Central University,

Mile-91.
Sierra Leone.
Department of Technical Sciences.

Introduction to Computer System

(CC114)
Study Programs: BSc. CS & BIT.
Study Year: 1, Semester: II
Instructor: Mr. David Sapunka Fornah
 UNIT TWO
WEEK 4, 5 & 6:
COMPONENTS OF COMPUTERS

2.1 The block diagram of the computer

system
Made up of the following units:
1. Input unit
2. Output
3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- Control Unit (CU)
+ Register
4. Storage Unit Retrieved from:
HTTP://WWW.open.ed/open-hearted/mod/page/view.PHP?
- Primary Storage (RAM) id=182250
- Secondary Storage (HDD, Floppies)
 2.2 The general component of the computer system

The computer system is

made up of two parts:
hardware and
software,
These two work together
to enable the hardware to
transform data and
manage and control
operations.
 Week 4 Continues ...................

Hardware Component - tangible component of the system Ex. Speaker, printer,

HDD, RAM etc.
Software Component -
- Operating System:
As a system resource manager, it performs Application (S/W) like word
processing, game, E-mail etc. whiles it also executes H/W management functions
such as CPU, Main memory, Keyboard, Monitor et.)
- Application Software
 Functions/Services of the Operating System

The Management of operating system resources encompasses hardware, software,

and application resources. Below outlines the major operations of the OS:

1. Process Management (state of a given process)

2. Main Memory Management (allocate/de-allocate)

3. Secondary Storage Management (Space management and allocation and scheduling)

Week 4 Continues ...................

4. File Management

Naming, organizing, sorting, searching and protection).

5. Input and Output (I/O) Management

Used to coordinate and assigned I/O functions and devices)

6. Operations Management Scheduling

Determine and maintaining the order of execution)

 Week 4 Continues ...................

7. Security Management/Protection

Access privileges and authorization

8. Network Management

Resource sharing and connection management functions

 2.3 Computer Memories (RAM and ROM)

Memory
Is the part of the PC that stores variables for execution.
It is used in each and every operations of the computer system. EX: RAM & ROM.

Types of Memory Technology

a) Semiconductor Memories:
Metal oxide semiconductor technology
Small in size, large in capacity/volume with high speed
Examples: ROM-BIOS, RAM and Registers
 Week 4 Continues ...................

b) Holographic/Optical Memories:
 Utilizes a laser mechanism on a photosensitive plate from a beam of reflection
photovoltaic diode to arrange linage in a form of bits. EX: CD, DVD etc.

c) Magnetic Memory
Positively and imaginatively charged magnetize polarities are used.
They are permanent storage, slower and less expensive than semiconductor
memories.
Bobble, core and magnetic tape are typical examples.
 2.4 Computer Memory Design

The main memory of the computer

system is made up of several small
storage areas called memory locations or
address locations.
Address Location- used to identify
each and every position on the memory
starting from 0,1,2............n.

Word of Memory - Memory word length

ranges from 8bit to 64bit.
 Main Memory Categorization

The computer design of main memory can be categorized into two types:

Fixed Word Length/Word Addressable memories-Word addressable memory

holds a set amount of characters but when available storage space exceeds the
character, remain spaces unused.

Variable Word Length memories- Each storage cell in character-addressable

memory stores a single character.
 2.5 Storage/Memory and their Access Mode

Describes the way by which a file can be reached in a disk. Three principal methods:
1. Random Access - allows direct access to location where the file is stored. Example:
HDD, VCD etc.
2. Serial Access Mode - allows access to a file in a contiguous manner (from start to
end) Example: Magnetic tape
3. Sequential Access Mode
Direct Access Sequential Mode -it’s done sequentially and allows next search to start
from the position of the previous search.
Direct Access Sequential Mode- stores data/information sequentially but allows
selective access to storage location by skipping unrelated files and target required
ones.
2.6 Computer Memory Organization
 Week 5 Continues ...................

The computer system main memory is organized into two:

1) Random Access Memory RAM:
Is the working area of the computer system
It is a vol-ital memory
Types of RAM
I. Static Random Access Memory (SRAN) - a vol-ital memory with constant supply
of electrical pulse to maintain data/information
II. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) - it is an unstable memory data flows
in and out as long as power is supply.
 Week 4 Continues ...................

2) Read Only Memory ROM:

An inbuilt non-volatile memory on the computer motherboard.
Stores system BIOS (Pre-programmed set of instructions).
Types of ROM
- MROM: Masked Read Only Memory
- FROM: Flash Read Only Memory
- PROM: Programmable Read Only Memory
- MPROM: Manufacturer Programmable Read Only Memory
- UPROM: User Programmable Read Only Memory
- EPROM : Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
 Some other Internal Memories of the
Computer System

1. Cache Memory
High speed buffer memory

Comes between CPU and Main memory

2. Virtual Memory
It is an abstract memory that is implemented by demand paging

It also separates logical memory from physical memory

 Week 5 Continues ...................

3. Bobble Memory
 This is a magnetic memory made to attract magnetic fields.
4. Registers
 It is a high speed memory that holds data/instruction during processing
 Registers are found in the CPU inside the CU and ALU
 Secondary Storage Devices and Access
Method

The secondary storage is that type of storage device that is used as

an auxiliary memory of the computer system. It is used to store data
permanently. Secondary Storage allows two different access
method:
1. Sequential Access - allows access to data file/information in
sequential manner. Ex: Magnetic tape
 Week 5 Continues ...................

