What are the three types of procedures?

What are the three types of procedures?

Within a computer system, procedures are a series of operations performed in a specific order to achieve desired results. These are fundamental to how computers function. The three types of procedures that constitute part of a computer system are hardware-oriented, software-oriented, and internal procedures.

Understanding the Types of Procedures

Procedures define the systematic steps a computer takes, from its physical operations to the execution of complex applications. Each type plays a distinct but interconnected role in the overall functionality of a computing device.

Hardware-Oriented Procedures

Hardware-oriented procedures are operations directly linked to the physical components of a computer system. These procedures involve the direct interaction with or manipulation of hardware to perform basic functions. They are essential for the system to boot up, interact with peripherals, and manage its fundamental physical resources.

• Description: These procedures dictate how the central processing unit (CPU), memory (RAM), storage devices (hard drives, SSDs), input/output (I/O) devices, and other physical components communicate and operate.
• Key Characteristics & Examples:
  • Boot-up Sequence: The initial set of operations performed by the BIOS or UEFI firmware when a computer is turned on, initializing hardware components.
  • Data Transfer: How data moves between the CPU and memory, or between storage devices and the processor.
  • Input/Output (I/O) Operations: Processes involved when a user types on a keyboard, clicks a mouse, or when data is sent to a printer or displayed on a monitor.
  • Hardware Diagnostics: Routines that check the health and functionality of physical components.

Software-Oriented Procedures

Software-oriented procedures are operations defined, controlled, and executed by software programs, applications, and the operating system. They represent the logical instructions that tell the hardware what to do. These procedures are typically higher-level than hardware-oriented ones and are visible to users through applications.

• Description: These procedures are implemented through programming code and scripts, enabling functionalities from simple calculations to complex data processing and user interfaces.
• Key Characteristics & Examples:
  • Application Execution: The steps involved in launching and running a program, such as a web browser, word processor, or game.
  • File Management: Operations like opening, saving, deleting, or moving files and folders on a storage device.
  • Data Processing: Procedures for sorting, filtering, searching, or performing calculations on data within an application or database.
  • User Interface Interactions: How software responds to user inputs through graphical elements, menus, and commands.

Internal Procedures

Internal procedures refer to the system-level operations that are crucial for the core functionality and efficient management of a computer system, often bridging the gap between hardware and software. These are typically low-level operations that ensure the smooth and coordinated operation of all system components, though they are not directly initiated by user applications or purely physical actions.

• Description: These procedures manage system resources, handle interrupts, schedule tasks, and ensure data integrity and security within the system's architecture. They are often part of the operating system's kernel or embedded firmware beyond the initial boot sequence.
• Key Characteristics & Examples:
  • Interrupt Handling: The process by which the CPU responds to signals (interrupts) from hardware or software events, pausing its current task to address a more urgent one.
  • Memory Management: Procedures for allocating, deallocating, and managing the computer's memory to ensure multiple programs can run efficiently without conflicts.
  • Process Scheduling: The operating system's methods for managing and prioritizing different tasks (processes) to optimize CPU usage and system responsiveness.
  • Cache Management: Mechanisms for storing frequently accessed data in high-speed memory (cache) to speed up data retrieval.

Overview of Procedure Types

The following table summarizes the three types of procedures, highlighting their primary focus and typical examples within a computer system:

Understanding these distinct categories of procedures is key to grasping how modern computer systems function as integrated units, where physical components and logical instructions work in concert to deliver desired results.