Computer Science Computer System

Lecture 1 Introduction

Introduction :
A computer is programmable, multiuse that accepts data- raw facts and
figures and processes, or manipulates, it into information that can use, such as
summaries or totals. Its purpose is to speed up problem solving and increase
productivity.

Computer science:
Computer science (abbreviated CS) is the study of the theoretical
foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their
implementation and application in computer systems. Computer scientists invent
algorithmic processes that create, describe, and transform information and
formulate suitable abstractions to design and model complex systems.

Computer engineering:
Computer engineering, also called computer systems engineering, is a
discipline that integrates several fields of electrical engineering and computer
science required to develop computer systems. Computer engineers usually have
training in electronic engineering, software design, and hardware-software
integration instead of only software engineering or electronic engineering.
Computer engineers are involved in many hardware and software aspects of
computing, from the design of individual microprocessors, personal computers,
and supercomputers, to circuit design.
Information Technology ( IT ) :
This is a general term which relates to the use of computers as an aid to
creating and maintaining data, i.e. information. IT is related to all aspects of
managing and processing information, especially within a large organization.

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Computer Hierarchy :
The traditional way of comparing classes of computers is by their
processing power. This section presents each class of computers beginning with
most powerful and ending with least powerful. We describe the computers and
their respective roles in modern organizations.
1- Super computers
• Are the computer with the most processing power.
• The primary application of it’s has been in scientific and military work.
• Are used for image creation and processing.
• Are used to model the weather for better weather prediction.
• To design aircraft (e.g. the Boeing 777) for more efficient and less costly
production.
• Super computers generally operate 4 to 10 times faster than the next most
powerful computer class.

2- Mainframe Computers
•Are less powerful and generally less expensive than super computers.
• Are used for centralized data processing and maintain large databases.
• Examples of mainframe applications include airline Reservation systems.

3- Minicomputers
• Are called midrange computers
• Are relatively small, inexpensive that perform the same functions as
mainframe computers but to a limited extent.
• Are used to accomplish specific tasks, such as process control, scientific
research, and engineering applications.

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4- Workstations
• Are also called desktop engineering workstations
• Are developed to provide the high levels of performance demanded by
engineers
• Provide very high-speed calculations and high-resolution graphic
• These computers have found a widespread acceptance within the scientific
community and with the business community.

5- Microcomputers
• Also called micros or personal computers(PCs) Are smallest and least
expensive category of general purpose computers
• They can be subdivided into three classifications
• based on their size
a) Desktops
b) Laptops and notebooks
c) Palmtops

Computer system Architecture

Most computers have similar architectures that combine software and hardware.

1- Hardware :
The term hardware refers to the physical components of your computer
such as the system unit, mouse, keyboard, monitor, processors, memory and
peripheral devices etc.

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2- Software :
The software is the collection of instructions which makes the computer
work. For instance, when you type in words via the keyboard, the software is
responsible for displaying the correct letters, in the correct place on the screen.

Computer Hardware

A computer consists of the following major hardware components:

a- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
b- Primary (main) Memory
c- Secondary Storage
d- Peripherals (Input and Output Devices)

1- Peripheral devices (Input/output)

Optional piece of equipment that can be added to computer to enhance
functionality. Peripherals devices surround the computer and plugged into the
computer using hardware port. Hardware port it is the point that any
input/output device connect to computer through, it is vary in shape and speed
of data transmission. An example of hardware ports is the PS2 port, USB port,
RS232 serial port, Parallel Port … etc. Figure (1) shows some of computer
ports.
Peripherals devices are classified into:
1.1 Input devices.
1.2 Output devices.
1.3 Input/output devices.

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Lecture 1 Introduction

Figure (1) hardware ports

1.1 Input Devices

Input devices allow you to input information to the computer and include
things such as the keyboard , mouse , Scanner and Web camera.
a- Keyboard
It is input device used by user to enter data to computer system. It
consists of a set of input keys arranged in an array. The keys are
classified into a l p h a n u me r i c keys (characters and numbers), punctuation
keys (comma, period, semicolon, and so on), special keys (function keys,
control keys, arrow keys, Caps Lock key and so on).The keyboard looks like
the typewriter. A full size keyboard usually has about 100 keys, when you
press the key on keyboard it will send character to the computer. Figure

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Lecture 1 Introduction

(2) shows the Computer Keyboard .

Figure (2) Computer Keyboard

b- Mouse
It is input device that computer user pushes across a desk surface in order
to place and control the movement of a curser around computer e screen, it
enable user to select one or more actions to take from the point that have been
pointed by curser. Figure (3) shows the Mouse .

