Computer System 1

Subtopics

1. Software
2. System and Application software
3. Utility Software
4. Digital Data and Analogue Data
5. IPO Cycle
6. Input and Output Device
7. Processing Unit
8. Know that computers are made up of logic gates that are represented by Boolean logic.

Software
Software is a collection of instructions that can be ‘run’ on a computer. These
instructions tell the computer what to do.

➢ Software is coded programs that control how the computer works.

System software: This allows users to communicate with the computer, and helps make sure the
computer runs efficiently and safely.
Application software: This allows users to perform a useful task, such as browsing the internet by
using a web browser.
Utility Software:
Utility Software is a type of software which is used to analyse and maintain a computer. This
software performs tasks to enable the smooth functioning of the computer.

Types of Utility Software

2. Disk cleaners: Disk cleaners are tools that scan a computer's hard drive for
unnecessary files and other data that can be safely deleted to free up storage space.

3. Backup and recovery software: Backup and recovery software allows users to create
copies of their data and restore it in the event of data loss or system failure.

4. System optimizers: System optimizers are tools that can improve a computer's
performance by optimizing system settings, removing unnecessary files and
programs, and managing system resources.

5. Disk defragmenters: Disk defragmenters are utilities that can organize a computer's
hard drive to improve file access times and overall system performance.

6. File compression software: File compression software can compress files and folders
to save storage space and make them easier to transfer over the internet.

7. Disk encryption software: Disk encryption software can encrypt data on a

Digital and Analogue Data

There are two main types of data that we are going to discuss here:

1. Analogue Data
➢ Analogue data use values that change very smoothly and is continuous in nature.
➢ A good example of this is an analogue clock. An analogue clock shows the
time with a smoothly moving seconds hand. The change is continuous.
➢ Sound is also a good example of analogue data. Sound waves change in a very
smooth way.
 All analogue devices use analogue data. Examples of analogue devices include:

• Microphone
• Headphones
• Loud Speaker
• Sensors (temperature, pressure etc)

2. Digital Data

➢ Digital data jumps from one value to the next in a step by step sequence and is
discrete in nature.
➢ A good example of this is a digital clock. A digital clock jumps from one
second to another in clear steps. The change is not smooth or continuous

All digital devices use digital data. Examples of digital devices include:

• Computers/Laptops/IPads
• Mobile Phone
• MP3 Player
• Digital Camera

➢ The name "Digital" is given to all devices that store and process data in the form
of 'digits' (numbers).
➢ These digits are known as 'Binary' – 0 and 1.

Data is represented in binary form in Computer/digital devices

➢ The basic building block in all computers is the binary number system.
➢ This system is chosen because it only consists of 1s and 0s. Since computers contain
millions and millions of tiny ‘switches’, which must be in the ON or OFF position,
they can be represented by the binary system.
➢ A switch in the ON position is represented by 1; a switch in the OFF position is
represented by 0.
IPO Cycle

The IPO cycle stands for the Input-Process-Output cycle. The Input-Process-Output cycle in
computers is a process where the system receives input, processes the information, and
produces output.

The basic steps of a computer system, as described by the Input-Process-Output (IPO) cycle,
involve three key stages:
1. I: Input
This is the starting point where the computer receives data (input). It could be
anything you enter through a keyboard, a click of a mouse, or data from another
computer.
2. P: Process
Here, the computer takes the input data and processes it. This means the computer
works on the data, doing things like calculations or running programs, to turn the
input into output (result). Central Processing Unit helps in processing the information.
3. O: Output
The final stage is output, where the computer presents the results of its processing.
This could be displaying text on a screen, printing a document, or sending information
to another computer.

Input and Output Devices

1. Input Devices
Input devices are the devices that are used accept information for the compute and to send
signals to the computer for performing tasks.
Some of the examples of Input devices are keyboard, mouse, scanner , game controller, web
camera etc.

2. Output Devices
Output Devices are the devices that show us the result or display the output.
Output can be of many different forms like image, graphic audio, video, etc. Some examples
of the output devices are monitor, printer, projector, plotter.