UNIT1 SECTION B – COMPUTER BASICS- HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

UNIT 1 SECTION B -OBJECTIVES:

STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY:

*Computer Basics - Hardware and Software

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Initialized
Verb (Past tense of "Initialize")

To set something to its starting condition or state,

usually to prepare it for use.
To prepare a system or process by setting initial
values or configurations, such as loading a
program into memory.
System Software

Noun

Software that manages and operates the hardware

of a computer system, helping to run the
computer’s basic functions.

A collection of programs designed to control and

manage computer hardware and provide an
environment for running application software.
Examples include operating systems like Windows
or Linux.
Application Software

Noun

Software designed to help the user perform a

specific task, such as word processing, web
browsing, or graphic design.
A program or a group of programs designed to
perform a specific task or solve a problem for the

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user. Examples include Microsoft Word, Google

Chrome, and Adobe Photoshop.
Graphics

Noun (Plural)

Visual images or designs, especially computer-

generated, used to represent information or
enhance visual appeal.
The creation, manipulation, and display of visual
images using computers. Graphics can include
images, charts, and video elements.
Processors

Noun (Plural of "Processor")

Devices or components that execute instructions

to perform tasks within a computer system.
A central unit in a computer responsible for
executing instructions from programs. Examples
include CPUs (Central Processing Units) and GPUs
(Graphics Processing Units).
Processing Devices

Noun (Plural)

Devices responsible for interpreting and

performing operations on input data.

Devices that handle or process data. For example,

the CPU (Central Processing Unit) performs
arithmetic and logical operations to process input
data.

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Storage Devices

Part of Speech: Noun (Plural)

Hardware used to store data or information

permanently or temporarily.
Devices used for storing digital data. Examples
include hard drives, SSDs (Solid-State Drives), and
flash drives.
Motherboard

Noun

The main circuit board of a computer that houses

the CPU, memory, and other essential
components, and connects them to each other.
A large, printed circuit board that holds the central
components of the computer system and enables
communication between them.
Network Card

Noun

A hardware component that enables a computer to

connect to a network.

A device used to connect a computer to a network,

such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet.
Examples include Ethernet cards or Wi-Fi
adapters.

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Web Browsing

Noun

The act of navigating through the World Wide

Web using a web browser.

The process of accessing, navigating, and

viewing websites or online content on the
internet using a web browser like Chrome,
Firefox, or Safari.

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Fill in the blanks with the words given in the box:

 Application Software
 Graphics
 Initialized
 Motherboard
 network card
 Processing devices
 Processors
 Storage devices
 System Software
Web browsing

initialized before it could be used for

1. The computer system was __________
any tasks.
System
2. __________
software is a type of software that helps manage computer
hardware and provides a platform for running application
software.
Application
3. __________
software refers to software designed to perform specific tasks
such as word processing, spreadsheet calculations, or image
editing.
Graphics is the visual representation of data, often used in
4. __________
charts, diagrams, or other visual formats.
processors that perform
5. Modern computers contain multiple __________
calculations and execute instructions at high speeds.
Processing
6. __________
devices are responsible for performing the actual data
processing tasks in a computer system.
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Storage
7. __________
devices allow data to be stored for long periods of time, such
as hard drives and solid-state drives.
8. The __________
motherboard connects all the computer’s components and
allows them to communicate with each other.
9. A __________
network card enables a computer to connect to a network,
allowing it to send and receive data over the internet or local area
network.
10. Web browsing involves accessing and navigating the internet
__________
through a web browser to find information, interact with websites,
or perform online tasks.

Computer Hardware and Software

Hardware can be understood as a set of physical components of a
computer/machine that one can see and sense. This hardware consists
of interconnected electronic devices, circuit boards, ICs, and other
components that can be used to control the computer’s operation,
input and output. It is a physical component that is applied in several
ways to build a computer or any other instrument.
It consists of mechanical devices such as CPU, mouse, keyboard,
speaker, printer, hard disk, monitor and so on. A computer system
would not exist without any hardware and would not be able to run any
software.
Software is a combination of methods, guidelines, and documentation
that directs a computer exactly what to do and also allows the users to
communicate with a computer. One can say Computer Software is a
programming code executed on a computer processor.
Examples of software are MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MySQL, Google
Chrome, Photoshop, etc. Most computers may be inefficient without
software.

