Hardware and Software

Hardware

It refers to the tangible components of the computer system, like, the central processing unit (CPU), the visual display unit (VDU), the keyboard, printer and disks or tapes used for back — up storage.

These are called hardware since these components can be seen and touched by the user.

Computer Hardware Functions

(1) Central Processing Unit (CPU): The functioning of the different components of computer hardware are briefly discussed below:

It comprises of three parts: the arithmetical/logic unit, the control unit and the memory. All input, i.e. instructions (programme) and data, are first introduced into the main storage or memory unite. It is then taken out of the memory unit by the control unit according to the programme and moved to the arithmetical/logic unit for processing. The results the processing are then moved back into the memory storage by the control unit and stored there to be used as and when required.

(2) Input Devices: Keyboard, Mouse, Pointers, Punched Card/Tape Reader, Optical Mark Reader (OMR), Optical Character Reader (OCR), etc. are some of the devices used for entering data into the computer system.

(3) Visual Display Unit (VDU): A VDU unit or monitor is the means by which the computer system displays information.

Software: It refers to set of programmes which give instructions to the computer what to do. It is given in programming language compatible to the specific hardware. These are called software because the programmes cannot be seen or touched, although the disks on which they are recorded are tangible. These are of two types computer software:

* Systems software: Systems software means the operating system. It is a general purpose software which controls the basic functions of the CPU.

* Applications Software: Applications software is a kind of readymade computer programme written to perform a particular type of work, ie. for a specific application, such as accounting, word processing, data base, communication, etc.

Subcribe on Youtube - IGNOU SERVICE

For PDF copy of Solved Assignment

WhatsApp Us - 9113311883(Paid)