JARAH WATI VILLAROSA

BSCE-1

Module 1: ACTIVITIES/ASSESSMENT
Activity 1.2 Answer the following questions:

1. Differentiate hardware from software.

Computer hardware refers to the tangible and physical parts of the computer. This includes the
CPU motherboard, mouse, keyboard, printer, and monitor. When it comes to hardware issues, it is
more severe because you might end to open up the whole machine in order to see what’s going on
inside the computer. Just like the printer when it is not working properly, you have to call for
someone who is skilled enough in repairing printers because it is quite sensitive to open up. Also,
one of the major problems that I usually see just like in computer shops, is the heating of the CPU,
which also very sensitive to open up due to its components, you have to be very careful because
each of the part of CPU is very important for the functioning of the whole system.
On the other hand, is the software. Software refers to the codes, set of programs, procedures,
and routines which is associated with the operation of the computer. This includes the Windows,
Excel or other programming systems that a computer contains. Computer software issue is not that
severe to accomplish because you can just explore inside the computer to search for the problem
or through just updating the system. Though the component of software is intangible, it is an
advantage to the hardware to know some computer issues because it reflects on how the computer
works. The information can be retrieved even without opening the machine in its full accuracy and
productivity.

2. Enumerate five input devices and their uses.

Some of the five input devices are the following below:
1. Keyboard
`Keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps to input data to
the computer. The layout of the keyboard is like that of traditional typewriter, although there are
some additional keys provided for performing additional functions.
2. Computer Mouse
A computer mouse is the most popular pointing device. It is a very famous cursor-control
device having a small palm size box with a round ball at its base, which senses the movement of
the mouse and sends corresponding signals to the CPU when the mouse buttons are pressed.
3. Scanner
Scanner is an input device, which works more like a photocopy machine. It is used when
some information is available on paper and it is to be transferred to the hard disk of the computer
for further manipulation.
4. Microphone
Microphone is an input device to input sound that is then stored in a digital form. The
microphone is used for various applications such as adding sound to a multimedia presentation or
for mixing music.
5. Digitizer
Digitizer is an input device which converts analog information into digital form. Digitizer
can convert a signal from the television or camera into a series of numbers that could be stored in
a computer. They can be used by the computer to create a picture of whatever the camera had been
pointed at. Digitizer is also known as Tablet or Graphics Tablet as it converts graphics and pictorial
data into binary inputs. A graphic tablet as digitizer is used for fine works of drawing and image
manipulation applications.

3. Enumerate five output devices and their uses.

Some of the five output devices are the following below:
1. Monitors
A monitor is display screen used to provide visual output from a computer, cable box,
video camera, VCR or other video generating device. Computer monitors use CRT and LCD
technology, while TV monitors use CRT, LCD and plasma technologies.
2. Printer
The function of a printer is to create a copy of whatever is sent from the computer to the
printer. Printers take electronic data sent from a computer and generate a hard copy.
3. Headphones.
Headphones output audio from a computer through two individual headphones for a single
listener. Also known as earphones, headphones allow you to listen to audio without disrupting
other people in the vicinity.
4. Computer Speakers
Computer speakers are hardware devices that transform the signal from the computer sound
card into audio. Speakers create sound using internal amplifiers that vibrate at different frequencies
according to data from the computer. This produces sound.
5. Video Card
The video card is an expansion card that slots into the motherboard. The video card
processes images and video, enabling visuals to be seen on a display. Most computers have basic
video and graphics capabilities built into the computer motherboard, but for faster, more detailed
graphics, a video card is required.

4. Differentiate RAM and ROM.

RAM, which stands for random access memory, plays a very important role in the
performance of the computer because its application is to access and store necessary information
but on a short period of time. RAM also helps the computer to support its software, the more RAM
the CPU has the more the job becomes easier. Random access memory also helps the computer to
run smoothly. While ROM, which stands for read-only memory, is kind of a flash memory chip
that contains a small amount of non-volatile memory. Non-volatile means that its contents cannot
be changed and it retains its memory after the computer is turned off. It provides permanent storage
for instructions needed during bootstrapping, or the process of turning on the computer. In opposite
to RAM, the data can’t be nearly or quickly erased in ROM.

