Grade 6 ICT : Importance of a Computer - Part 2

Dear Children, we know that a Computer System consists of two major elements namely, Computer Hardware and Computer Software. In this article, we will be focusing on these two elements in brief. 

What is Hardware?

Hardware is the collection of the physical parts of the computer system. These are the parts of a computer that can be touched. These physical components of a computer can be grouped according to their functions.

 

• Input Devices

These are the devices that are used to enter data and instructions/commands in to the computer.

Examples: Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Digital Camera, Light pen, Microphone Barcode reader, Web

Camera

 

• Output Devices

The devices that are used to retrieve data and information are called output devices. Output devices give the results of processed data in the form of information. 

Examples: Monitor, Printer, Speaker, Multimedia Projector, Head phone, Plotters

 

• Central Processing Unit

The CPU or the main processor is an important component of every computer. It is located inside the System Unit and it carries out the functions of controlling and data processing within the computer system as per the instructions given. The CPU reads all the instructions given by the user and executes them one by one. 

 

• Main Memory/ Physical Memm0ry / Random Access Memory (RAM)

The main memory of a computer system holds data, information and instructions temporally and it has a limited capacity. When the power is switched off, these data / information is lost.   Storage Devices

These are the devices that are used to store or record data, information and instructions permanently. There are two categories of storage devices namely, Internal Storage Devices and External Storage Devices.

 

• • Internal Storage Devices are embedded into the Computer. 

Example: Internal Hard Disk, Internal DVD unit

 

• • External Storage devices are typically connected to the computer system from outside through the physical ports.

Examples: Pen/flash drives, External Hard disk, Compact Disk (CD), DVD, Blue ray disk

 

• Communication Devices

These devices help the user to exchange/transmit data, information and instructions between sending and receiving devices. There are both wired or wireless communication devices. 

Examples: Router, Modem, Network Interface Card (NIC), Bluetooth devices, Smartphone

 

What is Software?

Software is a set of programs / instructions that allows a user to carry out numerous tasks by using a computer and it basically tells the computer what to do. Software cannot be touched and there are many types of software that have been designed to fulfill numerous needs of the user. Software are of two types namely; System Software and Application Software.

 

• • Application Software 

 Examples: Microsoft Office (Eg: MS Word, MS Excel, etc.), Painting software (Eg:  Paint), Windows Media Player, Computer Games, Video Editing Software, Web Browsers (Eg: Internet Explorer, Google Chrome)

 

• • System Software 

Examples: Operating Systems (Eg: Windows 98, Windows 10, Linux), Device Drivers,

Programming Language Translators, Utility Software (Eg: Anti-virus and security software)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Mekhala Egodawele

Photo source : Internet