Computer System Components OBJECTIVES 1 Define distinguish hardware

Computer System Components OBJECTIVES: 1. Define & distinguish hardware and software 2. Describe the functions of: • • • CPU Motherboard & Daughterboards I/O ports & devices Operating System Software (OS) Application Software THINK ABOUT THESE BEFORE WE BEGIN: 1. Is a smartphone a computer? What about a calculator? How about a digital TV?

Computer Hardware • Hardware is the physical parts of a computer system • This includes: • Central Processing Unit (CPU), which does binary math • Motherboard, which connects the different parts • Memory, which stores information • “Main” or “Active” memory – RAM – is temporary, and is cleared when the computer powers off. • HDD or SSD “drives” store files. • Ports (e. g. “USB”), which send and receive electrical signals. Wireless connections are like ports that send and receive radio waves. • Input & Output (I/O) devices, which send and receive information. These include keyboards, touchscreens, monitors, mice, and many other devices.

Computer Software • Software is the instructions that control the hardware • This includes: • Operating System (OS) software, which directly controls the hardware. Examples include: Mac. OS, Windows, Android, Chrome OS, Linux, and others. • Application Software, which is the programs, (i. e. “applications, ” or “apps”) which connect the user to the system to perform some function.

Computer System Software Operating System (OS) Hardware Application Software CPU, Memory, Motherboard, I/O