Computer: An electronic device that can stores, processes data, information and
producer input and output result.
Hardware and Software
Hardware- The term hardware refers to the physical components of your
computer such as the system unit, mouse, keyboard, monitor etc.
Software- is computer program or instructions that makes the computer work. It is
held on your computer’s either hard disk, flash disk or window 7,8,10
A computer system requires four main aspects of data handling;
 Input,
 Processing,
 Output,
 Storage.
Input: is data to be accepted into the computer.
processor, or central processing unit:(CPU)CPU interprets and executes program
instructions and communicates with the input, output, and storage devices.
Storage:is memory holds input data before processing and then processed data
after processing, until the data is released to the output device.
Output:Users can see output displayed on a screen, oruse printersto display output
on paper.
Peripheral Devices: Computer peripherals are any of a number of devices that
work with a computer. Can be
1. EXTERNAL -- such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, monitor,
andscannerspeakers, microphones, joysticks, , digital camera, modem, and
scanners.
2. INTERNAL, such as a CD-ROM drive, CD-R drive or internal modem.
Internal peripheral devices are often devices are often referred to as
integrated peripherals
Device Driver: program that controls a device and acts like a translator between
the drive and the programs that use for device. E.g.Printers, scanners, and network
cards all require software drivers so that the computer knows how to communicate
and control the device
Operating System:is the instructions that allow the computer to start working and
permit it to run other programs. E.g. Windows xp,7,8,10
Computer basic component those are component with computer working with
them are as follow.
motherboard
This is the main circuit board that all of the other internal components connect to.
The CPU and memory are usually on the motherboard
Desktop computer: is a flat computer that usually sits on a desk, the original
design for a home or office users.
Tower computer:an upright computer that looks like someone took a desktop
computer and turned it on its side, it’s the old model types
Mouse: Input device that allows the user to “point and click” or “drag and drop.
Memory (RAM); Random Access Memory; Fast computer chips that temporarily
store information while a computer is in user.
RAM/DRAM SlotThis is where additional RAM chips are fixed
Hard diskDrive: The main storage area inside your computer (usually called a C:
drive).
The hard disk or hard drive stores your computer's operating system, the programs
that are installed on your computer, and most of your files.
USB flash drive - a flash memory data storage device integrated with a USB
interface, typically small, lightweight, removable and rewritable.
Floppy disk - an outdated storage device consisting of a thin disk of a flexible
magnetic storage medium
CD-ROM; Compact Disk Read-Only Memory; a removable disk, which can store
large amounts of information (650 - 700 megabytes).
CD-RW (Compact Disk- Rewritable) drive which allows the user to save
information onto a CD.
Printer: Allows the computer user to produce paper copies of the information
processed by the computer.
Modem; A telecommunications peripheral device that translates data from your
PC into a form that can be sent to connect other computers over regular phone lines
or simcard.
Scanners: allow you to transfer pictures and photographs to your computer as
software.
Digital Camera; Allow you to take digital photographs. The images are stored on
a memory chip or disk that can be transferred to your computer.
Cards: Are components added to computers to increase their capability. e.g. sound
cards, video cards, network card etc
Network Cards; Allow computers to connected and send information
A computer power supply unit (Computer PSU)
Is the component that supplies power to a computer. More specifically, a power
supply is typically designed to convert 100-120 V (North America and Japan) or
220-240 V (Europe, Asia and Australia) AC power from the mains to usable lowvoltage DC power for the internal components of the computer
Different Types of Computers?
 Mainframe computers
 Mini computers
 Super computers
 Desktop computers
 Workstations
 Notebook (Laptop)
 Tablet PCs
 Smart phones
PDAs - Personal digital assistants or pen-based computers