Topic 6 - Fundamentals of computer systems

Hardware

Physical components of a computer system

Software

Program code - sequences of instructions executed to perform a task

Application software

Programs that complete a specific task for the user

System software

Software that operates, controls, and maintains the computer and its components

Operating system

Allows a user to control the computer with ease, by hiding its true complexity

Utility programs

Used for completing housekeeping tasks in a computer system, such as data backup or encryption

Library programs

Contain useful functions that are frequently used by a program

Translators

Pieces of software that translate between different languages

Low level langauges

Machine code and Assembly language

Machine code

Uses binary digits to represent instructions

Assembly language

Uses mnemonics and symbols to reresent machine code instructions

High level lanugages

General programming languages such as python

Three types of program translator

Assemblers, compilers, interpreters

Assemblers

Translate assembly language into machine code

Compilers

Translate high level languages into machine code

Check whole program for error, then translate entire program

Protect source code

Interpreters

Translate high level into machine code

Translate line-by-line, checking for errors as they go

Give little protection to source code

What is this?

Half adder

What is this?

Full adder

Boolean Algebra: A • 0 =

0

Boolean Algebra: B • 1 =

B

Boolean Algebra: C • C =

C

Boolean Algebra: D + 0 =

D

Boolean Algebra: E + 1 =

1

Boolean Algebra: F + F

F