Hardware refers to all the parts of the Computer System that we can touch. Examples of hardware are monitors, joysticks, printers, processors etc. • Software refers to all the programs and data that | Computer Hardware Backing Storage Devices Input Devices Output Devices Hardware and Software Hardware refers to all the parts of the Computer System that we can touch. Examples of hardware are monitors, joysticks, printers, processors etc. Software refers to all the programs and data that we use with the computer. A computer is an information processing machine. A computer only follows the instructions it is given. Data is Input, Processed and then Output. What is a Computer? I’m ONLY a machine! Sizes of Computers Microprocessor A small chip programmed with instructions. Microcomputer The most common type of computer. The IBM PC is a microcomputer Mini Computer Medium to Large computers - mainly used to process business information. Mainframe Computer Very powerful computers able to process 1000’s of times more information a second than PCs Smallest Biggest IPO - Input, Process, Output INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT Data is INPUT into the computer system It is then PROCESSED to produce useful Information as OUTPUT. Data and Information Data has no meaning Data is made up of symbols . 871652; H789 IOS; £ Information has a meaning We understand what a piece of information is about Telephone Number: 871652 Car License Plate: H789 IOS More Input, Process, Output Data is the RAW MATERIAL. INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT This raw material is processed. When the processing is completed a useful thing is produced INFORMATION Computer - Block Diagram The Computer System consists of four parts. Input, Processor [CPU], Output, Backing Storage Backing Storage Devices Input Devices Central Processing Unit (CPU) Output Devices The central processing unit (CPU) This is the part of the computer where the searching and sorting of data, calculating and decision-making goes on. The CPU contains the processor [Control Unit and the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)] and the Main Memory The Processor The CONTROL UNIT fetches program instructions from the memory storage locations, decodes and then | Computer Hardware Backing Storage Devices Input Devices Output Devices Hardware and Software Hardware refers to all the parts of the Computer System that we can touch. Examples of hardware are monitors, joysticks, printers, processors etc. Software refers to all the programs and data that we use with the computer. A computer is an information processing machine. A computer only follows the instructions it is given. Data is Input, Processed and then Output. What is a Computer? I’m ONLY a machine! Sizes of Computers Microprocessor A small chip programmed with instructions. Microcomputer The most common type of computer. The IBM PC is a microcomputer Mini Computer Medium to Large computers - mainly used to process business information. Mainframe Computer Very powerful computers able to process 1000’s of times more information a second than PCs Smallest Biggest IPO - Input, Process, Output INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT Data is INPUT into the computer system It is then PROCESSED to produce useful .
