Department of

Information Technology Studies

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
Chapter 3
The Computer System
Introduction
Any system is defined as a group of integrated parts which are designed to achieve a
common objective. Thus, a system is made up of more than one element or part, where each
element performs a specific function and where all the elements (parts) are logically related and are
controlled in such a way that the goal (purpose) of the system is achieved. A computer is made up
of a number of integrated elements like
• The central processing unit,
• The input and output devices and
• The storage devices.

Each of these units performs a specific task. However, none of them can function
independently on their own. They are logically related and controlled to achieve a specific goal.
When they are thus integrated they form a fully fledged computer system.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, you must
• Categorize the different types of computers
• Distinguish the typical characteristics of computers.
• Discuss the components of the computer system

Integration of Faith
Cooperation enables people to set aside their differences and arrive at a mutual solution
for achieving a common goal. It makes possible division of labor and specialization of function.
Cooperation means to work together to achieve a common goal. The Bible use the analogy of the body
to illustrate this in 1 Corinthians 12: 14-22. It says “For the body is not one member, but many.”

Lessons
Classification of Computers

1. Small Computers.
• Microcomputers are generally referred to as Personal Computers (PCs). They
have Smallest memory and less power. Microcomputers are generally referred to
as Personal Computers (PCs). They have Smallest memory and less power. They
are widely used in day to day applications like office automation, and professional
applications They are widely used in day to day applications Businesses use personal
computers for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for running
spreadsheet and database management applications. At home, the most popular use
for personal computers is playing games and surfing the Internet. Although personal
computers are designed as single-user systems, these systems are normally linked
together to form a network.
• Notebook and Laptop Computers. These are portable in nature and are battery
operated. Notebook computers are smaller in physical size than lap top computers.
However, both have powerful processors, support graphics, and can accept mouse
driven input.

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INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
• Hand Held Computers.
These types of computers are mainly used in applications like collection of field
data. They are even smaller than the note book computers. It is A computing device that
can be easily held in one hand while the other hand is used to operate it. Smartphones
are the handheld computers of the 21st century. Although extremely convenient to
carry, handheld computers have not replaced notebook computers because of their small
keyboards and screens.

2. Workstation
Workstation is a computer used for engineering applications (CAD/CAM),
desktop publishing, software
development, and other
such types of applications
which require a moderate
amount of computing power
and relatively high quality
graphics capabilities.
Workstations generally
come with a large, high-
resolution graphics screen,
large amount of RAM, inbuilt
network support, and a
graphical user interface. Most
workstations also have mass
storage device such as a disk drive, but a special type of workstation, called diskless
workstation, comes without a disk drive.
Like PC, workstations are also single-user computers like PC but are typically
linked together to form a local-area network, although they can also be used as stand
alone systems.

3. Mini Computers
Mini computers are more powerful than the micro
computers. They have higher memory capacity and more
storage capacity with higher speeds. It is a midsize multi-
processing system capable of supporting up to 250 users
simultaneously. These computers are mainly used in process
control systems. They are mainly used in applications like
payrolls, financial accounting, Computer aided design etc.

4. Mainframe Computers
Main frame computers are very large
and is an expensive computers which process
data at very high speeds of the order of several
million instructions per second. They can be
linked into a network with smaller computers,
micro computers and with each other. They
are typically used in large organizations,

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INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
government departments etc.
Mainframe is capable of supporting hundreds or even thousands of users
simultaneously. Mainframe executes many programs concurrently and supports many
simultaneous execution of programs.

5. Supercomputer
A super computer is the fastest, most powerful and most expensive computer
which is used for complex tasks that require a lot of computational power. They are are
employed for specialized applications that require immense amount of mathematical
calculations. Super computers have multiple processors which process multiple
instructions at the same time. This is known as parallel processing. These computers
are widely used in very advanced applications like weather forecasting, scientific
simulations, (animated) graphics, fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research,
electronic design, and analysis of geological data.

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INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
All types of computers follow the same basic logical structure and perform the following
five basic operations for converting raw input data into information useful to their users.
Operation Description
Take Input The process of entering data and instructions into the
computer system.
Store Data Saving data and instructions so that they are available for
processing as and when required.
Processing Data Performing arithmetic, and logical operations on data in
order to convert them into useful information.
Output Information The process of producing useful information or results for
the user, such as a printed report or visual display.
Control the workflow Directs the manner and sequence in which all of the above
operations are performed.

