Module 2 : Part 1 INTRODUCTION TO HARDWARE & SOFTWARE INTRODUCTION TO HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

Module Objectives At the end of the module, students should be able to: –identify the terms and concept related to computer hardware and software –identify the six basic unit of a computer –identify the two types of computer software –explain the differences between application software and system software

Hardware Vs. Software ??? Hardware - objects that we can actually touch, like disks, disk drives, display screens, keyboards, printers, boards, and chips. Software - untouchable. Software exists as ideas, concepts, and symbols, but it has no substance.

Hardware Vs. Software ??? Books provide a useful analogy. The pages and the ink are the hardware, while the words, sentences, paragraphs, and the overall meaning are the software. A computer without software is like a book full of blank pages –you need software to make the computer useful just as you need words to make a book meaningful

Basic Unit of A Computer Every computer can be divided into six basic units : 1. Input Unit “Receiving” section of computer Obtains data from input devices –Usually a keyboard, mouse, disk or scanner Places data at disposal of other units

Basic Unit of A Computer 2. Output Unit “Shipping” section of computer Puts processed data/info on various output devices –Monitor (screens), printers, projector, speakers Makes info available outside the computer

Basic Unit of A Computer 3.Memory Unit Rapid access, low capacity “warehouse” Retains information entered through input unit Retains info that has already been processed until can be sent to output unit Often called memory, primary memory, or random access memory (RAM)

Basic Unit of A Computer 4. Arithmetic and Logic Unit “Manufacturing” section of computer Performs calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) Contains decision mechanisms and can make comparisons The Arithmetic and Logic unit is responsible for doing the actual computing and so can be considered to be the brain of the computer

Basic Unit of A Computer 5. Central Processing Unit (CPU) –“Administrative” section of computer - coordinates and supervises other sections –the heart of the computer where all the computing is done. –All the other devices are concerned with moving data to or from the CPU. –The central processing unit consists of three main components, the control unit, the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU), and the registers.

Basic Unit of A Computer 6. Secondary Storage Unit Long-term, high-capacity “warehouse” Stores programs or data not currently being used by other units on secondary storage devices (like discs) Takes longer to access than primary memory

Basic Computer Hardware

Inside the computer…

PC (IBM-Compatible) –Emphasis on Business Computing –More popular platform in the world –Normally CPU powered By Intel, AMD –Normally Windows is the OS for PC –First PC was introduced by IBM Common Computer Platform

Apple Macintosh –Very popular for computer graphics application –Very good Graphical User Interface –Native Digital Video File format (QuickTime) –Latest CPU=G5 processor (2.7 GHz) –OS System is MAC OS

What is Software ? Series of instructions or programs that process data Two types : –System software Used mainly by the computer –Application software Used only by the user The purpose of software is to cause a task, process, or computation to be performed. A task can include the retrieval, storage, or display of information. A computer system requires software to make the best use of its capabilities and to solve problems

What is System Software ? Enables application software to interact with computer hardware A “Background” software  manage internal computer resources and coordinate the application software requests with computer hardware without user interaction Operating system software Most important system software Executes application software Stores data and programs manages all the overall operation of the computer system I.e.  Eg. Window XP, Windows 2000, Linux, UNIX, Sun Solaris, Mac OS X

Windows platform (NT, 98, 98se, ME, 2000, XP, 2003) is currently the dominating OS for the personal computer (IBM-PC and compatible). By Microsoft. Popular Operating System Windows OS

Popular Operating System Mac OS The main operating system for the Apple Macintosh. The most advanced version is Mac OS X. Previous version includes Mac OS 8.0 and 9.0.

Popular Operating System Linux OS Open Source operating system Many distributions/versions Red Hat 9.0, Mandrake, SuSE, Lindows, Knoppix and many others

What is Application Software ? General-purpose programs –Some types: Browsers, Spreadsheet, Database management systems, presentation graphics, word processor –i.e  Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint Special-purpose programs –Custom written for specialized tasks –written for an organization’s or business type’s specific purpose –i.e.  Online Registration System End-user software  enter commands and typically interact with application programs.

Application Software Word processorSpreadsheetsDatabases Communications Others - GroupwarePresentation