Introduction to Computer systems. Computer architecture. Lecture 1. Teacher: Aziyeva Nurgul Tanirbergenovna The Discipline: Information and communication technology (ICT)

Computer system - a system of interconnected computers that share a central storage system and various peripheral devices such as a printers, scanners, or routers. Each computer connected to the system can operate independently, but has the ability to communicate with other external devices and computers. A computer system is one that is able to take a set of inputs, process them and create a set of outputs. This is done by a combination of hardware and software. The diagram below shows you the idea of a computer system in its most basic form

The computer system has one or more inputs to provide data. This data is then processed in some way. The outcome of the processing is sent to an output or it may be stored until some event happens to cause it to be output. For processing to take place, there needs to be a set of instructions of what needs to be done. This set of instructions is called a program. This system is called a stored-program computer.

The very first commercial computer in the entire world of this type was built in Britain in 1949 and was called the Manchester (Ferranti) Mark 1, see below. The beauty of this type of computer system is that it is flexible - the machine performs a different task by simply loading a different program from storage.

The components of modern computer science Modern computers are electronic and digital. The actual machinery -- wires, transistors, and circuits -- is called hardware; the instructions and data are called software. All general-purpose computers require the following hardware components: memory: enables a computer to store, at least temporarily, data and programs. mass storage device: allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of data. Common mass storage devices include disk drives and tape drives. input device: usually a keyboard and mouse, the input device is the conduit through which data and instructions enter a computer. output device: a display screen, printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has accomplished. central processing unit (CPU): the heart of the computer, this is the component that actually executes instructions. In addition to these components, many others make it possible for the basic components to work together efficiently. For example, every computer requires a bus that transmits data from one part of the computer to another.digitaltransistorshardwaredatasoftware memorystore mass storagedevicedisk drivestape drives input devicekeyboardmouse output devicedisplay screenprinter central processing unitbus

Computer Classification, By Size and Power Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is considerable overlap: personal computer: a small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information, and a storage device for saving data. workstation: a powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor. minicomputer: a multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously. mainframe: a powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously. supercomputer: an extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second. personal computerusermicroprocessormonitorstorage devicesaving workstation minicomputermulti-user mainframe supercomputer

Common PC Components This table lists all of the common computer components, what they connect to and what they are used for. COMPONENTPURPOSE 1Motherboard The motherboard or mainboard is the main circuitboard which interconnects to all other components. The motherboard allows communication and power to flow throughout the computer system. 2Processor (CPU) The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer system. This is the part of the computer which processes all inputs and decides how they will be outputed. 3Memory (RAM) Random Access Memory (RAM) is your computers short term memory and enables the computer system to perform multitasking functions such as copy and paste or type information into a word document without it saving. 4Video/Graphics Card The Video/Graphics Card is responsible for receiving visual inputs and displaying (outputing) all visual data. Graphics processing has a very difficult task which is why modern graphics cards now have Graphics Processor Units (GPU) which work like a CPU but for visual data only. This allows quicker rendering of 3D images and streaming of high definition video and leaves the CPU free to work on all other data. 5 Network Interface Card (NIC) The Network Interface Card (NIC) allows your computer system to communicate and pass data to other computer systems within a Local Area Network (LAN) or over the internet to Wide Area Networks (WAN). 6Hard Drive (HDD) The Hard Drive (HDD) is the long term storage for your computer system. Hard Drives are used to archive and store data for future retreival. 7CD/DVD Drive (ROM) The CD/DVD ROM Drive allows your computer system to read data from external media like CDs and DVDs. Generally there are two types of CD/DVD ROM; readers and writers (burners). 8Sound Card The Sound Card allows for the input (Microphones) and output (Speakers) of audio related data.