Computer Hardware and Systems

• In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Course Topics

• Components of Computer System consisting of Hardware and Software
• Types of Computer Systems
• Impact of emerging Technologies

Hardware

• General term for physical parts of a computer system
• Examples include: keyboard, mouse, camera, monitor, printer and plotter

Internal Hardware

• Motherboard is a printed circuit board that allows computer hardware to function and communicate
• Random Access Memory (RAM) is an internal chip for storing temporary data when applications are running
• RAM is considered a volatile or temporary memory because its contents are lost when power is off
• Read-Only Memory (ROM) stores permanent information
• One advantage of ROM is that data is retained even when power is off, so it is referred to as non-volatile memory
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) or processor, is the electronic circuit that executes program instructions
• Network Interface Card (NIC) can be wired or wireless, it allows a computer to connect to a network using a unique Media Access Control(MAC) address code
• Graphics card allows output of graphical information to displays
• Graphics cards consist of a processing unit, RAM, and a mechanism to cool generated heat; they also connect to a display unit
• Sound card provides the ability produce sounds through speakers of headphones.
• User can record sound input from microphone via the soundcard.
• Internal Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) use magnetic properties, and Solid State Drives (SSDs) may be used for data, file and software storage

Software

• General term for programs that control the computer to process data
• Software can be categorized into Application and System

Application vs System Software

• Application Software provides services for solving task
• System Software provides a platform to run all other software

Application Software Examples

• Word processing, spreadsheet, database(management system), and control and measurement software
• Apps and Applets, video editing, graphics editing, or audio editing
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Application Subsets

• Word processing software manipulates text for essays or reports, and uses a keyboard; it includes tools copy and delete text and formatting text
• Word Processing functions include creating or saving documents, copy/paste, spell check, photos import, and language translations
• Spreadsheet software organizes numbers(integers, real numbers, dates), which is a grid is made of cells with rows ands columns; each cell uses a combination to identify, like B6
• Spreadsheet functions include formulas for calculations, ability to graph, or models to calculate what if scenarios
• Database Software organized and analyzes data using one or more tables, which consists of rows and columns to give structure
• Database functions include making queries, produces reports, and modify data in table
• Control/measurement software interfaces with sensors, and measures quantities or controls applications by altering parameters depending on situation
• Applets are small applications usually embedded in HTML webpages and executed within a browser
• Apps perform tasks like video or music streaming, banking apps or social media downloaded from an app store
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software can create, manipulate, modify, and analyze a drawing or design used to create diagrams with the ability to rotate to estimate production costs and prevent structural issues
• Audio editing software alters length or start, converts audio file formats, or adds noise reduction
• Video editing software edits and manipulates videos by adding titles, color correction, or sound

Graphics editing software

• Graphics editing allows bitmap and vector images to be changed
• Bitmap consists of pixels containing brightness and color, where editors change pixels differently
• Vector editors don't use pixels, so they manipulate lines, curves, and alter text

System Software

• Programs to ensure hardware functions properly and allows user to communicate with the computer

System Software Examples

• Compilers
• Linkers
• Device drivers
• Operating systems
• Utilities

System Software Details

• Compilers translate high-level language to machine code so computers executes required tasks in languages such as Java or Python
• Linkers combine object files from compilers into a single program because programmers code in modules, and linkers put all modules together
• Device drivers enable hardware to communicate with computer operating system; message is produced if driver isn't compatible like printers, memory sticks or mouse
• Operating systems (OS) manage basic device functions in the background.
• Without an OS, computers would be difficult to use from day to day
• Operating systems allow input/output, communicate, handle errors, run programs, and manage security
• Utility programs complete specific tasks on a computer, and Examples include antivirus, backup or repair and defragment

User interfaces Types

• Command Line Interface (CLI) or graphical user interface (GUI) are types of OS
• Dialogue or gesture-based UI

CLI vs GUI

• Command Line Interface (CLI) requires user to type instructions, so it has a number of needed commands that must be learned to save or carry out basic operations
• Graphical User Interface (GUI) allows use of pictures, symbols, and touch screens to interact with a computer more naturally

Dialogue vs Gesture based Interface

• Dialogue based interfaces use natural languages to give commands like Siri, Cortana or Alexa
• Gesture interfaces enable human interaction by moving hands head or feet using techniques of computer vision to detect what's needed (turn radio higher by clock wise rotation)

Computer Types

• Desktop computers

Computer Types (Details)

• Desktop Computers are typically monitors which have separate keyboards, mouse, and unit which make them not very portable but upgrades cheaper
• Mobile computers are portable, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets or phablets
• Laptops combine keyboard, pointing devices, and processor making them very portable, and have key features such as lightweight, low power consumption, and less heat

Laptop (pros and cons)

• Portability allows it to be used anywhere because wires are absent, Wi-Fi used
• Laptops are prone to theft due to its portability, has limited battery, and keyboard is hard to use
• Smart phones have operating systems such as iOS or Android allowing users to send emails or other functions such as using Wi-Fi or 3G/4G/5G networks

Smartphone (details)

• Typical smartphones feature anti-glare displays, front-or-back camera and a longer battery life compared to laptops
• They also use Bluetooth, and flash or cloud storage with proximity sensors which detect what is close, accelerometer detects device orientation, and use organic light emitting diode (OLED) touch screens

Smartphone (advantages)

• Smart phones small size lightweight is ideal for portability connecting to the internet everywhere, or use sensor data provided maps
• Disadvantages small screen make it hard to use, it slows typing, drains battery easily, or limits compatibility

Tablets

• Operate similar to smartphones using touch-screen technology without conventional keyboard.
• Tablets access internet wirelessly or Bluetooth and equipped with a series of sensors which include camera, microphone, accelerometer and touch screen

Tablets (pros and cons)

• Advantage of tablets fast to switch on and lightweight with limited heat with standard use of apps like mp3s and touch screen
• Disadvantage of tablets more expensive and limited memory which require the user to type slower