The basic parts of computer system are:

• Input Unit
• The Central Processing Unit
• Output Unit

Input Unit
Input dev ices are the dev ices which are used to feed programs and data to the computer.
The input system connects the external environment with the computer system. The input dev
ices are the means of communication between the user and the computer system. Typical input
devices include the keyboard, mouse, microphone, light pen, joy stick, magnetic tapes etc. The
way in which the data is fed into the computer through each of these devices is different. However,

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INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
a computer can accept data only in a specific form. Therefore these input devices transform the
data fed to them, into a form which can be accepted by the computer. These devices are a means of
communication and inter1 station between the user and the computer systems.

Thus the functions of the input unit are :

• accept information (data) and programs.
• convert the data in a form which the computer can accept.
• provide this converted data to the computer for further processing.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

CPU is considered as the brain of the computer. CPU performs all types of data processing
operations. It stores data, intermediate results, and instructions (program). It controls the operation
of all parts of the computer. CPU itself has the following three components:

• ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

• Memory Unit
• Control Unit

1. The Control Unit.

The Control Unit controls the operations of the entire computer system. The
control unit gets the instructions from the programs stored in primary storage unit
interprets these instruction an subsequently directs the other units to execute the
instructions. Thus it manages and coordinates the entire computer system.

2. The Arithmetic Logic Unit:

The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) actually executes the instructions and performs
all the calculations and decisions. The data is held in the primary storage unit and
transferred to the ALU whenever needed. Data can be moved from the primary storage
to the arithmetic logic unit a number of times before the entire processing is complete.
After the completion, the results are sent to the output storage section and the output
devices.

3. The Primary Storage Unit (Memory Unit)

This is also called as Main Memory. Before the actual processing starts the data
and the instructions fed to the computer through the input units are stored in this primary
storage unit. Similarly, the data which is to be output from the computer system is also
temporarily stored in the primary memory. It is also the area where intermediate results
of calculations are stored. The main memory has the storage section that holds the
computer programs during execution. Thus the primary unit:

• Stores data and programs during actual processing

• Stores temporary results of intermediate processing
• Stores results of execution temporarily

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 Department of
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INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
Output Unit
The output devices give the results of the process and computations to the outside world.
The output units accept the results produced by the computer, convert them into a human readable
form and supply them to the users. The more common output devices are printers, plotters, display
screens, magnetic tape drives etc.

Summary of Chapter 1 - 3
A computer is a fast and accurate data processing system which accepts data, performs
various operations on the data, has the capacity to store data and process the data with the set of
instructions given to it. The data is the information provided by the user to the computer and the set
of instructions to perform the operation on data is the computer program.
The hardware of the computer is the physical parts of the machine like monitor, keyboard,
disks etc. whereas the software is the various programs, procedures and other documentation which
is used to operate the hardware efficiently.
Digital computers are further classified according to their speed and capacity of memory and
size as micro computers, notebook or laptops, Mini computers, Main frames and Super computers.
The typical characteristics of the computer are its superfast speed, the accuracy of each and every
calculation, and its consistent efficiency. It has tremendous storage capacity and can store large
volumes of data. It is versatile in the sense that it can be used in a vast range of applications from
complex scientific problems to a child’s game. A system is a group of integrated elements which
are logically related to achieve the goal of the system each element performs a specific task
assigned to it.
The evolution or development of computers is characterized by generations of computers.
The first generation had very large and complex machines which made use of the vacuum tube
technology. Invention of transistors in the second generation reduced the size of the computers and
the concept of stored program emerged, as well as higher level languages were introduced. The
third generation was characterized by Integrated Circuits and commercial production of computers.
The fourth generation saw the invention of microcomputers with Very Large Scale Integration,
Networking and introduction of personal computers. The fifth or the present generation has seen
advances in parallel processing and superconductor technologies.
A computer system is made up of Input unit that accepts data, the Central Processing
unit made up of Control Unit, Arithmetic and Logic Unit, and the Primary Storage Unit. This
unit controls the entire computer system. Lastly, the Output unit that gives the results of the
computation to the user.
Computers today, find applications in vast and varying fields like scientific, engineering
and research, medicine and business, education and games, entertainment. The computers however
have a serious drawback that they can only do what they are programmed to do since they have no
brain. They cannot arrive at a conclusion without going through all intermediate steps.

References

Tutorials Point (I) Pvt. Ltd. Computer Fundamentals. 2017

P.K Sinha. Computer Fundamentals Concepts, Systems & Applications.
https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/handheld-computer
https://www.webopedia.com/definitions/hand-held-computer/

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