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Parts of a computer

A computer is made up of both hardware and software. The hardware components include the physical parts like the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and the internal components within the computer case, such as the CPU, RAM, and storage devices. Software refers to the programs and instructions that tell the hardware what to do.

1)      Hardware

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system that you can see and touch. These include devices like monitor, keyboard, mouse CPU etc. Essentially, it's the tangible parts of a computer that enable it to function.

i)                    Monitor: A monitor is an output device that displays information being processed in a computer. It is also known as VDU or Visual display unit. The first monitor was developed on 1 March 1973 and it was a CRT monitor.

Monitor has many types like CRT, LCD, LED, and OLED monitors.

ii)                   Keyboard: A keyboard is a peripheral input device used with computers and other electronic devices to input text, characters, and commands. It consists of a set of alphanumeric keys, modifier keys, control keys, function keys, navigation keys, and the numeric keypad typically arranged in a specific layout like QWERTY that send signals to the computer when pressed. A standard full-size keyboard typically has 104 keys.

iii)                 Mouse: A computer mouse is a hand-held input device that controls the cursor or pointer on a computer screen, allowing users to interact with the graphical user interface (GUI). It typically has buttons and a scroll wheel, enabling actions like clicking, dragging, and scrolling.

iv)                 Centre Processing Unit (CPU): The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the "brain" of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It's the primary component that interprets and executes program instructions, manages data processing tasks, and controls the overall operation of the computer system. The CPU coordinates the activities of other hardware components like memory, storage, and input/output devices.

2)      Software

Software is a collection of instructions, data, or programs that tell a computer what to do and how to do it. It's the non-physical component of a computer system, enabling users to interact with hardware and perform specific tasks. Essentially, software acts as the bridge between users and the physical parts of a computer, allowing for a wide range of functionalities.

Software can be broadly categorized into system software and application software. System software manages the computer's hardware and provides a platform for other software to run on, while application software helps users perform specific tasks.

System Software includes:

i)                    Operating Systems: The most fundamental type of system software, managing hardware resources and providing a platform for applications (e.g., Windows, mac OS, Linux).

ii)                   Device Drivers: Software that allows the operating system to communicate with hardware devices (e.g., printer drivers, graphics card drivers).

iii)                 Language Processors: Software that translates human-readable code into machine-executable code (e.g., compilers, interpreters).

iv)                 Utilities: Tools that perform specific tasks related to managing or maintaining the computer system (e.g., disk defragmenters, file managers).

Application Software Includes:

i)                    General-purpose software: Designed for a wide range of users and tasks (e.g., word processors, spread sheets, web browsers).

ii)                   Specific-purpose software: Designed for particular tasks or industries (e.g., CAD software for engineering, accounting software for finance).

iii)                 Utility software: Helps users perform tasks related to managing or maintaining the computer system, but can be application software too (e.g., disk defragmenters, file managers).