Computer as a system

A computer is an electronic device that processes data by following a set of instructions. It

has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. We can use a computer to type documents, send
email, and browse the Web. We can also use it to handle spreadsheets, accounting, database
management, presentations, games, and more.

Classification of a system
Concrete system because the elements of this system really exist and are functionally
related.
Artificial system because the elements of this system are created by man and are not
connected with nature.
Man-machine system because it is composed of mechanisms and programs which are
operated in accordance with instructions of a man.
Open system because it interacts with the environment, especially with other systems:
human, electrical, technical.
Permanent system because it exists for a long period.
Stable system because its functions do not significantly change if we change the data or
these changes are in the form of repeated cycles.
Determined system because its components interact in an exactly forecast mode and we can
understand processes and outcomes if we know the output data.

Computer is a system because it has the following properties of the system:

Emergence: Appearance of the properties of the system, which are not inherent to the
elements of the system. Capabilities of the system are greater than the sum of its parts
opportunities.
Example any part of computer can perform only specific task, but the whole computer
system can perform a wide spectrum of tasks and activities.
Complexity: System is composed of a large number of densely connected parts (memory,
mass storage device, input device, output device, central processing unit ) and multiple levels of
embeddedness (computer as a system is nested in many computerized systems: transport, machinery
production, etc.) and entanglement (computer as a system is densely connected with another
systems: human, technical, etc.).
Hierarchy: Computer has its hierarchical structure, which is ordered from the top
downwards. System is on the top of the scheme, then it is divided on the subsystems which have
their own elements.
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 Wholeness: Computer as a system is structurally divisible on subsystems and elements, but

when one of the elements falls out the system cannot perform the work as earlier. It means that
computer

as

system

is

structurally

divisible,

but

functionally

indivisible.

Example we cannot work on computer without memory or even monitor.

Research of computer as a system

Stage 1. Identification of objectives of the system and defining the criterion of systems
efficiency.
The objectives of computer are: to simplify the work done by man, to control different
processes and operations, to store, process and generate data and information.The criterion of
systems efficiency is the complete interaction and functioning of all the elements of the computer
system for performing the tasks in accordance with guidelines of a man.
Stage 2. Defining the borders of the system.
The borders of the system are all elements of the computer and their functioning and
interaction with each other. For computer as a system, the typical objectives of existence are its
abilities to store, process and generate data and information.
Stage 3. Identification of the structure of the environment.
The environment of the computer as a system is all systems that use computers in their
activity (these systems are affected by computers which regulate and influence their functioning,
e.g. machinery production) and all systems without which the computer cannot work (human,
electrical systems affect the computer).
Stage 4. Research of the structure of computer as a system; identification of its
elements.
Our computer as a system is embedded in the entity composed of different component
systems called suprasystem. The suprasystem for the computer may be any complex of systems that
include computerized processes, which can be used in transportation, mathematical, financial and
economic operations.
Computer as a system consists of subsystems, which are its interacting and interdependent
components. Subsystems interact in order to attain their own purpose and the purpose of the whole
system. Subsystems of the computer:
1. Software which refers to parts of the computer which do not have a material form, such
as programs, data, protocols, etc. It is set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. It is what
guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task.
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2. Hardware which is composed of the physical components, these are tangible parts of a
computer. It consists of such elements:
Memory it is the storage space in computer where data is to be processed and instructions
required for processing are stored. There 2 types of memory:
a) RAM (random-access memory): The term RAM refers to read and write memory; that is,
you can both write data into RAM and read data from RAM.
b) ROM (read-only memory): Computers almost always contain a small amount of readonly memory that holds instructions for starting up the computer. Unlike RAM, ROM
cannot be written to.
Central processing unit (CPU) is the brains of the computer where most calculations take
place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system.
Two typical components of a CPU are the following:
a) The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations.
b) The control unit (CU), which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes
them, calling on the ALU when necessary.
Mass storage device serves for storing large amounts of data. Modern mass storage devices
include all types of disk drives and tape drives.
Input devices are any machine that feed data into a computer. For example, a keyboard is an
input device. Input devices other than the keyboard are sometimes called alternate input
devices. Mice, trackballs, and light pens are all alternate input devices.
Output devices are any machine capable of representing information from a computer. This
includes display screens, printers, plotters, and synthesizers.

Computer
Hardware
Memory

CPU

Software

Mass storage
device

Input
devices

Output
device

Programs

RAM

ALU

Disc drives

Keyboard

Screen

Protocols

ROM

CU

Tape drives

Mouse

Printer

Data

Fig.1. Structure of the computer as a system

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Stage 5. Investigation of the characteristics interrelations between the elements of the

system.

Fig.2. Interrelations between the elements of the system

From the Fig.2., we can see that all elements of the computer as a system are interrelated
with each other. Input devices transmit the data to the memory, then this memory transfers data to
CPU, which performs specific operations with it. After this, the process of exchange of information
between CPU and memory takes place. Then this information is displayed on the output devices. It
is the interrelation between the elements of hardware.
There is also interrelation between hardware and software. For a computer to produce useful
output its hardware and software must work together. Nothing useful can be done with the hardware
on its own, and software cannot be utilized without supporting hardware. To get a job done by a
computer, the corresponding software has to be loaded in the hardware first and then executed.
In this stage, we should not design the mathematical model of the systems behavior because
our task is not modeling, but the description of the structure of the system and the research of the
whole system. We do not do stages 6 (searching for the optimum state of the system) and 7
(development of management directions) for the same reason.

Conclusions
The computer as a system, according to the systems analysis, is a complex, concrete,
artificial, man-machine, open, permanent, stable and determined system. It has its own properties,
boundaries, environment and suprasystem. It also has its hierarchical structure composed of
subsystems and elements of subsystems.
Every system has an Objective. Every system is composed of more than one units. These
units interact with each other to attain the objective. Every system has a structure. Different units
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are integrated harmoniously. No one interrupts others functions. There is a control and feed back in
every unit. The computer has all the above stated features that is why it is called a system.