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FUNDAMENTALS OF HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Basic computer components
Computers are an important aspect of information
Hardware
technology. A computer is an electronic device,
operating under the control of instructions stored in This is the name given to the physical parts of a
computer (Fig 1.2).There are five general categories:
its [Link] on its own or connected via a
network (such as the Internet), it can: 1 The central processing unit (CPU) is the brain of
• accept data (input) a computer and controls how the rest of the
• manipulate data (processing) computer works. It includes the control unit (CU)
and the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU).The CU
• produce results (output) from the processing
carries out instructions in the software and directs
• store the data and results for future use (storage).
the flow of data through the [Link] ALU
These four basic tasks of any computer represent the performs the calculations and logic operations.
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IPOS cycle (Fig 1.1). 2 Input devices get data into a computer. A mouse,
a keyboard and a scanner are all input devices.
Data or 3 Output devices get processed information out of a
information is Data is
input stored for a to the computer, for example to a printer, computer
short or long computer
screen or even to speakers.
4 Memory enables a computer to temporarily store
instructions and data.
time 5 Storage media include hard disks, CD-ROMs,
t - l
Information is Data is DVDs, and USB flash memory sticks, while the
output to the processed into storage devices include hard disk drives, CD-ROM
user in various information
drives and DVD drives. Most of these devices can
forms
'f read data whilst others, such as USB flash memory
Fig 1.1Four basic tasksof the IPOSCycle
sticks, allow data to be saved as well as read.
Peripheral devices are located outside the CPU but
Components of a computer are controlled by it. That is, they can be added to a
The term 'computer' generally refers to desktop computer system. Input, output and storage devices
machines and laptops but it can also include handheld may be peripheral devices.
games consoles as well as portable devices, such as
smartphones and tablets. Software
This is the name given to computer programs that
The basic components of a computer are categorised
tell the hardware how to work. Without software the
as either hardware or software.
computer hardware would do absolutely nothing, as
1 .1 Basic computer components
Output
---1- Storage
device
Information and communication
device
(monitor)
(CD-ROM)
technology
System unit
case containing
the central
Now that we have discussed how data can be input,
processing unit
(CPU) processed, stored and output to produce information,
we introduce two important terms:
Information Technology (IT) is the term used to
describe the equipment (hardware and computer
Inputdevices
(keyboard & mouse) programs or software) that allows us to access,
retrieve convert, store, organise, manipulate and
Output-------Y present data and [Link] may also refer to the
device
(printer use of such equipment and programs to produce the
)
information.
Communications Technology (CT) is the term used
to describe telecommunications equipment through
which data and information can be accessed. Examples
Fig 1.2Thebasiccategoriesof computer hardware application software.
there would be no instructions. Software includes the
following types of program.
Computer programs
These are instructions (programs) produced by
programmers to create system and application
software.
System software
This software is usually called an operating system since
it controls the hardware and how all other software
[Link] most commonly used operating system is
Windows, written by the Microsoft Corporation.
System software also includes utility [Link]
software aims to protect and maintain the system
software, just as a mechanic maintains the smooth
working of a
car's engine when it is serviced. Examples of the tasks
undertaken by utility software include: protecting
software against damage caused by computer viruses,
making copies of files ('backing up'), and recovering files
after software has stopped working ('crashed').
Application software
Application software is software that instructs a
computer to carry out a specific task. Word
processors, spreadsheets and databases are all
of CT equipment are phones, faxes, scanners, modems
and computers.
Questions
1 List the four basic tasks of any computer.
2 State the name of the cycle that represents the four
basic tasks listed in question 1.
3 What is the general name given to the physical
parts of a computer?
4 Explain what each of the following terms represent:
a CPU
b CU
C ALU.
s Explain the difference between an input device and
an output device.
6 What is another name for system software?
7 What is the general name given to each of the
following descriptions:
a computer programs that tell the hardware how
to work
b telecommunications equipment through
which data and information can be accessed.