Figure (3) Computer Mouse

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c- Scanner
In computing, a scanner is a device that optically scans images, printed
text, handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a digital image. Figure (4)
shows the Scanner

Figure (4) Scanner

d-Web Camera
Small low-resolution video capturing devices connected to computers or
computer networks, often using USB and used for capturing user images and
view them in computer in order to send to others via Internet or storing them.
These type of camera are often cheap, easy in use but not portable (i.e. take its
power from PC directly). Figure (5) shows the web camera

Figure (5) Web Camera

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1.2 Output Devices

Output devices allow you to output information from the Computer Such as the
monitor and printer.
a- CRT Monitor
The traditional output device of a person computer has been the CRT (Cathode
Ray Tube) monitor. Just like a television set (an older one, anyway) the CRT
monitor contains a large cathode ray tube that uses an electron beam of
varying strength to “paint” a picture onto the color phosphorescent dots on
the inside of the screen. Figure (6) Shows the CRT Monitor

Figure (6) CRT Monitor

b- Flat Panel Monitor (LCD Monitor)

A flat panel display usually uses an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen
to display output from the computer. There are many types of LCD screen
but the most popular one is the active matrix LCD screens It consists of matrix
of cells that produces pixels and transparent thin film transistor (TFT)
controlling each monochrome or each red, green and blue pixel. It provides
better contrast, speeds up screen refresh. Figure (7) shows the LCD monitor

Figure (7) LCD Monitor

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c- Printer
A printer is an output device that produces a hard copy of data. The
resolution of printer output is expressed as DPI (Dpi refers to a dot per inch.
This is the number of dots printed within a linear inch.). All documents
produced on the computer can be printed to papers (hard copy) instead of
just being viewable on screen. Figure (8) shows the printer .

Figure (8) Laser Printer

1.3 Input / Output (I/O)

These devices can either input data into the computer or output data to
another computer such as Disk drives and Modems .
a- Disk Drives
Removable disks drivers like floppy disk drive, Flash ram drive or CD-
RW, DVD-RW drive which can both feed the information into the computer
from removable disk and store the information out from computer into disks. So,
it can input data to computer from other resources or take data out form
computer to others. Figure (9) shows the DVD drive .

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Lecture 1 Introduction

Figure (9) DVD RW Drive

b- Modems
Modem (Modulator Demodulator), A device for transmitting usually
digital data over telephone wires by modulating the data into an audio
signal to send it and demodulating an audio signal into data to receive it.
Figure (10) shows the modem .

Figure (10) Modem

2- Secondary Storage
Secondary storage devices are used to store instructions and data when
they are not being used in memory. The different types of secondary
storage more often used on personal computers are floppy disks, CD-

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ROM, DVD-ROM and hard disks.

A secondary storage system has two main components: a storage
medium and a storage device. A storage medium is the disk, tape, CD,
DVD, or other substance that contains data. A storage device is the
mechanical device that records and retrieves data from a storage medium.
3- Memory
Memory is used to store information and programs; the term
memory identifies data storage that comes in the form of chips . A
memory unit (Register) is an ordered sequence of storage cells, each capable
of holding a piece of data. Every Register has a unique address. The
address is used to locate it for storing and retrieving data.
Types of Memory
a- RAM (Random Access Memory):
RAM (random access memory) is a temporary holding area for data,
application program instructions, and the operating system. In personal
computer.
A program and its data must be brought to RAM before they can be
executed and the data that stored in RAM can be moved, deleted or
modified. Figure (11) shows the RAM .

Figure (11) RAM

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b- ROM (Read Only Memory)

Is an integrated circuit programmed with specific data when it is
manufactured. This type stores information withou t the ability of
removing or editing, it allows information for reading only.
The information is stored when it manufactured called the firmware.
The main function of ROM in computer system is to load the
operation system from secondary storage to main memory at startup of system;
it contains a small program called “boot strap loader” which does that action.
The size of ROM is small (about 64 KB) and it built in computer system
main board. Figure (12) shows the ROM .

Figure (12) ROM

4- Central Processing Unit Basic architecture:

A microprocessor (sometimes simply referred to as a “processor”) is an

integrated circuit designed to process instructions. It is the most important
component of a computer, and usually the most expensive single component.
The CPU is the computer's control center. Think of it as the brain that
does all the thinking (computation). It reads instructions from your software
and tells your computer (hardware) what to do. Means that It retrieves
instructions from memory and executes them.

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The CPU consists of four main items

1- Arithmetic Logical Unit (ALU)

2- Control Unit (CU)

3- Registers.
4- Buses

ALU
External
Buses
CU Internal
Buses

Registers

Figure (13) Basic CPU Architecture

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