McGraw-Hill Technology Education McGraw-Hill Technology Education

Copyright 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1B

Looking Inside the Computer System

McGraw-Hill Technology Education

Copyright 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Parts of the Computer System

Computer systems have four parts
Hardware Software Data User

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Parts of the Computer System

Hardware
Mechanical devices that make up the computer Anything that can be touched

Software
Set of instructions that tells the computer what to do Also called a program

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Parts of the Computer System

Data
Consists of individual facts or pieces of information that by themselves may not make much sense to a person. Computers primary job is to process the data into useful information.

Users
People operating the computer Tell the computer what to do
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Information Processing Cycle

Steps of steps that computer follows to process:
Input Processing Output Storage

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Essential Computer Hardware

Hardware categorized into four types
Processor Memory Input and Output Storage

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Essential Computer Hardware

Processor
Brain of computer Organizes and carries out instructions that come from either the user or the software Consists of one or more specialized chips, called microprocessor, where many tiny electronic circuits are embedded To process data, the computer passes electricity through the circuits

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Essential Computer Hardware

Memory devices
Stores data or programs, either temporarily or permanently Two types of memory:
Random Access Memory (RAM) Read Only Memory (ROM)

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Essential Computer Hardware

Random Access Memory (RAM):
The term memory is typically used to mean RAM It holds data and instructions while the CPU works with them When a program is launched, it is loaded into and run from memory If a program needs data, it is stored in memory but only temporarily It is volatile i.e. it loses its content when the computer is shut off.
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Essential Computer Hardware

Read Only Memory (ROM):
It holds instructions that the computer needs to operate When the computer is turned on, it checks the ROM for directions that help it start up and for the information about its hardware devices. It is nonvolatile i.e. it permanently stores data, even when the computer is shut off.

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Essential Computer Hardware

Input and output devices
Allows the user to interact Input devices accept data
Keyboard, mouse

Output devices deliver data

Monitor, printer, speaker

Some devices are input and output

Touch screens

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Essential Computer Hardware

Storage devices
Hold data and programs permanently Different from RAM More room in storage devices than in memory Contents are retained in storage when the computer is turned off Storage devices operate much slower than memory chips Storage is much cheaper than memory.
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Software Runs The Machine

Software is set of instructions that enables a computer to perform a specific task When a computer uses a particular program, it is said to be running or executing that program Two types
System software Application software
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Software Runs The Machine

System software
Program that controls the computer hardware or can be used to maintain the computer so that it runs more efficiently Operating system: tells the computer how to use its own components
Windows XP, Linux etc

Utility: makes the computer easier to use or performs highly specialized functions
Manage disks, troubleshoot, anti virus etc
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Software Runs The Machine

Application software
Accomplishes a specific task Most common type of software
MS Word, Paint, games etc

Covers most common uses of computers

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Interacting with Your Computer

An input device enables you to enter information and commands into the computer. Most commonly used input devices are the keyboard and the mouse.

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Keyboard
Keyboard is one of the first peripherals to be used with computers A standard keyboard includes about 100 keys, each key sends a different signal to the CPU The most common keyboard layout is the IBM Enhanced Keyboard where 100 keys are arranged into 6 groups

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6 groups of Keys
The Alphanumeric Keys The Modifier Keys The Numeric Keys The Function Keys The Cursor- Movement Keys The Special Purpose Keys

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Keyboard

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How the Keyboard Works?

When you press a key, a tiny chip called keyboard controller notes that a key has been pressed The controller places the code into part of its memory called the keyboard buffer, to indicate which key was pressed The controller than sends the signal to system software On receiving the signal, the software reads the buffer that contains the code a key The software passes that code to CPU

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The Mouse
A mouse is an input device that you can move around on a flat surface and controls the pointer on the screen Two types of mouse:
Mechanical: contains a rubber ball which determines direction and speed Optical: emits a beam of light from its insides; it uses lights reflection to judge distance, direction and speed of its travel.
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The Mouse
Interacting with a mouse
Actions involve pointing to an object Clicking selects the object Clicking and holding drags the object Releasing an object is a drop Right clicking activates the shortcut menu Modern mice include a scroll wheel

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1B-24