Chapter 14 - COMPUTING by Harri Munduate

COMPUTERS :

harri_munduate — 2025-10-08 07:47:54 UTC

Computers are tools that follow instruction from the user and from the computer programmer.

HARDWARE :

harri_munduate — 2025-10-08 07:51:46 UTC

It is the part of the computer that we can touch.

It has got some components that are interconnected.

But at the same time they are independent and we can change any of them.

1.CPU (Central processing unit)

harri_munduate — 2025-10-08 07:55:10 UTC

It is a big,green plastic board with a lot of chips and many other electronic components mounted on it. It is the unit called " the processor". It is the "brain" of the computer. It looks at the information and takes decisions based on logic.

2.MEMORY

harri_munduate — 2025-10-08 08:01:36 UTC

The memory stores information. They are various types of memory in the computer.

2.1 Fixed memories.They normally stay inside the computer.

2.2 Portable memories.

2.1.1. HARD DISC (Fixed memories).

harri_munduate — 2025-10-08 08:16:18 UTC

Also called "hard disc". It is a set of rigid discs with a magnetic surface.

They can store a large amount of data (Around 1TB).

But they are relatively slow.

2.1.2. RAM (Fixed memory)

harri_munduate — 2025-10-08 08:19:40 UTC

This is a green plastic card with chips.

It is installed in a slot on the mother board.

It stores and retrieves information quickly.

But we can lose that information if there is an electrical power cut.

2.2 Portable memories

harri_munduate — 2025-10-08 08:21:19 UTC

They are easy to connect and disconnect from the computer. And they are easy to carry.

EXAMPLES: CDs, DVDs, Pen drives, Memory cards...

3. GRAPHIC CARDS

harri_munduate — 2025-10-08 08:26:00 UTC

It is also a green plastic card with chips.

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

4.PERIPHERALS

harri_munduate — 2025-10-08 08:29:47 UTC

4.1 ENTRY PERIPHERALS : They give information to the computers. Keyboard, mouse, microphone, thermostat...

4.2 EXIT PERIPHERALS : They give us information. Screen, speakers, printer,light bulb,motor...

SOFTWARE

harri_munduate — 2025-10-08 08:32:55 UTC

It is the part of the computer that we can not touch.

It is the logic that the computer follows.

When we use a program, the computer follows the instructions in the program.

The operating system (OS)

harri_munduate — 2025-10-08 08:42:26 UTC

There is on OS per computer.

The OS defines the internal logic for the functioning of the computer.

The OS is stored in the hard disc. It can manage multiple applications at the same time. And it has a graphic display, so we can interact with the computer using a mouse.

The most common, famous or used OS are:

Windows.
MAC.
Linux.
Chrome OS..