Handouts

Hardware Concepts
Terminologies:
Computer a fast electronic calculating machine that accepts input information, processes it according to a list of
internally stored instructions called a program, and produces the resultant output information.
Program a set of instructions for a computer telling it what to do or how to behave.
Programming is the craft of implementing one or more interrelated abstract algorithms using a particular
programming language to produce a concrete computer program.
Hardware the physical equipment of a computer system including the monitor, keyboard, central processing unit,
and storage devices.
Software refers to one or more computer programs and data held in the storage of computer for specific purpose.
Data Representation conversion of images, letters and sounds into electrical signals.
Digital Electronics manipulation of on and off signals to perform complex tasks.
Analog Devices works with continuous data Ex: Volume Control
Digital Devices works with digital data Ex: Light Switch
Bit (b) an abbreviation of binary digit.
Byte (B) a collection of 8 bits.
Types of Codes used in Digital Representation:
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) requires only seven bits for each character.
EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code) an alternative 8-bit code used by older IBM
mainframe computers.
UNICODE uses 8, 16, or 32 bits providing codes for 65,000 characters (represent the alphabets of multiple
languages) and becoming popular.
How are bits stored and transferred from one point to another?
- Since most computers are electronic devices, bits take form of electrical pulses traveling over the circuits.
All circuits, chips, and mechanical components forming computer are designed to work with bits.
Basic Parts of a Computer System

Input Devices

System Unit

Output Devices

Memory
Processor/CPU
Input Devices machines that generate input for the computer, such as keyboard and mouse.
Processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the central processing chip that controls the processes in the
computer. It determines the processing power of the computer.
Memory is the part of the computer that stores applications, documents, and systems operating information.
Output Devices are machines that display information from the computer, such as monitor and printer.