Hardware and Software
A computer system is made up of a combination of hardware and software.
Hardware:
All of the electronic and mechanical equipment in a computer is called the hardware.
Examples include:
• Motherboard
• Hard disk
• RAM
• Power supply
• Processor
• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
Software:
The term software is used to describe computer programs that perform a task or tasks on
a computer system. Software can be grouped as follows:
System software: These are the programs that control the operation of the computer
system. Operating systems and utility programs are the most common. The Operating
System starts the computer, provides a user interface, manages the computer
memory, manages storage, manages security and provides networking and internet
facilities to mention a few of it’s capabilities. There are many OS’s on the market
including Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Apple OS X , Unix and
Linux. Windows is by far the most commonly used OS in the world, but Linux in
particular, is making inroads into this dominance.
Utility programs perform maintenance tasks on the computer system. This includes
file management programs, uninstall programs, disk scanners and
defragmenters, backup utilities, antivirus etc. These can be included in the OS or
purchased separately.
The main parts of a computer system hardware are:
1 System Unit: The container for the motherboard, disk drives etc.
2 Monitor: The main output device for the system.
3 Keyboard: The main input device for the system
4 Mouse: An input device allowing interaction with the system
using pointing and clicking
5 Speakers: Used to output sounds and music from the system
System Unit Devices and Peripherals
The system unit is the main container for system devices. It protects the delicate electronic
and mechanical devices from damage. Typical system unit devices include:
• Motherboard- Often called the mainboard or system board, it is the main circuit board for the
computer system. Every device in the computer system will either be part of the motherboard
or connected to it.
• CPU (Processor)- A processor is an integrated circuit (IC) supplied on a single silicon chip. All
of the components and pathways necessary for the movement of data around the processor
are etched on this single chip.
• Memory(RAM)- The primary storage (main memory) of a computer system is volatile. This
means that when the computer is switched off, the contents of primary storage are erased. A
system was needed whereby work could be saved for use at a later time. The hard disk drive
is the accepted solution to this problem.
• Hard Disk- The primary storage (main memory) of a computer system is volatile. This
means that when the computer is switched off, the contents of primary storage are erased. A
system was needed whereby work could be saved for use at a later time. The hard disk drive
is the accepted solution to this problem. The problem with main memory is that data is
stored as electric charges and could not be maintained without electric power. A different
approach was needed for secondary storage (nonvolatile storage). In main memory, different
voltages are used to store a binary 1 and a binary 0.
Power Supply Unit- Converts mains AC to low voltage regulated DC power for the
internal components of a computer
Monitor: is an electronic device used to display information being entered and processed on
the computer.
Keyboard- is an input device that allows a person to enter letters, numbers, and other
symbols (together, these are called characters) into a computer.
Mouse - A mouse in an input device that uses point and click technology to interact
with software applications. There are two main types:
• Ball mouse: This uses a ball to roll across the surface and move rollers attached to sensors
inside the mouse that reflect the ball movement as cursor movement. These are efficient
devices but the ball picks up dust and looses friction with the rollers. As a result, the cursor
movement becomes erratic. A mouse mat is needed to aid friction between the ball and the
surface. • Optical mouse: This uses a camera to take thousands of images per second and sent
them for digital processing. The red LED lights up the surface for the camera. The digital
processor compares images and can sense the movement of the mouse. This movement is
reflected on the screen as cursor movement. The great advantage of the optical mouse is that it
is not effected by dust as a ball mouse is and a mouse mat is not required. It does not work well
on glass surfaces. Speaker: is an output gear that connects to a computer to produce sound
resultant.
Humanware:
The person, who can use the system, is called 'Human Ware ". He is also called as
"User". Users are in two types:
i. Programmer: The person, who can develop programs, is called
"Programmer".
ii. End User: The person, who can use the software (developed programs), is called "End User".
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTER
Let us identify the major characteristics of computer. These can be discussed under the
headings of speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility and memory.
Speed
As you know computer can work very fast. It takes only few seconds for calculations that we
take hours to complete. Suppose you are asked to calculate the average monthly income of
one thousand persons in your neighborhood. For this you have to add income from all sources
for all persons on a day to day basis and find out the average for each one of them. How long
will it take for you to do this? One day, two days or one week? Do you know your small
computer can finish this work in few seconds? The weather forecasting that you see every day
on TV is the results of compilation and analysis of huge amount of data on temperature,
humidity, pressure, etc. of various places on computers. It takes few minutes for the computer
to process this huge amount of data and give the result.
