Elements of a Computer System

Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Input / Output Devices
Computer Memory and Storage Basics
Practice Exercises
1. People - the most important part and beneficiary of a
computer system, generally categorized as either end-
users or developers.

2. Procedures - are descriptions of how things are done

(i.e. manuals, documentations)

3. Data/Information - raw facts (data) and processed data

(information) that are used to produce the desired
result

4. Hardware - the physical element of a computer system

categorized according to the basic operations they
perform
5. Software - provides the step by step instructions that
tell the computer what to do.

6. Communications - refers to the electronic transfer of

data from one place to another
The Computer Hardware

Computer hardware is the physical parts of a computer. It

is one that is tangible components of a computer.

Hardware can be inside or outside the computer:

The CPU and hard drive are inside the computer.

The keyboard, monitor, and printer are outside the
computer and must be connected by cables.
 Basic Concepts of
Computer Hardware

Primary Memory

Input CPU Output

Units (Central Processing Unit) Units
What are input and output devices?
Information flows between you and your computer through
input and output devices.

An input device is any hardware device that sends data to a

computer, allowing you to interact with and control the
computer.
An output device is any piece of computer hardware
equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by an information processing
system which converts the electronically generated
information into human-readable form
 Activity 1:
1. Open Google, then search for the following:
a. examples of input devices
b. examples of output devices

2. Open WordPad, then list down searched items.

Examples of input devices are:
keyboard
mouse
scanner
digital camera
Joystick

Examples of output devices are:

monitor
printer
speakers
projector
Computer Software
Software, commonly known as programs, consists of all
the electronic instructions that tell the hardware how to
perform a task.

Software can also be described as a collection of

routines, rules and symbolic languages that direct the
functioning of the hardware.

Software is generally created (written) in a high-level

programming language, one that is (more or less)
readable by people. These high-level instructions are
converted into "machine language" instructions,
represented in binary code, before the hardware can
"run the code".
Types of Software

Practical computer systems divide software systems

into three major groups:

1. System software: Helps run computer hardware and

computer system. Computer software includes
operating systems, device drivers, diagnostic tools
and more.
2. Programming software: Software that assists a
programmer in writing computer programs.
3. Application software: Allows users to accomplish one
or more tasks.
How Do I Use Software?

It is important to choose the right software program for the type of

task you want to do:
 Activity 2:
1. Open Google, then search for the following:
a. examples of application software
b. examples of programming software
c. examples of system software

2. Open WordPad, then list down searched items

Draw Conclusions What types of software could you use to accomplish
your school tasks?

Type of Software Sample Task

Conduct Internet research
Communicate with friends
Send a file to your teacher
Write a letter, paper, or essay
Create a slide show
Make calculations
Organize and access large amounts of
information, such as at a library
Computer Memory and Storage Basics
When Do I Use RAM and ROM?

When you use your computer to perform any type of task, you are
using two types of memory:

Type of Memory What Does It Do? When Is It Used?

Read-only memory Stores permanent information When you turn a computer

(ROM) like telling the computer how on or off
to start up

Random-access Stores temporary information When you start and use

memory (RAM) when you are working in a file software
Computer Memory and Storage Basics
How Is Information Stored?

When you save a file, you move the information from RAM to a
storage device. The type of storage device depends on how much
space is needed. Music and video files require more storage space
than text files.
Practice Exercise 1
In this exercise, students will open three programs and manage the
windows using the taskbar, as well as Cascading and Tiling features

1. Use the Start menu to open WordPad from the Accessories option.
2. Use the Start menu to open the Calculator from the Accessories option.
3. Use the Start menu to open Paint from the Accessories option.
4. Click on each button on the taskbar to bring each program to the front.
5. Right-click on a blank area of the taskbar.
6. Choose Cascade Windows from the Shortcut Menu.
7. Right-click on a blank area of the taskbar and choose Tile Windows Vertically
from the shortcut menu.
8. Right-click on a blank area of the taskbar and choose Tile Windows
Horizontally from the shortcut menu.
9. Close all open windows.
10. Answer the following questions about this exercise:
a) What happened to the open windows when you chose Cascade?
b) What happened to the open windows when you chose Tile Windows Vertically?
c) What happened to the open windows when you chose Tile Windows
Horizontally?
Practice Exercise 2
In this exercise, you will create a letter in WordPad and save it into a folder.
You will create another folder and copy the document into it.

1. Use the Start menu to open WordPad.

2. In WordPad, type a list of activities you would like to do this weekend.
You might include movies you would like to rent this weekend or places
to visit.
3. Save the document as weekend plans on MyDocuments.
4. In Windows Explorer, create a folder named Weekend Activities.
5. Move the weekend plans file into the Weekend Activities folder.
6. Create a new folder called Personal.
7. Create a copy of the file from the Weekend Activities folder into the
Personal folder.