Components of a

Computer System
By: Saniata G. Bautista
Components of a Computer System
1. Hardware
• Input Devices
• Output Devices
• Storage Devices
2. Software
• Definition of Software
• Categories of Software
o System Software
o Application Software
3. Peopleware
 Hardware
1. Hardware is the computer and any
equipment connected to it.
 Hardware devices are the physical components of
the computer. Items such as the monitor,
keyboard, mouse, and printer are also known as
peripherals because they attach to the computer.
Input Devices
 
An input device is any device that provides
input to a computer. There are many input
devices, but the two most common ones are a
keyboard and mouse. Every key you press on
the keyboard and every movement or click you
make with the mouse sends a specific input
signal to the computer.
 Keyboard – a typewriter-like device
use to type letters, numbers,
and other symbols into the
computer.

 Mouse – is a pointing device that has a

pointer that changes into different shapes as
you use the mouse.
 Scanner – is an input device that can
read text or illustration printed on
paper and translates the
information into a form that
the computer can use.

 Tracker Balls - an alternative to the

traditional mouse and often used by graphic
designers.
 Barcode readers – a device used to translate
bar codes, a series of vertical black and white
bars into data for the computer.

 Light pen – are used to read light from the

display screen, thus allowing you to point to
a spot on the screen.
 Joystick – many games require a joystick
for the proper playing of the game.

 Touchpads – a device that lies on the desktop

and responds to pressure.

 Puck – a pointing device used much like a

mouse but it has small magnifying glass with
cross hairs.
Output Devices

Output device receives information from the

CPU and presents it to the user in the desired
from. The processed data, stored in the
memory of the computer is sent to the output
unit, which then converts it into a form that can
be understood by the user. The output is
usually produced in one of the two ways – on
the display device, or on paper (hard copy).
 Monitor – displays viewable images
generated by a computer without
producing a permanent record.

 Printer – This output device prints

information on paper. This type of
printed output is called a hard copy.
   Speaker -- Sound is the type of output you
will get from a speaker.  It allows the user
to listen to CDs or DVDs and hear any
auditory signals the computer sends.
 
 Multimedia projectors – are used to conduct
presentations and training sessions. A
multimedia projector allows information to
be projected onto a larger screen so it can
easily be viewed by a group.
 Plotters – are used to print graphical output
on paper. It interprets computer commands
and makes line drawings on paper using
multi-colored automated pens. It is capable
of producing graphs, drawings, charts, maps
etc.
Storage Devices
 
Storage devices are used to store the data
and information used by or created with the
computer. Data can be stored within internal
hardware devices located within the system
unit or in removable external units.
Additionally, storage can be fixed or portable,
depending on whether the data saved remains
within the system unit or is saved on
removable units and accessed elsewhere.
 Floppy Disk
Relatively slow and have a small capacity, but they
are portable, in expansive, and universal.
 Flash drive

Flash drive is a portable USB storage. It is a standard

for peripheral devices which make peripheral devices be
connected easily.
 Hard Disk

