Unit 1 · Introduction to computer systems

This unit gives you the map of the whole module. You will see what a computer system is made of, what an operating system does between you and the hardware, how a computer stores text and numbers using only zeros and ones, and which rules you must follow when you install software.

What you will learn

• Identify the functional elements of a computer system: hardware, software, data and users.
• Recognise the basic hardware components and the types of peripherals, and say what each one does.
• Tell system software, application software, programming software and firmware apart.
• Classify computers (supercomputers, mainframes, servers, PCs, workstations and embedded systems) and match each one to a typical use.
• Explain what an operating system is, list its functions and describe its structure (monolithic, layered and modular).
• Classify current operating systems by several criteria: structure, users, multitasking, licence and number of CPUs.
• Convert numbers between binary, decimal and hexadecimal, and explain how ASCII, Unicode and UTF-8 turn characters into bytes.
• Measure information with SI and IEC units and understand why your 1 TB disk does not show 1 TB.
• Check that a computer is suitable for an operating system, choose an operating system for a job and respect software licences.

The unit at a glance

Term	Hours	Weight in the assessment	Learning outcomes covered
1st term	18 h	8 %	RA1 (a, b) and RA2 (a, b, c, d, i)

Map of the unit

1. The computer system: hardware, software, data and users, the types of software and the types of computers.
2. Operating systems: what an OS is, its functions, its structure, current OSes, how to classify them and how to choose one.
3. Data representation: binary, hexadecimal, ASCII, Unicode, UTF-8 and units of information.
4. Software licences: free and proprietary software, the main types of licence and how to read one.
5. Activities: seven activities, from your own devices to choosing an operating system for a real case.

Laboratories

Two interactive labs go with the unit. The Bit Lab is for binary, hexadecimal, conversions and units. The Computer System Explorer is for everything else: system parts, the inside of a PC, software types, computer types, the layers of an OS, kernel architectures, OS classification and licences.

LaboratorioBit LabNumber systems (binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal), conversions, units of information and the difference between KB and KiB.binaryhexadecimaloctalconversionsKiBunitsAbrir laboratorio →

LaboratorioComputer System ExplorerExplore a computer system: its parts, the inside of a PC, software types, computer types, the layers of an operating system, kernel designs, OS classification and software licences, with a final practice.computer systemhardwaresoftwareoperating systemkernellicencesfirmwareAbrir laboratorio →