- While there are many more small components inside your computer, if you at least know what these parts of a computer are, you’re in a good position to understand your computer’s basic workings. And of course, if you have any questions, you can always call a friendly nerd at 916-306-5817.
- The Three Main Parts of a Computer System Unit. The system unit is the brains of the computer. The system unit of the computer contains the hard drive. The computer's monitor allows you to see what you're doing. Your computer's monitor lets you see what you're.
- Computer Parts Processor (CPU). The CPU or Central Processing Unit can be thought of as the brain of the computer. A CPU is responsible. A computers motherboard can be thought of as its heart or spine. The motherboard connects all the system. RAM or Random Access.
Every computer is composed of two basic components: hardware and software.
- hardware includes the Physical features, which are every part that you can either see or touch, for example: monitor, case, keyboard, mouse, and printer.
- The part which activates the physical components cs alled software. It includes the features that responsible for directing the work to the hardware. Software can be divided int othe programs and data.
The 4 main parts of a computer which ensure that users can access a wide variety of tools and services include the central processing unit, or CPU, the motherboard, the hard drive and random access memory, or RAM. Understanding the role of these computer parts will help you better understand how your computer gets the job done. Read full Article of the Standard Computer Components. Parts of Computer / Types of Computer Devices. The basic parts of a computer system are: Standard Computer Components. CPU (Central Processing Unit). The basic parts of a computer are shown in the picture given here.
- 13References
von-Neumann architecture of the computer[edit | edit source]
Von-Neumann computer consists of two main components: memory and CPU. The rest of the computer can be viewed as input/output devices for the two main components. This concept has not yet been overcome and even the latest computers still come from von-Neumann architecture.
Application Software[edit | edit source]
An application software is a computer program designed to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks, or activities. Examples of an application include a word processor, a spreadsheet, an accounting application, a web browser, a media player or a console game[1]. Applications may be connected with the computer and its system software or may be published separately, and may be coded as proprietary or open-source.
Operating System[edit | edit source]
Operating system is defined as a system software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs. All cpplication softwareomputer programs require an operating system to function. Operating system controls computer's hardware, run the computer's programs and organizes files.
CPU[edit | edit source]
Central processing unit. Unit that bring the instruction from memory to be executed and decodes.
Storing device[edit | edit source]
Any hardware that can hold information, temporarily or permanently. We distinguish two types of storage: a primary storage device (RAM), and a secondary storage device (hard drive). Secondary storage can be removable, internal, or external storage.
Examples of permanent computer storage:
1. Magnetic storage devices: hard drive, floppy diskette etc.
2. Optical: blu-ray disc, CD-rom disc etc.
3. Flash memory devices: memory card, memory stick, SSD
RAM[edit | edit source]
It stands for random access memory, it keeps the data and general purpose program that the compter is executing at the moment. RAM is not permanent, its contain can be changed and it is erased when the computer is off.
Motherboard[edit | edit source]
It is the physical arrangement in a computer that contains the computer's basic circuitry and components. It has a socket for the CPU, RAM and expansion part (sound cards, graphic cards ETC) and also connects together the CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card and more.
Bits and bytes[edit | edit source]
Bit is the smallest storage unit in the computer. A bit can store just 0 or 1, which is called binary, and therefore can be stored by physical devices or systems that has two separate states. For example 2 positions, or states of an electrical switch, the two states being ‘on‘ and ‘off‘. A bit can also be described as true/ false, no/ yes etc. Notice that a bit has only two coding options, or 2 values. One bit is too small to be used, and thus computers use a larger storage unit called bytes.
Bytes- are made of bits. 8 bits are used to create 1 byte. Notice that a Byte has 28 coding options, 256 values. RAM, hard drives and flash drives, are all types of storages measured by Bytes.
Other storage units:
- 1 KB (kilobytes)= 1024 Bytes
- 1 MB (megabytes)= 1024 KB
- 1 GB (gigabyte)= 1024 MB
- 1 TB (terabyte)= 1024 GB
- 1 PB (petabyte)= 1024 TB
Data[edit | edit source]
is any set of characters that has been gathered and translated for some purpose, usually analysis. It can be any character, including text and numbers, pictures, sound, or video. If data is not put into context, it doesn't do anything to a human or computer. Within a computer's storage, data is a collection of numbers represented as bytes that are in turn composed of bits.
Information[edit | edit source]
a meaning change data into information. For instance letter A, is only a data for an illiterate person but an information for someone who can read.
