COMPUTING by Aiora Berasarte Moreno

what is a computer?

berasarteaiora — 2025-10-08 09:54:45 UTC

Computers are not intelligent; they are tools that follow instructions from the user and from the computer programmer

hardware

berasarteaiora — 2025-10-13 12:43:59 UTC

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

The hardware is the components that are interconnected.

CPU

berasarteaiora — 2025-10-13 12:45:40 UTC

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is a big, green, plastic board with a lot of chips and many other electronic components mounded on it.

Memory

berasarteaiora — 2025-10-13 12:55:38 UTC

memory stores information.

There are various types of memory in the computer

Fixed memories:

They normally stay inside the computer

HARD DISC: Also called "hard drive", it is a set of rigid discs with a megnetic surface

RAM: ( Random Access Memory): This is a green plastic card with chips.
the RAM id installed in a slot on the mother board.

Portable memories

They are easy to connect and disconnect from the comuter. Also, they are easy to carry.

Graphics card

berasarteaiora — 2025-10-13 13:00:42 UTC

The graphics cord 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.

Peripherals

berasarteaiora — 2025-10-13 16:11:33 UTC

peripherals are elements of commucication between the computer and the outside world (including ourselves).

Entry peripherals:

Entry peripherals give information to the computer: keyboard, mouse, michophone, thermostat...

Exit peripherals:

The computer uses the exit peripherals to give information to us or to an actuator: screen, speakers, printer, light, bulb, motor...

A peripheral can be both entry and exit; an examples is the router to conectet from the internet.

what is a software?

berasarteaiora — 2025-10-13 16:14:01 UTC

Software is the part of the computer that we can't touch. It is the logic that the computer follows.

The operating system (OS)

berasarteaiora — 2025-10-13 16:17:04 UTC

there is one OS per computer; not more, not less.

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

Today's OS:

It is stored in the hard disc (the aplications are also stored in the HD)

It can manage multiple applications at the same time,

applications

berasarteaiora — 2025-10-13 16:20:25 UTC

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 out tools.