A computer system is one that is able to take a set of inputs, process them and create a set of outputs. This is done by a combination of hardware and software according to:
http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_computing/ocr/211_hardware_software/computer_system/miniweb/pg2.htm
The computer system, in other terms is the interaction between the software and hardware. If the two wares do not work together, no computer system would be existent.
Here is a visual representation of the said system:
The 5th Generation – Artificial Intelligence
The goal of fifth generation computing is to develop computers that are capable of learning and self-organization. The fifth generation computers use Super Large Scale Integrated (SLSI)chips that are able to store millions of components on a single chip. These computers have large memory requirements.
This generation of computers uses parallel processing that allows several instructions to be executed in parallel, instead of serial execution. Parallel processing results in faster processing speed. The Intel dual-core microprocessor uses parallel processing.
The fifth generation computers are based on Artificial Intelligence (AI). They try to simulate the human way of thinking and reasoning. Artificial Intelligence includes areas like Expert System (ES), Natural Language Processing (NLP), speech recognition, voice recognition, robotics, etc.
The 4th Generation – Microprocessors
- (1971 to present)
- Software Technology - Several new operating systems like the MS-DOS and MS-Windows developed during this time. This generation of computers supported Graphical User Interface(GUI). GUI is a user-friendly interface that allows user to interact with the computer via menus and icons. High-level programming languages are used for the writing of programs.
- Computing Characteristics - The computation time is in picoseconds.
- Physical Appearance - They are smaller than the computers of the previous generation. Some can even fit into the palm of the hand.
- Application - They became widely available for commercial purposes. Personal computers became available to the home user.
- Examples - The Intel 4004 chip was the first microprocessor. The components of the computer like Central Processing Unit (CPU)and memory were located on a single chip. In 1981, IBM introduced the first computer for home use. In 1984, Apple introduced the Macintosh.
They use the Large Scale Integration (LSI)and the Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)technology. Thousands of transistors are integrated on a small silicon chip using LSI technology. VLSI allows hundreds of thousands of components to be integrated in a small chip.
The 3rd Generation –Integrated Circuits
- (1964 to 1971)
- Software Technology - The keyboard and the monitor were interfaced through the operating system. Operating system allowed different applications to run at the same time.High-level languages were used extensively for programming, instead of machine language and assembly language.
- Computing Characteristics - The computation time was in nanoseconds.
- Physical Appearance - The size of these computers was quite small compared to the second generation computers.
- Application - Computers became accessible to mass audience. Computers were produced commercially, and were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors.
- Examples - IBM 370, PDP 11.
In an IC chip, multiple transistors are placed on a silicon chip. Silicon is a type of semiconductor. The use of IC chip increased the speed and the efficiency of computer, manifold. The keyboard and monitor were used to interact with the third generation computer, instead of the punched card and printouts.
The 2nd Generation –Transistors
- (1956 to 1963)
- Software Technology - The instructions were written using the assembly language
- Computing Characteristics - The computation time was in microseconds
- Physical Appearance - Transistors are smaller in size compared to vacuum tubes, thus, the size of the computer was also reduced
- Application - The cost of commercial production of these computers was very high, though less than the first generation computers. The transistors had to be assembled manually in second generation computers
- Examples - PDP-8, IBM 1401 and CDC 1604
The second generation computers used magnetic core technology for primary memory. They used magnetic tapes and magnetic disks for secondary storage. The input was still through punched cards and the output using printouts. They used the concept of a stored program, where instructions were stored in the memory of computer.
Each generation of computer is designed based on a new technological development, resulting in better, cheaper and smaller computers that are more powerful, faster and efficient than their predecessors.
Goel, A. (2010). Computer Fundamentals. India: Pearson Education India.
The 1st Generation –Vacuum Tubes
- (1940 to 1956)
- Software Technology - The instructions were written in machine language. Machine language uses 0s and 1s for coding of the instructions. The first generation computers could solve one problem at a time.
- Computing Characteristics - The computation time was in milliseconds.
- Physical Appearance - These computers were enormous in size and required a large room for installation.
- Application - They were used for scientific applications as they were the fastest computing device of their time.
- Examples – UNIVersal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC), Electronic Numerical Integrator And Calculator (ENIAC), and Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer (EDVAC).
The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory. The input to the computer was through punched cards and paper tapes. The output was displayed as printouts.
Taken from http://voices.yahoo.com/how-hardware-software-interact-297909.html
When it comes to our computers few of us stop to think of the operations taking place inside the machine that allows us to play our games, type up our papers or surf the web. We tend to take it for granted that when we push that button our computers will just whirl into life and work perfectly. The truth is that there are many processes and programs that must work together to make that happen. In this article I will discuss some of these processes and try to take the mystery out of them.
We can break our computers down to two parts, these being hardware and software. These two parts have to work in perfect unison for our computers to complete the tasks we set out for them. Hardware is any and all physical parts of our computer, including extra parts like printers and scanners that we may attach to our systems. Some examples of internal hardware would be your hard drive, motherboard, and video card. Alone these pieces of metal can do nothing. They require a set of instructions telling them what to do and how to do it. These instructions come in the form of software.
Software can be broken down even further into three types: BIOS, operating systems, and application software. These three software types work together in order to make our hardware function properly.
We can follow the process used by our software as information passes through our system. The user interacts with the application software which works as a middleman changing the users input into instructions the operating system can understand. The operating system then translates this information into language understandable to the BIOS. The BIOS then turns around and translates these instructions to the computer's hardware allowing the computer to accomplish the task we set before it. This is just a simplified example of how our computer processes data and how our software interacts with itself and with our hardware. You can compare it to a game of Chinese whispers where one person whispers in the ear of the next and so on down the line. Only in this game of whispers the information remains mostly intact and unchanged at the end of the game.
Another form of software that is part of the process is device drivers. These are mini programs stored on the hard drive that tells the computer how to communicate with individual hardware devices such as printers, scanners, and sound cards. Each device has its own drivers or set of instructions and these instructions are unique to that particular device. If you can imagine that your computer speaks French and your printer speaks German the device driver would be the translator making sure both understands what is said and expected.
What we've covered here is a very important and big part of how our computers work but we haven't covered everything. There are other programs and devices that take place in the process such as our motherboards. A computer's motherboard is its most important piece of hardware; it is the computers brain without which it cannot function. Stored within the motherboard is all the software components needed to actually start the computer. Some divide the BIOS into two parts BIOS and motherboard BIOS but in the end it's all one piece of a bigger process.
Now we can have a better appreciation of what is happening in our computers case. The mystery had been pulled back enough for us to enjoy a basic understanding of how our hardware and software work together to complete the tasks we set before it.
References
Andrews, Jean (2006). A+ guide to managing and maintaining your pc fifth edition. Canada: Thomson Course Technology.
Wong, Adrian (2004). What is the bios?. Retrieved February 13, 2007, from informit.com Web site: http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=332850&rl=1
