Computer Hardware and Software

Hardware Categories

• Input devices are used to enter data, commands, and programs into the computer.
• Examples of input devices include: keyboard, mouse, trackball, joystick, light pen, scanners, and digital cameras.
• Output devices include: monitor or display, printer, and speakers.

Software Categories

• Computer software consists of routines, programs, procedures, and specialized aids that make hardware components perform their functions.
• Operating system (OS) is the basic software responsible for interacting with the hardware and is the foundation for user programs and application programs.
• Application programs are used for carrying out specific tasks, such as office document creation, pay roll processing, and publishing.
• Utility programs are a type of software.

Data Ware

• Data ware refers to the systematic and organized collection of data and procedures relevant to an organization.

People Ware

• People ware refers to personnel who manage and use the computer system, design applications and systems software, write and encode programs, and run the hardware.

Computer Basic Operations

• Input refers to whatever goes into the computer, including commands, data from another computer, or device.
• Input devices feed data into a computer, such as a keyboard or mouse.
• Output is any information (data) that comes out of a computer, including output devices such as display screens, speakers, and printers.

Storage

• Computer data storage is referred to as storage or memory, which can save digital data.
• Examples of storage devices include RAM, hard disks, CDs, DVDs, and removable flash memory sticks.
• Permanent, or non-volatile, storage devices do not require power to remember the data stored.
• Mass storage devices, like hard disk, are non-volatile, and a loss of power does not affect their ability to retain data.
• ROM (Read Only Memory) is a type of non-volatile storage.
• Temporary or volatile storage is more often called "memory".
• A loss of power means that any data stored in volatile storage will be lost irretrievably.

Processing

• The processor is the brain of a computer and is also called the CPU (Central Processing Unit).
• The processor is a microchip that performs simple operations like basic arithmetic and comparing two values.
• The processor actually performs the operations directed by a program.

This quiz covers the basic components of a computer system, including input devices, output devices, and software. It's a great introduction to understanding the functional parts of a computer.