Assignment: Introduction to Computers Systems:

1. What is a Computer? What is the word hardware used for? What is the word software used for?
A computer is an electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form,
according to instructions given to it in a variable program. Hardware is the tools, machinery,
and other durable equipment while software is the programs and other operating information
used by a computer.

2. A computer system consists of both hardware and software components.
a. Describe the hardware components of a computer system.
Computer hardware and software require each other and neither can be realistically
used without the other
b. Describe the software components of a computer system.
Software, also known as computer programs, is the non-tangible component
of computers. Computer software contrasts with computer hardware, which is the
physical component of computers. Computer hardware and software require each other
and neither can be realistically used without the other.

3. Name the major hardware components of a typical desktop computer.


4. The terms input and output say if?
The terms I/O is used to describe any program, operation or device that transfers data to or
from a computer and to or from peripheral device.

5. What is a bus?
Bus is a distinct set of conductors carrying data and control signals within a computer system,
to which pieces of equipment may be connected in parallel.

6. Look at the diagram called Main Components of a Computer System. Which devices are
connected to the bus. Through a controller?
A bus is a subsystem that transfers data between computer components inside a computer or
between computers. A bus can logically connect several peripherals over the same set of wires.
There are two types of buses: internal and external. Internal buses are connections to various
internal components. External buses are connections to various external components. There are
different kinds of slots that internal and external devices connect to:
Internal: Slots: PCI, PCI Express, PCMCIA, Cards: Video Card, Sound Card, Network Card.
External: Connections: USB, Firewire, PS/2; Devices: Removable Storage, non-removable storage.

7. Describe the processor. What is the purpose of the processor? What is the other name for the
processor?
A central processing unit (CPU) is the hardware within a computer that carries out the
instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and
input/output operations of the system.

8. Describe the two fundamental types of a computer systems memory: main memory ad
secondary memory. Name five features of each.
In computing, memory refers to the physical devices used to store programs (sequences of
instructions) or data on a temporary or permanent basis for use in a computer or
other digital electronic device. The term primary memory is used for the information in physical
systems which function at high-speed (RAM), as a distinction from secondary memory, which
are physical devices for program and data storage which are slow to access but offer higher
memory capacity. Primary memory stored on secondary memory is called "virtual memory".
The term "memory", meaning primary memory is often associated with addressable
semiconductor memory, integrated circuits consisting of silicon-based transistors, used for
example as primary memory but also other purposes in computers and other digital electronic
devices. There are two main types of semiconductor memory: volatile and non-volatile.
Examples of non-volatile memory are flash memory (sometimes used as secondary, sometimes
primary computer memory) and ROM/PROM/EPROM/EEPROM memory (used for firmware
such as boot programs). Examples of volatile memory are primary memory (typically dynamic
RAM, DRAM), and fast CPU cache memory (typically static RAM, SRAM, which is fast but energy-
consuming and offer lower memory capacity per area unit than DRAM).

9. Why main memory is sometimes called volatile?
"Volatile" simply means that its lost when you turn it off. The memory that your program
actually runs in RAM or Random Access Memory is "volatile" or gets reset/flushed every time
you turn your PC off. That's why we have hard disk drives/CD's etc. to store things on between
uses.

10. Main memory is sometimes called RAM. What does the RAM stand for? What does random
mean? How many characters is 512 megabytes of RAM?
Random-access memory (RAM) is a form of computer data storage. A random-access device
allows stored data to be accessed directly in any random order. In contrast, other data storage
media such as hard disks, CDs, DVDs and magnetic tape, as well as early primary memory types
such as drum memory, read and write data only in a predetermined order, consecutively,
because of mechanical design limitations. Therefore, the time to access a given data location
varies significantly depending on its physical location.

11. Name four features of the common secondary storages device the hard disk.
The term storage is often used to describe secondary memory such as tape, magnetic disks and
optical discs (CD-ROM and DVD-ROM).

12. How big might a hard disks storage capacity be in characters?
The first hard disk drive was the IBM Model 350 Disk File that came with the IBM 305 RAMAC
computer in 1956. It had 50 24-inch discs with a total storage capacity of 5 million characters
(just under 5 MB). The first hard drive to have more than 1 GB in capacity was the IBM 3380 in
1980 (it could store 2.52 GB). It was the size of a refrigerator, weighed 550 pounds (250 kg), and
the price when it was introduced ranged from $81,000 to $142,400.

13. Compare the features of the two types of storage: primary memory and secondary memory.
Primary memory is often associated with addressable semiconductor memory, integrated
circuits consisting of silicon-based transistors, used for example as primary memory but also
other purposes in computers and other digital electronic devices. There are two main types of
semiconductor memory: volatile and non-volatile. Examples of non-volatile memory are flash
memory (sometimes used as secondary, sometimes primary computer memory) and
ROM/PROM/EPROM/EEPROM memory (used for firmware such as boot programs). Examples
of volatile memory are primary memory (typically dynamic RAM, DRAM), and fast CPU cache
memory (typically static RAM, SRAM, which is fast but energy-consuming and offer lower
memory capacity per area unit than DRAM).

14. Name some input devices.
In computing, an input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment) used
to provide data and control signals to an information processing system such as a computer or
other information appliance. Examples of input devices include keyboards, mouse, scanners,
digital cameras and joysticks.

