Computer Systems 1
Fundamentals of Computing
COMHN113
HNC/HND Computing Programme
About the module…
HNC/HND Level 1 Module
 Basics of Computer Systems
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 Components
& Functions
 Fundamentals of Computing Technology
 Hardware & Software
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Assessed through:
 Coursework
(75%)
Group Task Assignment (50%)
 Practical / Individual Assignment (25%)
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 End
of module Class Test (25%)
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
About the lecturer…
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Stuart Cunningham
 Room
B126
 s.cunningham@newi.ac.uk
 Tel: 01978 293583
 Notes and information found at:
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www.newi.ac.uk/cunninghams/
 Scottish!
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If I say something you don’t understand please
ask! (Generally a good idea, not just because of
the accent)
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Module Aims
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Provide a theoretic and practical introduction to
computer systems
Introduce essential computing principles and
terminology
Introduce the basic hardware and software
components of a computer
Consider the range of computing technologies and
scope of computer applications
Investigate the structure and function of a computer
operating system
Provide an introduction to and practical experience
of different computing platforms
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Module Learning Outcomes
•By the end of this module, you will be able to:
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Describe the basic structure of a computer
Understand and use essential computing terms,
descriptors, abbreviations and units
Discuss the range of computing technologies currently
available
Discuss the range of applications of modern computing
Identify and work with key hardware and software
components in a computer system
Outline the function and structure of an operating system
Compare different computer platforms from a hardware
and software perspective
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Module Learning Outcomes
Transferable / Key Skills
 By the end of this module, you will be able
to:
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 Work
effectively as a member of a group
 Conduct essential research into an allocated
topic
 Produce a written report
 Undertake practical work
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
What is a Computer System?
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Heavy metal/plastic box?
Collection of wires and electronic bits?
“That thing in the corner of the room”?
Typewriter on steroids?
Life enhancing object?
Something to play games on?
Most dominant force in the calculator world?
The thing you check e-mail with?
Stress-inducing, harmful, evil device
Something else to dust?
that wants to take over the world!!!!
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Computers
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Computers are in widespread use today:
 Business
 Education
 Home
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Computers used for many things:
 Office
work
 Science and Research
 Games and Entertainment
 Multimedia production
 Data storage
 …and loads more...
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Computer System
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Computer System consists of two main areas
of functionality:
 Hardware
Physical components to a computer system
 Stuff you can touch and hold
 Wires, transistors, keyboard, printer etc.
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 Software
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Instructions given to the hardware
Programs or applications to run on the hardware
 Sets of instructions
 The stuff you can do useful things with
 E.g.- Windows, Dreamweaver, MS Office, etc.
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Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
The Computer
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The computer is a machine
 ‘TOM’
– (Totally Obedient Moron)
 Carries out instructions
 Consists of electronic components
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Performs three main tasks
 Accepts
INPUT
 Performs a PROCESS on the input
 Produces OUTPUT from the process
INPUT
PROCESS
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
OUTPUT
Input
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Telling the computer what to do
[User] “Make me a cup of coffee!”
e.g.- Mouse or keyboard
Process
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Output
Input
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Process
Computer carries out a task in response to instructions
[Computer] Mixes water and coffee granules. Pour into cup.
e.g.- Processor
Output
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Computer displays the results of task
[Computer] Hands user coffee cup
e.g.- Monitor
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Hardware
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Essential Hardware Components
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Input
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Processing
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Monitor, printer
Memory
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Central Processing Unit (CPU)
E.g.- Intel Pentium n, AMDAthlon
Output
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Keyboard, mouse
Temporary data storage, with fast retrieval
E.g.- RAM (Random Access memory)
Permanent storage
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A form of media to store data for a long term
E.g.- Hard disk drive
E.g.- ROM (Read Only Memory)
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Hardware
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Employing RAM and backing store
 RAM = Random Access Memory
 Sometimes called ‘main memory’
 Used for temporary storage
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Contents are erased when power is off
Very fast access to data
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Any byte can be accessed randomly
 Backing store
 Permanent place to keep important data
 Commonly a hard disk drive
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Allows reading and writing of data
Could also be a ROM (Read Only Memory) chip
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Once written to can only be read in future
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Hardware
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Employing RAM and backing store
RAM
INPUT
PROCESS
Backing Store
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
OUTPUT
Hardware
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Peripheral Hardware Components
 Input
 Scanner, microphone, light pen
 Processing
 Graphics card, sound card
 Output
 Speakers, plotter, digital projector
 Memory
 Extra RAM, VRAM
 Permanent storage
 Zip drives, memory sticks, floppy disks
 Other Devices
 Modem, NIC, DVD-R, DV-Camera
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Software
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Operating Systems
 Acts
as an interface between the user and
the capabilities (hardware & software) of the
computer
 Need the OS to run other applications
 Need OS to control hardware
 Organises files and directories
 Is the ‘front end’ of the computer
 The environment the user interacts with
 Responds to commands issued by the user
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Software
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Operating Systems
 Command
Line Interface (CLI)
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Software
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Operating Systems
 Graphical
User Interface (GUI)
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Software
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Application Software
 Word
processing
 Spreadsheets
 Databases
 Web browsing
 Email client
 Internet hosting
 Desktop Publishing (DTP)
 Integrated Development Environment
 Games (?)
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Types of Computer
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Personal Computer (PC)
 Single-user
computer
 Standalone
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Supercomputer
 Very
fast computer which can carries out huge
amounts of instructions per second
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Mainframe
 A powerful
computer which can be used by lots of
users at the same time
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)
Computer Systems 1
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What you know now:
 More about this module
 More about your lecturer
 (more importantly, where to find module notes)
 What a computer is
 Basic make-up of a computer system
 Input
 Process
 Output
 Employing RAM & Backing Store
 Overview of Software
 Operating Systems
 Applications
Computer Systems 1 (2004 - 2005)