Hardware Week 1: Basic Computer Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is a computer?

A programmable electronic device that stores, retrieves, and processes data through a set of instructions (programs).

What are the major components that make up a computer?

Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Hard Drive, CPU, RAM

Motherboard, CPU, RAM, Graphics Card, Hard Drive, Power Supply

System Board, Input Devices, Processor, Storage, Output Devices, Power Supply (correct)

Software, Hardware, Operating System, Applications, Data

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer, while software refers to the instructions that tell the hardware what to do.

True

What do device drivers do?

Device drivers are a type of software that allows your computer to communicate with and control the hardware devices connected to it. Signup and view all the answers

What is firmware?

Firmware is a built-in programmable logic (software) attached to a specific hardware component. Signup and view all the answers

What is a platform?

A platform is the environment created by the operating system that allows applications to run on a hardware device, acting as an interface between applications and the operating system. Signup and view all the answers

The basic unit of computer capacity is the bit, which can have the value of either 0 or 1.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a unit of computer capacity?

Centibyte Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between primary and secondary storage?

Primary storage (RAM) is temporary, used for active programs and files currently in use, while secondary storage (hard drive) is permanent, for storing files when not in use. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of memory with their characteristics:

RAM = Volatile, fast, used for active programs and files ROM = Non-volatile, slow, stores boot-up instructions Cache = Fast, small, stores frequently accessed data from RAM Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a storage device?

Storage devices are used for storing, porting, or extracting data files. They can be used to store information both temporarily and permanently. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of storage?

Primary and Secondary Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the CPU (Central Processing Unit)?

The CPU is responsible for performing calculations and logical operations, essentially the brain of the computer. It controls everything that happens within the computer. Signup and view all the answers

Processor speed is measured in Hertz (Hz), representing the number of clock cycles per second.

True Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Hardware - Week 1

Basic Computer Concepts
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the definition of a computer.
- Understand device drivers, firmware, and platform.
- Measure computer performance.
- Explore memory and storage.

What is a Computer?

A programmable electronic device.
Stores, retrieves, and processes data using a set of instructions (programs).

What Makes a Computer?

System Board
Processor
Input Devices
Output Devices
Storage
Power Supply

Another Definition of Hardware

A collection of electrical and mechanical parts.

For a Computer to Work

Hardware: Physical components you can see and touch (e.g., motherboard, hard drive).
Software: Set of instructions that tell the hardware what to do; commands and data that tells the computer how to perform tasks (e.g., operating system, applications).

How a Computer Works

Data flows from input to storage, to processing, and finally to output.
The processing unit interprets commands and performs calculations.
Storage holds the information indefinitely

Input, Process, Output

Device Drivers: Software that enables communication between hardware and software.
Firmware: Built-in, programmable logic attached to specific hardware; controls how hardware functions.
Platform: Environment created by the operating system; an interface between applications and operating systems, allowing functions to run and be executed.

Measuring Capacity

Binary Digit (Bit): Fundamental unit of computer data; has a value of 0 or 1.
Different units represent various amounts of bits (e.g., Byte, Kilobyte, Megabyte, Gigabyte, Terabyte, Petabyte).
Measurements for storage and capacity.

Measuring Capacity - Units

Bit: single binary digit
Byte: eight bits
Kilobyte (KB): 1,024 bytes
Megabyte (MB): 1,024 KB (1 million bytes)
Gigabyte (GB): 1,024 MB (1 billion bytes)
Terabyte (TB): 1,024 GB (1 trillion bytes)
Petabyte (PB): 1,024 TB (1 quadrillion bytes)

Memory and Storage

Memory: Temporary storage for data actively in use.
Storage: Permanent storage for data not currently in use.

What is Memory?

Physical space that temporarily stores digital data and instructions which are accessed quickly.
Often refers to the computer's primary system memory (RAM).
RAM is a chip within the computer that temporarily holds active programs

Types of Memory

RAM (Random Access Memory): Volatile data storage; data lost when power is removed, high speed
ROM (Read-Only Memory): Permanent data storage; data remains even when power is off; slower speed

RAM vs. ROM (Table)

Feature	RAM	ROM
Data persistence	Volatile (lost when power off)	Non-volatile (remains even when power off)
Speed	Faster	Slower
Modifiable	Read, erase, and modify	Read-only
Function	Used by CPU for active programs and instructions	Needed to bootstrap or start up the computer during startup and some system functions

What is Storage?

Hardware used for storing, copying, and retrieving data files, both temporarily and permanently.

Types of Storage

Local Storage: Internal storage (inside the computer) and external devices.
External Storage: Other computers in a network, Cloud storage

Primary and Secondary Storage

Primary Storage (Main Memory): Directly accessed by the processor unit, temporary storage.
- Examples: RAM, ROM, cache, registers.
Secondary Storage (Auxiliary Memory): Data transferred to main memory, usually permanent unless deleted.
- Examples: Hard disks, flash drives, optical discs.

Storage Devices

Hard Disks
External Drives
Flash Drives
Secure Digital (SD) Cards
Optical Discs and Drives

Measuring Frequency (Speed)

CPU (Central Processing Unit): Chip that performs calculations and logical operations.
Hertz (Hz): Unit to measure the processor's speed; measures cycles per second.
Kilo - Mega - Giga - Tera Hertz units represent various amounts of cycles per second.

Activity

Kahoot activity.

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Description

Dive into the foundational concepts of computer hardware in this week 1 quiz. Learn about the essential components that make up a computer, including the system board, processor, and storage. Understand the role of hardware and software in computer functionality through various definitions and concepts.