Thursday, February 13, 2014

A COMPUTER SYSTEM

A computer system is a combination of various components. It performs the system
functions such as input, processing, output, storage and control. A computer system consists of
the following components:
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Human ware
4. Firmware
5. Bridge ware
1. Hardware
The physical components of the computer, such as electrical, electronics and mechanical
unit are known as the hardware of the computer. That is, the input units, output units and CPU
are called hardware. Thus hardware is the equipment involved in the function of a computer. It
consists of the components that can be physically handled. The function of these components is
typically divided into three main categories: input, output, and storage. Components in these
categories connect to microprocessors, output and storage. Components in these categories
connect to microprocessors, specifically, the computer's central processing unit (CPU), the
electronic circuitry that provides the computational ability and control of the computer, via wires
or circuitry called a bus.
2. Software
The computer performs operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
only when the user instructs it to do so. The user issues instructions and the CPU acts in
accordance with the instructions. The sets of instructions, which control the sequence of
operations, are known as programs, and collectively programs are called software. The software
can be broadly classified into two types. They are:
a. System Software
b. Application software
3. Human ware:
The man-machine interface is called a human ware. The people who work with the
computer are collectively called the human ware or livewire.
4. Firmware:
The computer programs permanently stored in ROM or PROM are called firmware.
These programs are provided by hardware manufacturer along with the computers. Generally
these are booting programs which help in the starting of a computer. Such programs cannot be
erased or overwritten.
5. Bridge ware:
The computer components and programs used to translate instructions and information
written for one type of computer into a format that another type of computer can understand is
called bridge ware. This is necessary because different computers are made by different
manufacturers.

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