COMPUTER HARDWARE

AND SOFTWARE
Lesson 1.3
A computer is an electronic device operated under the control of instructions and directions
stored in its memory. It follows a series of instructions and makes calculations. Computers are
composed of different elements. These elements can be matched and mixed in hundreds of
different ways so that you can customize a computer that meets your exact needs. These
components are called hardware and software.
Computer Hardware

◦ These are the physical elements of a computer, including the case, central processing unit (CPU),
monitor, mouse, keyboard, speaker, printer, etc. Hardware is the hard part of a computer that you can
touch with your hands. Hardware is classified into input devices, output devices, storage devices, and
Central Processing Unit/System Unit. Peripherals are the other devices that work with a computer.
Classification of Hardware
Input Device
 Output Device
 Storage Device
 System Unit
INPUT DEVICE

◦ Input is transferring human-readable data to a computer or the action of feeding data to computers.
Input Devices are the devices used to feed data to computers.
Mouse

A device used to control the movement of the pointer. You

can move it around on a flat surface. A pointer is an on-
screen object. Usually, an arrow is used to select text and
interact with computer programs and files.
Keyboard

A device is composed of a set of keys that enable us to

enter data to the computer. The keyboard is composed of
many keys the alphanumeric keys, special keys, etc. A
primary input device for entering text and numbers.
Microphone

A device used to input or record sound.

Camera

A device used to capture images and videos.

Trackpad/Touchpad

A stationary pointing device that many

people find less tiring to use than a
mouse or trackball
Scanner

A device that scans images,

printed text, handwriting, or an
object and converts it to a digital
image
Lightpen

A light-sensitive stylus or pen-like

device, connected by a wire to the
computer.
OUTPUT DEVICE

 Output is the process of producing data from computers.

◦ Output Devices translates the information processed by the computer into a form that humans
can understand

◦ Classification of Output

 Hardcopy – refers to printed output, usually from printers.

 Softcopy – refers to data shown on the display screen / in audio or voice form.
Monitor

An output device displays its output on

screen (such as words, numbers, and
graphics).
Printer

A device that prints computer

data to papers.
Speaker

A device that produces sound output.

Storage device
 Storage is the action of saving data to storage devices.
 Storage devices is a device for recording (storing) information (data).
RAM

A primary storage device temporarily stores data. It is a

volatile memory, meaning it loses its content once the
power is off
Internal Hard Disk

The main secondary storage

device that stores all data,
including the program files,
folders, documents, music, and
video
External Hard Disk

An external hard disk is just a hard-

disk drive or solid-state drive required
to be connected to the computer
rather than inside the computer.
External hard disks are sometimes
called portable hard drives or mobile
hard drives.
Memory Cards

An electronic flash memory data storage device used for

storing information.
Optical Disk

Uses a laser to store and read data on CDs and DVDs.

USB Flash Drive
SYSTEM UNIT

◦ A system unit is a casing that contains the essential electronic components of the computer
used to process data. 
Power Supply

This device supplies electrical power in some of

the components inside the CPU.
CD/DVD ROM Drives

It is a device used to read the CD or DVD.

Hard Disk

The main secondary storage device that stores all data,

including the program files, folders, documents, music,
and video
Fan

A fan is attached inside the computer case used for active

cooling.
Motherboard

A central printed circuit board that holds many of the

necessary components of a computer system.
Microprocessor

The central brain of the computer system. It is a

computer chip that contains all the CPU functions. It
performs the command, instruction, and controls the
operation of the computer.
RAM

A primary storage device temporarily

stores data. It is a volatile memory,
meaning it loses its content once the
power is off
Computer Software

◦ Software is a combination of instructions, data, and programs that the computer needs to do a
specific task. Another term used for computer software is computer programs. Software is the
overall set of instructions that are feed to computers to operate and perform its specific task.
Categories of Software
 System Software

◦ It is a computer program that is designed to run a computer’s hardware and application programs. The operating system
(OS) is the example of system software. The Operating System manages the other programs on a computer.

◦ Other examples of system software includes:

◦ The BIOS (basic input/output system) makes the computer system started after turning it on. It controls the movement
of data between the operating system and attached devices such as the video adapter, hard disk, mouse, keyboard, and
printer.

◦ The boot program loads the OS into the computer's main memory or random-access memory/RAM.

◦ The assembler gets the essential computer instructions and translates them into a bits pattern that the computer's
processor can perform its essential process.

◦ A device driver manages a particular type of device connected to your computers, such as a mouse or a keyboard. The
driver program translates the more general input/output instructions of the operating system to messages that the device
type can understand.
 Application Software
A type of software which is designed for end-user. It is a set of programs that allows the
computer to perform a specific data processing job for the user.
Other examples of application software include:

◦ Internet applications are application software that runs on a web server. The user accesses web applications through a web
browser with an active internet connection. It includes web browsers, search engines, social networking sites, e-commerce.

◦ Productivity software is an application that allows to create items like documents, presentations, projects, designs, and
charts. It makes people's work more efficient and effective in their daily activities. This software is becoming more popular
and more in demand to learn for employment. The three popular applications are word processing, spreadsheet, and
database. All three programs are beneficial.

◦ Communications applications is a software which is used for communication purposes. Examples are messenger, zoom,
google meet, etc.

◦ Graphics programs refer to a program or collection of programs that enable a person to manipulate images or models
visually on a computer. Examples are adobe photoshop, CorelDraw, Picasa, etc.

◦ Games software, alternatively referred to as a video game, is a software code designed to entertain or educate an individual.
Today, computer gaming is big business, and there are millions of different computer games that are enjoyed by people of
all ages.
Programming Software
Programming software includes tools in the form of programs or applications. Software
developers use programming software to create, debug, maintain, or otherwise support other
programs and applications.

Programming software includes the following:

◦ Compiler is a computer software (or set of programs) that converts a source code written in

a programming language into another computer language.

◦ Debugger or debugging tool is a computer software that is used to test and debug other

programs (the "target" program).

◦ Example programming software is visual studio, android studio, devC++, etc.