Hardware
is a general term for the physical components that make up a computer system: the keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer and so on. Hardware can be either external or internal.
Software
is a general term for the programs that control the computer system.There are two types of software: application and system. Examples of each are
shown on the following pages.
Word processor
is a software used to manipulate text documents, such as an essay or a report.
Spreadsheet
is a software used to organise and manipulate numerical data (in the form of integer, real, date, and so on).
Database
is a software used to organise, manipulate and analyse data.
Application Software
is a program that allow the user to do specific tasks
Compiler
is a computer program that translates a program written in a high-level language (HLL) into machine code (code that is understood by the computer) so that it can be directly used by a computer to perform a required task
Linkers or Link editor
is a computer program that takes one or more object files produced by a compiler and
combines them into a single program that can be run on a computer.
Device driver
is the name given to software that enables one or more
hardware devices to communicate with the computer's operating system.
System Software
is a program that allow the hardware to run properly
and allow the user to communicate with
the computer
Photo editing software
is a software that allows a user to manipulate digital photographs stored on a computer; for example, change
brightness, change contrast, alter colour saturation or remove 'red eye'.
Video editing software
is a software that allows a user to manipulate videos to produce an edited video.
Graphic manipulation software
is a software that allows bitmap and vector images to be changed.
Operating systems (OS)
is essentially a software running in the background of a computer system. It manages many of the basic functions.
Utilities
software that has been designed to carry out specific
tasks on a computer. Essentially, they are programs that help to manage, maintain and control computer
resources.
Motherboard
is a printed circuit board found in all computers. It allows
the processor and other computer hardware to function and communicate with each other.
Random access memory (RAM)
is an internal chip where data is temporarily stored when running applications.
Read-only memory (ROM)
is a memory used to store information that needs to be permanent. It is often used to contain, for example, configuration data for a computer system.
Video card
is a device that allows the computer to
send graphical information to a video
display device such as a monitor,
television or projector.
Sound card
is an integrated circuit board that provides a computer with
the ability to produce sounds. These sounds can be heard by the user either through speakers or headphones.