Welcome to
the world of Personal Computers (PC. The goal of this article is to provide
basic information about the differences between computer hardware and software.
The simplest definition of a computer is a machine that performs tasks or
calculations according to a set of instructions or programs. The first
electronic computers, made available in the 1940s, were huge machines and
filled rooms dedicated just to running them. The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Computer) was the first general purpose electronic computer
built for the U.S. military around 1946. It weighed over 60,000 pounds; that’s
over 30 tons. However, it did not have the processing capability of the
standard personal computers that we buy from retail stores today. As a matter
of fact, your smartphone has more processing power than the early computers. Needless
to say that today’s computers are amazing in comparison to those now relics of
another time.
Stand Alone Computers versus Network Computers
Computers
range greatly in capability and size, but the personal computer, which is
designed to be used by a single individual, has rapidly become the most popular
type. Computers range from the most powerful and most expensive supercomputers
to the tiny, inexpensive computers found in TVs, stereo systems, calculators,
and appliances.
There
are two main types of computers, the Stand
Alone computers and Network
computers. It is important to know the difference in the two. Stand Alone computers are not in any
way connected to other computers; this includes being connected to the
internet. This means that you are as secure as possible from any
outside influences on the computer, including viruses, Trojans, worms and
malware. You should always scan any disks, CD’s and flash drives for viruses
before opening files on the computer.
To
tell if the computer is a standalone computer check and see if there is a data
cable (looks like a phone line but is slightly larger) or a phone line plugged
into the back of the computer. There is also WIFI which does not
require a physical connection, if the internet is accessible on a computer it
is not a Stand Alone computer, it is
networked.
The
Internet is the biggest network in the world. Government offices and
corporations also use what is called the Intranet. It is called the intranet
because it is confined to just that particular organization and only authorized
users can access it. The Intranet is a smaller scale than the Internet.
Computers
are used to keep records, analyze data, perform research, manage projects,
store pictures and communicate with others. They are also used to play games,
listen to music and watch movies, videos and TV programs. The World Wide Web
(WWW) offers information in an easy to use format via Web pages and sites.
Other commonly used Internet services include E-mail.
Hardware, Software, and Firmware
The world of computers can be divided into three
parts: hardware, software, and firmware. These components work together to make
the computer perform the functions that we need. Having a basic understanding of these
different components of the PC will make your computing experience easier and
more pleasurable.
Hardware
Hardware refers to the parts of a computer that you
can see and touch. Computer hardware includes the computer unit which consists
of the case and all of the components inside of it plus the monitor, keyboard,
speakers and mouse. Printers, scanners, cameras and flash drives are also
hardware. Any component that you can touch and feel is hardware.
Software
Software is the set of instructions or the program
code that tells the hardware what task to perform. Printers have drivers that
tell the printer how to perform. The printer is the hardware the driver is the
software.
There are two categories of software, the operating
system and application software. The Operating System (OS) is the computer
program that manages all the other programs on the computer, it manages the
computer and the devices connected to it. The operating system of Apple is
currently Mac OS X and Microsoft PCs use Windows XP or Windows 7.
All other programs on the computer (such as Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Quicken) are application software. Application
software is the software that actually allows you to process information.
Firmware
Firmware is a type of software because it is program
code. What makes it different from software is the way it is stored. Firmware
is stored on the hardware device itself. A digital camera has code stored on it
to tell it how to function and a MP3 player has code stored directly on it to
tell the device how to function. It is not a software that you can install or
remove but is already there and necessary for the device to function properly.
You can’t replace it with some other program and have it work properly.
