Computer System

Index

∞ Computer System……………………..3

∞ Hardware……………………………….3

∞ Input Devices…………………………..3

∞ Output Devices…………………………4

∞ Storage Devices………………………..4

∞ Processing Devices…………………….6

∞ Software…………………………………7

∞ Operative System……………………..8

∞ Functions……………………………….8

∞ Classification…………………………..9

∞ Types of Interface……………………..10

∞ Command Line Interface……………10

∞ Graphical Interface…………………..10

Computer System

Hardware

Hardware is defined as join of components of physical devices that intervene in a computer system. Household hardware, equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing, tools, utensils, and machine parts, typically sold in hardware stores.

Input Devices

They are the ones from which the information is introduced to the computer to be processed or transformed. Some examples are: keyboard, bar code reader, scanner, mouse, webcam, microphone and touch screen.

Output Devices

They are the ones that show to the user the data previously transformed or processed. The most used are: the printer, which shows the information in written form, the monitor, which presents the information in a visual form, the speakers, which present the information in sound form.

Storage Devices

They are the ones that permit to store or to save information. These are classified in: main and secondary memory.

∞ The Main Memory: This memory acts directly with the CPU in all the input and output operations, allowing to store and to recover instantly data and programs with which is working. Basically it is composed by:

♥ ROM (Read Only Memory) is a programmed memory by the manufactured and it is a permanent memory.

♥ RAM (Random Access Memory) is a memory that stores information that it is being executed in that moment, so it can be processed quickly.

∞ The Secondary Memory: Also called secondary storage; it permits to save programs and data in a permanent way; the most used storages devices are the hard disks (internal and external), digital video disks (DVD), memories USB, among others.

The unit to measure the storage capacity is the BYTE, it is conformed from the initials of BinarY TErm. The smallest unit of information is the BIT, which is conformed from BInary digiT. A BIT can contain one of two values, 1 or 0. The combination of 8 BITS makes a BYTE.

The different amounts of memory are mentioned according to the following terms:

♥ KB.- Kilobytes (1,024 bytes)

♥ MB.- Megabytes (1,048,576 bytes)

♥ GB.- Gigabytes (1,073,741,824 bytes)

♥ TB.- Terabytes (Approximately 1012 bytes)

♥ PB.- Petabytes (Approximately 1015 bytes)

♥ EB.- ExaByte (Approximately 1018 bytes)

♥ ZB.- ZettaByte (Approximately 1021 bytes)

♥ YB.- YottaByte (Approximately 1024 bytes)

Processing Devices

The Central Process Unit, also called CPU is the component in charge to transform data into information. It is considered as the brain of the computer, where most of the operations are carried out. Among the most important are the arithmetic and logic operations.

The unit to measure the processing velocity is the Hertz (Hz) and it is according to the type of microprocessor: Intel Pentium, Centrino, Atom, AMD Athlon, Intel Core Duo, etc.

Software

It is the set of instructions or programs that are introduced in a computer in order to carry out a process. To order the great variety of software, this is classified in:

∞ System Software It administrates and controls the operation of the hardware.

It refers to the operative system and all utility program that manage the resources of the computers. Some examples: Windows, OS X, UNIX, LINUX, etc.

∞ Application Software It permits to execute specific tasks from the user.

It is composed of applications designed for the final user, such as Word processors, Spreadsheets, graphs, presentations, databases, games, etc. Examples: Word, Excel, AutoCad, Photoshop, Corel, Acrobat Reader, etc.

Operative System

The Operative System is the most important program of a computer. It is defined as the program that permits the user to take control of the computer, both software and hardware, so he/she can administrate it to reach good performance. All computers must have installed an operative system.

Functions

Some of the main functions of the operative system are:

∞ It interprets and executes the instructions through the interface that provides to the user.

∞ It optimizes communication between input and output devices (I/O).

∞ It coordinates the processing tasks.

∞ It provides diagnostic errors of the basic parts of the computer.

∞ It serves as a connection to run the application software.

The hardware of the computer does not perform nothing by itself, it requires the software and first the operative system, which has the purpose to provide the necessary instructions so the software interacts with the hardware and that the application software works in a way that the user and the computer communicate.

These are the different operative systems in the computers, some of them are: Windows, OS X and LINUX.

Classification

The Operative System can be classified in the following form:

♥ Multiuser it permits to two or more users to execute programs at the same time.

♥ Multitask it permits that two or more programs or applications are executed at the same time.

♥ Multiprocessing means of multiprocessing that have more than one processor which operates in the same memory but execute simultaneously processes.

Types of Interface

It is the presentation of the medium where the user introduces orders or commands to the operative system and this to the hardware. The interface is the communication means through which the user interacts with the software.

Command Line Interface

In this type of interface, the operative system provides a command line in which the user introduces the instructions or commands formed by characters. Examples of this operative system: MS-DOS and UNIX.

Graphical Interface

In this interference, the execution of commands and programs is achieved by selecting figures or icons that represent them, or by displaying menus or windows. Examples of this operative system: Windows, Mac OSx, LINUX.

Some of the advantage that gives this graphical environment:

∞ The graphical environment is more enjoyable and friendly for the user.

∞ The applications designed to operate with these systems have a standard design which facilitates their learning.

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