Understanding Computer Systems: Hardware, Software, and Key Concepts

1. Computer System

The set of physical elements (Hardware) and software (Software) that allow information processing.

2. Physical Subsystem

Commonly known as hardware.

3. Logical Subsystem

Referred to as software.

4. Computer

An electronic device capable of processing data, performing load, arithmetic, and logic operations without human intervention.

5. Informatics

The science that studies the automatic and rational treatment of information.

6. Automatic and Rational

• Automatic: Tasks are performed by machines.
• Rational: Processes follow human reasoning.

7. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Responsible for implementing programs and comprises the main memory, control unit, and arithmetic-logic unit.

8. Supercomputer

A specialized machine designed for tasks requiring immense processing speed.

9. Mainframe

A machine specifically designed to serve large enterprises and organizations.

10. Minicomputer

A medium-sized machine, capable of processing less than mainframes, and therefore able to control a smaller number of terminals.

11. Microcomputer

A machine whose inner workings are based on the use of a microprocessor, offering a series of benefits such as manageability, portability, and affordability, covering the lower range of needs in the world of computing.

12. System Software

The set of programs indispensable for the machine's operation.

13. Operating System

An intermediary between the user and the machine, managing system resources.

14. Compilers

Translate source programs, generating an object program after purifying syntax errors.

15. Interpreters

Translate and execute instructions immediately before they are executed.

16. Information

The element we process in a program and anything that allows the acquisition of knowledge.

17. Data

Unprocessed reports that, when processed, become useful information or results.

18. Data Types

• Numeric: Participate in arithmetic operations; these are numbers.
• Alphanumeric: May act as operators or punctuation marks in programming languages; a combination of numbers, letters, and special characters.
• Boolean: Can only take two values (true or false).

19. Von Neumann

Designed a computer with a stored program architecture.

20. Processor

Composed of the control unit, the arithmetic-logic unit, and a series of registers.

21. Control Unit (CU)

Monitors and manages the operation of other computer components.

22. Decoder

Extracts the operation code of the instruction in progress, analyzes it, and sends signals for execution by the sequencer.

23. Clock

Provides electrical impulses at constant intervals or cycles, marking the moments when the steps in the execution of instructions must begin.

24. Sequencer

A device that generates micro-orders from an instruction.