COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

A computer system is a combination of hardware, software, procedures, data and people

that create a functional unit.
Hardware
This refers to all the tangible parts of the computer i.e all parts that you can see or
touch. These include computer case, monitor, mouse, keyboard and disk drives.
Hardware devices may be classified as being input, output, processing or storage. A few
devices may perform more than one function.
Input, output and storage devices are also called peripheral devices. These devices are
all connected to the computers central processing unit.
Input Devices
Each part of the computer is called a device. Some of the devices allow you to send
messages into the computer system. These are called input devices e.g mouse and
keyboard.
Output devices
Devices that allow message to be sent out of the system, either directly to the user or to
another computer. E.g monitor, printer and speakers.
Storage devices
These devices are used to store information even after the computer is turned off. These
storage devices include a hard-disk drive (also called hard drive), floppy-disk drive and
recordable CD drive. The storage devices are usually located within the systems unit or
computer case. Some of these devices may also be located outside the systems unit.
Processing devices
The brain of the computer is called the CPU (Central Processing Unit) or processor.
It processes or works on the information in the computer. The CPU consists of three
interrelated parts:
The ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT (ALU) that performs all the calculations
necessary for the computer to operate.
The CONTROL UNIT (CU) directs the flow of data through the CPU and to and
from the other devices.
The MEMORY unit holds all of the data and instructions that the computer uses
to operate.

The memory unit consists of two types of memory:

ROM (Read Only Memory) permanent and cannot normally be changed.
RAM (Random Access Memory) memory that can be changed instantly. RAM
is erased whenever the computer is switched off.
Software
Software refers to the programs that allow the hardware and users to do a useful job.
Without software, hardware is useless. Software consists of a series of instructions that
tell the computer what to do.
There are two types of software:
System software E.g Windows Professional 2000, Windows XP and DOS.
Application software E.g Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and AutoCAD
People
These are the users of the computer. It is people who design, build, program, and
maintain the computer system.
Data
Data consists of raw facts such as numbers, letters, special characters or symbols. These
convey little meaning by itself, however, whey they are combined and processed they
appear to context and convey meaning to people.
Data is organized into files within the computer. Each file is a set of data that has been
given a name.
Computers manipulate and store data in the form of coded electrical impulses called bits.
Procedures
These are the instructions that tell a user how to operate and use the information system.
When you bring together hardware, software, data, procedures and users, you will get a
complete computer system.
Information taken from Electronic Document Preparation and Management for CSEC by Ann
Margaret Jacob and Agatha Augustine