Transcript module 2 - Mohd Anwar

Module 2 : Part 1
INTRODUCTION
TO HARDWARE & SOFTWARE
Module Objectives
At the end of the module, students should be
able to:
– identify the terms and concept related to
computer hardware and software
– identify the six basic unit of a computer
– identify the two types of computer
software
– explain the differences between
application software and system software
Hardware Vs. Software ???
• Hardware - objects that we can
actually touch, like disks, disk drives,
display screens, keyboards, printers,
boards, and chips.
• Software - untouchable. Software
exists as ideas, concepts, and
symbols, but it has no substance.
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/H/hardware.html
Hardware Vs. Software ???
• Books provide a useful analogy.
• The pages and the ink are the
hardware, while the words,
sentences, paragraphs, and the
overall meaning are the software.
• A computer without software is like a
book full of blank pages
– you need software to make the computer
useful just as you need words to make a
book meaningful
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/H/hardware.html
Basic Unit of A Computer
• Every computer can be divided into six
basic units :
1. Input Unit
• “Receiving” section of computer
• Obtains data from input devices
– Usually a keyboard, mouse, disk or scanner
• Places data at disposal of other units
Basic Unit of A Computer
2. Output Unit
• “Shipping” section of computer
• Puts processed data/info on various output
devices
– Monitor (screens), printers, projector, speakers
• Makes info available outside the computer
Basic Unit of A Computer
3. Memory Unit
• Rapid access, low capacity “warehouse”
• Retains information entered through input unit
• Retains info that has already been processed until can
be sent to output unit
• Often called memory, primary memory, or random
access memory (RAM)
Basic Unit of A Computer
4. Arithmetic and Logic Unit
• “Manufacturing” section of computer
• Performs calculations (addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division)
• Contains decision mechanisms and can
make comparisons
• The Arithmetic and Logic unit is responsible
for doing the actual computing and so can be
considered to be the brain of the computer
Basic Unit of A Computer
5. Central Processing Unit
(CPU)
– “Administrative” section of computer coordinates and supervises other
sections
– the heart of the computer where all
the computing is done.
– All the other devices are concerned
with moving data to or from the CPU.
– The central processing unit consists of
three main components, the control
unit, the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU),
and the registers.
Basic Unit of A Computer
6. Secondary Storage Unit
• Long-term, high-capacity “warehouse”
• Stores programs or data not currently being used by
other units on secondary storage devices (like discs)
• Takes longer to access than primary memory
Basic Computer Hardware
Inside the computer…
http://www.canr.msu.edu/vanburen/techindx.htm
Common Computer Platform
• PC (IBM-Compatible)
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Emphasis on Business Computing
More popular platform in the world
Normally CPU powered By Intel, AMD
Normally Windows is the OS for PC
First PC was introduced by IBM
Common Computer Platform
• Apple Macintosh
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Very popular for computer graphics application
Very good Graphical User Interface
Native Digital Video File format (QuickTime)
Latest CPU=G5 processor (2.7 GHz)
OS System is MAC OS
What is Software ?
• Series of instructions or programs that process data
• Two types :
– System software
• Used mainly by the computer
– Application software
• Used only by the user
• The purpose of software is to cause a task, process, or
computation to be performed.
• A task can include the retrieval, storage, or display of
information.
• A computer system requires software to make the best use of
its capabilities and to solve problems
What is System Software ?
• Enables application software to interact with computer hardware
• A “Background” software  manage internal computer
resources and coordinate the application software
requests with computer hardware without user interaction
• Operating system software
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Most important system software
Executes application software
Stores data and programs
manages all the overall operation of the computer system
I.e.  Eg. Window XP, Windows 2000, Linux, UNIX,
Sun Solaris, Mac OS X
Popular Operating System
Windows OS
• Windows platform
(NT, 98, 98se, ME,
2000, XP, 2003) is
currently the
dominating OS for
the personal
computer (IBM-PC
and compatible).
• By Microsoft.
Popular Operating System
Mac OS
• The main operating
system for the Apple
Macintosh.
• The most advanced
version is Mac OS X.
• Previous version
includes Mac OS 8.0
and 9.0.
Popular Operating System
Linux OS
• Open Source operating
system
• Many
distributions/versions
• Red Hat 9.0, Mandrake,
SuSE, Lindows,
Knoppix and many
others
What is Application Software ?
•End-user software  enter commands and typically interact with
application programs.
• General-purpose programs
– Some types: Browsers, Spreadsheet,
Database management systems,
presentation graphics, word processor
– i.e  Internet Explorer, Microsoft
Word, PowerPoint
• Special-purpose programs
– Custom written for specialized tasks
– written for an organization’s or
business type’s specific purpose
– i.e.  Online Registration System
Application Software
Word processor
Spreadsheets
Databases
Communications
Presentation
Others - Groupware