TYPES OF HARDWARE

The physical parts that make up a computer are called hardware. A computer enables hardware
components to work together to store, retrieve and process data. The computer uses software
(programs or sets of instructions) to carry out the storage, retrieval and processing of data.

There are four types of hardware devices:

Types of Hardware Function and examples

Input devices used to insert or supply data to the computer
examples include the keyboard, mouse and a
memory (USB) stick
Processing and Internal memory devices used to process data using program instructions
examples include the motherboard, CPU (central
processing unit) and main memory or RAM
(Random Access Memory)
Output devices used to display data and programs from the
computer examples include a computer monitor or
screen, and a printer
Storage devices used to store programs and data examples include
the hard disk drive and optical disk drive

In this image you can see the hardware components of a typical personal computer:

Inside a personal computer

1. Monitor
2. Motherboard
3.CPU (Microprocessor)
4. Main memory (RAM)
5. Expansion cards
6. Power supply unit
7. compact disk drive (CDD)
8. Hard disk drive (HDD)
9. Keyboard
10. Mouse
System Software
System software is a collection of one or more programs used to control and coordinate the
hardware and other application software. Generally the system software may perform the
following functions:

Communicates with hardware devices. Controls and monitors the proper use of various
hardware resources like CPU, memory, peripheral devices like monitor, printer etc.
Supports the execution and development of other application software.
Few examples of system software are:

Operating system
Programming language translators
Communication software
Compiler and Interpreters
Command line shell
Application Software
Application software is a collection of one or more programs used to solve a specific task.

Generally software used in banking industry, airline/railway reservation, generation of

telephone or electricity bills etc. all fall under application software.

Few examples of application software are:

Word processing software

Spreadsheet software
Database software
Education software
Entertainment software
Utility Software
Utility software is a collection of one or more programs that helps the user in system
maintenance tasks and in performing tasks of routine nature. Utility programs help the users in
disk formatting, data compression, data backup, scanning for viruses etc.

Few examples of utility software are:

Anti-virus
Registry cleaners
Disk defragmenters
Data backup utility
Disk cleaners