Basic Computer Hardware and Software.PROFESSOR AHMED AL ZAIDY

What is a Computer

Hardware Software

Computer Process

Input Process Output Storage

Input Devices Input Devices: devices

that input information into the computer such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner, and digital camera.

Output Devices Output: devices that

output information from the computer such as a printer and monitor.

Central Processing Unit CPU (Central Processing Unit) also called the Microprocessor or

“The Brain” of the Computer. Processor speed: The speed at which a microprocessor executes

instructions. This is usually measured in megahertz (MHz). Brands of Processors include:

PentiumCeleronMACAMD Cyrix

Central Processing Unit Computer chip: also called the

microprocessor may contain an entire processing unit.

Computer chips contain millions of transistors. They are small pieces of semi-conducting material (silicon).

An integrated circuit is embedded in the silicon. Computers are made of many chips on a circuit board.

Data Storage Devices The hard-drive is a mechanical storage

device typically located internally. Fast recording and

recovery of dataLarge storage capacityMagneticPrimary storage device for

data and programsSpeed is measured in

R.P.M.’s

Capacity of Storage Binary 0101010 each value BIT 8Bit= Byte 1024 B=KB 1024Kb= MB 1024 MB= GB 1024 Gb = TB 1024 TB= PB

8 16 32 64 128 256 512 1024

Data Storage Devices (cont’d) CD-ROM (compact disk read

only memory) Approximately 600

to 700 megabyte of storage

An optical device read by a diode laser

Data Storage Devices (cont’d) Floppy diskette is magnetic

storage device for small amounts of data (1.44MB).

FLASH drive is a compact and portable electronic storage device.

USB (plug and play) supported

Computer Memory Computer memory is binary (0 or 1) (on or off). The byte is the standard unit of measurement. A byte is composed of 8 bits (binary digits). Typical units of measurement:

1 KB (kilobyte) = 1000 bytes 1 MB (megabyte) =1000 kilobytes or 1 million

bytes1 GB (gigabyte) =1000 megabytes or 1 billion

bytes

Computer Memory RAM (random access memory)

stores data that is processing. This type of memory is erased when the computer is turned off.

ROM (read only memory) contains special instructions for the computer to operate.

Cache memory increases the speed of the processor by recording and anticipating instructions.

Introduction to Computer Software

Software & Hardware?

Computer Instructions or data, anything that can be stored electronically is Software.

Hardware is one that is tangible. The storage devices (Hard disk, CD’s etc.,), mouse, keyboard CPU and display devices (Monitor) are Hardware.

For example: There is a problem in the Software implies – Problem with program or data

Types of Software System Software

Application Software `

System Software: System Software includes the Operating System and

all the utilities that enable the computer to function.

System software is a term referring to any computer software which manages and controls the hardware so that application software can perform a task.

Example: Operating Systems, Compiler, Loader, Linker,

Interpreter.

Application Software:

Application Software includes programs that do real work for user.

Example:

Payroll systems, Inventory Control, Manage student database, Word Processor, Spreadsheet and Database Management System etc.,

System Software: Operating System: Operating System is a software, which makes a

computer to actually work.

It is the software the enables all the programs we use.

The OS organizes and controls the hardware.

OS acts as an interface between the application programs and the machine hardware.

Examples: Windows, Linux, Unix and Mac OS, etc.,

Application Software: Word Processors:

Word processing is a tool that helps user in creating, editing, and printing documents. Word processors will normally have the following capabilities built into them: 

Spell checking Standard layouts for normal documents Have some characters appear in bold print,

italics, or underlined Center lines, make text line up on the left side

of the paper, or the right side of the paper Save the document so it can be used again print the document.

Examples: WordPerfect and Microsoft Word

Application Software (contd…):

Spreadsheets: The spreadsheet packages are designed to use numbers and formulas to do calculations with ease. Examples of spreadsheets include:

Budgets Payrolls Grade Calculations Address Lists

The most commonly used spreadsheet programs are Microsoft Excel and Lotus 123.

Application Software(contd…):

Graphic Presentations: The presentation programs can make giving presentations and using overheads easier.  Other uses include: 

Slide Shows Repeating Computer Presentations on a computer

monitor Using Sound and animation in slide shows 

The most recognized graphic presentation programs are Microsoft PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics.

Application Software(contd…):

Database Management System (DBMS): A DBMS is a software tool that allows multiple users to store,

access, and process data into useful information. Database programs are designed for these types of applications:

Membership lists Student lists Grade reports Instructor schedules

All of these have to be maintained so you can find what you need quickly and accurately. 

Example:Microsoft Access, dBASE, Oracle.