Information Technology & Systems

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Computer Systems - An Overview : Chapter 1

A computer follows the instructions given by the program while it performs the four basic operations of Input, Processing, Output, and Storage. The keyboard, the mouse, the microphone, etc., are the input devices which are used to enter data and instructions into the computer for processing the required information.

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) carries out the processing function of the computer; in this process, the CPU uses the Random-Access Memory (RAM). Monitors, speakers, printers, etc., are output devices through which the final computed or processed information can be obtained. The data, instructions, and the final processed information can be stored on the hard disks, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, USB pen drives, and other additional devices.

According to size and capacity, computers are classified into supercomputers, mainframes, minicomputers, microcomputers, and servers. Peripheral devices are devices that are attached to a computer system which augment the basic services provided by it. These can be the input devices, output devices, or various auxiliary storage units of a computer system.

Computer hardware refers to all the physical devices in the computer like the CPU, the monitor, and the printer that can be physically felt. Computer software consists of the programs that instruct the computer hardware. Both the hardware and software of a computer complement each other and should work together to produce useful output.