Hardware vs Software

1. Hardware vs Software What’s the difference?

2. Software in Plain English

3. Hardware in Plain English

4. Hardware Terminology, Types of Computers & Parts of a Computer

5. Computer Software Operating Software Application Software

6. Basic Terminology • Computer • A device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output, all according to a series of stored instructions. • Hardware • Includes the electronic and mechanical devices, peripheral devices, and any physical equipment in a computer. This includes anything you can see or touch. • Software • A set of electronic instuctions that tells the computer how to perform particular tasks. • Network • Two or more computers and other devices that are connected, for the purpose of sharing data and programs. • Peripheral devices • Any Hardware attached to a computer.

7. Basic Terminology • Input • Whatever is entered into a computer system. • Data • Refers to the symbols that represent facts, objects, or ideas. • Information • The results of the computer storing data as bits and bytes; the words, numbers, sounds, and graphics. • Output • Consists of the data processed results produced by a computer. • Processing • Manipulation of the data in many ways. • Memory • Area of the computer that temporarily holds data waiting to be processed, stored, or output. • Storage • Area of the computer that holds data on a permanent basis when it is not immediately needed for processing.

8. Types of Computers

9. Microcomputer • A personal computer; designed to meet the computer needs of an individual. • Provides access to a wide variety of computing applications, such as word processing, photo editing, e-mail, and internet.

10. Desktop Microcomputer • A microcomputer that fits on a desk and runs on power from an electrical wall outlet. • The system unit can be housed in either a vertical or a horizontal case. • Has separate components (keyboard, mouse, etc.) that are each plugged into the computer.

11. Laptop Computer • A portable, compact computer that can run on an electrical wall outlet or a battery unit. • All components (keyboard, mouse, etc.) are in one compact unit. • Usually more expensive than a comparable desktop. • Sometimes called a Notebook.

12. Workstation • Powerful desktop computer designed for specialized tasks. • Can tackle tasks that require a lot of processing speed. • Can also be an ordinary personal computer attached to a LAN (local area network).

13. Supercomputer • It is a high performance computing machine designed to have extremely fast processing speeds. • Supercomputers have various applications such as performing complex scientific calculations, modeling simulations, and rendering large amounts of 3D graphics. • Can tackle tasks that would not be practical for other computers. Typical uses are breaking codes and Modeling weather systems.

14. Mainframe • Large expensive computer capable of simultaneously processing data for hundreds or thousands of users. • Used to store, manage, and process large amounts of data that need to be reliable, secure, and centralized. • Usually housed in a closet sized cabinet.

15. Server • Purpose is to “serve.” • A computer that has the purpose of supplying its users with data; usually through the use of a LAN (local area network).

16. Handhelds • Cell Phones • Tablet Notebooks • Kindle Fire • Ipad • Ereaders (Nooks, Kindles) • Can be synchronized with a personal microcomputer as a backup.

17. Parts of a Computer

18. System unit • Case that holds the power supply, storage devices, and the circuit boards (including the motherboard).

19. CPU (Central Processing Unit) • Where the processing in a computer takes place, often called the brain of the computer.

20. Input Devices • Units that gather information and transform that information it into a series of electronic signals for the computer.

21. Keyboard • An arrangement of letters, numbers, and special function keys that act as the primary input device to the computer.

22. Mouse • An input device that allows the user to manipulate objects on the screen by moving the device along the surface of a desk. • They can we wired or wireless.

23. Sound Card • A circuit board that gives the computer the ability to accept audio input, play sound files, and produce audio output through speakers or headphones.

24. Output Devices • Devices that display, print, or transmit the results of processing from the computer’s memory.

25. Monitor • Display device that forms an image by converting electrical signals from the computer into points of colored light on the screen. • Resolution • The density of the grid used to display or print text and graphics; the greater the horizontal and vertical density, the higher the resolution or picture quality. • Pixels • The smallest unit in a graphic image; computer display devices use a matrix of pixels to display text and graphics.

26. Printer • Output device that produces text or graphical images on paper. Paper copy is referred to as a hard copy.

27. Speakers • Output devices that receive signals from the computer’s sound card to play music, narration, or sound effects.

28. Storage Devices • Used to keep data when the power to the computer is turned off. • Different forms • Hard Drive Disk • Flash drive • CD • Solid State Drive • Cloud

29. Modem • A modem is a communications device that allows one computer to connect another computer and transfer data over telephone lines. • It can be either internal or external to your computer. • The word modem is actually short for Modulator/Demodulator.

30. Computer Performance

31. Boot Process • Sequence of events that occurs between the time you turn on a computer and the time that it becomes ready to accept commands. • Purposes • Runs a diagnostic test to make sure everything is working. • Loading the operating system, so the computer can carry out basic operations.

32. 6 events of the boot process: • Power up • Start boot program • Power-on self-test • Identify peripheral devices • Load operating system • Check configuration and customization

33. Circuits • The path from one component of a computer to another that data uses to travel. • Circuits run between • RAM and the microprocessor • RAM and various storage devices

34. Silicon Chip • Silicon is melted sand. • What the circuits are embedded into to keep them together.

35. Megahertz (mHz) • A measurement used to describe the speed of the system clock. • A megahertz is equal to one million cycles (or pulses) per second. • 1.3 GHz means that the microprocessor’s clock operates at a speed of 1.3 BILLION cycles per second.

36. RAM vs. ROM • RAM • “Random Access Memory” • Very volatile • Cannot hold data when the power is off. • Looses all data when power is lost. • The ability of a storage device to go directly to a specific storage location without having to search sequentially from a beginning location. • ROM • “Read only memory” • This is permanent memory built into the computer and it cannot be changed. • One or more integrated circuits that contain permanent instructions that the computer uses during the boot process.

37. Binary Number System • A method for representing letters or numbers using only two digits, 0 and 1. • Bit – smallest unit to process • Each 0 or 1 • Byte • 8 bits • Also referred to as Base 2 Binary Code.

38. Memory Measurements • Bit • Each 0 or 1 • Byte • 8 bits • Kilobyte • Approximately 1,000 bytes • Exactly 1,024 bytes • Megabyte • Approximately 1 million bytes • Exactly 1,048,576 bytes • Gigabyte • Approximately 1 billion bytes • Terabyte • Approximately 1 trillion bytes or 1024 gigabytes • Petabyte • 1024 Terabytes