Hardware and Software

Why should we learn about software and hardware?

Most organizations use computer hardware to  improve worker productivity, increase the revenue and reduce costs plus to provide better customer service.

There are three main components of computer hardware.

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU) that contain arithmetic or logic unit, the control unit and the register areas.
   
2. Arithmetic/Logic unit (ALU) which performs mathematical calculations and makes logical comparisons



ALU

3. Control unit who sequentially accesses program instructions, decodes them, and coordinates the flow of data in and out of the ALU, registers, primary storage, and even secondary storage and various output devices.

Processing and Memory devices.

Processing Characteristics and Functions.

• Clock speed - series of electronic pulses produced at a predetermined rate that effects machine cycle time. Its often measured in Megahertz(MHz) and Gigahertz(GHz)
• Physical characteristics of the CPU - most CPUs are collection of digital circuits imprinted on silicon wafers, or chip which are smaller than the tip of a pencil eraser.

Memory Characteristics and Functions.

• Memory - provides the CPU with a working storage area for programs and data. It is rapidly provides data and instructions to the CPU
• Storage capacity - eight bits together form a byte (B)
• Types of memory - Random access memory (RAM) and Read-only memory(ROM)

Multiprocessing

Multiprocessing is a simultaneous execution of two or more instructions at the same time. Multicore microprocessor which combines two or more independent processors into a single computer. There are two types of computing which are the parallel and grid computing. Parallel computing is a simultaneous execution of the same task on multiple processors to obtain results faster. Whereas, grid computing is a use of a collection of computers to work in a coordinated manner to solve a common problem.

Secondary Storage and Input Output Devices

Secondary storage offers more advantages of non-volatility, greater capacity and greater company. The devices for the secondary storage are:
- magnetic tapes,
- magnetic disks,
- redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks(RAID),
- virtual tap,
- storage area network,
- optical discs,
- digital video disc(DVD) and
- the solid state secondary storage devices.

The disadvantages of secondary storage devices are cost high per GB of data storage and have lower capacity compared to current hard drives.

Input Devices

There are various of devices used to input general types of data. For example, digital cameras, pen input devices, magnetic stripe card and many more.

Output Devices

The output devices used to display the output from the computer. Example of the output devices are plasma display, LCD displays, digital audio player, e-books and many more.

Computer System Types

Computer systems can range from the desktop portable computers to massive supercomputers that require housing in large rooms. Examples of portable computers are handled computers, laptop computer, notebook computers, tablet computers, smartphone.

Software

Software is a computer programs that contain sequences of instructions for the computers. Every software must have a documentation that describes programs functions to help the user operate the computer system. There are two types of software which are systems software and application software.

Systems software includes the operating systems and utility programs. Operating systems is a set of programs that controls computer hardware and acts as an interface with application programs. Examples of operating systems are Microsoft PC, Apple and Linux. Utility programs is a program that help to perform maintenance or correct problems with a computer system. Besides that, utility programs also can help to secure and safeguard data.

Application software is a type software that can interact the user with the systems software. It also help the user perform common tasks such as creating  and formatting text documents, performing calculations and managing information.

This is a video that may help to understand more about software:

So, this is another videos explain about hardware: 

HAVE A NICE DAY THEN :)