Knowledge[edit | edit source]
is a familiarity, awareness or understanding of someone or something, such as facts, information, descriptions or skills, which is acquired through experience or education by perceiving, discovering, or learning. Knowledge can refer to a theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
Algorithm[edit | edit source]
is a procedure or formula for solving a problem, based on conducting a sequence of specified actions. A computer program can be viewed as an elaborate algorithm. In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm usually means a small procedure that solves a recurrent problem.
References[edit | edit source]
1. 'Applicationsoftware'. PC Magazine. Ziff Davis.
external links[edit | edit source]
- Basics of Computers Tutorial
- Basics of Computers Resources
- Selected Reading
Being a modern-day kid you must have used, seen, or read about computers. This is because they are an integral part of our everyday existence. Be it school, banks, shops, railway stations, hospital or your own home, computers are present everywhere, making our work easier and faster for us. As they are such integral parts of our lives, we must know what they are and how they function. Let us start with defining the term computer formally.
The literal meaning of computer is a device that can calculate. However, modern computers can do a lot more than calculate. Computer is an electronic device that receives input, stores or processes the input as per user instructions and provides output in desired format.
Input-Process-Output Model
Computer input is called data and the output obtained after processing it, based on user’s instructions is called information. Raw facts and figures which can be processed using arithmetic and logical operations to obtain information are called data.
The processes that can be applied to data are of two types −
Arithmetic operations − Examples include calculations like addition, subtraction, differentials, square root, etc.
- Logical operations − Examples include comparison operations like greater than, less than, equal to, opposite, etc.
The corresponding figure for an actual computer looks something like this −
The basic parts of a computer are as follows −
Input Unit − Devices like keyboard and mouse that are used to input data and instructions to the computer are called input unit.
Output Unit − Devices like printer and visual display unit that are used to provide information to the user in desired format are called output unit.
Control Unit − As the name suggests, this unit controls all the functions of the computer. All devices or parts of computer interact through the control unit.
Arithmetic Logic Unit − This is the brain of the computer where all arithmetic operations and logical operations take place.
Memory − All input data, instructions and data interim to the processes are stored in the memory. Memory is of two types – primary memory and secondary memory. Primary memory resides within the CPU whereas secondary memory is external to it.
Control unit, arithmetic logic unit and memory are together called the central processing unit or CPU. Computer devices like keyboard, mouse, printer, etc. that we can see and touch are the hardware components of a computer. The set of instructions or programs that make the computer function using these hardware parts are called software. We cannot see or touch software. Both hardware and software are necessary for working of a computer.
Characteristics of Computer
To understand why computers are such an important part of our lives, let us look at some of its characteristics −
Speed − Typically, a computer can carry out 3-4 million instructions per second.
Accuracy − Computers exhibit a very high degree of accuracy. Errors that may occur are usually due to inaccurate data, wrong instructions or bug in chips – all human errors.
Reliability − Computers can carry out same type of work repeatedly without throwing up errors due to tiredness or boredom, which are very common among humans.
Versatility − Computers can carry out a wide range of work from data entry and ticket booking to complex mathematical calculations and continuous astronomical observations. If you can input the necessary data with correct instructions, computer will do the processing.
Storage Capacity − Computers can store a very large amount of data at a fraction of cost of traditional storage of files. Also, data is safe from normal wear and tear associated with paper.
Advantages of Using Computer
Now that we know the characteristics of computers, we can see the advantages that computers offer−
Computers can do the same task repetitively with same accuracy.
Computers do not get tired or bored.
Computers can take up routine tasks while releasing human resource for more intelligent functions.
Disadvantages of Using Computer
Despite so many advantages, computers have some disadvantages of their own −
Computers have no intelligence; they follow the instructions blindly without considering the outcome.
Regular electric supply is necessary to make computers work, which could prove difficult everywhere especially in developing nations.
Booting
Starting a computer or a computer-embedded device is called booting. Booting takes place in two steps −
- Switching on power supply
- Loading operating system into computer’s main memory
- Keeping all applications in a state of readiness in case needed by the user
The first program or set of instructions that run when the computer is switched on is called BIOS or Basic Input Output System. BIOS is a firmware, i.e. a piece of software permanently programmed into the hardware.
If a system is already running but needs to be restarted, it is called rebooting. Rebooting may be required if a software or hardware has been installed or system is unusually slow.
Basic Parts Of A Pc
There are two types of booting −
Basic Parts Of Computer And Their Definition
Cold Booting − When the system is started by switching on the power supply it is called cold booting. The next step in cold booting is loading of BIOS.
Warm Booting − When the system is already running and needs to be restarted or rebooted, it is called warm booting. Warm booting is faster than cold booting because BIOS is not reloaded.