COMPUTERS STRUCTURE

COMPUTERS STRUCTURE

1. Hardware: physical components of the computer

   • Internal
     • Devices installed within the computer
       • Read Only Memory (ROM)
         • Save or stores permanent information as configuration data for a computer system
       • Motherboard
         • It is in all computers and allows most of the other hardware devices or elements to work
       • Internal Hard Disk Drive/Solid State Drive
         • The HDD and SSD are basically two devices for storing most of the system and application software
       • Random Acces Memory (RAM)
         • Save or stores information of the operating system that is currently being used
       • Video Card
         • Allows the computer to send information to the screen (monitor, projector, TV)
       • Sound Card
         • Provides the computer the ability for producing sound
   • External
     • Input
       • Hardware elements used to provide data to the computer system
         • Examples: Mouse, Keyboard, Microphone, Webcam, Scanner
     • Output
       • Hardware elements that allows data to passed out of the computer system
         • Examples: Monitor, Headphones, Printer, Speaker

2. Software: programs that control the computer system

   • Application
     • Programs that allows the user to do specific tasks
       • APPS (Applications)
         • Type of software that runs in smartphones and tablets
           • Examples: Video and Music Streamings
       • EDITING
         • Video Editing
           • Used to manipulate a video and create or desing a edited video
         • Graphics Manipulation
           • Used to change bitmaps and vector images
         • Photo Editing
           • Used to edit digital photographs
       • DATA
         • Spreadsheet
           • Used to manipulate numerical data
             • Function: use of formulas to carry out calculations
         • Database
           • Used to manipulate and analyse data
             • Function: add, delete or modify data in a table
         • Word Processor
           • Used to manipulate text (documents
             • Function: creating, editing, saving and manipulating text
   • System
     • Programs that allowed the hardware to work properly
       • Linkers (link editors)
         • Used to combine one or more programs into a single one
           • Example: not a specific one
       • Compiler
         • Type of translator that transforms a program from one programming language (HLL- high level language) to another
           • Examples (of HLL): Java
       • Operating Systems (OS)
         • Manages a lot a the basic computers functions
           • Examples: Input/Output operations
       • Device Driver
         • Connects one or more hardware devises with the computer's OS
           • Example: Printers
       • Utilities
         • Helps to carry out specific tasks in the computer
           • Example: Anti-Virus

3. Types of computers

   • Laptop
     • Advantage
       • The small size and lightweight allows it to move it easyli form one place to another
     • Disadvantage
       • The battery runs out after a few hours: without an electric source it cannot be charged
   • Smartphone
     • Advantage
       • It is small, therefore you can take wherever you want
     • Disadvantage
       • Short memory and too expensive
   • Tablet
     • Disadvantages
       • They are weak and can be easily damaged or broken
     • Advantage
       • Small enough to put in a backpack or suitcase
   • Desktop
     • Disadvantage
       • Consumes a lot of space on the forniture or desk
     • Advantage
       • Most of the hardware elements are upgradable