Components of the Computerized System

The main components of the computer system are:

1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Peopleware
4. Procedures
5. Data

I. HARDWARE
- This refers to the configuration of physical equipment comprising the input, processing,
and output phases of an EDP system. This includes:

1. Central Processing Unit(CPU, main frame)

- The central processing unit or principal hardware component of a computer system
represents the “brain” of the computer which performs the execution of the program
instructions, processes data, and transfers data between the main storage and input/output
devices.
- Control Unit
- Part of a digital computer or processor which determines the execution
and interpretation of instructions in proper sequence, including the decoding of
each instruction and the application of the proper signals to the arithmetic unit and
other register in accordance with the decoded information.
- Arithmetic Logic Unit
- Portion of the hardware of a computer in which arithmetic and logical
operations are performed. Arithmetic operations refer to the basic mathematical
operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Logical operations
refer to the comparison of two items to determine of one item is less than, greater
than or equal to the other.
- Storage or Memory
- Device in which data can be stored and from which they can be obtained
at a later time. Primary storage is closely connected to the CPU in the central
processor. It consists of electronic components that store letters, numbers, and
special characters used in processing. The purpose of primary storage is to hold the
operating system, part or all of a program being executed, and data used by
program.
a. Internal primary storage includes register memory for very brief storage of
small amounts of data and instructions immediately before use, cache
memory for storage of frequently used data and programs, and Random
Access Memory (RAM), which is used to store large quantities of data.
Data may be read from or written on RAM. A power interruption causes
erasure of RAM.
 b.Read-only memory is permanent storage used to hold the basic low-level
programs and data. ROM can be read from but not written to; ROM chips
are obtained from the manufacturer with programs already stored in them.
A power interruption does not erase data written on ROM or on magnetic
secondary storage devices. However, a power interruption may corrupt the
data.
1. Programmable ROM(PROM) can be programmed once.
2. Erasable programmable ROM(EPROM) can be erased using a
special process and then reprogrammed.
2. Peripheral Equipment
- this encompasses the auxiliary machines that may be placed under the control of the
CPU. Classified as on-line or off-line, it consists of input, storage and output devices.

a. Input devices/ Data entry devices

- these are devices that provide a means of transferring data into CPU
storage.
- Examples (data entry terminal, magnetic diskette drive, magnetic ink
character reader, optical scanner, console, remote terminals, point-of-sale stations,
Bar code readers, etc)
b. Output devices
- these are devices that produce readable data for users or imputable data
for further processing.
- Examples (Cathode ray tube, printers, plotters, magnetic tape, microfilm,
microfiche, multimedia output device, etc)
c. Storage Devices
- these are devices that store data that can be subsequently used by the
CPU. Classified as sequential or random access, and secondary storage devices,
data are made available to the CPU by a peripheral processor.
- Examples (Magnetic drum, magnetic disk, magnetic cards/strips, floppy
disks,CD-ROM, image processing)
d. Other peripheral equipment
1. Controllers
- hardware unit designed to operate specific input or output units
- these devices eliminate the need for the CPU to operate such
devices.
- Examples (Terminals and printers)
2. Channels
- hardware units located within or outside the CPU that are
designed to handle the transfer of data into or out of primary
storage (memory). Thus, the CPU need not handle the transfer of
data.
3. Console
- it is used for communication between an operator or engineer and
 the computer.
- it permits the computer to exchange instructions with the operator,
logs jobs, and provides a printout of activity that can be reviewed
by auditors and the control group.
4. Node
- hardware device in a network that can act as a message buffer
(hold part of the message until the rest is received), switch
messages, and serve as an error control.
- a node can be a computer, controller or multiplexor.
5. Emulator
- hardware device that permits one system to imitate another, that
is, to use the same data and programs and obtain the same results as
the other system.
6. Performance Monitor
- hardware or software that observes and records system activities
- Examples (electrical activity or data about program execution)
II. SOFTWARE
- These are softwares that supervise the operations of the CPU, control the input/output
functions of the computer system, translate the programming languages and provide
various other support activities.

