Classification of computer

Index
1. Parts of a computer system
2. Types of h/w & details
3. Types of s/w & details
4. Internal architecture of the microprocessor
5. How microprocessor works

1 | Parts of a computer system.

• Processor
Processor is an incredibly complex chip that performs billions of mathematical calculations
per second. It is also called a central processing unit (CPU)
• Memory
o RAM
• Adapter cards
o Sound card
o Modem card
o Video card
o Network card
• Ports
• Drive bays
• Power supply
2 | Types of h/w & details.
Definition: Hardware refers to the computer's tangible components or delivery systems that store
and run the written instructions provided by the software.

Some of the different types of hardware are:

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

These are the processing unit of the computer. They are generally called as brain of the computer.
They send signals to all the other parts of the computer, thus controlling the entire computer system.
CPU consists of three components: -

• Control unit
• ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
• Memory or storage unit

Input devices
With the help of these devices, data is provided to the computer. They feed the data such as text,
images, and sound and help in file transfers between different devices and the computer.

Output devices
This is a device that converts information to a human-readable format. These devices are normally
used for display. It extracts the information from the computer and displays it to the user. The
monitor is the most prominent output device.

Storage devices
These are the devices that help to store the data and are further subdivided into primary and
secondary memory. Two main types of storage devices are:

• Primary storage
• Secondary storage

RAM (Random Access Memory) is the primary memory and it retains data only when the computer is
switched on.

All the instructions are read and executed from the memory through the central processing unit and
accelerated processing unit.

Secondary memory does not directly communicate with the microprocessor. This type of memory is
non-volatile and is subdivided into two categories. They are:

• Internal device – These devices are always placed on the computer. E.g. – Hard disk
• External device – These are external devices that are connected to the computer using plug
and play. E.g. – An external hard disk

Examples of Computer Hardware

Computer hardware consists of physical components in a computer and examples are as follows: -

Input devices – Mouse, Keyboard, Touchpad, Scanners, Joystick, Webcam, etc.

Output devices – Monitor, Printer, Headphones, Speakers, etc.

Storage devices – Hard disk, DVD, etc.

Internal components – Motherboard, CPU, RAM, etc.

3 | Types of s/w & details.

What is Computer Software?
Definition: Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate computers and execute
specific tasks. Computer software helps the computer to perform the task using programs. It is generally
a language that a computer understands.

Different Types of Software

• System software
• Programming software
• Application software

System software
System software acts as a middle layer between the user and the computer. They communicate with
all the hardware components in the computer and also control the CPU, memory, and other devices.
When we switch on the computer the system software is the first application that gets initialized and
hence it manages the entire computer system. This system software is loaded in memory and keeps
running in the background.

Two main types of system software are:

• Operating system
• Utility software.

Utility software is installed with an operating system. Each software is dependent on each other and
does not work independently. Some of the utility software are compilers, editors, and drivers.

Programming software
This software is usually used by computer programmers. Most internet applications use Java or PHP
as a programming language. Using programming language all the software programs and
applications are developed and tested.

Application software
Application software is generally used by end-users to perform any task. MS Word or PowerPoint
applications are designed for the user to write a document or prepare presentations. The apps that
we find on mobiles or tablets are all application software. Software that is used in the banking
domain, telephone, airline, railways, software industries, etc. comes under application software.
Examples of Computer Software
System software – Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Vista, compilers, translators,
interpreters, etc.

Programming software – Android, Linux, C++, Java, Unix, etc.

Application software – Word processors, Database software, Multimedia software, Graphics software,
etc.

4 | Internal architecture of the microprocessor.

A microprocessor is built using basic circuit blocks

• Registers
• Arithmetic and Logical Unit
• Control Unit

Registers can exist in two forms, either as an array of static memory elements such as flip-flops or as
a portion of a random-access memory (RAM) which may be of the dynamic or static type. Some
microprocessors use both techniques on one chip. For example, the accumulator might be
composed of static memory devices and all the other registers could be combined into a common
dynamic random-access memory.

The arithmetic and logic unit usually provides, at the minimum, facilities for addition, subtraction,
OR, AND complementation. Shift operations can be accommodated either by the data selector
approach, or by a shift register.

The control unit uses a principle known as microprogramming to interpret each instruction and
cause the processor to perform the required operation.

5 | How microprocessor works.

The microprocessor follows a sequence: Fetch, Decode, execute then Store.

Initially, the instructions are stored in the memory in a sequential order. The microprocessor fetches
those instructions from the memory, then decodes it and executes those instructions till STOP
instruction is reached. Later, it sends the result in binary to the output port. Between these processes,
the register stores the temporarily data and ALU performs the computing functions. After finishing
the execution results are stored in the memory again. All of the above process are done by using
system bus.

Here are some frequently used terms in a microprocessor −

• Instruction Set - It is the set of instructions that the microprocessor can understand.

• Bandwidth - It is the number of bits processed in a single instruction.

• Clock Speed - It determines the number of operations per second the processor can perform.