Chapter – 1

Computer System

Computer System – A computer stystem comprises of five basic components:

1. Input unit – It takes input for the computer. The input unit are attached to computer .
eg. Keyboard, Mouse, MICR, OMR, OCR, joystick, Microphone(Mic), Scanner,
Barcode Reader, Light Pen.

2. Output unit – The output devices are used to make the output. The Output unit
converts the output in binary form to human readable form. eg. Monitor, Printer,
speakers.

3. Central Processing Unit(CPU) – for processing data and instructions.

(a) Arithmetic and Logic Unit – carrying out the arithmetic instruction(add,subtract,
multiply and divide) and logic dicisions (greater than, less than and equal to etc.)
(b) Control Unit – this unit is responsible for controlling and supervising the processing.
(c) Registers – are small units of data holding place. The CPU uses registers to temporary
hold some important process-information during the time .

4. Primary Memory/ Main Memory(RAM) - It is internal Volatile memory where data

and instruction are stored while proecessing. It is Volatile in nature as the power is
switched off, everything stored in the memory gets erased and cannot be recalled. It
has a limited storage capacity.
(a) Read Only Memory (ROM) – It performs the read operation only; it does not have a
write capability. It is non – volatile / parmanent memory.
(b) Cashe Memory – is a high-speed storage mechanism. It is a reserved section of main
memory or an independent high-speed storage device on CPU chip.

5. Secondary Memory - it is external memory/ permanent memory. eg. Hard Disks,

Compact Disks, Pen Drives., Solid-State Drive, Blue-ray Disc etc.

The System Bus – The system bus is an electronic pathway composed of connecting cables
and that connects the major components of a computer system. Data and instruction are
passed among the computer system.
(i) Data Bus – Carry the data from one part to other parts.
(ii) Control Bus – It control the instrustion .
(iii) Addess Bus – It is a memory bus.
Data Capturing – means inputting data to convert it into digital form so that is usable to
computer. We use keyboard, mouse, barcode readers, sensors for capturing data into the
digital form.
Data Storage – The captured data may be proessed immeiately or may be stored for
processing at a later time. Data captured data, digital device is used.
Data Retrieval – it refers to the process of obtaining stored data from a storage device and
making it available to the CPU.
Access Time – refers to the time taken to retrieve data from a storage device.
Software – We know the set of program that govern the operation of a computer system and
make the hardware run.
 1. System Software
2. Application Software

System Software –it controls internal computer operations is called system software.
(i) Operating System – An operating system is a program which acts as an
interface between a user and the hardware. eg. Windows, DOS, ORACLE,
UNIX, LINUX etc.
(ii) Language Processors – A special type of a computer software that translate the
source code (High Level Program C,C++, Java etc.) into an object code
machine language or binary language that computer can understand.
eg. Assembler, Interpreter, Compiler
(iii) System Utilities – Application programs that assist the computer to
work smooth functioning. eg. Antivirus Software, File Management Tools,
Compression Tools, Disk Management Tools (Disk Cleanup Tool, Disk
Defragmenter, Backup Utility).
(iv) Device Drivers – Drivers are programs or files that contain sets of
instructions for the operating system how best to operate or drive a certain
hardware device. (Audio device, Video Device, Scanner, Camera, Modem)
Application Software – Is the set of programs necessary to carry out operations for a
specified application.
(i) General Purpose software
(ii) Customised Software
General Purpose Software –
(i) Word Processing Software – MS- Word, Open Office Writer etc.
(ii) Spreadsheet – MS-Excel, Calc
(iii) Database Management System – MS -Access, Base, MySQL etc.
(iv) Desktop Publishing Software - Adobe, QuarkExpress etc.
(v) Graphic, Multimedia and presentation application – CorelDraw, Photoshop,
PowerPoint. Etc.
(vi) Web browser – Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari etc.
Customised Software- Customised software refers to specially developed software, which is
created by software programmers for the tasks specific to the needs . eg. Railways
Reservation, Airlines booking system, medicine sales, hotal booking, travelling etc.
Propeietary and Free and Open Source Software
1. (1) OSS - refers to open source software whose source code is available to customers
and it can be modified and redistributed without any limitation. An OSS may come
free of cost or with a payment.
(2) FOSS – Free Libre and open Source Software which means free as well as open source
software.
2. Proprietory Software – The software that is neigher open nor freely available.
It is regulated through a licence and further distribution and modification is
requires special permission.
3. Freeware – Freeware are the software which permit redistribution but not
modification.
4. Free Software – Freely accessible and can be freely used, changed, imporved,
copied and distributed by all.