Computer Hardware

Hardware refers to the equipment associated with the computer system for examples monitor and keyboard.

Computer System consists of four major hardware component :

1. Input devices

Input devices. From Left: microphone, joystick, videocam, mouse and keyboard.

When data is entered into the computer system, it is called an input. Input comes in various text, graphic, audio and video. Input devices are needed to input data into the computer system.




2. Processor

Random Access Memory (RAM)

The system’s primary storage, Random Access Memory (RAM) can only hold data temporarily.

3. Output Devices

• Output is the result of raw input data that has been processed by the Central Processing Unit (CPU) into meaningful information
• Common forms of output are text, graphic, audio, video and animation

4. Storage

• Storage is a location which data, instruction and information a held for future use
• Every computer uses storage to hold system software and application software
• A storage medium also called secondary storage is the physical material in the computer that keep data, instruction and information

System Concept

• A computer system is defined as combination of components designed to process data and store files.
  
• A computer system consists of four major hardware components; input devices, output devices, processor and storage devices.
• A computer system requires hardware, software and a user to fully function.

Information Processing Cycle