LESSON 01 – HARDWARE BASICS

LESSON NOTE

HARDWARE VS SOFTWARE

Hardware is the physical components of a computer system. It consists of different mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components.

Software is written coded commands that tell a computer what tasks to perform. We often refer to different software as different programs. For example, the following are different examples of software:

• Word,

• I-Tunes,

• Media Player,

• Notepad,

• Google chrome.

While operating systems such as Microsoft Windows XP and Linux are software by definition, we don’t usually refer to them as such because they are the one software that will control all other software. They are “special”.

FOUR FUNCTIONS OF A COMPUTER

All computer activity can be categorized in four general functions:

• Input

• Output

• Storage

• Processing

Both software and hardware play a role in each function. We will be focusing on the hardware components.

INPUT

Input is simply when data is entered into a computer system via some sort of input device such as a keyboard or mouse. This data can then be processed, stored and/or outputted to another device.

OUTPUT

Output is simply when data is sent from the computer to an output device such as a monitor. Outputted data has usually been processed by the computer’s CPU.

STORAGE

Storage is simply the placing of files on a device that can permanently keep those files. Permanent storage devices include hard drives, floppy disks and flash disks. RAM allows temporary storage that works as long as the computer is “on”.

PROCESSING

Processing is the computation that a computer does. It is required for a simple task like adding two numbers together. It is required to compress and decompress music and video files. It is required to simply view an image on the monitor. Processing takes place in the Central Processing Unit (CPU).

ESSENTIAL COMPUTER COMPONENTS

CPU

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is where (almost) all processing takes place. It is the most important part of the computer acting as its brain. The most important attribute for any computer is the speed of its CPU. It’s also usually the biggest factor regarding a computer’s price.

MOTHERBOARD

The motherboard is the main circuit board in a computer. All computer components including the CPU connect to the motherboard. Therefore, the motherboard acts like a human’s nervous system sending messages between the brain (CPU) and all other parts of the computer.

HARD DRIVE

The hard drive is the primary permanent storage device in a computer. It stores all files including the operating system, program files and documents such as images, audio files and video files. If your hard drive fails, you are at risk of losing all of your data. The size (storage capacity) of the hard drive is one of the more important attributes of a computer system.

RAM

Random Access Memory (RAM) is temporary memory for the computer. It is much faster than hard drives allowing the computer to perform at much higher speeds. RAM is erased when the computer is turned off.

VIDEO CARD

The video card simply allows your computer to communicate with your monitor. In translates messages from the CPU into messages that can be understood by your monitor.

KEYBOARD AND MOUSE

The keyboard and mouse are the primary input devices on computers. They allow us to give computers instructions to be carried out.

MONITOR

The monitor is usually the primary output device on a computer.