Hardware: physical parts of the computer system
that you can touch and see
Software: a collection of instructions that can be
'run' on a computer
Main Computer Components
Central Processing Unit (CPU): it's the device that carries
out software instructions, It's spped is measured in
Hertz.
Main Memory: Any data or instructions that are processed by the CPU must be placed here.
Random Access Memory (RAM): part of the
computer that temporarily stores the
instructions that the computer is running, and the
data it is processing. IT's volatile. It contains the
operating system software. The application
software currently being used. Any data that is
being processed.
Read-only Memory (ROM): used in most
computers to hold a small, special piece of
software "the boot up program". It's non-volatile
so the data in it is never lost.
Input and output (Peripheral Devices)
Input: Devices that pass data into
the computer. (Keyboard...etc)
Output; Take data from the
computer. (Monitor, printer,
speaker...etc)
Operating system: a piece of
software that manages the general
operation of a computer system.
Provides user interface so we can interact with the computer.
Manages applications
Manages files.
Manages the computer memory.
Looks after computer security.
User interface: the system that people use to interact
with the computer.
Graphical Interface is built around visual things like windows,
icons, menus, a pointer.
Advantage; Easy to use.
Disadvantage: a
powerful computer is
needed.
Command Line Interface (CLI):
Dis; See nothing but a black screen, you have to
type commands to make anything happen, difficult
to use, only suitable for experts.