Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the case, central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card, speakers and motherboard.[1][2]
By contrast, software is the set of instructions that can be stored and run by hardware. Hardware is so-termed because it is hard or rigid with respect to changes, whereas software is soft because it is easy to change.
Hardware is typically directed by the software to execute any command or instruction. A combination of hardware and software forms a usable computing system, although other systems exist with only hardware.
Von Neumann architecture
Main articles: Von Neumann architecture and Stored-program computer
Von Neumann architecture scheme
The template for all modern computers is the Von Neumann architecture, detailed in a 1945 paper by Hungarian mathematician John von Neumann. This describes a design architecture for an electronic digital computer with subdivisions of a processing unit consisting of an arithmetic logic unit and processor registers, a control unit containing an instruction register and program counter, a memory to store both data and instructions, external mass storage, and input and output mechanisms.[3] The meaning of the term has evolved to mean a stored-program computer in which an instruction fetch and a data operation cannot occur at the same time because they share a common bus. This is referred to as the Von Neumann bottleneck and often limits the performance of the system.[4]
Personal computer
Basic hardware components of a personal computer, including a monitor, a motherboard, a CPU, a RAM, two expansion cards, a power supply, an optical disc drive, a hard disk drive, a keyboard and a mouse
Inside a custom-built computer: power supply at the bottom has its own cooling fan
The personal computer is one of the most common types of computer due to its versatility and relatively low price. Desktop personal computers have a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and a computer case. The computer case holds the motherboard, fixed or removable disk drives for data storage, the power supply, and may contain other peripheral devices such as modems or network interfaces. Some models of desktop computers integrated the monitor and keyboard into the same case as the processor and power supply. Separating the elements allows the user to arrange the components in a pleasing, comfortable array, at the cost of managing power and data cables between them.
Laptops are designed for portability but operate similarly to desktop PCs.[5] They may use lower-power or reduced size components, with lower performance than a similarly priced desktop computer.[6] Laptops contain the keyboard, display, and processor in one case. The monitor in the folding upper cover of the case can be closed for transportation, to protect the screen and keyboard. Instead of a mouse, laptops may have a touchpad or pointing
4. The Programs that are on the disks
are software
Software is a general term for
the various kinds of programs
used to operate computers and
related devices.
Software
5. Hardware
Refers to all the physical components of a
computer.
Includes all input devices, processing devices,
storage devices, and output devices.
Examples of hardware are:
o keyboard
o mouse
o motherboard
o monitor
o hard disk
o cables
o printer
6. Look at this picture of a
computer from our
Computer Lab. A
computer is made up of
many parts. Let’s
explore the parts to see
if you know what they
are called!
8. CD-ROM Disk Drive
CD-ROM stands for Compact
Disk-Read Only Memory. They
are flat, shiny disks that store
information. Most new
computers have CD-RW drives.
CD-RW stands for Compact
Disk-ReWrite. This type of
disk allows you to write
information to it, as well as
read from it. Most can hold up
to 700 megabytes of
information.
9. DVD Drive/Burner
The newest computers come with the
option of a DVD drive. A DVD (Digital
Video Disc) looks just like a CD, but holds
much more information! They can store 4.7
gigabytes of data!
10. Flash Drive
A Flash Drive is a
relatively new storage
device. It’s like a mini,
portable hard drive!
You plug it into the
USB (Universal Serial
Bus) port on the front
of newer computers
and you can save to it!
11. How Do Computers Work?
Input--This is when information is entered into a
computer. Some common input devices include
the keyboard, mouse and scanner.
Output--This is the information that comes out
of a computer after it has been processed. The
information comes out on output devices such
as a printer or computer monitor.
Processing--This is when the information is
handled by the computer’s brain, known as the
CPU (Central Processing Unit).
13. The Keyboard
The keyboard is probably
the most used input
device. It operates a lot
like a typewriter, but has
many additional keys that
let it do special things a
typewriter can’t.
15. Special Keyboard Keys
The flashing light on the
computer screen is called the
cursor. This cursor can be
moved up and down or left and
right by pressing the 4 keys
that have arrows on them.
These arrow keys are called
cursor keys.
16. Shift Key
When this key is pressed at the same
time you press a letter key, a capital
letter appears on your screen. When
it is held down when you press a key
with a symbol and number, the top
symbol appears on the computer
screen. There are two shift keys on
your keyboard.
17. The Backspace Key
When this key is pressed, the
cursor moves back one space to the
left on your computer screen. This
key is very helpful when you press
the wrong letter or number. You
can erase your mistakes!
