Top: Computers: Systems
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A computer system is any set of related digital components working together to perform data processing tasks. Computer systems are usually broken down into the following functional areas:
The CPU or Central Processing Unit is the brain of a computer system.
Memory is the fast access data storage area that forms the functional workspace for a computer system.
The storage sub-system is the device or devices where a computer system stores data for long-term archival and retrieval purposes. Hard disk drives and optical disks (CD-ROM and DVD-ROM’s) are two examples of popular long-term storage devices.
The display sub-system is the monitor device that provides visual information to the user. Monitors can take many forms including CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes), LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays), plasma screens, and others.
The input device sub-system provides the user with a way to control and interact with the computer system. Examples of input devices are: mice, keyboards, microphones, haptic devices (touch related), etc.
The network sub-system, if present, is the part of a computer that connects it to other computers across computer networks. An example of a popular networking peripheral is an Ethernet card.
Computer systems are on the brink of changing radically in structure and form as other fields of science, such as neuroscience and biology, begin to influence their design. Computer systems that are invisible to the human eye, because they are seamlessly integrated into common items such as automobiles, phones, etc., are known as embedded systems.
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