• Abstraction — how do you give the users the
illusion of infinite resources (CPU time, memory,
file space)?
• System design —tradeoffs between:
• performance and convenience of these
• abstractions
- performance and simplicity of OS
- - functionality in hardware or software
• Primary intersection point — OS is the point where
hardware, software, programming languages, data
structures and algorithms all come together
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The main functions of operating systems

• the function of an operating system is to

manage the resources of the computer
system.
• Generally, the resources managed by OS are
- CPU,
- Memory,
- Input/Output Devices,
- Backing Store and Files.
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• Other functions include:
• interpretation of the command
• error handling- detecting and reporting malfunctioning
peripherals;
• - Security: protection of data files and programs from
unauthorized use;
Accounting and logging of the use of the computer resources.
• - Program loading to the main memory for processing
• - Multiprogramming
• - Interrupt handling
• - Job Sequencing and Scheduling
• - File Management
- Peripheral Control
• - Recovery from System Failure 21
 Some operating systems are:

• OS/2,
• Windows 95, 98, ME, 7, 8, 9,10
• Windows XP, VISTA,
• UNIX,
• MS-DOS,
• Windows NT etc. 22
• - Single Program OS: allow one user’s program at a
time
• Simple Batch Systems: Provides multiprogramming
of batch programs but have few facilities for multi-
access
• - Multi-access and Time-sharing: Allows multiple
access to system resources and therefore share
processors time to cope with numerous users
• - Real-time system: Used in any real time data
processing technique

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 Graphical User Interfaces (GUl)
• The vast majority of microcomputer users are
interested merely in using a computer
• as a tool, without any real interest in the technical
details of its operation. A typical
• user will probably want to run one or more
common general-purpose applications,
• organize files into directories, delete files and
format disks. Though the operating
• system will provide these services, the user needs
to have a certain amount of
• technical knowledge to perform these tasks.
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• Commercial Packages
• These are the kind of application packages that are
produced by software
• professionals and be sold for a wide variety of users. This
falls into two main categories:
• a) Special-purpose packages: Though commercial, it is
designed for a specific
• purpose such as a section of an organization. Examples
are
• - Airline Seat Reservation,
• - Theatre Seat Reservation
• - Hotel Room Reservation .
• - Point of Sales Software
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• b) General Purpose: These provide facilities which
might be used in a wide variety
• of business situations and which might therefore be
used across many department e.g.
• 1. Word-processing: These are programs that turn
a computer system
• into a powerful typewriting tool. It helps us to
produce letters, reports, magazines, memos, etc.
Example of Word-processing programs are:
• Microsoft word. Page maker, WordStar,
WordPerfect, PC Write, MultiMate, etc.

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• 2. Database Management: They store and retrieve
information such as customer lists, inventories and
notes. These programs help us to record and
maintain information about people, places, things
and management reports of all types.
• Examples are MySQL, Dbase III & IV, FoxBASE,
Oracle, FoxPro and Clipper, Microsoft Access,
Paradox,
• 3. Spreadsheet: Spreadsheets are software
packages that turn a computer system into a
sophisticated electronic calculator.

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• GUIDELINE FOR ACQUISITION OF APPLICATION
SOFTWARE
• The software to be acquired must be one that the
use will improve the particular operating function of
that business.
* high performance
• ease in learning. If a software package is complex
then training is required
• be available when needed
• Good documentation: how the package is to be
installed and use.

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 COMPUTER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

• Computer care and maintenance is often

overlooked by the average user. Yet, taking a few
precautions as you work, and learning to use the
computer and its file system properly, can save you
trouble in the long run.

• perform a few simple clean up procedures and use

a couple of maintenance utilities can make a big
difference in how your computer performs.

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• You can reduce the number of freeze-ups, the
number of fatal errors and the number of reboots
your computer has. You can also reduce the amount
of downtime your system experience as a result of
having to cope with these problems, as well as
reducing your stress level.

