Computer System

The contemporary world is a world of connectivity, is a world of convenience, today’s world is a world
where we want to achieve and process a lot information with less efforts and with even lesser time
consumption.
in a world like this, we, humans are highly dependent on machines and one of such machine, in-fact the
smartest of all machines is a Computer System. We can define computer system as a machine which takes
some input from the user, compute it using relevant also and process the desired output. Normally a
computer system consist of, an input device, an output device and a computing unit, but usually we can see
all these things combined into a single unit, such as laptops. But, as we all know everything is created by us,
hence, nothing outsmarts us, so in a similar way a computer system is also provided with some basic
predefined programs and instructions which are require to compute the desired commands given by the user.

I. Understanding the functioning:-

A. Computers in different environments

Now computers being a versatile machine, they serve a lot of services, which makes them apt to be used
in a lot of places. Computer systems are expected to serve differently in different environments, so to
understand them, here’s a brief explanation on some of the environments we all are aware of:-
1. Home:-
This is one environment we all are aware of personally. Statically, of all the other environments,
computers are most frequently used in homes. There are a lot things for which a computer might be used in a
home. Mainly, in home, computers are used for the purpose of entertainment. Being a connected and
versatile machine computers can be used for playing games, watching movies, listening to songs and god
knows what not. Through computer we can also surf the world wide web, stay connected through all the
social networking sites, and do some of our official work with ease and comfort. Being safe and reliable and
packing a huge storage capacity computer systems can be used for storing and securing private information,
in any form we deem fit, be it an audio file, video file or a text file.

2. Business:-
As mentioned above, now a days we want to do our work faster and that too with minimum efforts. Unlike
humans computer has a large, reliable and a long lasting storage capacity which makes it ideal for business.
In today’s world every business is relied on computer systems for its better networking and smooth
functioning. A lot of work, such as, keeping logs, having data entries, maintaining staff records and a lot
more things are done using computers. Its always easy to store and find a piece of information whenever
needed on a computer. Thats why automated storage is preferred over hard copies and piled up file storage.
One of the biggest advantage being connectivity, computer systems allows one to supervise one’s entire
business sitting in a room.

3. Education Sector:-
A book can hold an amount of required knowledge, a library can hold a lot of books, but a computer
system has the ability to hold a lot of libraries for a fact. In a education sector computer systems can be used
for a variety of purposes. They can be used for storing and maintaining the records of each and every student
studying in the organisation. They can be used by the teachers for the purpose of interactive learning through
video lectures and powerpoint presentations. They can be used by the students to make their assignments
more precise and interactive. They can be used for a particular purpose such as, for designing and
technology, for which a variety of tools are available for the desired tasks. And computer systems can always
be used for the purpose of precise and logical research.

4. Medical Sector:-
 In a place like hospital where each and every information is very sensitive and private, it is important for
the organisation to store it securely and accurately. A computer systems helps the staff in such organisation
to access, modify and monitor any individual’s information easily and conveniently. In a hospital computers
are also used for the purpose of monitoring a patient’s health and progress.

5. Banking Sector:-
One of the most crucial sector where a computer can be and are being used is the banking sector. In
banking sector computers are being used fro the purpose of storing client’s personal information, their
transaction history, the incoming amount and withdrawing amount and syncing all these information through
the server to all the branches of the respective account, for better results and convenience for the client.
Handling all these personal and crucial information, banking sector makes the computer system a one thing
to rely upon.

B. Hardware, Software and Peripherals

A computer system is made up of basically three components, Hardware, which we can touch and feel,
software, the one that is programmed inside the system, and the peripherals, the extras. Let us have a detailed
explanation on all these,

• Hardware:-
Everything in a computer system which we can touch and feel is known as a hardware component. The
hardware components of a computer system can be broadly classified as:-
Input devices and Output devices.

- Input devices:-
The devices which are used to give instructions to the system are known as input devices. Whatever
commands or information or any type of instruction user wants to give to the computer, it is done with the
help of an input device. There are numerous types of input devices, some of them are:-
1. Keyboard:-
One of the most commonly used input device. Keyboard is one of the primary input device which is used
to enter letter, digits and special symbols into the computer system. Keyboard looks like a typewriter but
with some additional keys and function. Now a days qwerty keyboards are used in every sector for entering
any kind of data or information in a computer system.

2. Mouse:-
Mouse is a pointing device. A computer mouse is one of the most essential input devices out of all. It is
used for selecting, pointing, opening or closing of any file just by placing the cursor on the required icon in a
GUI. Mouse is handheld device which can be said to be a supposed steering wheel for the computer system.

3. Scanner:-
A scanner is an input device which is used to scan and process documents in a computer. A scanner is
used for converting a hard copy of any document into a digital form which can be reviewed, opened, and
edited in the computer. Most scanners are flatbed scanners which have a flat surface on which the document
is to be placed which needs to be scanned. Scanner is mostly used in official places such and educational and
business sectors.

