Fundamentals of a computer system (CS)

Fundamentals of a computer system (CS)

1. A CS is made up of hardware and software

   • H is any physical component that makes up the computer.
   • S is any program that runs on the computer
   • CS are all around us
     • Mobile phones
     • PC's
     • Cash machines
     • Supermarket tills
     • Engine management systems

2. Input devices

   • All CS must have input devices that get data from the real world
     • This could be
       • Mouse and keyboard on a conventional PC
       • Temperature sensor (thermistor) in a commercial greenhouse
       • Microphone on a mobile phone
   • ID take real real-world data and convert it into a form that can be stored on the computer

3. Output devices

   • The input from these devices is processed and the computer system will generate outputs
   • This could be
     • A conventional computer screen
     • Or a motor that opens a greenhouse window
     • The speaker that produces sound on a phone

4. Storage

   • The CS may need to use storage data to preform the processing
     • As a result of processing input, may generate data that is then stored