Lec 3 Computer Hardware or Basic Unit of Compurter
Lec 3 Computer Hardware or Basic Unit of Compurter
Input devices are external hardware components that are used to enter or accept data and
instructions into a computer.
Input devices
1) Mouse
2) Keyboard
3) Trackball
4) Joystick
5) Scanner
6) Touchscreen
7) Webcam
8) microphone
Output devices
Output devices are used to display output or give results of the processing instructions to the
user.
Output devices
1) Monitor
2) Printer
3) Speaker
4) Headphone
5) Projector
6) Touchscreen
7) Plotter
8) GPS ( global positioning system)
Monitors
Impact and non impact printers
Computer memory is one of the most important and compulsory component of every
computer system.
Computer memory is used to store data or programs on a temporary or permanent basis for
use in a computer.
Units of memory
Bit : also called binary digit. It is the basic unit of information in computing.
Bit is the smallest amount of memory a computer can recognize.
Bit can hold two values, either ‘0’ or ‘1’ .
Units of memory
Volatile memory : (temporary memory) : data and information is lost when the electric power
stopped or computer goes shut down.
Example : RAM
Non-volatile memory : (permanent memory) : data and information are not lost when the
electric power is stopped or computer goes shut down.
Example : ROM, HDD .
Primary memory
Random access memory (RAM) : it is the short term memory of computer, where the data
that the processor is currently using is stored.
RAM is short term and volatile memory.
1) ALU (arithmetic logic unit) : it performs arithmetic and logic operations on data. Such as
( addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and
logical operations : comparison between two data items.
Components of CPU
Power supply converts electric current from a source to the correct voltage, current, and
frequency to power the load.
System Clock
Machine cycle :
1. Fetch
2. Decode
3. execute
Expansion slots