Week 3: Appendix A - Hardware and Software Basics

Hardware

consists of the physical devices associated with a computer system.

Software

is the set of instructions the hardware executes to carry out specific tasks.

Computer

an electronic device that accepts, manipulates, and stores data under the control of instructions stored in its memory.

Hardware Components

• Central Processing Unit (CPU) 

• Storage (RAM (Primary Storage)

• ROM (Read-Only Memory)

• External (Secondary Storage) 

• Input Devices 

• Output Devices

Computer Categories

• Smart Phone/Personal Digital Assistant (PDA): Handheld devices with computing ability and connectivity.

• Laptop/Notebook/Portable Computer/Netbook: Portable computers equipped with the technology of a personal desktop computer.

• Tablet Computer: Computer with a flat screen that typically uses a mouse or fingertip for input.

• Personal/Desktop Computer (Microcomputer): Operated by a single user who can customize functions.

• Workstation/Minicomputer (Server): Has powerful mathematical and graphics capabilities; designed to meet the computing needs of several people simultaneously in a small to medium-sized business.

• Mainframe Computer: Designed to meet the computing needs of hundreds of people in a large business environment.

• Supercomputer: The fastest, most powerful, and most expensive computer, employed by organizations involved in extensive research and number crunching.

• An appliance is a computer dedicated to a single function, such as a calculator or computer game.

Software Categories

The two main types of software are system software and application software.

• Operating System (System Software)

• Utility (System Software)

• Application (Application Software)

Operating System (System Software)

• System software controls how the various technology tools work together along with the application software.

• Operating system software specifically controls the application software and manages how the hardware devices work together.

• The OS supports multitasking, allowing more than one piece of software to be used at a time.

• An embedded operating system is used in computer appliances or special-purpose applications (like an ATM or media player) for a single purpose.

• Examples include Linux, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, and UNIX.

Utility (System Software)

• Utility software provides additional functionality to the operating system.

• Examples include antivirus software, crash-proof software, disk optimization software, and software to encrypt data.

• Safe mode occurs if the system is failing and will load only the most essential parts of the operating system.

Application (Application Software)

• Application software is used for specific information processing needs, such as payroll, customer relationship management, or word processing.

• It is used to solve specific problems or perform specific tasks.

• Examples include browsers, email, presentation graphics, and spreadsheet programs.

• Software updates (patches) fix problems or enhance features, while a software upgrade releases a new version with significant changes to the program.

• Software can be distributed via various licenses, including single-user, network user, site, or application service provider licenses.