Components of a Computer

System

Computer Systems

A computer system is one that is able to take a set of inputs, process them, and create a set of outputs. This is done using a combination of hardware and software.

So there are two basic components of computer systems:

1. Hardware

2. Software

Components of Computer System

1. Hardware

Hardware are the physical components of a computer

– e.g. the input devices, output devices, primary

storage (memory) and secondary storage (backing

store), Central Processing Unit etc. Note that input and

output devices are collectively known as peripherals.

External Hardware Internal Hardware

Monitor Hard drive

Printer CPU

Keyboard Fan

Mouse Motherboard

Microphone Sound card

Components of Computer System

Hardware: Input Device

An input device is a hardware that allows data to be

entered into a computer.

Manual Input Automatic Input

Keyboard Barcode reader (A barcode reader, also called a

price scanner or point-of-sale ( POS ) scanner, is a hand-held or stationary input device used to capture and read information

contained in a bar code)

Mouse Sensor

Microphone Magnetic stripe reader (Data capture device that reads

information via contact with a card carrying a magnetic stripe. Also called card swipe machine or just swipe machine because the card must be passed (swiped) through a slot for reading the stored information)

Scanner Optical mark reader (OMR)

Components of Computer System

Hardware: Storage A storage device is a hardware that allows data to be saved, long-term, after it has been inputted into the computer. There are two types of storage: Primary Storage and Secondary Storage.

Examples of Primary Storage include:

• RAM (Random Access Memory)

• Cache Memory

Examples of Secondary Storage include:

• Hard drive

• DVD

• CD

• Flash memory (USB)

Components of Computer System

Hardware: Output Devices

A Output device is a hardware which could

displayed the results (outputs). Examples

include;

• Monitor

• Printer

• Projector

• Speakers

Components of Computer System

Hardware: Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Central Processing Unit is the combination of ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) & CU (Control Unit).

• ALU is responsible for actual processing

• CU is responsible for the overall supervision

Components of Computer System

2. Software

Software are the sets of instructions/ programs that are loaded

into the memory of the computer in order to perform a task or

to control the operation of the computer. There are two types of

software: System Software and Application Software

Systems Software Application Software

Operating systems Word processors

Utilities (Utility software is used to perform basic

maintenance tasks on a computer. Examples include disk utilities like defragmenters, compressors, cleaners, antivirus software, backup software).

Web browsers

User interface Game applications