Computer Systems & Programming
(Using C)
Credit Hours: 3:1
Instructor: Mr Muhammad Yousaf
Agenda
Computer Basics
I/O Devices
CPU
Memory
Storage
Software
MS-Office
Computer Basics
A computer is an electronic data
processing device.
It reads data, processes it and produces
results accurately at a very high speed.
It executes the instructions in a program.
What makes a computer
powerful?
Speed
A computer can do billions of actions per
second.
Reliability
Failures are usually due to human error,
one way or another.
Storage
A computer can keep huge amounts of
data.
Components of a Computer
The two components of the computer are :
Hardware
Software
Hardware
The physical part of the computer is called
hardware.
It is any part of the computer that we can touch.
Hardware describes all the electronic and
mechanical elements of the computer.
Hardware consists of the following devices
1- Input
2- Processor
3- Memory
4- Output
1-Input Devices
The devices through which user enter the
data or instruction into computer is called
input devices.
The computer accepts data from some
source such as the user or program for
processing.
Keyboard
Mouse
Scanner
Digital camera
Microphone
2-Central Processing Unit
(Processor)
The CPU is the brain behind your
computer.
The CPU is responsible for performing
calculations and tasks that make programs
work.
The faster the CPU, the quicker programs
can process computations.
The speed of processor is measured in
Mega Hertz (MHz) or Giga Hertz (Ghz)
Parts of CPU
CPU is divided into two main parts.
i- Control Unit (CU):
This unit controls the over all operation of the
computer.
It coordinates the activities of all other components
of computer.
ii- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU):
This unit of computer performs the arithmetic and
logical operation.
e.g. sum = x + y, is an arithmetic operation
performed by ALU.
3-Output Devices
The device used to produce or display the
result of the processing is called output
device.
The results may appear as text, numbers
or graphics on the computers screen or as
sounds from its speakers.
Monitor
Printer
Speakers
Types of Output
Hard copy:
printed on paper or other permanent media
Soft copy:
displayed on screen or by other non-
permanent means
4-Memory
The computer memory can hold programs and data
for current and future use.
It is also called primary memory or main memory.
Main memory of a computer is its internal memory .
The capacity of a storage device is generally
expressed in bytes.
One byte is a group of eight bits.
Bit is a smallest memory unit that represents a binary
digit.
A bit has value either 0 or 1.
Main memory can be divided into
(i) RAM
(ii) ROM
Random Access Memory (RAM)
A fast CPU is useless without an adequate amount
of RAM.
RAM stores information that is used by running
programs and applications.
More memory lets you run more applications at the
same time without degrading your system's
performance.
When a program is launched , it is loaded first into
memory and then performs the operation.
RAM is temporary, because it loses the data when
the computer is shut down. So it is also known as
volatile memory.
RAM has a tremendous impact on the speed and
performance of the computer.
Read Only Memory (ROM)
It permanently stores its data even when
computer is shut down.
Therefore, it is called non-volatile memory,
because it never loses its data.
It handles many important tasks. One is to
provide instructions to CPU during start-up
or booting process whenever the computer
is turned on.
Storage
It is also called backing storage or external
memory and is used to supplement the capacity of
main memory.
The devices which is used to permanently store
the data into computer is called storage devices.
Hard Disk (HDD)
Floppy Disk
CD (Compact disc)
It can store a bulk of data/information.
The data in secondary storage is first brought into
the main memory before processing.
Software
It is the general term used to describe all the
various programs that may be used on a
computer system.
A computer program is a set of instructions to
solve a particular problem.
A set of instructions that drive a computer to
perform specific tasks is called a program.
When a computer uses a particular program
it is said to be running or executing that
program.
Software falls into two major categories.
i- System Software
ii- Application Software
System Software
It is any program that controls the computers
hardware or that can be used to maintain the
computer in some way so that it runs more efficiently.
There are 3 basic type of system software.
(i) Operating System:
A system software which is used to control the over
all operation of computer is called operating system.
e.g. windows, Unix, Linux, DOS etc.
(ii) Network Operating System:
Network operating system allows computer to
communicates and share data across a network. It
also controls the network operation and security.
(iii) Utility:
Utility is a program that makes computer
system easier to use or perform high
specialized function.
Utilities are used to managed disk, trouble
shooting, hardware problems. e.g Partition
Magic
Application Software
It is divided into two categories.
(i) Specialized Application:
An Application that are using for special
purpose is called Specialized Application.
( Banking, Payroll, Online System)
(ii) General Purpose Application:
An Application that are using for general
purpose is called general purpose
application.( Word processor, Spreadsheets,
Excel, Computer programming languages).
Word Processor:
it is used for creating text-based
documents such as newsletters e.g. MS-
Word
Spread Sheet:
It is used for numeric-based documents
such as budgets or balance sheets. e.g.
excel.
Database Management Software:
it is used for building and manipulating
database. e.g. MS-Access, SQL-Server,
Oracle, etc
Presentation Software:
It is used for creating presenting electronic
slide. e.g. power point
Graphics Software:
It is used for designing and manipulating
images, movies or animations. e.g.
Photoshop, Flash etc
Programming Languages:
It is used for developing computer
programming. Different type of computer
programming languages are available
today such C, C++, Java, C#, VB.NET etc.