• Not only that, but with a little preventive

maintenance and proper computer care, you can
increase the overall speed and efficiency of your
computer.
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 System Maintenance

• There are some basic clean up steps you

should do regularly to keep your machine
running well. They are:

• Deleting Temporary files,

• Running Scandisk,
• Emptying the Recycle Bin
• Running Defragmenter.
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• Temporary files- What are they?
• They are duplicates of a file you are creating or
working on.
• Windows creates them and when you are done with
the file and close it, the temporary file disappears.
• Most of the time when you reboot your computer
Windows should delete these temporary files,
sometimes it does not.
• Where are they found? In the C:\Windows\Temp
directory. (Not to be confused with the Temporary
Internet Files directory).

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 Defragmenter
Defragmenter is a utility built in to most
versions of Windows. Its job is to organize
your hard drive more efficiently. When
files are saved to the hard drive they are
not necessarily saved as a whole, they are
broken up and saved in various spots on
the hard drive. This is because the hard
drive itself is divided into millions of
chunks.
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 Scandisk
Scandisk is a utility built into most
versions of Windows. It looks for files
that have been fragmented or
corrupted in some ways. Usually if a
computer is just shut off instead of
being shutdown, or if the computer
freezes or if there is a power outage,
this will create the need to run
scandisk and it may find fragmented or34
 INTRODUCTION to Computer Network

• Communication : When we communicate, we are sharing Information.

• This sharing can be local or remote
• Local Communication – Face to face
• Remote Communication- takes place over distance
• Telecommunication-means communication at a distance (tele is Greek for far)
• Data : refers to information presented in whatever form as agreed by the parties
creating and using the data. Data is all kinds of facts, including, pictures, letters,
numbers, and sounds.

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 DATA COMMUNICATION

• Data Communication is the exchange of data (in the form of O’s and 1’s)
between two devices via some form of transmission medium (such as a
wire cable).

• For data communication to occur, the communicating devices must be of

a communication system made up of combination of hardware (Physical
component) and software (programs).

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Data Communications
 Effectiveness of Data Communication

Depends on four fundamental characteristics

• Delivery : The system must deliver data to the correct destination . Data
must be received by the intended device or user and only by that device or
user.
• Accuracy: The system must deliver data to the correct destination . Data
that have been altered in transmission and left uncorrected are unusable.

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 Effectiveness of Data Communication

• Timeliness: The system must deliver data in a timely manner. (video and
audio). This kind of delivery is called real-time transmission.

• Jitter : refers to the variation in the packet arrival time. Uneven delay in the
delivery of audio and video packet.

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 Five components of data communication

• Message : information(data) to be communicated

• Sender : The sender is the device that sends the data message. It can be a
computer, work station, etc.
• Receiver: device that receive the message.
• Transmission medium: the physical path by which a message travels from
the sender to the receiver e.g. : twisted-pair wire, coaxial cable, fibre-optic
cable and radio waves.
• Protocol: set of rules that govern data communications. It represents an
agreement between the communicating devices. Without a protocol, two
devices may be connected but not communicating.

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 DATA COMMUNICATION
• The public switched telephone network (PSTN) is used to carry both
voice and data communication.
• The public switched telephone network started as an analog network
designed to handle analog voice signals but it has gradually been
converted from an analog to a digital network.

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 DATA FLOW
Communication between two devices can be simplex, half duplex or full
duplex
• Simplex : communication is unidirectional, only one of the two devices on
a link can transmit; the other can only receive. Keyboards and traditional
monitors are example, keyboard can only introduce input; monitor can only
accept output.

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 DATA FLOW

• Half duplex: each station can both transmit and receive, but not at the same
time. When one device is sending, the other can only receive and vice
versa.

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 DATA FLOW
Communication between two devices can be simplex, half duplex or full
duplex
• Full duplex : both stations can transmit and receive simultaneously e.g.
when two people are communicating by a telephone line, both can talk and
listen at the same time.

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