15. Name some output devices.
An output device is any electronic or electromechanical equipment connected to a computer and
used to transfer data out of the computer in the form of text, images, sounds, or other media.
Examples of output devices include speakers, headphones, printer and screen/monitor

16. How does a network interface act? And why?
NIC (network interface card) is a gadget that works as a bridge between computers. In other
words, this piece of equipment is used to join together multiple computer systems in a local area
network (LAN). Though, networked computers are required protocols and agreed-upon
communication languages in order to correspond with each other and for transmitting data
packets on these machines.

17. What are I/O devices are directly connected to?
A peripheral is a device that is connected to a host computer, but not an integral part of it. It
expands the host's capabilities but does not form part of the core computer architecture. It is
often, but not always, partially or completely dependent on the host.
There are three different types of peripherals:
Input, used to interact with, or send data to the computer (mouse, keyboards, etc.)
Output, which provides output to the user from the computer (monitors printers, etc.)
Storage, which stores data processed by the computer (hard drives, flash drives, etc.)

18. What are I/O devices to a user, a programmer, an engineer?
Mouse, keyboards, monitors printers, hard drives, flash drives.

19. What embedded system? What is the name of a computer processors embedded system?
An embedded system is a computer system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical
or electrical system, often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a
complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts.
20. What is software? What are programs? What are data?
The programs and other operating information used by a computer.
A program is a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute; "the
program required several hundred lines of code.
Data are the quantities, characters, or symbols on which operations are performed by a
computer, being stored and transmitted in the form of electrical signals and recorded on
magnetic, optical, or mechanical recording media.

21. What is the fundamental idea about both programs and data?
Fundamental Idea: Both programs and data are saved in computer memory in the same way.

22. Describe the two categories of programs: application programs and system programs. Provide
six examples of each.
An application is a program or a group of programs designed for the end user. Application
software can be divided into two general classes: Systems software and applications software.
Applications software includes a database programs, word processors, web browsers and
spread sheet. While the Systems software consists of low-level programs that interact with a
computer at a very basic level, including operating systems, compilers, and utilities for
managing computer resources.

23. What does the operating system coordinate?
The operating software is an intermediary between the hardware and the applications software.
The term system software is used interchangeably with operating system, but system software
means all programs related to coordinating computer operations. System software does include
the operating system, but it also includes the BIOS software, drivers, and service programs.

24. What is the purpose of the operating systems user interface?
A user interface brings structure to the interaction between a user and the computer. User
interface has been in the area of the graphical user interface. With two models: apples
Macintosh and Microsoft's windows.

25. Name examples of operating systems.
BSD, iOS, Linux, OS X, QNX, Microsoft Windows, Windows Phone, and IBM z/OS.

26. Describe the process called booting.
Booting is the process or set of operations that loads and hence starts the operating system. The
process follows turning on the PC, CPU pins are reset and registers are set to specific value, CPU
jump into address of BIOS, BIOS runs POST (power-On Self-Test) and other necessary checks),
BIOS jumps to MBR (Master Boot Record). Primary Boot loader loads Operating System.

27. What happens when the user starts up an application?
On Windows, first the image is loaded into memory. The kernel analyzes which libraries (read
"DLL") it is going to require and loads them up too.
It then edits the program image to insert the memory addresses of each of the library functions
it requires. These addresses have a space in the .EXE binary already, but they are just filled with
zeroes.
Each DLL's DllMain() procedure then gets executed, one by one, from the most required DLL to
the last, like following an order of dependences.
Once all libraries were loaded and got ready, finally the image is started, and whatever happens
now will depend on language used, compiler used, and the program routine itself.

28. Describe a computer network.
A network is a group of two or more computer systems linked together. Such as local-area
networks (LANs), wide-area networks (WANs); campus-area networks (CANs).

29. Describe a LAN (local area network).
LAN (local area network): the computers are geographically close together (in the same
building).

30. What is the purpose of a network address, server, and a network interface card?
Net addresses are often used in email text as more concise substitute for personal names, the
display of a network address used to function as a hacking tool of identification signal. A
network server is a computer system, which is used as the central repository of data and various
programs that are shared by the users in a network. The network interface card is an expansion
card that enables a computer to connect to a network such as a home network or the internet
using an Ethernet cable with RJ-45 connector.

31. Describe a WAN (wide area network).
A computer is connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public networks,
such as telephone systems. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites.

32. Describe the term protocol
A protocol is a regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence and etiquette.

33. What does the internet consist of?
The internet consists of catalog information organized and fact checked by governing body.

34. What is an IP address?
An IP address is a unique string of numbers separated by periods that identifies each computer
using the internet Protocol to communicate over a network.

35. What is the information transmission protocol for the World Wide Web?
The World Wide Web (abbreviated as WWW or W3, commonly known as the web) is a system of
interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet. With a web browser, one can view
web pages that may contain text, images, videos, and other multimedia and navigate between
them via hyperlinks.

36. Web data is read by web browsers. A web page is information displayed using a language called?
HTML or Hypertext Markup Language is the main markup language for creating web pages and
other information that can be displayed in a web browser.

37. How are web pages connected? How is a web page specified? Where is this name displayed?