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Fundamentals of Data Representation
The components of a computer

The modern computer system consists of
five basic components
• The central processor (central processing
unit and primary storage)
• Secondary storage
• Input devices
• Output devices
• Communications devices
The central processor (central processing unit and
primary storage)
The central processor consists of
• the central processing unit
• primary storage
Central processing unit
• (called microprocessor,) is a critical
component that determines the
capabilities of computer.
• It directs the flow of information between
various input and output device.
• The CPU consists of two main parts, the
arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) and the control
unit.
The arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
• performs fundamental arithmetic
operations, such as addition and
subtraction and logical operations. The
CPU directs all mathematical and logical
calculations to the ALU.
The control unit
• accesses the data and instructions stored
in the computer and transfers them to the
ALU. (An instruction tells the computer
how to perform a given task)
Primary Storage
• The computer’s main memory is called
primary storage and is part of the central
processor. It is made up of memory cells
that are used to store data and
instructions temporarily.
• There are four types of primary memory:

RAM, ROM, cache and registers.
Four types of primary memory:
• Random access memory (RAM) (volatile

memory)
• Read-only memory (ROM) (nonvolatile
memory)
• Cache memory (volatile memory)
• Registers (volatile memory)
Random Access Memory (RAM)
• A type of primary memory that resides in

the CPU and temporarily stores data and
instructions
Volatile memory
• Memory that loses its contents when the

power is switched off or fails
Read –only memory
• Nonvolatile memory that resides in the

CPU and cannot be changed except with
special equipment or by the hardware
vendor.
• Program and instructions that are
frequently used are etched in ROM.
Programmable read- only
memory
• Customized data and instructions which
are non-erasable etched on a chip using
special equipment.
Erasable programmable read
only memory
• A computer chip with preprogrammed

instructions. The instructions etched on
this chip can be erased and
reprogrammed using ultraviolet rays.
Cache memory
• A type of primary memory that is designed

to increase the efficiency of the CPU. It is
made up of memory cells that are used to
store data and instruction temporarily.
Registers
• A type of special storage that holds data

values, programming instructions and
memory addresses.
• Registers are located in the ALU and the
control unit.
• They are volatile units of memory
designed to increase the efficiency of the
CPU
Secondary storage
• Nonvolatile memory that resides outside the

CPU on devices such as magnetic disks and
tapes. Data is stored on secondary storage
devices, retrieved and put into primary memory,
where it is processed and then is transferred
back to secondary storage.
• There are two types of secondary storage:
sequential storage and direct-access storage.
•
Sequential storage
• Data that can be accessed and retrieved

only in the order in which it was entered.
Direct access
• Also known as random access. A type of

secondary storage in which any record
can be directly accessed; this type of
storage is essential for online systems.
Secondary storage
• Magnetic disk
• Floppy disks
• CD-ROM
• Magnetic tape
Features of CD-ROM
• Five features to look for in a CD-ROM

drive are
• Access time
• Sustained throughput rate
• Sound card
• Interfaces
• Buffer
Input devices
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Touch Screen
• Voice recognition
• Optical character recognition
• Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
• Keyboard
• A common and popular method of
inputting data into a computer.
• Mouse
• A hand-held “point-and-click” input device
that can be moved over a smooth surface
to control the position of the cursor on the
screen. Pressing the mouse buttons
executes different commands.
• Touch Screen
• An input device that allows users to
execute command by touching a specific
location on the screen.
• Voice recognition
• An input device that responds to the
human voice to execute computer
commands
• Optical character recognition
• An input device that scans data from paper
documents and converts it into digital form. The
most widely used OCR is the bar code scanner,
which scans patterns of bars printed on different
products.
• Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
• A device that can read magnetic characters
found on a document; it reads data but does not
process data. It is used primarily in banks.
Output Devices
• Video display terminals

