COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

LECTURE NOTES
 computer hardware
Computer hardware is a collective term
used to describe any of the physical
components of an analog or digital
computer.

The term hardware distinguishes the

tangible aspects of a computing device
from software, which consists of written,
machine-readable instructions or
programs that tell physical components
what to do and when to execute the
instructions.
• Hardware and software are complementary. A
computing device can function efficiently and
produce useful output only when both hardware
and software work together appropriately.

• Computer hardware can be categorized as being

either internal or external components. Generally,
internal hardware components are those
necessary for the proper functioning of the
computer, while external hardware components
are attached to the computer to add or enhance
functionality.
 internal computer hardware
components
• Internal components collectively process or store
the instructions delivered by the program or
operating system (OS). These include the following:
Motherboard. This is a printed circuit board that holds
the central processing unit (CPU) and other essential
internal hardware and functions as the central hub
that all other hardware components run through.
CPU. The CPU is the brain of the computer that
processes and executes digital instructions from
various programs; its clock speed determines the
computer's performance and efficiency in
processing data.
• RAM. RAM -- or dynamic RAM -- is temporary
memory storage that makes information
immediately accessible to programs; RAM is volatile
memory, so stored data is cleared when the
computer powers off.
• Hard disk drive(HDD). Hard disk drives are physical
storage devices that store both permanent and
temporary data in different formats, including
programs, OSes, device files, photos, etc.
• Solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs are solid-state storage
devices based on NAND flash memory technology;
SSDs are non-volatile, so they can safely store data
even when the computer is powered down.
• Optical drive. Optical drives typically reside in an
on-device drive bay; they enable the computer to
read and interact with nonmagnetic external
media, such as compact disc read-only memory or
digital video discs.

• Heat sink. This is a passive piece of hardware

that draws heat away from components to
regulate/reduce their temperature to help ensure
they continue to function properly. Typically, a
heat sink is installed directly atop the CPU, which
produces the most heat among internal
components.
• Graphics processing unit. This chip-based
device processes graphical data and often
functions as an extension to the main CPU.
• Network interface card (NIC). A NIC is a circuit
board or chip that enables the computer to
connect to a network; also known as a network
adapter or local area network adapter, it
typically supports connection to an Ethernet
network.
• Other computing components, such as USB
ports, power supplies, transistors and chips,
are also types of internal hardware.
 external hardware components

• External hardware components, also called

peripheral components, are those items that are
often externally connected to the computer to
control either input or output functions. These
hardware devices are designed to either provide
instructions to the software (input) or render
results from its execution (output).

Common input hardware components include the

following:
• Mouse. A mouse is a hand-held pointing device
that moves a cursor around a computer screen
and enables interaction with objects on the screen.
It may be wired or wireless.
• Keyboard. A keyboard is an input device featuring
a standard QWERTY keyset that enables users to
input text, numbers or special characters.
• Microphone. A microphone is a device that
translates sound waves into electrical signals and
supports computer-based audio communications.
• Camera. A camera captures visual images and
streams them to the computer or through a
computer to a network device.
• Touchpad. A touchpad is an input device, external
or built into a laptop, used to control the pointer on
a display screen. It is typically an alternative to an
external mouse.
• USB flash drive. A USB flash drive is an external,
removable storage device that uses flash memory
and interfaces with a computer through a USB
port.
• Memory card. A memory card is a type of portable
external storage media, such as a CompactFlash
card, used to store media or data files.
•Other input hardware components include
joysticks, styluses and scanners.

Examples of output hardware components include the

following:
• Monitor. A monitor is an output device similar to a
TV screen that displays information, documents or
images generated by the computing device.
• Printer. Printers render electronic data from a
computer into printed material.
• Speaker. A speaker is an external audio output
device that connects to a computer to generate a
sound output.
• Headphones, earphones, ear buds. Similar to
speakers, these devices provide audio output that's
audible only to a single listener.
 Hardware vs. software
• Hardware refers to the computer's tangible
components or delivery systems that store and
run the written instructions provided by the
software. The software is the intangible part of
the device that lets the user interact with the
hardware and command it to perform specific
tasks. Computer software includes the following:
 Software
• A software or computer software essentially a type
of programs which enable the users to perform
some particular specific task or actually used to
operate their computer.
• It essentially directs all of the peripheral devices on
the entire computer system- what exactly to do and
how exactly to perform a task. A software plays a
key role of a mediator between the user and the
computer hardware. In the absence of software, a
user essentially can’t perform any task on a
computer
 Types of Software
• Generally, there are two main
classifications of software, which are
namely,

