The computer System:
1) Hardware
2) Software
3) Data
4) Users
1) Hardware
Mechanical part of the computer
Physical devices of the computer
We can touch see and feel hardware
It operates under the control of software.
If hardware is damaged it is replaced with new one.
Hardware cannot be transferred from one place to another electronically through network.
User cannot make new duplicates copies of the hardware.
2) Software:
The logical components of computer system.
It is the collection of program routine (schedule)/procedures for specific purpose.
Large collection of instruction.
It is the soul part of the computer.
Computer is just metallic box without software.
The intangible part of the computer.
Software transforms one interface to another interface.
Software is the collections of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform different tasks on a computer system.
There are mainly two kinds of software.
a) System Software
b) Application software
a) System Software
System software is computer software designed to operate the computer hardware to provide a platform for running application software.
Operating System
Utility software
Language Translator
Utility Software
Debugger
Device Driver
i. Operating System
An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs.
An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware.
ii. Language translator
a) Compiler
It translates the program written in high level language (source code) into the machine language (object code) at a time.
The error that can be pointed out by the compiler is syntax error.
For example: C, C++, FORTRAN examples of compiled language.
b) Interpreter
It translates the program written in high level language (source code) into the machine language which takes the line at a time.
Each line of instruction for translation.
c) Assembler
The system software used for translating program written in Assembly language into machine language program is called assembler.
d) Emulator
An emulator is a hardware which duplicates the features and functions of real system.
It can behave like the actual system.
e) Simulator
A simulator is software that duplicates some processor in almost all the possible ways.
The process of imitating a real phenomenon with a set of mathematical formulas.
iii. Utility Program
A program that performs a very specific task, related to managing system resources.
It helps the user to manage files, folder, checking viruses, keeping PC healthy and systems setting are called utility software.
iv. Debugger
Bug (error): A persistent error in software or hardware. If the bug is in software, it can be corrected by changing the program code. If the bug is in hardware, a new circuit has to be designed, and has the erroneous chip has to be replaced.
Debugger: The process of detecting and removing the error (bugs) from the program is called debugging.
3) Data
Raw, facts and figure.
Things known or assumed as facts, making the basis of reasoning or calculation.
Raw data ("unprocessed data") is a collection of numbers or characters before it has been "cleaned" and corrected by researchers.
The data is provided as input to the computer, which is processed to generate some meaningful information.
For example: the data like 29, January, and 1994 just represent values.
4) Users
Users are people who write computer programs or interact with the computer.
They are also known as skin ware, livewire, human ware or people ware.
Programmers, data entry operators, system analyst and computer hardware engineers’ fall into the category.