The physicalparts of the computersystem that can be touched and seen. Could be internal or external.
Motherboard
A printed circuit board found in all computers that allows the processor and other computerhardware to function and communicate with each other. Contains sockets and slots to connect other components.
RandomAccessMemory (RAM)
An internalchip where data is temporarilystored when runningapplications. Its contents are lost when power is turned off, so it is a volatile or temporarymemory.
Read-OnlyMemory (ROM)
Memory used to store permanentinformation that cannot be altered. The information stored on ROM chips is not lost even when power is turned off, so it is a non-volatilememory.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
An electroniccircuitboard in a computer that can executeinstructions from a computerprogram. It has an arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) and a controlunit (CU).
Network Interface Card (NIC)
A component that allows a computer or device to be connected to a network, either wired or wireless. Each NIC has a uniqueMACaddress.
Graphics card
Allows the computer to send graphicalinformation to a videodisplaydevice. It usually connects to the motherboard and is made up of a processingunit, memoryunit, cooling mechanism, and displayconnections.
Sound card
An integrated circuitboard that provides a computer with the ability to producesounds that can be heard throughspeakers or headphones, and to recordsound input from a microphone.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) / Solid State Drive (SSD)
HDDs are magnetic storage devices for data, files, and software.SSDs use solid-statetechnology and are replacingHDDs in many cases.
Software
A collection of instructions that can be 'run' on a computer to tell it what to do. It is not a physicalthing but just a bunch of codes.
Examples of software
Operating systems (e.g. Windows, Mac OS)
Applications (e.g. Word, Excel, CAD)
Instructions controlling a robot
Applicationssoftware
Provides the services that the user requires to solve a given task (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphicsediting).
Systemsoftware
Software designed to provide a platform on which all other software can run (e.g. compilers, linkers, device drivers, operating systems, utilities).
allow the hardware to run properly and allow the user to communicate with the computer
Operating system (OS)
Softwarerunning in the background that manages the basic functions of the computer, allowing input/output, user communication, errorhandling, program loading and running, and security management.
Utilities
Software designed to carryoutspecifictasks to manage, maintain and controlcomputerresources (e.g. antivirus, backup, disk repair, file management, security).
Device driver
Software that enableshardware devices to communicate with the computer'soperating system. Without drivers, hardwaredevices would be unable to work with the computer.
Compiler
A computer program that translates a high-levellanguage (HLL) program into machine code that can be directly used by a computer.
Linker
A computer program that takes one or moreobject files produced by a compiler and combines them into a single program that can be run on a computer.
Computers can only understand datainbinaryformat (0s and 1s), which is referred to as digitaldata. However, data in the realworld is actually analogue in nature, changing smoothly from one value to the next.
AnaloguetoDigitalConverter (ADC)
Hardware that convertsanaloguedata into digitaldata for a computer.
Digital to AnalogueConverter (DAC)
Hardware that convertsdigital datafrom a computer into analogue form to control a device.
Word processing
used to produceletters, reports and memos
Spread Sheet
used for tasks that involve calculations or graphs and charts
Database management
used to store and retrieveinformation in database
Presentation application
used to createslide shows and presentation
Graphicseditingsoftware
used to createartwork, or with photographs from a digital camera or a scannedimage to edit the image
Video editing software
used to produce and editvideo
Computer-aideddesign (CAD)
used to produce detailedtechnicaldesigns and plans
Audioproduction and editingprograms
a common way of producinghighqualitymusic at lowcost
Communications software
webbrowsers and email programs, used to access the internet and send and receiveemail
Control software
used to controldevices such as fire alarms and mechanical devices.
Measurementsoftware
used to capture and logdata from sensors eg. temperature, pressure, light intensity.
An Applet
a smallprogram that can perform one or fewsimpletasks
App
associated with use on a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device.
System Software
allow the hardware to runproperly and allow the user to communicate with the computer