Computer system

Introduction
A computer is an electronic device that input, process, store and output data in
the form of information.
A system is a set of interrelated components that take some elements as input,
process them to give an output
A computer system is set of computer equipment and communication
tools used for data entry, processing, presentation and storage. A computer
system is sub-divided into three subsystems also known as systems. These
systems are;
 Control system or pilot system: this is also known as the head of a
computer system. This system is responsible for decision making in the
system.
 Operating system: it is also known as the actual system. It is responsible
for the conversion of input into output which is the processing part.
 Information system: it the part of the system responsible for the
collection, processing, storing and distribution of information.
Characteristics of a computer system
A computer system must have the following in other to be considered a
system;
Components: this refers to the individual parts or elements that work together
to enable the system to function. These components can hardware, software,
peoples, data, etc.
Inputs: they are refered to as data, instructions or signals that are entered in to
the system through external sources. This input could be in the form of text,
images, videos, audios, etc.
Processes: these are instances of a program executed by a system or computer
processor. Each process is a separate entity on it own that has its own memory
space, resources and execution thread.
Output: they are refered to as data, information or signals that are produced as
result of the processed input. This output can be in the form of text, videos,
images, etc.
 Types of computer systems
Computer systems are sub-divided into two main systems under which all the
other systems are been classified which are; manual systems and automated
systems.
Manual computer systems: it is a system or process where tasks traditionally
handled by a computer or automated system are performed manually by
humans using physical tools, paper records or non-electronic devices. It is
important to note that the term computer used in manual computer system is
not strictly refered to as an electronic device but to system used for processing
data.
Characteristics of manual computer system
 No automation involved
 All tasks performed by humans
 It’s time-consuming
 It is paper-based and make use of mechanical tools.
Advantages of a manual system
 Low cost: they can be low cost as they do not require significant
investments in hardware or software.
 Simple to implement: manual system can be simple to implement as
they often use existing paper-based processes and procedures.
 Easy to understand: they can be easy to understand as they familiar
paper-based records and manual calculations.
Disadvantages of manual computer system
 Time-consuming: this system can be time-consuming, labor intensive
and prone to errors.
 Limited scalability: this system can be difficult to scale as they rely on
human intervention and manual processes.
 Poor data integrity: this system can suffer from poor data integrity, as
human errors can occur during data entry and processing.
 Automated computer system: it is a system that uses technology
(hardware, software, and digital processes) to perform a task without
requiring constant human intervention. This system is designed to
automatically execute predefined tasks, processes or calculations, often
improving efficiency, accuracy and speed.
Characteristics of an automated computer system
An automated computer system is characterized by the following;
 Automation of tasks
 Efficiency and speed
 Consistency
 Data processing
 Integration
Advantages of an automated system
 Increased efficiency: this system can process data and perform tasks
faster and more accurately than manual systems.
 Reduced labor costs: this system can reduce the need in manual labor
resulting to cost savings.
 Improved accuracy: this system can reduce errors and improve accuracy
resulting in higher quality outputs.
 Enhance customers experience: automated system can provide 24/7
customer support and improve the overall customer experience.
Disadvantages of an automated system
 High initial investment: implementing an automated system can require
an upfront investment in the hardware, software and training.
 Job displacement: automated system can lead to job displacement as
automated system will replace human workers in a certain tasks and
industries.
 Security risks: automated system can be vulnerable to cyber threats and
data breaches, which can compromise sensitive information and disrupt
operations.
 Limited flexibility: automated system can be inflexible and unable to
adapt to changing circumstances or unexpected events.
Components of a computer system
As it was said earlier, components of a computer system are thpose3
individual parts or elements that work together for the function of the
computer system. These components are;
Hardware: these are the physical components of the computer that can be
seen and touched. The main computer hardware is;
  Central processing unit (CPU): the brain of the computer, responsible for
executing instructions and performing calculations.
 Storage units: they are divided into two. The memory which stores data
and programs temporally that the CPU uses when running application
and the storage drives that are permanent storage unit responsible for
the storing of programs, data and the operating system.
 Motherboard: he main circuit board that connects all the hardware
components together.
 Power supply: converts alternative current from the wall to direct
current for computer components.
 Network card: enables communication over a network or internet
connection.
 Keyboard: input device for typing text and commands.
 Printers: output devices for printing physical copies of documents and
images.
 Mouse: input devices for navigating and interacting with graphical user
interfaces.
Software: it refers to the programs, operating systems, and application that run
on a computer system. These components enable’s the hardware to perform
specific tasks and provide functionalities to the user. The different computer
software;
 Operating system (OS): manages computer hardware resources and
provides a platform for running applications. As example we have
windows
 Application software: it performs specific tasks or provides services to
the user. As example we have google chrome
 Utility software: helps manage, maintain and optimize computer
systems. As example we have antiviruses
 Programming software: enables developers to creat3e, test and debug
software applications.
Data: it is the fundamental component of a computer system, representing the
information that is processed, stored, and retrieved by the system. We have
different forms of data which are;
 Text data: alphanumeric characters such as words, sentences and
paragraphs
  Numeric data: numbers such as integers, floating-point numbers, and
dates.
 Image data: graphics, pictures and other visual data.
 Audio data: sound files, music, and other audio information.
 Video data: moving images such as movies, animation, and video clips.
Network: a network is a critical component of a computer system that enables
communication, data exchange, and resource resources sharing between
devices. They are four main types of network which are;
 Local area network (LAN): a network that connects devices within a
limited geographical area such as home, office building or campus
 Wide area network (WAN): a network that connects devices over a large
geographical area such as city, continent or country.
 Wireless network (WLAN): a network that connects devices wirelessly,
using radio waves or infrared signals.
 Virtual private network (VPN): a network that uses encryption and other
security measures to create a secure, private connection between
devices over the internet.
People: people are essential components of a computer system, playing a
crucial role in its operation, maintenance and effectiveness. There are many
types of people who use computers system. They are listed below;
 Users: individuals who work with computer system to achieve specific
goals or tasks.
 Administrators: individuals responsible for managing, and configuring
the computer system.
 Developers: individuals who design, develop, and test software
application that run a computer system.
 Support staff: individuals who provide technical support, training and
assistance to users.
Relationship between different components of a computer system
The components of a computer system; hardware, software, data,
people and network are interconnected and interdependent. They work
together to enable the system function effectively. The key relationship
between them is as follows;
 Hardware provides the platform for software to run on.
  Software process and analyzes data
 People interact with the hardware and software to input data and
instructions.
 Network connections enables communication and data exchange
between devices.
Architecture of a computer system
This refers to the design and structure of a computer system components
that work together to perform computing tasks. It is a blue print that defines
how different parts of the system interact and communicate. Computer system
architecture include the CPU, memory, input/output devices, storage and the
bus system all connected and managed to perform computing tasks efficiently.
Below is a diagram that shows the relationship between hardware and
application software