5. Give five examples of Application Software that are not mentioned above.
1. Word processors
2. Graphics software
3. Database software
4. Spreadsheet software
5. Presentation software

6. Differentiate system software and application software.

System software is used for operating computer hardware. This software is meant to
manage the system resources which is also helps to run the application software. The system
software gives more benefits to the computer because it focuses on how to run different operating
system the computer has just like programming. The system software is an essential component in
order to run the computer itself.
On the other hand, is the application software. Application software is a type of computer
program that performs a specific task on the computer. Application software is commonly defined
as any program or number of programs designed for end-users. This software focuses on handling
yourself while using computer on how you operate such specific task. A user enables himself to
explore and apply different features or to solve problems by themselves through application.
7. Differentiate input hardware and output hardware.
Input Hardware is a device that translate data into a form the computer can process.
Normally, it translates into binary code that can be process by computer to translate words, sounds,
numbers, and mages. The input computer hardware is like keyboard, source entry devices such as
scanner, pointing devices which is mouse, and others. While on the other hand, the fundamental
of output computer hardware is same as the input computer hardware, but they are vice versa.
Output computer hardware are translating the information processes by computer into form that
humans can understand such as words, sounds, numbers, and images. Generally, it translates the
binary code that produced by computer. Today, there are much output computer hardware in the
market such as variety of monitors, speakers, printers, and others.

8. Who is the father of computers? What did he do to get the title of the ‘father of computer’?
Charles Babbage is the father of computer. He was an English polymath. A mathematician,
philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer, Babbage originated the concept of a digital
programmable computer. He got the title as the father of computer because of his invention and a
research regarding a machine that could calculate. Babbage’s Difference Engine Number 1 was
the first device ever devised that could calculate and print mathematical tables.

9. What are the other inventions and development of computer technology and IT infrastructure
in the fifth generation of computers?
The other inventions and development of computer technology and IT infrastructure in the
fifth generation of computes is development and acceptance of parallel processing. The fifth
generation also introduce the machines with hundreds of processors that could all be working on
different parts of a single program. As time passes by, the emerged of parallel processing continue
to develop and make its way to introduce a commercial product based on its components. Other
new developments were the widespread use of computer networks and the increasing use of single-
user workstations. They provided a library of subroutines that would allow programmers to write
programs that would use more than one processor, and the machine was widely used to explore
parallel algorithms and programming techniques.

10. What do you think would be the future of computer systems? If there would be the sixth
generation, what do you think would be innovations and advancements of technology in the
future?
As time passes, I see computer systems in its more advanced image. Future has great
possibilities for computer technology, as we are capable of discovering more out of the shell, I
believe that people would create a more productive technology for the future generation. There
might be computers that would come with double processors and impressive performance better
on what we have today. Programming might be easier for everybody in utilizing new innovation
for the betterment of the environment. I believe that in the future, computers might change its
features into something amazingly different. Everything that we see and use might be made of
high technology machines that will make our life easier.
The day will come that people would be more dependent on using technology. As I come
to be more mature, I’ve witnessed how technology advancement changed the life of people. My
everyday living is surrounded by technology where it feels like I can’t live without it. I have found
a lot of new high technology on the internet made by the playful minds of people; this is why I
think people are becoming more intelligent as time passes by. Today technology is actively
growing and innovating not just for a year but instantly shorter than a year. What more in the near
future? Computers are constantly being more updated, a proof that advancement is improving.
I believe that technology will continue to innovate as we wait for the future generation.
Man-made technology might exceed human intelligence if ever. The future generation will be
more impacted in artificial intelligence that technology will be in the coming years. Everything
around will not be impossible through the use of technology. Every single that we might encounter
in future depends on technology. But technology might also stop in its advancement, there’s
always a possibility for that. However, I also believe that if no people there will be no advancement
for technologies. This is why it continues to make its way to be part human’s everyday living. All
we have to do when the day comes that we are in a more advanced world is to limit ourselves and
be responsible of using technology, because everything that is too much is not good.