CHAPTER 2

Basic Hardware and

Software.
 Lessons Objectives
⦿ This lesson deals with Hardware and Software
systems. At the conclusion of thischapter you should
be able to understand:

1. Meaning of hardware and software.

2.Components of hardware.
3. Features of software.
4. Difference between hardware and software.
 Hardware and Software
• Computer Hardware:
would include all the
parts of a computer.
• Computer Software:
includes the programs
that are installed.. Or
the instructions for
completing tasks.
Hardware
Central Processing Unit
• CPU (Central Processing Unit) also called the
Microprocessor or “The Brain” of the Computer.
• Processor speed: The speed at which a microprocessor
executes instructions. This is usually measured in megahertz
(MHz).
• Brands of Processors include:
● Pentium
● Celeron
● MAC
● AMD
● Cyrix
Hardware
Central Processing Unit
• Computer chip: also called the
microprocessor may contain an
entire processing unit.
• Computer chips contain millions
of transistors. They are small
pieces of semi-conducting
material (silicon).
• An integrated circuit is embedded
in the silicon. Computers are
made of many chips on a circuit
board.
Hardware
Data Storage Devices
• The hard-drive is a mechanical
storage device typically located
internally.
● Fast recording and recovery of data
● Large storage capacity (GB)
● Magnetic
● Primary storage device for data and
programs
● Speed is measured in R.P.M.’s
(Revolutions per minute)
Hardware

Data Storage Devices (cont’d)

• CD-ROM (compact disk
read only memory)

● An optical device read by a

diode laser
Hardware

Data Storage Devices (cont’d)

▪ SOLID-STATE DRIVE
(SSD) a storage device
containing nonvolatile flash
memory, used in place of a
hard disk because of its much
greater speed.
▪ FLASH drive is a compact
and portable electronic
storage device.
❑ USB (plug and play)
supported
Hardware
Computer Memory
• RAM (random access
memory) stores data that is
processing. This type of
memory is erased when the
computer is turned off.
• ROM (read only memory)
contains special instructions for
the computer to operate.
• Cache memory increases the
speed of the processor by
recording and anticipating
instructions.
HARDWARE
Video Cards
• Video cards plug into the
motherboard and are used to
display video.
• VRAM is video memory that
enhances the refreshment rate
of the image.
• Video cards have chipsets that
can increase the speed of video
display.
 HARDWARE
Ports and Peripherals
▪Ports are an interface between the computer and another peripheral
device such as a disk drive, mouse, printer, modem, monitor, camera,
FLASH drive or keyboard.
Examples:
Serial
Parallel
USB
 HARDWARE
Ports and Peripherals
▪Peripherals are devices that
plug into a computer and are not
housed internally.
Examples:
Printers
Scanners
Cameras
SOFTWARE

Graphic User Interface (GUI)

• GUI (Graphic User Interface) is a
set of images and icons seen on the
desktop used to operate a program.
● The GUI makes the programs loaded
on the computer easier to access and
use. Basic Windows GUI
● Icons are small pictures that represent
files, commands, or windows.
● Windows is a GUI operating
system.
SOFTWARE
LAN and WAN
• LAN: are networks usually in
the same company or building.
The Local Area Network is
connected via telephone lines or
radio waves. Most LANs
connect workstations.
• WAN: are systems of LANs
that are connected. (Wide-area
network)
SOFTWARE
Bandwidth and Baud Rate
• Bandwidth is how much
information can be carried in
a given time period (usually
a second) over a wired or
wireless communications
link.
• Baud rate is the rate at
which information is
transferred in a
communication channel.
SOFTWARE
Multitasking and Multiprocessing
• Multitasking is the ability to
execute more than one task
(program) at the same time.
Only one CPU is used but
switches from one program to
another.
• In multiprocessing, more than
one CPU is used to complete a
task. Example: network
rendering.
SOFTWARE
Multimedia
• Multimedia software
programs include sound,
pictures, video, text, and
hypertext to create
presentations.
Software includes:
PowerPoint
Macromedia Director
FLASH
SOFTWARE
Resolution
• Screen resolution is measured in pixel per inch
(ppi), and printer resolution is measured in dots
per inch (dpi).
• Computer screen resolution is approximately 72
ppi.

Width x Height (Pixels) Video Display

640 x 480 Low Resolution
800 x 600 Medium Resolution
1600 x 1200 High Resolution
SOFTWARE
Resolution
• Resolution refers to the
number of pixels (picture
elements) in the monitor
image.
• Increased resolution uses
more computer resources but
increases the visual clarity of
the display.
SOFTWARE
Computer Memory
• Computer memory is binary (0 or 1) (on or off).
• The byte is the standard unit of measurement.
• A byte is composed of 8 bits (binary digits).
• Typical units of measurement:
● 1 KB (kilobyte) = 1000 bytes
● 1 MB (megabyte) =1000 kilobytes or 1 million bytes
● 1 GB (gigabyte) =1000 megabytes or 1 billion bytes
1 Tb (Terabyte)= 1000 gigabytes or 1 trillon
SOFTWARE
File Management
• Merging files - in 3D
graphics, bringing an
outside file into an open
file (another name for this
may be loading or
replacing objects in the
workspace).
• Importing files - bringing
a converted non-native
format file into an open
file.
SOFTWARE
File Management
• Saving files - know the difference between
“save” and “save as”.
• “Save” will save the open document over
the saved document while “save as” creates
a new document if you rename the
document.Save often so work will
not be lost.
• Exporting – converts a native format to a
non-native file format used in various
software programs. In vector programs, file
types may be exported.
 File Management
• Different programs have different file extensions.
• Naming files - avoid the following characters in naming files:

Examples:
● @
●*
● .

• Understand the parts of a path name.

Example: C:/SciVis/movie.avi
Drive designator : /Directory or folder /File name File extension
 Input Devices
• Input Devices: devices
that input information
into the computer such
as a keyboard, mouse,
scanner, and digital
camera.
 Types of Hardware
INPUT AND OUTPUT
 Output Devices
• Output: devices that
output information from
the computer such as a
printer and monitor.
Types of Software
 Types of Software
System software - is a type
of computer software that is
designed for running the
computer hardware parts and
the application programs. It is
the platform provided to the
computer system where other
computer programs can
execute. The system software
act as a middle layer between
the user applications and
hardware.
 Types of Software
System software - is a type
of computer software that is
designed for running the
computer hardware parts and
the application programs. It is
the platform provided to the
computer system where other
computer programs can
execute. The system software
act as a middle layer between
the user applications and
hardware.
 Types of Software
Application Software - is
designed for the users to perform
some specific tasks like writing a
letter, listening to music or
seeing any video. For all these
requirements there required a
specific software for each type
and that specific software that is
designed for some specific
purpose is known as application
software. The operating software
runs the application software in
the computer system.
 Types of Software
Programming language - is the
third category of computer
software which is used by the
programmers to write their
programs, scripts, and instructions
which can be executed by a
computer. The other name of the
programming language is a
computer language that can be
used to create some common
standards. The programming language
can be considered as a brick which can
be used to construct computer
programs and operating system.
The End