Hard disks are made up of rigid material and are

usually a stack of metal disks sealed in a box. The hard
disk and the hard disk drive exist together as a unit and
is a permanent part of the computer where data and
programs are saved. These disks have storage
capacities ranging from 1GB to 80 GB and more. Hard
disks are rewritable.
 Compact Disk
Compact Disk (CD) is portable disk having data
storage capacity between 650-700 MB. It can hold
large amount of information such as music, full-
motion videos, and text etc. CDs can be either read
only or read write type.
 Digital Video Disk
Digital Video Disk (DVD) is similar to a CD but has
larger storage capacity and enormous clarity.
Depending upon the disk type it can store several
Gigabytes of data. DVDs are primarily used to store
music or movies and can be played back on your
television or the computer too. These are not
rewritable.
 Software
2. Software is a computer instructions or data.
Anything that can be stored electronically is
software. These are set of programs or
routines which directs and control the
hardware in the performance of its data
processing functions. Software is often
divided into two.
 System software provides the instructions
that the computer needs to run. It contains
the directions needed to start up the
computer (known as the boot process),
checks to ensure everything is in good
working order, and enables you to interface
with the computer and its peripheral devices
so that you can use them. System software
consists of two main types of programs: the
operating system and utility programs.
 The operating system (OS) is a special
computer program that is present on every
desktop or notebook computer, in addition to
many others ranging from mainframes to
PDAs. The operating system controls the way
the computer works from the time it is turned
on until it is shut down.
 Microsoft Windows has the largest market
share of the three main operating systems
and is found on most of today’s desktop and
notebook computers. There have been many
versions of Microsoft Windows, including
Windows 3.0, Windows 95, Windows 98,
Windows ME, and Windows Vista. Although a
previous version of Windows might be found
on an older computer, Windows Vista is the
current version installed on most computers.
 Mac OS is an operating system designed
specifically for Apple’s Macintosh computers.
The current version is Mac OS X Tiger. The
Mac OS appears similar to Windows, because
it also uses a GUI.
 Linux is an alternative operating system.
Based on the UNIX operating system
developed for mainframe computers, it also
has a dedicated group of users. Linux is an
open-source operating system, which means
it is not owned by a single company and
some versions are available at no cost.
 Application software is comprised of
programs that enable you to accomplish
tasks and use the computer in a productive
manner.
 Word processing software—Used to create,
edit, format, and save documents and other
text-based files. Word processing software
enables you to create or edit letters, reports,
memos, and many other types of written
documents and print them out. Revisions to
existing documents can be made quickly and
easily, without having to re-create the entire
document. Documents created with this type
of software can also include graphics, charts,
and other graphic elements. Microsoft Word,
Lotus Word Pro, and Corel WordPerfect are all
examples of word processing programs.
 Spreadsheet software—Spreadsheet software enables
you to perform calculations and other mathematical
tasks. Similar to the documents used by accountants,
spreadsheets contain data entered in columns and
rows and enable you to perform calculations, create
scenarios, perform “what-if ” analyses, chart and
graph data, and format the worksheet layout. A key
advantage of spreadsheet software is its capability to
recalculate spreadsheets without user intervention.
When data used in a calculation or formula is
changed, the spreadsheet software automatically
updates the worksheet with the correct result.
Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, and Corel Quattro Pro
are examples of spreadsheet programs.
 Database software—Databases are used to
store and organize large amounts of data.
Typically, database software can be used to
manage various types of information, such as
that found in large mailing lists, inventories,
order histories, and invoicing. Databases help
you to enter, store, sort, filter, retrieve, and
summarize the information they contain and
then generate meaningful reports. Common
database programs include Microsoft Access,
Lotus Approach, and Corel Paradox.
 Presentation software—Because of presentation
software, lecturers no longer need to rely on flip
charts, slide projectors, or overhead
transparencies for their presentations. This
software is used to create graphic presentations,
known as slide shows, that can be shown to large
groups by means of an overhead projector or
displayed on the Web. Presentation software is
also used to create audience handouts, speaker
notes, and other materials that can be used during
an oral presentation or for distribution to an
audience. Microsoft PowerPoint, Lotus Freelance
Graphics, and Corel Presentations are examples of
presentation software programs.
 Communication and organizational software
—Communication software can cover a broad
range of tasks including videoconferencing
and telephony. However, applications within
the productivity category are most often used
to send and receive e-mail. These
applications typically include an address
book, a calendar, and task functions, which
help users organize their personal and
professional responsibilities. Microsoft
Outlook, Lotus Notes, and Corel WordPerfect
Mail are examples of communication and
organizational software.
 Peopleware
 Peopleware can refer to anything that has to
do with the role of people in the development
or user of computer software and hardware
systems, including such issues as developer
productivity, teamwork, group dynamics, the
psychology of programming, project
management, organizational factors, human
interface design and human-machine-
interaction.
Thank You!