1. Types and Components of Computer Systems

• Hardware is the electronic, physical components that make up a typical computer system. These may include input and output devices as well.
• Examples of Internal Hardware Devices are Central processing unit, Processor, Motherboard.
• Examples external hardware devices are keyboard, monitor, mouse
• Software

  • The techniques, methods, commands, and instructions tell the device what to do and how to do it. They are the programs that control the computer system and process data.
  • Relates to ideas & instructions for using physical objects.
• Application software:

  • Provides services that allow the user to do specific tasks.
• System Software:

  • The software is designed to provide a platform all other software can run.
• an example of system software is linkers
• to convert the received data into digital form. This is done by hardware known as ADC (analogue to digital converter)
• its output is given back in analogue form using DAC (digital to analogue converter).
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)

  • The component of the computer that understands and executes hardware and software operations.
  • It consists of a control unit (CU) that manages the input and output devices, an arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) that performs computations and makes logical judgments, and tiny memory regions known as registers.
  • It processes the input and produces the outcome of the processing in the form of output.
• examples of internal memories are RAM and ROM
• RAM is temporary memory storage, lost after power is shut down
• Rom is permanent memory storage, non-volatile, can only be read from, used to store computer’s configuration data
• Operating Systems

  • Controls operation of input, output & backing storage
  • Supervises loading, running & storage of application programs.
  • Deals with errors in application programs.
  • Maintains security of the whole computer system
  • Maintains a computer log.
• Command line interface: user needs to type in commands to communicate with the computer. The user is in direct communication with the computer
• Graphical user interface: Uses WIMP (windows icons menu and pointing device). The user does not need to learn any commands. It is more user-friendly
• Dialogue-based user interface: use the human voice to give commands to a computer system
• Gesture-based user interface: relies on human interaction by the moving of hands, head or even feet. 
• an example help of AI is Robotic research is leading to improvements in technology to help amputees and people with disabilities
• argument reality and virtual reality are examples of extended reality
• Argumented reality (AR) is a merger between the virtual and physical (real) world

  an example AR is Pokemon GO
• Virtual reality (VR) enables an entirely new world to be created. It requires the user to be specially equipped with a VR headset, joystick, and headphones. Impact: Military applications