INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
FUNDAMENTALS OF HARDWARE
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
A computer is a programmable device that stores, retrieves and processes data. Every computer
performs four basic operations:
1. Accept data (Input)
2. Process the data (Processing)
3. Produce output (Output)
4. Store results (Storage)
There are two basic components (parts) of a computer:
1. Hardware
2. Software
WHAT IS HARDWARE?
Hardware is the name given to describe all the physical parts of the computer. These are all the parts
that are tangible (can both be seen and touched).
THERE ARE FIVE BASIC CATEGORIES:
1. THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU) is the brain of a computer and controls how the rest of
the computer works. It includes the control unit (CU) and the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU).
The CU carries pout instructions in the software and directs the flow of data through the
computer. The ALU performs the calculations and logic operations.
2. INPUT DEVICES get data into a computer. A mouse, a keyboard and a scanner are all input
devices.
3. OUTPUT DEVICES get processes information out of a computer, for example to a printer,
computer screen or even to speakers.
4. MEMORY enables a computer to temporarily store instructions and data.
5. STORAGE MEDIA include hard disks, CD – ROMs, DVDs, and USB flash memory sticks, while the
storage devices include hard disk drives, CD – ROM drives and DVD drives. Most of these devices
can read data whilst others, such as USB flash memory sticks, allow data to be saved as well as.
6. PERIPHERAL DEVICES are located outside the CPU but are controlled by it. That is, they can be
added to a computer system. Input, Output and Storage devices may be peripheral devices.
PARTS OF THE COMPUTER
FUNDAMENTALS OF HARDWARE
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
A computer is a programmable device that stores, retrieves and processes data. Every computer
performs four basic operations:
1. Accept data (Input)
2. Process the data (Processing)
3. Produce output (Output)
4. Store results (Storage)
There are two basic components (parts) of a computer:
1. Hardware
2. Software
WHAT IS HARDWARE?
Hardware is the name given to describe all the physical parts of the computer. These are all the parts
that are tangible (can both be seen and touched).
THERE ARE FIVE BASIC CATEGORIES:
1. THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU) is the brain of a computer and controls how the rest of
the computer works. It includes the control unit (CU) and the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU).
The CU carries pout instructions in the software and directs the flow of data through the
computer. The ALU performs the calculations and logic operations.
2. INPUT DEVICES get data into a computer. A mouse, a keyboard and a scanner are all input
devices.
3. OUTPUT DEVICES get processes information out of a computer, for example to a printer,
computer screen or even to speakers.
4. MEMORY enables a computer to temporarily store instructions and data.
5. STORAGE MEDIA include hard disks, CD – ROMs, DVDs, and USB flash memory sticks, while the
storage devices include hard disk drives, CD – ROM drives and DVD drives. Most of these devices
can read data whilst others, such as USB flash memory sticks, allow data to be saved as well as.
6. PERIPHERAL DEVICES are located outside the CPU but are controlled by it. That is, they can be
added to a computer system. Input, Output and Storage devices may be peripheral devices.
PARTS OF THE COMPUTER
