What is computer?

The computer comes from the word "compute" which means to calculate.

A computer is an electronic device that accepts information, process, stores and output data at high
speed.

The full form of computer: ( C= common/O= operating/ M= machine/ P= particularly/ U= used for/ T=
technical/ E= education/ R= research.) = Common operating machine particularly used for technical
education and research.

Types of computer:

1- personal computer

2- mainframe computer

3- super computer

4- mini computer

5- work station

6- micro computer

A computer system is divided into two categories:

1- Hardware: the physical parts of a computer system, which you can see or touch.

Example: Keyboard, Mouse, CPU, Monitor, Printer, Hard Drive etc ...

2- Software: it is the opposite of hardware, and it is a generic term used to refer to applications, scripts
and programs that run on a device. It is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate
computers and execute specific tasks.

Example: Ms paint, Notepad, Tally Ms Word, Ms Excel, Photoshop etc...

A computer consists of five primary hardware components:

1- Input devices:

What is input? = This is the process of entering data or instruction into a computer.

What is input device?= Is any hardware parts that allow a user to enter data or instruction into a
computer. Example; keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Webcame, Touchpad, Touch screen etc ..

2- output devices:

What is output? = This is the process of producing result from the computer.
What is output device? = Is any hardware parts used to send data from a computer to another device.

Example; Monitor, Printer, Speaker, Plotter, Projector, Headphone...

3- CPU: (central processing unit), is the brain of a computer as it controls all the functions of the
computer. The CPU's job is to listen for input data from devices like a mouse or other software, then it
looks up instructions for that data, and executes those instructions.

4- storage devices: a piece of computer equipment on which information can be stored. Like for
example memory cards, hard disk drive, floppy disk, pen drive, optical discs.

5- memory: is the most essential component of a computing system. It is used to hold the data and
instruction during the processing by the CPU. Memory is also used to run any program. Basically there
are two types of memory; primary and secondary memory.

 Primary memory: it is the main memory of a computer that is used to run a program and to hold
all the data and instructions for a short period of time( temporary). The primary memory is of
volatile type, which means it loses all information if the computer loses power. Example:1- ROM
(Read only memory); we can only read information from a ROM but we can not write, edit or
modify it. 2- RAM( Random access memory); we can read, write, modify or delete any
information from RAM.
 Secondary memory: known as external memory or auxiliary memory. Example; Hard Disk,
Floppy disk, Magnetic Tapes, etc...

These primary hardware parts of a computer work alongside software system to perform calculations,
organize information and additionally to connect with different computers. So, the hardware
components of a computer are actuated and controlled with the help of software. This is the basic
relationship between hardware and software.