WHAT IS COMPUTER?
DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
COMPUTER: A computer is an electronic device which under the control of a program can accept/input data, process and store data, and produce output. A computer system is made up of hardware and software which work together in processing data to achieve a purpose.
COMPUTER HARDWARE: The hardware is the physical units that make up the computer, such as the system unit, keyboard and monitor etc. It is the computer equipment that you can see and hold. There are five (05) functions of hardware which are as follows:
1. Input 2. Process 3. Storage 4. Output
1. Input: Input involves entering data into the computer for processing. Any machine that feeds data into a computer is called input device. Input devices are used to enter the information such as the keyboard, mouse, microphone, joysticks, digital cameras or scanner.
2. Central Processing Unit: The CPU itself is an internal component of the computer. This unit is responsible for all events inside the computer. It controls all internal and external devices, performs arithmetic and logic operations. A Central Processing Unit, or CPU has three main components,
i. The Arithmetic and Logic Unit, or ALU, which performs all of the calculations.
ii. The Control Unit, which controls the flow of data around the computer by sending out control signals and executes commands typed at the keyboard or stored in program.
iii. Memory, which is used to store data.
3. Storage: Storage devices are used by the processor to temporarily or permanently store data so that it can be retrieved at a later time. Storage is classified as primary (main memory or internal memory) or secondary (also known as external memory or auxiliary storage).
· Main memory holds the data temporarily. Main memory in any computer system comprises of RAM and ROM.
4. Output: Output involves the presentation or display of information to the outside world. Computer output devices deliver data that has been processed by the computer to the user. It includes the transfer of data from primary storage to an output device such as a monitor or printer. There are a variety of devices that produce data in different forms including audio, visual and hard copy. Output devices include speaker, headphone, monitor, printer and projector. The output devices are used to get data from the computer.
INTERCONNECTORS: The interconnectors are used to connect different devices to the computers. The interconnectors in any computer system are as follows:
a) Cables b) Ports c) Buses
COMPUTER SOFTWARE: Software consists of computer programs. A computer program is a set of instructions to solve a particular program. A computer needs software to tell it what to do and it needs hardware to carry out the actual work. Software resides in the memory of the computer and can be transferred from a disk into memory.
FIRMWARE: Firmware is software that is embedded in a piece of hardware. Firmware consists of software embedded in electronic devices during their manufacture. Firmware is used when the programs are rarely or never expected to be changed. Firmware is also used when the programs must not be lost when the power is off. The most familiar firmware is the basic input output system (BIOS) chip. The BIOS chip on a computer motherboard holds instructions that, upon powering up, initialize the hardware, ensure components are working, and finally roll out the operating system to take over.
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