COMPUTER TERMS

HARDWARE

Hardware devices also referred to as peripherals(devices external to CPU andmain memory) make up a computer system.
Hardware typically supplied with computer system includes the computer itself(containing one or more hard disk drives), a screen, a keyboard, a mouse and one or more additional disk and CD drives.

These devices can be split into 4 types:

INPUT DEVICES
Which are used to input data into computer
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
This is where all instructions are carried out, it is the brain of the whole system.
BACKING STORE
This is where data is stored when power is switched off.
OUTPUT DEVICES
These devices provides output.

SOFTWARE

Softwares are designed to carry out user-related tasks.

There are 5 categories of software:

GENERAL PURPOSE APPLICATION SOFTWARE
These are the common software pakages that are found on most computers, for example microsoft words,spreadsheet.
SPECIAL PURPOSE APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Softwares that are built for a particular requirement, a traffic control department
would need to employ an expert to write a specialised software to fit its requirement.
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES,COMPILERS&INTERPRETERS
Programming languages are used to set instructions or commands to form operations.
OPERATING SYSTEMS
This is a complex program that controls the entire operation of the computer
UTILITY PROGRAMS
These preform task such as repairing damaged files.

INPUT DEVICES

These devices are needed to input raw data into a computer system.

Examples of input devices:
keyboards,mouse,scanners,microphone.

STORAGE DEVICES

Storage devices stores data so it can be utilised when required (can be used again next time when needed).

Examples are:
ROM(read only memory),RAM(random access memory),hardisks,floppy disks,CD-ROMS/compact disks,CD-R(CD recordable),CD-RW(CD re-writeable),DVD(digital versatile disks)

OUTPUT DEVICES

After data processing information if formed and in order to make these information accessible, output devices are needed to provide an output.
Out put can be of different types such as visual output,audible output, hard copy of printed work.

Examples are:
Monitor,printers,speakers,control devices such as lights and buzzers.