OVERVIEW OF COMPUTER SYSTEM - DEFINITION, CONSTITUENTS, PARTS AND CHARACTERISTICS (SS1)

 OVERVIEW OF COMPUTER SYSTEM 

 DEFINITION, CONSTITUENTS, PARTS AND CHARACTERISTICS

OBJECTIVE:

1. Define Computer

2. State the constituents of Computer

3. List the parts of a computer

4. State the characteristics of computer

Definition of a Computer

A computer can be defined as an electronic/programmable machine  which under the control of a stored program accepts data, stores the data, processes the data and brings out the results as information.

Computer as an IPOS (Input Process Output system)

Computer performs 4 key operations on data

a. Input      b. Processing     c. Output      d. Storage

a. Input: data are entered into the computer through the input unit. Data are raw facts that are to be processed into meaningful form.

b. Processing: Computer performs certain operations on data entered into it; the Central Processing Unit (CPU) handles this operation.

c. Output: The result of what has been processed will be displayed by the output device such as the monitor.

d. Storage: Inputted data and processed information are stored in the memory and permanent storage on the computer.

Constituents/Components of a Computer system

The computer is referred to as a system because it is made up of several components that work together to enable it function properly. There are 2 main constituents of the computer system, these are:

·        1. The hardware

·        2. The Software

P  Parts of a Computer

1. RAM

2. Monitor

3. Motherboard

4. PSU (Power Supply Unit)

5. HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

6. SSD (Solid State Drive)

7. Speakers

8. The CPU (Central Processing Unit)

9. Keyboard

10. CPU Fan

11. Expansion Card

12. Mouse e.t.c

Characteristics of a Computer

a.    Speed: Computer performs its data processing operation at a very high speed. The speed of the computer is measured in Hertz (Hz). A computer with speed rating of Mega Hertz (MHz) can perform millions of cycle of operation per second.

b. Accuracy: Computer gives accurate result as long as the correct data is keyed into it.

c. Versatility: computer can be used to perform various kinds of task e.g. graphic design, word processing, web development etc.

d.   Reliability/Durability: Computers do not get tired like human; they can work continuously for days and weeks without any error.

e. Memory and storage: Computer can store large amount of data and information. The capacity of the memory/storage device is measured in bytes. A byte is a group of eight bits. A kilobyte (KB) is 1024 bytes. A megabyte (MB) is 1,000,024 bytes.

f. Programmable: The computer hardware is useless without the program that controls it. Thus, all tasks and activities performed by a computer are made possible by means of a program.

g. It is electronic in nature

h. Automation: Computer can accomplish task with as little human interaction as possible. For example ATM machine. 

Class Activities

1. Define a computer

2. Explain computer as an IPO system

3. List five (5) parts of a computer

4. State four (4) characteristics of a computer.