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For example, if MS-Word is not installed on the computer, one cannot

make or open any document that can be achieved through MS-Word.
Also, a user cannot work on the Internet or visit any website if the
system does not have Internet browser software.

Types of Computer Software

The computer software is classified into two major parts:
System Software
System software assists the user and the hardware to operate and
communicate with each other. It is software used to manage computer
hardware behavior to provide basic functionalities that are required by
the user. Examples are Windows, Linux, Unix, etc.
In simple words, we can say that system software is an intermediary or
a middle layer between the user and the hardware. This computer
software sanctions an environment or platform for the other software
to work in. This is the reason why system software is very crucial in
managing the entire computer system. Operating systems, diagnostic
tools, and device drivers are incorporated in system software.
When a user first turns on the computer, it is the system software that
gets initialized and gets loaded in the memory of the system. The
system software runs in the background and is not used by the end-
users. Hence the system software is also called ‘low-level software’.
Application Software
Application Software also referred to as end-user programs or
productivity programs are software that aids the user in executing
tasks like doing online research, word processing, web browsing,
graphics designing, language processors, keeping logs of accounts,
performing calculations, translators, editors or even playing games.
They lie above the system software. Examples are Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Oracle, etc.

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What Is the Difference Between Computer Hardware and Software?

Software is a set of instructions executed on the computer, whereas
the hardware is a physical device used with or on the computer. The
software cannot be touched and held in our hands, on the other hand,
hardware can be sensed and held with our hand.
Why Do We Need Software?
In this period of software technology, the software is very beneficial
and important in day-to-day life as they are everywhere from TV,
Computers, Mobile, Electrical appliances, Alarm clock, etc. Software
applications are majorly developed to enhance our lives.

Categories of Computer Hardware

Input devices
A piece of equipment/hardware that allows the user to insert data into
a computer is called an input device. Some of the regularly used input
units used in a computer system are keyboard, mouse, joystick,
scanner, Magnetic Ink Card Reader, Optical Character Reader, Barcode
Reader, Optical Mark Reader.
Output devices
A piece of equipment/hardware that allows the result of the entered
input, once it is processed, is called an output device. Some of the
commonly used output devices used in a computer system are
monitors, printers, projectors, speakers, headphones.
Processing devices
When a computer collects data from an input device, the data passes
through an intermediary stage before it’s transferred to an output
device. A processing device is any device within a computer that
interprets and manipulates incoming data during this stage. Some of
the examples of a processing device are a central processing unit,
graphics processing unit, motherboard, network card, etc.

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Storage devices
Storage devices are also referred to as digital storage or storage
medium, which is a storage device with hardware capable of holding
information either temporarily or permanently.
There are two varieties of storage devices used with computers: a
primary storage device, for example, RAM, and a secondary storage
device, for example, a hard drive. Some other examples of storage
devices are SD cards, Floppy diskette, CD-ROM disc, Memory card etc.

QUESTIONS

1. What is the primary function of computer hardware?

A) To provide a set of instructions for the computer

B) To manage communication between software and the computer
C) To execute programming code
D) To physically control the operation of the computer

2. Which of the following is an example of system software?

A) MS Word
B) Windows
C) Photoshop
D) Google Chrome

3. What is the difference between hardware and software?

A) Hardware is intangible, and software is tangible

B) Hardware can be physically touched, whereas software cannot
C) Hardware is executed on the processor, while software is not
D) Software manages the computer's hardware components

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4. What does system software primarily do?

A) Perform tasks for the user such as word processing

B) Assist the user in communicating with the computer's hardware
C) Run end-user programs
D) Enable web browsing

5. What is the main function of application software?

A) To run the computer hardware

B) To perform basic tasks like word processing and web browsing
C) To control memory and data processing
D) To manage user inputs and outputs

6. Which of the following is an example of an input device?

A) Monitor
B) Printer
C) Mouse
D) Speaker

7. What type of software runs in the background and is not directly

used by the end-user?

