CPU

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the “brain” of the computer; it has chips and electronic components and takes decisions based on logic.

MEMORY

Computers use memory to store information. Some types of memory are built into the computer and stay there permanently.

HARD DISK

hard disk (or hard drive) keeps all programs and files. It can hold a lot of data, but it works more slowly than other kinds of memory.

RAM

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a chip card placed on the motherboard. It allows quick access to data and can be expanded by adding more modules.

GRAPHICS CARD

The graphics card looks similar to the RAM. It is also a green plastic card with chips.

It defines the format of the graphics and helps the processor to process the graphics faster.

We need a powerful graphics cards to play video games, to watch movies and for graphic

design.

PERIPHERALS

Peripherals are elements of communication between the computer and the outside world

(including ourselves).

THE OPERATING SYSTEM

The operating system (OS) is the main program of the computer and controls its internal functioning and hardware. In the 1980s, it allowed only one user and one application at a time. It was loaded from a floppy disk before using the computer, and over time it evolved along with computers.

THE APPLICATIONS

Sometimes we call them "programs", but any piece of software is a program, including the

operating system.

Applications are programs that we use to do things on the computer; they are our tools.

You probably know a lot of them already: Word (word processor), Excel (spreadsheet),

Access (database), PowerPoint (presentations), FIFA 11 (game), Messenger

(telecommunication software), Autocad (CAD)...

An "application suite" is a group of applications in a package. For example: Open Office,

Microsoft Office or iWork'09.

Application suites normally include a word processor, a spreadsheet, a web browser and

other applications.

The applications in the suite have a common user interface so that the user can easily learn

how to use all of them.

The different applications of an application suite can interact with each other. So we can, for

example, insert a spreadsheet in a word processor document.