Computer-Based Systems

Computer -Based System Procedures Personnel Data Software Hardware

Computer-Based Systems A computer-based system is a system that has a computer as its central component. Computer-based systems have five elements: – Hardware – Software – Data – Procedures – Personnel

Hardware Process and Control Process and Control Storage Output Input The Motherboard

Hardware Hardware is the physical part of the computer- based system. Hardware has five elements: – Input – Output – Control – Process – Storage

Input Devices Input Keyboard Mouse Microphone

Input Devices Input devices allow us to enter data into the computer-based system. Some examples of input devices are: – Keyboard (entering alphanumeric data) – Mouse (selecting and manipulating graphic elements) – Microphone (entering audio data) – Web Camera (entering visual data)

Output Devices Output Printer Screen Speakers

Output Devices Output devices allow us to display information from the computer-based system. Some examples of output devices are: – Screen (displays dynamic representation of information) – Printer (displays static representation of information) – Speakers (display audio information) More …

Data vs. Information We enter data into the computer-based system using input devices. Data is numbers and letters. When this data is displayed using output devices so that it has meaning, we have information. Data + Meaning = Information

Storage Devices Storage Primary Secondary

Primary Storage Primary

Secondary Storage

Storage Devices Storage devices hold data. There are two types of storage: – Primary (needed for the computer to operate) – Secondary (important, but not necessary) There are two types of primary storage: – RAM (Random Access Memory) holds the data that the computer is using right now. – ROM (Read Only Memory) holds instructions that tell the computer how to start up. More …

An Analogy … Secondary storage is like a bookshelf. You can keep lots of books on the bookshelf. While they are on the bookshelf, you can’t read them. They are just stored there. We save all our files and programs to secondary storage when we are not using them. RAM (Primary Storage) is like your desk. When you want to read a book, you grab it off the bookshelf (aka secondary storage) and place it on your desk. The larger your desk, the more books (files and programs) you can have open at the same time. The more RAM you have, the more files and programs you can use at the same time without slowing the system.

Process and Control There is only one process device – the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit). This device performs all the mathematical and logical operations required on the data. There is only one control device – the CU (Control Unit). This device directs the flow of data throughout the system. Together, the CU and the ALU comprise a piece of hardware called the CPU (Central Processing Unit) or Processor. More …

The CPU Central Processing Unit Control Unit Arithmetic Logic Unit More …

Flow of Data Input Control Unit Arithmetic Logic Unit Storage Output

The Motherboard CPU SlotRAM Slots PS/2 Slot for a keyboard Universal Serial Bus (USB) Slots Video Graphics Adaptor (VGA) Slot Digital Video Interface (DVI) Slot Networking Slot Audio Input and Output Slots ROM CMOS Battery More …

The Motherboard The motherboard is a fibreglass board implanted with a number of slots connected by soldered wires (bus). Hardware devices are slotted into these slots and communicate with each other through the bus. External hardware that plugs into the motherboard from outside the computer’s box are called peripherals.

Software Utilities Applications Operating System Operating System

Software Software is detailed instructions that tell the hardware what to do! There are three types of software: – Operating System (which allows the user to interact with the computer-based system) – Applications (programs that allow you to complete tasks that you want to do) – Utilities (programs that keep the Operating System in working order)

Operating System Operating System Windows Mac OS Linux Windows 7 Vista XP OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion OS X 10.7 Lion Android Ubuntu

Operating Systems There are two families of operating system: – Windows (produced by Microsoft), a proprietary operating system, installed by default on most computer systems. There have been many different versions of Windows. You need to pay to upgrade to each new version. Most software available in stores is written for the Windows operating system. – Linux (produced by numerous companies and individuals) is an open source operating system. There are many different versions of this software. It is available for sale and for free. More …

Three Desktops … Mac OSX 10.8 Mountain Lion Windows 7 Ubuntu “Oneiric Ocelot” Note: Up until version 9 of Mac’s OS, they produced their own proprietary operating system. Now, they base their OS on Linux – but it is licensed only to run on their own hardware. It’s not free, unlike other types of Linux.

Applications Office Suites Office Suites Communication Microsoft Office iWork OpenOffice Graphics Instant Messaging Media Games Web Browsers

Applications Applications are programs run by the computer user to complete a task Applications can be divided into categories: – Office Suites are used for creating and editing documents. These can be word processor files, spread sheets, presentations, and more. There are many office suites, including Microsoft Office (Windows), iWork (Mac), and OpenOffice, among others. – Graphics editors create and edit pictures. These include proprietary software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash, as well as open- source software such as Inkscape and GIMP More …

Applications – Games are software applications for enjoyment, although some are designed to be educational. – Media applications allow us to create and play audio-visual material. This includes software such as iTunes, Windows Media Player, VLC, PhotoStory, and Adobe Premiere. – Communication Applications allows us to communicate with others. Communication applications include: Web Browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari) Clients (Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail) Instant Messaging (MSN Messenger, Pidgin, IRC) Telephony (Skype)

Utilities Firewall Antivirus Backup

Utilities Software that keeps the Operating System in working order. – Antivirus Software – Firewalls – Back Up

Personnel Direct Users Direct Users Indirect Users Indirect Users

Personnel The users of the computer-based system are called personnel. Personnel can be divided into two groups: – Direct users physically interact with the computer system – Indirect users are affected by the computer system but do not physically use it

Procedures Loading paper Turning on Instructions

Procedures Procedures are the way we use the computer system... – Turning the computer on. – Using the keyboard. – Putting paper into the printer.

Data Folder Structure Music Files System Files Program Data Documents Movie Files

Data Data is raw facts that are processed by the computer-based system. Processed data becomes information.