Proyecto

HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

[1] In order to use computers effectively to solve problems in our environments, computer systems are devised. A "system" implies a good mixture of integrated parts workingtogether to form a useful whole. Computer systems may be discussed in two parts.

[2] The first part is hardware- the physical, electronic, and electromechanical devices that are thought of andrecognized as "computers". The second part is software- the programs that control and coordinate the activities of the computer hardware and that direct the processing of data.

INPUTCOMPUTER OUTPUT

SECONDARY STORAGE
Hardware components of a basic computer system

[3] The figure shows diagrammatically thebasic components of computer hardware joined together in a computer system. The centerpiece is called the computer, the processor, or usually the central processing unit (CPU). The term "computer"usually refers to those parts of the hardware in which calculations and other data manipulations are performed, and to the internal memory in which data and instructions are stored during the actualexecution of programs. The various peripherals, which include input and/ or output devices, various secondary memory devices, and so on, are attached to the CPU.

[4] Computer software can be divided intotwo very broad categories- systems software and applications software. The former is often simply referred to as "systems". These, when brought into internal memory, direct the computer to performtasks. The latter may be provided along with the hardware by a systems supplier as part of a computer product designed to answer a specific need in certain areas. These complete hardware/softwareproducts are called turnkey systems.

[5] The success or failure of any computer systems depends on the skill with which the hardware and software components are selected and blended. A poorly chosen...