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An introduction to different components of the computer, including definitions and examples of hardware, software, input, output, and storage.
Definitions
- Hardware - the physical components of a computer
- Input Device - hardware that provides data to a computer
- Output Device - hardware that converts computer data into human readable form
- Storage Device - retains digital data for later use
- Software - instructions and data that make the computer work
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Welcome.
0:00
In this video, we'll introduce you to
different components of the computer.
0:01
We will define and
provide examples of hardware,
0:06
software, input, output, and storage.
0:09
Let's start with hardware.
0:14
Hardware refers to the physical
components of a computer.
0:15
In other words,
the parts you can actually touch.
0:21
And yes, they are typically hard.
0:25
The main brain of a computer consists
of the CPU and RAM, or the main memory.
0:28
I can teach an entire course
on how these components work.
0:35
But just know that all of the parts of the
computer communicate with the main brain.
0:39
Outside of that, we can divide
hardware into three device categories,
0:45
input, output, and storage.
0:50
An input device is hardware that
provides data to a computer.
0:55
For example, you may use a keyboard and
mouse to enter data into a word processing
1:01
application, a camera to take photographs,
and a microphone to record audio.
1:06
The computer receives this information and
converts it into data it can use, namely
1:12
a series of zeros and ones called binary,
which we'll dig into in the next video.
1:17
An output device is hardware that converts
computer data into human readable form.
1:23
For example,
a screen displays text and images.
1:29
A printer provides a physical
paper output for later use.
1:32
Speakers offer audio feedback,
and your video game
1:36
controller provides tactile feedback
whenever it vibrates in your hand.
1:39
The computer only sees zeros and ones, but
1:44
it converts it back to information
that humans can understand.
1:47
A storage device retains digital data for
later use.
1:54
I briefly mentioned RAM, which serves
as the primary memory of the computer.
1:58
However, main memory is volatile,
2:03
which means it's lost when
your computer is powered off.
2:05
For this reason, we rely on secondary and
2:09
tertiary storage to save
information permanently.
2:11
Secondary storage can refer to the hard
drive that is often housed inside your
2:16
device, a flash drive that plugs directly
into a USB port of your computer,
2:22
and even CD and DVD ROM discs
that are historically popular for
2:27
distributing music, movies, and software.
2:31
Tertiary storage is also
known as cloud storage.
2:35
This means that the data is stored
somewhere different from your physical
2:39
location.
2:42
Examples of cloud storage include
Google Drive, OneDrive by Microsoft,
2:44
iCloud by Apple, and
Amazon Web Services or AWS.
2:50
If you use any of these services,
you're saving data in the cloud.
2:56
I could go into a lot more
detail about hardware, however,
3:02
without software,
the hardware is pretty useless.
3:05
So let's talk about it.
3:09
Software refers to the instructions and
data that make the computer work,
3:13
such as system software, which includes
the operating system and device drivers.
3:17
This is the boring stuff
that runs in the background.
3:22
Think of it like this.
3:25
If your house is the hardware, the system
software would be the plumbing and
3:27
electrical system.
3:30
Sometimes you take it for
granted, but if it breaks down,
3:32
you go out of your way to get it fixed.
3:35
You may be more familiar
with application software.
3:39
This includes the web browser you
use to access Treehouse content,
3:41
the word processor to write letters,
3:46
the spreadsheet application to manage your
budget, and the apps on your smartphone.
3:48
Throughout your journey here, you may
learn how to design application software
3:53
for use on your laptop, favorite web
browser, and even your mobile phone.
3:58
In the next video, we'll learn about bits,
bytes, and the prefixes used for
4:03
large amounts of data.
4:08
See you soon.
4:10
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