Lusaka Business and Technical College | Engineering Department

Lesson notes 3: Hardware and Software

Programs: TTL1 / Craft / Tech / Dip
Subject: Introduction To Computers
Intake: Year 1

Learning outcomes
At the end of this lesson you should be able to

1. Describe the functions the functions of a computer.

2. Define the terms software and hardware
3. Distinguish between software and hardware
4. Describe the two types of software; application and system software
5. Define an operating system
6. Describe the functions of an operating system

Functions of a computer
Having looked at elements of a computer in the previous lesson, it is now easy to understand the
functions of a computer. For a computer to perform any task that you may think of, it performs
the following functions:
▪ Accepts data as input from the user.
As a user of the computer, you are the one that wants tasks to be done. Therefore, you
feed the computer with what it should work on and manipulate to what you desire. For
the computer to begin the data processing circle, it performs the function of accepting
data from you, through the input devices.
▪ Manipulate data into information.
This is the function of the computer that involves processing of data by the Central
Processing unit into the required results by the user. This function involves carrying out
instructions of a program that is used to perform the task at hand.
▪ Store information and intermediary results of processing.
The data that is fed into the system is received and held in primary memory of the
computer, even before processing begins. The computer holds data and intermediary
results of processing temporarily, and it also stores information for future reference
(permanently) using the Memory or storage unit.
▪ Provides output to the user.
The computer makes the information available to the user in a human readable form
through the output devices.
▪ Control all the four functions above.
The functions of a computer also include controlling how each of the functions above is
carried out. Thus, it controls the activities done by the devices.
Page 1 of 5
Lecturer: Ms. E. Phiri Email: lizzyphiri30@gmail.com SkypeId: Lizzy
Lusaka Business and Technical College | Engineering Department

To understand how the computer system operates and carries out its functions let us look
at the two components of a computer system; Hardware and software.

Hardware
The term hardware refers to all physical and tangible parts of a computer.
Computer hardware devices are divided into four major categories: input, processing, output,
and storage. This means all the devices that we looked at in the previous lessons are hardware,
thus:

▪ Input devices: keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, light pen, bar code reader,
joystick, etc.
▪ Output devices: Monitor speakers, plotter, etc.
▪ Storage devices: hard disk drive, flash drive, magnetic tape, memory card, etc.
▪ Processing device: Central Processing Unit
Other hardware includes a motherboard, which is one of the most essential parts of a computer
system. It holds together many of the crucial components of a computer, including the CPU,
memory and connectors for input and output devices.

Software
Software is set of instructions that tell computer hardware what to do. Thus, hardware of the
computer cannot function without software. Software makes hardware usable.
There are two categories of software namely systems software and application software

System software

System software is computer software designed to operate the computer hardware to provide
basic functionality and to provide a platform for running application software. Of the two types
of software, this is the one that communicates directly with the hardware device.

That is, Programs that coordinate the activities and functions of the hardware and various other
programs. The following are examples of systems software:

Operating system

An operating system is a suit of programs that manage the operations of the computer and allow
programs to run on the computer without human intervention.

• This is the primary systems software of the computer. It enables the computer hardware
to communicate and operate with the computer software. An operating system is the
main system software of a computer, therefore lets go a bit deeper and understand what it
does.

Page 2 of 5
Lecturer: Ms. E. Phiri Email: lizzyphiri30@gmail.com SkypeId: Lizzy
Lusaka Business and Technical College | Engineering Department

Functions of an operating system

• Scheduling and loading of programs in order to provide a continuous sequence of
processing and to provide appropriate responses to events
• Controls hardware resources, for example, controls selection and operation of input,
output and storage devices.
• Security − Prevents unauthorized access to programs and data by means of passwords
and other similar techniques.
• Provide user interface. This is a function of the operating system that allows individuals
to access and command the computer.
o Command line or ‘Text-Based’ User Interface - Requires text
commands be given to the computer to perform basic activities.
o Graphical User Interface (GUI) - Uses pictures (icons) and menus
displayed on the screen to send commands to the computer system
• Memory management- Controls how memory is accessed and maximizes available
memory and storage. For example
o It allocates memory to a program that needs to run, and protects the allocated
memory from being accessed by a different program.
oKeeps track of the primary memory, i.e. what part of it is in use by whom, what
part is not in use, etc.
• Processor Management − Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process and deallocates the
processor when it is no longer required.
Examples of operating systems include Microsoft Windows, Linux, Unix, MacOS for
Apple.

Click the link below and Watch the video for more elaboration on the operating system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBURTt97EkA

Page 3 of 5
Lecturer: Ms. E. Phiri Email: lizzyphiri30@gmail.com SkypeId: Lizzy
Lusaka Business and Technical College | Engineering Department

Utility
A utility or software utility is computer system software intended to analyse, configure, monitor,
or help maintain a computer. It focuses on how the computer infrastructure operates. The
following are some of the utility software:
Antivirus: this a computer program used to prevent, detect and remove malicious software. It
provides protection for other computer threats such as browser hijackers. Thus it helps maintain
security in of the system.
Disk cleaner: Disk cleaner is also a utility program that is used to find and delete potentially
unnecessary or unwanted files from the computer.
Other utility programs are Backup software, Compression utility, Network monitor.
System Driver
This is also known as device driver. It is a program that controls a particular type of hardware
device that is attached to a computer. This software enables the attached device to communicate
with the computer’s operating system.
▪ Thus, without this type of system software the computer cannot send or receive data from
the attached device. E.g. cannot send anything to the printer, cannot read anything from
the scanner.

Application Software
Application software is designed to help the user perform a specific task. They are also called
productivity programs or end-user programs.

The following are some of the application software:

▪ Database programs; a database program is a software that is used to manage data and
information structured as fields, records and files.
o Example of database program is Microsoft Access.
▪ Word processors; a program used to store, manipulate, and formate text entered from a
keyboard and provide a printout.
o Examples include Microsoft word, WordPerfect, Word Pad, Google Docs, Apple
iWork - Pages.
▪ Web browsers; this is a software used to access information on the World Wide Web.
o Examples include; Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Edge, Firefox
▪ Spreadsheets; A spreadsheet or worksheet is a file made of rows and columns that help
sort data, arrange data easily, and calculate numerical data.

Click on this video link for more explanation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4JVAWopyqs

Page 4 of 5
Lecturer: Ms. E. Phiri Email: lizzyphiri30@gmail.com SkypeId: Lizzy
Lusaka Business and Technical College | Engineering Department

Bespoke and off -the-shelf

When acquiring software, there are two options to consider:

▪ Thus, buying an off – the – shelf software, these are produced for the wide range of
customers with a standard design. The off-the shelf provides functions that a wide range
of customers will find useful.
▪ Or have one designed and developed to meet your entire or specific requirement. This
type of software developed for a particular customer is called a bespoke, custom or tailor
made.

To understand off the shelf and bespoke software using an example click the video
link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NquPjE60toA

Analytical Question
Click on the video links to watch and answer the questions below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJGGdhU8WRU

Question: Give two reasons why a company would prefer bespoke software.

Page 5 of 5
Lecturer: Ms. E. Phiri Email: lizzyphiri30@gmail.com SkypeId: Lizzy