That makes possible the transmission of data to or from computer via telephone

Hardware

What is hardware? Webster’s dictionary gives us the following definition

of the hardware – the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical devices

Composing a computer system.

Computer hardware can be divided into four categories:

Input hardware

Processing hardware

Storage hardware

Output hardware

Input hardware

The purpose of the input hardware is to collect data and convert it into a

Form suitable for computer processing. The most common input device is a

Keyboard. it looks very much like a typewriter. The mouse is a hand held

Device connected to the computer by small cable. As the mouse is rolled across

The mouse pad, the cursor moves across the screen. When the cursor reaches

The desired location, the user usually pushes a button on the mouse once or

Twice to signal a menu selection or a command to the computer.

The light pen uses a light sensitive photoelectric cell to signal screen

Position to the computer. Another type of input hardware is optic-electronic

Scanner that is used to input graphics as well as typeset characters.

Microphone and video camera can be also used to input data into the

Computer. Electronic cameras are becoming very popular among the consumers

For their relatively low price and convenience.

Processing hardware

The purpose of processing hardware is retrieve, interpret and direct the

Execution of software instructions provided to the computer. The most

Common components of processing hardware are the Central Processing Unit

And main memory.

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer. It reads

And interprets software instructions and coordinates the processing activities

That must take place. The design of the CPU affects the processing power and

The speed of the computer, as well as the amount of main memory it can use

Effectively. With a well-designed CPU in your computer, you can perform

Highly sophisticated tasks in a very short time. Memory is the system of component of the computer in which

information is stored. There are two types of computer memory: RAM and

ROM.

RAM (random access memory) is the volatile computer memory, used

For creating loading, and running programs and for manipulating and

Temporarily storing data;

ROM (read only memory) is nonvolatile, nonmodifiable computer

Memory, used to hold programmed instructions to the system.

The more memory you have in your computer, the more operations you

Can perform.

Storage hardware

The purpose of storage hardware is to store computer instructions and

Data in a form that is relatively permanent and retrieve when needed for

Processing. The most common ways of storing data are Hard disk, floppy disc

And CD-ROM.

Hard disc is a rigid disc coated with magnetic material, for storing

Programs and relatively large amounts of data.

Floppy disc (diskette) – thin, usually flexible plastic disc coated with

Magnetic material, for storing computer data and programs.

CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) is a compact disc on which

A large amount of digitized read-only data can be stored. CD-ROMs are very

Popular now because of the growing speed which CD-ROM drives can provide

Nowadays.

Output hardware

The purpose of output hardware is to provide the user with the means to

View information produced by the computer system. Information is output in

Either hardcopy or softcopy form. Hardcopy output can be held in your hand,

Such as paper with text or graphics printed on it. Softcopy output is displayed

On a monitor.

Monitor is a component with a display screen for viewing computer data,

Television programs, etc.

Printer is a computer output device that produces a paper copy of data or

Graphics.

Modem is an example of communication hardware – an electronic device

that makes possible the transmission of data to or from computer via telephone