Computer Hardware and Software Notes

HDD (Hard Disk Drive): A traditional storage device.
CPU (Central Processing Unit): The main processor of the computer.
Sound Card: A component that allows the computer to record and play sound.
ROM (Read-Only Memory): Non-volatile memory used to store firmware and BIOS.
SSD (Solid State Drive): A modern storage device with no moving parts, offering faster speeds than HDDs.
RAM (Random Access Memory): Volatile memory used for storing data and instructions currently in use.
Motherboard: The main circuit board of the computer, acting as a hub connecting all components.
NIC (Network Interface Card): Enables the computer to connect to a network.
Graphic Card: Allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display.

Software: General term for programs that control the computer system and process data.
Application Software: Software designed for specific tasks.
- Word processing.
- Spreadsheet.
- Video editing.
- Graphic editing.
- Audio editing.
- CAD (Computer-Aided Design).
- Database.
- Control & Measurement software.
System Software: Software that manages and supports the computer system.
- Operating System.
- Device Drivers.
- Utilities.
- Apps and Applets.
Compiler: A program that translates a program written in a high-level language into machine code.
Linkers: Software that combines compiled object code into an executable program.

User Interface: The means by which a user interacts with a computer system.
GUI (Graphical User Interface): Uses pictures and symbols (icons) to allow the user to communicate with the computer.
- Most common is WIMP (Windows Icons Menu and Pointing device).
- In modern devices, smartphones and tablets use Post-WIMP interfaces.
CLI (Command Line Interface): Requires the user to type instructions to choose options or execute commands. Often requires typing a number of commands.
Gesture Based Interface: Uses human body movement to give commands (e.g., waving).
Dialog Based Interface: Uses human voice to give commands (e.g., talking).

RAM (Random Access Memory):
- Volatile memory.
- Used to store data, files, programs, and parts of the operating system currently in use.
- Is an internal chip where data is temporarily stored when running applications.
ROM (Read-Only Memory):
- Permanent memory device.
- Non-volatile memory.
- Often used to contain configuration data for a computer system.
- Used to store BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and other data needed at startup.
Backing Storage (e.g., SSD, HDD):
- Have considerably large capacity to store data than RAM and ROM.
- Is not directly addressable by the CPU.

Software is NOT the physical components of a computer system (False).
The motherboard acts as a "hub" (True).
The Control Unit (CU) is NOT where arithmetic and logic operations are carried out (False).
The graphic card allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display (True).
ROM does NOT store data, files, or part of the operating system currently in use (False).
RAM is NOT used to contain configuration data for a computer system (False).
Sound cards allow a user to record sound input from microphones (True).
SSDs are NOT magnetic in nature (False).
Hardware is NOT the general term used for programs (False).
A compiler translates a program written in a high-level language (True).

Input Device:
- Any hardware device that allows a user to enter data or instructions into a computer directly.
- Necessary for the computer to receive commands from its users and data to process.
- Devices are under the control of the user or can be direct data entry.
- An input device can send data to another device, but it cannot receive data from another device.
Output Device:

capable of receiving data from another device to generate an output, but it can't send data to another device.

CLI: Programmers, analysts, and anyone needing direct communication with the computer.🎉🎉
GUI: The end-user who doesn't have to know programming or computer work.