4. Touchscreen:-
Touchscreens are a more advanced and precise way of using a computer system. A touchscreen makes
the monitor an input and output device at the same time. Touchscreens use a grid of infrared beams which
are used to sense the presence of a finger on the screen and help produce the desired output. Touchscreens
are more precise and accurate in a GUI for navigating the computer system.

5. Mic:-
 A mic or a microphone is a device which is used to record and analyse an audio input. A mic converts the
incoming audio waves into electrical signals which can be further amplified and can be converted into either
digital or analog signal.

6. Barcode Reader:-
It is a type of input device that is used for the purpose of reading bar codes. A bar code scanner throws a
beam of light on the code and reads the code through a finite distance. A barcode scanner is a non contact
scanner which can read the code through a small finite distance. Devices like barcode scanner are extremely
helpful in inventory control situations.

7. Camera:-
A camera or a web camera is a device which is directly or indirectly connected to a computer system. A
web camera is a small camera attached to a system which can be used to take high definition photos or to
make high definition videos and also for live steaming on the web. A web camera comes with a software
which needs to be installed on the system for the better and smooth functioning of the camera.

- Output Devices:-
Whenever any input is given using the input devices, the desired output is processed and displayed or
conveyed with the help of output devices only. Usually output devices are used for the display of audial and
visual content. There are a number of output devices out there, some of them are:
1. Monitor:-
The most essential and commonly used output device without which a computer system is incomplete is
a Monitor. A monitor is a screen (LED or LCD or CR tubes screens) which shows all the activities and active
processes which are currently being performed or used by the user. All the desired outputs are computed and
displayed with the help of monitor only.

2. Printer:-
Printer is a output device which takes the input instructions from the user and convert the desired output
on a piece of paper as advised and commanded by the user. Printers can be broadly classified as:-
**Impact printers;
**Non-impact printers.
Impact printers usually have a metallic impacting physical thing which hammers on the paper with ink to
permanently put an impression on the paper. The most usual example of impact printer is Dot matrix printer.
Non-impact printers do not put any kind of impression on the paper instead they spray ink from a close
distance on the paper when the paper roles by the sprayer. Non impact printers are faster and more sharper
that impact printers. The most efficient and common example being ink jet printer.

3. Speakers:-
Speaker is a device that is used for audio outputs. Instructions and commands are converted into audio
output by the computer using an audio card. This type of output devices are generally used for entertainment
purpose only.

4. Plotters:-
Plotter are computer hardware device which seems like a printer, but unlike a printer they are used to
print vector graphics. Generally printer use toner for the purpose of printing but plotter on the other hand use
some kind of writing tool to draw continuous lines instead of connected dots like traditional printers.

5. Projector:-
A projector is a visual output device used for the purpose of displaying any image as it is but in an
accurate and magnified manner. A projector can be used for both official and entertainment purposes. They
can be used in offices for the purpose of presentations and they can be used by people in their homes for the
purpose of film watching and entertainment.
• Software:-
A computer system doesn’t have its own brain, instead there are predefined programs and lines of code
that are being pre-programmed into a computer system. These predefined programs and line of codes are
known as software. In short we can say that software act as the soul of the computer system. Broadly
softwares are categorised as 3 types which are discussed below:-
- System Softwares:-
System softwares act as an interface between the user and the machine. These softwares control and
operate other softwares like utility and application softwares. Now there are few types of system softwares
discussed below:-
1. Operating System:-
An operating system is a type of system software which provide a basis for other applications to work on
it. Sometimes an application can directly interact with the hardware but usually the application softwares are
build and written for the OS.
An operating system manages:-
**Input devices,
**Output devices,
**Storage devices,
**Network devices.

2. Database Management System:-

As the name suggests a DBMS is a type of system software which is used to manage and create database
and keep a proper track of the data. Now DBMS is a system software which interact with the end users as
well, a DBMS software makes it easier for the end user to access, modify, and update the accessible data. A
DBMS provides the end user with a centralised view of the data.

3. Translators:-
No matter how smart a computer system is, it is a machine after all. That’s why our language needs to be
converted into computer understandable machine language. Their are several softwares which are used to
convert our language into machine language. Broadly we can classify them as Compiler and Interpreter.
Now a compiler is a software which is used to convert high level programming language into a low level
machine language.
An interpreter does the same job as that of a compiler but the main difference is that the compiler reads the
entire file and then converts it whereas an interpreter reads it line by line and then convert it into low level
machine language.

4. Editors:-
An editor is referred to that type of a software which has the ability to edit and manipulate plain text. They
are an important part of a computer’s software package as they allow the user to edit things according to their
wish.

- Application Softwares:-
These are the type of softwares which are designed and programmed to perform a specific task.
Application softwares runs as an end user software which allow the users to edit text, send mail, watch
movies, listen to songs, even there are software for the purpose of printing. Application software runs on
operating system and are the building blocks of an effective computer system. Without application softwares
users won’t be able to do their task efficiently and conveniently.