Computer Hardware and

Software
LESSON 2
OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

1. Identify the different hardware parts of a computer.

2. Explain the purpose of software in the computer system.
HARDWARE
Hardware is the physical section of a
computer. The one that users see
outside the box. The hardware is
associated with the basic operations
of the computer.

Figure 2.1 Examples of Computer Hardware

INTERNAL HARDWARE
is placed inside the computer's main
box or system unit.

Figure 2.2 Examples of Internal Hardware

EXTERNAL HARDWARE
is outside the system unit and
plugged into ports located on the
exterior of the system unit.

Figure 2.3 Examples of External Hardware

INPUT DEVICES
▪ Are devices used to input information and data
into the computer
▪ Keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras,
headphones, microphones, joysticks, and the
like are examples of an input device
OUTPUT DEVICES
▪ Present results to the user
▪ – Monitors, printers, speakers,
projectors, etc.
PROCESSING DEVICES
▪ Perform calculations and control
computer's operation
▪ The central processing unit (CPU) and
memory
STORAGE DEVICES
▪ Are devices used to store information
and data on or access information and
data from any storage media in the
computer
▪ Hard drives, DVDs and drives, USB flash
drives, and the like are some examples
of storage devices.
COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES
▪ Are devices that let users communicate
with others and access information
electronically
▪ Modems, network adapters, etc.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE (OR SOFTWARE)

refers to all computer programs or routines that direct and

control the computer hardware in the performance of its data
processing functions.
2 MAJOR CATEGORIES OF SOFTWARE

• Application software
• System software
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
▪ is software that performs a specific
task for computer users. Examples are
word processors and spreadsheets.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE
▪ was designed to help programmers or
control the computer system.
Examples are Operating systems and
Editors.
A SYSTEM
▪ is a collection of people, machines, and methods organized to accomplish specific functions. It
is an integrated whole composed of diverse, interacting, specialized structures and
subfunctions.

SYSTEM ANALYSIS
▪ is the process where a problem is defined and analyzed, and solutions are recommended. It is
the computer age equivalent to the scientific method.
THE GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY
▪ defines a system as a collection of inputs, outputs, processor activities with
feedback, a boundary, and an environment.

▪ Computer professionals in charge of creating applications often have the job

title of System Analyst.
AN INFORMATION SYSTEM
▪ is a combination of hardware, software, infrastructure, and trained personnel organized to
facilitate an organization's planning, control, coordination, and decision-making.
THE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE
▪ is the big picture of creating an information system that handles a significant task (an application).
A program is a list of computer instructions required to arrive at the desired
results. A program can be written using any of the programming languages.