a. Systems Software
- softwares that supervise the operations of the CPU, control the input/output functions of
the computer system, translate programming languages and provide various other support
services. They include:
1. Operating Systems
- controls and schedules hardware use. It is a set of software program that helps a
computer run itself, and the application programs designed for it.
- to communicate with the user, the operating system of a personal computer may
include a graphical user interface (GUI) which employs graphic icons to represent
activities, programs and files.
- Examples (DOS, Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, AmigaOS, etc)
- several different operating systems permit a single configuration of hardware to
function in the following modes:
i. Multiprogramming
- the operating system processes a program until an input/output operation
is required.
ii. Multiprocessing
- multiple CPUs process data while sharing peripheral units, allowing two
or more programs to be executed simultaneously.
iii. Virtual storage
- the system brings to primary storage from secondary storage the “page”
of the program that the user is working on.
 iv. Batch Mode (single thread)
- programs are processed from beginning to end without interruption in
processing.
v. Time sharing
- differs from multiprogramming in that the CPU spends a fixed amount of
time on each program.
vi. Multitasking
- multiprogramming on a single-user operating system, for example, in a
microcomputer.
2. Database management systems (DBMS)
- perform multipurpose data handling functions.
- allows programmers and designers to work independently of the physical and
logical structure of the database.
- comprehensive software package for the purpose of creating, accessing, and
maintaining a database. Three primary methods of structuring a database include:
i. Hierarchical
- the data elements at one level “own” the data elements at the next lower
level
ii. Networked
- each data elemet can have several owners and can own several other
elements
iii. Relational
- a database with the logical structure of a spreadsheet.
3. Utility programs
- perform basic EDP operations such as sorting, merging and other file
maintenance.
4. Interpreting program
- translates instructions written in the programming language into machine
language.
5. Compiler program
- reads ad converts the whole program first and execute it after the entire source
code has been translated.
6. Source programs
- programs written in all non-machine languages or source languages. They can
be converted into object programs before they can be used directly by a processor.
7. Object program
- a program of machine readable and executable instructions to be followed by the
CPU. Only an object program can actually be used to run a computer.
8. Assembler program
- programs that convert source programs written in assembler language ( a
mnemonic language) into object programs.
 9. Telecommunications monitor program
- provides edit capabilities and file maintenance to users, monitors on-line
terminals and handles input to application programs.
10. Access control software
- protects files, programs, data dictionaries, processing etc., from unauthorized
access; restricts use of certain devices and may provide an audit trail for access
attempts.
b. Application (user) programs
- these are programs that are written to perform specialized functions or data processing
requirements in any applied discipline such as business science, medicine, education and
law enforcement.
- Application programs may be developed internally or purchased from vendors
1. Vendor-produced software
- is in either source code or object code but vendors prefer to sell the latter.
2. Application software production
- a vital aspect of system development, and control over its maintenance.

III. PERSONNEL
- Without people, nothing seems to function, certainly not with computer systems.
a. Information Systems EDP Manager
- has overall responsibility for supervising and controlling all activities performed in the
data processing department such as designing, developing and maintaining the business
systems and running the data processing equipment.
b. Systems Development Personnel
1. Systems Analyst
i. Receives potential applications of data processing and works with users in
defining requirements for information.
ii. Evaluates the existing application system and designs new or improved
data processing procedures.
iii. Designs the various computerized and manual control.
iv. Monitors the program maintenance function and maintains systems
documentation.
2. Systems Programmer
i. Writes and maintains programs that manage the resources of the computer
system.
ii. Provides the link between the needs of application systems and the
requirements.
iii. Supplies technical guidance concerning the operating system to all other
members of the data processing staff.
3. Application Programmer
i. Determines the logic of the computer programs required by the overall
system designed by the systems analysts.
ii. Codes the computer procedures for programmed controls.
 iii. Debugs the resulting program and prepares documentation.
4. Database administrator
i. Responsible for maintaining the database and restricting access to the
database to authorized personnel.
ii. Controls all aspects of the design and development of database and is
responsible for the preparation of the data dictionary.
iii. Provides continuing liaison between the EDP design team and the users in
regard to logical file structures and data content.
c. Operations Personnel
1. Computer Operator
i. Responsible for the daily operations of both the hardware and the
software.
ii. Mounts magnetic tape on the tape drives, supervise operations on the
operator’s console, accept any required input and distributes any generated
output.
iii. Provides physical security over data and program files that are in an
operational mode.
2. Data Entry Operator
i. Converts manual input to machine-readable form by entering it in a
keyboard into a device that will either record the data on machine-readable
media (cards, disks or tape) or enter it directly into the computer for
processing.
3. Librarian
i. Maintains custody and control over magnetic tapes, computer
documentation, and other computer related software.
4. Control Clerk
i. Acts as liaison between users and the processing centers.
ii. Monitors manual input that is transmitted from the functional areas (e.g.
payroll and shipping)
iii. Monitors computer output, performs control balancing and distributes
reports coming from the system.
iv. Maintains error logs and ensures compliance with control totals.

IV. PROCEDURES
- These refer to the process for obtaining and preparing data, operating the
computer, distributing the input from computer processing and controlling
processing steps.
V. DATA
- Raw facts t be gathered, processed to generate information which in turn s
presented to the user as basis for decision making.