You will be surprised to know that computer can perform millions (1,000,000) of instructions
and even more per second. Therefore, we determine the speed of computer in terms of
microsecond (10-6 part of a second) or Nano-second (10-9 part of a second). From this you
can imagine how fast your computer performs work.
Accuracy
Suppose someone calculates faster but commits a lot of errors in computing. Such result is
useless. There is another aspect. Suppose you want to divide 15 by 7. You may work out up to 2
decimal places and 7 say the dividend is 2.14. I may calculate up to 4 decimal places and say
that the result is 2.1428. Someone else may go up to 9 decimal places and say the result is
2.142857143. Hence, in addition to speed, the computer should have accuracy or correctness in
computing.
The degree of accuracy of computer is very high and every calculation is performed with the
same accuracy. The accuracy level is determined on the basis of design of computer. The
errors in computer are due to human and inaccurate data.
Diligence
A computer is free from tiredness, lack of concentration, fatigue, etc. It can work for hours
without creating any error. If millions of calculations are to be performed, a computer will
perform every calculation with the same accuracy. Due to this capability it overpowers
human being in routine type of work.
Versatility
It means the capacity to perform completely different type of work. You may use your
computer to prepare payroll slips. Next moment you may use it for inventory management or
to prepare electric bills.
Power of Remembering
Computer has the power of storing any amount of information or data. Any information can be
stored and recalled as long as you require it, for any numbers of years. It depends entirely upon
you how much data you want to store in a computer and when to lose or retrieve these data.
No IQ
Computer is a dumb machine and it cannot do any work without instruction from the user. It
performs the instructions at tremendous speed and with accuracy. It is you to decide what
you want to do and in what sequence. So a computer cannot take its own decision as you
can.
No Feeling
It does not have feelings or emotion, taste, knowledge and experience. Thus it does not get
tired even after long hours of work. It does not distinguish between users.
Storage
The Computer has an in-built memory where it can store a large amount of data. You can
also store data in secondary storage devices such as
floppies, which can be kept outside your computer and can be carried to other computers.
Data processing
Data processing is a process of converting raw facts or data into a meaningful information.
Data can be done manually using a pen and paper, mechanically using simple devices eg
typewritter or electronically using modern dat processing toolseg computers
Stages of Data Processing
Collection
Collection of data refers to gathering of data. The data gathered should be defined and
accurate.
Preparation
Preparation is a process of constructing a dataset of data from different sources for future use
in processing step of cycle.
Input
Input refers to supply of data for processing. It can be fed into computer through any of input
devices like keyboard, scanner, mouse, etc.
Processing
The process refers to concept of an actual execution of instructions. In this stage, raw facts or
data is converted to meaningful information.
Output and Interpretation
In this process, output will be displayed to user in form of text, audio, video, etc. Interpretation
of output provides meaningful information to user.
Storage
In this process, we can store data, instruction and information in permanent memory for future
reference.
The difference between data collection and data capture.
Data capture is the process of obtaining data in a computer-sensible form for at the point of
origin (the source document itself is prepared in a machine-sensible form for input)
Data collection involves getting the original data to the ‘processing centre’, transcribing it,
converting it from one medium to another, and finally getting it into the computer.
Methods of Data Processing
1. Manual Data Processing
In manual data processing, data is processed manually without using any machine or tool to get
required results. In manual data processing, all the calculations and logical operations are
performed manually on the data. Similarly, data is transferred manually from one place to
another. This method of data processing is very slow and errors may occur in the output.
Mostly, is processed manually in many small business firms as well as government offices &
institutions.
In an educational institute, for example, marks sheets, fee receipts, and other financial
calculations (or transactions) are performed by hand. This method is avoided as far as possible
because of the very high probability of error, labor intensive and very time consuming. This
type of data processing forms the very primitive stage when technology was not available or it
was not affordable. With the advancement in technology the dependency on manual methods
has drastically decreased.
