Computer Hardware and Software

Back to: COMPUTER SCIENCE SS1

 

Welcome to class!

In today’s class, we will be talking about computer hardware and software. Enjoy the class!

Computer Hardware and Software

Computer Hardware are the physical elements or the equipment of the computer. Examples include the keyboard, monitor, mouse and the processing unit etc. In other words, Computer Hardware is the physical components of a computer which can be touched and felt. They are tangible.

On the other hand however, Computer Software “is that part of a computer system that consists of data or computer instructions, in contrast to the physical hardware from which the system is built. In computer science and software engineering, computer software is all information processed by computer systems, programs and data. Computer software includes computer programs, libraries and related non-executable data, such as online documentation or digital media. Computer hardware and software require each other and neither can be realistically used on its own.”

Components of computer hardware

1. Input/output
2. System unit
3. Processing unit
4. Storage devices

• Input devices are hardware devices which take information from the user of the computer system, convert it into electrical signals and transmit it to the processor. The primary function of input devices is to allow humans to interact with the computer system. For instance a mouse allows the user to control the movement of the pointer (a common element in user interface design).
• Output devices take data from the computer system and convert it to a form that can be interpreted by humans. For instance a monitor creates a visual electronic display to output information created by the processor to the user.
• System Unit is a box-like case that contains the electronic circuits that cause the processing of data to occur. Part of the computer system where the computing is done.  This is where the computer programs are executed and the data is manipulated.  It consists of the Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory (Random Access Memory-RAM), and other electronics.
• Processing devices are the components responsible for the processing of information within the computer system. This includes devices such as the CPU, memory and motherboard.
• Storage devices are components which allow data to be stored within a computer system. This includes devices such as hard disk drives and compact disk drives.

Basic input services

1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Scanner
4. Touchpad

Output devices

1. Speaker
2. Monitor
3. Printer etc.

Other parts of the computer (Software)

• Arithmetic/logic unit
  • Contains the electronic circuitry necessary to perform arithmetic and logical operations on data.
• Communications Devices
  • Enable a computer to connect to other computers. Devices that enable a computer to connect to other components; includes modems and network interface cards.
• Control Unit
  • The component in any computing system that works in coordination with the central processing unit to instruct, maintain and control the flow of information.
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  • The component in any computing system that represents the circuitry necessary to interpret and execute program instructions, it consists of the Control Unit, arithmetic/logic unit and the controller..  It is the corollary to the brain in organic systems.

Evaluation

1. List 4 input devices
2. List 3 output devices
3. What is a computer hardware?
4. List 3 components of a computer hardware.

 

In our next class, we will be talking about the Computer Output Device. We hope you enjoyed the class.

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