Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A Central Processing Unit is also called a processor, central processor, or

microprocessor. It carries out all the important functions of a computer. It receives
instructions from both the hardware and active software and produces output
accordingly. It then performs calculations, manipulates data, and produces output based
on those instructions.

Components of CPU

Generally, a CPU has three components:

o ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

o Control Unit
o Memory or Storage Unit

Control Unit:
The Control Unit (CU) is a vital part of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and is
accountable for the overall performance of a computer system.
It takes instructions from memory and then decodes and executes these instructions. So,
it controls and coordinates the functioning of all parts of the computer.

ALU:
It is the arithmetic logic unit, which carries out arithmetic and logical operations.
Included in the list of arithmetic operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, and comparisons. Data selection, comparison, and merging are the primary
logical operations.

Memory or Storage Unit

A computer system's memory or storage unit maintains instructions, data, and

intermediate outcomes. It acts as a database that other computer components may
access and save data in as needed. This device has numerous names because of its
numerous functions, including internal storage unit, main memory, primary storage, or
Random-access reminiscence (RAM).

A computer system commonly has two types of memory: primary and secondary.

o Primary memory, often called RAM, is the main memory of a computer. It closely
collaborates with the CPU to quickly store and retrieve data. RAM allows the
computer to access information randomly, which means it can retrieve any piece
of data without going through everything in order.
 o Secondary memory includes hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and
external storage devices. Computer systems are designed to store data for extended
periods, even if powered off. Secondary memory, unlike RAM, is non-volatile and
maintains records even in the absence of power.

Some functions of the Memory unit

Data Transfer: It facilitates the transfer of data between the CPU and other
components of the computer system, ensuring smooth communication and
efficient processing.
o Fast Access: The memory unit offers fast access to data and instructions,
reducing delays in program execution and enhancing overall system
performance.

What is CPU Clock Speed?

The clock speed of a processor, often known as the CPU clock rate, is an important
component. The clock speed of a CPU or a processor refers to the number of
instructions it can process in a second. It is measured in gigahertz.

What is Computer Hardware?

Hardware, which is abbreviated as HW, refers to all physical components of a computer
system, including the devices connected to it. You cannot create a computer or use
software without using hardware. The screen on which you are reading this information
is also a hardware.

What is a hardware upgrade?

A hardware upgrade refers to a new hardware, or a replacement for the old one, or
additional hardware developed to improve the performance of the existing hardware. A
common example of a hardware upgrade is a RAM upgrade that increases the
computer's total memory, and video card upgrade, where the old video card is removed
and replaced with the new one.

Computer Hardware Parts

Some of the commonly used hardware in your computer are described below:

1. Motherboard
2. Monitor
3. Keyboard
4. Mouse

1) Motherboard:
It allocates power to all hardware located on it and enables them to communicate with
each other. It is meant to hold the computer's microprocessor chip and let other
components connect to it. Each component that runs the computer or improves its
performance is a part of the motherboard or connected to it through a slot or port.

Input hardware components are:Microphone,Camera,Touchpad,USB Flash Drive,Memory

card
Output hardware components are:Printer,Speaker, Headphones, earphones, earbuds:

Software for managing hardware inventories can perform the following things, for
example:

o Immediately gather IT inventory data and auto-discover assets.

o Send immediate warnings regarding CPU and motherboard hardware problems
or when your operating system, firmware, and software upgrades are available.
o Keep track of any server operating system upgrades.
 o How is computer hardware dependent on software?
o Consider the hardware of a computer as a human body that contains numerous
visible and touchable body parts. But the body cannot move or carry out its role
if there is no soul inside of it. And it would be seen as having expired or will be
considered dead.
o Similar to this, a structure is provided by the computer hardware; it includes input
and output devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. But software is also
very necessary for the system because it will not work if it has not had the
necessary software to carry out its intended tasks. Consequently, they are both
dependent on one another.

Software
Software, which is abbreviated as SW or S/W, is a set of programs that enables the
hardware to perform a specific task. All the programs that run the computer are
software. The software can be of three types: system software, application software, and
programming software.

1) System Software
The system software is the main software that runs the computer. When you turn on the
computer, it activates the hardware and controls and coordinates their functioning. The
application programs are also controlled by system software. An operating system is an
example of system software.

i) Operating System:
An operating system is the system software that works as an interface to enable the user
to communicate with the computer. It manages and coordinates the functioning of
hardware and software of the computer. The commonly used operating systems are
Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Apple Mac OS X.

Some other examples of system software include:

o BIOS: It stands for basic input output system. It is a type of system software,
which is stored in Read Only Memory (ROM) located on the motherboard.
However, in advanced computer systems, it is stored in flash memory. BIOS is the
first software that gets activated when you turn on your computer system. It
 loads the drivers of the hard disk into memory as well as assists the operating
system to load itself into the memory.
o Boot Program: Boot refers to starting up a computer. When you switch on the
computer, the commands in the ROM are executed automatically to load the
boot program into memory and execute its instructions. The BIOS program has a
basic set of commands that enables the computer to perform the basic
input/output instructions to start the computer.

2) Application Software:
Application software is a set of programs designed to perform a specific task. It does not
control the working of a computer as it is designed for end-users. A computer can run
without application software. Application software can be easily installed or uninstalled
as required.

Accordingly, they can be of different types such as:

o Word Processing Software: This software allows users to create, edit, format,
and manipulate the text and more. It offers lots of options for writing documents,
creating images, and more. For example, MS Word, WordPad, Notepad, etc.
o Spreadsheet Software: It is designed to perform calculations, store data, create
charts, etc. It has rows and columns, and the data is entered in the cell, which is
an intersection of a row and column, e.g., Microsoft Excel.
o Multimedia Software: These software are developed to perform editing of
video, audio, and text. It allows you to combine texts, videos, audio, and images.
Thus, you can improve a text document by adding photos, animations, graphics,
and charts through multimedia software. For example, VLC player, Window Media
Player, etc.

3) Programming Software:
It is a set or collection of tools that help developers in writing other software or
programs. It assists them in creating, debugging, and maintaining software or programs
or applications. We can say that these are facilitator software that helps translate
programming language such as Java, C++, Python, etc., into machine language code.

Some examples of programming software include:

 o Eclipse: It is a java language editor.
o Coda: It is a programming language editor for Mac.
o Notepad++: It is an open-source editor for windows.
o Sublime text: It is a cross-platform code editor for Linux, Mac, and Windows.