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• Software: These are programs and applications used in ICT systems. These are available both front-end and
back-end tools. For example, Word, Excel, and Visual Basic.
• Hardware: All physical components of the ICT system which we can touch and feel are called hardware. For example,
Input Devices (Mouse and Keyboard), Output Devices (Monitor and Printer), Processing Device (Central Processing
Unit) and Storage Devices (Hard Disk).
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
"Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all." —John F. Kennedy
A computer is an electronic device that takes an input from the user, processes it in a desired way and generates an
output in a specific format. This processed data can also be stored in a storage device for future use. Computer as a
term is not a single unit. It is combination of two major components are Hardware and Software.
Software: A set of instructions that we give to a computer to get the work done is called software. Let us take an
example of our mobile phone. The mobile that we buy is hardware and the applications that we install on it are
software. Software can be categorised in two types:
• System Software: Software that is required to control the functions of a computer is called system software. It refers
to a program that works as a manager of the computer. Without system software, we cannot use a computer. Some
of the examples of system software are:
w Operating systems like Windows, DOS (Disk Operating System), Mobile OS, Mac OS, etc.
w Basic system utilities like disk formatters, file managers, etc.
• Application Software: Software that is designed for a user and is made to do a specific kind of work is called
application software. Some of the examples of application software are:
w Microsoft Word and Open Office Writer, used for designing, editing and printing documents.
w Spreadsheet is used for creating data in a tabular form, so that data calculation, analysis and graphical representation
can be done easily.
Basic Operations of a Computer
The computer performs four basic operations that are input, processing, output, and storage. Let us discuss these in
detail.
Input (Raw Data)
Input is the collection of raw facts or figures in the form of text, numbers, graphs, etc. provided to the computer using
input devices like a keyboard, mouse, scanner, etc. It is also called raw data or unprocessed data.
Processing
Processing is a method to convert raw data into meaningful information. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the
computer is responsible for the processing of data.
Output (Information)
Output is the processed data. It is obtained after the manipulation and processing of input (raw data). It is also called
meaningful data or Information. The computer displays the output to the user through output devices like monitors,
printers, speakers, etc.
Storage
Storage is the process of storing either raw data or processed information. The data can be stored either using
secondary storage devices like flash drive, hard disk, compact disc, or online storage medium like Google Drive,
OneDrive, etc.
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