Computer Basics Hardware and Software IPO IPO InputProcessingOutputting
Computer Basics Hardware and Software
IPO Ü IPO Input-Processing-Outputting Input Unit Processing Unit Output Unit
IPO - Continued Ü Computers are tools that help us solve problems Ü Computers solve problems based on the information we give them; this information is called INPUT Ü The unit of the computer responsible for gathering the input is called the Input Unit
IPO - Continued Ü After the computer has the information, it has to do work to solve the problem; this stage is called PROCESSING ÜThe unit of the computer responsible for processing is called the Central Processing Unit or the CPU Ü The computer needs to output the results of the work. This stage is called OUTPUT ÜThe unit of the computer responsible for output is called the Output Unit
The Computer System Ü Now we need another component Input Unit CPU Memory (RAM) Unit Output Unit
WHY? (we will find out shortly)
Hardware and Software Ü In a computer system, hardware consists of the physical components you can touch ÜExamples: keyboard, monitor, processor, hard disk, memory Ü Another important part of the computer that you can’t touch is called software Ü Software is the set of instructions that controls the hardware
Programs Ü Each complete set of instructions with a specific purpose is called a program Ü Examples of programs… ÜMicrosoft Windows, MS Office, Video Games, MSN Messenger, viruses, hardware drivers Ü We’ll talk more about software and programs later…
Remember our diagram of the basic computer system?
The Computer System Input Unit CPU Memory (RAM) Unit Output Unit
Memory Unit (RAM) Ü To run or execute a program means that the set of instructions that makes up the program have to be followed by the CPU ÜA program is like a recipe; when a computer runs a program, it is like a person following a recipe Ü While a computer is running a program, the instructions for that program have to be stored in memory which the processor can access
More RAM Ü RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is sometimes called primary memory or main memory ÜBecause the CPU requires RAM to function in a meaningful way Ü RAM or main memory is essential to a computer, but tends to be expensive
Secondary Memory Ü Larger, cheaper secondary memory can be used to store large amounts of data that are accessed infrequently Ü Examples of secondary storage… ÜHard disks, CD-ROMs, flash/USB drives, floppy disks
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