(IS ch2) - Hardware and Software

central processing unit (CPU)

electronic circuit that executes instructions comprising a computer program

Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) (under CPU)

performs mathematical calculations and makes logical comparisons

registers (under CPU)

high speed storage areas that temporarily hold small units of program instructions and data immediately before/during/after execution by the CPU

control unit

accesses program instructions, decodes them, and coordinates the flow of data in and out of ALU, registers, primary+secondary storage, and various output devices

Primary storage / Main memory

provide the CPU with a working storage area for program instructions and data
→ rapidly provides data + instructions
→ contains thousands of circuits imprinted on a silicon chip.

Secondary storage (permanent storage)

allows organizations to store large amounts of data + instructions
→ non-volatile, greater capacity, greater economy

data input

input requires requires transferring human readable data into the computer system
→ machine readable data are barcodes

data entry

human readable data → machine readable data

data input

machine readable data → into the system

Server

used by many users to perform a specific task
→ large memory, strong capacities, fast + efficient communications abilities

web server

handles internet traffic
→ Internet caching server stores websites

Enterprise server

Stores and provides access to programs that meet the needs of the organisation

file server

stores and coordinates program and data files

Mainframe computers

large powerful computer shared by dozens of concurrent users connected to the machine over a network

Supercomputers

most powerful with fastest processing and highest performance

software

Software consists of computer programs that control the workings of a computer hardware

Systems software (Operating system (OS))

set of programs that control the computer hardware and acts as an interface with applications

enterprise operating systems

are like a computer OS, which provides the services that business functions and operations run on.

application software

gives people, workgroups, and the entire enterprise the ability to solve problems and perform specific tasks

Programming languages:

provide instructions to the computer system so that it can perform a processing activity

Graphical user interface (GUI)

user interface that uses icons + menus displayed on screen to send commands to the computer systems