2. Mechanical Data Processing
In mechanical data processing method, data is processed by using different devices like
typewriters, mechanical printers or other mechanical devices. This method of data processing is
faster and more accurate than manual data processing. These are faster than the manual mode
but still forms the early stages of data processing. With invention and evolution of more
complex machines with better computing power this type of processing also started fading
away. Examination boards and printing press use mechanical data processing devices
frequently.
3. Electronic Data Processing
Electronic data processing or EDP is the modern technique to process data. The data is
processed through computer; Data and set of instructions are given to the computer as input
and the computer automatically processes the data according to the given set of instructions.
The computer is also known as electronic data processing machine.
This method of processing data is very fast and accurate. For example, in a computerized
education environment results of students are prepared through computer; in banks,
accounts of customers are maintained (or processed) through computers etc.
a. Batch Processing
Batch Processing is a method where the information to be organized is sorted into groups to
allow for efficient and sequential processing. Online Processing is a method that utilizes
Internet connections and equipment directly attached to a computer. It is used mainly for
information
recording and research. Real-Time Processing is a technique that has the ability to respond
almost immediately to various signals in order to acquire and process information.
Distributed Processing is commonly utilized by remote workstations connected to one big
central workstation or server. ATMs are good examples of this data processing method.
Advantages
It can shift the time of job processing to when the computing resources are less busy. ➢ It
avoids idling the computing resources with minute-by-minute manual intervention and
supervision.
Disadvantages
Users are unable to terminate a process during execution, and have to wait until
execution completes.
b. Online Processing
This is a method that utilizes Internet connections and equipment directly attached to a
computer. This allows for the data stored in one place and being used at altogether different
place. Cloud computing can be considered as a example which uses this type of processing. It is
used mainly for information recording and research.
c. Real-Time Processing
This technique has the ability to respond almost immediately to various signals in order to
acquire and process information. These involve high maintainance andupfront cost attributed to
very advanced technology and computing power. Time saved is maximum in this case as the
output is seen in real time. For example in banking transactions
Example of real time processing
➢ Airline reservation systems
➢ Theatre (cinema) booking
➢ Hotel reservations
➢ Banking systems
➢ Police enquiry systems
➢ Chemical processing plants
➢ Hospitals to monitor the progress of a patient
➢ Missile control systems
Advantages
➢ Provides up-to-date information
➢ The information is readily available for instant decision-making
➢ Provides better services to users/customers.
➢ Fast &reliable
➢ Reduces circulation of hardcopies.
Disadvantages
➢ Require complex Os & are very expensive
➢ Not easy to develop
➢ Real time systems usually use 2 or more processors to share the workloads, which is
expensive.
➢ Require large communication equipment.
d. Distributed Processing
This method is commonly utilized by remote workstations connected to one big central
workstation or server. ATMs are good examples of this data processing method. All the end
machines run on a fixed software located at a particular place and makes use of exactly same
information and sets of instruction. Examples of industries and business organizations that
extensively use distributed processing systems.
➢ Banks
➢ Computerized retails stores, e.g. supermarkets
➢ Learning institutions with many departmental offices
➢ Bureaus or communication cyber cafes
➢ Airline reservation systems
Data analysis
Data analysis is the interpreting of processed data to extract meaningful insights and draw
conclusion
Types of data analysis
Quantitative data analysis: This can be defined as the process of collecting and analyzing data
using mathematical and statistical method to identify patterns, trends and relationships
between variables.
Example of quantitative analysis is analyzing the average age of the 100 level CUSTECH students
Qualitative data analysis: This can be defined as the evaluation of unquantifiable aspects like
loyalty, experience and perception.
Example of qualitative analysis are:
Focus groups: facilitating discussions with a group of people to gather collective insights on
topic
Case studies: examining a single case(person, event or organization) to understand complex
situations
Participatory data analysis: Where local residents (stakeholders) alongside researchers
participate in the data collection and analysis, example community mapping in community
health project
Descriptive data analysis is only concerned with processing and summarizing data. This is
often true of financial or administrative data analysis.
Theory driven data analysis is used to test theories of change, assumptions or
hypotheses. The aim is to analyze data to see if it confirms (or not) the theory or
hypothesis.
Data or narrative driven analysis involves letting patterns emerge from data, and then
developing theories afterwards.
