Computer Memory and Hardware Software

Introduction to Computer
A computer is an electronic device, operating

under the control of instructions stored in its
own memory that can accept data (input),
process the data according to specified rules,
produce information (output), and store the
information for future use.
Functionalities Of A Computer
• Any digital computer carries out five functions in
gross terms.
– Takes Data as Input

– Stores the data/Instructions in its memory and use
them when required.
– Processes the data and coverts it into useful
Information.
– Generates the Output.
– Control all the above four steps.
Hardware
Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that constitutes
a computer system. Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or
components of a computer such as the monitor, mouse, keyboard,
computer data storage, hard drive disk (HDD), system unit (graphic cards,
sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips), etc. all of which are
physical objects that can be touched.
Input Devices
Input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment to provide
data and control signals to an information processing system such as a computer
or other information appliance.
Input device Translate data from form that humans understand to one that the
computer can work with. Most common are keyboard and mouse
Example of Input Devices:-
1. Keyboard 2. Mouse (pointing device) 3. Microphone
4. Touch screen 5. Scanner 6. Webcam
7. Touchpads 8. MIDI keyboard
10.Graphics Tablets 11.Cameras 12.Pen Input
13.Video Capture Hardware 14.Microphone 15.Trackballs
16.Barcode reader 17.Digital camera 18.Joystick
19.Gamepad 20.Electronic Whiteboard

Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A CPU is brain of a computer. It is responsible for all functions and
processes. Regarding computing power, the CPU is the most important
element of a computer system.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU is comprised of three main parts :
1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Executes all arithmetic and logical operations.
Arithmetic calculations like as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Logical operation like compare numbers, letters, or special characters
2. Control Unit (CU): controls and co-ordinates computer components.

– Read the code for the next instruction to be executed.
– Increment the program counter so it points to the next instruction.
– Read whatever data the instruction requires from cells in memory.
– Provide the necessary data to an ALU or register.
– If the instruction requires an ALU or specialized hardware to complete, instruct the hardware
to perform the requested operation.
3. Registers :Stores the data that is to be executed next, "very fast storage area".
Memory
• Computer memory is just like the human brain. It is used to
store data/information and instructions. It is a data storage unit or a
data storage device where data is to be processed and instructions
required for processing are stored. It can store both the input and output
can be stored here.
Primary Memory
• RAM: Random Access Memory (RAM) is a memory scheme within the
computer system responsible for storing data on a temporary basis, so
that it can be promptly accessed by the processor as and when needed.
• ROM (Read Only Memory): ROM is a permanent form of storage. ROM
stays active regardless of whether power supply to it is turned on or off.
ROM devices do not allow data stored on them to be modified.
Secondary Memory
• Stores data and programs permanently: its retained after the power is turned
off
• Hard drive (HD): A hard disk is part of a unit, often called a "disk drive," "hard
drive," or "hard disk drive," that store and provides relatively quick access to
large amounts of data on an electromagnetically charged surface or set of
surfaces.
• Optical Disk: an optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light as
part of the process of reading or writing data to or from optical discs.
Secondary Memory
Flash Disk
A storage module made of flash memory chips. A Flash disks have no mechanical
platters or access arms, but the term "disk" is used because the data are accessed
as if they were on a hard drive. The disk storage structure is emulated.
Comparison between RAM and HARD DISK
Output Devices
An output device is any piece of computer hardware
equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by an information processing system
(such as a computer) which converts the electronically
generated information into human- readable form.
Software
Software is a generic term for organized collections of computer data and
instructions, often broken into two major categories:
1. system software that provides the basic non- task-specific functions of the
computer, and
2. application software which is used by users to accomplish specific tasks.

Software type
System Application
software software
System software
System software is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing
the individual hardware components of a computer system
Generally, system software consists of an operating system and some
fundamental utilities such as disk formatters, file managers, display
managers, text editors, user authentication (login) and management
tools, and networking and device control software.
Application software
Application software is used to accomplish specific tasks other than
just running the computer system.
Application software may consist of a single program, such as an

image viewer; a small collection of programs (often called a software
package) that work closely together to accomplish a task, such as a
spreadsheet or text processing system;

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Introduction to Computer

A computer is an electronic device, operating

– Takes Data as Input

4. Touch screen 5. Scanner 6. Webcam

7. Touchpads 8. MIDI keyboard

10.Graphics Tablets 11.Cameras 12.Pen Input

13.Video Capture Hardware 14.Microphone 15.Trackballs

16.Barcode reader 17.Digital camera 18.Joystick

19.Gamepad 20.Electronic Whiteboard

2. Control Unit (CU): controls and co-ordinates computer components.

2. application software which is used by users to accomplish specific tasks.

Application software may consist of a single program, such as an

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