{"id":225,"date":"2020-11-27T14:43:42","date_gmt":"2020-11-27T19:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/chapter\/computer-hardware-and-software\/"},"modified":"2022-07-25T15:29:56","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T19:29:56","slug":"computer-hardware-and-software","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/chapter\/computer-hardware-and-software\/","title":{"raw":"Topic B: Computer hardware and software","rendered":"Topic B: Computer hardware and software"},"content":{"raw":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Click play on the following audio player to listen along as you read this section.<\/p>\r\nhttps:\/\/media.bccampus.ca\/id\/0_01knb22k?width=608&amp;height=70&amp;playerId=23449753\r\n<h1>Computer Hardware Basics<\/h1>\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"450\"]Hardware[\/pb_glossary] \u2013 any physical device or equipment used in or with a computer system (anything you can see and touch).\r\n<h2>External hardware<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>[pb_glossary id=\"448\"]External hardware devices (peripherals)[\/pb_glossary] \u2013 any hardware device that is located outside the computer.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>[pb_glossary id=\"447\"]Input device[\/pb_glossary] \u2013 a piece of hardware device which is used to enter information to a computer for processing.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Examples: keyboard, mouse, trackpad (or touchpad), touchscreen, joystick, microphone, light pen, webcam, speech input, etc.<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-1309\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/Input-devices.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"386\" height=\"186\" \/><img class=\"size-full wp-image-782 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image25-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"279\" height=\"186\" \/><\/li>\r\n \t<li>[pb_glossary id=\"446\"]Output device[\/pb_glossary] - a piece of hardware device that receives information from a computer.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Examples: monitor, printer, scanner, speaker, display\u00a0screen (tablet, smartphone \u2026), projector, head phone, etc.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-785 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image28-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"153\" \/><img class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image29-7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"131\" height=\"156\" \/><img class=\"size-full wp-image-784 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image27-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"267\" height=\"178\" \/>\r\n<h2>Internal hardware<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>[pb_glossary id=\"445\"]Internal hardware devices (or internal hardware components)[\/pb_glossary] - any piece of hardware device that is located inside the computer.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Examples: CPU, hard disk drive, ROM, RAM, etc.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1>Computer Software Basics<\/h1>\r\n<h2>Computer software<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>[pb_glossary id=\"449\"]Software[\/pb_glossary] \u2013 a set of instructions or programs that tells a computer what to do or how to perform a specific task (computer software runs on hardware).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Main types of software \u2013 systems software\u00a0and application software.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Application software<\/h2>\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-788\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image31-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"143\" \/>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>[pb_glossary id=\"525\"]Application software[\/pb_glossary] \u2013 a computer program that provides users with tools to accomplish a specific task.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Examples of application software: word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, database management, Internet browsers, email programs, media players, accounting, pronunciation, translation, desktop publishing, enterprise, etc.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1>System Software<\/h1>\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"444\"]System software[\/pb_glossary] \u2013\u00a0it is designed to run a computer's hardware and application software, and make the computer system available for use. It serves as the interface between hardware, application software, and the user.\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-789\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image32-3-e1599762676320.jpeg\" alt=\"A computer functions through interactions between the user, applications, the operating system, and the hardware.\" width=\"275\" height=\"305\" \/>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Main functions of system software \u2013 allocating system resources, managing storage space, storing and retrieval of files, providing security, etc.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Main types of systems software \u2013 operating system, device driver, utility software, programming software, etc.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"443\"]Operating system (OS)[\/pb_glossary] \u2013 a software that controls and coordinates the computer hardware devices and runs other software and applications on a computer. It is the main part of\u00a0system software and a computer will not function without it.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Main functions of an operating system \u2013 booting the computer, managing system resources (CPU, memory, storage devices, printer, etc.), managing files, handling input and output,\u00a0executing and providing services for application software, etc.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Examples of operating system: Microsoft Windows, Apple iOS, Android OS, macOS, Linux, etc.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"438\"]Device driver[\/pb_glossary] \u2013\u00a0a software program that is designed to control a particular hardware device that is attached to a computer.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>The main purpose of device driver \u2013 it acts as a translator between the hardware device and operating systems or applications that use it.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>It instructs computer on how to communicate with the device by translating the operating system's instructions into a language that a device can understand in order to perform the necessary task.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Examples of device driver: printer\u00a0driver, display\u00a0driver, USB\u00a0driver, sound card\u00a0driver, motherboard\u00a0driver, ROM\u00a0driver, etc.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"437\"]Utility software[\/pb_glossary] \u2013 a type of system software that helps set up, analyze, configure, strengthen, maintain a computer and performs a very specific task (e.g. antivirus software, backup software, memory tester, screen saver, etc.).","rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Click play on the following audio player to listen along as you read this section.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"kaltura_player\" title=\"Unit 7 Topic B: Computer hardware and software\" src=\"https:\/\/api.ca.kaltura.com\/p\/148\/sp\/14800\/embedIframeJs\/uiconf_id\/23449753\/partner_id\/148?iframeembed=true&#38;playerId=kaltura_player&#38;entry_id=0_01knb22k&#38;flashvars[leadWithHTML5]=true&#38;flashvars[streamerType]=auto&#38;flashvars[localizationCode]=en&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.position]=left&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.clickToClose]=true&#38;flashvars[chapters.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[chapters.layout]=vertical&#38;flashvars[chapters.thumbnailRotator]=false&#38;flashvars[streamSelector.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[EmbedPlayer.SpinnerTarget]=videoHolder&#38;flashvars[dualScreen.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[Kaltura.addCrossoriginToIframe]=true&#38;wid=0_d6pda3fj\" width=\"608\" height=\"70\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" sandbox=\"allow-downloads allow-forms allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-pointer-lock allow-popups allow-modals allow-orientation-lock allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-presentation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h1>Computer Hardware Basics<\/h1>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_225_450\">Hardware<\/a> \u2013 any physical device or equipment used in or with a computer system (anything you can see and touch).<\/p>\n<h2>External hardware<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_225_448\">External hardware devices (peripherals)<\/a> \u2013 any hardware device that is located outside the computer.<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_225_447\">Input device<\/a> \u2013 a piece of hardware device which is used to enter information to a computer for processing.<\/li>\n<li>Examples: keyboard, mouse, trackpad (or touchpad), touchscreen, joystick, microphone, light pen, webcam, speech input, etc.