Looking Inside the Computer System
Parts of the Computer System Computer systems have four parts
HardwareSoftwareDataUser
1B-1B-22
Parts of the Computer System Hardware
Mechanical devices in the computerAnything that can be touched
SoftwareTell the computer what to doAlso called a programThousands of programs exist
1B-1B-33
Parts of the Computer System Data
Pieces of informationComputer organize and present data
UsersPeople operating the computerMost important partTell the computer what to do
1B-1B-44
Information Processing Cycle Steps followed to process data Input Processing Output Storage
1B-1B-55
Essential Computer Hardware Computers use the same basic
hardware Hardware categorized into four types
1B-1B-66
Essential Computer Hardware Processing devices
Brains of the computerCarries out instructions from the programManipulate the dataMost computers have several processorsCentral Processing Unit (CPU)Secondary processorsProcessors made of silicon and copper
1B-1B-77
Essential Computer Hardware Memory devices
Stores data or programsRandom Access Memory (RAM)
○ Volatile○ Stores current data and programs○ More RAM results in a faster system
Read Only Memory (ROM)○ Permanent storage of programs○ Holds the computer boot directions
1B-1B-88
Essential Computer Hardware Input and output devices
Allows the user to interactInput devices accept data
○ Keyboard, mouseOutput devices deliver data
○ Monitor, printer, speakerSome devices are input and output
○ Touch screens
1B-1B-99
Essential Computer Hardware Storage devices
Hold data and programs permanentlyDifferent from RAMMagnetic storage
○ Floppy and hard drive○ Uses a magnet to access data
Optical storage○ CD and DVD drives○ Uses a laser to access data
1B-1B-1010
Software Runs The Machine Tells the computer what to do Reason people purchase computers Two types
System softwareApplication software
1B-1B-1111
Software Runs The Machine System software
Most important softwareOperating system
○ Windows XPNetwork operating system (OS)
○ Windows Server 2003Utility
○ Symantec AntiVirus
1B-1B-1212
Software Runs The Machine Application software
Accomplishes a specific taskMost common type of software
○ MS WordCovers most common uses of computers
1B-1B-1313
Computer data
Fact with no meaning on its own Stored using the binary number system Data can be organized into files
1B-1B-1414
Computer users
Role depends on abilitySetup the systemInstall softwareManage filesMaintain the system
“Userless” computersRun with no user inputAutomated systems
1B-1B-1515