COMPUTER SYSTEM

One of the basic and main tools in the world of information and communication
technology is the computer. The computer since its appearance in the human life,
has suffered several transformations, classifying its technological development in
generations. The future of the computer will continue evolving and will be objective
in the development of industries,research centers, professionals and all person
interested in the technological advance, who will be in charge that this tool
transforms and reach unimagineable applications
1.1.2 Main Elements
A computer system is the one that is composed by devices or physical components
(Hardware) that interact through a set established instructions (Software) in order
to reach an objective.
A.- Hardware
Hardware is defined as a join of components of physical devices that intervene in a
computer system.
The computer defined as an electronic device capable to interpret input and output
orders, besides to process and to store information.
The components of a computer can be classified, acoording to the function they
perform in: Input devices, Output devices, Processing and Storage.
a.- Input Devices
They are the ones from which the information is introduced to the computer to be
processed or transformed. Some examples are: keyboard, bar code reader,
scanner, mouse, webcam, microphone, touch screen, etc.
b.- Output Devices
They are the ones that show to the user the data previously transformed or
processed. The most used are: the printer, the monitors and the speakers.
c.- Storage Devices
They are the ones that permit to store or to save information:
The Main Memory.- This memory acts directly with the CPU in all the input and
output operations, allowing to store and to recover instantly data and programs
with which it is working. Basically composed by:

 ROM (Read Only Memory): Its contains instructions to boot and to check
the computer for its good performance; the user does not have option to
modify it.
RAM (Random Access Memory): Is a memory that stores information that
is being executed in the momento, so it can be processed quickly.
The Secondary Memory.- It permits to save programs and data in a permanent
way.
The unit to measure the storage capacity is the BYTE,it is conformed from the
initials of BinarY TErm.
The different amounts of memory are mentioned according to the following terms:
KB

KILOBYTES

(1,024 bytes)

MB

MEGABYTES

(1,048,576 bytes)

GB

GIGABYTES

(1,073,741,824 bytes)

TB

TERABYTES

(Approximately 1012 bytes)

PB

PETABYTES

(Approximately 1015 bytes)

EB

EXABYTE

(Approximately 1018 bytes)

ZB

ZETTABYTE

(Approximately 1021 bytes)

YB

YOTTABYTE

(Approximately 1024 bytes)

 Processing Devices
The Central Process Unit, also called CPU is the component in charge to transform
data into information. The central process until is hosted in one single chip called
microprocessor; this microprocessis connected to other devices through a main
board called Mother Board. The unit to measure the processing velocity is the
Hertz (Hz) and it is according to the type of microprocessor: Intel Pentium,
Centrino, Atom, AMD Athlon, Intel Core Duo,etc.
B.- Software
It is the set of instructions or programs that are introduced in a computer in order to
carry out a process. This is classified in:
System software. It administrates and controls the operation of the
hardware. It refers to the operative system. Examples: Windows, OS X,
UNIX, LINUX,etc.
Application software. It permits to execute specific tasks from user. It is
composed of applications designed for the final user. Examples: Word,
Excel, AutoCad, Photoshop, Corel, Acrobat Reader, etc

OPERATIVE SYSTEM
The Operative System is the most important program of a computer. It is defined
as the program that permits the user to take control of the computer, both software
and hardware, so he/she can administrates it to reach good performance.
1.2.1 Functions
Some of the main functions of the operative system:
1. It interprets and executes the instructions through the interface that provides
to the user.
2. It optimizes communication between input and output devices.
3. It coordinates the processing of tasks.
4. It provides diagnostic errors of the basic parts of the computer.
5. It serves as a connection to run the application software.

1.2.2 Classification

 Multiuser: It permits two or more users to execute programs at the same

time.
Multitask: It permits to execute two or more programs or applications at the
same time.
Multiprocessing: Means of multiprocessing that have more tan one
processor which operates in the same memory but execute simultaneously
processes.
1.2.3. Types of interface
The interface is the communication means through which the user interacts with
the software.
A.- Command Line Interface
The operative system provides a command line in which the user introduces the
instructions or commands formed by characters.
B.- Graphical Interface
The execution of commands and programs is achieved by selecting figures or
icons that represents them, or by displaying menus or Windows.