2. Random Access - data file/information can be accessed randomly from any

location.
Two types
I. Magnetic Disk
-Floppy Disk
- Hard Disk
- Zip
II. Optical Disk
- CD-ROM: Compact Disk - Read Only Memory
- WORM: Write Ones Read Many
 Week 5 Continues ...................

Types of Magnetic Tape

1. ½ Inch Tape Reel

2. ½ Inch Tape Cartridge

3. ¼ Inch Streamer Tape

4. 4mm (millimeter) Digital Audio Tape DAT

 Week 5 Continues ...................

Advantages of Magnetic Tape Storage

Magnetic tape storage has an unlimited storage capacity this is because one can
used as many tape as required.
It is a non-volatile memory.
Tape reel and cartridges are less costly.
They have high data recording capability and can be erased and reused.
They are easy to handle and stored.
 Week 5 Continues ...................

Disadvantages of Magnetic Tape Storage

 Must be stored in a dust free environment because, dust particles can cause tape
reading error.
 Ribbon may jet twisted due to improper handling thus resulting to data lost.
 They must be properly labeled.
 Data access method is sequential therefore requires more access time compared to
other storage medium.
 Input and Output Systems with examples

The input and output devices are used to interact with the computer system.

 Input devices are used to sent/fed data/information from the user to the
computer system.
 Output devices are used to provide data/information from the computer to the
user.
 Input: Controlled by the user
 Output: Controlled by the computer system
 Input: Translate user friendly inputs into machine-understandable form
 Output: Machine-friendly outputs into user-understandable form.
 Input: Helps input data into the system
 Output: Help generate result/output
 INPUT AND OUTPUT DEVICES

Computer
Input Data System
Device (CPU)

Computer
System Output
Data
(CPU) Device

Retrieved from: HTTP://WWW.tutorialsmate.com/2021/11/difference-between-input-and-output-devices.html

 Some Types of Input Devices

Two types
I.Manual Input Device: allows user to enter data/information into the computer by
hand, for example the keyboard.

II.Direct Input Device: allow direct data entry into the computer system. Example
barcarole reader.
 Week 6 Continues ...................

Examples of some Input Devices

i. Keyboard

ii. Digitalize Tablet - enable user to input drawing/sketches

iii. Light Pen - an electronic-optical device which is also used to draw images.

iv. Speech Input or Speech Recognition - an interactive system to communicate

with the computer
 Week 6 Continues ...................

1. Scanner - transfers input into the computer

2. Optical Mark Reorganization - a mark sensing device used to detect the
presence or absent of a mark on a paper
3. Magnitic Ink Character Recolonization - an input device used to read
magnetic characters that are made up of ink.
4. Bar Code Reader - a photoelectric scanner used to read codes or vertical
lines
 Some Type of Output Devices

Forms of Output

i. Hard copy Output- this is the physical form of an output. An example of it is a

printed document. A hard copy output is permanent, tangible, relatively stable and
portable.

ii. Soft Copy Output- this type of output is in an electronic form. It is usually present
in the computer memory or on a disk. The most common soft copy outputs are on
the screen and speakers.
 Week 6 Continues ...................

Examples of Output Devices

i. Monitor - one of the most typical output
ii. Sound Cards and Speakers - enable the manipulation of sound in a unique code and
send sound through the speakers.
iii. Plotters - device used to draw lines on different axis
Types of Printers

1. Dot Metric Printer:

Works by physical impact
Create it an image by using a mechanisms call print head.
Print 25 to 450 characters per second.
2. Ink Jet Printer:
Used a mechanism that spray ink to create an image
Uses nozzles to spray ink
Print up to 4 pages per munite.
It uses cartridge
 Week 6 Continues ...................

3. Laser Printer
 More expensive, fast and high printing quality
 It uses light mechanism to make a print out
 It prints about 4 to 20 pages per munite using a powered ink clled toner.
 Laser printers has CPU and Memory built into it.
4. Daisy Wheel Printer:
 Made up of weel, surrounded by set of slugs.
 The will rotates, pull the pins to come in contact with the parer
 Week 6 Continues ...................

5. Electro-thermal Printer

Uses a high preasure heat to produce a print out

Parers are expose to an array of leectrical elements an image for print out

It down side is that special parers are used.

6. Line Printer

 Chariccterized by it capability to print a complete line in a fraction of seconds.

 Week 6 Continues ...................

Types of Line Printers

i. Drum Printer
Made up of a drum that rolls to ptint characters
Uses a print harmmer and a ribbon between paper to make a print out.
II. Electrostatic Printer
Uses positively and negatively charged toner and paper respectivally.
III. Chain Prnter
Uees a seot of slugs mounted on a rotating chain
 Devices That Serve as Input and Output at
the Same Time

I. Touch Screen
It captures an input when a finger or an object is touches the screen.
II. Digital Camera
It stores images in digital form instead of film.
III. Modem
Transmit datalinformation in and out of the computer.
It MOdulate/DEModulates signals
 Week 6 Continues ...................

POINTING DEVICES
I. Mouse
II. Track Ball
III. Joystick
END OF UNIT TWO