 Introduction to Computer

Systems and Organization

In today’s life computers plays a vital role in our day-to-day life. We are
surrounded by computers nowadays. Most of our daily work is directly or
indirectly connected with computer systems. Let’s discuss what is a
computer system?

The computer systems and organization is a set of following components:

Hardware: Hardware is the tangible parts of computer systems such

as Keyboard, Mouse, Hard Disk, Motherboard, etc.
Software: Software is the programs stored in computers those help to
do user’s work and provides an interface to the user such as Microsoft
PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe reader, etc.

 Functions of Computer Systems

There are four main functions of the computer system:

1. Input: The process of data feeding by the user (Data means raw
facts and figures)
2. Process: The actual work done in computers
3. Output: The result of user’s task (It can be: On-screen (Soft Copy),
On Paper (Hard Copy) or On Air)
4. Storage: The process of saving data

Insights of Computer Systems and

Organization
The computer system is just like an organization with different units. All
units have their own functional parts or units to do a specific task. Look at
the following diagram:
Insights – Computer Systems and Organizations

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Its work like a manager of a company. It accepts a request from Input
unit, then guides, directs, controls and governs the performance of the
computer. It has three functional units:

1. CU (Control Unit) 2. ALU ( Arithmetic and Logic Unit) 3. Memory Unit

1. CU (Control Unit): It accepts the request from CPU and does not
perform any task itself. It determines, guides and control the request and
then send it to ALU.

2. ALU (Arithmetic and Login Unit): ALU accepts the request from CU
and performs the required task. It checks the request for what kind of task
to be performed such as arithmetic operation (Addition, Subtraction,
Multiplication or Division) or Logical comparison such as (Less Than,
Greater Than etc.). After completion of the task, it sends the request to
the next unit.

3. MU (Memory Unit): It is the next functional unit of computer

organization. It is responsible for storing data into computer storage
locations. It stores data permanently or temporarily. Further MU is divided
into two kinds of memory as follows:
The memory is main part of Computer Systems and Organization.

Watch this video for more understanding:

Primary Memory
Primary memory is also known as the main memory. Primary memory is a
space where users can open their files for work. It works just like a table
or desk in our offices. It saves data temporarily. It is classified as into the
following categories:

1. RAM
2. ROM
3. Cache Memory

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Data can be accessed randomly. It is volatile memory i.e. when power
gets off data will be lost.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

It plays an important role in performing POST(Power On Self Test). It will
check all the connected devices are working properly or not. Data cannot
be edited once written.
RAM and ROM

Cache Memory
It is used to increase the speed of operations of CPU. It is placed between
RAM and CPU. It stores the copies of data from frequently accessed
memory locations that reduce the average time required to access data.
This memory is examined first when the CPU needs some data.

Secondary Memory role in Computer

Systems and Organization
Secondary memory is also known as auxiliary memory. It stores data
permanently. It has a larger storage capacity than primary memory. Data
written on secondary memory must be brought up on to primary memory
before use.

Secondary Memory
Storage Devices
Hard Disk
 It has magnetic storage to store data, retrieve data
 It has rotating platters coated with magnetic material
 These platters are paired with magnetic heads
 Magnetic heads are arranged on a moving actuator arm that read
and write data to platter surfaces
 It is a non-volatile memory
 It has a large storage capacity compared to other secondary storage
devices

Hard disk

IO
IO and Battery are two devices which are performing the tasks of
supplying input and output power in Computer Systems and Organization.

 It pronounced as “eye-oh”
 Refers to a program, operation or devices that transfer data to or
from a computer and to or from a peripheral device
 The transfer is input for one device and output for another device
 Example: Writable CD
 IO Devices

Battery
 Supplies power to a device that allows operating computer without
power
 It runs computers several hours with power backup
 They are rechargeable components
 Three types of batteries are used in computers i. Backup Battery:
These batteries hold computer settings such as date and time, other
devices. Ex. CMOS Battery
 Main Battery: Main batteries refer to an alternate source of energy
when the computer is not connected with the wall outlet Ex. Laptop
Battery
 Bridge Battery: It allows us to remove the main battery and
replace it without having to turn off the computer.

Memory Units
Memory units helps to decide the capacity and requirements of storage in
Computer Systems and Organization.

 It is just like a cell; these cells are broken down into small units
called bits
 Bit means a binary digit either 0 or 1
 4 bits make up a nibble
  8 bits make up one byte
 Every higher memory unit is equal to 210 of its lower units

Memory Unit Chart

Computer Systems and

Organizations – Mobile System
Organization
 A Mobile is a portable computer in hand
 It has a touch screen, call management system, front and rear
camera, display system, memory like RAM as well as internal
memory, SIM card, battery, speaker, and processor
 A processor of the mobile system has less power compared to
computer systems as they are running of small batteries
 A mobile system has the following components:
o CPU handles instructions
o GPU assists the CPU to handle the visuals
o Camera ISP (Image Signal Processor) provides and handles
camera functions
o Radio & 3G/4G Modem receives and transmits voice
connections, 3G/4G enables the modem to send and receive
digital signals
o Memory the controller provides a direct link to memory
o The battery system supplies power to the mobile
Computer Systems and
Organizations – Software
Concepts
As discussed earlier software is a program written in the programming
language that allows doing specific tasks in computer. It is abbreviated as
SW or S/W often. User needs to install them before use. There are two
types of software:

1. System Software
2. Application Software

System Software
In Computer Systems and Organization, software plays vital role n
operations. A computer is just like a rectangular box of hardware without
software. The system software is responsible to perform some internal
tasks of a computer system. There are two types of system software

Operating System
The primary function of the Operating System is to provide a platform to
user and make the computer usable. It allows to make the hardware run
competently. The tasks of the operating system are device management,
process management, user management etc. There are different types of
OS such as Single User OS, Multi-User OS, Time-sharing OS, Real-time OS,
Multi-tasking OS, Distributed OS etc.

Language Processor
It is a translator that translates a high-level language program to machine
level language. There are three types of language processors such as
Assembler, Compiler and Interpreter.

Application Software
Application software carries out the important functions for Computer
Systems and Organization with the help of programs. It provides special
services or a specific task. This software is written by programmers to
serve users as per their requirement. It is subdivided into categories such
as Packages, Utilities, Customized Software, and Developer Tools.

Packages
The Packages are a special set of software that serves general-purpose
Ex. MS Office, Adobe, DTP Software, Macromedia tools etc.

Utilities
Utilities are helpful programs like basic editing, calculation, cleaning,
rearranging, scanning files etc. Ex. Text Editor, Calc, Backup,
Compression, Defragmenter etc.

Tailor-made software
Customized Software refers to tailor-made software that provides
functions as per the requirement of people such as ERP software, Payroll
Software, Hotel Management, Reservation System etc.

Developer Tools/IDE Tools

Developer tools are designed for the software developer to write code and
compile, debugging, testing software Ex. Netbeans, Anaconda etc.