How computer system works?

After knowing Data-Information-and computer user needs to know how computer works or knowing elements of the computing process.

Elements of the computing process or how computer system works?

A computer system is made up of both hardware and software and in the process of converting data to information computer uses both. Software is another term for computer program. Software controls the computer and makes it do useful work. Without software a computer is useless. Software, on the other hand, is electronic information: files, operating system, graphics, computer programs are all example of software.

Hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer system. These include the computer's processor, memory, monitor, keyboard, mouse, disk drive, and printer and so on.

The difference between hardware and software reflects the duality between the physical and mental worlds: for example, your brain is hardware, whereas your mind is software.

Processing data into information (the computing process) involves more elements than just hardware and software. All these elements must be organized so that each works smoothly and efficiently with the others. In the computing process, computers integrate the use of five key elements which are given as follows:

-        Hardware

-        Software

-        Data  

-        People

-        Procedures

The computing process, in short, includes everything and everyone necessary for the computer to perform a useful task. The following sections show that ‘how each of these elements works in the process’.

Hardware

The hardware is the machinery itself. It is made up of the physical parts or devices of the computer system like the electronic Integrated Circuits (ICs), magnetic storage media and other mechanical devices like input devices, output devices etc. All these various hardware are linked together to form an effective functional unit. The various types of hardware used in the computers, has evolved from vacuum tubes of the first generation to Ultra Large Scale Integrated Circuits of the present generation.

Software

The computer hardware itself is not capable of doing anything on its own. It has to be given explicit instructions to perform the specific task. The computer program is the one which controls the processing activities of the computer. The computer thus functions according to the instructions written in the program. Software mainly consists of these computer programs, procedures and other documentation used in the operation of a computer system. Software is a collection of programs which utilize and enhance the capability of the hardware.

Data

Computers transform data into information. Data is the raw material; information is processed data. Data is the input to the processing; information is the output. A useful model to describe the relationship between data and information is called the systems model. It shows that data goes into a process and information is then output. Fig. 1.3.1 describes this model.

Fig. : A System Model

 

Several characteristics distinguish useful information from data. The purpose of information is to help people for making well-informed decisions, but what makes information useful? Information must be relevant, timely, accurate, concise and complete in order to be useful. Data must be accurate but doesn’t need to be relevant, timely or concise. Below table describes these characteristics.

Table: Characteristics of useful information

 

People

One may be surprised to learn that people are part of the computing process. Some computers, such as the computer chip that controls an automobile engine, function without human intervention. But even these computers were designed by people and occasionally require maintenance by people.

Most computers require people, who are called users (or sometimes end users). Some users progress beyond the basics of computer literacy. They learn the advanced features of application programs.

With this knowledge, these users can customize an application program for a specific task. These knowledgeable people are called power users.

Computer professionals have taken intermediate and advanced courses about computers. These people apply their professional training to improve the performance, ease of use and efficiency of computer systems. One kind of computer professional is the programmer, who creates new computer programs. Excellent career opportunities exist for students interested in becoming computer professionals.

Procedures

Procedures are the steps that one must follow to accomplish a specific computer-related task. Part of a user’s computer literacy is, knowing common procedures. We already know several computer procedures. For example, we have probably used an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). Inside, the ATM is a computer. In response to the on-screen messages, called prompts, we insert our card, enter our Personal Identification Number (PIN) and tell the machine how much money we want.

Most computers that sit on a desktop are called Personal Computers (PCs).

The "computer" is an ensemble of different machines that you will be using to get your job done. A computer is primarily made of the Central Processing Unit (usually referred to as the computer), the monitor, the keyboard, and the mouse. Other pieces of hardware are commonly referred to as peripherals.

 

All of the components of a computer system can be summarized with the simple equations.

COMPUTER SYSTEM = HARDWARE + SOFTWARE+ USER

• Hardware = Internal Devices + Peripheral Devices All physical parts of the computer (or everything that we can touch) are known as Hardware.

• Software = Set of Programs. Software gives "intelligence" to the computer.

• USER = Person, who operates computer.

 

Relationship between Hardware and Software

• Hardware and software are mutually dependent on each other. Both of them must work together to make a computer produce a useful output.

• Software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware.

• Hardware without set of programs to operate upon cannot be utilized and is useless.

• To get a particular job done on the computer, relevant software should be loaded into the hardware

• Hardware is a one-time expense.

• Software development is very expensive and is a continuing expense.

• Different software applications can be loaded on a hardware to run different jobs.

• A software acts as an interface between the user and the hardware.

• If hardware is the 'heart' of a computer system, then software is its 'soul'. Both are complimentary to each other.

Last point

Software is the stuff that makes your computer do things for you. The computer without software would be like a home entertainment system with no tapes, CD’s, or movies - you have the machine, but there’s   nothing to play on it. Software is continually developed. Each time the software maker (Microsoft, Adobe, Corel, etc.) develops a new version of their software they assign it a version number. Before Microsoft Word 7, there was Microsoft Word 6.0.1, and before that Word 6.0. The larger the developments made to the software, the larger the version number changes. Usually a large change will result in a whole number upgrade; a small change may result in a tenth of a decimal place.

Post activity:

In this post we covered elements of the computing process or how computer system works in detail. If more detailed information is needed please browse or search the internet for above terms.

Keywords: Hardware, Software, Data, People, Procedures, Computer, Data processing.

…till next post, bye-bye and take care.

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