Application System software

Device driver

Hardware Firmware

(computer system) (BIOS/UEFI)

CPU (central
processing unit)

Memory Storage
(RAM)
(hard drive)

Input/output
(I/O) devices
 Limitations of a computer system
 Memory constraint: computers have a limited memory which can lead to
errors and slow performance when running multiple applications.
 Software bugs: computers can experience software bugs or errors which
can lead to crash or data loss.
 Vulnerability to viruses: computers can be vulnerable to viruses and
malwares, which can compromise data and system security.
 Limited skills: humans have limited skills or training in using computer
systems which can lead to inefficiency and errors.
 Physical damage: computers can be affected by physical damages such
as spills, or drops which can lead to hardware failure or data loss.

Operating system
Introduction
An operating system (OS) is a system software that manages computer
hardware, software resources and provide common services for computer
programs. It acts as an intermediary between users and computer hardware.
Components of the operating system
 Kernel: it is the core part of the OS that manages system resources and
communicate directly with the hardware. It handles memory
management, process scheduling and hardware control.
 Shell: it is the interface between the user and the kernel. It processes
command entered by the user in the command line interface or graphical
interface.
 System library: it provides the necessary functions for programs to
interact with the OS without directly accessing hardware.
 Device driver: it bis the software that allow the OS to communicate with
hardware devices like printers, display monitors, and storage devices.
Functions of an operating system
 Process management: the OS handles the execution of processes
(running programs), including process scheduling, multitasking and
process synchronization.
 Security and access: the OS protect the system from unauthorized access
by enforcing user authentication. It manages permission, encryption and
security protocol to safeguard data.
 User interface: the OS provides a user interface which can either be
command line (CLI) or graphical (GUI). It allows user to interact with the
system and run application.
 Networking: the OS provides networking resources such as managing
network connections, facilitating connection between computers and
handling protocols (TCP/IP).
 Resource allocation: the OS allocates resources such as CPU time,
memory and I/O devices to different programs and users to ensure
fairness and efficiency.