System Software .
Application Software.
 System Software
• It a software that helps the user as well as the
hardware to function and even interact with each
other easily. Essentially, it is a software which is
used to manage the behavior of the computer
hardware in order to offer basic functionalities
which are needed by the user.
• In simpler word, it can be said that system
software is essentially an intermediator or even a
middle layer between the user as well as the
hardware.
common system software examples
• Operating System
Being a prominent example for system software, it is
essentially a collection of software which handles
resources as well as offers general services for
various other application which actually run over
them. There are different types of operating systems
like embedded, real-time, distributed, single-user,
multi-user, mobile, internet and much more. Full
stack web development services develop apps to
operate on a mobile operating system like Android
and iOS.
Some of the key examples of operating systems are
as follows:

• MS Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• iOS
• Android
• Ubuntu
• Unix
Device Drivers
• This type of software controls particular hardware
which is essentially attached to the system. Different
hardware devices which require a driver to connect
to a system easily consist of displays, printers,
sound cards, hard disks, keyboard, and mice. Few of
the examples of such drivers are:
• BIOS Driver, Motherboard Drivers
• Display Drivers, ROM Drivers
• Printer Drivers
• USB Drivers
• Sound Card Driver
• VGA Drivers
• Utility
These software are designed to assist in
analysing, as well as optimizing, along with
configuring and maintaining a given computer
system. It provides support to the computer
infrastructure. Software like disk cleanup and
management tools, anti-viruses, defragmenters,
compression tools etc. are all utility software.
Some of its examples are:
• Norton Antivirus
• McAfee Antivirus
• WinRAR
• WinZip
• Windows File Explorer
 Operating System
An Operating System (OS) is a software that acts as
an interface between computer hardware components
and the user. Every computer system must have at
least one operating system to run other programs.
Applications like Browsers, MS Office, Notepad Games,
etc., need some environment to run and perform its
tasks.

The OS helps you to communicate with the computer

without knowing how to speak the computer’s
language. It is not possible for the user to use any
computer or mobile device without having an operating
system.
 Types of Operating System (OS)
The Followings are the popular types of OS

• Batch Operating System

• Multitasking/Time Sharing OS
• Multiprocessing OS
• Real Time OS
• Distributed OS
• Network OS
• Mobile OS
• Batch Operating System
Some computer processes are very lengthy and time-
consuming. To speed the same process, a job with a
similar type of needs are batched together and run as a
group.
The user of a batch operating system never directly
interacts with the computer. In this type of OS, every user
prepares his or her job on an offline device like a punch
card and submit it to the computer operator.

• Multi-Tasking/Time-sharing Operating systems

Time-sharing operating system enables people located at
a different terminal(shell) to use a single computer
system at the same time. The processor time (CPU) which
is shared among multiple users is termed as time sharing.
• Real time OS
A real time operating system time interval to process and
respond to inputs is very small. Examples: Military Software
Systems, Space Software Systems are the Real time OS
example.
• Distributed Operating System
Distributed systems use many processors located in different
machines to provide very fast computation to its users.
• Network Operating System
Network Operating System runs on a server. It provides the
capability to serve to manage data, user, groups, security,
application, and other networking functions.
• Mobile OS
Mobile operating systems are those OS which is especially
that are designed to power smartphones, tablets, and
wearables devices.
• Some most famous mobile operating systems are Android and
iOS, but others include BlackBerry, Web, and watchOS.
Functions of Operating System
In an operating system software, it performs each of the
function:

• Process management: Process management helps OS

to create and delete processes. It also provides
mechanisms for synchronization and communication
among processes.

• Memory management: Memory management module

performs the task of allocation and de-allocation of
memory space to programs in need of this resources.

