Computers

Hardware and Software

A Quick Introduction to
Computers
Computers are Made of
Hardware and Software • Hardware is the machines,
wiring, and other physical
components of a computer
or other electronic system.

• Software is the programs

and other operating
information used by a
computer.
Hardware:
The Motherboard
• The motherboard is a printed circuit
board containing the principal
components of a computer or other
device, with connectors into which other
circuit boards can be slotted.
Hardware
The Power
Supply
• A power supply unit converts mains AC
to low-voltage regulated DC power for
the internal components of a computer.
Hardware:
The CPU
• The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the
primary component of a computer that
processes instructions. It runs the
operating system and applications,
constantly receiving input from the user
or active software programs.
Hardware:
The ROM
• ROM stands for “Read-Only Memory."

• ROM is memory containing hardwired

instructions that the computer uses when
it boots up, before the system software
loads.

• A true ROM does not change.

• Most “ROM” now is flash memory, which

can be erased and rewritten using special
techniques
Hardware:
The Hard Drive
• A hard disk drive, hard disk, hard drive,
or fixed disk is an electro-mechanical
data storage device that uses magnetic
storage to store and retrieve digital data
using one or more rigid rapidly rotating
platters coated with magnetic material.

• Typical use: large amounts of relatively

slow storage e.g. recording from
security cameras
Hardware:
The Solid State
Drive
• A solid state drive (SSD) uses flash
memory chips instead of magnetic
storage. Since they have no moving
parts, they are extremely fast compared
to a hard drive.

• Typical use: fast storage for daily use

e.g. main disk on Windows computer
Hardware:
The RAM
• Random-access memory
(RAM) is a form of
computer memory that
can be read and changed
in any order, typically
used to store working data
and machine code.

• Very fast, but contents are

lost when power is turned
off.
Hardware:
The Bus
• a bus (also called data highway) is a
communication system that transfers
data between components inside
a computer, or between computers.
Peripheral
Devices
Peripheral Devices are
hardware, such as a
keyboard or printer, that
is not part of the
essential computer (i.e.,
the memory and
microprocessor). These
auxiliary devices are
intended to be connected
to the computer and
Input and
Output
Devices
All peripheral devices are input or
output devices (sometimes they
are both).

• Input devices accept

information

• Output devices share

information.

List some examples of input and

output devices?
 Software
Types of Software include:

• Business applications

• Games

• Webpages

• Maps

Software includes a set of

instructions, data or
programs used to operate
computers and execute
specific tasks
Operating System
A program is a sequence of
An operating system or OS is a instructions that guides the
software program that enables the computer through the
performance of a specific task.
computer hardware to communicate
and operate with the computer The individual lines of instruction
are referred to as code
software

It is a central
manager of
communication,
coordination, and
control.
 • Manages hardware devices

Functions of• Controls communication between application programs

• Controls communication among hardware devices

the OS (apps) and hardware devices

• Manages files stored on the computer

 Types of Operating Systems

P R O P R I E TA RY S O F T WA R E O P E N S O U RC E

• most commercial software was created and is • The source code of the software is freely available.
owned by an individual or company. The owner Users can study, change, and distribute the
sells copies of the OS with a license to use the software to anyone for any purpose
program.
• Mobile open-source based on Linux are open-
• It is closed sourced meaning most commercial sourced but often bundled with some proprietary
software as well.
software is released in a compiled form and the
source code is not released. A EULA (end user
license agreement) is used to limit the number
of installs and prohibits copying and
distribution of software

What are the advantages of proprietary software? What about open-source?

Binary Code
• The most basic form of software which
controls all the hardware in the
computer.

• The computer “language” composed of

zero’s and one’s.

• It’s composed of bits and bytes.

• Bits: A single 0 or 1
• Byte: 8 bits put together.
Bits and Bytes
Bits and Bites
OS Interface
The OS interface is an environment for the user to interact with the machine.

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Control Panel

• is a modern interface that allows you to use • Every GUI has a control panel that accesses
menus and clickable buttons or icons to start features to customized settings for the device
programs, move files or perform other tasks.
• A dialog box is a window that displays on top of
• In the late 80’s, students had to type code into a other windows. It is often designed to accept user
system called MS- DOS. MS-DOS is a non-graphical input
command line operating system created for IBM
compatible computers
Common Desktop Features
Desktop Features
• Icons are a pictogram or ideogram displayed on a
computer screen in order to help the user navigate a
computer system.

• Menus are a list of options or commands presented

to the user of a computer or communications system

• Toolbars (or ribbons) are a graphical control element

on which on-screen buttons, icons, menus, or other
input or output elements are placed.
What makes a
computer a
computer?
List some examples of
computers

LAPTOP DESKTOP CELL PHONE CALCULATO SMART RADIO

COMPUTER R WATCH
Computers must be able to do 4
things:
1. Input data

2. Store data

3. Process data

4. Output data