Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur

DEPARTMENT OF PAKISTAN STUDIES

Sajjad Ali

Roll No.PS 0120:67

Topic
Islamic Studies

Submitted To

Sir Sanaullah Sheikh

 Introduction

A computer system has three main components: hardware, software, and

people. The equipment associated with a computer system is called hardware.
Software is a set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. People,
however, are the most important component of a computer system - people
use the power of the computer for some purpose. In fact, this course will show
you that the computer can be a tool for just about anyone from a business
person, to an artist, to a housekeeper, to a student - an incredibly powerful
and flexible tool.

Software is actually a computer program. To be more specific, a program is a

set of step-by-step instructions that directs the computer to do the tasks you
want it to do and to produce the results you want. A computer programmer is
a person who writes programs. Most of us do not write programs, we use
programs written by someone else. This means we are users - people who
purchase and use computer software.

Hardware: Meeting the Machine

Primary Storage and Secondary Storage

Parts of a computer

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

- The central processing unit or the CPU is basically the brains of the
computer which controls the operation of a computer. Most calculations take
place here and it's the most important element of a computer system.

Motherboard

- The motherboard is the main circuit board inside the computer. It

contains things like the CPU, BIOS,memory sockets, mass storage interfaces,
expansion slots, and many other components. RAM (Random Access
Memory)
- The random access memory or RAM is the working memory of the
computer used for storing temporary data. Any area of the RAM can be
accessed directly and immediately and can also be changed or edited.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

What it is: RAM, also known as volatile memory, stores data regarding
frequently accessed programs and processes. (It's called volatile memory
because it gets erased every time the computer restarts.)

ROM (Read Only Memory)

- The read only memory or the ROM is the memory that can only be read
and not changed. The ROM holds it's storage contains even when the power
is turned off. The data is placed in the ROM once and is there permanently.

Hard Disk Drive

- The hard disk drive or the HDD is the structure that reads from and
writes data to a hard disk.

Video Graphics Card

- The video graphics card is the card that enhances 3D graphics, 2D

graphics, videoconferencing, and multimedia. It can also assist the CPU in
delivering powerful and high resolution graphics.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

- The graphics processing unit or the GPU is a single-chip processor that

transforms 3D objects and creates lighting effects.

Sound Card

- The sound card allows your computer to reproduce sounds such as

music, voices. You can plug in external devices such as
microphones, headphones, speakers and amplifiers.

Video Monitor
- A video monitor is a display screen that displays and graphics and texts
from a computer. A monitor can either be monochrome (which only displays
black and white) or color. Color monitors can show analog or digital color.

Keyboard and Mouse

Keyboard

Keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps to
input data to the computer. The layout of the keyboard is like that of
traditional typewriter, although there are some additional keys provided for
performing additional functions.

Mouse

Mouse is the most popular pointing device. It is a very famous cursor-control

device having a small palm size box with a round ball at its base, which senses
the movement of the mouse and sends corresponding signals to the CPU
when the mouse buttons are pressed.

Generally, it has two buttons called the left and the right button and a wheel
is present between the buttons. A mouse can be used to control the position of
the cursor on the screen, but it cannot be used to enter text into the computer.

- A keyboard is a set typewriter-like used to enter data into a computer. A

mouse is a pointing device that controls the movement of the cursor on the
computer screen.

Whether it's a gaming system or a home PC, the five main components that
make up a typical, present-day computer include:

A motherboard

A Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), also known as a video card

Random Access Memory (RAM), also known as volatile memory

Storage: Solid State Drive (SSD) or Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

In terms of construction, each of these main components are attached to the

motherboard and then put into a protective case—resembling the clean,
polished look most of us are accustomed to seeing.

Sure, most computers have their own distinct design - and different brands of
hardware installed - but the components listed above are standard across all
computers.

Important: A quick note before we dive into the details—I’m listing and
talking about the different components of a computer. This is by no means
intended to be an invitation to disassemble your computer, nor is it a set of
instructions to do so. Without the proper knowledge, you can severely damage
your computer, and importantly, doing so is unsafe.

1. The motherboard

What it is: All components of a computer communicate through a circuit

board called the motherboard, as was mentioned above.

What it does: Think of the motherboard as the glue that holds everything else
together.

(The Raspberry Pi, like the one featured in our summer course for kids, Build
and Code Your Own Take-Home Laptop, is a motherboard.)

The motherboard’s video card and Central Processing Unit are contained in
an integrated (built-in) chipset, shown in the picture below:
This is where input/output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and speakers
get plugged in.

2. The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

What it is: The CPU is often called the "brain" of a computer, thanks to its
direct plug connection to the motherboard, and communication with all of the
computer’s other components.

What it does: Whenever you write a line of code (in Python, Java, C++, or any
other programming language), it's broken down into assembly language—
which is a language that the processor can understand. It fetches, decodes,
and executes these instructions.

And that’s where the CPU comes in—all the processes a computer handles
are taken care of by the CPU.

3. The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

What it is: It's not uncommon to hear gamers obsess over the next new
graphics card, as these graphic cards make it possible for computers to
generate highend visuals like those found in the many different types of video
games.

In addition to video games, though, good graphics cards also come in handy
for those who rely on images in order to execute their craft, like 3D modelers
using resource-intensive software.

What it does: Graphics cards often communicate directly with the display
monitor, meaning a $1,000 graphics card won't be of much use if there isn't a
high-end monitor connected to it.
What it does: RAM helps programs and games start up and close quickly.

5. Storage

What it is: All computers need somewhere to store their data. Modern
computers either use a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD).

What it does: HDDs are made of an actual disk onto which data is stored. The
disk is read by a mechanical arm. (HDDs are cheaper than SSDs, but are
slowly becoming more and more obsolete.)

SSDs (think SIM cards) have no moving parts and are faster than a hard
drive, because no time is spent waiting for a mechanical arm to find data on a
physical location on the disk.

Fun, right?

Some enjoy computers from the frontend, spending time on YouTube,

shopping on eBay, and playing video games (and experiencing the benefits of
doing so.).

But for others, it’s the “how” that proves to be more intriguing! Taking
computers apart and putting them back together, adding new hardware,
troubleshooting hardware assembly, and booting them up (and crossing their
fingers!) is all part of such intrigue.

Does the latter sound like your child?

Our “build your own laptop” courses offer introductions to hardware,

engineering, and coding, offering students the opportunity to assemble
laptops, code with Python to create games, and use the Linux OS. All of this
also improves soft skills like project-planning and hands-on coordination!
Network Card

- The network card aka the network interface card (NIC) is an adapter board
that enables the computer to connect to a network.

CD ROM \ DVD ROM -

A CD ROM (Compact Disk - Read Only Memory) and a DVD ROM (Digital
Video Disk - Read Only Memory) have data stored on them which you can
view on your computer and they cannot be changed or edited.

CD RW \ DVD RW

- A CD RW (Compact Disk - ReWritable) and a DVD RW (Digital Video

Disk - ReWritable) can be written,erased and rewritten by a user.

USB Card (Universal Serial Bus)

- A USB is an external bus that supports up to 127 peripheral devices. It

supports data transfer rates of 12 mbps.

PCI Expansion Port

- A Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) expansion port provides

high speed connection and allows connection to up to 7 peripheral devices.

Flash Memory

- A flash memory is re-writeable memory that works like both RAM and
hard disk. It's also very durable and can keep data while the power is turned
off.

Power Supply Unit & Fan

- The power supply unit supplier power to the compute. The fan gives
cool air to the computer so it doesn't overheat.