• File management: It manages all the file-related

activities such as organization storage, retrieval,
naming, sharing, and protection of files.
• Device Management: Device management keeps tracks
of all devices. This module also responsible for this task
is known as the I/O controller. It also performs the task
of allocation and de-allocation of the devices.
• I/O System Management: One of the main objects of any
OS is to hide the peculiarities of that hardware devices
from the user.
• Secondary-Storage Management: Systems have several
levels of storage which includes primary storage,
secondary storage, and cache storage. Instructions and
data must be stored in primary storage or cache so that
a running program can reference it.
• Security: Security module protects the data and
information of a computer system against malware
threat and authorized access.
• Command interpretation: This module is interpreting
commands given by the and acting system resources to
process that commands.
• Networking: A distributed system is a group of
processors which do not share memory, hardware
devices, or a clock. The processors communicate with
one another through the network.
• Job accounting: Keeping track of time & resource used
by various job and users.

• Communication management: Coordination and

assignment of compilers, interpreters, and another
software resource of the various users of the computer
systems.
 Advantage of Operating System
• Allows you to hide details of hardware by creating
an abstraction
• Easy to use with a GUI
• Offers an environment in which a user may
execute programs/applications
• The operating system must make sure that the
computer system convenient to use
• Operating System acts as an intermediary among
applications and the hardware components
• It provides the computer system resources with
easy to use format
• Acts as an intermediator between all hardware’s
and software’s of the system
Disadvantages of Operating System

• If any issue occurs in OS, you may lose all the contents
which have been stored in your system

• Operating system’s software is quite expensive for small

size organization which adds burden on them. Example
Windows

• It is never entirely secure as a threat can occur at any

time
 Application Software
• They are also popularly known as end-user programs
or even productivity programs which assist the user
in completing various tasks like conducting online
research, making notes, designing graphics,
maintaining accounts, carrying out calculations or
even playing computer games. They essentially lie
above the system software. They are actually used
by the end-user as well as have specific functionality
or tasks which they are designed to perform. These
software are often developed through custom
software development, based on the requirements
of the users.
• There is a variety of application software. Some
of them are:
• Word Processors
Such applications are meant for documentation.
It also assists in storing as well as formatting
and even printing of the documents. Key
examples of such software are:
• MS Word
• Apple iWork-Pages
• Corel WordPerfect
• Google Docs
• Database Software
It is used to create as well as manage a database
and also known as Database Management
System or in short, DBMS. Such software assists
in the data organization.
Some of the examples of DBMS are:
• MS Access
• MySQL
• Multimedia Software
This is a software which is able to play, create
as well as record images, audio or even video
files. These software are utilized for
animation, video editing, graphics as well as
image editing. Due to the high demand for
such software, every software product
development company has vast avenues in
developing them.
Some of the examples of such software are:
• Adobe Photoshop
• VLC Media Player
• Windows Media Player
• Windows Movie Maker
• Web Browsers
These software are utilized to browse the internet.
Web browsers assist the users in locating as well
as retrieving data well across the web. Some of
the key examples of them are:
• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Internet Explorer
• Opera
• UC Browser
• Safari
However, there also exists classification of the software.
They can easily be classified on the basis of their
.
availability as well as sharability
Their classification is as below:
 Freeware
These software are available free of cost. A user can
easily download them from the internet and can easily
use them without paying any charges or fees. However,
they don’t provide any type of liberty to modify the entire
software or charging a fixed fee for its distribution.
A best software development company can develop its
own freeware to reach out to more customers. Some of
the examples of these software are:
•Adobe Reader
•Skype
•Team Viewer
•Yahoo Messenger
Shareware
This software is distributed freely to users on a
fixed trial basis. It generally comes with a set time
limit, and on the expiration of the time limit, the
user is finally asked to pay a fixed fee for the
continued services. There are different types of
shareware such as Freemium, Donationware,
Adware, Demoware etc.
Few of the examples of shareware are:
• Adobe Acrobat
• PHP Debugger
• WinZip
• Getright
• Open-source
Such types of software are usually available to
users along with their source code which
means that the user can easily modify and
distribute the software as well as add
additional features to them. They can either be
chargeable or free. Few of the examples of
such software are:
• Mozilla Firefox
• Thunderbird
• Moodle
 Conclusion
• With the increasing role of software in the daily lives
of the people, full stack web development services
are now offering the latest software to fulfill their
demands. As we know, there are various types of
software where the market of system software is
already saturated with big players like Microsoft,
Apple etc.
• while application software have stiff competition
with established players and new players competing
to gain the extra edge. Mentioned above is the
explanation of what a software is and the types of
software.