Hardware_Booklet
Hardware_Booklet
HARDWARE
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Definition and Purpose
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Definition and Purpose
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• You use hardware to put some data into a computer (input),
something happens to that data (processing) and then the
computer puts out a result (output) through hardware.
• In order to do this, the computer needs instructions to tell it
what to do. The instructions are provided by programs and the
programs are kept in storage devices.
COMPUTER INPUT
• A computer system is a system that needs an input, in the form of data.
Somehow the data has to get into the computer and this is done by
using an 'input device.'
• For example, if you want to create an email, you might use a keyboard
to type your message.
– As you press the key you will see the text appear on the screen.
– The keyboard is an 'input device' as it enables you to put data into
the computer system.
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ACTIVITY: INPUT DEVICES
Write down three examples of an INPUT Device:
(a) ___________________________________
(b) ___________________________________
( c) ___________________________________
• The main purpose of a computer is to process data. Once data has been
input into the computer system something needs to happen to it i.e. it
needs to be processed.
• If you use your keyboard to type the letter A you would expect it to
appear on your computer monitor.
• However, that doesn’t magically happen, there is an in-between stage
which takes the data you have input, it does some work on it (process)
and then shows it on your computer screen as the letter A (output).
• The processing stage takes place within the CPU (Central Processing
Unit). The CPU is a single electronic chip within the system.
• Another term often used for the CPU is a microprocessor.
• The CPU (or microprocessor) is the 'brain' of the computer. It takes
input, processes it and produces output data.
ACTIVITY: PROCESSING
Read the above statements and write down the key words from the
information written about the CPU [Central Processing Unit.
Key words:
(a) ______________________________
(b) ______________________________
(c )______________________________
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(d) _______________________________
(e )_______________________________
COMPUTER OUTPUT
• The 'output' is what comes out of the
computer after the processing stage is
complete.
• Think of the email that you wanted to write.
– You typed the letter A using a keyboard
(input)
– The CPU processed the data using a
software program (processing).
– Now the next thing to happen is for that
data to be given to you in a format that
you can make use of (output).
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• ACTIVITY: OUTPUT DEVICES
Write down three examples of an INPUT Device:
(a) ___________________________________
• (b) ___________________________________
• ( c) ___________________________________
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