Information Technology Topic
Computer Functions, Hardware, and Software
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Study focus - 3 things
- The main computer functions are input, processing, storage, and output
- Hardware is the physical part of a computer system
- Software is the set of programs and instructions that tell hardware what to do
Section 1Four main functions
A computer accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output. The thing to remember is the order: input goes in, processing happens, storage keeps data, and output comes out.
Section 2Processing and storage
Processing means the computer works on data to make it useful. Storage means saving data and programs for later use. For example, typing a project, editing it, saving it, and printing it uses all four functions.
Section 3Computer hardware
Hardware is any physical part of the computer system that you can touch. Examples include keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, system unit, hard drive, and motherboard. Watch out: hardware is not just the parts outside the case.
Section 4Computer software
Software is made of programs and instructions. Examples include operating systems, word processors, browsers, games, and school apps. Here's the trick: hardware is the body; software gives the instructions.
Examples
Classify a keyboard and a word processor as hardware or software.
A keyboard is hardware because it is physical. A word processor is software because it is a program.
A student types a Social Studies assignment, saves it, and prints it. Name the computer functions used.
Typing is input, the computer processes the text, saving is storage, and printing is output.
Now let's water it
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