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Hardware Components
A computer is made up of physical parts called hardware. These are the tangible
components you can see and touch.
They provide the platform where the operating system and other software are installed to
perform tasks.
The computer hardware performs four basic functions:
1. Input
2. Processing
3. Output
4. Storage
1. Input Devices
These are devices used to communicate with the computer by sending data or
instructions for processing.
For data to be processed by the CPU, it must first pass through an input device.
Examples of input devices include:
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Joystick
• Digital Camera
• Web Camera
• Light Pen
• Scanner
• Barcode Reader
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2. Output Devices
These are devices through which the computer communicates with the user. They
display or produce the results of processed data.
Examples of output devices include:
• Monitor / Video Display Unit (VDU)
• Speakers
• Printer
• Plotter
• Pointer
3. Storage Devices
Storage is used to keep data and instructions either temporarily or permanently.
There are two major types of storage:
A. Primary Storage (Main Memory)
1. RAM (Random Access Memory):
• Read and write memory
• Volatile (data is lost when power is off)
• Stores information the CPU is currently processing
2. ROM (Read Only Memory):
• Contents are permanent and cannot be rewritten
• Stores important instructions like the boot program used when the
computer is switched on
B. Secondary Storage (External / Auxiliary Memory)
Used for long-term storage and backup.
Examples:
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• Magnetic tapes
• Magnetic disks
• Diskettes
• CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory)
• Flash drives
• External hard disk
4. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU is the brain of the computer. It has three main components:
1. Control Unit (CU): Directs the flow of data and instructions.
2. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU):
• Performs arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division)
• Handles logical operations (e.g., comparing numbers)
• Uses Registers as temporary storage for data during processing
3. Memory Unit: Stores instructions and data.
Together, the ALU + Control Unit = CPU.
