Components of a

COMPUTER SYSTEM

Hardware
Tangible

parts of the
computer
Electronic and mechanical
parts of the computer.

Major Hardware Components

Processing
Storage

(Main Memory, Secondary Memory,

)
Input Devices
Output Devices
Removable

Note: the processing and most storage devices

are usually found inside the system unit
casing.

-PROCESSING
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
BRAIN of the computer
Parts of the CPU
Can execute instructions at lighting
speed

1.

Control Unit
Manager of the CPU
Guides the mechanism of the system

continuation parts of
CPU
2.

3.

Arithmetic Logic Unit

Executes arithmetic and logic
operations

Registers
Temporary storage device
Managed by the Control Unit
* Instruction Register
contains the instructions the CPU is
currently executing
* Test Register
Contains the results of calculations
performed by the CPU

continuation parts of
CPU
4.

Clock
Timing circuitry that measure the
timing tasks performed by the
CPU in terms of Clock Cycles or
Clock Rate (Hertz - Hz)

-STORAGE / MEMORY
Main Memory RAM
(Random Access Memory)
sometimes
calledvolatilebeca
use it looses its
information when
power is removed or
when the program is
terminated

 continuation -STORAGE
Secondary Memory
Hard Disk
This is where
programs and data
are kept on a longterm basis.
Also called nonvolatile storage
device

 continuation -STORAGE

 continuation -STORAGE
Removable
Storage Devices
3 Floppy Disk
Compact Disk /
DVD / BLU-ray
Flash Drive
Memory Card
External Hard Disk

INPUT DEVICES
used to bring data
into the system
peripherals to
provide data and
control signals to
an information
processing
system such as
a computer.

 continuation INPUT
Keyboard
Typewriter looking
device with keys
representing letters
Parts of the keyboard
1. Alpha numeric
keypad
2. Numeric
3. Environment keys
4. Function keys
5. Cursor Keys

STANDARD KEYBOARD

 continuation INPUT
Mouse
Uses a ball to
track the
movements of
the mouse and
represent it as
the movement of
the cursor

 continuation INPUT
Microphone
Audio input
device, it
captures sounds
and translates it
for the
computer to use

 continuation INPUT
Bar

code reader

 continuation INPUT
Graphics

tablet

OUTPUT DEVICES
peripherals

used to send
data out of the
system.

 continuation OUTPUT
Some output devices are:
Monitor
Printer
Speaker
Plotter
LCD Projector
Earphones

Software
Intangible

component of the
computer system unit
Types of Software:
1. System Software
. designed to operate thecomputer
hardwareto provide basic
functionality and to provide a
platform for runningapplication
software

 continuation TYPES of
SOFTWARE
2. Application Software
. set of programs that allows the
computer to perform a specific
data processing job for the user

 continuation TYPES of
SOFTWARE
3.

Programming Software
.tools in the form of programs or
applications that software developers use
to create, debug, maintain, or otherwise
support other programs and applications
.Examples:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Compilers
Debuggers
Interpreters
Linkers, and
Text editors
source: wikipedia.com

Peopleware
Peopleware

can refer to anything

that has to do with the role of
people in the development or use
of computer software and
hardware systems

a layer structure
showing where
the operating
systemsoftware
andapplication
softwareare
situated while
running on a
typicaldesktop
computer
source: wikipedia.com