• Dot matrix printer
• Inkjet
• Laser printer
• Sound Boards
Bits-per second (bps)
• A measurement used to describe the

speed at which a communication device
sends and receive data.
Classification of Computers
• Supercomputers
– The largest, most powerful, and most expensive
– Used by universities, research institutions, and
large corporations
• Mainframe Computers
– Less powerful and less expensive than
supercomputers
– Used by businesses with large amounts of data
that need to be stored in a central computer
Classification of Computers (Cont.)
• Midrange Computers
– Often used as the host computer in a

network of smaller computers
– Priced in the several thousands to a few

hundred thousand dollars
– Manufacturers: DEC (VAX), IBM (AS/400),

and Hewlett-Packard
• Microcomputers
– Networks of microcomputers are replacing

mainframes
– Sometimes called workstations
– Used for CAD, complex simulations and

scientific applications
• Microcomputers (cont.)
– The microprocessor chip
• Traditionally manufactured by Intel
• AMC and Cyrix are other manufacturers
• Macintosh are built around Motorola’s PowerPC

chips
• Sun develops its own microprocessors and

computers
• Laptops and Notebooks
• Computers those are battery-operated which
provide mobile computing technology to be used
any time and anywhere. Laptops are small
enough to fit on the lap of a user; notebook
computers are even smaller.
• Hand-held computers
• A computer that is smaller than notebooks and
used primarily to collect field data.
Pen-Based computing
• Portable computers that use an electronic

writing pad and a light-sensitive pen to
input data into a computer. The writing is
converted into digital input and stored in a
file in the computer.
External Storage Media (Cont.)
Bus
Allows the CPU to communicate with
peripherals.
Upgrade
• The combining of parts of an existing PC

with new components to enhance the
PC’S performance.
Considerations in Purchasing
Hardware
• What should you consider when buying
hardware?
– Power -- speed, size of memory, storage
capacity
– Expansion and upgrade capability
– Ports for external devices like printers,
hard disks, communication devices
– Ergonomics: Keyboard, Monitor
Hardware (Cont.)
• What should you consider when buying
hardware (cont.)?
– Footprint
– Vendor reliability, warranty policy, vendor
support
– Compatibility
– Cost
Hardware (Cont.)
Factor What to Look For
•Power Greater frequency and word size, larger
•Expandability Greater number of board slots for additional RAM
•Ports Greater number of ports for printer, external hard
disk, communication devices and other peripherals
•Ergonomics Greater comfort and safety
•Compatibility Comparability with many other computers and
peripheral devices, as swell as software packages
•Footprint Smaller area
•Support Availability of telephone and on-line support for
troubleshooting
•Warranty Longer warranty period
•Cost Lower cost
Hardware (Cont.)
Factor What to Look For
•Power Greater frequency and word size, larger
•Expandability Greater number of board slots for additional RAM
•Ports Greater number of ports for printer, external hard
disk, communication devices and other peripherals
•Ergonomics Greater comfort and safety
•Compatibility Comparability with many other computers and
peripheral devices, as swell as software packages
•Footprint Smaller area
•Support Availability of telephone and on-line support for
troubleshooting
•Warranty Longer warranty period
•Cost Lower cost
Ethical and Societal Issues
Computers May Be Hazardous to Your
Health
• Physical and Emotional Stress
Summary
• Computer components and their functions
• Computer communication
• Categories of computers have different
strengths and weaknesses
• Understand commonly used hardware
terminology
• Identify and evaluate key criteria for
purchasing decisions

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Fundamentals of Data Representation

The components of a computer

The central processor consists of

• the central processing unit

• There are four types of primary memory:

• Random access memory (RAM) (volatile

• A type of primary memory that resides in

• Memory that loses its contents when the

• Nonvolatile memory that resides in the

• A computer chip with preprogrammed

• A type of primary memory that is designed

• A type of special storage that holds data

• Nonvolatile memory that resides outside the

• Data that can be accessed and retrieved

• Also known as random access. A type of

• Five features to look for in a CD-ROM

• Video display terminals

• A measurement used to describe the

– Often used as the host computer in a

– Priced in the several thousands to a few

– Manufacturers: DEC (VAX), IBM (AS/400),

– Networks of microcomputers are replacing

– Sometimes called workstations

– Used for CAD, complex simulations and

• AMC and Cyrix are other manufacturers

• Macintosh are built around Motorola’s PowerPC

• Sun develops its own microprocessors and

• Portable computers that use an electronic

• The combining of parts of an existing PC

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