Computer Fundamental

Hardware, Software & Firmware

Computer Hardware

Computer hardware is the physical part of a computer, including the digital circuitry, as distinguished from the computer software that executes within the hardware. The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and data, which are "soft" in the sense that they are readily created, modified or erased on the computer. It provides a platform for software to execute.

The hardware are the parts of computer itself including the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and related microchips and micro-circuitry, keyboards, monitors, case and drives (floppy, hard, CD, DVD, optical, tape, etc...). Other extra parts called peripheral components or devices include mouse, printers, modems, scanners, digital cameras and cards (sound, color, and video) etc...

A Personal Computer Hardware consists of various things:

1. System board (most often called Motherboard) with slots for expansion cards and holding parts including:

. CPU . RAM . BIOS(Basic Input Output System) . Buses

2. Power supply [SMPS: Switch mode power Supply] - a case that holds a transformer, voltage control, and (usually) a cooling fan.

3. Storage controllers - that control Hard Disk , floppy disk, CD-ROM and other drives; the controllers sit directly on the motherboard (on-board) or on expansion cards.

4. Video display controller that produces the output for the computer display. This will either be built into the motherboard or attached in it's own separate slot (PCI, PCI-E or AGP), requiring a Graphics Card.

5. Computer Bus

6. Input Devices

7. Output Devices.

Software

The term software describes the programs that run on your system. This includes your computer operating system and other computer programs which run. Software is written in a computer language (such as Basic, C, Java, or others) by programmers. The computer language is in a text format and can be read by a person although if you do not understand the structure and rules of the language you may not understand it very well. Once a program is written, an operation is performed on it which is called compiling. Compiling is the process of changing the textual written language into a binary language which can be understood by the computer.

Firmware

Definition: In computing, Firmware is software that is embedded in a hardware device.

The term "Firmware" was originally coined to indicate a functional replacement for hardware on low cost microprocessors. Firmware in many devices can now be updated without the need for additional hardware, often through the use of vendor-provided software.

For example: The BIOS [Basic Input Output System] found in Personal Computers;