Module 2 : Part 1

1. Module 2 : Part 1 INTRODUCTION TO HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

2. Module Objectives At the end of the module, students should be able to: • identify the terms and concept related to computer hardware and software • identify the six basic unit of a computer • identify the two types of computer software • explain the differences between application software and system software

3. Hardware Vs. Software ??? • Hardware- objects that we can actually touch, like disks, disk drives, display screens, keyboards, printers, boards, and chips. • Software - untouchable. Software exists as ideas, concepts, and symbols, but it has no substance. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/H/hardware.html

4. Hardware Vs. Software ??? • Books provide a useful analogy. • The pages and the ink are the hardware, while the words, sentences, paragraphs, and the overall meaning are the software. • A computer without software is like a book full of blank pages • you need software to make the computer useful just as you need words to make a book meaningful http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/H/hardware.html

5. Basic Unit of A Computer • Every computer can be divided into six basic units : 1. Input Unit • “Receiving” section of computer • Obtains data from input devices • Usually a keyboard, mouse, disk or scanner • Places data at disposal of other units

6. Basic Unit of A Computer 2. Output Unit • “Shipping” section of computer • Puts processed data/info on various output devices • Monitor (screens), printers, projector, speakers • Makes info available outside the computer

7. Basic Unit of A Computer 3. Memory Unit • Rapid access, low capacity “warehouse” • Retains information entered through input unit • Retains info that has already been processed until can be sent to output unit • Often called memory, primary memory, or random access memory (RAM)

8. Basic Unit of A Computer 4. Arithmetic and Logic Unit • “Manufacturing” section of computer • Performs calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) • Contains decision mechanisms and can make comparisons • The Arithmetic and Logic unit is responsible for doing the actual computing and so can be considered to be the brain of the computer

9. Basic Unit of A Computer 5. Central Processing Unit (CPU) • “Administrative” section of computer - coordinates and supervises other sections • the heart of the computer where all the computing is done. • All the other devices are concerned with moving data to or from the CPU. • The central processing unit consists of three main components, the control unit, the arithmetic/logic unit (ALU), and the registers.

10. Basic Unit of A Computer 6. Secondary Storage Unit • Long-term, high-capacity “warehouse” • Stores programs or data not currently being used by other units on secondary storage devices (like discs) • Takes longer to access than primary memory

11. Basic Computer Hardware

12. Inside the computer… http://www.canr.msu.edu/vanburen/techindx.htm

13. Common Computer Platform • PC (IBM-Compatible) • Emphasis on Business Computing • More popular platform in the world • Normally CPU powered By Intel, AMD • Normally Windows is the OS for PC • First PC was introduced by IBM

14. Common Computer Platform • Apple Macintosh • Very popular for computer graphics application • Very good Graphical User Interface • Native Digital Video File format (QuickTime) • Latest CPU=G5 processor (2.7 GHz) • OS System is MAC OS

15. What is Software ? • Series of instructions or programs that process data • Two types : • System software • Used mainly by the computer • Application software • Used only by the user • The purpose of software is to cause a task, process, or computation to be performed. • A task can include the retrieval, storage, or display of information. • A computer system requires software to make the best use of its capabilities and to solve problems

16. What is System Software ? • Enables application software to interact with computer hardware • A “Background” software manage internal computer resources and coordinate the application software requests with computer hardware without user interaction • Operating system software • Most important system software • Executes application software • Stores data and programs • manages all the overall operation of the computer system • I.e.  Eg. Window XP, Windows 2000, Linux, UNIX, Sun Solaris, Mac OS X

17. Popular Operating System Windows OS • Windows platform (NT, 98, 98se, ME, 2000, XP, 2003) is currently the dominating OS for the personal computer (IBM-PC and compatible). • By Microsoft.

18. Popular Operating System Mac OS • The main operating system for the Apple Macintosh. • The most advanced version is Mac OS X. • Previous version includes Mac OS 8.0 and 9.0.

19. Popular Operating System Linux OS • Open Source operating system • Many distributions/versions • Red Hat 9.0, Mandrake, SuSE, Lindows, Knoppix and many others

20. What is Application Software ? • End-user software enter commands and typically interact with application programs. • General-purpose programs • Some types: Browsers, Spreadsheet, Database management systems, presentation graphics, word processor • i.e  Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint • Special-purpose programs • Custom written for specialized tasks • written for an organization’s or business type’s specific purpose • i.e.  Online Registration System

21. Word processor Spreadsheets Databases Communications Presentation Others - Groupware Application Software