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Computer Systems Overview

Computer Systems Overview. What is a computer? A computer is an electronic information processing system . Information is… text, video, audio, numerical, or other sensory inputs & outputs which are coded into binary values (0’s & 1’s) inside the computer system. Processing is…

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Computer Systems Overview

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  1. Computer Systems Overview What is a computer? A computer is an electronicinformation processingsystem. Information is… text, video, audio, numerical, or other sensory inputs & outputs which are coded into binary values (0’s & 1’s) inside the computer system. Processing is… Converting or changing information inputs to outputs. This includes various types of storage and communication Systems are… As a system it is made from many related parts which can be classified

  2. Systems are... • Users (Human, Automated) • Software (Application Programs, Operating System Programs, and data files) • Hardware (all the physical parts of the system)

  3. Computer Systems Software • Computer programs and raw information • Application Programs • Operating System (Programs) Software • Data files

  4. Application Programs(Software)for user tasks • MS Word, Corel WP, word processors • MS Paint, Photoshop, other graphics • Access, Excel, Quattro, (database, spreadsheets) • Programming Editors • IE, MSN and other web applications • Games

  5. Operating System (Programs) Softwarewhich controls hardware & applications • Win XP, 7 • Linux • Cell phones OS • Pocket PC, Palm OS • Mac OS • BIOS • Device drivers • Utilities (disk defrag, memtest, …)

  6. Data files • Word document (.doc) • Powerpoint Presentation • Pictures (.jpg) • Sound (.mp3) • Excel • Database • Contacts

  7. Hardwarethe physical parts of the computer system • CPU – Central Processing Unit • Motherboard • RAM –Random Access Memory • HDD – Hard Disk Drive • FDD – Floppy Disk Drive • CD – Compact Disk • DVD/BlueRay– Digital Video Disk • Keyboard • Mouse • Microphone • Sound Card • Touch screen • Drawing tablet • Monitor • Video Card • Speakers • Power Supply • Case • Ports (USB, Serial, VGA, HDMI, RCA, RJ45, RJ11) • Peripherals – external add-on devices (Printers, scanners, webcam, barcode reader, fingerprint scanner) Processing Memory Inputs Outputs Storage

  8. Measuring Computer Systems Specifications • A specification is a detailed description or measurement related to the size, speed, connector (interface), and related information about a technology or product. • We are interested in technical/performance specifications (price or colour are not). Information (data) is the key thing being measured in its various forms within a computer system. • Binary digits called bits (0's and 1's) are used to store and move all information electronically. • Bytes are groupings of 8 bits that may be translated to data (e.g ASCII characters).

  9. Measuring Computer Systems Continued... • Data storage capacity (B=byte b=bit): • KB, MB, GB, TB, PB… • Data transfer speed (aka throughput, or bandwidth) • Kbps, Mbps, Gbps, Tbps • KBps, MBps, GBps • KHz, MHz, GHz (Hertz = Hz = 1 cycle/sec. Number of bits transferred depends on coding technique) • MT/s Megatransfers per second. Measure full instructions and data movement • Resolution refers to the screen, print, or scan detail of an image • pixel width x number of lines (eg 1200 x 1080 for HD monitors), or total pixels (cameras) • dot pitch is distance between pixels (e.g. .26 mm), lower is better • dots per inch, dots width x height (printers, scanners)

  10. Measuring Computer Systems Continued... • Form factor - physical shape and electrical connections of a device or interface • Mother board dimensions, and power supply (ATX, microATX, etc) • 3.5” disk, 5.25” disk, etc • Interface refers to the electrical and physical connectors or ports for data • USB • IDE • SCSI • PCI, PCI express • AGP • PS/2 • DVI, HDMI. • FSB (Front side bus - Memory) • Other features & characteristics that affect the quality and performance of a product or system.

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