Hardware and software practice

In your notebook, illustrate the parts that correspond to the hardware and software
of a computer, then explain how they work on the equipment.

The computer is usually composed of four elements, which are shown below:

The computer is made up of several elements on which its operation depends. For
example, for the computer to recognize the instructions that the user enters through any
input device, these must be processed by the microprocessor, which is started up thanks
to the operating system. Nowadays, one of the most important machines is the computer,
whose main function is to automate functions and tasks, as well as to keep humans
informed and connected to their environment.

When using computer tools we identify the function that each of them has, for example, in
input and output devices, such as the mouse, keyboard, scanner, digitizing tablets, touch
screen, digital cameras, webcam, optical pen, printers, plotter, among others.
 Hardware

Motherboard: from English Motherboard, it is the largest circuit board inside

a computer, where the microprocessor, hard drive, memory, expansion
cards, communication cables, among others, are connected. Its main
function is to interconnect all these devices.
Microprocessor: also called CPU, is a small integrated circuit that functions
as the "brain" of the computer, where all calculations are performed and all
instructions from programs or the user are executed.
Random Access Memory or RAM: from the English Random Access
Memory, is responsible for temporarily storing the instructions for the
operation of the operating system and other running programs. It loses its
content when the computer is turned off. Hard disk or HDD: from the English
Hard Disk Drive, is responsible for permanently storing all user information
(photos, documents, videos) and the programs installed on the computer. It
is the main storage device inside a computer.
Expansion cards: also known as controller cards, are responsible for
connecting the computer to another device, replacing a defective integrated
card or expanding the computer's functions. The most common expansion
cards are the video card, sound card, wired and wireless network card.
 PERIPHERAL FUNCTION

to Plays sounds stored or generated by the computer, only in a personal

way. These can be headbands, buttons, clips, among others.

M
It reproduces sounds stored or generated by the computer, only in an
ambient way. They can be connected to the computer via USB,
Bluetooth, among others.

Horns

Allows the user to convert physical images and documents into digital
(virtual) ones.

Scanner

It allows converting digital information into its physical form (on paper).
There are several types of printers such as laser, ink. 3D. among others.

Printer to

Allows you to enter movements or other orders, depending on the

program you are using. They are mainly used in video games and
robotics.

Joystick / Gamepad

It is generally used in business to detect the product code that helps the
computer relate them and identify additional information such as price,
availability, among others.
Barcode reader

£
It allows you to enter audio into the computer, converting the voice or
analog sounds to digital so that they can later be recorded, played or
manipulated by an additional program.
 2
Allows you to control the cursor (arrow) on the screen to move objects
and execute instructions through the buttons. They usually connect to the
T computer via USB or Bluetooth.
O

Their function is similar to that of printers, but they are larger and allow

1 large-scale printing. They are widely used by architects for printing plans
on large sheets or in advertising.
This peripheral is usually installed in mobile computers (laptops); it works in a
similar way to a mouse, except that it detects the contact and pressure of the
fingers.

Allows you to use the computer by entering actions with direct contact of your
fingers on the screen.

Displays video and images stored on your computer by projecting them onto a
flat surface, either a wall or a specialized screen.

It allows you to input images and videos recorded in real time into the
computer. They are widely used in video conferencing.

Hard Drive. Main storage device, can be internal or external, the best
technology is solid state. Currently, its storage capacity varies between 120
Gigabytes and 14 Terabytes.

USB flash drive. It is the most popular storage device in the world due to its
portability. They exist in different capacities. (1,2,4, 8, 16,32, 64. 128 and
256 Gigabytes).

Flash drives. They usually have the same capacities as USB flash drives.
They are mainly used in portable devices (smartphones, cameras, tablets,
consoles, among others). In the early years of flash memory, each
manufacturer had its own design, so there were memories called: CF
(Compact Flash), MS (MemoryStick), MMC (Multimedia Card), among
others, with SD (Secure Digital) being the most popular today.

CD (Compact Disc). It is mainly used in the music industry: there are

recordable (once only) and rewritable (multiple times) types. Its standard
storage capacity is 700 Megabytes.

DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). It is mainly used in the film and video game
industries. Its standard storage capacity is 4.7 Gigabytes.

Blu-Ray. Its standard storage capacity is 25 Gigabytes and is used for high
 definition (HD) video and audio and next-generation video games.

The set of computer programs can be classified into three main types:

1. System software: has the function of controlling and managing the operation of the
hardware, for example, the operating system and utilities such as device drivers, diagnostic
tools, correction and optimization tools, among others.
2. Application software: These are programs that allow users to process data in solving
tasks. Some examples of this type are office applications such as Microsoft Office
programs, educational software, business software, computer-aided design software,
numerical control software, among others.
3. Programming or development software: these are the different programming languages
that enable the transmission of instructions from the machine to the CPU.

a) Word processors. They are programs whose only task is word processing. Its main
functions include: spell checking, searching for synonyms and antonyms, previews,
inserting image files, video, links, hypertexts, text attributes, font sizes and types, tables
and newspaper columns, etc. For example: Microsoft Works, Microsoft Word for Windows,
among others.
b) Electronic spreadsheets. They are also called electronic worksheets, which consist of a
matrix composed of rows and columns, which allow the creation, manipulation and
analysis of information.

It allows the user to make mathematical and statistical calculations, using formulas and
functions, and even obtaining results in a graph. Among others, we have Quattro, Excel for
Windows.

c) Databases. They are used to manage large volumes of information, which are
manipulated by a database manager with sufficient resources to easily obtain queries of
any type and in any order, whether printed or on screen; reports or reports, assistants for
creating capture screens, for example: FoxPro, Access, etc.

d) Plotters. They are programs that allow the user to represent the results required by
means of text and graphic images. AutoCAD, Corel Draw, among others.

e) Props. They simplify the user's work, because they are used to perform repairs and
maintenance work that keep the computer performing correctly.

f) Accounting and administrative packages. Specialized programs to automate

accounting and administration tasks, such as: general accounting, payroll, inventories,
project and resource management, for example Contpaq, Contavisión.

g) Publication editors. They allow you to produce high-quality publications through the
computer, they allow you to design, edit and produce pages for magazines, newspapers,
flyers, newsletters, etc., for example: Picture Publisher, Aldus Page Maker.

h) Communication packets. Communication lines are used to send and receive data, texts
and messages. Example: pcAnywhere, Smartcom for Windows.

i) Tutorials. Its design is specific: to train the user in the use of the computer or some
other program.

j) Programming language translators. They are capable of translating and transforming

the instructions of the programs that the programmer creates into a programming
language.