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Chapter: 01 Types and Components of a Computer System Part:1
Hardware: All the physical parts of a computer that you you can see, touch and pick up. Like- input devices,
output devices, storage devices, processor etc.
Internal computer hardware:
Motherboard: The motherboard is a printed circuit board found in all computers. It allows the
processor and other computer hardware to function and communicate with each other.
RAM: It is the main memory of computer which is used to process data. We can change the contents
of RAM.
ROM: It is the main memory of computer which is used to store configuration data for a computer
system.
Video Card: A video card allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display
device such as monitor, television or projector. It is usually connected to a motherboard.
Sound Card: A sound card is an integrated circuit board that provides a computer with the ability to
produce sound.
HDD(Hard disk drive): One kind of magnetic disk which is used to store data permanently.
SSD(Solid state drive): Modern computers and all tablets use newer storage systems that make use
of solid state drive technology(SSD) and are replacing HDD in many cases.
Command base
Software: The program that control the operation of a computer system.
Device driver Graphic base
Operating system
Translation program Compiler
System Software
Utility program Interpreter
Software Linker Assembler
Customize software
Application software
Package software
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System Software:
Programs that allow the hardware to run properly
Control computer's hardware and application program
Communicate with user
E.g. Operating system
Operating system: It is one kind of system software through which we can run our computer and solve
computer problems.
Functions of operating system:
Enables users to communicate with computer systems
Controls operation of input, output and backing storage device
Supervises loading, running and storage of application program
Deals with error in application programs
Maintains security of whole computer system
Maintains a computer log
Main types of user interfaces: Command Line Interfaces (CLI) and Graphical User Interface (GUI)
GUI - Graphical User Interface :
Uses graphics to stand for the complicated actions
Use icons
Use a mouse to selector the icons
Screen divided into windows allowing different things on each
WIMP - Windows Icons Menus Pointers
Requires little IT knowledge
Advantages:
Easy to use
Easy to explore and find your way around the system
Do not have to learn complicated commands
Exchange data between different software’s
Good help facilities provided with GUIs
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Disadvantages
Larger amount of hard disk space than other interfaces
Significantly more memory (RAM) to run than other interface type
GUI use more processing power than other types of interfaces
GUI can be slow for experienced programmers to use, they find CLI much faster
CLI - Command Line Interface:
Types commands to tell the computer what to do
The user must know all the commands
Must not make typing errors
Used by technicians
Can access everything on the computer system
Advantages:
Knowing the correct commands, this can be much faster than any other interface type
Uses much less memory (RAM) than any other interface type
Low resolution, cheap monitors can be used
CLI does not require Windows to run
Disadvantages:
Can be confusing
Commands have to be typed precisely, if there is a spelling error the command will fail
If you mistype an instruction, it is often necessary to start all over again
Large number of commands need to be learned
Translation program: It is one kind of system software through which we can convert programming language
into machine code.
Types: 1. Compiler
2. Interpreter
3. Assembler
1. Compiler: It is used to convert high level language into machine code. Compiler convert whole program
at a time.
2. Interpreter: Interpreter converts high level language instruction in to machine code. Interpreter
converts line by line.
3. Assembler: Assembler convert assembly language ( Low level language) into machine code
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Utility program: It is one kind of system software which is used to maintain and control computer resources.
Ex: Antivirus
Linker:
A linker is a computer program that takes one or more object files produced by computer and combine them
into single program that can be run on a computer.
Application Software:
Programs that allow the user to do specific task
Design to carry out tasks
Can be general purpose software or custom made software (specialist software)
Types:
1. Package Software. Ex: Ms-office
2. Customize software. Ex: School management, Library management, Bank management
Word processor: Word processing software is used to manipulate text, document, such as eassy, report.
Spreadsheet: Spreadsheet software is used to organize and manipulate numerical data. Some of the
spreadsheet function includes:
Use of formula to carry out calculation
Ability to produce graph
Ability to do modeling and ‘what if’ calculation.
Database: Database software is used to organise, manipulate data. A typical database is made up of one or
more table. Each row called record and each column called a field. Some of the function includes:
Ability to carry out queries on database data and produce report.
Add, delete and modify data in a table.
Measuring software: Measuring software is designed to allow a computer or microprocessor to interface with
sensors so that it is possible to measure physical quantities in the real world (such as temperature)
Control software: Control software is designed to allow a computer or microprocessor to interface with
sensors so it is possible to control application (such as a chemical process) by comparing sensor data with
stored data and sending out signals to alter process parameters.
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