A) Application software
B) Utility software
C) System software
D) Security software

8. Which of the following is an example of secondary storage?

A) RAM
B) Hard drive
C) CPU
D) CD-ROM

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9. What is the purpose of processing devices in a computer system?

A) To input data
B) To execute programming instructions
C) To store data
D) To output results

10. Why is software important in modern technology?

A) It allows hardware to run without external devices

B) It helps manage the computer's physical components
C) It enhances daily life by performing specific tasks across devices
D) It controls the basic functions of a computer without external help

QUESTIONS
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN COMPLETE SENTENCES:
1. What are the devices that are utilized to receive data from the central
processing unit known as?
The devices that are utilized to receive data from the
………………………………………………………………………………………
central processing unit are known as output devices.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Which of the following-Keyboard, Monitor, Light Pen is not an input
device?
The monitor is not an input device, as it is an output device.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Information moves from components to Motherboard via
CMOS/Busses or Flash memory?

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Information moves from components to the motherboard

………………………………………………………………………………………
via CMOS/Busses.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
4. The data bus follows a bidirectional/multi-directional or single
directional path.
The data bus follows a Bidirectional/multi-directional path.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
5. What is the full form of DASD?
The full form of DASD is Direct Access Storage Device.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
6. What does the computer utilize for comparison and calculations?
The computer utilizes the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) for
………………………………………………………………………………………
comparison and calculations.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
7. Is the software practiced to drive microprocessor-based systems
recognized as assembly language programs or firmware?
The software used to drive microprocessor-based systems is
………………………………………………………………………………………
recognized as firmware.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
8. What is the number of bits used in the data bus 7, 8 or 9?
The number of bits used in the data bus is
………………………………………………………………………………………
typically 8 bits.
………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………

9. What is the language that hardware understands?

The language that hardware understands is machine language
………………………………………………………………………………………
or binary code (0s and 1s).
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
10. What are some examples of hardware?
Some examples of hardware include CPU, motherboard,
………………………………………………………………………………………
mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, and hard disk.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………

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LISTENING SECTION
Answer the questions according to the information given in the
listening passage:
1. According to the listening passage, what is the function of input
devices?
o a) To provide data to the computer
o b) To receive data from the computer
o c) To process data
o d) To store data

2. According to the listening passage, which of the following is an

example of an output device?
o a) Keyboard
o b) Mouse
o c) Printer
o d) Microphone

3. According to the listening passage, which input device is

commonly used to capture audio?
o a) Keyboard
o b) Microphone
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o c) Scanner
o d) Webcam

4. According to the listening passage, what does a scanner do?

o a) Inputs sound
o b) Captures digital images of physical documents
o c) Controls cursor movement
o d) Converts printed text into Braille

5. According to the listening passage, which device is used to

display information visually?
o a) Microphone
o b) Speaker
o c) Monitor
o d) Joystick

6. According to the listening passage, what is the primary function

of a keyboard?
o a) To display images
o b) To control the cursor
o c) To input text and commands
o d) To record audio
7. According to the listening passage, which of the following is
true about output devices?

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o a) They send data to the computer.

o b) They allow the computer to display or present results.
o c) They process data directly.
o d) They receive data from the computer.

8. According to the listening passage, which device converts

digital data into a physical printout?
o a) Printer
o b) Webcam
o c) Microphone
o d) Trackball

9. According to the listening passage, which of the following is an

example of a pointing device?
o a) Printer
o b) Mouse
o c) Keyboard
o d) Monitor

10. According to the listening passage, what is the function of

a webcam?
o a) To scan documents
o b) To record audio
o c) To capture video for conferencing or streaming
o d) To display images

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Unit Vocabulary

WORD LIST ARABIC MEANING NOTES

Processors ‫ا&عالجات‬
Network card ‫بطاقة الشبكة‬
Storage
devices
‫اجهزة التخزين‬

Web browsing ‫نترنت‬:‫تصفح ا‬

Graphics ‫الرسومات‬
Motherboard ‫م‬C‫اللوحة ا‬
Application
‫برامج التطبيقات‬
Software

Processing
devices
‫اجهزة ا&عالجة‬

System
‫برامج النظام‬
Software

Initialized
‫تم التهيئة‬

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