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1309\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/Input-devices.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"386\" height=\"186\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-782 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image25-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"279\" height=\"186\" \/><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_225_446\">Output device<\/a> &#8211; a piece of hardware device that receives information from a computer.<\/li>\n<li>Examples: monitor, printer, scanner, speaker, display\u00a0screen (tablet, smartphone \u2026), projector, head phone, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-785 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image28-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"230\" height=\"153\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image29-7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"131\" height=\"156\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-784 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image27-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"267\" height=\"178\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Internal hardware<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_225_445\">Internal hardware devices (or internal hardware components)<\/a> &#8211; any piece of hardware device that is located inside the computer.<\/li>\n<li>Examples: CPU, hard disk drive, ROM, RAM, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>Computer Software Basics<\/h1>\n<h2>Computer software<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_225_449\">Software<\/a> \u2013 a set of instructions or programs that tells a computer what to do or how to perform a specific task (computer software runs on hardware).<\/li>\n<li>Main types of software \u2013 systems software\u00a0and application software.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Application software<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-788\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image31-3.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"143\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_225_525\">Application software<\/a> \u2013 a computer program that provides users with tools to accomplish a specific task.<\/li>\n<li>Examples of application software: word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, database management, Internet browsers, email programs, media players, accounting, pronunciation, translation, desktop publishing, enterprise, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1>System Software<\/h1>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_225_444\">System software<\/a> \u2013\u00a0it is designed to run a computer&#8217;s hardware and application software, and make the computer system available for use. It serves as the interface between hardware, application software, and the user.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-789\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/image32-3-e1599762676320.jpeg\" alt=\"A computer functions through interactions between the user, applications, the operating system, and the hardware.\" width=\"275\" height=\"305\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Main functions of system software \u2013 allocating system resources, managing storage space, storing and retrieval of files, providing security, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Main types of systems software \u2013 operating system, device driver, utility software, programming software, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_225_443\">Operating system (OS)<\/a> \u2013 a software that controls and coordinates the computer hardware devices and runs other software and applications on a computer. It is the main part of\u00a0system software and a computer will not function without it.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Main functions of an operating system \u2013 booting the computer, managing system resources (CPU, memory, storage devices, printer, etc.), managing files, handling input and output,\u00a0executing and providing services for application software, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Examples of operating system: Microsoft Windows, Apple iOS, Android OS, macOS, Linux, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_225_438\">Device driver<\/a> \u2013\u00a0a software program that is designed to control a particular hardware device that is attached to a computer.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The main purpose of device driver \u2013 it acts as a translator between the hardware device and operating systems or applications that use it.<\/li>\n<li>It instructs computer on how to communicate with the device by translating the operating system&#8217;s instructions into a language that a device can understand in order to perform the necessary task.<\/li>\n<li>Examples of device driver: printer\u00a0driver, display\u00a0driver, USB\u00a0driver, sound card\u00a0driver, motherboard\u00a0driver, ROM\u00a0driver, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_225_437\">Utility software<\/a> \u2013 a type of system software that helps set up, analyze, configure, strengthen, maintain a computer and performs a very specific task (e.g. antivirus software, backup software, memory tester, screen saver, etc.).<\/p>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_225_450\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_225_450\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>any physical device or equipment used in or with a computer system (anything&nbsp;you can see and touch).<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_225_448\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_225_448\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>any hardware device&nbsp;that is located outside the computer.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_225_447\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_225_447\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a piece of hardware device which is used to enter information to a computer for processing.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_225_446\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_225_446\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a piece of hardware device that receives information from a computer.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_225_445\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_225_445\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>any piece of hardware device&nbsp;that is located inside the computer.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_225_449\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_225_449\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a set of instructions or programs that tells a computer what to do or how to perform a specific task (computer software runs on hardware).<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_225_525\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_225_525\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a computer program that provides users with tools to accomplish a specific task.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_225_444\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_225_444\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>it is designed to run a computer's hardware and application software, and make the computer system available for use. It serves as the interface between hardware, application software, and the user.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_225_443\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_225_443\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a software that controls and coordinates the computer hardware devices and runs other software and applications on a computer. It is the main part of&nbsp;system software and a computer will not function without it.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_225_438\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_225_438\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a software program that is designed to control a particular hardware device that is attached to a computer.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_225_437\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_225_437\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a type of system software that helps set up, analyze, configure, strengthen, maintain a computer and performs a very specific task (e.g. antivirus software, backup software, memory tester, screen saver, etc.).<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":90,"menu_order":2,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-225","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":194,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/225","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/225\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":634,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/225\/revisions\/634"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/194"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/225\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=225"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=225"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=225"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=225"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}