Hardware & Software

Why Is a Computer So Powerful?

 Speed
 Reliability
 Accuracy
 Storage
 Versatility
 Communications
 But how computer actually works!
• To understand, let’s break it down into it's basic components

• Then how each component works

• Finally how all the components work together to achieve the

desired end product or result
 System Unit /
Display / Monitor “The Box”

Keyboard

Mouse

•CRT: cathode ray tube

•LCD: Liquid-crystal-display
•LED: light-emitting diode
 DEFINITION

• Hardware Vs. Software

If you can touch it, it’s hardware
 Examples of Hardware

• Computer Hardware is the physical part of the computer system, the

machinery and equipment.
• Parts of the computer “you can see”. Physical devices of computer system
Examples of Computer Hardware
Monitor: T.V. like screen used to show pictures and
words. It lets you see your work and your files.

CPU: Central Processing Unit this is where most of

the computer’s calculations take place. In terms of
computing power, the CPU is the most important
element of a computing system. They contain the
brains of the computer. They can be desktop
models that the monitor sits on top of, or tower
models that stand up tall.
More Computer Hardware
Keyboard: This device is used to type information
into the computer and contains the numbers 0-9.

Mouse: a small device, which you move across the top of

the desk to move the pointer or cursor on the screen.

Printer: used to make a paper copy of the information

into the computer.

Image Scanner: an electronic device that generates a

digital representation of an image for data input to a
computer
 Computer Software
The Programs that are on the disks are
software

• Computer Software are programs that tell the computer what

to do. Programs that run on computers. Sets of instructions
for which computer processes data
Example: MS Office
How Does a Computers Work – IPO Cycle
• Input--This is when information is
entered into a computer. It first
Input
accepts data such as raw facts, figures,
and symbol
Process

• Processing--Processes data into

Output Storage
information (Data that is organized,
meaningful, and useful) by the
computer’s brain -CPU
Communication

• Output--This is the information that

comes out of a computer after it has Information Processing Cycle
been processed. It produces and
stores results
 Components of a Computer System
Input Devices
•Keyboard
•Mouse
•Trackball
•Stylus

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

•Microprocessor
•Storage Devices (Hard Drives & Floppy Drives)

Output Devices
•Monitor
•Printer
• What are information system elements ?

 People
 Procedures
 Data
 Software Step 1. Step 2.
 Hardware People develop People use software to enter
procedures for data into computer (hardware)
processing data

Step 3.
Software processes data and
directs hardware to store and
or output information
Thank You