Basics of Computing Systems; Identifying Computer Systems

Auditing Information Systems
15 Feb 2023
Muhammad Yousuf Ali
Associate Librarian
The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
PhD Scholar, The Islamia University Bahawalpur
E-mail : usuf12@gmail.com
Cell: 0333-3272475

Part I
Basics of Computing Systems; Identifying Computer Systems
Muhammad Yousuf Ali, PhD Scholar, Associate Librarian usuf12@gmail.com

What is Computer System
• A computer system is made up of hardware and software
components and is capable of:
• data input – using input devices
• data processing – using a microprocessor, typically the Central Processing
Unit (CPU)
• data output – using output devices
• It may also be capable of:
• data storage – so data can be stored for later use
• data transmission – so data can be transferred to or from another computer
system

What is Hardware ?
• Hardware refers to any component that has a physical presence and
can therefore be touched.
• There are five types of Hardware
• Input Devices
• Processing Devices
• Storage Devices
• Communication Devices
• Output Devices

Types of Hardware
• Input Devices
these include any kind of device which can be used for getting data into the
computer system from the outside world. Some examples include; keyboard, mouse,
microphone, heat sensors, switches, touch screens, digital cameras and so on.
• Processing Devices
This usually refers to the Central Processing Unit (CPU) which carries out program
instructions.
• Storage Devices
These include any device which will store data until it is needed for processing. This
can include temporary storage devices, like the computer’s memory, or long-term
storage devices like hard-drives, DVD drives or tape drives, etc.
• Communication Devices
These deal with the transfer of data from one computer system to another and
include routers which link networks and modems which allow computers to
communicate data via the Internet.
• Output Devices
These include any devices which can provide data in a useful format to a user. For
example a computer monitor, speakers, printers etc.

Types of Computer
Types of Computer
1. Super Computer
2. Desktop Computer | Personal Computer
3. Mini Computer
4. Mainframe Computers
5. WorkStation | Server

Types of Computer
1. Super Computer
A supercomputer is a computer that performs at or near the highest operational
rate for computers. Traditionally, supercomputers have been used for scientific
and engineering applications that must handle massive databases, do a great
amount of computation or both.
2. Desktop Computer | Personal Computer
A personal computer (PC) is a multi-purpose microcomputer whose size,
capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use. Personal computers
are intended to be operated directly by an end user, rather than by a computer
expert or technician.
3. Mini Computer
Minicomputer, computer that was smaller, less expensive, and less powerful
than a mainframe or supercomputer but more expensive and more powerful
than a personal computer. Minicomputers were used for scientific and
engineering computations, business transaction processing, file handling, and
database management.

Types of Computer
Types of Computer
4. Mainframe Computers
A mainframe computer, informally called a mainframe or big iron, is a computer used
primarily by large organizations for critical applications like bulk data processing for tasks
such as censuses, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and
large-scale transaction processing.
5. WorkStation Computer
A workstation is a special computer designed for technical or scientific applications.
Intended primarily to be used by a single user, they are commonly connected to a local
area network and run multi-user operating systems.
6. Server Computer
A server is a computer program or device that provides a service to another computer
program and its user, also known as the client. In a data center, the physical computer that
a server program runs on is also frequently referred to as a server.

Category of Computers
There are three category of computers
1. Analogue.
2. Digital.
3. Hybrid.

There are three category of computers
1. Analogue computers
2. Digital computers
3. Hybrid hybrids computers

1. Analogue computers
An Analog computer, any of a class of devices in which
continuously variable physical quantities, such as electrical
potential, fluid pressure, or mechanical motion, are represented
in a way analogous to the corresponding quantities in the
problem to be solved

2. Digital computers
A digital computer is machine that stores data
in a numerical format and performs operations
on that data using mathematical manipulation.

3. Hybrid computers
Hybrid computers are computers that exhibit features
of analog computers and digital computers. The digital
component normally serves as the controller and
provides logical and numerical operations, while the
analog component often serves as a solver of
differential equations and other mathematically
complex problems

Connect me
Gmail : usuf12@gmail.com
Twitter : @usufsimu
YouTube: 5Minutes Information
https://www.youtube.com/c/MuhammadYousufAli/videos
ResearchGate :
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Muhammad_Ali118
Whats App : +92 333 3272475
Auditing Information Systems

Questions & Answers
Time
https://teachcomputerscience.com/fundamentals-of-
computer-systems/
https://www.chtips.com/computer-
fundamentals/different-types-of-computer-system/
https://teachcomputerscience.com/fundamentals-of-
computer-systems/

Basics of Computing Systems; Identifying Computer Systems

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