Looking Inside the Computer System

Parts of the Computer System Computer systems have four parts

HardwareSoftwareDataUser

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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

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Parts of the Computer System Data

Pieces of informationComputer organize and present data

UsersPeople operating the computerMost important partTell the computer what to do

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Information Processing Cycle Steps followed to process data Input Processing Output Storage

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Essential Computer Hardware Computers use the same basic

hardware Hardware categorized into four types

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Software Runs The Machine Tells the computer what to do Reason people purchase computers Two types

System softwareApplication software

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Software Runs The Machine System software

Most important softwareOperating system

○ Windows XPNetwork operating system (OS)

○ Windows Server 2003Utility

○ Symantec AntiVirus

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Software Runs The Machine Application software

Accomplishes a specific taskMost common type of software

○ MS WordCovers most common uses of computers

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Computer data

Fact with no meaning on its own Stored using the binary number system Data can be organized into files

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Computer users

Role depends on abilitySetup the systemInstall softwareManage filesMaintain the system

“Userless” computersRun with no user inputAutomated systems

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