Computer
Hardware
Physical structure that houses a computer's processor, memory, storage, communication ports and peripheral devices. Each of these components (called devices) have a different purpose, which may be either accepting inputs, storing data or sending outputs.
For example, a mouse and a microphone are input devices used to record user activities and transform them into data that is transmitted to the system unit. A hard disk is a storage unit where data is stored and accessed by other devices.
A monitor or a speaker are output devices that transform processed data into (respectively) video and audio signals.
Usually, the core components that represent the bare minimum that allow a computer to function are:
Processor (CPU)
The component that processes and executes inputs received from hardware and software.
Motherboard
A mainboard that provides basic connection between all the other hardware components and devices (internal and external).
Memory (RAM)
A temporary data storage space that stores the information the CPU is actively using.
Storage device
A storage device where data is stored on a permanent basis. It’s slower but less volatile than the RAM.
Power supply unit
That’s pretty self-explanatory: without power, no electronic device can work!
Software
All parts of a computer that are not strictly physical, such as data, programs, applications, protocols, etc., are broadly defined as “software.” Although software has no material form, it is no less critical to receive information, encode, store and process it.
Computer software includes all executable and non-executable data, such as documents, digital media, libraries, and online information. A computer’s operating system (OS) and all its applications are software as well.
A computer works with software programs that are sent to its underlying
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