COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

• INTRODUCTON
A computer system consists of hardware and
software. The computer hardware cannot perform
any task on its own. It needs to be instructed
about the tasks to be performed. Software is a set
of programs that instructs the computer about
the tasks to be performed. Software tells the
computer how the tasks are to be performed;
hardware carries out these tasks.
 CON’T… INTRO
• Different sets of software can be loaded on
the same hardware to perform different kinds
of tasks. For example, a user can use the same
computer hardware for writing a report or for
running a payroll program. The components
like monitor, keyboard, processor, and mouse,
constitute the hardware
COMPUTER/ICT HARDWARE
• Computer/ICT hardware refers to
the physical and tangible
components (this that you can see
and touch) that make up a
computer and related ICT gadgets.
 COMPUTER/ICT GADGETS
COMPUTERS – these may be:-
• Desktop
• Laptops
• Palmtops
• I pads
• Notebook
• Tablets, etc
COMPUTER/ICT GADGETS CONT…D
• TELEVISION - an electronic device for
broadcasting/receiving mobile images and
sound.
• RADIO - an electronic device for
broadcasting/receiving sounds.
• DIGITAL CAMERA – an electronic device that
records and stores photographic images in
digital form.
• MOBILE PHONES, DIGITAL PROJECTORS, GAME
CONSOLES …etc
BASIC ELEMENTS OF A COMPUTER

