Week 2: Clear Components of a Computer

Have you ever thought about what really makes a computer what it really is? One may allow such variables (electric, electronic and mechanical components) of a computer to overwhelm them when they are trying to figure out how such an amazing machine works, but it's quite clear. We can compare a computer to a math equation. The sum of all of the variables equate to the final product. Just as how 1+2=3...

Input devices+Output devices+System unit+Storage devices+Communications devices= Computer!

Input devices can be simply thought of a hardware device that sends information to the computer. Think of them as tools that allow you to give information to the computer. Information that goes IN the computer. Some examples are: the keyboard, mouse, digital camera, scanner, microphone etc.

Output devices can be thought of as the opposite of input devices. They are tools that we use to retrieve information from the computer...information that is sent OUT. Some examples include: the monitor (it is giving OUT information and displaying it so we can view it), speakers, printers, disk drives etc.

The system unit is the core of the computer system. Computers rely on the electronic components of the system unit in order to process, interpret and carry out functions. The motherboard is the main circuit board of the system unit. The motherboard consists of:

• Processor (also called a central processing unit or CPU)- interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer. Think of it as the "brain" of the computer.
  

• Memory- random access memory (RAM) temporarily stores information that the CPU uses while the computer is on.

Storage devices are just that...devices in the computer that store data. Such data are stored on storage media (CDs, DVDs, hard disks, USB flash drives) and a storage device records or retrieves items to and from storage media. Storage devices function as a a source of input because they transfer items from storage to memory. To put this into perspective, a perfect example would be one from the book. A DVD drive (storage device) accepts a DVD (storage media).

Communications devices allow computers to send and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers. Think of them as a "middle man." These devices allow you to access, or "communicate" with other computers. Such communication is facilitated through cables, telephone lines, cellular radio networks, satellites, and other transmission media.

And voila! ...we have a computer :)

For further information regarding components of computers, visit this Web site:
http://www.bedford.lib.nh.us/Basics.htm