PHYSICAL

COMPONENTS OF A
COMPUTER
LECTURE ONE:
Lecturer : mr. Wangilisasi contact: 0752 564 511
INTRODUCTION
 A computer is a programmable electronic device
designed to accept data, perform prescribed
mathematical and logical operations at high speed,
and display the results of these operations.
Mainframes, desktop and laptop computers, tablets,
and smartphones are some of the different types of
computers.

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 2

INTRODUCTION
 A computer is composed of two parts;
Computer hardware – this is the physical part of a computer
system which we can touch and feel with our hands.
Computer hardware includes; System Unit, RAM, Monitor,
Wires and other physical components that may be attached
to a computer.
Computer Software – Computer software is the collection of
computer programs and related data that provide the
instructions telling the computer what to do.

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 3

COMPUTER HARDWARE
 Computer hardware is divided into the following
categories according to their function.
Input Devices
Output Devices
Processing Devices
Communication Devices
Storage devices

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 4

INPUT DEVICES
 Input devices are all computer hardware that
enables the user to enter data into the computer
system. Using input devices a user can enter text
files, documents , photos, videos and other types of
files. These devices include keyboard, scanner,
webcam, modem, mouse, joystick, microphone.

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 5

 OUTPUT DEVICES
 Output devices are all computer hardware
components, that enables the computer to
output/get information out of the computer to the
user. With output devices, users are able to view files,
print documents, hear music, watch videos etc. These
output devices include printer, monitor, modem,
speakers.

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 6

 STORAGE DEVICES
Storage devices are all computer hardware
components that enable the computer to store data
and information for later use. This capability of a
computer enables the computer to store and retrieve
large amounts of data. These storage devices include;
Hard Disk, Flash Disk, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD’s.

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 7

 PROCESSING DEVICES
 Processing devices are all computer hardware components
that enable the computer to perform calculations or
perform operations on the data that the user inputs. With
processing devices, mathematical calculations can be done,
different data can be manipulated, decision can be made
etc. These processing devices include, Central Processing
Unit(CPU) and Graphical Processing Unit(GPU)

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 8

 COMMUNICATION DEVICES
 Communication devices are all computer hardware
components that enable the computer to
communicate with other computers or other devices
over the network. With these devices , the computer
can send emails, access the internet and
communicate with remote devices. These
communication devices include, modem, Network
Interface Card(NIC) , switches, Hubs, Routers etc.

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 9

 THE TERMINAL
The word "terminal" comes from early computer systems that
were used to send commands to other computers. Terminals
often consist of just a keyboard and monitor, with a connection
to another computer.
The purpose of a terminal is not to process information (like a
typical computer), but to send commands to another system.
For example, a network administrator may use a terminal to log
in to a network and manage devices connected to the network.

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 10

 THE TERMINAL
With modern computers, the word "terminal" usually refers
to a terminal program, or emulator, which provides a text-
based interface for typing commands.
This type of program is often abbreviated "TTY" and may
also be referred to as a command-line interface. Terminal
programs are available for all major computing platforms
and are typically included with the operating system.

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 11

 THE TERMINAL
For example, Windows includes the program "cmd.exe,"
which is a command-line interface that can be used to run
DOS commands and to connect to other servers.
Mac OS X includes a program appropriately called
"Terminal," which can be used to run Unix commands within
the Mac OS or to access other machines. Unix typically
includes a program called "xterm," which can run BASH or
other Unix shells.

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 12

 PERIPHERAL DEVICES
A computer peripheral is any external device that provides input and
output for the computer. For example, a keyboard and mouse are
input peripherals, while a monitor and printer are output
peripherals.
Devices that are connected to the computer without being part of
the core computer architecture.
Computer peripherals, or peripheral devices, are sometimes called
"I/O devices" because they provide input and output for the
computer. Some peripherals, such as external hard drives, provide
both input and output for the computer.
09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 13
 Advantages of peripheral devices
Peripherals extend the functionality of a computer
1. The allow user to enter input to the computer
2. Allow the computer to get output to the user
3. Allow external storage of data
4. Allows the computer to be able to connect to
networks.

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 14

 THANK YOU

09/07/2021 SMO 06204 - ICT 15