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

STORAGE
 INPUT
• The input part of a computer is concerned with
entering data/content into a computer system.
• An input device is any piece of hardware which is
used to enter data/content into a computer
system.
 Following are some examples of input devices:
 KEYBOARD – for typing/keying in characters.
 MOUSE - a hand held pointing/selecting device
 INPUT DEVICES CONT…D
 MICROPHONE – for capturing and inputting
sound.
 SCANNER - used to transfer images or text
from paper into a digital format.
 BARCODE READER
 JOYSTICK
 WEBCAM
 TOUCH PAD, JOYPAD, TOUCH SCREEN, ….
 OUTPUT
• The output part of a computer is concerned with
retrieving/producing data/information/content
from a computer system.
• An output device is any piece of hardware which is
used to retrieve data/information/content from a
computer system.
 Following are some examples of input devices:
 MONITOR – for visual display of output.
 PRINTER – for producing hardcopy printouts.
 PROJECTOR, SPEAKERS, PLOTTER, EARPHONES,
TOUCH SCREEN, etc..
 PROCESSING
• The processing part of a computer is concerned with
transforming data into information.
• Processing is done by the Central Processing Unit (CPU).
• The CPU is the core of every Computer. Without it, a
computer can not function.
• The CPU is a microchip that is installed on a
motherboard and acts as the computer’s brain -
performing calculations and coordinating the hardware
components.
• The processing speed of the CPU is measured in Hertz
(Hz), which is the number of clock cycles per second.
MOTHER BOARD
MOTHERBOARD CONT..D
 THREE PARTS OF THE CPU
• ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT (ALU) - is the part of
the CPU that performs all arithmetic
computations and all logical operations.
• CONTROL UNIT - is responsible for executing
or storing the results coming out of the ALU.
The control unit performs the functions of
fetch, decode, execute, and store.
• REGISTERS - are the temporary storage areas
for instructions or data within the processor
CONT…
 MEMORY/STORAGE
• Often the terms 'storage' and 'memory’ are used
interchangeably but they are not the same thing.
• Memory stores the files that you are working on
right there and then and also modules from the
applications that you are using or are open. These
are kept in RAM (Random Access Memory).
• This data is usually lost if the computer crashes or
is switched off, hence this type of memory is
volatile.
• Primary memory is the main memory of a
computer. Also known as the RAM
 MEMORY/STORAGE CONT….D
• Storage is where your files and computer programs are
kept permanently so that you can get hold of them at
any time. They won't be lost when the computer is
switched off. It is non volatile
The other type of memory is Secondary memory
Also known as ROM (Read Only Memory). This, on a
computer, holds the instructions needed to start the
computer up - it doesn't get wiped out when the
computer is turned off. Generally, you can not change
anything on this type of memory. It is also non volatile
This memory is also known by other names as storage,
external, auxiliary, long-term or back-up storage
 INTERNAL MEMORY/STORAGE
• HARD DISK – is the main storage device of a
computer. It is like a filing cabinet: all of your
data files and applications software are stored
on it.
• RAM - is the memory in a computer that is
used to store computer programs while they
are running any information the programs need
to do their job.
• ROM – on a computer, the ROM holds the
instructions needed to start the computer up.
 EXTERNAL STORAGE
This is also known as auxiliary/backing
storage. Following are some examples:
• EXTERNAL HARD DISK,
• FLASK DISK,
• MAGNETIC TAPE,
• MEMORY CARD,
• ZIP DISK, FLOPPY DISK, …
 CONT…
Following are examples of optical storage
media.
• Optical' means light.
• So an 'optical device' makes use of light in
order to work.
• BLU-RAY DISK,
• DIGITAL VERSATILE DISK (DVD),
• COMPACT DISK (CD), …
 STORAGE CAPACITY AND SIZE
 Memory in a CPU is organised in cells. Each cell has a
unique number called its address.
 BIT – a binary digit, that is, either 0 or 1
 BYTE – a collection of 8 bits, that is,
1 Byte = 8 bits
 KILOBYTE – abbreviated as KB, is 1024 Bytes.
 MEGABYTE – abbreviated as MB, is 1024 KB, that is,
1 MB = 1024 KB
= 1024 x 1024 Bytes.
 CONT…D
 GIGABYTE – abbreviated as GB, is 1024 MB, that is,
1 GB = 1024 MB
= 1024 x 1024 KB
= 1024 x 1024 x 1024 Bytes
 TERABYTE – abbreviated as TB, is 1024 GB, that is,
1TB = 1024 GB
= 1024 x 1024 MB
= 1024 x 1024 x 1024 KB
= 1024 x 1024 x 1024 x 1024 Bytes
 COMPUTER SOFTWARE
• What is Software?
Hardware include all the physical pieces that
make up a computer. Hardware is useless
without software, however. SOFTWARE refers to
the set of programs/instructions/code that make
a computer and related devices
run/operational/functional.
 CATEGORIES OF SOFTWARE
• Software is commonly divided into two main
categories/types:
System software. This is software include programs
that help the computer work properly. System
Software refers to the Operating System, BIOS,
utilities and device drivers.
 Application software. This handles multitudes of
common and specialised tasks that users wants to
perform, such as accounting, communication, data
processing, word processing, presentation. This type
of software also includes programs that allow you to
use the computer to listen to music or play games.
 SYSTEM SOFTWARE
 An Operating System (OS) is a software program that
enables the computer hardware to communicate and
operate with the computer software.
Operating systems are collections of software that manage
resources and provides common services for other software
that runs "on top" of them.
 BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System – it is a set of
procedures stored on a type of ROM on the computer’s
motherboard, that allows you to access and set up your
computer system at the most basic level.
The procedures handle computer start-up operations such as
powering-on, self-testing and hardware configurations.
configurations for devices such as disk drives, input and output.
 SYSTEM SOFTWARE cont.…d
Device drivers these operate or control a particular
type of device that is attached to a computer.
Drivers enable one or more hardware devices to
communicate with the computer's operating system.
Without drivers, the computer would not be able to send
and receive data correctly to hardware devices, such as a
printer.
Utilities These are computer programs designed to
assist users in the maintenance and care of their
computers, such as, compressing files, defragmenting
the hard disk, disk Clean-up. The programs that help
the computer work properly.
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE
• Following are some of the Application Software Packages:
 A Word Processor is software application, that performs
the task of composition, editing, formatting, printing of
documents. EG. Microsoft Word
 A Spreadsheet is a software application that enables a user
to create and manipulate data in rows and columns. EG.
Microsoft Excel
 A Database software is any software that is designed for
creating databases and managing the information stored in
them. Database Software tools are primarily used for
storing, modifying, extracting, and searching for
information within a database. For example; Microsoft
Office Access, Oracle.
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE cont.…d
 A Presentation Software is a package used to display
information in the form of a slide show.
 It has three major functions: an editor that allows text
to be inserted and formatted, a method for inserting and
manipulating graphic images, and a slide-show system to
display the content. For example; Microsoft Office Power
Point
 A Desktop Publishing Software is a tool for graphic
designers and non-designers to create visual
communications, such as, brochures, business cards,
greeting cards, Web pages, calendars, Flyers, posters. For
example; Microsoft Publisher.
 APPLICATION SOFTWARE cont.…d
A Web Browser is a software application that provides a
way to view and interact with websites and web pages
on the World Wide Web. For example; Google Chrome,
Internet Explorer, Opera mini
A Graphics Software is an application that enables a
user to create or manipulate visual images on a
computer. for example, Microsoft Paint, Adobe
Photoshop, CorelDRAW.
Web Design Software is an application that is to create,
edit, and update web pages and websites. For example,
Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Dreamweaver CS4,
WebPlus X4, Microsoft Expression Web 3.0 & Studio 3
 SOFTWARE ACQUISITION

