This document discusses computer hardware and software. It defines hardware as the physical components of a computer like the monitor, mouse, and case. Software or programs provide instructions to the hardware to perform tasks. There are two main types of software: operating systems and application programs. Operating systems act as an interface between the user and computer hardware by managing tasks, data storage, and communication between applications. Common operating systems for personal computers include Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and Unix.

2. Think for a minute about theThink for a minute about the
computer system you use. Itcomputer system you use. It
probably has a monitor, aprobably has a monitor, a
mouse, and a case thatmouse, and a case that
contains electroniccontains electronic
components such as a hardcomponents such as a hard
disk and the CPU (thedisk and the CPU (the
computercomputer’’ss ““brainbrain””).).

3. These physical components
are called hardware. They are
the parts of the computer
system that we can actually
see and touch.

4. You may wonder how thisYou may wonder how this
computer hardware knowscomputer hardware knows
what it is supposed to do.what it is supposed to do.

5. The answer is that we give itThe answer is that we give it
instructions.instructions.
These instructions are calledThese instructions are called
software or programs.software or programs.

6. All software can be dividedAll software can be divided
into two main categories:into two main categories:
• Operating systems• Operating systems
• Application software• Application software

7. Operating SystemsOperating Systems
Each time you start yourEach time you start your
computer, the computer loadscomputer, the computer loads
the operating system (OS)the operating system (OS)
into the computerinto the computer’’s memorys memory
so that it can be used. Thisso that it can be used. This
process is sometimes calledprocess is sometimes called
booting the system.booting the system.

8. The operating system acts asThe operating system acts as
an interface, or link, betweenan interface, or link, between
the user and the computerthe user and the computer
hardware.hardware.

10. There are four main jobs anThere are four main jobs an
operating system isoperating system is
responsible for:responsible for:

11. 1.1. It provides a userIt provides a user
interface. The userinterface. The user
interface lets you giveinterface lets you give
commands to the OS.commands to the OS.

12. 2. It gives instructions to the2. It gives instructions to the
computer hardware, such ascomputer hardware, such as
the printer and monitor.the printer and monitor.

13. 3. It manages the way in3. It manages the way in
which the computer storeswhich the computer stores
data and applications.data and applications.

14. 4. It keeps track of different4. It keeps track of different
jobs. For example, if you arejobs. For example, if you are
using both a spreadsheet andusing both a spreadsheet and
a word processing applicationa word processing application
at the same time, the OS willat the same time, the OS will
run both of theserun both of these
applications and let youapplications and let you
switch back and forthswitch back and forth
between them.between them.

15. There are only few OperatingThere are only few Operating
Systems that are commonlySystems that are commonly
used in microcomputers:used in microcomputers:

16. Microsoft Windows, AppleMicrosoft Windows, Apple
Macintosh, Linux and UnixMacintosh, Linux and Unix

17. ApplicationsApplications

18. Applications are softwareApplications are software
programs that performprograms that perform
specific tasks for us. You havespecific tasks for us. You have
probably used many differentprobably used many different
types of applications.types of applications.

19. Activity managementActivity management
programs likeprograms like
calendars and address bookscalendars and address books

20. •• Word processingWord processing
applications forapplications for
creating documents that arecreating documents that are
attractivelyattractively
formattedformatted

21. •• Spreadsheet applications forSpreadsheet applications for
creatingcreating
documents to manage anddocuments to manage and
organizeorganize
numerical datanumerical data

22. •• Presentation applicationsPresentation applications
for making slide showsfor making slide shows

23. •• Graphics applications forGraphics applications for
editingediting
picturespictures

24. •• Database applications forDatabase applications for
developing databases that candeveloping databases that can
organize and retrieve largeorganize and retrieve large
amounts of informationamounts of information

25. •• Communications programsCommunications programs
like e mail and faxinglike e mail and faxing
software for sending andsoftware for sending and
receiving messagesreceiving messages

26. •• Multimedia applications forMultimedia applications for
creating video and musiccreating video and music

27. •• Utilities for performing aUtilities for performing a
variety of tasks that maintainvariety of tasks that maintain
or enhance the computeror enhance the computer ’’ss
operating systemoperating system

28. UtilitiesUtilities
Utility programs areUtility programs are
generally fairly small. Eachgenerally fairly small. Each
type has a specific job to do.type has a specific job to do.
Below are some descriptionsBelow are some descriptions
of utilities.of utilities.

29. •• Anti-virus applicationsAnti-virus applications
protect your computer fromprotect your computer from
the damage that can bethe damage that can be
caused by viruses and similarcaused by viruses and similar
programs.programs.

30. •• Compression utilities makeCompression utilities make
files smaller for storage (orfiles smaller for storage (or
sending over the Internet)sending over the Internet)
and then return them toand then return them to
normal size.normal size.

31. •• Data recovery utilitiesData recovery utilities
attempt toattempt to
restore data and files thatrestore data and files that
have been damaged orhave been damaged or
accidentally deleted.accidentally deleted.

32. •• Disk defragmentersDisk defragmenters
reorganize thereorganize the
data stored on disks so that itdata stored on disks so that it
is more efficiently arranged.is more efficiently arranged.

33. •• Firewalls prevent outsidersFirewalls prevent outsiders
from accessing yourfrom accessing your
computer over a networkcomputer over a network
such as the Internet.such as the Internet.

34. Both operating systemBoth operating system
software and applicationssoftware and applications
have specific jobs tohave specific jobs to
perform. It is important toperform. It is important to
realize that the OS you arerealize that the OS you are
using must be compatibleusing must be compatible
with your hardware.with your hardware.