Republic of the Philippines

CEBU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

M. J. Cuenco Avenue,Cor. R. Palma Street, Cebu City, Philippines
Website: http://www.ctu.edu.ph Phone: +6332 402 4060 loc. 1104

COLLEGE OF COMPUTER, INFORMATION AND

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

THE ELEMENTS AND PARTS OF A COMPUTER

Module 2

HARDWARE
These are all the physical aspects of a computer system that are tangible, where
you can see and touch them. These components are the electronic or mechanical
instruments that help the users interact with the software and display the result of the
tasks being performed.

Input Devices
• Mouse
A hand-held pointing device that enables its user to move a cursor smoothly and
intuitively across a two-dimensional plane.
o Mechanical – uses ball under it to move the mouse
o Optical – uses light as a means to detect movement.
o Laser – uses infrared laser diode which is better than the optical mouse.
o Wireless – uses wireless technology to transmit data from the mouse to the
CPU using radio waves (Bluetooth) or infrared light.
• Keyboard
Similar to an electric typewriter, a keyboard is composed of buttons that create
letters, numbers, and symbols, as well as perform other functions.
• Scanner
Captures images from photographic prints, posters, magazine pages, and similar
sources to digital signal for computer editing and display.
• Web Camera
Captures either still pictures or motion video, and with the aid of software, can
transmit its video on the Internet in real-time.
• Microphone
Sometimes abbreviated as mic, a microphone is a hardware peripheral and input
device that allows computer users to input audio into their computers.

Output Devices
• Monitor
Alternatively referred to as a VDT (video display terminal) and VDU (video display
unit), a monitor is an output device that displays video images and text.
o Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) - a vacuum tube with an electron gun and a
fluorescent screen based on the same technology as early televisions.
o Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) –thin, flat display device made of color pixels
arrayed in front of a light source or reflector.
• Printer
Takes the electronic data stored on a computer or other device and generates
a hard copy of it.
o Inkjet - prints by spraying streams of quick-drying ink on paper.
o Laser jet – produces high quality prints or graphics on paper. It prints faster
than ink jet and dot matrix.
 o Plotter – prints CAD drawings and large format printing requirements such as
billboards.
o Thermal – produces prints on thermal paper by selective heating wherein
heated areas turns black creating an image.
• Speakers
Connects to a computer to generate sound. The signal used to produce the sound
that comes from a computer speaker is created by the computer's sound card.
• Headphone
Sometimes referred to as earphones, headphones are hardware output devices
that either plug into a computer line out or speakers.
• Data Projector
Take images generated by a computer or Blu-ray player and reproduce them by
projection onto a screen, wall, or another surface.

Input/Output Devices
Alternatively referred to as an IO device, an input/output device is any hardware
used by a human operator or other systems to communicate with a computer. As the
name suggests, input/output devices are capable of sending data (input) to a computer
and receiving data from a computer (output).
o CD-R/RW, DVD, and Blu-ray drive
o Digital camera
o Touch screen

The System Unit

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Performs the calculations and does the comparisons needed for processing, and
controls the other parts of the computer system.
• Power Supply
Converts standard electrical power into a form the computer can use.
• Fan
Cools the CPU and other important components within the system unit.
• Hard Drive
Stores data and programs; the principal storage device for most personal
computers.
• Storage Bays
Hold storage devices, such as the floppy, DVD, and hard drives.
• DVD Drive
Accesses data stored on CDs or DVDs.
• Floppy Drive
Accesses data stored on floppy disks.
• Memory Slots
Connect memory modules to the motherboard
• Memory (RAM) Modules
Store data temporarily while computer is used.
• Motherboard
Connects all components of the computer system; the PC’s main circuit board.
• Expansion Slots
Connect expansion cards to the motherboard for additional capabilities.

Reference: https://www.toppr.com
Last access: February 15, 2020
 • Expansion Card
Used to connect peripheral devices or add new capabilities to a computer
system, such as video, sound, advanced graphics, Ethernet or memory.
Computer Storage
This is where data and information are processed and manipulated to perform the
task at hand that is measured by bits (b):
8 bits (b) = 1 byte (B)

• Internal Memory
Also called “Main or Primary Memory" stores small amount of data that can be
accessed quickly while the computer is running.
o Read-only Memory (ROM) is non-volatile, which means it can retain data even
without power. It is used mainly to start or boot up a computer.
o Random-access Memory (RAM) temporarily stores data while the central
processing unit (CPU) is executing other tasks.

• External Memory
Also called “Secondary Memory" refers to a storage device that can retain or store
data persistently. They could be embedded or removable storage devices.

SOFTWARE
A set of programs or computer instructions, which helps the user to do a set of specific
tasks. It helps the user interact with the computer system with the help of hardware.
Operating Systems
These specialized programs allow the communication between software
and hardware. The operating systems run all the other computer programs, and
even regulate the startup process of the computer.
Examples are Windows by Microsoft, macOS Catalina by Apple, and
Android 10 by Android.
Application Software
These are designed to perform a specific task or a bunch of tasks. They can
be user-designed (specific to the user’s needs) or readymade application software.
Few notable application software are the Microsoft Office Applications by
and Apple’s iWork applications.
Utility Software
Like Operating Systems, it is a system software, which helps maintain and
protect the computer system.
Antivirus software is one of the best example of a utility software.
Language Processors
Software that interprets computer language and translates it into machine
language. It also checks for errors in language syntax and fixes the problems.
An example of this software is Code::Blocks, open source, cross platform,
free C, C++ and Fortran Integrated Development Environment.

Reference: https://www.toppr.com
Last access: February 15, 2020
 Connectivity Software
The special software that facilitates the connection between the computer
system and the server. This allows the computer to share information and
communicate with each other.
Cisco Software Central is one of the most used connectivity software.
LIVEWARE
They are the ultimate “users” interacting with the computer system. There are
three types of people that operate the computer:

• Programmers: Professionals who write the computer programs that allow users
to interact with the computer. They must have technical knowledge of computers
and computer languages.
• System Analyst: They mainly design data processing systems, and solve problems
that arise in data processing
• End-Users: Also known as operators, they are the people who interact with the
computer system.
PROCEDURES
These are a set of instructions, written in code, to instruct a computer on how to
perform a task, run a software, do calculations etc. There are three types of procedures
in a computer:

• Hardware-Oriented Procedure: Instructs the hardware components of the

system, ensures they work smoothly
• Software Oriented Procedure: Provides instructions to launch and run software
programs
• Internal Procedures: Directs the flow of information and sequences the data
DATA
Essentially, the raw facts and figures that users input in the computer. The data
gets processed via the computer system and becomes information, which is processed
and organized data.
Information can then be used for decision-making purposes.
CONNECTIVITY
This is when the computers are linked to a network. It facilitates sharing of
information, files, and other facilities. Computers can connect to a network via LAN
cables, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, satellites etc.
The internet is the most obvious example of connectivity in a computer system.

Reference: https://www.toppr.com
Last access: February 15, 2020