Different kinds of software are made available

for use to users in different ways. The user
may have to purchase the software, can
download for free from the Internet, or can
get it bundled along with the hardware.
Nowadays with the advent of Cloud
computing, many application software are
also available on the cloud for use through the
Internet, e.g. Google Docs.
 Cont.…
• The different ways in which the software are
made available to users are:
Retail Software is off-the-shelf software sold in
retail stores. It comes with printed manuals
and installation instructions. For example,
Microsoft Windows operating system.
 Cont.…

• OEM Software stands for “Original Equipment

Manufacturer” software. It refers to software
which is sold, and bundled with hardware.
Microsoft sells its operating system as OEM
software to hardware dealers. OEM software is
sold at reduced price, without the manuals,
packaging and installation instructions. For
example, Dell computers are sold with the
“Windows 7” OS pre-loaded on them
 OPERATING SYSTEM
An Operating System (OS) is a software
program that enables the computer hardware
to communicate and operate with the
computer software.
Operating systems are collections of software
that manage resources and provides common
services for other software that runs "on top" of
them.
 WHAT OPERATING SYSTEM DO
The OS controls all computer’s function. It also
provides an interface, the on- screen tools you use
to interact with the computer and your programs.
The operating system performs several tasks:
• Manages the central processing unit(CPU) so that
processing tasks are done properly
• Manages computer memory.
• Manages file stored on the computer hard drive
 Cont.….
• Manages input and output devices
• Load application programs into memory
In most computers, the operating system is
stored on the hard drive. Before you can use the
computer, a portion of the operating system
must be loaded into memory.
 TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEMS
All computers require an operating system.
There are four kinds of operating systems.
Real- Time Systems Real time operating
systems are used to control large equipment,
such as heavy machinery and scientific
instruments, and to regulate factory
operations. In older for these systems to run,
they require little user interaction.
 Cont…
Single-User/Single-Task System The kind of system
lets one person do one task at a time. An example is
the operating system that controls a handheld
computer.
Single-User/Multitasking Systems A multitasking
system allows the computer to perform several
jobs, either one after the other or at the same time.
For example, you could use your computer to write
a letter as it downloads a page from the internet
and prints another letter.
 Cont….
Most desktops and laptops computers today use
this kind of system. Windows and Macintosh OS
are examples of this type of operating system.
Multi-User System These system allow many
individuals to use one large computer. The OS
balances all the tasks that the various users
ask the computer to do. UNIX is an example of
this type of operating system.