This document provides an overview and introduction to basic computer system components. It defines a computer as an electronic device that can store, process, and retrieve data according to instructions. Data is defined as raw unprocessed facts, while information is processed data that has meaning. The key components of a total computer system are hardware, software, and liveware (users). Hardware refers to the physical and tangible parts like the system unit, mouse, keyboard and monitor. Software includes operating systems and application programs. Liveware are the computer users. The document further explains the basic hardware components including the processor, memory, storage, input/output and communication devices.

2. Lecture 1
Ms. Shah Rukh Muzammil
Introduction to Computing

3. Overview of today’s lecture
Course Objectives
 Introduction to what a computer system is?
 Data Vs Information.
 What are the basic components of computer
system.
 Memory and Storage Devices.

4. Computer Systems
Overview of Computer Systems

5. What is a Computer…?
• Man-made, programmable electronic machine that can store,
retrieve, and process data according to a given set of
instructions
• Simply we can say ‘It is electronic/intelligent device which can
convert raw DATAin to meaningful INFORMATION ’

6. DATA
• Data can be defined as ‘Raw facts’, ’Meaning less
things’ or ‘Un-processed things’
• Normally data can be input to a system.
• E.g.- In an organization: employee’s name, number of
hours of work, employee address, and employment
commenced date, etc

7. INFORMATION
• Processed data and which has a meaning
unlike data.
• Normally Information are output from a
system.
• E.g.-In an organization: monthly salary of an
employee, total sales in a particular month,
etc

8. Total Computer System
• A system is a collection of elements that work together to
achieve a common objective.
Total
Computer
System
Hardware Software Liveware

9. Total Computer
System
Hardware Software
System
Software
Application
Software
Packages
Languages
Liveware

10. Computer Hardware
• The physical components (tangible parts) of a
computer known as Hardware.
• E.g.- System unit, Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor
etc

11. Software
• Collection of programs or applications, which
contain the instructions that makes the
computer work.
• E.g.-
Windows XP,Ms-Word, Java, AVG, Virus,

12. Liveware
• The computer users are known as Liveware.
• It can be anyone who use the computer.

13. Hardware categorization
• Mainly computer Hardware can be
categorized as follows,
– Processor/CPU
– Memory & integrating devices
– Input devices
– Output devices
– Storage devices
– Communication devices

14. Processor/CPU
• Can be defined as the ‘Brain’ of the computer.
• All the commands are execute from here.
• Mainly consists with two parts,
»ALU
»CU

15. ALU-Arithmetic & Logic Unit
• Responsible for performing Arithmetic
functions such as,
– Addition (+)
– Subtraction (-)
– Division(/)
– Multiplication(*)
• And Logical functions like,
– Is Greater than (>)
– Is Less than(<)

16. CU-Control Unit
ware of• Responsible for controlling all the Hard
the computer and all the Software of the
computer.
• All tasks of the computer has been runs under
the direct co-ordinations of CU.

17. Memory
• There are two types of memories within
computer,
– RAM (Random Access Memory)
– ROM (Read Only Memory)

18. RAM
• Random Access Memory.
• The currently processing data are held within
the RAM.
• Measures as a capacity. (MB,GB)
• Temporary, Volatile.

19. ROM
• Read Only Memory.
• If Compare with the RAM has low capacity.
(Measures with KBs)
• Contain a special software called ‘Firmware’, which
use to turn on the computer (booting) properly by
recognizing the Hardware devices at the system
start-up.
• Firmware also known as ‘BIOS’, Start-up program,
‘CMOS’ setup.
• Non-volatile, Permanent memory type

20. Storage Devices
• The memory locations where use to store
Data/Information permanently.
• E.g.
– HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
– CD-ROM
– DVD-ROM
– Tape Drive
• Much large in capacities. (Measures by using
MBs or GBs)

21. Communication Devices
• Hardware devices use for the communication
purposes.
• E.g.
– MODEM
– Router
– Switch/Hub
– Repeater

22. Understand the Basic Components of
Computer Systems for Discussion in next
class.
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