Components

=Components of a Computer System=

Hardware is the physical components of the computer which actually perform the functions of a computer. Hardware can be broken down into two major categories. There is the computer it self which comprises of the Central Processing Unit (CPU), Hard Disk Drives (HDD), Main/Motherboard (MD), Random access Memory (RAM), CD/DVD drives, Power Supply Unit (PSU) and the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).
 * ====**Hardware**====

Then there are the peripherals, they are outside the computer. Peripherals can be broken down into threesub categories.
 * 1) The input devices. These can be anything that is used to input data into the computer. Examples of input devices are as follows: a mouse, keyboard, microphone etc.
 * 2) The output devices. These can be anything that show what the computer has done in a way the user can understand. E.G Text, Video, Sound, Image or other media. Examples of output devices are as follows: a Monitor, speakers, printer etc.
 * 3) Storage devices. These are devices that are used to store data to you can use it again after the computer has been turned off. Examples include USB flash drives, CD's, DVD's etc.

There are two types of software, System software and Application software. System software is the software that allows the hardware to work such as a operating system and drivers. The operating system takes inputs from the user and sends it the appropriate piece of hardware. Hardware drivers convert the information sent by the operating system to a format the hardware can understand and use. Application software is software that allows the user to do a task with the computer. Examples of application software : Adobe photo shop, Microsoft Word etc.
 * **Software**

//Examples: printer, monitor, keyboard //
 * __ Summed Up In One :) __**
 * __Hardware: __** the physical parts of the system.

//Examples: printer //
 * __Peripheral Device: __** hardware devices outside the computer processor.

//Examples: word-processing software, database, spreadsheet //
 * __Software: __** a set of instructions that tell the computer how to do useful things.

//Examples: microphone, keyboard, scanner //
 * __Input Device: __** any piece of hardware that sends data to the computer. Needed to allow easy inputting of data into the computer

//Examples: printer, monitor, speakers //
 * __Output Device: __** any piece of hardware that receives data from the computer. Needed to allow the computer to show the results of its processing.

//Examples: USB, CD, hard disk //
 * __<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Storage Device: __**<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> any piece of hardware that stores data outside the processor. Data must be saved for future use if processor is switched off. Needed to transfer data between two machines.

· <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Also knows as operating system. · <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Controls basic functions of computer · <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Controls hardware of computer · <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Allows user to communicate with computer · <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Allows software to communicate with hardware · //<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Examples: Windows XP // · <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Software that allows the user to do a useful task on the computer. · //<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Examples: word processor //
 * __<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Systems Software __**
 * __<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Applications Software __**