These are the visible/tangible parts of
computer that can be touched and seen. The make up the natural parts of
computer. Examples are:
System Unit: This is the technical term that refers
to the box that houses your computer. A System Unit is the large base or
cabinet housing the parts of your computer that process and store information.
The System Unit refers to the computer itself but does not include any other
peripherals. It houses the Central Processing Unit (CPU), which is the Brain of
the entire Computer System. Some people call the entire cabinet the “central
processing unit or CPU, but that is incorrect. The CPU is part of the
electronic equipment inside the cabinet, not the cabinet itself. CPU
contains ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT (ALU), which performs
arithmetic and logical operations. It also has CONTROL UNIT, which extracts
instructions from the memory and decodes and executes
the m, calling on the Arithmetic Logic Unit
when necessary. The control unit is the circuitry that controls the follow of
information through the processor and coordinates the activities of the other
units within. As the name implies, it controls what happens inside the
processor (CPU), which in turn controls the rest of the Personal Computer (PC).
Monitor: This is the screen where texts and
images generated by your computer are displayed on its screen. Monitors come in
variety of sizes and resolutions. Sometimes it may be referred to as Cathode
Ray Tube (CRT), Visual Display Unit (VDU) and/or Visual Graphic Adapter (VGA).
There are basically two types of Monitor:
i. Monochrome Monitor: this type of monitor
displays data in one colour; black, white or any other colour.
ii. Colour Monitor: As you can see from the
name, this Displays data in full/multiple colour mode
KEYBOARD: This is an input device. It looks like
a set of typewriter keys. It can be used to type information and instructions.
MOUSE: Mouse is an input device. It is also a
pointing device, which allows a computer user to move the screen cursor or
pointer. A mouse usually has one or more buttons on top, a ball on the bottom
and a cable connection the mouse to the computer. Movement of the mouse causes
a relative change in cursor location. Clicking the button causes a screen item
or command to be selected. It is used to communicate with the computer or give
instruction and commands.
SPEAKER: Internal or external
speakers can be used to bring out sound/audio from the computer system.
SCANNER: Scanner is an input device that
uses light to read printed information including text, graphics, and special
(bar) codes, and transfer it into the computer in a digital format. In other
words, it is used to transfer photo images into the computer.
NB: There are
many hardware parts of the computer such as Joystick, Modem, Diskettes, Light
Pen, CD-ROM, Flash Drive, etc. They can be referred to as accessories or
peripherals such as:
MODEM: It means Modulation
Demodulation. It is used to connect your computer to the Internet over a
telephone line.
DISKETTE: is used to store
your information. It can also be used to transfer information from one computer
to the other.
LIGHT
PEN:
Light Pen is used to write or input your signature into the computer, just like
a pen, but an electronic one. It must be connected to system unit before it can
be used.
COMPACT
DISK:
This is used to store computer programs, audio music and movies.
LASH
DRIVE:
Flash Drive is a storage device. It can be used to store information just like
Diskette. A 128MB Flash takes about 88 Diskettes. 128MB/1.44MB = 88.8
Software: These are computer programs, which
provide the instruction that enables the computer hardware to work. Software
could also be referred to as sets of instruction that tell a computer what to
do. The term "Software" was first proposed by Alan Turing and used in this sense by John W. Tukey in 1957. Without software the
hardware is just a container. Meaning that the hardware is useless without the
software.
